Stephen King

Stephen King is a highly acclaimed American author, renowned for his work in the horror, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy genres. He was born in Portland, Maine, in 1947, to Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left the family when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by their mother. His childhood was spent in several places, including Fort Wayne, Indiana, Stratford, Connecticut, and Durham, Maine. King's mother, Ruth, played a significant role in his early life, as she encouraged his love for reading and writing, which would later become the foundation of his successful career.

King began his writing career in 1967 when he sold his first short story, "The Glass Floor," to Startling Mystery Stories. He continued to sell stories to men's magazines throughout his early years of marriage. In 1971, King started teaching English at Hampden Academy in Hampden, Maine, while writing in his spare time. His perseverance in writing led to the publication of his first novel, Carrie, in 1974, which became an instant success.

Since then, King has published more than fifty books, all of which have become worldwide bestsellers. His work includes notable novels such as The Shining, Misery, and the Dark Tower series. Many of his books have been adapted into successful films, television series, and stage productions, including The Shawshank Redemption, Gerald's Game, and It. King's contributions to literature have been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Medal of Arts, the National Book Foundation Medal for distinguished contribution to American Letters, and the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America.

In addition to his successful career as a writer, King is also a family man. He is married to fellow author Tabitha King and is the father of Joe Hill, also an accomplished author. The Kings have been longtime residents of Maine, where King continues to write and publish novels, maintaining his status as one of the most prolific and influential authors in American literature.