Stephen King’s Main(e) Haunts: A guide to the places in Maine that inspired him Trade paperback, 112 pages, 8.5 x 11 inches, full color, with over 100 photographs. “I’m basically a regular Maine guy—born here, went to school here, live here, expect to die here...but hopefully not this week.” -- Stephen King (MAINE SENIORS, 2015) Many years ago I published Stephen King Country , a book that took the reader to the places where King has lived—the places that have left a mark on him, just as he’s left his mark on them. I like the book a lot, but the photos were in black-and-white; I wished they had been in color. Because that book is out of print, I thought it was time to write a new version, complete with color photos—over a hundred—and rewrite the text from scratch. In short, a brand new book for King’s new fans. This meant I had to take a trip to Maine, with my friend Dave Lowell (a lifelong Mainer), to tread familiar ground, and new territory, too. I’ve organized the contents chronologically, starting out with his childhood years in Durham, Maine, which inspired Carrie and ‘Salem’s Lot . The book ends in Sarasota, Florida where he spends the winter months. In between you’ll see where he saw movies as a young teenager (Lewiston); attended high school and worked at the Worumbo Mill, which inspired “Graveyard Shift” (Lisbon Falls); lived in a mobile home when he was writing Carrie , and got evicted by the landlord (Hermon); attended college at the University of Maine (Orono), and much more. With the help of writer Dave Lowell, I’ve taken most of the photos in the book recently, supplemented with photos by others, significantly from unsplash.com . I’ve also drawn on artist Glenn Chadbourne, who contributed several pieces of art. Glenn, a Maine artist, is well known for illustrating Stephen King’s fiction for Cemetery Dance Publications and, in the U.K., PS Publishing. (He also drew the logo for King’s Haven Foundation, to help freelance artists in need.) When I wrote The Stephen King Companion , now in its third edition, I wanted to provide a detailed overview of King’s life and work for obsessive fans who wanted as much information as possible. That book is nearly 600 pages. It speaks of how prolific King has been over the years, since 1974 when Carrie was published. I've used the title for three editions. It's the original Stephen King Companion , time-tested, and the definitive "go to" book based on reviews over the years. I am pleased that my companion book inspired others to write about King and other authors: I didn't invent the companion book, of course, but it's fair to say I popularized it. This new book, Stephen King’s Main(e) Haunts , was written for newcomers to Stephen’s kingdom. It’s not a guidebook; it’s an overview of his life that focuses on the places that he’s called home. The seasoned fan will also find this book enjoyable. It’s like revisiting the places you’ve known so well, familiar places where, like Stephen King, you’ll feel at home. I think it’s the perfect gift for anyone who loves King’s fiction. There’s been dozens of books written about King—I’ve written a few, myself—but this one is special for me: I loved going back to Maine, reacquainting myself with the places that King called home, and I hope you will find this book entertaining and illuminating. Now, let’s take a trip together. We’ll spent most of our time in Maine, but also Florida, and we’ll see for ourselves Stephen King’s Maine haunts . . . if you dare. --George Beahm, author of the original Stephen King Companion. June 2024