Stephen King - Revision history

GaryJJSpate at 16:30, 5 August 2026

2026-08-05T16:30:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:30, 5 August 2026
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	\|status=Living		\|status=Living
	}}		}}
			{{tick\|date=5 August 2026}}
	'''Stephen Edwin King''' (born 21 September 1947) is an American author best known for his contributions to horror, supernatural fiction, suspense and fantasy. Often called the "King of Horror," he is one of the best-selling fiction writers of all time, with more than 350 million copies of his books sold worldwide and dozens of his novels and stories adapted for film and television.<ref name="britannica">{{cite web \|title=Stephen King \|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-King \|website=Encyclopaedia Britannica}}</ref>		'''Stephen Edwin King''' (born 21 September 1947) is an American author best known for his contributions to horror, supernatural fiction, suspense and fantasy. Often called the "King of Horror," he is one of the best-selling fiction writers of all time, with more than 350 million copies of his books sold worldwide and dozens of his novels and stories adapted for film and television.<ref name="britannica">{{cite web \|title=Stephen King \|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-King \|website=Encyclopaedia Britannica}}</ref>

GaryJJSpate: Fix apostrophe-count clash in 'Salem's Lot italics markup (use tag instead of wiki apostrophe markup)

2026-08-05T16:29:40Z

Fix apostrophe-count clash in 'Salem's Lot italics markup (use tag instead of wiki apostrophe markup)

← Older revision Revision as of 16:29, 5 August 2026
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|birthplace=[[Portland, Maine]], United States
|birthplace=[[Portland, Maine]], United States

|occupation=Author
|occupation=Author

|known_for=''Carrie''; ''The Shining''; ''It''; '''Salem's Lot''
|known_for=''Carrie''; ''The Shining''; ''It''; 'Salem's Lot

|status=Living
|status=Living

}}
}}

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''Carrie'' was published by Doubleday in 1974 after King sold the hardback rights for a modest advance; the subsequent paperback sale, for $400,000, allowed him to leave teaching and write full-time.<ref name="mentalfloss-carrie" /> The novel — about a bullied teenager with telekinetic powers — established several elements that would recur throughout his career: a small-town New England setting, a protagonist with a hidden or emerging supernatural ability, and horror grounded in recognisable adolescent or domestic cruelty.
''Carrie'' was published by Doubleday in 1974 after King sold the hardback rights for a modest advance; the subsequent paperback sale, for $400,000, allowed him to leave teaching and write full-time.<ref name="mentalfloss-carrie" /> The novel — about a bullied teenager with telekinetic powers — established several elements that would recur throughout his career: a small-town New England setting, a protagonist with a hidden or emerging supernatural ability, and horror grounded in recognisable adolescent or domestic cruelty.

A remarkably prolific run followed: '''Salem's Lot'' (1975), ''The Shining'' (1977), ''The Stand'' (1978), ''The Dead Zone'' (1979), ''Firestarter'' (1980), ''Cujo'' (1981), ''Pet Sematary'' (1983), ''It'' (1986) and ''Misery'' (1987) were all published within roughly a decade, alongside the beginning of his ''Dark Tower'' fantasy series, which he continued to write across three further decades. King has continued publishing at a similar pace ever since, including later novels such as ''11/22/63'' (2011) and ''Doctor Sleep'' (2013), a direct sequel to ''The Shining''.<ref name="britannica" />
A remarkably prolific run followed: 'Salem's Lot (1975), ''The Shining'' (1977), ''The Stand'' (1978), ''The Dead Zone'' (1979), ''Firestarter'' (1980), ''Cujo'' (1981), ''Pet Sematary'' (1983), ''It'' (1986) and ''Misery'' (1987) were all published within roughly a decade, alongside the beginning of his ''Dark Tower'' fantasy series, which he continued to write across three further decades. King has continued publishing at a similar pace ever since, including later novels such as ''11/22/63'' (2011) and ''Doctor Sleep'' (2013), a direct sequel to ''The Shining''.<ref name="britannica" />

Between 1977 and 1985, King published several novels under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, partly because publishers of the era discouraged authors from releasing more than one book per year under their own name, and partly, King later said, to test whether his success was down to talent or simply to his name recognition. The pseudonym was uncovered by a Washington, D.C. bookstore clerk, Steve Brown, who noticed stylistic similarities between Bachman's ''Thinner'' and King's own work and traced a Library of Congress filing that named King as the copyright holder. Brown contacted King's publisher in January 1985; King called Brown directly and the connection was confirmed in the press the following month.<ref name="bdn-bachman">{{cite web |title=Stephen King was unmasked as Richard Bachman 40 years ago this week |url=https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/02/05/state/stephen-king-unmasked-richard-bachman-40-years-ago-this-week-joam40zk0w/ |website=Bangor Daily News |date=2025-02-05}}</ref>
Between 1977 and 1985, King published several novels under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, partly because publishers of the era discouraged authors from releasing more than one book per year under their own name, and partly, King later said, to test whether his success was down to talent or simply to his name recognition. The pseudonym was uncovered by a Washington, D.C. bookstore clerk, Steve Brown, who noticed stylistic similarities between Bachman's ''Thinner'' and King's own work and traced a Library of Congress filing that named King as the copyright holder. Brown contacted King's publisher in January 1985; King called Brown directly and the connection was confirmed in the press the following month.<ref name="bdn-bachman">{{cite web |title=Stephen King was unmasked as Richard Bachman 40 years ago this week |url=https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/02/05/state/stephen-king-unmasked-richard-bachman-40-years-ago-this-week-joam40zk0w/ |website=Bangor Daily News |date=2025-02-05}}</ref>

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=== Monsters and unknown entities ===
=== Monsters and unknown entities ===

King has also written extensively about folkloric and invented monsters, including the ancient, shapeshifting entity of ''[[It (novel)|It]]'' (1986), the vampiric infestation of a small Maine town in '''Salem's Lot'' (1975), and the resurrected, malevolent dead of ''Pet Sematary'' (1983).
King has also written extensively about folkloric and invented monsters, including the ancient, shapeshifting entity of ''[[It (novel)|It]]'' (1986), the vampiric infestation of a small Maine town in 'Salem's Lot (1975), and the resurrected, malevolent dead of ''Pet Sematary'' (1983).

== Adaptations and cultural impact ==
== Adaptations and cultural impact ==

GaryJJSpate: Major expansion: add Stanley Hotel/Shining origin, 1999 accident, Cujo real-life inspiration, Bachman reveal, expanded career/personal life sections, multiple named sources

2026-08-05T16:29:00Z

Major expansion: add Stanley Hotel/Shining origin, 1999 accident, Cujo real-life inspiration, Bachman reveal, expanded career/personal life sections, multiple named sources
Show changes

GaryJJSpate: Standing correction: PersonInfobox -> InfoboxPerson

2026-08-05T12:24:35Z

Standing correction: PersonInfobox -> InfoboxPerson

← Older revision Revision as of 12:24, 5 August 2026
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{{~~PersonInfobox~~
{{InfoboxPerson

|name=Stephen King
|name=Stephen King

|born=21 September 1947
|born=21 September 1947

GaryJJSpate: /* Views on the supernatural */

2026-07-29T23:54:40Z

Views on the supernatural

← Older revision Revision as of 23:54, 29 July 2026
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However, King's fictional work should be distinguished from scientific or investigative research into paranormal claims.
However, King's fictional work should be distinguished from scientific or investigative research into paranormal claims.

His contribution to The Vault is primarily cultural: his writing has shaped public understanding and representation of paranormal themes.
His contribution to The Vault is primarily cultural: his writing has shaped public understanding and representation of paranormal themes.<ref>{{cite web

<ref>{{cite web

|title=Stephen King On Growing Up, Believing In God And Getting Scared
|title=Stephen King On Growing Up, Believing In God And Getting Scared

|url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/360137099
|url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/360137099

GaryJJSpate: /* Early life */

2026-07-29T23:54:21Z

Early life

← Older revision Revision as of 23:54, 29 July 2026
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King developed an early interest in horror and supernatural storytelling, influenced by childhood experiences with horror films, comic books and authors including [[H. P. Lovecraft]] and [[Edgar Allan Poe]].
King developed an early interest in horror and supernatural storytelling, influenced by childhood experiences with horror films, comic books and authors including [[H. P. Lovecraft]] and [[Edgar Allan Poe]].

He attended the [[University of Maine]], graduating in 1970 with a degree in English. While studying, he began publishing short stories and developing his writing career.
He attended the [[University of Maine]], graduating in 1970 with a degree in English. While studying, he began publishing short stories and developing his writing career.<ref>{{cite web

<ref>{{cite web

|title=Stephen King: The Author
|title=Stephen King: The Author

|url=https://stephenking.com/the-author/
|url=https://stephenking.com/the-author/

GaryJJSpate at 23:54, 29 July 2026

2026-07-29T23:54:07Z

← Older revision Revision as of 23:54, 29 July 2026
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'''Stephen Edwin King''' (born 21 September 1947) is an American author best known for his contributions to horror, supernatural fiction, suspense and fantasy. Often referred to as the "King of Horror", King has become one of the most commercially successful writers of the modern era, with hundreds of millions of copies of his works sold worldwide.
'''Stephen Edwin King''' (born 21 September 1947) is an American author best known for his contributions to horror, supernatural fiction, suspense and fantasy. Often referred to as the "King of Horror", King has become one of the most commercially successful writers of the modern era, with hundreds of millions of copies of his works sold worldwide.

Although his stories are fictional, many of King's works explore themes central to The Vault, including [[ghosts and hauntings]], psychic abilities, unexplained phenomena, possession, supernatural entities and altered states of consciousness. His writing has had a significant influence on how paranormal concepts are represented in popular culture.
Although his stories are fictional, many of King's works explore themes central to The Vault, including [[ghosts and hauntings]], psychic abilities, unexplained phenomena, possession, supernatural entities and altered states of consciousness. His writing has had a significant influence on how paranormal concepts are represented in popular culture.<ref>{{cite web

<ref>{{cite web

|title=Stephen King
|title=Stephen King

|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-King
|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-King

GaryJJSpate at 23:49, 29 July 2026

2026-07-29T23:49:53Z

← Older revision Revision as of 23:49, 29 July 2026
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{{~~VaultInfobox~~
{{PersonInfobox

|~~title~~=Stephen King
|name=Stephen King

~~|type=Person~~

|born=21 September 1947
|born=21 September 1947

|birthplace=[[Portland]], [[:Category:Maine|Maine]], [[:United States of America|USA]]

|occupation=Author
|occupation=Author

|~~country~~=~~United States~~
|known_for=Carrie; The Shining; It

|status=Living
|status=Living

}}
}}

GaryJJSpate at 23:46, 29 July 2026

2026-07-29T23:46:40Z

← Older revision Revision as of 23:46, 29 July 2026
Line 1: Line 1:

{{~~PersonInfobox~~
{{VaultInfobox

|~~name~~=Stephen King
|title=Stephen King

|born=21 September 1947~~, [[Portland, Maine]], United States~~
|type=Person

|born=21 September 1947

|occupation=Author
|occupation=Author

|~~known_for~~=~~Horror fiction; supernatural fiction; ''[[Carrie]]''; ''[[The Shining]]''; ''[[It]]''; ''[[The Stand]]''~~
|country=United States

|status=Living
|status=Living

}}
}}

GaryJJSpate at 21:01, 29 July 2026

2026-07-29T21:01:56Z

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:29, 5 August 2026
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	\|birthplace=[[Portland, Maine]], United States		\|birthplace=[[Portland, Maine]], United States
	\|occupation=Author		\|occupation=Author
	\|known_for=''Carrie''; ''The Shining''; ''It''; '''Salem's Lot''		\|known_for=''Carrie''; ''The Shining''; ''It''; <i>'Salem's Lot</i>
	\|status=Living		\|status=Living
	}}		}}
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	''Carrie'' was published by Doubleday in 1974 after King sold the hardback rights for a modest advance; the subsequent paperback sale, for $400,000, allowed him to leave teaching and write full-time.<ref name="mentalfloss-carrie" /> The novel — about a bullied teenager with telekinetic powers — established several elements that would recur throughout his career: a small-town New England setting, a protagonist with a hidden or emerging supernatural ability, and horror grounded in recognisable adolescent or domestic cruelty.		''Carrie'' was published by Doubleday in 1974 after King sold the hardback rights for a modest advance; the subsequent paperback sale, for $400,000, allowed him to leave teaching and write full-time.<ref name="mentalfloss-carrie" /> The novel — about a bullied teenager with telekinetic powers — established several elements that would recur throughout his career: a small-town New England setting, a protagonist with a hidden or emerging supernatural ability, and horror grounded in recognisable adolescent or domestic cruelty.

	A remarkably prolific run followed: '''Salem's Lot'' (1975), ''The Shining'' (1977), ''The Stand'' (1978), ''The Dead Zone'' (1979), ''Firestarter'' (1980), ''Cujo'' (1981), ''Pet Sematary'' (1983), ''It'' (1986) and ''Misery'' (1987) were all published within roughly a decade, alongside the beginning of his ''Dark Tower'' fantasy series, which he continued to write across three further decades. King has continued publishing at a similar pace ever since, including later novels such as ''11/22/63'' (2011) and ''Doctor Sleep'' (2013), a direct sequel to ''The Shining''.<ref name="britannica" />		A remarkably prolific run followed: <i>'Salem's Lot</i> (1975), ''The Shining'' (1977), ''The Stand'' (1978), ''The Dead Zone'' (1979), ''Firestarter'' (1980), ''Cujo'' (1981), ''Pet Sematary'' (1983), ''It'' (1986) and ''Misery'' (1987) were all published within roughly a decade, alongside the beginning of his ''Dark Tower'' fantasy series, which he continued to write across three further decades. King has continued publishing at a similar pace ever since, including later novels such as ''11/22/63'' (2011) and ''Doctor Sleep'' (2013), a direct sequel to ''The Shining''.<ref name="britannica" />

	Between 1977 and 1985, King published several novels under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, partly because publishers of the era discouraged authors from releasing more than one book per year under their own name, and partly, King later said, to test whether his success was down to talent or simply to his name recognition. The pseudonym was uncovered by a Washington, D.C. bookstore clerk, Steve Brown, who noticed stylistic similarities between Bachman's ''Thinner'' and King's own work and traced a Library of Congress filing that named King as the copyright holder. Brown contacted King's publisher in January 1985; King called Brown directly and the connection was confirmed in the press the following month.<ref name="bdn-bachman">{{cite web \|title=Stephen King was unmasked as Richard Bachman 40 years ago this week \|url=https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/02/05/state/stephen-king-unmasked-richard-bachman-40-years-ago-this-week-joam40zk0w/ \|website=Bangor Daily News \|date=2025-02-05}}</ref>		Between 1977 and 1985, King published several novels under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, partly because publishers of the era discouraged authors from releasing more than one book per year under their own name, and partly, King later said, to test whether his success was down to talent or simply to his name recognition. The pseudonym was uncovered by a Washington, D.C. bookstore clerk, Steve Brown, who noticed stylistic similarities between Bachman's ''Thinner'' and King's own work and traced a Library of Congress filing that named King as the copyright holder. Brown contacted King's publisher in January 1985; King called Brown directly and the connection was confirmed in the press the following month.<ref name="bdn-bachman">{{cite web \|title=Stephen King was unmasked as Richard Bachman 40 years ago this week \|url=https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/02/05/state/stephen-king-unmasked-richard-bachman-40-years-ago-this-week-joam40zk0w/ \|website=Bangor Daily News \|date=2025-02-05}}</ref>
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	=== Monsters and unknown entities ===		=== Monsters and unknown entities ===

	King has also written extensively about folkloric and invented monsters, including the ancient, shapeshifting entity of ''[[It (novel)\|It]]'' (1986), the vampiric infestation of a small Maine town in '''Salem's Lot'' (1975), and the resurrected, malevolent dead of ''Pet Sematary'' (1983).		King has also written extensively about folkloric and invented monsters, including the ancient, shapeshifting entity of ''[[It (novel)\|It]]'' (1986), the vampiric infestation of a small Maine town in <i>'Salem's Lot</i> (1975), and the resurrected, malevolent dead of ''Pet Sematary'' (1983).

	== Adaptations and cultural impact ==		== Adaptations and cultural impact ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:24, 5 August 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{~~PersonInfobox~~		{{InfoboxPerson
	\|name=Stephen King		\|name=Stephen King
	\|born=21 September 1947		\|born=21 September 1947

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:54, 29 July 2026
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	However, King's fictional work should be distinguished from scientific or investigative research into paranormal claims.		However, King's fictional work should be distinguished from scientific or investigative research into paranormal claims.

	His contribution to The Vault is primarily cultural: his writing has shaped public understanding and representation of paranormal themes.		His contribution to The Vault is primarily cultural: his writing has shaped public understanding and representation of paranormal themes.<ref>{{cite web

	<ref>{{cite web
	\|title=Stephen King On Growing Up, Believing In God And Getting Scared		\|title=Stephen King On Growing Up, Believing In God And Getting Scared
	\|url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/360137099		\|url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/360137099

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:54, 29 July 2026
Line 22:		Line 22:
	King developed an early interest in horror and supernatural storytelling, influenced by childhood experiences with horror films, comic books and authors including [[H. P. Lovecraft]] and [[Edgar Allan Poe]].		King developed an early interest in horror and supernatural storytelling, influenced by childhood experiences with horror films, comic books and authors including [[H. P. Lovecraft]] and [[Edgar Allan Poe]].

	He attended the [[University of Maine]], graduating in 1970 with a degree in English. While studying, he began publishing short stories and developing his writing career.		He attended the [[University of Maine]], graduating in 1970 with a degree in English. While studying, he began publishing short stories and developing his writing career.<ref>{{cite web

	<ref>{{cite web
	\|title=Stephen King: The Author		\|title=Stephen King: The Author
	\|url=https://stephenking.com/the-author/		\|url=https://stephenking.com/the-author/

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:54, 29 July 2026
Line 10:		Line 10:
	'''Stephen Edwin King''' (born 21 September 1947) is an American author best known for his contributions to horror, supernatural fiction, suspense and fantasy. Often referred to as the "King of Horror", King has become one of the most commercially successful writers of the modern era, with hundreds of millions of copies of his works sold worldwide.		'''Stephen Edwin King''' (born 21 September 1947) is an American author best known for his contributions to horror, supernatural fiction, suspense and fantasy. Often referred to as the "King of Horror", King has become one of the most commercially successful writers of the modern era, with hundreds of millions of copies of his works sold worldwide.

	Although his stories are fictional, many of King's works explore themes central to The Vault, including [[ghosts and hauntings]], psychic abilities, unexplained phenomena, possession, supernatural entities and altered states of consciousness. His writing has had a significant influence on how paranormal concepts are represented in popular culture.		Although his stories are fictional, many of King's works explore themes central to The Vault, including [[ghosts and hauntings]], psychic abilities, unexplained phenomena, possession, supernatural entities and altered states of consciousness. His writing has had a significant influence on how paranormal concepts are represented in popular culture.<ref>{{cite web

	<ref>{{cite web
	\|title=Stephen King		\|title=Stephen King
	\|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-King		\|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-King

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:49, 29 July 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{~~VaultInfobox~~		{{PersonInfobox
	\|~~title~~=Stephen King		\|name=Stephen King
	~~\|type=Person~~
	\|born=21 September 1947		\|born=21 September 1947
			\|birthplace=[[Portland]], [[:Category:Maine\|Maine]], [[:United States of America\|USA]]
	\|occupation=Author		\|occupation=Author
	\|~~country~~=~~United States~~		\|known_for=Carrie; The Shining; It
	\|status=Living		\|status=Living
	}}		}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:46, 29 July 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{~~PersonInfobox~~		{{VaultInfobox
	\|~~name~~=Stephen King		\|title=Stephen King
	\|born=21 September 1947~~, [[Portland, Maine]], United States~~		\|type=Person
			\|born=21 September 1947
	\|occupation=Author		\|occupation=Author
	\|~~known_for~~=~~Horror fiction; supernatural fiction; ''[[Carrie]]''; ''[[The Shining]]''; ''[[It]]''; ''[[The Stand]]''~~		\|country=United States
	\|status=Living		\|status=Living
	}}		}}