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The creative process behind a cover...

Posted: January 15, 2010, 12:35

Bev Vincent posted this on his board:

The somewhat controversial "Sunpire" (that is to say, Vampires fueled by the sun rather than killed by it) aspects behind Stephen King and Scott Snyder's upcoming Vertigo title "American Vampire" may have some would-be readers wary - especially in lieu of the "Twilight" films' sparkly motifs - but I gotta say, Rafael Albuquerque's art makes me forget all about that noise.

Over at Vertigo's Graphic Content blog, Albuquerque gives readers a rundown on his creative process behind building the cover image for the series' second issue.

It's a pretty interesting look at his approach to composing a striking cover, especially his closing remarks about color choice.

The best part is that, judging from the light sources in the image, fans won't have to worry about the series' fanged protagonist sparkling when the series hits in March.

You can also see more of how the cover was created here.

My thoughts

Posted: January 15, 2010, 00:49

Here are my thought about issue #3 of The Road of Trials.

Audio clip

Posted: January 15, 2010, 00:03

Here is a first audio excerpt from UR.

New cover

Posted: January 14, 2010, 23:58

Here is another cover for American Vampire.

UR on audio

Posted: January 8, 2010, 00:51

On February 12 UR will be released on audio and the narrator is Holter Graham.

Top 10

Posted: January 7, 2010, 01:03

King picks the top 10 TV shows in 2009.

Thanks to willowlove

The result is in...

Posted: January 7, 2010, 01:03

From King's board:

The voting closed at the end of the day on December 31st. The votes were 5,861 for Doctor Sleep and 5,812 for the new Dark Tower. I'll be letting Steve know the results but the final decision for which one gets written first is still up to his muse. He's working on another book at the moment (you know the drill--no, I can't say anything more about it until he gives the thumbs up) so it won't get started right away in any case.

Thanks to Bev Vincent.

Hear King

Posted: January 7, 2010, 00:55

Here is a clip from Shooter Jennings album Black Ribbons and it begins with King narrating.

The album is released on March 10.

King to narrate

Posted: January 6, 2010, 20:49

This interesting info surfaced on the Net today.

JENNINGS LANDS AUTHOR KING FOR NEW ALBUM

Rocker SHOOTER JENNINGS has found a thrilling narrator for his new concept album BLACK RIBBONS - best-selling horror author STEPHEN KING.

The novelist plays the voice of Will O' The Wisp, a radio talk-show host being phased out due to government censorship.
He talks of a doomsday future for America in between playing the music of Jennings' band, Hierophant.

The pair has yet to meet, but Jennings insists the collaboration has proved to be a success.

He says, "Once the idea of using him popped in my head, it kind of stayed and never varied. I wrote a script and I sent it to him, and then he took that and he rewrote it and changed it and added quite a lot of great stuff, so at the end of the day, that part of it was a collaboration. He was supportive of what I'd written and liked the voice that I had given the character. I sent it to him and a couple of weeks later, I had a package at my doorstep with a CD, a typed-out transcript and a picture of him doing it."

New Dollar Baby

Posted: January 5, 2010, 09:45

A Dollar Baby of Survivor Type is in the making. It's directed by Chris Ethridge and written by Jayson Palmer who expect it will be about 25-30 minute long.

The official site can be found at http://www.survivortypefilm.com and even though there isn't much there now they plan to have a production blog up on the site after the script is complete.

Lilja's Library in Rue Morgue

Posted: January 2, 2010, 22:30

In issue #96 of Rue Morgue there is a review of my upcoming book. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find a copy yet so if anyone has one and could scan the review for me, please mail me
.

King's top 10

Posted: January 2, 2010, 22:26

Here are King's top 10 films for 2009.

Thanks to Sonia Rodríguez Riveiro and herbertwest

I made it...

Posted: January 2, 2010, 02:08

...to eBay :-)

Read UR on your PC

Posted: December 30, 2009, 19:52

Amazon has now made it possible to download a KINDLE software for PC. Therefore, it is not anymore compulsory to buy amazon's
kindle to download UR. It can now be bought online, and read on the computer.

Go here to get the software.

Thanks to herbertwest

Talisman comic in hardback

Posted: December 30, 2009, 19:50

It looks like the first story arc of The Talisman comic (The Road of Trials) is being released in hardback on May 25th.

Thanks to Donovan Maguigan

New review of my book

Posted: December 28, 2009, 20:11

Bookgasm published a review of my book today. You can find it here.

Review

Posted: December 27, 2009, 23:50

Here is my review of issue #2 of The Road of Trials.

Review

Posted: December 27, 2009, 23:47

Here is my review of issue #6 of Fall of Gilead.

News about IT

Posted: December 24, 2009, 23:42

Here are some news about the remake of IT:

According to Producer Dan Lin, writer Dave Kajganich is expected to turn in a draft of his script for It over Christmas.

Thanks to Bev Vincent.

Straub on Talisman 3

Posted: December 24, 2009, 23:41

Peter Straub wrote this on his Twitter:

And for those who care, no worries. In about a year SK and I will begin planning a new book.

Thanks to Bev Vincent

Scarecrow Joe McClatchy revealed...

Posted: December 24, 2009, 23:40

Scarecrow Joe McClatchy's real identity has been revealed. Read all about it here. For those who don't know I Joe is one of the characters in Under the Dome and he has had a blogg here.

Stephen King's Battleground

Posted: December 21, 2009, 08:51

Here is an update for Stephen King's Battleground that will be released by Gauntley Press in 2010.

Stephen King's Battleground

Set for Publication Fall 2010

A definitive collection of Stephen King’s classic short story with which was adapted for television by Richard Christian Matheson. We start with King’s short story and then move to R.C. Matheson’s script for the opening episode of “Nightmares and Dreamscapes”, which starred William Hurt and was directed by Brian Henson. Henson will provide storyboards used for the episode which won two Emmy awards. We will have further details as to whom will be contributing material to this unique collection in early 2010.

We will price the book once we have the full contents and those providing tributes.

Taking Orders January 1, 2010

You can also check out photos from the filming of the episode here.

Thanks to Marco Lammers

Cover

Posted: December 21, 2009, 07:28

Here is the cover for the upcoming cover American Vampire.

Thanks to Jeremy Guerineau

Book of the month

Posted: December 18, 2009, 23:45

In the new issue of Fangoria (issue #289) you can find King's essay called What’s Scary but what I didn't know until tonight is that in that very same issue Fangoria selects my upcoming book, Lilja's Library: The World of Stephen King as their "Book of the Month". How about that?

Tommy, a new poem

Posted: December 18, 2009, 23:33

The January/February issue of Playboy says another SK poem will appear in the March issue.

Details:
STEPHEN KING--In his latest poem, Tommy, the horror master delivers an eerie yet touching reminiscence of childhood friendships and the ways innocence and experience intertwine.

Thanks to willowlove

King's top 10

Posted: December 18, 2009, 23:25

Entertainment Weekly has published Stephen King: My Top 10 Books of 2009.

Thanks to Bev Vincent

King on Colbert

Posted: December 18, 2009, 23:20

Here you can see King's appearance on The Colbert Report.

Big update on Ghost Brothers...

Posted: December 15, 2009, 21:42

This update was published on King's official site today:

John Mellencamp has virtually completed recording and “assembling” the “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County” musical theater collaboration with Stephen King.

John and King have edited the initial three-hour program down to two hours and 10 minutes—with a bit more editing still to come before producer T-Bone Burnett completes the tracks. When finished, the recording will be available in a novel book package containing the full text, two discs featuring the entire production of the spoken word script and songs performed by the cast, and a third CD of the songs only.

The story involves domestic turmoil, and is played by a stellar cast led by Kris Kristofferson, in the role of Joe, the father, and Elvis Costello, as the satanic character The Shape. Rosanne Cash plays Monique, the mother, with the sons enacted by Will Daily (Frank), Dave Alvin (Jack), Alvin’s real-life brother Phil Alvin (Andy) and John (Drake).

Sheryl Crow stars as Jenna and Neko Case is Anna, with boxing legend Joe Frazier playing caretaker Dan Coker and Stephen King himself in the role of Uncle Steve. The narrator is “24” star Glenn Morshower.

John stressed that the three-disc package is not a traditional audio book, but offers an experience more akin to listening to an old radio show with music; he further emphasized the challenge inherent in making such a project work.

And this was added (together with the text abow) on John's official site.

“It’s hard enough to make a play with music work—even when you can see the actors singing,” he said. “But here we have something that’s become way out of fashion: An audio program that allows the listener the opportunity to use his or her imagination! We live in the video world now, where everything is spoonfed for us and shown to us—so that it’s become quite an effort to fully involve the listener. So we’ve tried to make the listeners part of the process: Their imagination comes into play in the same way they read a book—or the way they listened to records before music videos came along. That’s what makes this so different—holding the listener’s attention while the songs are being sung, while engaging them with the story and dialog. It’s very complicated.”

John characterized the music as “down-home,” with the earthiness and feeling of the acoustic folk-country blues of the 1930s. He hopes to have the book/CD set out before the musical opens next September at Atlanta’s Alliance Theater.

Eyes of the Dragon photos

Posted: December 15, 2009, 00:32

Eyes of the Dragon has been performed as a stage play and here you can see some photos from the show. There is also an interview with it's creator.

Thanks to Herbert West

King helps the troops

Posted: December 15, 2009, 00:23

Stephen and Tabitha King had no problem donating money to ensure that the 150 members of Bravo Company of the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Unit could come home for the holidays.

Read more about it here.

Thanks to everyone that told me aobut this...and you where many.

More Under the Dome

Posted: December 10, 2009, 22:37

Under the Dome has been out for a while but it’s not forgotten. I have finished the audio version of it and you can read my thoughts about it here . I also got to do an interview with its narrator Raúl Esparza and you can read that one here .

Also, if you haven’t already bought the book on audio, you can do that by following these links:

Audio CD
MP3

If you prefer to download it you can so that as well. Some of the places you can go to do that is itunes and Audible.com

My review of Knowing Darkness

Posted: December 9, 2009, 11:43

Here are my review of Knowing Darkness - Artists Inspired by Stephen King , the biggest book I have ever seen.

King interview

Posted: December 8, 2009, 00:25

Here is an interview with King from the Music Hall of Portsmouth event.

Thanks to George Beahm

And the BIG winner is...

Posted: December 8, 2009, 00:22

Last week’s BIG contest is over and here are the correct answers and the lucky winner.

Read the complete text

Discordia goes live today

Posted: December 8, 2009, 00:12

From King's site:

Discordia Goes Live
Posted on: 12.7.09

Chapter One of Discordia is now available on StephenKing.com! Be sure to check out the much anticipated Interactive Experience based on the Dark Tower Series.

With detailed 3D artwork by Brian Stark,, fantastic illustrations by Michael Whelan and retrospective text by Robin Furth, Discordia is sure to please both the die hard DT fans as well as the uninitiated. Cheers! And happy holidays from StephenKing.com.

Launch Discordia.

Preview of issue #1 of The Battle of Jericho Hill

Posted: December 7, 2009, 23:05

Marvel announced a preview of the new arc, The Battle of Jericho Hill, plus some pics. You can find it here.

Thanks to Sebastian Rahm

No King on Colbert today

Posted: December 7, 2009, 23:03

This was posted on King's site today in regard to his appearance on The Colbert Report:

As mentioned, the scheduling is subject to change and we've been informed that Stephen's appearance will not be airing tonight but we don't yet have an alternate air date. As soon as we do, we will be sure to post it.

King and Colbert

Posted: December 3, 2009, 23:51

King's will appear on The Colbert Report on December 7th. This could be subject to change so be sure to check your local listings. His bit was taped on Nov. 11th.

Thanks to Bev Vincent

Two Talisman covers

Posted: December 3, 2009, 23:47

Here are the covers for issue #3 and #4 for The Roads of Trails
Thanks to Herbert West

13 episodes of Haven ordered

Posted: December 1, 2009, 07:56

SciFi wire reports taht Syfy has ordered 13 episodes of Haven, a new series based on a Stephen King novella, about a town for cursed people in exile. The show is based on King's The Colorado Kid.

Haven centers on a spooky town in Maine where cursed folk live normal lives in exile. When those curses start returning, FBI agent Audrey Parker is brought in to keep supernatural forces at bay—while trying to unravel the mysteries of Haven.

Scott Shepherd is the show runner and serves as executive producer along with Lloyd Segan and Shawn Piller. All were producers of USA's much-loved and much-missed The Dead Zone, which ran for six seasons and went off the air in 2008.

Sam Ernst and Jim Dunn are writing the pilot and will also serve as executive producers.

The show will air sometime next year.

Below is the full announcement:

Read the complete text

Thanks to Al Mattice

Vote for the next book

Posted: December 1, 2009, 07:51

The moderator on King's message board posted this yesterday.

Steve has asked for your input as to what book he should write next. To cast your vote for either a new Dark Tower book or a sequel to The Shining, please visit this thread and our home page.

Steve asked me to post this message:

Hey, you guys--I saw a lot of you Constant Readers while I was touring for Under the Dome, and I must say you're looking good. Thanks for turning out in such numbers, and thanks for all the nice things you've said about Under the Dome. There'll be another book next year. It's a good one, I think, but that's not why I'm writing. I mentioned two potential projects while I was on the road, one a new Mid-World book (not directly about Roland Deschain, but yes, he and his friend Cuthbert are in it, hunting a skin-man, which are what werewolves are called in that lost kingdom) and a sequel to The Shining called Doctor Sleep. Are you interested in reading either of these? If so, which one turns your dials more? Ms. Mod will be counting your votes (and of course it all means nothing if the muse doesn't speak). Meanwhile, thanks again for 2009.

Talk about a hard decision to make! However, which ever book you want, make sure to cast your vote.

Thanks to John Hanic

Second trailer for Discordia

Posted: November 30, 2009, 23:57

It's one week until we'll get a chance to try Discordia and today a new trailer was released. Check it out here.

Thanks to Ari

UK limited Under the Dome

Posted: November 30, 2009, 13:35

Here are some photos of the UK collector's set of Under The Dome. And to quote from the slipcase "Limited edition book signed by the author with deluxe binding, slipcase. coloured endpapers and a set of 27 trading cards."

The prize is £100 and it is limited to 500 copies reference Hatchards in London.

Thanks to John Ransome

And the winners are...

Posted: November 29, 2009, 21:47

Last week’s contest is over and here are the correct answers and the winners.

Read the complete text

Interview and preview

Posted: November 26, 2009, 16:24

Here is an interview with Robin Furth talking about The Dark Tower and there are also a preview of Battle of Jericho Hill.

Thanks to Sebastian Rahm

Segan talks Haven

Posted: November 26, 2009, 16:18

Here is an interview with Lloyd Segan in which he talks about the upcoming TV series Haven based on King's The Colorado Kid.

Thanks to Ed.

King does rumor control

Posted: November 26, 2009, 16:16

King has now commented on a sequel to The Shining:

Stephen King on proposed 'Shining' sequel: 'People shouldn't hold their breath'
by Kristen Baldwin

On the heels of the news that best-selling horror master (and EW columnist) told the audience at a Toronto book signing that he was considering writing a sequel to The Shining, King tells EW.com that he’s got no immediate plans to revisit the character of Danny Torrance. “It’s a great idea, and I just can’t seem to get down to it,” says the author in an e-mail. “People shouldn’t hold their breath. I know it would be cool, though. I want to write it just for the title, Dr. Sleep. I even told them [at the book signing], ‘It will probably never happen.’” Still, King — whose most recent novel is this month’s Under the Dome — can’t quite shut the door on the Shining sequel, adding, “But ‘probably’ isn’t ‘positively,’ so maybe.”

Thanks to Al Mattice

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