Reading Stephen King

Book excerpt: S T E P H E N K I N G has inspired millions of readers with his writing for more than four decades now, and this special volume of essays gathers together some of his high-pro- le fans to discuss why they love reading Stephen King. Many of these fans are acclaimed authors of - ction in their own right. Some of them have written insightful books about Stephen King's work, exploring how King's natural storytelling gift has allowed him to create stories that reach people in every language around the world. A few of them have even written, produced, and directed movie adaptations of King's most acclaimed works. Inside this book you will join Clive Barker, Stewart O'Nan, Richard Chizmar, Frank Darabont, Stephen Spignesi, Justin Brooks, Tony Magistrale, Michael R. Collings, Rocky Wood, Robin Furth, Kevin Quigley, Hans-Åke Lilja, Billy Chizmar, Jack Ketchum, Bev Vincent, Mick Garris, and Jay Franco as they discuss their love of reading Stephen King... BRIAN JAMES FREEMAN is the author of The Painted Darkness, Black Fire, Blue November Storms, More Than Midnight, Weak and Wounded, Dreamlike States, Lost and Lonely, The Halloween Children (with Norman Prentiss), Darkness Whispers (with Richard Chizmar), and Walking With Ghosts. With Richard Chizmar, he is co-editor of the acclaimed Dark Screams ten volume horror anthology series published by Random House imprint Hydra. He also edited the Halloween Carnival anthology series for Hydra. Brian is the general manager of Cemetery Dance Publications and the publisher of Lonely Road Books. He is also the founder and publisher of Books to Benefit, a small press specializing in special Limited Edition books to raise funds for good causes. Visit him on the web at BrianJamesFreeman.com