For Stephen King's birthday, 16 first editions, half price

Stephen Edwin King (1948-  )

Author

Raised in straightened circumstances after his father left to buy some cigarettes and never returned, Stephen King graduated the University of Maine in 1970. Unable to get a teaching job, he wrote stories for men’s magazines, most of them later collected in the volume, Night Shift.

His 1973 novel, Carrie, became such a frustration and disappointment he tossed out the manuscript. His wife retrieved it and persuaded him to submit it. He got a $2,500 advance; it became a best-seller. The subsequent paperback rights earned him $400,000 alone.

Over the next forty years, King produced 54 novels and over 200 short stories, under his own name and- a few- as Richard Bachman. When that nom de plume was discovered, he declared the alter ego had died of “death by pseudonym.” His books have been turned into movies and television miniseries; Carrie has been done twice. King’s achievement is more noteworthy in that for a good portion of the late 1970s and ‘80s, he was a serious drinker who, in 2000 told an interviewer he could barely remember writing Cujo.

King’s formula is to crank out 2000 words a day, without fail. In pain after being struck by a van while walking in 1999, King announced in 2002 he was retiring from writing, but that didn’t last long. His work has sold an estimated 350 million copies worldwide, and has won him much popular, if not critical acclaim. A 2003 National Book Award, in particular, drew scathing reactions from some of the nation’ leading highbrow lit critics. King has also won an O’ Henry Award for short story writing, a Shirley Jackson Award, an Edgar, and the 204 National Medal of Arts.

Wealthy beyond the dreams of avarice, King and his wife donate around $4 million a year to libraries, fire departments, schools and arts organizations; a foundation is also a consistent supporter of Maine entities. His wife, Tabitha has published nine novels on her own; two of his sons are also successful writers.

Henry Bemis Books is a Stephen King enthusiast, and we are celebrating his birthday with a half-off deal on our collection of King first editions. Just click here to see them!

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Henry Bemis Books is one man’s attempt to bring more diversity and quality to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg market of devoted readers starved for choices. Our website is at www.henrybemisbookseller.blogspot.com. For more information about any listed book, or more photos, please contact Lindsay at henrybemisbookseller@gmail.com. Henry Bemis Books is also happy to entertain reasonable offers on items in inventory. Shipping is always free; local buyers are welcome to drop by and pick up their purchases at our location off Peachtree Road in Northwest Charlotte if they like. #RareBooks #HenryBemisBooks #StephenKing #FirstEditions