Our secret fears are tapped no more adeptly than by Stephen King. As one of the most widely read novelist today, his mastery of the macabre is approached by few. The reality of evil as a potent force in the world is a trademark in his blend of fantasy, horror, and psychological suspense making him as immensely popular as he is prolific and contemporary.

Born in Portland, Maine, in 1947, Stephen Edwin King is a fiction powerhouse. He was a student a the University of Maine at Orono where he became active in politics, wrote for the school newspaper and met Tabitha Spruce who became his wife. He earned a meager teacher's salary during the early years of his marriage and augmented his income by writing short stories for mens' magazines. His novel, Carrie, was accepted for publication in 1973. He hit pay dirt when the major paperback deal provided the means for him to leave teaching. Since then the prolific author has never looked back and has concentrated full-time on writing.

For his domination of the horror genre, he's been dubbed Master of the Macabre. Many of his bestselling thrillers, mysteries, fantasies, novellas, and short stories have been turned into blockbuster films and miniseries, among them are Carrie, The Shining, the Stand, Misery, It, The Shawshank Redemption, The Langoliers, Stand by Me, and the Green Mile. King also has nonfiction credits to his name: a well crafted memoir/scribbler's how-to (On Writing) and Faithful, a chronicle of the Boston Red Sox' astronomical 2004 season which was co-written with Stewart O'Nan. In 2003 King also received the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

The untiring King also performs in a rock band, the Rock Bottom Remainders. The band's rotating members include fellow authors Dave Barry and Amy Tan. He, with his wife Tabitha, sees as many Boston Red Sox games as possible. He and Tabitha also contribute to many local and national charities.

Name: Stephen King
Also Known As: Stephen Edwin King (full name); Richard Bachman
Current Home: Bangor, Maine
Date of Birth: September 21, 1947
Place of Birth: Portland, Maine
Education: B.S., University of Maine at Orono, 1970
Awards: O. Henry Award for "The Man in the Black Suit", 1995; National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, 2003

Lisey's Story, Stephen King's latest novel along with many more of his books can be purchased by clicking the link below: