The Stephen King Thread - Part 1

[Filmboy]

Sorry ,but I have a huge question burning in my mind.

Why is it that for certain novels, King use "Writing as Richard Bachman" for his works?

I don't understand and I don't get it.

What purpose does it serve?

Everybody know he is Stephen King so why put " Writing as Richard Bachman" on the front cover of his novel?

 

[Whiskey Tango]

At the beginning of Stephen King's career, the general view among publishers was such that an author was limited to a book every year, since publishing more would not be acceptable to the public. King therefore wanted to write under another name, in order to increase his publication without over-saturating the market for the King "brand." He convinced his publisher, Signet Books, to print these novels under a pseudonym.[1]

In his introduction to The Bachman Books, King does state that Bachman was also an attempt to make sense out of his career and try to answer the question of whether his success was due to talent or luck. He says he deliberately released the Bachman novels with as little marketing presence as possible and did his best to "load the dice against" Bachman. King concludes that he has yet to find an answer to the "talent versus luck" question, as he felt that he was outed as Bachman too early to know. The Bachman book Thinner sold 28,000 copies during its initial run—and then ten times as many when it was revealed that Bachman was, in fact, King.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bachman

 

[Filmboy]

At the beginning of Stephen King's career, the general view among publishers was such that an author was limited to a book every year, since publishing more would not be acceptable to the public. King therefore wanted to write under another name, in order to increase his publication without over-saturating the market for the King "brand." He convinced his publisher, Signet Books, to print these novels under a pseudonym.[1]

In his introduction to The Bachman Books, King does state that Bachman was also an attempt to make sense out of his career and try to answer the question of whether his success was due to talent or luck. He says he deliberately released the Bachman novels with as little marketing presence as possible and did his best to "load the dice against" Bachman. King concludes that he has yet to find an answer to the "talent versus luck" question, as he felt that he was outed as Bachman too early to know. The Bachman book Thinner sold 28,000 copies during its initial run—and then ten times as many when it was revealed that Bachman was, in fact, King.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bachman

Thanks, although I'm not sure using pseydonym really helps or hurt him or not.

Does he still use that pseydonym or he stop using it for his works ?

 

[KevanG]

There's been one or two books since then as per the wiki article but not much. Read up.

 

[:eek:]

Thanks, although I'm not sure using pseydonym really helps or hurt him or not.

Does he still use that pseydonym or he stop using it for his works ?

I don't think he will ever use it for any new works. Blaze, which was released a few years ago, is the latest book and even that book was a Kind of "lost" novel he wrote early in his career.

 

[:eek:]

More on Joe Hill's NOS4A2:

NOS4A2 is a spine-tingling novel of supernatural suspense from master of horror Joe Hill, the New York Times bestselling author of Heart-Shaped Box and Horns.
Charlie Manx burned a man to death in his black 1938 Rolls Royce Wraith, but that’s not the worst of it. Rumor has it that he kidnapped dozens of children, taking them to a place he calls “Christmasland.” The only child ever to escape was a very lucky girl named Victoria McQueen.
Vic has a gift – she can ride her bike through the Shorter Way bridge and she’ll come out the other side wherever she needs to be, even if it’s hundreds of miles away. Vic doesn’t tell anyone about her ability; no one would understand.
When Charlie Manx finally dies after years in prison, his body disappears...after the autopsy. The police and media think someone stole it, but Vic knows the truth: Charlie Manx is on the road again...and he has her kid. And this time, Vic McQueen’s going after him...

According to Amazon this novel is 704 pages, so Joe Hill is slowly catching up with his father when it comes to writing lengthy stories.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

That sounds pretty good. Has anyone tried one of JH's books?

 

[rnewbz]

I read Horns, I thought it was great.

 

[squeekness]

I bought Heart Shaped Box as an eBook cheap but still haven't read it yet. Got good reviews though.

 

[:eek:]

The Glass Floor

Posted: December 5, 2012, 16:24:56
Cemetery Dance #68 includes Stephen King’s The Glass Floor which was published in Startling Mystery Stories in 1967 and was the author’s first professional sale. It has never appeared in any of his collections.

Order your copy here.

 

[Vinyljunkie]

Been a fan of king since 1983 and tbh well, since 'It' he hasn't 'blown my socks off'm since. Dark half was good, so was 'tommyknockers' and 'dreamcatcher' but the rest? Meh. and I have most in hardback on my shelves.
Just ploughing through 'full dark, no stars' and if I compare it to 'different seasons'.... Um, well...

 

[:eek:]

King reading the new story Afterlife:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j--hDgtmQIw&feature=player_embedded

 

[squeekness]

Don't know how long it will last, but Under the Dome is up at Amazon right now for the Kindle only $2! It's normally $12! Made my day!

 

[:eek:]

Ghost Brothers of Darkland County in Jan?

Posted: January 4, 2013, 09:26:26
Section: General news » The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County
Simon & Schuster announced on their website that Ghost Brothers of Darkland County will be released in hardback (110 pages) on January 24, 2013. Earlier it has been March 19 so I’m not sure if this is an error or if the date has changed but what’s interesting is that we now know that the book will be in hardback and 110 pages long. I’ll keep you updated as I learn more but in the meantime, check out the official site here.

 

[:eek:]

King talks about Doctor Sleep:

http://firewireblog.com/2013/01/10/...out-his-upcoming-shining-sequel-doctor-sleep/

 

[Piper Maru]

So there is another adaptation of Carrie coming to the big-screen. Are there any other movies on the horizon based on Stephen King's works?

 

[:eek:]

So there is another adaptation of Carrie coming to the big-screen. Are there any other movies on the horizon based on Stephen King's works?

These are listed over at IMDb:

It(novel) (announced)


2013The Ten O'Clock People(story) (pre-production)


2013A Good Marriage(pre-production)


????Mercy(short story) (pre-production)


????The Milkman(story) (pre-production)


????Cell(based on the novel by) (pre-production)


????Creepshow(short story) (pre-production)


????The Talisman (TV mini-series) (novel) (pre-production)


2013The Death of Jack Hamilton(story) (filming)

 

[Piper Maru]

Wow, thanks! Looking forward to them, assuming they see the light of day. Also, wasn't Stephen King supposed to write an episode for The Walking Dead?

 

[:eek:]

Yeah, there were rumours he would write an episode together with his son Joe Hill, but after Frank Darabont left the series it seems it won't happen

 

[Whiskey Tango]

The Talisman (TV mini-series) (novel) (pre-production)

No goddamnit! When are they going to stop ruining great stories with ****** low budget tv miniseries?

Unhappy.

 

[:eek:]

Mr. Mercedes; new King book in 2014?

Posted: January 13, 2013, 23:41:38
Here is something that totally passed outside of my radar until I got a question about it on facebook (thanks Hazel).

Apperentley King mentioned that he is working on a book called Mr. Mercedes. It's not supernatural, but a detective novel involving a person who drove a car into a crowd of people and then taunted the Detective who handled the case after his retirement. What started as a short story has turned into a 500 page manuscript.

On King's messageboard someone asked about it and the Moderator there said it would be at least 2014 before we see it, and that Mr. Mercedes is a working title that King isn't real happy with.

 

[:eek:]

The Shining - The Game

Posted: January 17, 2013, 08:39:50
In this creepy game, one player controls the Overlook Hotel, and the other the Torrence family, each trying to destroy — or at least best — the other. Unlike most of the games on this list, this one was created with the support of the original author, and in fact Stephen King was one of its first play-testers. You can download it here.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

The Shining - The Game

Posted: January 17, 2013, 08:39:50
In this creepy game, one player controls the Overlook Hotel, and the other the Torrence family, each trying to destroy — or at least best — the other. Unlike most of the games on this list, this one was created with the support of the original author, and in fact Stephen King was one of its first play-testers. You can download it here.

Saw this on facebook yesterday. It looks pretty cool. Haven't had a chance to get it printed out yet though.

 

[Drizzle]

I've been on a Stephen King kick lately. I finished Carrie a few days ago and I'm about 115 pages into It.

 

[Sawyer]

You're gonna love it. IT's easily in my top 3 King novels.