K ing, S tephen

Abstract

Stephen King (1947–) is the most prolific contemporary writer of Gothic fiction, and arguably the most significant. As of 2011, he has published approximately fifty novels, nine collections of short stories, seven graphic novels, seven screenplays, eight teleplays, four e‐books, and two nonfiction works, Danse Macabre (1979) on horror in various media, and the autobiographical On Writing (2000). Forty‐five of his works have been made into theatrical films and twenty‐two adapted for television, not including sequels. Early novels such as ‘Salem's Lot (1975) or Pet Sematary (1983) appeal primarily to the consumers of conventional horror in all media. But Brian De Palma's Carrie (1976) and Stanley Kubrick's The Shining (1980) are among the best horror movies ever made, and in 1990 Kathy Bates won an Oscar for best actress in Misery (see film ). King has received forty‐eight literary awards and in 2003 the Medal for Distinguished Contributions to American Letters from the National Book Foundation.