Stephen King Reads From the Sequel to The Shining

On Friday, September 23rd, Stephen King put the proverbial "icing on the cake" at this year's Fall for the Book Festival by reading from Dr. Sleep, the yet unfinished sequel to The Shining. Dr. Sleep picks up the story of the original book's now-grown up psychic child, Danny Torrance. Danny, now in his 40s, is a hospice worker who helps his patients die painlessly. There are vampires in this story. The vampire clan is called The Tribe. But they don't suck blood, they suck out psychic energy from people like Danny Torrance.

Stephen King first announced the idea of a sequel in 2009 at a reading of Under the Dome in Toronto.

Here's the fantastic video of his visit and acceptance of the Mason Prize at the Center for the Arts Concert Hall on George Mason University's Fairfax, VA campus. It does contain adult language that may not be suitable for children (I don't want you to just push play and be surprised if you have little ones around). The actual reading from Dr. Sleep begins at the 29-minute mark. Many thanks to GMU-TV for sharing it with us.

What's your favorite Stephen King novel?

2011 Fall for the Book Festival

George Mason University and the city of Fairfax have been sponsoring an annual book festival since 1999. It began as a two-day literary event which has evolved into a week-long, multiple-venue, regional shindig.

This year, Fall for the Book will run from September 18th to the 23rd with authors who will be speaking at George Mason University's Fairfax, VA campus and locations througout Northern Virginia, D.C., and Maryland. Events are free and open to the public.

Prizes are awarded at the festival and have traditionally geared toward fiction writers. 

• This year, in conjunction with Busboys & Poets, the festival will be awarding a poetry prize. The first recipient of the prize is Claudia Rankine, author of four poetry collections. 
• Also new this year is the The Mary Roberts Rinehart Award which will be presented to a woman writer of major nonfiction. Mary Karr has secured the honor this year. She is the author of three memoirs, including The Liars' Club, Cherry, and Lit. 
• The Fairfax Prize was established in 2003 to honor outstanding writers for "writing and publishing literary works that contribute significantly to American and international culture." This year the award goes to (drumroll please)...Chinese American author Amy Tan whose best-selling novels include The Joy Luck Club and The Bonesetter's Daughter. 
•  The Mason Award was established to recognize authors who have made contributions to bringing literature to a wide reading public. The award is presented after a reading by the recipient as a highlight of the festival. Tickets are required to attend the presentation of this award to Stephen King. Advance tickets have all been reserved, but opportunities remain for others to win tickets at select festival events.

Congratulations to all the winners.  

Link to more details and a complete schedule of events.


 Man, I wished I lived closer to the festivities. Keep me posted of the fun if you happen to go!

Talk to you soon,
Angela