Stephen Edwin King

Stephen Edwin King, born on September 21, 1947, in Portland, Maine, is an American author widely regarded as the "King of Horror." After graduating from the University of Maine, he worked as a high school English teacher while writing short stories. His breakthrough came in 1974 with the novel "Carrie," which launched him to international fame.

Over his prolific career, King has published more than 60 novels and around 200 short stories, spanning horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, and fantasy. His major works include "'Salem's Lot" (1975), "The Shining" (1977), "The Stand" (1978), "Pet Sematary" (1983), "It" (1986), "Misery" (1987), and "The Green Mile" (1996). He also wrote the epic "The Dark Tower" series, which blends fantasy, western, and horror elements. Many of his early works were published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman.

King's storytelling, characterized by ordinary characters confronting extraordinary evil, has made him one of the best-selling authors of all time. His books have inspired countless film and television adaptations. In 2003, he received the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives in Bangor, Maine, with his wife, novelist Tabitha King.