NEWS -

The Shining stage adaption set for 2025

Posted: November 19, 2024, 21:11
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A stage adaptation of The Shining is heading for the West End stage. It was back in 2017 we first heard about it and then it’s been delayed but now it looks like negotiations are underway with West End theatre owners to find a home for the show, which will open in 2025 in London.


The Shining is set to be produced by the team behind hit Broadway and West End show Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Colin Callender’s Playground Entertainment and Sonia Friedman’s Sonia Friedman Productions (The Book of Mormon). The novel is being adapted by Tony Award-winner Simon Stephens.

The stage production of The Shining will stick closer to the plot of the novel than Kubrick’s movie did.

“Stephen King hated the movie. He thought Jack Nicholson was just a two-dimensional villain and he couldn’t stand Shelley Duvall. The book is partly autobiographical – the alcoholic writer, that’s what it’s really about, and the first 115 pages of the book are about the father, husband, teacher, who is an alcoholic and trying to write, and who is having trouble with his son and his wife. All that leads to a climax where going to the hotel is the final straw. None of that is in the film… so the play is rooted in character in the way that I think Stephen King didn’t feel the film was”.
– Colin Callender in a recent meeting of the Broadcasting Press Guild.

In terms of casting, Ben Stiller was rumoured to be starring in the show as crazed father Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson in the movie, although no casting has currently been confirmed for the project.

Never Flinch Out In The UK May 27, 2025

Posted: November 19, 2024, 10:31
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Today Hodder & Stoughton announced that they will publish King’s new book Never Flinch on May 27, 2025.

When the Buckeye City Police Department receives a disturbing letter from a person threatening to ‘kill thirteen innocents and one guilty’ in ‘an act of atonement for the needless death of an innocent man’, Detective Izzy Jaynes has no idea what to think. Are fourteen citizens about to be slaughtered in an unhinged act of retribution? As the investigation unfolds, Izzy realises that the letter writer is deadly serious, and she turns to her friend Holly Gibney for help.

Meanwhile, controversial and outspoken women’s rights activist Kate McKay is embarking on a multi-state lecture tour, drawing packed venues of both fans and detractors. Someone who vehemently opposes Kate’s message of female empowerment is targeting her and disrupting her events. At first, no one is hurt, but the stalker is growing bolder, and Holly is hired to be Kate’s bodyguard – a challenging task with a headstrong employer and a determined adversary driven by wrath and his belief in his own righteousness.

Featuring a riveting cast of characters both old and new, including world-famous gospel singer Sista Bessie and an unforgettable villain addicted to murder, these twinned narratives converge in a chilling and spectacular conclusion – a feat of storytelling only Stephen King could pull off.

Thrilling, wildly fun and outrageously engrossing, Never Flinch is one of King’s richest and most propulsive novels.

We are thrilled to be publishing Never Flinch in 2025. I was held captive from the first page of this brilliantly suspenseful crime thriller. King offers readers both a fascinating exploration of justice and a glimpse into the world of an author on promotional tour, and his description of a woman’s singing comeback is matched only by his brilliant observation of dance in his story ‘The Life of Chuck’, soon to be a major movie. Never Flinch is the perfect entry point to readers new to Stephen King and offers and enticing reunion for fans of Holly Gibney.”
- Philippa Pride, Editor for Stephen King

Cover & Excerpt From Never Flinch; King’s New Book

Posted: November 18, 2024, 18:46
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Here is the cover for King’s next book Never Flinch. Entertainment Weekly has an excerpt that you can check out here. The book is release on May 27, 2025.


Never Flinch features intertwining storylines — one about a killer on a diabolical revenge mission and another about a vigilante stalking a feminist celebrity speaker. The novel features a host of familiar characters, including King's beloved Holly Gibney and gospel singer Sista Bessie, as well as riveting new faces that include a villain addicted to murder.

"When the Buckeye City Police Department receives a disturbing letter from a person threatening to 'kill thirteen innocents and one guilty' in 'an act of atonement for the needless death of an innocent man,' Detective Izzy Jaynes has no idea what to think," reads the book's description. "Are fourteen citizens about to be slaughtered in an unhinged act of retribution? As the investigation unfolds, Izzy realizes that the letter writer is deadly serious, and she turns to her friend Holly Gibney for help."

"Meanwhile, controversial and outspoken women’s rights activist Kate McKay is embarking on a multi-state lecture tour, drawing packed venues of both fans and detractors," it continues.

"Someone who vehemently opposes Kate’s message of female empowerment is targeting her and disrupting her events. At first, no one is hurt, but the stalker is growing bolder, and Holly is hired to be Kate’s bodyguard — a challenging task with a headstrong employer and a determined adversary driven by wrath and his belief in his own righteousness."

Eventually, the twin narratives converge, resulting in a spectacular, chilling climax.

Flanagan Brings Carrie To Present Time

Posted: November 10, 2024, 17:27
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Mike Flanagan brings Carrie from the 70’s to present time.

It initially started as a conversation that Amazon initiated, and they said, 'Hey, would you have any interest in Carrie?' And I had to think about it, because my first instinct is always — why? It's been done perfectly by De Palma, it's then been done three other times after the fact. Why do it again?

Carrie White is a story about high school violence and bullying, and that feels immediate and important today, unfortunately, even more kind of sharply relevant than I think it was when he wrote it. So there felt like a chance for some true modernization beyond just changing the time period, and to use it to talk about the issues that affect high school kids in America today.

You know, Carrie White walking through a metal detector is interesting to me. Carrie White with social media. The iconic scene in the locker room is very different when people have phones in their hands. So that was the first germ of an idea, like, there is room for this to actually have a lot to say that's very relevant. And I can't spoil the changes that we made in order to kind of find a story that felt like it needed to be told. But we made some pretty substantial changes."

When I brought it to Stephen King — because that's the other side of this, if Steve says no, he doesn't want to see it happen, we're not going to do it; I'm not about to do that in that relationship. And so when I mentioned it to him and said, 'What do you think about Carrie for TV?' He said, 'Well, why? Leave her alone . She's good, she's done. I'd rather we focus on other things.'

But when I sent him kind of the layout of how I saw it could work, he really liked it and he came back and said, 'Actually, yes, I think this is interesting, and I think this could be really relevant and could be really exciting.' And so that was when I said yeah, we should do this. I can't talk more about it, other than we're in the writers' room. We're having a great time, and I think we're going to tell a story that will be surprising and impactful, very relevant to our modern society and to issues in our country.

Source

It’s A Really, Really, Really Dark Story

Posted: November 9, 2024, 18:32
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In an interview with Collider Judy Greer opened up about her experience working on The Long Walk, diving into the story’s dark themes and the impressive young talent featured in the film.

Yeah, it’s called The Long Walk . It’s based on a novel Stephen King wrote in 1979. It was in response to the Vietnam War. Our movie kind of takes place again in sort of like a timeless place. Like there’s some technology, but then there’s a lot of throwback elements to the script. Francis Lawrence directed it, and Cooper Hoffman is the star. There are so many great young actors in this movie. I’m excited for all the talent that’s going to emerge.

It’s a really, really, really dark story, and it’ll probably be perfect for when it comes out.

The Long Walk has now wrapped shooting, but no release date has yet been announced.

Selected Shorts: Celebrating 50 Years of Stephen King

Posted: October 28, 2024, 09:51
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From StephenKing.com:

Master storyteller and bestselling author Stephen King burst onto the literary scene in 1974 with the publication of the spine-chilling novel Carrie. On Wednesday, November 13th at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre in NYC (and available to stream) see actors and admirers pay tribute to the legendary author with readings from his sensational short fiction––and an excerpt from the book that launched an extraordinary writing career. Hosted by Colson Whitehead (Harlem Shuffle) with performances by Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan) and more.

Please Note:
· Stephen is not traveling and will not be present at the celebration.
· There will not be a book signing at this event.

Please check the Symphony Space website for up-to-date information.

Tickets and Event Details at Symphony Space

Shining In The Dark Soon Out In Germany

Posted: October 22, 2024, 16:35
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I’m happy to reveal that Buchheim Verlag will release a trade edition of my book Shining in the Dark in German in March 2025. Earlier the book has only been released in a limited print run in German but now everyone will be able to read it.

The book contains Stephen King’s story The Blue Air Compressor not reprinted since 1981 and then it a small magazine as well as an original story by John Ajvide Lindqvist called The Keeper's Companion that so far can only be found here. Just to name a few of all the names included in the book.

You can find more info about the book itself on the official site.

More info to come!

We Have A Winner!

Posted: October 22, 2024, 15:40
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OK, the contest is over, and this one might have been the hardest I’ve had so far. It seems a lot of you misread the question.


The question was this:

King’s first and last book during his 50-year long publishing period (April 1974 and April 2024) have something in common. What is it and what are the titles of these two books?

If we break down the question, we get this:

The timeline for the question: King’s 50-year long publishing period (April 1974 and April 2024). This has nothing to do with any specific book. It’s the time for his first 50-years as a published author and the timespan for the question.

During this period, (April 1974 and April 2024) he published all his books up till Holly. You Like It Darker was released after April 2024 (it was released in May 2024) and has nothing to do with this as I never said his first and last book of ALL his books.

So, for the question the first book is Carrie (April 1974) and the last is Holly (September 2023).

And what those two books have in common is that they both have a female name as their titles which is the answer to the question.

Someone who figured this out and who is also the winner of the signed copy of HEARTS IN SUSPENSION is Matt G. from Claremont, NH. Congratulations and thanks to Veryfinebooks who sponsored this contest!

Flanagan Puts Carrie On TV

Posted: October 21, 2024, 19:06
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Variety reports that Mike Flanagan will adapt Carrie as an 8-part TV serie for Amazon.

A series adaptation of Stephen King’s novel “Carrie” from horror maven Mike Flanagan is in development at Amazon MGM Studios, Variety has learned.

The series logline describes it as a “bold and timely reimagining of the story of misfit high-schooler Carrie White, who has spent her life in seclusion with her domineering mother. After her father’s sudden and untimely death, Carrie finds herself contending with the alien landscape of public High School, a bullying scandal that shatters her community, and the emergence of mysterious telekinetic powers.”

Flanagan will write and executive produce the potential series with Intrepid Picture’s Trevor Macy also serving as an executive producer. Flanagan will also serve as showrunner. Melinda Nishioka will oversee the project for Intrepid. Flanagan is currently under an overall deal with Amazon MGM Studios.

Josh Brolin In Negotiatons To Be In The Running Man

Posted: October 18, 2024, 15:00
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Deadline reports that Josh Brolin is in final negotiations to land the villain role in The Running Man. No details of Brolin’s role have been released but sources say he will play the antagonist behind the violent reality show. If true that means he would play the same character (or a version of him) that Richard Dawson did in the 1987 adaptation.

Until confirmation I would consider this a rumor though.

Salem's Lot Improv In Bangor

Posted: October 18, 2024, 13:41
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A very interesting way to present King’s book Salem’s Lot will take place in Bangor. The audience will have a say in what happens, and this will make each performance different from the others.

Here is what Bangor Daily News said:

Lights, music, improv, vampires.

“A Kick in Your Derry’ere!” will bring all these things to life this week at the Bangor Opera when ImprovAcadia and Penobscot Theatre Company take on mega selling author Stephen King in a sendup of one of his earliest works.

The show will follow the story arc of King’s second novel, “Salem’s Lot,” published in 1975, but be different each night based on suggestions from the audience. In the book, author Ben Mears returns to Jerusalem’s Lot, Maine, to write a novel about his childhood only to find there is a vampire endangering its citizens.

My Thoughts On Lost (Or Found) In Translation

Posted: October 17, 2024, 14:05
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Check out my thoughts about the chapbook Lost (or Found) in Translation here.

It’s not often I think ”I wish I had written that book” but it happens. One time was when I read the book What’s in a Name by Bev Vincent. A more recent time was today when I read the book Lost (or Found) in Translation, also by Bev Vincent. It’s a good thing that his books are so good or I would have been really annoyed with him.

Fairy Tale Goes From Film To Series

Posted: October 16, 2024, 20:48
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Deadline reports that A24 has decided to turn Fairy Tale into a 10-episode series.

Paul Greengrass, who wrote the script and was expected to direct the (first planed) feature will expanded the script with J.H. Wyman. Wayman will also be the showrunner.

Peter Rice will be executive producer alongside Greengrass, Wyman and King.

Scare Up The Vote Event Online

Posted: October 16, 2024, 07:34
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The video from last nights event Scare Up the Vote is now online. They talked about horror but no news about upcoming books or movies were give. Check out the full video here

1.23 in you’ll see Mike Flanagan and Kate Siegel.

2.00 in you can see Joe Hill and Stephen King

Cover for The End Of The World As We Know It

Posted: October 15, 2024, 10:03
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Here's the cover for The End of the World As We Know It. A book with stories taking place during and after the events in The Stand written by numerous different authors (not King though) and with an introduction by King.

Now for the first time, Stephen King has fully authorized a return to the harrowing world of The Stand through this original short story anthology as presented by award-winning authors and editors Christopher Golden and Brian Keene. Bringing together some of today’s greatest and most visionary writers, The End of the World As We Know It features unforgettable, all-new stories set during and after (and some perhaps long after) the events of The Stand.

The book is released August 19, 2025. Pre-order here.

The Rock Bottom Remainders Look Back

Posted: October 14, 2024, 22:49
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On Saturday November 23 at 2:30 pm The Rock Bottom Remainders will look back at
”life on the road”.

Something strange has happened with the author photos though & even though I would love to be there Sam Barry isn’t my stage name :-)

The ROCK BOTTOM REMAINDERS, an endearingly ragtag cover band established in 1992 and mostly made up of high-profile published authors, performed at Miami Book Fair more than a dozen times over the years. And they’re reuniting right here this year, bringing together a lineup not seen together on stage for more than a decade! Meet the latest iteration of the group – which includes MITCH ALBOM, DAVE BARRY, SAM BARRY, ROY BLOUNT JR., GREG ILES, MARY KARR, STEPHEN KING, RIDLEY PEARSON, AMY TAN, SCOTT TUROW, and ALAN ZWEIBEL – as its members look back at “life on the road,” past performances, and oh, yeah – their books. Moderated by author and journalist LISA NAPOLI.

More info here.

Contest: Win A Signed Stephen King Book

Posted: October 3, 2024, 13:45
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Have you ever wanted to own a book signed by Stephen King? Now is your chance. By entering this contest, you get the chance to be the owner of a signed copy of HEARTS IN SUSPENSION. This one was signed by King back in 2016 when the book was released. Included is also a letter of authenticity from the publisher, University of Maine Press.

All you need to do to enter the contest it so follow Lilja’s Library on Facebook, Instagram or X and answer the question bellow. You need to do it before Monday October 21. That’s it!

Good Luck and thanks to Veryfinebooks who is sponsoring the contest by donating the book!

Scare Up The Vote

Posted: October 2, 2024, 13:07
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Scare Up the Vote is a grass roots event by the horror community to raise funds and awareness to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. This live online event includes appearances from Stephen King, Joe Hill, Mike Flanagan, Tananarive Due, Stephen Graham Jones, Cynthia Pelayo, Paul Tremblay, Gabino Iglesias, Victor LaValle, Alma Katsu, Bryan Fuller (Hannibal), Scott Derrickson (The Black Phone), Don Mancini (creator of Chucky) and MANY MORE TO COME!

It will be live at 8p ET / 5p PT Oct. 15 here


More info can be found here

Some Interesting Facts About Salem's Lot (The New Movie)

Posted: October 2, 2024, 08:45
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Some interesting information has surfaced about the new Salem’s Lot adaptation. Den of Geek spoke to Gary Dauberman who revealed that his initial cut of the film contained more of the town’s backstory and was about three hours long, compared to the finished version’s almost two hours.

“My first cut was about three hours. There’s a lot left out. My first draft of the script is 180-odd pages or something because you’re trying to include everything. And a lot of it has to do with a lot of the secondary characters and stuff that I spoke about. So it was sad to see that stuff go, but it’s like a necessary evil.”

One of the things left out is the scene where Ben Mears as a child he sneaked into the Marsten House and had what may have been a supernatural experience.

Dauberman also spoke about the delay of the release of the film.

“It was a dark journey, you know, mostly an unpleasant journey, just not knowing… I just didn’t know what was going on.”

Another interesting fact was revealed when Cinema Blend spoke to Dauberman. Dauberman revealed that there is a deleted scene that features an issue of Comics Review.

“It didn't get into the movie, but I had the original publication, the zine of his first published short story. Someone brought it in. It's like, if you buy it, it's like $10, 15 grand or whatever. I had a scene where Mark Petrie is leaving class and he drops all his books and stuff, and Ben [Mears] helps him pick it up and he picks it up and he looks at it, and that's where Mark gets all his knowledge of horror movies and all that stuff.”

My Thoughs About Salem's Lot

Posted: October 1, 2024, 10:11
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Here are my thoughts about the new adaptation of Salem’s Lot.

The review contains SPOILERS so be warned!!!

The movie isn’t as bad as I feared but it’s not a particularly good movie either and it’s biggest problem is that it’s just not scary.

New Omnibus Gwendy Edition With New Introduction

Posted: September 24, 2024, 11:05
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Here is the cover by Ben Baldwin for next years omnibus edition of The Gwendy Trilogy. It will be published by Gallery Books (in the spring next year) and by Cemetery Dance (later in 2025). King and Chizmar have written a joint introduction entitled Butch and Sundance.


I’m still hoping for a version where they have edited the three books into one.

More Names Enter The Institute & Who Plays Who?

Posted: September 24, 2024, 10:47
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Deadline reports that 11 more names have been added to The Institute series. Already known are Mary-Louise Parker, Ben Barnes, Simone Miller and Jason Diaz. They are now joined by Joe Freeman, Fionn Laird, Hannah Galway, Julian Richings, Robert Joy, Viggo Hanvelt, Arlen So, Birva Pandya, Dan Beirne, Martin Roach and Jane Luk. Production of the eight-episode series will begin in Nova Scotia later this year.

Laird plays Nick, The Institute’s resident bad-boy rebel.

Galway portrays Wendy, police officer and lifelong resident in the town where Tim is night knocking.

Joy plays Hendricks, the Doctor in charge of The Institute’s scientific work.

Roach portrays Chief Ashworth, Tim’s boss, the small-town Chief of Police.

Hanvelt plays Avery, the youngest, most innocent, and by far the most powerful of The Institute’s inmates.

Richings portrays Stackhouse, The Institute’s calculating head of security.

Beirne plays Drew, a police officer in the department Tim works for.

So portrays George, The Institute’s class clown.

Pandya plays Iris, one of the first kids Luke meets when he arrives at The Institute.

Luke portrays Maureen, an Institute orderly with a tragic past.

Previously announced Barnes’ Tim Jamieson is a disillusioned ex-cop who takes a job as the night knocker in a small town, withdrawing from the world until Luke’s plight reignites him and gives him something to believe in.

Parker will play Ms. Sigsby, the charming but iron-willed director of the Institute and a true believer in its awful mission. She’s certain history will come to see her as a hero.
Miller plays Kalisha, a sarcastic-but-friendly Institute inmate, who becomes one of Luke’s closest allies.

Diaz plays Tony, the most sadistic of the Institute’s orderlies, who delights in wielding his power over the children.

Carrie’s Legacy; New Book About King's Book

Posted: September 21, 2024, 17:10
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As most of you already know this year marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Carrie, right? If not, you do now and finally, I can reveal some great news. Earlier this year I was asked to write an essay about Carrie and how it had influenced me and my love for King’s books. The essay would be published in a book called Carrie’s Legacy: Revisiting Stephen King’s Girl with a Frightening Power by Lividian Publications. I sent in my essay in June, called it The Christmas Gift That Sparked a Lifelong Love for Stephen King and today I can finally tell you about the book. It’s packed with essays from a lot of friends and big names in the King community and a piece by the man himself. In An Introduction to Carrie King shares the fascinating story of how Carrie was written.
You can read more about the book and order your copy over at Lividian Publications.

Dutch Limited Edition Of Shining In The Dark Released Today

Posted: September 21, 2024, 15:00
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A limited edition of Shining in the Dark is being released by the Dutch Stephen King Fan Club today. Here is some info about it:


- The Paperback has yellow glow-in-the-dark letters (left in the picture), the Hardcocer has green glow-in-the-dark letters (right in the picture).

- The book is released in 500 copies. 150 numbered Hardcover copies, and 350 unnumbered paperback copies.

- Each Hardcover copy has a numbered signature sheet (that matches with the book's number) signed by me.


- Both the Hardcover and Paperback editions come with a specially designed Shining in the dark-bookmark.

- The Hardcover (price €25) is already sold out.

- The Paperback (price €19) is almost sold out. Only a few copies left.

- These editions are only available through the Fan Club (not in bookstores).


- The book has 228 pages, and the Dutch translation was done by Pauline Onderwater & Ninja Paap-Luijten.

Special feature

King calendar

September:
The Life of Chuck (movie)
September 13, 2024:
Stephen King: Not Just Horror (French ed.)
September 21, 2024:
Stephen King: Stories From Five Decades of Storytelling (US edition)
Fall:
The Extra Hour (short in CD #79)
2024:
Stephen King: Not Just Horror (Greek ed.)
October:
Salem’s Lot (movie)
2024:
Stephen King: Stories From Five Decades of Storytelling (Italian edition)
2024:
Stephen King: Stories From Five Decades of Storytelling (Greek edition)
2024:
Stephen King: Stories From Five Decades of Storytelling (German edition)
2024:
Stephen King: Not Just Horror (German ed.)
2025:
Stephen King: Not Just Horror (Spanish ed.)
February 21, 2025:
The Monkey (movie)
2025:
Welcome To Derry (TV series)
2025:
The Long Walk (movie)
2025:
The Institute (TV series)
November 21, 2025:
The Running Man

Latest interviews

Angelina Kekish
February 16, 2021
Aaron Haye
February 15, 2021
Eli Roth
October 5, 2020

Latest reviews

Lost (or Found) in Translation
October 17, 2024
Salem's Lot
October 1, 2024
You Like It Darker
May 21, 2024

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