Stephen King

Stephen King is one of the most iconic and prolific authors of our generation. His writing has captivated, frightened and entertained millions of fans around the world since the 1970’s. With a whopping 54 novels and over 200 short stories to his name, Stephen King has distinguished himself as a modern horror and suspense master. His novels have been translated into more than 6 languages and produced into countless films and television series.

The King of Horror, as he has come to be known, was born in 1947 and raised in Maine. His father abandoned the family when he was two, forcing Stephen to grow up in a single parent household with his mother, Ruth. He credits his mother's influence for his success, saying that she is the "real author" of his work.

Stephen King studied English at the University of Maine and wrote numerous short stories throughout college. He graduated with a degree in B.A. in English in 1971 and started teaching English at a high school in Maine.

Stephen started writing full time after a collection of his short stories entitled “Night Shift”was published by Doubleday in 1978. His first success was the novel “Carrie” which was released in 1974. The success of "Carrie" was followed by many best-selling books and eventually Hollywood adaptations, earning Stephen King tremendous fame and fortune.

Stephen King has several distinct writing styles, principally horror and suspense. While his early works such as “The Shining” and “Misery” are famous horror classics that linger in the culture, Stephen King is also credited with more humorous works such as “The Green Mile” and “Vampire Lighthouse.” His diverse works include science fiction, fantasy and suspense themes, with memorable characters and chilling storylines.

Though primarily known for his horror stories, Stephen King has also written several non-fiction books, including “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” and “The Waste Lands,” and some lighthearted works including “Christmas with the Dead” and “The Cat napping.” Many of his works have also been adapted for television or film such as “The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Shining.”

In addition to his writing, Stephen King is well-known for his philanthropic work. He established the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, giving back to various charitable organizations. His foundation has donated money to various causes including providing free scholarships to students at his alma mater, the University of Maine.

Over the years, Stephen King has proven to be an invaluable source of inspiration to fans around the world through his unique and vivid stories. He has developed a devoted and passionate following with his harrowing tales of the macabre, crafting an incredible literary legacy. It is estimated that more than 350 million copies of Stephen King's books have been sold worldwide, making him one of the most beloved authors of our time.