NEWS -

Bram Stoker Awards nominees selected

Posted: February 20, 2012, 05:20
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The final ballot for the Horror Writers Association’s Bram Stoker Awards™ for works published in 2011 has been compiled. The final ballot will be sent out to Active- and Lifetime-member voters* on February 23, 2012. Here are some people we all know:

GRAPHIC NOVEL:
Hill, Joe — Locke & Key, Volume 4

SHORT FICTION:
King, Stephen — “Herman Wouk Is Still Alive” (The Atlantic Magazine, May 2011)

NON-FICTION:
Wood, Rocky — Stephen King: A Literary Companion

Read more here. Good luck to you all.

The Walking Dead season 3

Posted: February 16, 2012, 11:33
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Glen Mazzara (showrunner) for The Walking Dead just twitted this:

Just pitched #thewalkingdead 301-308 to @gunnergale and other #TWD producers. They are blown away.

Sounds like we have a great season coming up...

SK: Uncollected, Unpublished - Now updated!

Posted: February 16, 2012, 09:28
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I got some very exciting news today from Rocky Wood. Check it out:

So, here's big NEWS!! A new FOURTH edition of Stephen King: Uncollected, Unpublished. Hardcover, signed (by me), with all profits going to my ALS/MND fund. And here's the real kicker - Stephen King kindly answered dozens of questions for me, clarifying things we never knew about. This is likely to be the DEFINITIVE book about all the things King has written that either have not been published, or not collected in his mainstream books.

Please note Overlook are only printing copies to cover the PRE-ORDER - if you don't pre-order you won't get a copy, unfortunately. And also, don't forget the book has a story by King that ONLY appears in this book - Chapter 71 of Sword in the Darkness; and also a poem - 'Dino' and this is the only book that poem appears in. So don't miss out.

So, don't waste any time, get your copy here.

The Walking Dead sets new record!

Posted: February 15, 2012, 15:29
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From the AMC press release:

The Walking Dead mid-season return episode Nebraska became the strongest telecast for any drama in basic cable history against key demos including 5.4 million adults 18-49 and 4.4 million adults 25-54. These results shatter the previous record, which was held by the series' October 16th Season Two premiere with increases of +12% and +6%, respectively. The show delivered 8.1 million viewers for its 9:00 pm premiere and 10.1 million viewers for the night (9:00 pm premiere and 11:00 pm and 12:30 am encores).


Head over to Dread Central for more photos from next episode (which BTW is great).

The Walking Dead Toys

Posted: February 15, 2012, 13:23
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It's no surprise that The Walking Dead is represented at the 2012 Toy Fair but check out these photos from Dread Central.

The next set of action figures based on the TV series will be Rick (a new version), Shane, the Zombie from the well, the RV Zombie and my favorite Bicycle Girl.





Also, here are some of the cool blu-ray set of season two (I'll order it as soon as it's possible).

Tell me why and get The Stand!

Posted: February 14, 2012, 13:16
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Random House Audio is releasing the long-awaited unedited audio book edition of The Stand, narrated by Grover Gardner on February 14, 2012. The recording will be 47 hours and 42 minutes long and released for purchase digitally by Audible.com and iTunes and available in the library market on CD.

Judging from all your comments, both here on the site and on facebook and twitter many of you would love to have a physical version of this audio book and since it won't be available for sale I think many of you will be happy to hear that I have a copy of it to give to one of you.

So, what do you have to do to get a chance on this, pretty unique edition? Not much. All you have to do is tell me why I should give it to you. The person giving the best motivation will be the one getting the audio book. BUT remember that there will be many motivations so it will take more than just "Because I want it" or "Because I'm King's #1 fan". You will be more creative than that to win.

And to help you be creative I'm leaving it up to each of you to decide how you present your motivation. It can be in text either as a comment here, on facebook, twitter or in a mail. It can be as a photo, a film clip, a song, a poem...anything your imagination can think of.

So, get creative and good luck.

Oh, your motivations (yes you can leave more than one) should be submitted no later than February 25th!

Nathan Granthan figure

Posted: February 13, 2012, 14:24
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Here is a photo of the prototype of the Nathan Granthan 1/6th scale figure released from Shrunken Head Studios.

Shrunken Head Studios will be shipping worldwide and "Father's Day" will be a limited edition size of 1500 and out of that 1500 there will be an exclusive size of 400 with a special accessory. Stay tuned for more...

Episode by Episode review of The Walking Dead

Posted: February 13, 2012, 02:00
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Please join me in an episode by episode review of The Walking Dead. My goal with this is to keep the review alive during the season and hopefully also get your input on each episode. Each new review will go up around the time of the episodes airing, hopefully a little before the episode airs so you can head right over here and comment on what you have seen. Oh, and I will assume that you have seen the episode when I write about it so there will be SPOILERs.

Head over here to speak you mind.

No AeroKing!

Posted: February 10, 2012, 09:28
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The moderator on King's message board has commented on King working with Aerosmith and it seems it was just, as I suspected, a fun suggestion from Jack Douglas.

It came as news to Steve when I asked him about it yesterday after hearing about it elsewhere. It's not anything he's actually been asked to do or plans to do.

AeroKing?

Posted: February 9, 2012, 21:20
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There have been many reports about King working with Aerosmith on their upcoming album. Here is the story:

Aerosmith's record producer has revealed that he wanted horror writer Stephen King to write lyrics for the band's new album.

Jack Douglas, the band's long-time knob-twiddler, told Classic Rock magazine that he tried to convince the rockers that King would have provided inspiration to singer Steven Tyler.

"They looked at me like I was crazy," said Douglas about the unlikely collaboration. "I said, 'No, I'm serious. If there's anyone who's going to inspire him, it'd be Stephen King.'"

He went on to add:

Steven doesn't need melody – he needs someone who's going to inspire him as a wordsmith. I don't want a guy who's just writing hits right now.

There has been no confirmation on whether King will do this though so it might just have been a fun suggestion from Jack Douglas and nothing more…

Thanks to everyone who mailed me about this.

The Talisman 3, probably not too soon

Posted: February 9, 2012, 21:14
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The moderator of King’s official message board had the following answer to whether King and Straub has started to work on The Talisman 3.

Stephen and Peter haven't been able to coordinate schedules to begin working on the third book as they've each had other projects that needed their attention. I don't know if they have discussed plot development yet but even if they had, it would probably be too early to release any info.

Limited dust jacket

Posted: February 9, 2012, 15:12
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There has been some confusion about the dust jacket for Hodder & Stoughton's limited edition of Wind Through the Keyhole so let me explain. If you buy the limited from anyone other than PS Publishing it won't have the dust jacket that you see on the trade edition but if you get it from PS Publishing it will and that is because they have made dust jackets, same as the trade ed, for the 400 copies of the limited that they have secured.

Oh, and Hodder's limited edition will have the color illustrations.

The Stand audio excerpt

Posted: February 9, 2012, 11:02
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On February the 14th Random House will release the long-awaited audio edition of The Stand. It's narrated by Grover Gardner and it will be released for purchase digitally by Audible.com and iTunes. The only CD edition is the edition released for the library market.

Go here for a 5 minute excerpt from the book.

3,000,000

Posted: February 9, 2012, 08:25
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Today Lilja’s Library had its 3,000,000th visitor and I’d like to thank you for all your support during the years. Thanks!



Now we go for 4,000,000!

UK limited Wind Through the Keyhole

Posted: February 8, 2012, 15:37
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Thinking about getting a copy of the UK limited edition of The Wind Through The Keyhole? Well, if you are, my suggestion is that you get it from PS Publishing and here is why:

* First off, there'll be a dust-jacket included (there will be no dust-jacket with copies of the book bought elsewhere; PS Publishing are having the jackets printed up and wrapped around their copies at their own expense).

In addition, the first 200 orders will:

* be post-free anywhere in the world;

* receive a special numbered 20%-off voucher (please note that the 20% discount does not apply to postage charges) to be used against a future order of pre-2012 PS titles (and please also note that there will be no restriction on the number of books on that order so the 20% reduction will apply to as many books as you want); and

* qualify the customer to be included in a special prize draw wherein the first 10 names pulled out of the hat will receive—completely free of charge—a copy of PS's One For The Road artbook (written by Stephen, of course, and illustrated by James Hannah). The retail price of this super-limited book is £75.

PUBLICATION DATE: April 2012
EDITION: Slipcased Hardcover with a facsimile signature and a specially-printed dustjacket
PRICE: £99.99

PRINT RUN: 700 with deluxe binding, photographic endpapers and with author's facsimile signature.

Please note though that PS Publishing only has 400 copies (and the dust-jacket is not included in copies bought elsewhere) so don't wait to long if you want this one! Order here.

Glen Mazzara talks Walking Dead

Posted: February 6, 2012, 09:21
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Glen Mazzara took over as show runner for The Walking Dead after Frank Darabont and when the show returns on February 12 we'll be seeing the first episodes where Glen is the boss and not Frank. New York Magazin spoke to Glen about this and you can read all about it here. And let me tell you, I have seen episode 8 and I don't think anyone of you will be disappointed.

The writers have already moved on to season three, which AMC recently expanded to sixteen episodes. That’s exactly where Mazzara wants to be. “If you want to know who I am,” he says, “I hate when a show I’m working on is broadcast. I’m dreading when the show comes back on. I’m sure people will like it, but I don’t like the spotlight, and I can’t wait for the last one to run so I can get back to work.”

UK limited ed. of Wind Through the Keyhole

Posted: February 6, 2012, 08:36
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News about a limited edition of Wind Through the Keyhole by Hodder & Stoughton from Pete over at PS Publishing.

We just found out that those lovely people at Hodder are doing a special 700-copy facsimile-signed and slipcased edition of Stephen King’s new standalone Dark Tower novel, The Wind Through The Keyhole and the good news is we’ve snagged 400 copies for our customers! Whoo hoo!

Read more here.

Thanks to Marco Lammers.

Walking Dead shooting in May

Posted: February 3, 2012, 11:00
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The second part of season 2 of The Walking Dead hasn't even started yet but already we're getting info about season 3. Hopefully that mean it'll premier as early as this fall. Here is what I've heard.

- The small town of Senoia in Coweta County is about to become zombie central for the filming of a hit cable show The Walking Dead. The show is scheduled to shoot in the town in May and construction of zombie sets will begin next week, which will involve 60 local carpenters. Scott Tigchelaar of Raleigh Studios Atlanta says people can expect to see the town a little dirtier than normal to fit the look of the show. (If anyone notice anything and get photos; send them to me and I'll post them on Lilja's Library.



- It was earlier rumored that John Hawkes would play Philip Blake, the psychotic zombie-killer who declares himself the Governor of Woodbury. Now, it looks like that won't happen. Hawkes' publicist states quite plainly that "John is NOT appearing on The Walking Dead." So, that is that.

- According to IMDb, Marvin Duerkholz who's probably best known for his role as Cody on MTV's Teen Wolf, is set to appear in The Walking Dead's season 3 premiere episode as Phillip Eagle. As all fans of the comic knows there are no character by that name in the comic. The closes is Philip Blake, known as The Governor, but I don't think Duerkholz will be playing that role.

Read Wind Through the Keyhole early

Posted: February 2, 2012, 00:58
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How would you like to read Wind Through the Keyhole in February? As you know both Scribner and Hodder & Stoughton’s editions of the book is set to be released on April 24th. Well, I don’t know about you but I’d love the chance to read the book before that. And one of you will be able to do that. On February 29th I will draw one lucky winner that will get an artist edition from Donald M. Grant. This edition is produced in 5,000 copies and signed by Jae Lee and issued in a stamped slipcase (retail price is $75.00). And, remember that as far as we know today Grant’s edition is the only edition that has both the color and black & white illustrations.

Well, what do you have to do to get the chance to win this beautiful book then? It’s easy, there are two steps you have to complete.

1) You have to follow Lilja’s Library on facebook or / and twitter.

2a) If you follow on facebook you have to follow Lilja’s Library and then either "Like" or "Share" (or both) at least one post from me. Each "Like" and "Share" is a chance to win.

2b) If you follow on twitter you have to follow @LiljasLibrary and retweet this (each retweet is a chance to win):

Retweet this for a chance to win a copy of Grant’s Wind Through the Keyhole. Follow @LiljasLibrary to be eligible http://www.liljas-library.com/article.php?id=2917


Then on February 25th I will make a random drawing deciding if the winner will be drawn from facebook or twitter (FAITH SELECTED FACEBOOK) and by doing this 4 days before the winner is drawn give those of you that has backed the wrong horse, so to speak, a chance to work on the other one. Then on February 29th I’ll draw one lucky winner that will then get his or her book in the mail and being able to read it about 1½ month ahead of everyone who’s getting the trade edition.

The contest is open to anyone anywhere as long as you follow the guidelines above. Thanks to Donald M. Grant who donated the book! Good Luck to you all!

Ghost Brothers of Darkland County CD due on May 22

Posted: January 31, 2012, 14:14
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John Mellencamp & Stephen King’s Ghost Brothers of Darkland County CD Due On May 22, 2012 Featuring: Elvis Costello, Rosanne Cash, Kris Kristofferson & Sheryl Crow

John Mellencamp and Stephen King’s dramatic musical, Ghost Brothers of Darkland County will debut as a theatrical presentation beginning April 4 in Atlanta; a guest star-packed studio concept album will follow on May 22, via Hear Music, in both a single disc and 3-CD deluxe edition.

Elvis Costello, Rosanne Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Sheryl Crow, Taj Mahal and Neko Case are set to sing on the project, with Matthew McConaughey, Meg Ryan, former boxer Joe Frazier and Costello doing readings, as well. Both projects are produced with the input of producer T-Bone Burnett — who described the sound as “dark, foggy … and scary.”

The novelist King authored the narrative, while veteran singer-songwriter Mellencamp added music and lyrics. “It sounds like the Sgt. Pepper of Americana to me,” Mellencamp said in pre-release materials, adding that the goal was to make the recording sound something like “an old radio play” complete with dialogue and sound effects.

Source.

King at Savannah Book Festival

Posted: January 31, 2012, 12:32
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Unless you’ve been sleeping under a copy of The Stand lately, you’ve heard the news: Stephen King is coming to town as part of the 5th annual Savannah Book Festival.

But you may not have heard about the host of other outstanding authors festival organizers are bringing to the Hostess City starting Feb. 15.

Read more here.

Thanks to Lou Sytsma

Who is The Governor?

Posted: January 30, 2012, 11:57
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It's now less than two weeks until the return of The Walking Dead and even though we won't see The Governor until season 3 (at the earliest) there are already speculations on who will be play him. In an interview with Movieweb Tom Savini says he's ready to step in and do the role but that the creators of the series are looking to have John Hawkes play The Governor. And for those of you that doesn't follow the comic version of The Walking Dead I can tell you that The Governor is one of the cruelest characters I have encountered.


And here is an interview with Robert Kirkman (creator of the comic) and Glen Mazzara (showrunner for the TV series) about season 2.

A lookback at Carrie: The Musical

Posted: January 29, 2012, 02:09
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As the infamous musical Carrie — based on the Stephen King novel — prepares for its first-ever New York revival at MCC Theater, Playbill look back at the original UK and NYC productions and offer a glance through the pages of the Broadway Playbill.

See more here.
Thanks to Lou Sytsma