20 Interesting Facts About Stephen King

Introduction

Stephen King. The name alone sends chills down the spine of horror fans everywhere. Whether you’re a die-hard King reader or just someone who’s seen The Shining movie (probably behind a pillow), Stephen King is one of those authors who feels larger than life. With a career spanning over 50 years and more than 60 novels, he has left a huge mark on pop culture, not just in books but in movies, TV shows, and even music.

So, what makes this guy tick? Let’s dive into 20 interesting facts about Stephen King, the man behind Carrie, It, and The Dark Tower series. Even if you think you know all there is to know about him, I bet there’s a surprise or two in here for you!

1. He Almost Didn’t Publish Carrie

It’s hard to imagine a world where Carrie doesn’t exist, but believe it or not, Stephen King almost trashed the manuscript. He wrote it while working as a high school English teacher, and after being frustrated with the story, he tossed it in the garbage. Luckily, his wife Tabitha retrieved it, encouraged him to finish, and the rest is history. Carrie was his first big hit, turning him from a struggling writer to a best-selling author overnight.

2. His Wife Is His First Editor

Speaking of Tabitha, she’s not just the person who saved Carrie—she’s Stephen King’s first editor. Before he submits anything to a publisher, Tabitha reads it. She’s been his biggest supporter and critic, helping him hone his craft. In fact, he’s dedicated several of his books to her, acknowledging her as the secret weapon behind his success.

3. He Got His Start Writing For Men’s Magazines

Before King hit it big with novels, he earned some cash by writing short stories for men’s magazines like Cavalier. These were often gritty, suspenseful pieces that helped him fine-tune his writing style. A lot of these early stories were eventually collected into his first short story collection, Night Shift.

4. He Has a Pen Name: Richard Bachman

Ever heard of Richard Bachman?

If you’re a true King fan, you probably know this was the pseudonym Stephen King used to publish some of his books in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Why? Well, his publishers thought he was putting out too many books too fast, and they didn’t want to oversaturate the market. So, King came up with Bachman and even wrote entire backstories for him. Eventually, fans figured it out, but for a while, King managed to pull it off.

5. He Was Almost That Guy From “Creepshow”

If you’ve seen the horror anthology film Creepshow (which King wrote the screenplay for), you might remember a segment called “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill.” The bumbling, unlucky title character? Yep, that’s Stephen King, playing a hapless farmer who encounters a strange meteor. It’s one of the few times King has acted in a film, and let’s just say, he sticks to writing for good reason!

6. He’s a Huge Red Sox Fan

King is a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan. He’s written extensively about his love for the team, most notably in his nonfiction book Faithful, which he co-authored with fellow writer and Sox fan Stewart O’Nan. The book chronicles the Red Sox’s historic 2004 season when they won their first World Series in 86 years, breaking the infamous “Curse of the Bambino.”

7. He Was Hit by a Van and Almost Died

In 1999, Stephen King was nearly killed after being hit by a van while walking near his home in Maine. The accident left him with serious injuries, including a collapsed lung and multiple fractures in his leg and hip. Despite months of painful recovery, King continued writing. In fact, the experience influenced the final books in his Dark Tower series, with the main character, Roland, facing similar near-death moments.

8. He Hates The Shining Movie

While most fans consider Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining a horror masterpiece, King has been quite vocal about his dislike for the film. He felt Kubrick took too many liberties with his story and didn’t capture the emotional depth of the novel. King was so unhappy with the adaptation that he eventually produced a TV miniseries in the ’90s that was more faithful to his original book.

9. He’s Written Over 200 Short Stories

Though King is best known for his novels, he’s also a prolific short story writer. To date, he’s penned over 200 short stories, many of which have been adapted into films or TV shows. Collections like Skeleton Crew and Everything’s Eventual are packed with gems that show off his ability to build tension in just a few pages.

10. He Made a Rock Album

In the early 1980s, Stephen King formed a rock band called The Rock Bottom Remainders, composed of authors like Dave Barry, Amy Tan, and Ridley Pearson. King plays rhythm guitar, and while the band never really hit the big time, they’ve played charity events and small venues over the years. King’s love for rock ‘n’ roll often shows up in his books, especially with his many references to classic rock bands like The Rolling Stones and AC/DC.

11. He Wrote a Children’s Book

Yes, Stephen King wrote a children’s book. Titled Charlie the Choo-Choo, it’s technically a book within a book, originally featured in King’s Dark Tower series. The story is about a creepy, sentient train, which fits right in with King’s love of making innocent things terrifying. While it’s technically for kids, it still has that signature King creepiness.

12. He Used to Be an Alcoholic

King has been very open about his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, especially in the ’80s. He’s said he doesn’t even remember writing some of his early novels, including Cujo. In the late ’80s, his family staged an intervention, and King has been sober ever since. This experience has influenced some of his most famous works, like Doctor Sleep, where addiction plays a central theme.

13. He’s Obsessed with the Number 19

For King fans, the number 19 pops up all over his work, especially in The Dark Tower series. It’s almost like an inside joke between him and his readers, but King has admitted that the number holds special significance for him. It even shows up in 11/22/63, his time-travel novel about the JFK assassination.

14. He Was Once the Highest-Paid Author

At one point in the ’90s, Stephen King was the highest-paid author in the world. His books consistently hit the bestseller list, and movie studios were scrambling to adapt his novels. While he’s not the highest-paid anymore, his earnings are still jaw-dropping. With constant royalties from book sales, movie deals, and TV adaptations, King’s net worth is estimated to be around $500 million.

15. He Wrote The Running Man in a Week

Writing a book in a week sounds impossible, but King once did just that. The Running Man, one of the novels published under his Richard Bachman pseudonym, was cranked out in just seven days. The book was later turned into an action-packed (and pretty campy) film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

16. He’s a Fan of Harry Potter and Twilight

Despite being the King of Horror, he’s got a soft spot for some other genres. King has praised J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, especially for its storytelling and character development. He’s also given props to Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga, though he once said that while Meyer “can’t write worth a darn,” she’s great at creating compelling stories.

17. He’s Never Really Left Maine

Stephen King might be one of the world’s most famous authors, but he’s never strayed far from his roots. He was born in Portland, Maine, and has spent most of his life there. Many of his stories, from It to Pet Sematary, are set in fictional Maine towns like Derry or Castle Rock, drawing heavily on the small-town atmosphere he knows so well.

18. He Owns a Radio Station

In addition to writing, King also dabbled in radio. He and his wife Tabitha bought WZON, a local radio station in Bangor, Maine, in the early ’90s. While it originally focused on rock music, the station has since shifted to sports talk, but it remains a quirky addition to King’s varied interests.

19. He’s Written Screenplays for His Own Movies

Stephen King has more control over his movie adaptations than many authors. Not only has he written the screenplays for some of his works (like Pet Sematary and Creepshow), but he also often collaborates with filmmakers to ensure the spirit of his books remains intact. His involvement doesn’t always guarantee success (Maximum Overdrive was a critical and box office flop), but it shows his dedication to bringing his stories to life in different formats.

20. He Writes Every Day—Even On His Birthday

King is notorious for his work ethic. He’s said in interviews that he writes every day, including his birthday and holidays. On an average day, he churns out around 2,000 words. That’s a staggering amount of productivity, but it explains how he’s managed to publish so many books over the years. Even after more than five decades of writing, he shows no signs of slowing down.

Conclusion

And there you have it—20 interesting facts about Stephen King, the man who’s been scaring us senseless for years. Whether you love his bone-chilling horror, his masterful storytelling, or just his quirky personality, it’s clear that King is more than just a writer—he’s a cultural icon. So, next time you curl up with one of his books, you’ll have a little more insight into the mind of the master himself.

Who knows? Maybe some of these facts will make his stories even creepier!