Hey /r/movies, I’m Stephen King! Ask me anything about The Long Walk book or movie.

[u/lionsgate]

Hey r/movies, I’m Stephen King. You might know me from Stand By Me, It, or Shawshank Redemption, but my latest project is actually the first book I ever wrote. The Long Walk hits theaters on September 12. Ask me anything about the book or movie.

Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAtUHeMQ1F8

In a dystopian United States ruled by a totalitarian regime, a group of young men enter an annual walking contest in which they must maintain a speed of at least three miles per hour or risk execution. The contest ends when only one walker remains alive.

It stars Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Ben Wang, Charlie Plummer, Roman Griffin Davis, Garrett Wareing, Joshua Odjick, Tut Nyuot, Mark Hamill, Judy Greer, and Josh Hamilton.

I'll be back on Wednesday 8/27 at 12:00 PM ET to answer your questions.

[u/BunyipPouch]

This AMA has been verified by the mods. Stephen will be back on Wednesday 8/27 at 12:00 PM ET to answer questions. Please feel free to ask away in the meantime :)

Information from our guest:

---

Hey r/movies, I’m Stephen King. You might know me from Stand By Me, It, or Shawshank Redemption, but my latest project is actually the first book I ever wrote. The Long Walk hits theaters on September 12. Ask me anything about the book or movie.

Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAtUHeMQ1F8

From the highly anticipated adaptation of master storyteller Stephen King’s first-written novel, and Francis Lawrence, the visionary director of The Hunger Games franchise films (Catching Fire, Mocking Jay – Pts. 1&2 , and The Ballad of the Songbirds & Snakes), comes THE LONG WALK, an intense, chilling, and emotional thriller that challenges audiences to confront a haunting question: how far could you go?

It stars Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Ben Wang, Charlie Plummer, Roman Griffin Davis, Garrett Wareing, Joshua Odjick, Tut Nyuot, Mark Hamill, Judy Greer, and Josh Hamilton.

I'll be back on Wednesday 8/27 at 12:00 PM ET to answer your questions.

[u/Efficient_Conflict]

When you write, do you ever imagine what the scene would look like as a movie?

[u/RichardDoneDeal → u/Efficient_Conflict]

I've always thought his books read just like a movie.

[u/Kablooomers → u/RichardDoneDeal]

A lot of scenes do, but he has a very interesting internal dialogue style that is hard to show in film.

[u/kywildcat44 → u/Kablooomers]

Exactly. His books are always so good because you are able to basically be inside the mind of the characters. It’s impressive that movie makers are able to even get remotely close to the books.

The Shining is one that I always think of. For how critically acclaimed the movie is, the book is still far superior just because the ability to have the inner dialogue of Jack (not to mention the ending is better).

[u/marineman43 → u/kywildcat44]

I've always said King writes the everyman perspective better than like anyone in the game. If you're looking for POV/stream of consciousness that captures the thoughts and sentiments of American men in the late 20th century, just read a Stephen King book. Every character feels so authentic, like someone you've met.

[u/MattieShoes → u/kywildcat44]

Also the topiaries. Scariest part and they leave it out of the movie entirely!

[u/kywildcat44 → u/MattieShoes]

I love the topiaries in the Shining (the book). I especially love the slight nod to them in Billy Summers (2021) as well!

Whenever Stephen King gives small shoutouts to past books, I love it.

[u/surra_day → u/MattieShoes]

Right?! Those scared the shit out of me, not sure why they left them out.

[u/baxter00uk → u/surra_day]

Or the part where Jack smashes his own face in with a hammer. I think that got me more. Not sure it would have gone down well on screen!

[u/Kablooomers → u/surra_day]

I always assumed they weren't confident they could effectively pull it off pre-CGI.

[u/24-Hour-Hate → u/Kablooomers]

That was always my thought too. It could be done today…but really, how can you replace Jack Nicholson in that role? It would be terribly difficult.

[u/Kokamina23 → u/kywildcat44]

Yeah, I agree. His use of blank space on the page is so intrinsic to setting the mood and sucking you into the mindset of the characters. I just finished re-reading it as I've been reading King for the summer and I actually had to put the book down for a couple of days in the last part of the second act as it was scaring me so much. I loved it!

[u/So-Called_Lunatic → u/Kablooomers]

This is why some of his movies do not translate well, because he puts you into the state of mind of the unbelievable thing actually happening to you.

[u/The_Deadlight → u/So-Called_Lunatic]

the gopher pov chapter in under the dome is a fucking work of art

[u/Candid-Major-6055 → u/Kablooomers]

As do all books by great writers. It would be a 40 hour movie otherwise. That's why it's always great to read the book then see the movie, by any writer!

[u/imanygirl → u/RichardDoneDeal]

They do, but the movies rarely live up to the books because of the intense character developments. I can't think of a movie or series that was as good as one of his books except maybe Shawshank.

[u/Substantial-Time-421 → u/imanygirl]

Pet Sematary has so much internal dialogue for Louis’ character that makes it infinitely scarier than the movie. I prefer the 1989 version for the fact of King writing the screenplay and general 80s horror movie campiness, but the book will make me wary of walking into a dark room no matter how many times I read it

[u/Kokamina23 → u/Substantial-Time-421]

I agree- I just finished re-reading Pet Sematary as an adult and it hits so much differently now. It was a deeply unsettling and upsetting study on the nature of grief. I love it in a different way than I did as a kid. Great book.

[u/Alekesam1975 → u/imanygirl]

Misery. But even there you miss a ton of internal observation from the books where he's putting two and two together about Annie and his situation in general.

[u/baron_von_helmut → u/imanygirl]

Green Mile and The Running Man were pretty spot-on.

[u/Copacetic75 → u/RichardDoneDeal]

I think it's the other way around. Stephan King has been writing this way for so long, I think a lot of movies have tried to mimic his storytelling abilities. Some have hit the nail on the head, but many have failed. His ideas have hit the big screen many times from what I've seen over the last 35 years.

[u/centran → u/Efficient_Conflict]

You didn't read the rules! You have to ask your question like this... 

When you wrote The Long Walk, did you ever imagine what a chapter from The Long Walk would look like as a scene in a movie adaptation for The Long Walk (in theaters September 12)?

[u/grumblewolf → u/centran]

We need to stick to Rampart, guys, cmon.

[u/cicuz → u/centran]

Not enough rampant

[u/GreenZebra23 → u/Efficient_Conflict]

That is a damn good question and I hope he answers.

[u/noshoes77 → u/Efficient_Conflict]

This is a great question, I wonder if having Carrie optioned so early in his writing career changed the way he wrote?

[u/SandWasTaken → u/noshoes77]

That's a great question. I'd like to see that answered by him!

[u/EnlightenedPotato69 → u/Efficient_Conflict]

I had a weird dream the other day. Vivid, drawn out, bizarre vibes all around (kind of the Stand). When I finally woke up, I thought, wow, tha was like a Steven King dream. Have you ever had dreams inspire your work? How in the world do you come to with this stuff!? Also, would you ever donate your body to science? That has to be a fascinating noggin you got there

[u/Dharnthread → u/EnlightenedPotato69]

Tell me about it. With all the movie like dreams you wish there was a way to record them.

[u/razzmashaq]

I remember reading somewhere you'd put on a song on repeat for hours while you'd work. Any modern song that'd surprise us?

[u/squall2011 → u/razzmashaq]

Mambo no. 5..?

[u/MikeLittorice → u/squall2011]

I thought you were kidding... https://variety.com/2023/music/news/stephen-king-wife-threatened-divorce-mambo-no-5-1235714923/

[u/Simplefishguy → u/MikeLittorice]

I like how one kid goes by Joe Hill so his name isn't Joe King on a book and he doesn't get not taken seriously lol.

[u/bogustony → u/MikeLittorice]

Cocaine's a hell of a drug.

[u/Heisenberg815 → u/MikeLittorice]

Stephen King in that episode of Nathan for You: jokes on you I love this song.

[u/Alice_Buttons → u/MikeLittorice]

This has been living rent-free in my head for about 2 weeks now.

The hilarity of it all is too much.

This dude has battled some significant inner demons and written some dark material. So we know that his wife has put up with some ish. And then to know that Mambo #5 sent her over the edge? Couple goals.

[u/UltraTerrestrial420 → u/squall2011]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[u/Mudders_Milk_Man → u/UltraTerrestrial420]

No, he literally did.

[u/box-art → u/razzmashaq]

Stephen King Played ‘Mambo No. 5’ So Much His Wife ‘Threatened to Divorce’ Him: ‘One More Time, and I’m Going to F—ing Leave You’

The author said his wife’s ultimatum arrived while he was writing “11/22/63,” his 2011 novel about a time traveller who tries to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

One example anyway

[u/phreakzilla85 → u/box-art]

“I need a song that will put me in the zone to write about a national tragedy…..hey Siri, cue me up some Lou Bega!!”

[u/laddymaddonna → u/razzmashaq]

Also how do you pick the song? Does it have a vibe or tone you want to manifest in the book or are they more unrelated to each other than that?

[u/br00dle]

Was there a specific situation or event that inspired the Long Walk? Also, thank you for all the awesomeness you've produced over the years.

[u/NicklAAAAs → u/br00dle]

In case he doesn’t answer, I’m pretty sure the answer is the Vietnam War.

[u/drewts86 → u/NicklAAAAs]

Probably closer to the Bataan Death March

[u/sjwillis → u/drewts86]

the book is an allegory for the vietnam war

[u/ogloba → u/NicklAAAAs]

Could also be the Armenian Genocide, but I agree the Vietnam War is a strong candidate.

[u/NicklAAAAs → u/ogloba]

My interpretation of it is that it’s a metaphor for the way the military and war in general grinds young boys into dust. But with how often King has written about Vietnam over the years, I suspect this story is more specifically inspired by that.

[u/mrjobby → u/br00dle]

The world needed a complete Speed trilogy

[u/IndianSurveyDrone → u/mrjobby]

"So we have this situation where a walk's speed can't go under 4 miles per hour, or the people explode. I think I'll call it, 'The Walk That Couldn't Slow Down.'"

-King, during book pitch

[u/bluehawk232 → u/IndianSurveyDrone]

Running Man too fast, time for speed walking man

Edit, just remembered long walk came before running man

[u/PrognosticatorofLife → u/mrjobby]

Pop quiz hotshot. There's a hostage situation at the local pool, but the lifeguard says no running allowed. What do you do?

[u/Ok_Dragonfly_5720 → u/br00dle]

I'm not the author obviously, but Death Marches are real things done by lots of cultures.

In WW2 both Japan and Germany sent PoWs on marches where they were killed if they didn't keep up. And of course the trail of tears 19th century America, I don't know how whitewashed the history is - but many natives didn't survive 1000 mile journey.

[u/TwinFrogs → u/br00dle]

Bataan Death March is my guess. A bunch of teenage boys marching at gunpoint often shoeless.

[u/OhNoMoMan]

Mike Flanagan really seems to capture the feel of your books. How tricky do you think it is to adapt your work to film when a lot of the horror/dread comes from the character's inner thoughts and the backstories of the world they're in?

Love ya work.

[u/Evil_Morty_C131 → u/OhNoMoMan]

It feels like there is a passing of the torch of directors who make terrific King adaptations. Rob Reiner (Stand by me, Misery), Frank Darabont (Shawshank, Green Mile, The Mist), Mike Flanagan (Gerald’s Game, Dr Sleep)

[u/PhantomOyster → u/Evil_Morty_C131]

Don't forget Mick Garris. Some of the TV adaptations feel a bit dated now, but Garris was absolutely a huge part of the King craze of the 90's and early aughts. And "Sleepwalkers" is an unhinged classic.

[u/dromtrund → u/Evil_Morty_C131]

Just watched Flanagan's adaptation of The Life of Chuck, that was great as well

[u/Kokamina23 → u/Evil_Morty_C131]

I hear Flanagan is possibly doing a Dark Tower miniseries and I am so there for that.

[u/JHSD7]

Should put in the post title that the AMA is Wednesday. It’ll help a lot of confused people

[u/Outrageous-News3649 → u/JHSD7]

I was very confused.

[u/bashothebanana]

What keeps you excited about writing, when you've already written so much?

[u/simonhunterhawk → u/bashothebanana]

In case he doesn’t answer — I highly recommend his book “On Writing” where he talks about his experiences getting into writing from a very young age. It has a lot of great writing advice too, but his life story is pretty fascinating.

[u/Lower-Lion-6467 → u/simonhunterhawk]

I still shy away from using some lazy adverbs because of that book.

[u/BrainCane → u/bashothebanana]

Walking.

[u/RandomStallings → u/BrainCane]

Preferably in a van-free zone. Reading about that in The Dark Tower was pretty rough.

[u/bleuthold]

Given that it was the first book you wrote, what would you say is the biggest change from the page to the screen, in terms of updating The Long Walk for 2025?

[u/Bobby-McBobster → u/bleuthold]

I read The Long Walk again a few months ago. I don't think anything needs updating for 2025?

[u/quantum-mechanic → u/Bobby-McBobster]

Everyone's playing clash of clans while they walk

[u/MaDrAv → u/quantum-mechanic]

This walk is brought to you by RAID: SHADOW LEGENDS!

[u/CaptainTripps82 → u/Bobby-McBobster]

I think the presence of media an be the interaction between the walkers and the general public probably needed to be updated, unless they just set it in the past.

[u/NorfolkIslandRebel → u/Bobby-McBobster]

Contestants live-streaming?

[u/gdrumy88 → u/bleuthold]

One of the changes uve noticed in the trailer it goes from 4mph to 3mph. 4mph is like a light jog. Im halfway through the book lol

[u/cannibal_swan]

Has the Bataan Death March and other historical events influenced The Long Walk book or movie?

[u/doughberrydream → u/cannibal_swan]

My tribe, the Navajo, called our forced walk to Bosque Redondo, The Long Walk.

[u/fluidmind23 → u/doughberrydream]

All of these were horrible experiences. Done a lot of research into this and I can't imagine what this was like. Ugh sorry it's a big subject but I feel for you.

[u/MattEdwardSalem → u/cannibal_swan]

As a Filipino, I want him to answer this.

[u/grimatonguewyrm → u/cannibal_swan]

The Cherokee’s Trail of Tears as they were exiled from the southern Appalachians to Oklahoma.

[u/tbkrida → u/cannibal_swan]

You just made me think of The Trail of Tears.

[u/WinterFellYesterday]

What do you think is your most fucked up story, and why is it The Jaunt?

[u/MattDamonsTaco → u/WinterFellYesterday]

I read this in bed before going to sleep in 8th grade. Fucked up, yo.

Same with Survivor Type. “LADY FINGERS THEY TASTE JUST LIKE LADY FINGERS”

[u/Dunnersstunner → u/MattDamonsTaco]

I can see if you didn't know Ladyfingers are a kind of sponge dessert that would be weird.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladyfingers_(biscuits))

[u/MattDamonsTaco → u/Dunnersstunner]

Oh, I knew what they were when I read the story. That’s WHY it’s fucked up.

[u/reginaphelange29 → u/MattDamonsTaco]

I just read this one last night. Also love The Raft.

[u/BunnyMom4 → u/reginaphelange29]

I can swin in a lake about 30 minutes before The Raft-inspired intrusive thoughts surge and I have to nope out.

[u/PoundOk1971 → u/reginaphelange29]

The raft scared the shit out of me

[u/JasonTerminator → u/WinterFellYesterday]

LONGER THAN YOU THINK DAD

[u/stax_fira → u/WinterFellYesterday]

Glad to know I’m not the only one that this story to say the least, made an impression on. Goes 0 to 100 in the space about 2 sentences.

[u/corking118 → u/stax_fira]

If The Gunslinger is widely accepted to have his best opening line, I think "The Jaunt" is pretty widely accepted to have the creepiest closing lines!

[u/PinkyLeopard2922 → u/WinterFellYesterday]

Wow, I just referenced this story the other day watching video of yet another person having an unhinged meltdown on an airplane. I thought, man if they could just knock everyone out like in The Jaunt, that would surely put an end to this nonsense.

Some of the short stories are my favorite works.

[u/billnyethefoodguy1 → u/WinterFellYesterday]

Yeah, this one has definitely stayed with me.  Gerald's Game is up there too.

[u/CroosemanJSintley]

Hello Mr. Stephen King, the master of horror authorship! As a Native American growing up on a reservation, I'd naturally developed a fascination with the supernatural. I'd become a bibliophile, checking out books 5 times a week. Because the supernatural is tied to horror, my first introduction to your work were through movie adaptations for The Shining, Carrie, Christine, Cujo, The Dead Zone, Stand By Me, Cats Eye, and Firestarter. The first book I'd read was, "It." I had to sleep with a light on for 2 weeks afterwards! Not long after, I'd read the book for every movie adaptation I'd seen. And then I arrived at The Bachman Books. The Long Walk became my all time favorite story of yours. I was so excited to see it's finally being showcased on the big screen. Although, I could never have imagined the fictional authoritarianism in the book be our reality today. I must say, The Dead Zone also bears some Nostradamus level of prediction with a con man and criminal ascending to the White House.

So, are you currently working on anything that has been inspired or influenced by current events? Your stories are terrifying but our reality today is scarier than fiction.

[u/ContinuumGuy]

Stephen-

What's your favorite joke/parody of yourself or one of your works?

[u/NoDoThis → u/ContinuumGuy]

Makes me think of a family guy scene where he’s pitching a book about a lamp monster, and I honestly thought “if anyone could make it happen…”

[u/tactikool420]

Do you ever picture what the scenario might look like in a movie while you write?

[u/BrownBananaDK]

Hello. I vividly remember reading this book as the first book with horror vibes and being quite adult themed at about 12 years of age. It hooked me into horror books for life.

But how did you find the inspiration for such a dark storyline. It is one of the few books that have stayed with me all these years later!

[u/Radioheader]

Are you still a fan of Mambo no. 5?

[u/_MadJax_]

I’ve always interpreted the black figure that Garrety sees at the end of the book as the physical embodiment of Death, was this your intention when writing it or what other interpretations have you heard which fit the narrative?

[u/suzukisaluki → u/_MadJax_]

When I read it as a kid… the dark figure was McVries to me. It seemed so clear garraty would want to catch up to him having looked for him and to him the whole time. I reread it only this week and my opinion hasn’t changed (but it is only my opinion!)

[u/dannybrickwell]

For real, what's with the child orgy scene?

[u/Tortured-Chimp619 → u/dannybrickwell]

Technically it was a train. 

[u/StMcAwesome → u/Tortured-Chimp619]

It was underground, that makes it a subway

[u/-DementedAvenger- → u/Tortured-Chimp619]

A train can be an orgy but not all orgies are trains.

[u/dkschrute79 → u/-DementedAvenger-]

The real definition we all needed in elementary school but were never taught.

[u/girafa → u/dannybrickwell]

If you genuinely want an answer

I wasn’t really thinking of the sexual aspect of it. The book dealt with childhood and adulthood –1958 and Grown Ups. The grown ups don’t remember their childhood. None of us remember what we did as children–we think we do, but we don’t remember it as it really happened. Intuitively, the Losers knew they had to be together again. The sexual act connected childhood and adulthood. It’s another version of the glass tunnel that connects the children’s library and the adult library.

[u/fn0000rd → u/dannybrickwell]

You’re thinking of It. An orgy would be reeeeeally hard to pull of in the context of The Long Walk.

[u/A_New_Dawn_Emerges → u/fn0000rd]

At the beginning.

Imagine the Major does his grand entrance and starts "Boys, I'm so proud of you for... HOLY FUCK"

[u/Big-Ergodic_Energy → u/dannybrickwell]

So was it the cocaine or

[u/dman722 → u/dannybrickwell]

You don't understand world building! Knowing the fat kid had the biggest dick is vital to the story /s

[u/MichaelJeopardy]

What salves or ointments do you recommend for severe foot blisters?

[u/Futureman16 → u/MichaelJeopardy]

Upvote this, please.

[u/Efficient_Conflict]

If you won the Walk, what would be the first thing you asked for?

[u/Pan_TheCake_Man → u/Efficient_Conflict]

I want the Sargent or the general? Whatever the military guy at the end to compete in next years event with the same rules

[u/SarcasticBassMonkey → u/Pan_TheCake_Man]

The Major. I've read the book 4 or 5 times, and I'm so excited to see the movie when it comes out.

[u/wtf_are_eggz → u/Efficient_Conflict]

A long soak in a hot maybe? I think I'd be pretty sore 😂

[u/flo850]

Is it intended to have both the long walk and the running man in theatre at almost the same time ?

[u/Ruadhan2300 → u/flo850]

Might go play "A short Hike" on the same weekend just to balance things.

[u/wtf_are_eggz → u/Ruadhan2300]

I'm getting tired just thinking about it. 😂

[u/Douglasqqq]

How old were you when you first conceptualised The Long Walk? How differently would you have written it now?

[u/joegetto]

Insomnia is one of my favorite books, I really enjoy it and have read it multiple times. I don’t think it would work as a movie but why hasn’t it been picked up as a series?

Also, what is something ridiculous you’ve bought for yourself because you have Stephen king money?

[u/003_JAEGER]

Hey Stephen,

what's your favorite movie of all time?

Thank you

[u/forever_erratic]

Mr. King, I'm 43, and started reading your books more than 30 years ago. The Long Walk has been my favorite since I found it, and I was delighted to let my daughter read it, who also loved it. While I'm a scientist by trade, partly from your work I've been inspired to do art on the side, including horror plays and shorts, so thank you!

My Long Walk related question: how much did you think about the world outside the walk while writing? Do you have a personal view of what happens after the end? Thanks!

[u/Tifoso89]

Hi Steve! I read The Long Walk as a teen and it was one of the first books I've read of yours. The book is set in a dystopian US. Was the political climate of the time (the paranoia of the late 60s and the Nixon years) an influence on it?

What would you do differently should you write the book today? How would the current political climate affect the story?

[u/radar_backwards]

I love the way your book slowly introduces other walkers as the story progresses. I tried to picture a list of names or a corkboard of descriptors and backstories. In general, how much supplemental material are you writing for yourself to keep track of the world you're building? Or is it more of a stream of consciousness that you edit after? The Long Walk is my wife's favorite book and it's what got me back into reading. Thank you!

[u/AmnesiaDream]

Hank Olson is my favorite of the Walkers, but all of them are so well-realized and interesting. Do you have a favorite Walker, one you most identify with?

Also, if you were forced to participate in either the Long Walk or the Running Man competitions, which would you pick?

[u/ItsMeBenedickArnold]

Which movie adaptation of your books would you consider underrated?

[u/Virtual-Stretch7231]

This is rather unrelated but my wife and I are like 99% sure we saw you during our honeymoon to Jackson Hole back in 2021. It was at a really small Lebanese restaurant (which was very good). We were quietly arguing over if it was you or not for like half our meal.

We didn’t want to go up and bother you but we were a bit tipsy and probably obnoxious (sorry about that). Either way it’s a wonderful memory and we still laugh about it to this day.

Love your work!

[u/k_a_scheffer → u/Virtual-Stretch7231]

I swore I saw him and his wife at a country store in Delaware about 15 years ago. The guy looked like he was trying not to look like Stephen King. He wouldn't be the first celebrity I saw at that specific store, oddly enough.

[u/theunfortunatename]

Hey Steve, by far you are my favorite author and your novels inspired my love of reading! What kind of mind set did you have to be in to write a Richard Bachman book versus a Stephen King book?

[u/temporarybutthole]

I read The Long Walk for the first time last year among some of your other works and couldn't stop thinking about it.

This may be a question you've answered before but did you ever look up beforehand how fast 4mph is? It doesn't ruin the book but whenever I see people talk about The Long Walk they mention that 4mph is running speed.

And if you could answer another little question that isn't about The Long Walk…

What do you think happens to us when we die? Do you think we continue in some way?

[u/Aggressive-Tune-7256 → u/temporarybutthole]

He replied to something like this earlier. It was 4km per hour but the editor made it 4 mph. 2.5 mph is an good long pace speed.  IMHO I would die so fast at 4 mph.

[u/StoicLikeMoai → u/Aggressive-Tune-7256]

Thank you, this is great information and is rocking my world.

I read this book at 14 and the story stuck with me throughout adulthood. Every long walk I've taken, this story will pop in my head and I wonder how fast I'm going and how many times I'd have been eliminated, etc... but knowing 2.5 mph is the limit will make every walk more enjoyable. Thank you, and thank you Mr. King.

[u/corking118 → u/StoicLikeMoai]

ha! Glad it's not just me who often thinks "am I walking fast enough to survive, or would I be roadkill?" when I'm out walking around my neighborhood!

[u/zarnov → u/temporarybutthole]

4 mph is definitely not running speed. It’s a very brisk walk tho. I can easily walk 4 mph, but it would most certainly be a challenge to keep that pace for many consecutive hours.

[u/linux_ape → u/zarnov]

I think it’s why the movie reduces it to 3mph, 4 is a quick walk, especially for an endurance race

[u/Thyl111 → u/zarnov]

It's unsustainable for that distance without any break especially for kids.

[u/Lietenantdan → u/zarnov]

I am a fairly quick walker, but 4MPH for an extended period is a bit challenging.

[u/H377Spawn]

No question, just a thank you. Between your stories and movies I’ve gotten more entertainment than any single person should be able to provide.

Long days and pleasant nights Sai!

[u/SaintNattygrumpo]

Does Roland play any part in your life anymore?

[u/sloppyjohnny]

What music have you been listening to lately?

[u/poutinewolf → u/sloppyjohnny]

…and why is it Mambo No. 5?

[u/PwoJima77]

Is there a chance for a Maximum Overdrive reboot?

[u/swagcoffin]

It's the first book you ever wrote, but it's become a movie now in 2025. Is there some parallel in the movie to what you're seeing in real life now? Authoritarianism, runaway capitalism, breakdown of international law, etc?

[u/SoFlyInTheSky]

Hey Stephen. Long time fan. My question is this: when you're writing a book like "The Longest Walk" are there ever times when you're writing a scene that even you have to put the pen down because it gets too dark?

[u/GodShinobiMadara]

What's your biggest challenge as a writer these days?

Thanks for doing this btw.

[u/SY-Studios]

Hey Stephen, which of your books would you most like to see adapted, either again more faithfully or for the first time? Been wanting to see this one adapted for a long time.

[u/starethruyou]

You're a treasure to American literature. Your stories captivate, I think, because you tell stories of the heart. My favorite, one I've reread or rather listened to 3 or 4 times, is the Dark Tower; Frank Muller is amazing in the audiobook (not to take away from George Guidall who is also very good). It's like great music, it need not be the most technically marvelous or try to be the most philosophically refined, reasons I mention because you seem to hold other greats above yourself for reasons I assume include these, but it captures the imagination and feeling qualities, spiritual, that's something more extraordinary, rare and beautiful. I know you don't count yourself among the greats, but these qualities that can't be taught, maybe guided to, are among the most valuable. By the way, I think The Eyes of the Dragon shows your language or versatility with tone(?) very well and is underrated. I often find myself comparing other writers to you, what is their book is missing, and it comes down mostly to the above, they fail to capture the heart of courage, of awe, wonder, the deep satisfaction of overcoming; it's also the simplicity, that is, you tell mostly one story at a time, while others tend to force a narrative or try to weave complex storylines with myriad characters into one, leaving me wondering who's who and why. My love of reading began in high school when I first read The Dark Half. Thank you!

[u/HorseOfHabit]

Describe your relationship with Richard Bachman..from the jump till this afternoon.

[u/bksbeat]

Greetings Mr. King, hope you are well. Did you ever look into how your literature influenced horror videogames like Resident Evil or Silent Hill? If so, any thoughts on them?

[u/six_six]

What does the ending of The Long Walk mean?

[u/Just_a_gal2]

Just a comment to say “thank you”. You’ve been such a big influence on my life without realizing it. I started reading your books around 5/6 and quickly made it through all of them in our school library, and then our public library. I continued reading your books throughout my life and there’s only 2-3 I haven’t read. It’s influenced my own writing immensely; everyone always tells me my writing feels dark and Stephen King-ish 😄 You were there for me through years of abuse when I turned to reading to escape my own reality, and served as companion to me throughout many years of my being a shy, quiet kid who struggled to make friends. I love your books and writing style so much, and am thankful for the companionship of your books throughout my childhood when I felt alone and scared.

I’m in my mid-30s now, and have grown so much since childhood that I’m told I’m unrecognizable now. I can talk, I can socialize, I have friends and have escaped the cycle of abuse. I’ve dealt with my trauma and, today, it’s nothing more than a memory that tugs at my heartstrings. I’m more than okay now, and can’t tell you how much your books meant to me growing up. I still get giddy every time I find out about a new release! Thanks for everything ❤️

[u/SnivDash]

Just wanna say thank you very much for all those brilliant, fantastic, lovely - and some times scary - stories! I started reading your books when I was in primary school.. Christine, Pet Sematary, The Dark Half and then I found and read Different Seasons and Dolores Claiborne. And those two especially stuck with me.

I'm from Denmark, and Different Seasons was the first English book I bought for my own money, and slowly but surely I got through it. It was an amazing experience to be able to read in English those moving and touching stories.

Dolores Claiborne is my absolute favorite. I read it again this spring. It's such a moving (and for me) also American story. Don't get me wrong.. I mean it in a good way. And I know such 'fates' can happen a lot of other places in this world. But as a foreigner it paints a very clear picture of how an American life can turn out... It's one of those stores that just sticks with you.

So thank you for some of the best reading experiences I've ever had, thank you for stories and characters that leave an impact and both scares me but also inspires me!

Sincerely,

Rebecca from Denmark

[u/Tekki]

It would have been clever if your AMA proof said "Richard Bachman"

For those who haven't read the book: How does your story stand out compared to the rest of the class of teenage survivor books like Battle Royale or Hunger Games?

Is there any other older works you hope bubble up to the surface again through either newly discovered attention to a story or another movie adaptation?

[u/InflamedNodes]

Love your work, huge fan of The Dark Tower series, and 11/22/63.

1. Have you read the "released" JFK files and does it change your opinion on what happened at all and how you would have approached 11/22/63?

2. What happened to the Dark Tower TV show? I thought there was something under development. The movie was terrible. A TV R-rated format would be awesome.

3. Reddit CONSTANTLY comments about the sexual part of IT in the sewers. Do you regret putting it in there? What was it trying to represent?

[u/OneEightyBlue]

Hi Stephen, thanks for doing this! I just finished reading “On Writing”, and it’s full of great advice and anecdotes, but I was curious:

If you were to revise the book today is there anything you would change or add to the book? Anything that reflects the changes in the modern publishing landscape? Or maybe just general things you feel differently about all these years later?

Thanks again; you rock!

[u/MPCJuggernaut]

Is there any particular reason why you wrote under the pseudonym Richard Bachman when it was released?

[u/joemato → u/MPCJuggernaut]

His publisher only allowed one book per year, and he had a backlog of completed works

[u/Makelithe]

In hindsight would you change anything about the IT book? Even a single, particularly graphic scene?

[u/meatfred]

How's The Jaunt adaptation coming along?

[u/mouseywithpower]

As an Ohioan, i’ve been curious about where in the state the Bill Hodges and Holly Gibney books take place. Have you thought about that or is it not that important?

[u/Glass-Nectarine-3282]

When "Maximum Overdrive" is remade, who would be the best director and star? Or would you direct it again?

[u/atomicfrog]

Mr King, Are we getting a Dark Tower series? I say thank ye.

[u/Coldshalamov]

I haven’t read the long walk, unfortunately, but it’s your fault Mr King! For writing so many great books!

You just can’t stop, can you? You’re addicted!

I did ages 18-32 in federal prison for my first offense, nonviolent drug crime, and your books were always there for me.

Covid-19 lockdown? Here comes the Dark Tower. History kick? 11/23/63 beats all comers. The Mr Mercedes trilogy reminded me how good a story can be when you hate the world around you. I could go on forever, just like you, but I won’t.

I just wanted to pop in and let you know how much comfort your stories have given me in times of sorrow. You’ve even touched so many lives indirectly with your love of writing, Neil Gaiman credited you as his inspiration for writing “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” “just for fun”.

I love classic literature, and god dammit, I love Stephen King. The first book of yours I read, in the dark moments soon after my arrest, was From A Buick 8. I can’t express what it did to my mind, it brought me to a world where nothing could touch me, and my imagination kept me floating far above the kafkaesque machinery of the state where lies and death and misery were only the makings of a great story.

Hats off Mr King, you did what that wide-eyed 19 y/o sitting at a typewriter set out to do times a million.

I hope you never stop.

[u/Fuck_THC]

What is a character flaw, trait, or detail you’d never consider giving a character in your books/movie? Why?