No one showed up at a new author's book signing. Then she got messages of support from Margaret Atwood and Stephen King.
Chelsea Banning tweeted her frustration at only two people showing up to the signing for her debut fantasy novel "Of Crowns and Legends" after a few dozen people RSVP'd to the event.
cbsnews.comNew this week: Rebel Wilson, The Black Keys, 'Firestarter'
This week’s new entertainment releases include a fresh album from The Black Keys, Rebel Wilson starring as a popular high school senior who emerges from a coma after 20 years, and the period drama “Operation Mincemeat,” based on a risky and real military operation in World War II.
Stephen King used paperback advance from first novel to make sure his mother never had to work again
Preview: The bestselling author talks with "Sunday Morning" anchor Jane Pauley about the writing process; his new Apple TV miniseries, "Lisey's Story"; and why he's not a fan of roller coasters.
cbsnews.comStephen King on "Lisey's Story" and keeping his imagination young
At 73, the bestselling author of horror and suspense, who has adapted his 2006 novel for Apple TV, talks about what his early success with "Carrie" meant for his mother; and how a box left behind by his late father changed the course of his life.
cbsnews.comStephen King used paperback advance from first novel to make sure his mother never had to work again
Preview: The bestselling author talks with "Sunday Morning" anchor Jane Pauley about the writing process; his new Apple TV miniseries, "Lisey's Story"; and why he's not a fan of roller coasters.
cbsnews.comStephen King used paperback advance from first novel to make sure his mother never had to work again
Preview: The bestselling author talks with "Sunday Morning" anchor Jane Pauley about the writing process; his new Apple TV miniseries, "Lisey's Story"; and why he's not a fan of roller coasters.
cbsnews.comWoman donates kidney to hubby's ex-wife days after wedding
Ten years after their first date, Debby Neal-Strickland put on a cream-colored lace gown and married her longtime sweetheart at their Florida church. After months of testing and COVID delays, the transplant was set for two days after Jim and Debby’s wedding.
news.yahoo.comBoy, 7, swims an hour to rescue his dad and little sister
A 7-year-old boy is being credited for helping to save his father and 4-year-old sister by swimming to shore and calling for help after they got caught in a strong current during a holiday weekend boating trip on Florida's St. Johns River. The father, Steven Poust, told Jax4 television station that he anchored his boat in the river while he fished and his children played on Friday. Chase Poust said the current was too strong for her sister Abigail to hold onto the boat, and he also let go to stay with her.
news.yahoo.comKyrgyzstan detains ex-prime minister in mine corruption case
Kyrgyzstan’s security services have detained a former prime minister in connection with an investigation of corruption involving the huge gold mine that is the country’s largest taxpayer. A statement from the State Committee for National Security didn't give details of the potential charges against Omurbek Babanov, who was prime minister in 2011-12. Kyrgyz media reported that Asylbek Jeenbekov, a brother of the former president, also was detained Monday in the case.
news.yahoo.comCash windfall, virus numbers aid Newsom in recall
Officials say the recall effort against California Gov. Gavin Newsom has garnered enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. But a fading coronavirus crisis and an astounding windfall of tax dollars has reshuffled the recall election. (May 21)
news.yahoo.comAtwood, Grisham among contributors to pandemic novel
Atwood and Grisham are among several authors participating in a novel about the pandemic. The Authors Guild Foundation announced Thursday that it had reached a deal with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media to publish Fourteen Days: An Unauthorized Gathering." (AP Photo)NEW YORK – One of the first novels about the pandemic will be a collaborative effort, with Margaret Atwood, John Grisham and Celeste Ng among the writers. Novelist and Authors Guild President Douglas Preston came up with the idea as a way to raise money for the foundation. Atwood is editing “Fourteen Days” and helped recruit a wide range of contributors, including Dave Eggers, Ishmael Reed, Monique Truong, Hampton Sides, Mary Pope Osborne and Emma Donoghue.
You can now buy a 3D-printed home – here's a look inside
He just used 3D-printing technology to build a 900-square-foot model home on Long Island. He is about to build another one, too – the first 3D-printed home in the United States to be marketed to the public. It is listed at just under $299,000, about half the price of a comparable newly built home in the area. "By the time I walk out of this house I'll have 20 emails, 20 voicemails, and 20 texts, and by the time I get to respond to them I will have another 20 emails, 20 texts and 20 voicemails, so it's nonstop," said Stephen King, the real estate agent for the property. While other companies have 3D-printed small structures that are being used to house the homeless, Andersen's firm is the first company using the technology specifically for the for-sale market.
cnbc.comQuotes from Stephen King interview with The Associated Press
FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2013 file photo, author Stephen King poses for the cameras, during a promotional tour in Paris. It’s a popular name in Australia, and there a lot of people with that name there who have been doing crimes: Stephen Kings who have set houses on fire and Stephen Kings who are bank robbers. What I (also) see more and more are obituaries where so and so died at age 89 and he was a ‘big fan of Stephen King novels.’”—-SPECIAL GUESTS—-“Jill Biden showed up at a public event that I did. One time, I’m doing a reading in Seattle, and I’m looking at the crowd, 70-80 people. And I’m looking at this guy in the front row and he’s wearing workout pants, with a stripe down the side, and sneakers.
Stephen King talks about crime, creativity and new novel
(Hard Case Crime via AP, left, and AP)NEW YORK – Stephen King doesn't think of himself as a horror writer. Over the past decade, he has written three novels for the imprint Hard Case Crime: “Joyland,” “The Colorado Kid” and “Later,” which comes out this week. At the same time, he enjoys writing a crime story that is more than a crime story — or hardly a crime story at all. King, who publishes most of his work with Simon & Schuster, is part of the founding story of Hard Case Crime. A representative for the author called and said King did not want to write a blurb for Hard Case Crime; he wanted to contribute a book.
Stephen King helps kids publish pandemic-inspired book
FILE - In this Tuesday, May 22, 2018, file photo, PEN literary service award recipient Stephen King attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Author Kings foundation covered the $6,500 cost of publishing a 290-page manuscript by students in Farwell Elementary Schools Author Studies Program. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)LEWISTON, Maine – A group of budding young writers is about to publish a book with some help from Maine's most famous writer. Stephen King's foundation covered the $6,500 cost of publishing a 290-page manuscript by students participating in Farwell Elementary School’s Author Studies Program. A number of local groups also sent donations that will be used for the Author Studies program.
Hunter Biden's memoir 'Beautiful Things' out in April
This cover image released by Gallery Books shows "Beautiful Things" a memoir by Hunter Biden. Biden, son of President Joe Biden and an ongoing target for conservatives, has a memoir coming out April 6. (Gallery Books via AP)NEW YORK – Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden and an ongoing target for conservatives, has a memoir coming out April 6. The book is called “Beautiful Things” and will center on the younger Biden's well publicized struggles with substance abuse, according to Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. “Beautiful Things” was circulated among several authors and includes advance praise from Stephen King, Dave Eggers and Anne Lamott.
Bertelsmann's Penguin division snaps up Simon & Schuster
BERLIN – German media giant Bertelsmann said Wednesday that it is buying publisher Simon & Schuster, further expanding its existing U.S. portfolio that already includes the number one American publisher Penguin Random House. “Simon & Schuster strengthens Bertelsmann’s footprint globally, and (particularly) in the U.S., its second-largest market,” the Guetersloh-based company said in a statement. The purchase of Simon & Schuster reduces the so-called Big Five of American publishing — which also includes HarperCollins, Hachette Book Group and Macmillan — to four. But Penguin Random House chief executive Markus Dohle told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Simon & Schuster would retain its editorial independence and that individual imprints within Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster could continue to compete with each other for book deals. The German conglomerate, which was founded in 1835 and also owns a broad portfolio of broadcast, music and online businesses, has been the sole owner of Penguin Random House since April.
Fly on Pence's head generates buzz in VP debate
A fly lands on the head of Vice President Mike Pence during the vice presidential debate Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at Kingsbury Hall on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. (Justin Sullivan/Pool via AP)WASHINGTON – The vice presidential debate featured plexiglass barriers to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The incident went unmentioned onstage, with the Republican vice president and Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris continuing to focus on the discussion of systemic racism in the justice system. It's on his head,” tweeted MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow. Wednesday night’s visitor wasn’t the first fly to take center stage at a presidential debate.
An eventful year for Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead
NEW YORK Even sheltering in place, Colson Whitehead has had an eventful year. Whitehead became the first fiction writer to win Pulitzers for back to back novels, Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, which won the Pulitzer in May and comes out in paperback this week. In Underground Railroad,' I felt I needed a fantastic device to move Cora (the main character) to her freedom. With The Nickel Boys, there was no need for any kind of fantastic flourish. "For The Nickel Boys, I was someone trying to figure out where the country was going.
New this week: 'Clemency,' BET Awards, HAIM, 'Doctor Sleep'
(Neon via AP)Heres a collection curated by The Associated Press entertainment journalists of whats arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. Written and directed by Chinonye Chukwu, Clemency was well-reviewed but got unjustly overshadowed by some of the higher profile awards contenders when it was released in December. Doctor Sleep: The Directors Cut: This Danny Torrance-focused sequel to The Shining was a little divisive upon release, which wasnt all that surprising. Film Writer Lindsey BahrMUSICGrey Daze: Fans of the late Grammy-winning screeching rock singer Chester Bennington will get a chance to hear him one more time. HAIM: Its been three years since sister trio HAIM have released a new album.
'Exorcist' actor Max von Sydow dies at age 90
"It is with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow,” Diamond said. In 1980, von Sydow starred as the evil emperor Ming the Merciless in "Flash Gordon." He was baptized Carl Adolf von Sydow, but later changed his first name to Max. “I’m very grateful to the schooling I had in Sweden because in order to learn acting you have to work, work, work,” he said. Von Sydow married Swedish actress Christina Olin in 1951 and had two sons, Clas and Henrik.
Stephen King: 'Doctor Sleep' film redeems Stanley Kubrick's 'Shining' adaptation
It's no secret that "The Shining" author Stephen King was not a fan of Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of his novel nearly 40 years ago. And King was very vocal about his discontent for Kubrick's film starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall. So, when writer-director Mike Flanagan set out to adapt "Doctor Sleep," King's sequel novel to "The Shining," he had to tread carefully. The hotel remained destroyed in the "Doctor Sleep" novel. "Doctor Sleep" takes place decades after the events of "The Shining," with Danny Torrance now grown.
cnbc.comStephen King fan? Get paid $1,300 to watch his scariest films
"It," the 2017 adaptation of the 1986 Stephen King novel, made $700.4 million at the box office, making it the highest-grossing R-rated horror movie of all time. (CNN) - Much like his character It, Stephen King fever has roared back to life after a period of dormancy. But as remakes of the author's most popular works flood theaters and streaming services, it's increasingly difficult to discern casual viewers from devotees. Dish chose for you: You'll watch lauded classics like "Carrie" and "The Shining" to truly harrowing adaptations like "The Mist" and "Pet Sematary" and deeper cuts like "Thinner" and "Dreamcatcher." You'll need to fill out an application complete with a 200-word statement about why you deserve the job.
'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' brings spooky spin to horror
"Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" is a sort of welcome throwback, a horror movie cleverly designed to be more spooky than truly grisly(CNN) - "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" is a sort of welcome throwback, a horror movie cleverly designed to be more spooky than truly grisly. At an advance screening in Los Angeles, del Toro described "Scary Stories" as "a gateway movie," intended to serve as an introduction to the world of horror. Del Toro and his collaborators clearly do, and have intriguingly set this story in 1968, with the tension unfolding against a backdrop of Richard Nixon's election and the Vietnam War. Until then, chalk "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" up as an interesting experiment, one whose success, ultimately, will likely depend on its epilogue. "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" premieres Aug. 9 in the US.
Marg Helgenberger returns to TV for "Under the Dome"
The hit CBS series based on a Stephen King's 2009 novel was last summer's number one program with 11 million viewers. Emmy Award-winning actress Helgenberger is a new addition to the show. She joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss her new role and her return to the CSI franchise for a TV movie.
cbsnews.com5 who followed in dad's famous footsteps
But some famous children embraced their father's world and sought to, if not surpass, at least show they were their equals. With Father's Day just around the corner, join us for a look at famous progenies who did their celebrity fathers proud. Stephen King and Joe HillMany a dad has delighted in telling spooky campfire stories by the light of the campfire. Despite his famous last name, Enrique was reluctant to ride his father's coattails from the very beginning. When Brett began his career, few expected he would approach his father's 16-season career goals total of 610.