NEWS -

King On Welcome To Derry

Posted: February 23, 2023, 21:42
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King on Welcome To Derry.

”I’m excited that the story of Derry, Maine’s most haunted city, is continuing, and I’m glad Andy Muschietti is going to be overseeing the frightening festivities, along with a brain trust including his talented sister, Barbara. Red balloons all around!”

Fairy Tale is an Audie Finalist!

Posted: February 23, 2023, 15:16
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On Thursday, February 23rd, the Audio Publishers Association announced that actor Seth Numrich is an Audie Award Finalist for Best Male Narrator for his performance on Fairy Tale, the most recent bestselling audiobook from Stephen King. The winners will be announced at the awards gala on Tuesday, March 28th.

38 Years Ago Today: King Revealed As Bachman

Posted: February 9, 2023, 19:49
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38 years ago today Bangor Daily News revealed that King was Bachman. Here is what an UPI News article wrote about it two days later.

BANGOR, Maine -- Some authors get writer's block, but Stephen King has the opposite problem -- writing so many best-selling horror and mystery novels that he resorted to publishing five books under a pseudonym.

'It's been a chronic problem not wanting to over-publish,' King confessed to the Bangor Daily News Weekend in a copyright story.

King revealed that Richard Bachman, his 'other self,' is really an insurance agent in Minnesota and a friend of his press agent, whose picture was borrowed to dummy a flap on his first novel in hardcover printed under the alias.

Credited to Bachman are the books: 'The Rage,' 'The Long Walk,' 'Road Work,' 'The Running Man' and 'Thinner.'

'Thinner,' the first hardcover Bachman book, was doing well, King said, and could make the best seller list this spring. King said he wrote 'Rage' as a senior in high school and 'The Long Walk' while he was a freshman attending the University of Maine at Orono.

The author, who now makes his home in Bangor, pledged his schoolmates to secrecy about the pseudonym, but said a Washington attorney recently sent him a long letter putting the pieces together.

Last week, the Bachman and King relationship was hinted at on the television show Entertainment Tonight, and King granted an interview to the Bangor Daily News to confirm the mystery.

'You know how when you're carrying home some groceries in the rain and the whole bag falls apart? Well, that's how it's been with Bachman lately,' King said.

King's college alma mater acknowledged their file card lists a notation that reads, 'Stephen King also writes under the name of Richard Bachman.' Later, King wrote the college library and asked them to disassociate the two identities.

Bachman, King conceded, is also listed as a pseudonym at the Copyright Office in Washington.

Thanks to Bev Vincent

Feature Film Instead Of Limited Series For Billy

Posted: February 4, 2023, 01:47
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Billy Summers was originally meant to be a ten-episode limited serie but it has now been decided that it would work better as a feature.

The project will be produced by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way and maybe DiCaprio could end up playing the title character.

What do you think? Is DiCaprio Summers?

Welcome To Derry Set To Start Filming In April?

Posted: February 3, 2023, 17:56
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Looks like Welcome to Derry might start filming in April. Her is what Bleeding Cool says about it:

Welcome to Derry: HBO Max's Pennywise Prequel Series Filming In April. Based on a recent production list, it looks like filming is taking place in April on HBO Max's It/Pennywise prequel series, Welcome to Derry.

A little less than three months after HBO Max's upcoming "It" film franchise prequel series found its showrunners in Jason Fuchs (Wonder Woman) & Brad Caleb Kane (Tokyo Vice), we have what looks to be good news to pass along regarding Welcome to Derry. The series kicks off in the 1960s and leads up to the events of 2017's It: Part One (based on Stephen King's classic horror novel) while also touching upon the backstory of Pennywise the Clown. Now, based on a listing on Production List, the series is looking to start filming in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on April 3rd. Andy Muschietti, who directed both films in the King franchise, will executive produce the series alongside Barbara Muschietti, Fuchs, and Kane. In addition, Fuchs wrote the teleplay for the first episode based on a story he wrote with the Muschiettis, with Andy Muschietti considering directing the series opener. Warner Bros. Television serves as the studio, with the Muschiettis' Double Dream production company also producing.

Thanks to Herbert West

UK Edition Of Holly Announced

Posted: January 24, 2023, 17:20
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Hodder & Stoughton has announced their edition of Holly.


A missing girl

Two serial killers with a savage secret

Only one determined woman on their trail . . .

Hodder & Stoughton is thrilled to announce the publication of Holly, a major new novel by international bestseller Stephen King. Hodder will publish in hardback, eBook and audiobook, and in trade paperback for Australia and New Zealand on 5th September 2023.

Holly marks the triumphant return of beloved King heroine Holly Gibney – one of his most compelling and ingeniously resourceful characters – as she uncovers the gruesome truth behind multiple disappearances in a Midwestern town.

Pre-order your copy here.

Cover For Holly Revealed

Posted: January 21, 2023, 12:04
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Simon & Schuster have released the cover for Holly.


Holly Gibney, one of Stephen King's most compelling and ingeniously resourceful characters, returns in this thrilling novel to solve the gruesome truth behind multiple disappearances in a midwestern town.

Stephen King's Holly marks the triumphant return of beloved King character Holly Gibney. Readers have witnessed Holly’s gradual transformation from a shy (but also brave and ethical) recluse in Mr. Mercedes to Bill Hodges's partner in Finders Keepers to a full-fledged, smart, and occasionally tough private detective in The Outsider. In King's new novel, Holly is on her own, and up against a pair of unimaginably depraved and brilliantly disguised adversaries.

When Penny Dahl calls the Finders Keepers detective agency hoping for help locating her missing daughter, Holly is reluctant to accept the case. Her partner, Pete, has Covid. Her (very complicated) mother has just died. And Holly is meant to be on leave. But something in Penny Dahl's desperate voice makes it impossible for Holly to turn her down.

Mere blocks from where Bonnie Dahl disappeared live Professors Rodney and Emily Harris. They are the picture of bourgeois respectability: married octogenarians, devoted to each other, and semi-retired lifelong academics. But they are harboring an unholy secret in their well-kept, book-lined home, one that may be related to Bonnie's disappearance. And it will prove nearly impossible to discover what they are up to: they are savvy, they are patient, and they are ruthless.

Holly must summon all her formidable talents to outthink and outmaneuver the shockingly twisted professors in this chilling new masterwork from Stephen King. "I could never let Holly Gibney go. She was supposed to be a walk-on character in Mr. Mercedes and she just kind of stole the book and stole my heart. Holly is all her." -- STEPHEN KING

Release: September 5, 2023
Page count: 464

Gwendy's Graphic Novel Update

Posted: January 16, 2023, 10:53
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Brian Keene has an update about the graphic novel version of Gwendy's Button Box.

I’m finishing up the final draft of the final half of the script, and character designs and other artwork is in progress. There are no deadlines on this project — it’s something we work on in between other gigs, but nevertheless, it’s nearing the finish line, script-wise.

Thanks to Herbert West

We Did It! 100% Reached

Posted: December 25, 2022, 11:20
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WE DID IT!

The fundraiser has reached 100% of it’s goal. And it did it on Christmas! The perfect Christmas present and for that I say THANK YOU! from the bottom of my heart!

What happens now?

Well first I’m going to draw the winner of the signed Stephen King book donated from Cemetery Dance. That will happen in the next few days.

Then the hard work start. The site is getting a technical update that will make managing it easier as well as the experience when visiting it.

And the site is also getting a visual update. How will that look? Well, that hasn’t been decided yet but I have some ideas.

But for now I want to thank each and everyone who donated! Thank you!

For those who have no clue what all this is about, you can read up on it here.

And if you still want to help the site grow and evolve it’s always possible to donate.

Again, thank you all and I hope you have a great holiday!

// Lilja

Donate For Chance On A Signed (By King) Book

Posted: December 21, 2022, 09:04
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Lilja’s Library needs a long overdue update. Both technical and in its design. And all pages need to work on all platforms, something that isn’t the case today.

As you can imagine this will cost and I need your help. It’s really no way to sugarcoat it, I need your money. In other words, I hope you are and have enjoyed Lilja’s Library enough to donate a small (or big) sum to make this possible.

To donate, please use this PayPal link. If you don’t have PayPal please get in touch and we’ll figger something out.

To show you how much I appreciate your support on this I’ve spoken to Cemetery Dance and they have agreed to donate a signed (BY STEPHEN KING) Stephen King book that I’m now able to give to one of you that make a donation.

Each $10 you donate will get you one ticked and when I reach 100% of my goal I’ll draw one ticket and the one whose ticket I draw will win the signed (BY STEPHEN KING) book!!!

For more info about what the donated money will go to, check out this post.
For more info about the signed book and how the ticket thing works, check out this post.
…or just send me an get in touch.

Thanks goes out to all of you who have donated and to Cemetery Dance for the book!

// Lilja

A Reward For Your Support! (Signed King Book)

Posted: December 19, 2022, 22:41
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I’m so proud and happy that so many of you have supported Lilja’s Library through the years and now recently with your donations. We’re well on the way to reach the goal and be able to do the necessary updates on the site. And because of that I want to give something back.

So, I spoke to Cemetery Dance and asked if they wanted to donate a cool book that I could give to one of you that have supported me, and they said yes. And they said yes in a very nice and kind way!

Cemetery Dance have donated a signed BY STEPHEN KING book (title to be revealed later) that I’ll give to one of you as a thanks for your support.

And here is how it will be done. When I reach 100% of my goal each $10 you have donated will get you a ticket with a chance to win the book. That means if you donate $9.99 or less you won’t get any ticket (but a BIG thanks from me), if you donate between $10.00 and $19.99 you get one ticket. Between $20 and $20.99 you get two tickets and so on. Then once we have reached 100% I’ll draw one ticket and the one whose ticket I draw will win the signed BY STEPHEN KING book!!!

Oh, and those of you that have already donated will be included in this as well so fear not.

Make your donations through this PayPal link.


A BIG thanks to Cemetery Dance for their support and the donation of the book!
// Lilja

The Long Walk - The Limited Edition

Posted: December 13, 2022, 10:17
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One of my favorite King books are being released as a limited. Centipede Press is releasing The Long Walk in two versions. One is an unsigned trade edition and the other a signed slipcase edition, signed by Bev Vincent (foreword), Patrick Loehr (photos) and Ruth Keegan (illustrations). The book is NOT signed by King. Would have been really cool if he had signed it as Bachman though.

The unsigned is $95 and limited to 1,400 copies and the signed is $260 and limited to 500 copies. The book is published in January 2023. Read more here

Flanagan Confirms Rights To The Dark Tower

Posted: December 8, 2022, 16:34
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Mike Flanagan told Deadline that he has the rights to The Dark Tower and wants to do a five season TV series and two movies.

FLANAGAN: You’re the first person we’re saying it to, but yes. Predating our deal with Amazon, we acquired the rights to The Dark Tower, which if you know anything about me, you know it has been my Holy Grail of a project for most of my life. We actually have those rights carved out of our Amazon deal, which doesn’t mean that they can’t or won’t get behind it at some point — you don’t know. But that’s something we’ve been developing ourselves and are really passionate about finally getting it up on its feet at some point.

FLANAGAN: Well, to be honest, the way that I have seen it breaking out is five seasons of television, followed by two stand-alone features.

FLANAGAN: A project like this, I wouldn’t want to be involved in it at all If we were taking it in a direction that was going to be blasphemous to the Stephen King material, but he’s been very, very supportive and very excited about what we’d like to do with it.

Thanks to Alex Maidy

Pet Sematary Prequel Is Filmed

Posted: December 1, 2022, 11:06
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According to this interview with Collider from March 2022 with David Duchovny the Pet Sematary prequel is filmed.

Is there anything else that you're working on right now, that you can talk about?

DUCHOVNY: I just finished a movie called The Estate, with Toni Collette, Anna Faris, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Ron Livingston. I think it's really funny. And Keyla Monterroso, who was in Curb Your Enthusiasm. It's just terrific. Pet Sematary, I did that, it's like the prequel to all the Pet Sematary movies, and written and directed by a really talented young woman named Lindsey Beer, who I think is going to be a force to be reckoned with. So I think that's going to turn out really well.

Can I ask who you played in that, in Pet Sematary?

DUCHOVNY: I play Bill Baterman, the father of a young man that... I'm like the instigator of the whole damn thing. But at the heart of that story, for whatever iterations it's gone through, and for whatever horror Stephen King does, really, it's a story about parental love and mourning. And I can really relate to the themes underneath it, so I was happy to play that.

Thanks to Herbert West

David Duchovny Cast In Pet Sematary Prequel.

Posted: November 30, 2022, 22:57
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Duchovny Central reports that David Duchovny has been cast in the Pet Sematary prequel. This is what they said:

The prequel stars David Duchovny, Pam Grier, Henry Thomas, Samantha Mathis, Jackson White, Jack Mulhern and Forrest Goodluck. Jackson White has been cast as a younger Crandall, so we do know the character is in the film.

In a clip on the site Duchovny take Jackson White for a member of the crew which might indicated that filming has already begun…

Two King Movies Officially Rated

Posted: November 17, 2022, 09:54
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Motion Picture Association has confirmed that the Salem’s Lot remake has been officially rated and got an R for "R for bloody violence and language." The movie does still not have a release date, but now that it has a rating, that's hopefully next.

The Boogeyman has also been rated and was given a PG-13 rating for “Terror, violent content, teen drug use, and some strong language.”

The movie don’t have a release date yet but hopefully that will happen soon. The problem though, might be that it’s been expanded quite a bit compared to the story.

“Still reeling from the tragic death of their mother, a teenage girl and her little brother find themselves plagued by a sadistic presence in their house and struggle to get their grieving father to pay attention before it’s too late.”

HBO Max Comments On Welcome To Derry

Posted: November 14, 2022, 10:17
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HBO Max’s head of Originals, Sarah Aubery have commented on the upcoming series Welcome to Derry

“We have been working with Jason Fuchs, Brad Caleb Caine, Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti very closely…They’re so deep into this mythology and they have such a firm handle on the storytelling around these characters and also the demented scares that they’re putting into things. Sometimes I’m, like, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ Just all the wild ways they think up to terrify us. You’ll be hearing more concretely about that development very soon… Andy is very involved in every bit of this, so that is the real recipe for success and for delighting fans.”

Welcome To Derry Will Happen

Posted: November 9, 2022, 19:15
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Variety reports that Welcome To Derry has the GO from HBO.

Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane will serve as co-showrunners on the “It” prequel series currently in the works at HBO Max from Andy and Barbara Muschietti , Variety has learned exclusively.

The show, currently titled “Welcome to Derry,” was first reported as being in development in March. HBO Max has given the show a series production commitment. Exact plot details remain under wraps, aside from the fact that the show will serve as a prequel to the recent films “It: Chapter One” and “It: Chapter Two,” which were released in 2017 and 2019 respectively.

Lilja's Library Needs Your Help

Posted: November 5, 2022, 15:40
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Lilja’s Library is in need of a long overdue update. Both technical and in its design. And all pages need to work on all platforms, something that isn’t the case today.

As you can imagine this will cost and I need your help. It’s really no way to sugarcoat it, I need your money. In other words, I hope you are and have enjoyed Lilja’s Library enough to donate a small (or big) sum to make this possible. After calculating the cost of doing the updates that the site need (and that is just paying for the stuff I can’t do myself) the sum needed lands on $3,500.

To make a donation, please use this PayPal link. If you don’t have PayPal please get in touch and we’ll figger something out.



Thank you in advance and if you have any questions, check out this longer version of this post or just send me an email.
// Lilja

Pullman: New Salem’s Lot True To The Book

Posted: November 4, 2022, 23:39
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Lewis Pullman had the following to say about the upcoming remake of Salem’s Lot in a chat with ComicBook.com:

Gary Dauberman, the director, is really keen on doing justice to the book. But also, the previous adaptation was a two-parter, because it’s such a hefty book and there are so many different moving parts and so many characters. So there are some parts where Gary had to press and find what was really at the heart of the movie to keep in, but for the most part, he’s really true to the book and keeping a lot of the original dialogue in there. He’s a Stephen King hound dog so he doesn’t wanna do Stephen dirty.

So I think it’s in good hands, Gary’s a really smart guy who has a keen eye for things. I think, not just lean on the jump scares, but lean on the more conceptual and visual things that, rather than a shock that fades out of your body in the next five minutes, something that’s more visual, like an imprint that burnt into your retinas as a disturbing image that you’ll wake up in the middle of the night that you can’t shake out of your head.

Lilja's Library Needs Your Help

Posted: November 2, 2022, 15:50
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Lilja’s Library is going into its 27th year of existence next year, more than half of my life. Who would have thought that back in 1996?

There have been some updates on the site during these 27 years (the last one was done about seven years ago) and now it’s time again. The technic that the site is built with needs to be updated to keep the site stable and secure. There will also be updates done to the look and the content. The site will get what you would call a total make over. It will also look great on all platforms and all pages will be available on all platforms, something that isn’t the case today.

That is the fun part. The not so fun part is that it costs money.

For the 27 years Lilja’s Library have been online it has always been free to use. No paywall, no commercial popups that you have to close to get to the content. Nothing like that. And that is how it should and will continue in the future. But that means I need to raise money in other ways to be able to fund these necessary updates and that is where I need your help.

If you like Lilja’s Library and want to keep it the number one fan page about Stephen King, I need your help. It’s no way to sugarcoat it, I need your money. After calculating the cost of doing the updates that the site need (and that is just paying for the stuff I can’t do myself) the sum I need lands on $3,500.

So, how does this work? Here is the answer to what you probably would like to know. If you have other questions just ask.

Is it really necessary to do these updates?
- Yes, if not the site will load slow, not work as intended, the updates will be harder and harder to get done and the user experience will be less pleasant.

What will the money go to?
- The money will pay for the technical development. The stuff I can’t do myself. All the stuff that I can do I will do on my spare time and none of the money will go to that.

How much can I donate?
- You can donate as much or as little as you can and want. Every $ will help.

What happens if you don’t reach the goal of $3,500? Will you ignore doing the updates and use the money to buy candy?
- No, I will still do the updates. It just means I will have to use more of my own money for the update and that it will take for it to be done.

OK, I want to help. How do I donate?
- You can donate by using PayPal through this link.

How much money have you gotten so far of the $3,500 you need?
- You can follow the progress here.



Can I donate even if I don’t have PayPal?
- If you don’t have PayPal and still want to make a donation, please get in touch and we’ll figger something out.

Thank you in advance and if there is any questions don’t hesitate to ask.
// Lilja

Will King Leave Twitter

Posted: November 2, 2022, 09:26
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Twitter wants to start charging for the blue verification star, something King isn’t happy about and he actually threatens to leave Twitter if they go through with it.


Where would you like to see King move to if he leaves Twitter, the only social media he is on now (at least officially).

New Limited Fairy Tale

Posted: October 27, 2022, 08:23
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Yet another limited (not signed, though) edition of Fairy Tale is about to be released. This time it’s Scribner who released its limited version. Here is the info:

Coming November 4th at noon ET—order your special edition of Stephen King’s new novel, Fairy Tale—featuring exclusive endpaper illustrations, gilded edges, a ribbon marker, and a printed case.

Special Edition Hardcover
LIST PRICE $100.00

Limited quantity. While supplies last. US only. Limit 2 per customer.

Kurt Barlow Has Arrived In Salem’s Lot

Posted: October 19, 2022, 00:46
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One Take News reports that multiple sources have confirmed that Alexander Ward has been cast as Kurt Barlow in the upcoming remake of Salem’s Lot.

Not much is known about the movie and no footage or stills have been released but OTN confirms that the film has been tested multiple times and overall had mostly positive reactions.

The premier is set for April 21, 2023.

Five Years Ago

Posted: September 26, 2022, 09:00
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Five years ago, today I was in New York.
Five years ago, today, Stephen King, Owen King and Peter Straub was in New York.
Five years ago, today all four of us meet
Five years ago, today is a day I will never forget


Read all about it here