Full Dark, No Stars

[Bev Vincent]

King's next book is announced (http://www.stephenking.com/forums/showthread.php/16814-Next-book-release?p=355956#post355956)

[Daghain]

SWEET!

[mae]

YES!!!! :rock:

[mae]

Sounds like Four Past Midnight 2.0 :thumbsup:

[johnsmith87]

Nice! :rock:

Wonder if they're old novellas or new ones. Pretty sure he'd been working on a lot of new material, but it could always be a combination. Can't wait! :thumbsup:

[mae]

Also, this must be the first time King's used punctuation in a book title?

[mae]

Nice! :rock:

Wonder if they're old novellas or new ones. Pretty sure he'd been working on a lot of new material, but it could always be a combination. Can't wait! :thumbsup:

Pretty sure they're new. Wasn't there word last year that King was working on some novellas? At first I thought this was Throttle and Ur and such, but then I saw the "unpublished".

Cannot wait. :panic:

[Sam]

Holy blue hell!! Hurry up November! I wonder if there will be another signing of any sort.

[BROWNINGS CHILDE]

Wow, this is exciting news. The novellas have always been some of my favorites.

The Body
Shawshank
SWSG
The Mist
Langoliers

These are some of my absolute favorite works from SK, hope to find some new favs with this book.

[Brice]

:excited::excited::excited:

[Bev Vincent]

Also, this must be the first time King's used punctuation in a book title?

An apostrophe is a punctuation mark.

[jhanic]

:thumbsup:

John

[mae]

Well okay, except apostrophes. You know what I meant.

[lophophoras]

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-happy110.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

[turtlex]

Great news. :thumbsup:

Hmmm.... Previously unpublished novellas, but no mention of when they were written. :orely:

[Bev Vincent]

I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Ur was one of the four. I doubt Throttle would be included since it's a collaboration.

[mae]

But Ur was previously published, if only electronically and as an audio. I wouldn't mind it, but I'd prefer something lengthier. Throttle will probably be included in King's next short story collection; he's always included oddities like poems and such, why not a collaboration with his son.

[candy]

Sounds like Four Past Midnight 2.0 :thumbsup:

this is wonderful news, one of my all time favourites is four past midnight:rock:

[Mr. Rabbit Trick]

Update from SKMB

Steve has told me it's okay to say that one of the novellas is about Hemingford Home.

[mae]

Inn-tresting...

[jhanic]

Lilja has posted the contents of the Hodder & Stoughton press release for "Full Dark, No Stars":


STEPHEN KING HAS MAJOR DARKNESS IN MIND FOR 2010 UNDER THE DOME, published in November 2009, reached more readers then any other King hardback novel published in the UK in the last decade.

Its publication, with a winning marketing campaign, demands a worthy successor for 2010, and Hodder & Stoughton are delighted to announce the acquisition from US agent, Chuck Verrill, of FULL DARK, NO STARS.

The November publication month that has proved so successful for UNDER THE DOME and JUST AFTER SUNSET will again provide a perfect position to launch this volume of four all-new novellas for Christmas 2010.

These darkly thrilling stories are all linked by the theme of retribution, and are a showcase for the power of King’s inimitable imagination – satisfying established readers whilst enticing new ones. Visceral, immediate and featuring just a few characters, this is the other side of King’s writing; contrasting intimate portraits after the huge canvas that was UNDER THE DOME.

For further information about FULL DARK, NO STARS please contact Kerry Hood on 020 7873 6l73. And for more information about Stephen King visit www.hodder.co.uk and www.stephenking.co.uk

http://www.liljas-library.com/

Sounds very interesting!

John

[Cloysterpete]

So would anyone say UR has a theme of retribution?, I've not bought UR so I don't know what type of story it is.

[ur2ndbiggestfan]

Maybe it's too early to ask, but has there been any mention of limited edition(s) for this book yet?

[hoin1585]

I love King's novellas!

[alinda]

:dance: Oh goody , new King is always something
welcoming to look forwrd to. At last a good reason for
time to be moving on so quickly!:wtf:

I taki it all back, book is not my cuppa tea say sorry. :(

[gsvec]

I wouldn't personally put UR in a "retribution" category and am kind of hoping it's NOT included in FDNS. "All new novellas" also implies its exclusion.

[Eric719691]

Information from Simon and Schuster.
Hardcover, 352 pages
Our Price: $27.95
http://books.simonandschuster.com/Full-Dark-No-Stars/Stephen-King/9781439192566

[BROWNINGS CHILDE]

352 pages?

Thats pretty short if it is 4 novellas, (have they said how many will be in the collection?)

[Brice]

Yes, four stories.

[lophophoras]

Well, with that page count I guess I can tell my bookshelves to stop moaning and groaning....they've been complaining since the new book was announced.

Unless, of course, they do a signed limited edition and a unsigned collectors edition and several variant covers....look out bookshelves.

:orely:

[herbertwest]

Hodder & Stoughton bought the rights.

What does that mean? I thought that every King book was published by them in the UK?

[jhanic]

It's more or less a formality, but King could always decide to switch publishers, both here and in the UK if he so desires, depending on contractual agreements.

John

[Brice]

Yeah, he's done it before.

[Lilja]

I was told by S&S that the page count isn't the final count. It's more like a place holder... Don't know how much it will differ though.

Lilja

[mae]

Amazon now has a page up for FDNS, though you can't pre-order just yet:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1439192561

[mae]

The book is now available for pre-order for only $18.45!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1439192561/

[jhanic]

Ms Mod posted this on the SKMB:


Story Titles & Plot Synopses for Full Dark, No Stars
The story titles and plot synopses for Full Dark, No Stars are:

1922
The story opens with the confession of Wilfred James to the murder of his wife, Arlette, following their move to Hemingford, Nebraska onto land willed to Arlette by her father.

Big Driver
Mystery writer, Tess, has been supplementing her writing income for years by doing speaking engagements with no problems. But following a last-minute invitation to a book club 60 miles away, she takes a shortcut home with dire consequences.

Fair Extension
Harry Streeter, who is suffering from cancer, decides to make a deal with the devil but, as always, there is a price to pay.

A Good Marriage
Darcy Anderson learns more about her husband of over twenty years than she would have liked to know when she stumbles literally upon a box under a worktable in their garage.

John

[mae]

Sounds very Different Season-like. :thumbsup:

[Mike Beck]

Somewhat intersting. I, of course, will buy this.

[lophophoras]

Ms Mod posted this on the SKMB:


Story Titles & Plot Synopses for Full Dark, No Stars
The story titles and plot synopses for Full Dark, No Stars are:

1922
The story opens with the confession of Wilfred James to the murder of his wife, Arlette, following their move to Hemingford, Nebraska onto land willed to Arlette by her father.

Big Driver
Mystery writer, Tess, has been supplementing her writing income for years by doing speaking engagements with no problems. But following a last-minute invitation to a book club 60 miles away, she takes a shortcut home with dire consequences.

Fair Extension
Harry Streeter, who is suffering from cancer, decides to make a deal with the devil but, as always, there is a price to pay.

A Good Marriage
Darcy Anderson learns more about her husband of over twenty years than she would have liked to know when she stumbles literally upon a box under a worktable in their garage.

John

It does sound cool. I look forward to reading it...

[Merlin1958]

Obviously, this is a MUST HAVE!!!!!

Can't wait!!! Wonder if he'll promote with limited signings again? That would be way cool!!
(and keep us collectors busy for 3-4 months!!! LOL)

[mae]

Other than "Fair Extension" these all sounds like straight fiction (meaning non-horror/supernatural), something I love from King.

[Darkday]

I asked Ms. Mod if the novellas in "Full Dark, No Stars" are short novels (like e.g. "The Body" or "Apt Pupil") or long short stories (like e.g. "Ur" or "Throttle"). This is what she replied:

Going by your criteria, it looks like 2 of each. This is not the final edited version, though.

[CurtSeattle]

Is there an advantage/disadvantage to purchasing this from a particular seller?

Amazon has it a super discount, so any reason not to purchase there?

Or Simon Schuster?

Or ???

I'd want a 1st/1st obviously (even if it ends up being read by me once and I get a S/L or something later).

Thanks for any insight!

[Ari_Racing]

When it comes to new books by Scribner, I always purchase 'em at amazon.com. I've been lucky enough to get 1st/1st always, and they're cheap.

[Lily-sai]

Other than "Fair Extension" these all sounds like straight fiction (meaning non-horror/supernatural), something I love from King.

Agreed! :) Can't wait.

[lophophoras]

I have had pretty good luck with Amazon, too. It never hurts to save a couple of dollars if you can.

:thumbsup:

[biomieg]

I'll probably opt for Amazon.com and .co.uk, too... but their packaging SUCKS so even when you get cheap 1st/1sts they will probably show some scratching and denting.

[Ari_Racing]

Actually Amazon is one excellent company. Everytime I received a dented copy, they sent me a replacement inmediately.

[biomieg]

Oh but I agree with you Ari, and actually I don't mind if a book doesn't arrive in mint condition - my collecting standards aren't super high :) but it would be nicer if they at least put a bit of bubblewrap around the books instead of a flimsy, supertight cardboard wrapping.

[jhanic]

Is there an advantage/disadvantage to purchasing this from a particular seller?

Amazon has it a super discount, so any reason not to purchase there?

Or Simon Schuster?

Or ???

I'd want a 1st/1st obviously (even if it ends up being read by me once and I get a S/L or something later).

Thanks for any insight!

Curt, I always try to buy my US copy from a local bookseller--mainly because I want to support them. I realize this may cost a bit more, but, to me, it's worth it. I also realize that not everyone can afford to do this. I DO buy my UK editions from Amazon.co.uk, though. I've only had one problem with a damaged book from them and that was remedied quickly.

John

[mae]

Lilja has found the cover!

http://www.liljas-library.com/img/other/fulldarknostars.jpg

:excited:

[Gris]

Why does it scream "Twilight" to me?

y'know, I was assuming this was just a night time themed title like all of his other short story/novella books. Not so sure now :D

[mae]

It does remind me of something, but not Twilight...

[Merlin1958]

Why does it scream "Twilight" to me?

y'know, I was assuming this was just a night time themed title like all of his other short story/novella books. Not so sure now :D

I know what you mean!!! Not exactly the cover I would have chosen, but hey, who am I, right? I'm sure the stories will quickly make us forget the cover!! or maybe shed more light on it?

[herbertwest]

It seems to play on the fact that she looks beheaded... but the picture is taken from the top.

IMO, it looks too simple to be the final cover...

[Sam]

It could also be a fake. With a title like that, I would almost expect a completely black cover.

[mae]

Fake? On Scribner's site?

[biomieg]

Not 'fake', but maybe 'placeholder' would be a better word? When the would-be-cover for Under The Dome went live, there was also some speculation about it being the final cover. Most likely it's standard practice to add a picture to the page of a forthcoming title, maybe to give customers the sense of 'development'?

[jhanic]

I have no real opinion on this discussion one way or the other. It's very unusual for Scribner to publish the cover of a new book this early, but...

John

[Lilja]

I guess we'll have to wait and see but it looks to finished if you ask me to be a placeholder. And it's hard to know if it's a good cover until you have read the book...

Lilja

Join Lilja’s Library on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/LiljasLibrary

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http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liljas-Library-The-World-of-Stephen-King/112537032112502

[lophophoras]

If you turn the cover counterclockwise, the person's body kinda looks like the crimson eye...

:orely:

[Brice]

:panic::panic::panic:

[Randall Flagg]

It does remind me of something, but not Twilight...
It looks like some of the manipulated photos JK Potter does:
http://www.rsub.com/thebluedot/potter/images/em/em25.jpg

[mae]

Not sure that's what I was thinking. I thought more of another book cover. Anyway, Amazon has a high-resolution version:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41LU%2BLQxF0L.jpg

[herbertwest]

Maybe someone could ask marsha if its the final cover?

[mae]

Looks final to me. I love it. And a different style for King.

[lophophoras]

At first glance I didn't care much for it, but after seeing it a few times it has grown on me. I like it too.

[mae]

SK.com has a high-definition version: http://www.stephenking.com/images/books/full_dark_no_stars/fdns_hd.jpg

[mae]

Thanks to Lilja and Bev for finding this new description of this collection on Amazon.co.uk:


'I believe there is another man inside every man, a stranger...' writes Wilfred Leland James in the early pages of the riveting confession that makes up '1922', the first in this pitch-black quartet of mesmerising tales from Stephen King, linked by the theme of retribution. For James, that stranger is awakened when his wife Arlette proposes selling off the family homestead and moving to Omaha, setting in motion a gruesome train of murder and madness.

In 'Big Driver', a cozy-mystery writer named Tess encounters the stranger is along a back road in Massachusetts when she takes a shortcut home after a book-club engagement. Violated and left for dead, Tess plots a revenge that will bring her face to face with another stranger: the one inside herself.

'Fair Extension', the shortest of these tales, is perhaps the nastiest and certainly the funniest. Making a deal with the devil not only saves Harry Streeter from a fatal cancer but provides rich recompense for a lifetime of resentment.

When her husband of more than twenty years is away on one of his business trips, Darcy Anderson looks for batteries in the garage. Her toe knocks up against a box under a worktable and she discovers the stranger inside her husband. It’s a horrifying discovery, rendered with bristling intensity, and it definitively ends 'A Good Marriage'.

Like DIFFERENT SEASONS and FOUR PAST MIDNIGHT, which generated such enduring hit films as The Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me, FULL DARK, NO STARS proves Stephen King a master of the long story form.

Sounds like King is going for (mostly) pure realism here like some of his latest short fiction (The Gingerbread Girl, Morality, Premium Harmony). I'm lovin' it.

[jhanic]

From the SKMB:

1922 is 96 manuscript pages
A Good Marriage is 63 manuscript pages
Big Driver is 82 manuscript pages
Fair Extension is 25 manuscript pages

John

[herbertwest]

From the SKMB:

1922 is 96 manuscript pages
A Good Marriage is 63 manuscript pages
Big Driver is 82 manuscript pages
Fair Extension is 25 manuscript pages

John

It's a short collection!

[mae]

Scribner says 352 pages. About the same as Just After Sunset.

[Randall Flagg]

From the SKMB:

1922 is 96 manuscript pages
A Good Marriage is 63 manuscript pages
Big Driver is 82 manuscript pages
Fair Extension is 25 manuscript pages

John

266 Total manuscript pages.

1922 is 96 manuscript pages-36%
A Good Marriage is 63 manuscript pages-24%
Big Driver is 82 manuscript pages-31%
Fair Extension is 25 manuscript pages-9%

Numbers rounded.

[mae]

As a stats-man, thanks for that :couple:

[jhanic]

Ms Mod on the SKMB has stated that no signing tour is being planned for Full Dark, No Stars.

John

[herbertwest]

I was hoping a signing in London!
Couldnt go to the previous one...

[Ari_Racing]

When I was at Scribner last november I talked with my friend inside and she mentioned King didn't like to do those events.

Considering the latest signings he gave, one can only expect that a really big promoted book (a novel, for sure) can have a booksigning. I don't think a short story collection, novellas or even the next novel will have a booksigning.

JMO

[jhanic]

Plus, he's not getting any younger either. I'm finding out that the older I get, the less I feel like doing. These signings HAVE to be a drain on him.

John

[Sam]

When you add his age along with the nagging injuries he certainly has to be dealing with coming from the accident, then those events have to be very draining on him. Plus, they had him on a very hefty schedule for the last tour. As much as I would love for Sai King to do more signing tours and would love the chance to get the next King book (or even one of my older ones) signed, I would rather he continue to live his life and be happy. I don't want him to become bitter toward his fans like I have seen some writers do as they got older. The stories often dry up and stop when that happens.

[herbertwest]

Liljas has posted the UK cover

http://www.liljas-library.com/img/other/fulldarknostars_uk.jpg

Reversed... like someone that is lying on the ground, dead.
This one and the american one, makes me think that the stories will be pretty violent, with lots of dead people, killing...

[mae]

Violent and dark.

[jhanic]

I like that cover much more than the US cover.

John

[Ricky]

Same here, John.

[Randall Flagg]

Looking at it this way, it certainly is a very low view of 'grass, corn,' I am not sure but certainly a low wide angle.
I'm guessing the image looks too much like a corn field for Scribner to use it on the US cover (Children of the Corn).
Remember, the initial covers-or at least working title for 'Just After Sunset' were/was "Just Past Midnight".
Someone pointed out that SK had the title 'Four Past Midnight', hence the change from 'Past', to 'After'.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/6159/fulldarknostarsuk.jpg

[jhanic]

From Lilja's site:


Hodder & Stoughton informed me today that the cover for Full Dark, No Stars that Play.com is using isn't the finished one. More info to come...

John

[mae]

Remember, the initial covers-or at least working title for 'Just After Sunset' were/was "Just Past Midnight".
Someone pointed out that SK had the title 'Four Past Midnight', hence the change from 'Past', to 'After'.


Yeah only it was actually Just Past Sunset. I liked the other versions King mentioned, Pocket Rockets, and Unnatural Acts of Human Intercourse.

[Randall Flagg]

Correct on the 'Just Past Sunset'. Typo on my part.

[LadyHitchhiker]

Thanks for the update, Bev. You're amazing! :D

[Brice]

Remember, the initial covers-or at least working title for 'Just After Sunset' were/was "Just Past Midnight".
Someone pointed out that SK had the title 'Four Past Midnight', hence the change from 'Past', to 'After'.


Yeah only it was actually Just Past Sunset. I liked the other versions King mentioned, Pocket Rockets, and Unnatural Acts of Human Intercourse.

I SO wished he'd have stuck to his guns regarding these titles. It's not like any publisher is gonna' tell King "Well, we just won't publish your book then." :lol:

[Lilja]

The finished UK cover can be seen on my site now. This time I got it straight from Hodder so it should be the correct one.

Lilja

[mae]

Lilja's posted that the audiobook will feature King narrating an introduction to each novella. I wonder if this is just for the audiobook, or if the book itself will have these, too.

[Mr. Rabbit Trick]

Lilja's posted that the audiobook will feature King narrating an introduction to each novella. I wonder if this is just for the audiobook, or if the book itself will have these, too.

I think they will be like "Sunset Notes", in "Just After Sunset". King did the audio for these as well.

[herbertwest]

Or in the afterword

[jhanic]

Just received:

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr60/johnhanic/US_Proofs/FullDarkNoStarsproof.jpg

With the letter from the publisher:

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr60/johnhanic/US_Proofs/FullDarkNoStarsproofpublisherletter.jpg

John

[Ricky]

No fair. :nope:

[Bev Vincent]

Here's my quick assessment:

1922: Very good
Big Driver: Excellent
Fair Extension: Good, but I didn't like the way it ended
A Good Marriage: Excellent

These are pretty dark stories. No punches pulled.

[Sam]

Looking forward to it. Anyone heard if he'll be doing any signings or if a publisher will be doing a S/L?

[Brice]

Just received:

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr60/johnhanic/US_Proofs/FullDarkNoStarsproof.jpg

With the letter from the publisher:

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr60/johnhanic/US_Proofs/FullDarkNoStarsproofpublisherletter.jpg

John


Send it to me. I'll send it back when I'm done reading it. :lol:

[BROWNINGS CHILDE]

Liljas has posted the UK cover

http://www.liljas-library.com/img/other/fulldarknostars_uk.jpg

Reversed... like someone that is lying on the ground, dead.
This one and the american one, makes me think that the stories will be pretty violent, with lots of dead people, killing...

My first thought was that it looked like a reflection in a pool of water.

[lophophoras]

Liljas has posted the UK cover

http://www.liljas-library.com/img/other/fulldarknostars_uk.jpg

Reversed... like someone that is lying on the ground, dead.
This one and the american one, makes me think that the stories will be pretty violent, with lots of dead people, killing...

My first thought was that it looked like a reflection in a pool of water.

I kinda got the impression that this is the view of someone hanging upside down.

[jhanic]

Lilja has posted the corrected cover of the UK Full Dark, No Stars:

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr60/johnhanic/Other_items/UKFullDarkNoStars.jpg

John

[Brainslinger]

I think they should have stuck with the first one!

[BROWNINGS CHILDE]

I think they should have stuck with the first one!


I definitely agree. Obviously, it leant a little mystery. I also liked the idea of it being the view of someone hanging upside down. Kind of unsettling.

[jhanic]

I finished the last story in Full Dark, No Stars this morning. My grades:

1922: A-
Big Driver: A
A Fair Extension: A
The Good Marriage: A+

One of King's better collections for sure. The stories are pretty dark, though, and may not appeal to everyone.

John

[flaggwalkstheline]

so when does it come out?

[Bev Vincent]

November.

I liked 1922 better than Fair Extension primarily because I was disappointed with the resolution of the latter.

[jhanic]

Now I thought the resolution was just right. Oh, well.

John

[Ben Mears]

I'm looking forward to reading The Good Marriage.

[Bev Vincent]

John:

I thought he got off too easy. He never paid for what he received--not really, in a literary sense.

[jhanic]

John:

I thought he got off too easy. He never paid for what he received--not really, in a literary sense.

But eternity is SUCH a long time!

John

[Nerak]

grrrrrr, I want one!!!!!

[mae]

So how does this rank with King's other recent works? How about the other two novella collections?

[jhanic]

Because of it's dark themes, I don't think it will be as popular as his earlier novella collections. I think, though, that all the stories are VERY well written, so in that in that light, it's one of his best. Just my opinion, though.

John

[mae]

Thanks, I like the sound of that actually. It's been a while since we've gotten something truly dark from King. And sounds like it will be literary dark, just like the title promises.

I so cannot wait :nana:

[Cloysterpete]

I finished the last story in Full Dark, No Stars this morning. My grades:

1922: A-
Big Driver: A
A Fair Extension: A
The Good Marriage: A+

One of King's better collections for sure. The stories are pretty dark, though, and may not appeal to everyone.

John

Damn good grades those!, overall an A then. Did you enjoy the book overall as much Bev?.

I know it's neither nowt nor sumpthin bit Fair Extension is so short it's not really a novella is it, it's like Blockade Billy legth or shorter isn't it?.

[Ari_Racing]

Here you can read an excerpt of the last story in the book:

http://books.simonandschuster.com/Full-Dark-No-Stars/Stephen-King/9781439192566/excerpt_with_id/16875?custd=331983&mcd=ea&view_pc_site=1

[Nerak]

I just did and now I want to know what she found in the garage.......

[jhanic]

I just did and now I want to know what she found in the garage.......

Only about three months to wait! :evil:

John

[Ari_Racing]

I finshed the book 4 days ago. INCREDIBLE STORIES!!! All are perfect, but not for everyone. I think the casual reader might not have a good impresion if they start reading King with this book.

[mae]

I finshed the book 4 days ago. INCREDIBLE STORIES!!! All are perfect, but not for everyone. I think the casual reader might not have a good impresion if they start reading King with this book.

Without spoiling anything, can you elaborate on what you mean by that?

[Ari_Racing]

All the stories have very strong and tough "scenes", where the casual reader won't be indifferent when reading 'em.

[Ricky]

Ohhh, I'm excited to read it now! Sounds like they're all very dark. Ari, would you say that that's the case? And are they "scary", per se?

[Ari_Racing]

Scary isn't the word exactly. Even when there are some parts that are scary (specially in the first story), but they're all dark stories.

[Ricky]

Good deal. :thumbsup:

[jhanic]

Ari, Just curious. Which was your favorite story?

John

[Ari_Racing]

Hard to choose one...I think the order would be:

1) Fair Extension
2) 1922
3) Big driver
4) A good marriage.

But again...there isn't a difference between the 1st one I choose and the last one. I think it's one of the collections I enjoyed the most, just below Just After Sunset (which I think it's the best he wrote).

[Bev Vincent]

My list would be the exact inverse of that one!

[gsvec]

I'm so envious of those of you with the ARCs. *sigh* Can't wait to read this one based on all your feedback!

[herbertwest]

I couldnt help reading the afterword before the stories

"the stories in this book are harsh"
After reading the afterword, i understand better the title

[mae]

Official promo site for the book: http://www.stephenking.com/promo/full_dark_no_stars/index.html

[Randall Flagg]

Gorgeous web page for that.

[SkippyD023]

I just received this e-mail from River Run Bookstore. I sure wish I lived closer... Anyone want to get me one of the books??

RiverRun Bookstore is honored, thrilled, and pretty much over the moon to announce that we will be hosting world famous bestselling author Stephen King for his new book: Full Dark, No Stars.

This event will be on Thursday, December 2nd at 7pm. The event will be held at RiverRun Bookstore, located at 20 Congress Street in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

This is a ticketed event. Please see below for details before contacting us. You must e-mail us in order to get your ticket.

* The ticket price ($27.99) admits one person and includes ONE copy of Full Dark, No Stars. Tickets are limited to TWO per customer (to admit two people in). Mr. King will ONLY be signing this book. He will not be personalizing, and he won't be signing other books or memorabilia. Instead of a paper ticket, you will be required to show ID at the door and we will check you off of a list.

*You must be present at the signing in order to get your book. We will not be mailing signed books after this event.

* Stephen King will sign for 400 people. We are able to sell an additional 50 standby tickets. It is NOT a guarantee that Mr. King will sign these additional 50 books. If he doesn't get to them, RiverRun is happy to refund the ticket price.

*In order to get a ticket, you MUST e-mail riverrunking@gmail.com with a name and phone number to contact you at. RiverRun Bookstore will call you within 24 hours of your email if you are within the first 450 people to e-mail us. We will hold your ticket for up to 48 hours without payment, but reserve the right to sell your ticket if you do not pay during that time.

*Once tickets are sold out, we will have an automatic response e-mail to notify you that all tickets are gone.

*Ticket holders will be assigned a time to show up at the store and wait in line. Dress warmly, because you will have to wait outside for a period of time!

**Mr. King will not pose for photos. Non-flash photography is allowed.

[Ari_Racing]

Wow!

Nice to know that! Too bad this year I can't make it. :(

[Brainslinger]

Do bookshops usually charge tickets for book signings?

I remember wandering into a bookshop in the Glades in Bromley a few years back. There was a guy there signing a book (I think some kind of autobiography thing) for a queue of people. His face was vaguely familiar... and he turned out to be one of the Rolling Stones. (I forget which one. Not Jagger.) So A little Dark Tower link there too. Hee!

I think anyone could pretty much join the queue free of charge. As long as they were buying the book... a large chunk which would go into the writer's pocket of course. (I didn't. I probably wandered over tot he fantasy and horror sections and had a perusal as normal.)

[Bev Vincent]

It's virtually unheard of to charge a fee for a book signing at a store. Often you have to buy a copy of the current book, that's all.

[Randall Flagg]

I received a call and have 2 tickets. From what I understand, the ~$28 includes 1 copy of the book. In other words, no premium price just to get in and THEN buy the book.

[Brainslinger]

Despite what I said, including the price of a hardback book, I guess that's not too bad.

[Bev Vincent]

The event is now sold out.

[Nerak]

Jerome...I am assuming that you are having two people go for you...cause if you were plannin on visiting the East Coast I would have known and expected a visit!!!! LOL

[Randall Flagg]

Book trailer and interview are up on official site:
http://www.fulldarknostarsbook.com/

[mae]

That site also has more excerpts and other goodies.

[Nerak]

Jerome...I am assuming that you are having two people go for you...cause if you were plannin on visiting the East Coast I would have known and expected a visit!!!! LOL

Eh HEM!!!!

[DanishCollector]

Is the Liner Notes to 1922 by King on the site, taken from the book's afterword or written for the online excerpt only?

[herbertwest]

Well noticed! It's not from the book (not from the afterword), so it's an exclusive text.

[Bev Vincent]

H&S promo video for 1922:

YouTube - 1922 - Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King - Part 1

[Ari_Racing]

EXCELLENT!

Did it appear in a dedicated website?

[Bev Vincent]

It'll probably be on H&S FDNS website, which is supposed to be up in a few days.

[Randall Flagg]

Fabulous. Thanks for sharing.

[jhanic]

WOW! Awesome!

John

[herbertwest]

thanks Bev!

[Randall Flagg]

Breaking news about special Signed Limited editions of Full Dark, No Stars
Go here:
Full Dark, No Stars Lettered, Signed Limited, Gift- Cemetery Dance (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?t=11344)

This thread will be merged into the Full Dark, No Stars thread (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?t=10114)
in a few days.

[Ari_Racing]

Second Mini website from Scribner is online:

http://www.fulldarknostarsbook.com/big-driver

[Bev Vincent]

YouTube - Big Driver - Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King - Part 2

[Randall Flagg]

Wonderful, thanks.

[mae]

The reviews are starting to come in. Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/26/AR2010102606493.html

[CRinVA]

I read this Wash Post review this morning (not online but actually the real paper edition). Looking forward to getting my hands on this book!

[mae]

Third excerpt available now.

[mae]

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/10/27/2581863/stephen-king-reminds-us-why-hes.html

[herbertwest]

Is it a phone number at the end of the article?

If so, i am sure that some collectors will make him an offer!

[mae]

Another review:

http://news.scotsman.com/books/Book-review-Full-Dark-No.6606260.jp

[mae]

The last excerpt and liner note and all that good stuff is up. The book is out next week! Cannot wait!

[Bev Vincent]

Did you know you could interact with the graphics? I just figured that out! Click on things in the garage for A Good Marriage, for example. And you can hear Tom the GPS talking if you click on the SUV in Big Driver.

[mae]

Full Dark, No Stars lands at #25 on Amazon's 100 Best Books of 2010 (http://www.omnivoracious.com/2010/11/best-books-of-2010-continued-29-through-11.html) list.

[Bev Vincent]

YouTube - Fair Extension - Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King - Part 3

[mae]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/nov/05/full-dark-stephen-king-review

[mae]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/bookreviews/8111101/Full-Dark-No-stars-by-Stephen-King-review.html

[mae]

http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/reviews/2010-11-07-stephen-king_N.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/books/08book.html?src=twrhp
http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/reviews/article_cb28dd30-4ce1-5099-b6df-b3f12bc4636a.html

[herbertwest]

The first two stories are really harsh and violent.
The last two are more "psychological" and about "suspens". I prefered those : FAIR EXTENSION & A GOOD MARRIAGE.

[Bev Vincent]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRPS0x66ncM

[Ben Mears]

http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/reviews/2010-11-07-stephen-king_N.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/books/08book.html?src=twrhp
http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/reviews/article_cb28dd30-4ce1-5099-b6df-b3f12bc4636a.html

Some excellent reviews. SK can't complain about the NY Times anymore!

[mae]

http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2010/11/stephen-king-full-dark-no-stars.php

[jhanic]

http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2010/11/stephen-king-full-dark-no-stars.php

This reviewer brings up a concept I hadn't thought of before. A great review.

John

[Bev Vincent]

Yeah, I've written a few times about how characters in King's books talk to themselves or adopt alternate personas to argue with. The most obvious case of this was Jessie in Gerald's Game, who had a whole host of people inside her head.

[Randall Flagg]

Can't wait for Costco to open.

[Erin]

Once I get off work, I'm headed out to the bookstore! :nana:

[jhanic]

I just got back from Barnes & Noble--30% off!

John

[Randall Flagg]

Costco-$15.98 + tax.

[jhanic]

A better deal than mine, but we don't have Costco around here that I know of.

John

[Brainslinger]

I saw this at the bookstore today! It was going for £9.99, which isn't bad for hardback books over here. Much thinner than I'd expected though.

I didn't buy it as I recently just bought another book which just came out (Wheel of Time: Towers of Midnight) recently. I shouldn't have really (I can't really afford it) but the price was pretty good and I fell to temptation...

[mae]

Amazon Exclusive: Justin Cronin, Suzanne Collins, Margaret Atwood, and T.C. Boyle Review Stephen King's Full Dark, No Stars (http://www.amazon.com/dp/1439192561/)

[Erin]

I got mine today at Hastings for $14.52 (that was with tax included). Can't wait to start reading! :nana:

[mae]

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-11-10/stephen-king-makes-a-deal-with-the-devil-in-gory-tales-review.html

[jhanic]

Cleveland Plain Dealer (http://www.cleveland.com/books/index.ssf/2010/11/horror_writer_stephen_king_put.html)

Not a very nice review.

John

[Randall Flagg]

Everyone has an opinion. He presents his thoughts well.
FYI, he is a "Guest Write/Reviewer" . Daniel Dyer is an educator at Western Reserve Academy (http://www.wra.net/)

Interview with Dyer http://www.jacklondons.net/writings/Profiles/danielDyer.html
Bio: http://www.wra.net/academics/facultybio.cfm?staffid=660

Wierd bio, I guess they have reseved and are expecting their children to graduate from WRA:
Their son, Stephen '90, helped in the delivery of his two sons, Logan Thomas Dyer (WRA 2023) and Carson William Daniel Dyer (WRA 2027), and is serving his second term as a state representative in Ohio's 43rd district.

[debungsmere]

I just got it on my Kindle. Flying to New Zealand this weekend, hoping it gets me part of the way there!

[mae]

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/full-dark-no-stars-by-stephen-king-2131338.html

[the dalinean]

If you need something to read while waiting for your copy of "Full Dark No Stars", I wrote up a humorous introduction to an old horror book (available as a free ebook now)...
Can't Wait for Stephen King's Next Book? Peek into the Witch's Head (http://hubpages.com/hub/Cant-Wait-for-Stephen-Kings-Next-Book)

[mae]

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/2d47ca12-ede9-11df-8616-00144feab49a.html#axzz15MxFsj6M

[Patrick]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/nov/05/full-dark-stephen-king-review

For those who are not clicking every link, it may of interest to some that this review was written by author Neil Gaiman.

[alinda]

No review could brighten my oppinion of Full Dark No Stars at this point, I am not liking it at all , may even stop reading it all together. :(
as I hold out little chance of it improving very much.one word ? BOO!

[Iwritecode]

Just finished it yesterday. I thought it was pretty good. Wish it were a little longer though.

There were a couple of times I noticed something that came into play later in the story. Like the character hadn't thought about them yet but I already had.

[alinda]

I wish I could have liked it.

[fernandito]

For those who have read it - what would you rate it , using a ten point system ?

[mae]

http://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/books/full-dark-isn-t-stephen-king-s-shining-hour-1.2475009

[jhanic]

For those who have read it - what would you rate it , using a ten point system ?

I'd give it a 9.5. I thought Fair Extension was not the best of King's work.

John

[alinda]

In an effort to be fair I did read A Good Marriage last night after my not so kind words hewre and liked it a bit
( a big bit) better than the 1st story 1922. Still not great KING (IMO) but had to keep readingbook just the same.
What some revierwers may call a real page turner.
To answer the question you posed feev....and again I still have to read Fair Extenstion....I'd give it about a 5 or 6 .
and thats just because it is KIng, its not say Koontz or ssome other 'writer' if it were I
doubt I wouldhave picked the book back up. so .....there I did pick it up and am thinking it was a good decision even tho'
I truely did not like the 1st story 1922.

[biomieg]

I would give it (at least) 9 out of 10.

[Sam]

This sounds bad, but I can't give this anything better than 7.5 at best. I haven't read A Good Marriage yet, but This is a book of four tales, and one of those tales is horribly weak (Fair Extension). Big Driver is a really well told story that reminds me of the King of old who told us such tales as The Body and Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. 1922 was good, but still felt lacking something. I think that something was a little bit of heart (no pun intended). It felt more like words on a page than a tale of a horrible decision and how it rips a family apart.

Right now, about the best I can really say about Full Dark, No Stars is that it has given me something to do during the nights wen I can't sleep.

[kluker]

So far i'm liking the book except for one story so far(fair extension) I would rate 8.5 at the moment.

[Ben Mears]

A Good Marriage saved the book for me. Based on reviews I had very high expectations for FDNS but found 1922 to be tough reading. Big Driver was an improvement but think Fair Extension would have been better served in a short story collection. I enjoyed Under The Dome much more than FDNS. Overall a 6/10.

[jhanic]

"Fair Extension" was my least favorite also.

John

[EvaH]

My favorite was Big Driver, least favorite Fair Extension. Overall I give it a 8/10.

[kluker]

Finished it Good Marriage was the best one for me still giving it a 8/10

[candy]

I finished 1922 last night, and just finished Big Driver this morning. So far i much prefered Big Driver - which i finished in record time. Now starting Fair Extention

[mae]

http://www.app.com/article/20101121/ENT/11210322/King-of-spook-reigns-supreme-in-four-novellas

[candy]

well i finished DF/NS

i must say i prefered the two female led stories as opposed to the male led stories.
1922 seemed to lack passion, there was passion in the story, but did not seem to transfer to us the constant reader 6/10
Big Driver had me gripped, the story really chugged along, slightly disappointed with the end but only slightly 8/10
Fair extention. promised so much, all through the story i was expecting it to go somewhere, but it just .... didn't? or did i miss something? 4/10
Good Marriage. I enjoyed in its own right - that is not as a King story, tbh as a King story i felt a little let down. But the story itself was strong enough 7/10

Was it just me or did all the endings seem a little rushed? as if he had this wonderful story but no where to take it?

[mae]

http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2010/12/01/stephen_kings_typically_accomplished_new_book_cont ains_three_novellas_and_a_short_story_signature_gr oss_outs_included/

[Ari_Racing]

The Horror Writers Association announced the preliminary selection for Bram Stoker Awards 2010 and Stephen King is present under the category Superior Achievement in a Collection.

Here are all the nominated in the category:

Superior Achievement in a COLLECTION

* OCCULTATION by Laird Barron (Night Shade Books)
* BLOOD AND GRISTLE by Michael Louis Calvillo (Bad Moon Books)
* THIS WAY TO EGRESS by Lawrence C. Connolly (Ash-Tree Press)
* WHAT WILL COME AFTER by Scott Edelman (PS Publishing)
* FULL DARK, NO STARS by Stephen King (Simon and Schuster)
* LITTLE THINGS by John R. Little (Bad Moon Books)
* A HELL OF A JOB by Michael McCarty (Damnation Books)
* A HOST OF SHADOWS by Harry Shannon (Dark Regions Press)
* FUNGUS OF THE HEART by Jeremy Shipp (Raw Dog (Screaming Press)
* HELLFIRE AND DAMNATION by Connie Corcoran Wilson (Sam's Dot)

And all the preliminary selection in all categories:

http://www.horror.org/news-2010stokerprelim.htm