Stephen King unsure of writing future, says he's 'off the warranty' in new interview Brian Truitt, USA TODAYOctober 16, 2025 at 4:19 AM 0 Stephen King currently has two novels on his todo list.
- - Stephen King unsure of writing future, says he's 'off the warranty' in new interview
Brian Truitt, USA TODAYOctober 16, 2025 at 4:19 AM
0
Stephen King currently has two novels on his to-do list. After that? Well, his Constant Readers will have to wait and see as the legendary writer contemplates a well-deserved break.
"I'm trying to clear my desk as much as I can," King, 78, tells USA TODAY. "At my age, you're off the warranty. You can't take anything for granted."
This year has enjoyed a slew of adaptations of his works, from movies ("The Monkey," "The Life of Chuck," "The Long Walk" and upcoming "The Running Man") to TV series ("The Institute" and this month's "It: Welcome to Derry"). Plus the master of horror also dipped back into his detective side for the novel "Never Flinch," the latest case for his fan-favorite sleuth Holly Gibney.
Master of horror Stephen King, seen here at the premiere of "The Life of Chuck" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, has proven a success with detective novels featuring quirky sleuth Holly Gibney.
King's planning one more book starring Gibney that he hopes to write this winter. "I love Holly," he says. "Right now I am rereading 'The Outsider' because I have a way into this last Holly book so I need to refresh myself with that."
Before that, he still has work to do on his next novel, a third book in a series with his friend, the late Peter Straub, that began with 1984's "The Talisman" and 2001's "Black House." At the end of the sequel, King says it was made "pretty clear" that the fantasy world of the "Talisman" books, the Territories, is also the Mid-World of his "Dark Tower" tomes, so he plans to "button up" both series with the new tome.
Straub had given King some ideas for their third book before his death in 2022. "I kept putting it off when Peter was alive," he says. "Peter had stuff to do, too. I mean, it wasn't all on me. But I would say, 'Well, this time, this time…' and time ran out for Peter. That made me feel really bad."
King wants to take some time off "while I'm still healthy," he reveals. "You can't guarantee anything once you get past the age of 75, 76. So you've got to be a little bit careful. Anything can happen to anybody. I got hit by a car while I was in my prime, so to speak. I might have another 10, 15 years, but you can't count on it, that's all."
Bestselling author Stephen King, shown in a 1970 file photo.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0ARwyPj class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Bestselling author Stephen King, shown in a 1970 file photo.
">Bestselling author Stephen King, shown in a 1970 file photo.
" src=https://ift.tt/0ARwyPj class=caas-img>Stephen King answers questions at the Davis-Kidd Booksellers bookstore in Green Hills in 1994, during his "Insomnia" book tour.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/LmXZMTR class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King answers questions at the Davis-Kidd Booksellers bookstore in Green Hills in 1994, during his "Insomnia" book tour.
">Stephen King answers questions at the Davis-Kidd Booksellers bookstore in Green Hills in 1994, during his "Insomnia" book tour.
" src=https://ift.tt/LmXZMTR class=caas-img>Stephen King hops onto his Harley-Davidson to leave Nashville, one of 10 stops on his 4,300-mile tour to promote his book, "Insomnia" and independent bookstores.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/mprOgbN class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King hops onto his Harley-Davidson to leave Nashville, one of 10 stops on his 4,300-mile tour to promote his book, "Insomnia" and independent bookstores.
">Stephen King hops onto his Harley-Davidson to leave Nashville, one of 10 stops on his 4,300-mile tour to promote his book, "Insomnia" and independent bookstores.
" src=https://ift.tt/mprOgbN class=caas-img>Stephen King, author, photographed at the Little League baseball stadium he built in 1998.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/iFr3LeE class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King, author, photographed at the Little League baseball stadium he built in 1998.
">Stephen King, author, photographed at the Little League baseball stadium he built in 1998.
" src=https://ift.tt/iFr3LeE class=caas-img>Stephen King is greeted by actor Michael Clarke Duncan at the premiere of the film "The Green Mile" in 1999.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/F58mUbh class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King is greeted by actor Michael Clarke Duncan at the premiere of the film "The Green Mile" in 1999.
">Stephen King is greeted by actor Michael Clarke Duncan at the premiere of the film "The Green Mile" in 1999.
" src=https://ift.tt/F58mUbh class=caas-img>Stephen King poses in New York City before performing with rock charity supergroup The Rock Bottom Remainders in 2001.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/wdcCX2v class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King poses in New York City before performing with rock charity supergroup The Rock Bottom Remainders in 2001.
">Stephen King poses in New York City before performing with rock charity supergroup The Rock Bottom Remainders in 2001.
" src=https://ift.tt/wdcCX2v class=caas-img>Stephen King arrives for the Los Angeles premiere of the film "The Manchurian Candidate" in 2004.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ysNuPSr class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King arrives for the Los Angeles premiere of the film "The Manchurian Candidate" in 2004.
">Stephen King arrives for the Los Angeles premiere of the film "The Manchurian Candidate" in 2004.
" src=https://ift.tt/ysNuPSr class=caas-img>"Misery" by Stephen King
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FU4i7w1 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
"Misery" by Stephen King
">"Misery" by Stephen King
" src=https://ift.tt/FU4i7w1 class=caas-img>Stephen King and Amy Tan appear together at the 2002 New Yorker Festival.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3nOUqPe class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King and Amy Tan appear together at the 2002 New Yorker Festival.
">Stephen King and Amy Tan appear together at the 2002 New Yorker Festival.
" src=https://ift.tt/3nOUqPe class=caas-img>Stephen King attends a benefit reading for Frank Muller at Town Hall in 2002 in New York City. Actor and audiobook narrator Frank Muller sustained debilitating injuries in a motorcycle accident in November 2001. The event raised funds to assist in meeting the immediate needs of Muller and his family.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/L1AETHt class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King attends a benefit reading for Frank Muller at Town Hall in 2002 in New York City. Actor and audiobook narrator Frank Muller sustained debilitating injuries in a motorcycle accident in November 2001. The event raised funds to assist in meeting the immediate needs of Muller and his family.
">Stephen King attends a benefit reading for Frank Muller at Town Hall in 2002 in New York City. Actor and audiobook narrator Frank Muller sustained debilitating injuries in a motorcycle accident in November 2001. The event raised funds to assist in meeting the immediate needs of Muller and his family.
" src=https://ift.tt/L1AETHt class=caas-img>Stephen King and actor Donnie Wahlberg greet each other at the premiere of Dreamcatcher and the afterparty in 2003.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/PNZRMy0 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King and actor Donnie Wahlberg greet each other at the premiere of Dreamcatcher and the afterparty in 2003.
">Stephen King and actor Donnie Wahlberg greet each other at the premiere of Dreamcatcher and the afterparty in 2003.
" src=https://ift.tt/PNZRMy0 class=caas-img>J.K. Rowling and Stephen King attend a news conference for "An Evening With Harry, Carrie and Garp," a reading with Rowling, King and John Irving in 2006.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Bq30xis class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
J.K. Rowling and Stephen King attend a news conference for "An Evening With Harry, Carrie and Garp," a reading with Rowling, King and John Irving in 2006.
">J.K. Rowling and Stephen King attend a news conference for "An Evening With Harry, Carrie and Garp," a reading with Rowling, King and John Irving in 2006.
" src=https://ift.tt/Bq30xis class=caas-img>Stephen King (R) speaks at the Amazon Fishbowl with Bill Maher during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/LUM6WkD class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King (R) speaks at the Amazon Fishbowl with Bill Maher during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.
">Stephen King (R) speaks at the Amazon Fishbowl with Bill Maher during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.
" src=https://ift.tt/LUM6WkD class=caas-img>Stephen King attends a signing session for his new novel "Lisey's Story" at Borders bookstore in 2006 in London, England.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/TS7Vbih class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King attends a signing session for his new novel "Lisey's Story" at Borders bookstore in 2006 in London, England.
">Stephen King attends a signing session for his new novel "Lisey's Story" at Borders bookstore in 2006 in London, England.
" src=https://ift.tt/TS7Vbih class=caas-img>"Duma Key" by Stephen King.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/N4KawLM class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
"Duma Key" by Stephen King.
">"Duma Key" by Stephen King.
" src=https://ift.tt/N4KawLM class=caas-img>Stephen King performs with rock charity supergroup the Rock Bottom Remainders in 2007
" data-src=https://ift.tt/owHRJNF class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King performs with rock charity supergroup the Rock Bottom Remainders in 2007
">Stephen King performs with rock charity supergroup the Rock Bottom Remainders in 2007
" src=https://ift.tt/owHRJNF class=caas-img>Stephen King poses for a portrait in 2008 for his new novel, "Duma Key," which borrows from his own life as it follows a man surviving a life-threatening accident. In 1999, King survived a hit by a drunk driver.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/myC5zG3 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King poses for a portrait in 2008 for his new novel, "Duma Key," which borrows from his own life as it follows a man surviving a life-threatening accident. In 1999, King survived a hit by a drunk driver.
">Stephen King poses for a portrait in 2008 for his new novel, "Duma Key," which borrows from his own life as it follows a man surviving a life-threatening accident. In 1999, King survived a hit by a drunk driver.
" src=https://ift.tt/myC5zG3 class=caas-img>Stephen King promotes "Under The Dome" at the North Point Boulevard Walmart in Dundalk, Maryland in 2009.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/hNv3fBj class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King promotes "Under The Dome" at the North Point Boulevard Walmart in Dundalk, Maryland in 2009.
">Stephen King promotes "Under The Dome" at the North Point Boulevard Walmart in Dundalk, Maryland in 2009.
" src=https://ift.tt/hNv3fBj class=caas-img>Stephen King holds up a pink Amazon Kindle 2 at a news conference in New York where the device was introduced in 2009.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/92zNLWm class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King holds up a pink Amazon Kindle 2 at a news conference in New York where the device was introduced in 2009.
">Stephen King holds up a pink Amazon Kindle 2 at a news conference in New York where the device was introduced in 2009.
" src=https://ift.tt/92zNLWm class=caas-img>Stephen King in 2011 at the 6th Floor Museum near the location where Lee Harvey Oswald fired fatal shots at John F. Kennedy. King's novel "11/22/63" is about a man who goes back in time hoping to stop the assassination.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2KT8EaF class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King in 2011 at the 6th Floor Museum near the location where Lee Harvey Oswald fired fatal shots at John F. Kennedy. King's novel "11/22/63" is about a man who goes back in time hoping to stop the assassination.
">Stephen King in 2011 at the 6th Floor Museum near the location where Lee Harvey Oswald fired fatal shots at John F. Kennedy. King's novel "11/22/63" is about a man who goes back in time hoping to stop the assassination.
" src=https://ift.tt/2KT8EaF class=caas-img>Stephen King in 2013 in Paris before a book signing event dedicated to the release of his "Doctor Sleep", the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/dILaB6D class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King in 2013 in Paris before a book signing event dedicated to the release of his "Doctor Sleep", the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining."
">Stephen King in 2013 in Paris before a book signing event dedicated to the release of his "Doctor Sleep", the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining."
" src=https://ift.tt/dILaB6D class=caas-img>Stephen King's new book "Doctor Sleep," the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining," displayed in Paris.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/DPmANeq class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King's new book "Doctor Sleep," the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining," displayed in Paris.
">Stephen King's new book "Doctor Sleep," the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining," displayed in Paris.
" src=https://ift.tt/DPmANeq class=caas-img>Stephen King arrives for a press conference for his new book "Doctor Sleep" in 2013.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/fJR3kpT class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King arrives for a press conference for his new book "Doctor Sleep" in 2013.
">Stephen King arrives for a press conference for his new book "Doctor Sleep" in 2013.
" src=https://ift.tt/fJR3kpT class=caas-img>Stephen King (center) takes in the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2014.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/rqwKDCf class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King (center) takes in the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2014.
">Stephen King (center) takes in the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2014.
" src=https://ift.tt/rqwKDCf class=caas-img>Stephen King takes a photo with a fan before the start of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2018.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3KCntfB class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King takes a photo with a fan before the start of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2018.
">Stephen King takes a photo with a fan before the start of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2018.
" src=https://ift.tt/3KCntfB class=caas-img>Former President Barack Obama presents Stephen King with the National Medal of Arts during a ceremony at the White House in 2015.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/jH1FS5A class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Former President Barack Obama presents Stephen King with the National Medal of Arts during a ceremony at the White House in 2015.
">Former President Barack Obama presents Stephen King with the National Medal of Arts during a ceremony at the White House in 2015.
" src=https://ift.tt/jH1FS5A class=caas-img>Stephen King attends a special screening of "IT" in Bangor, Maine in 2017.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/IoPq4kv class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King attends a special screening of "IT" in Bangor, Maine in 2017.
">Stephen King attends a special screening of "IT" in Bangor, Maine in 2017.
" src=https://ift.tt/IoPq4kv class=caas-img>Stephen King attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2QxEWwn class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
">Stephen King attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
" src=https://ift.tt/2QxEWwn class=caas-img>Stephen King signs autographs after stepping out of US District Court in Washington, D.C. in 2022. King testified for the US government in an antitrust case involving publishers' merging.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VZpzwUX class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King signs autographs after stepping out of US District Court in Washington, D.C. in 2022. King testified for the US government in an antitrust case involving publishers' merging.
">Stephen King signs autographs after stepping out of US District Court in Washington, D.C. in 2022. King testified for the US government in an antitrust case involving publishers' merging.
" src=https://ift.tt/VZpzwUX class=caas-img>Stephen King and actress Kate Siegel attend the premiere of "The Life of Chuck" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Cg2H4ao class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books" data-caption="
Stephen King and actress Kate Siegel attend the premiere of "The Life of Chuck" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
">Stephen King and actress Kate Siegel attend the premiere of "The Life of Chuck" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
" src=https://ift.tt/Cg2H4ao class=caas-img>
1 / 30Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the 'King of Horror' and his books
Bestselling author Stephen King, shown in a 1970 file photo.
King's output has always been prodigious but it's been especially remarkable in his later years. Other writers have been inspired: In a recent interview about his new novel "King Sorrow," his son Joe Hill admitted he wants to be a "book-a-year guy" like King. "He's a force, man. My dad (sneezes) and then he pulls out the tissue and goes, 'Oh wow. Look, there's a novel there.' "
What's his secret? "The thing is, I try to entertain myself," King says. "I sit down like at quarter of 6 in the morning before anybody's up, and before my wife's having her first cup of coffee and she's in another part of the house. I really enjoy those three or four hours where I can play in a kind of a fantasy world. It's kind of nice."
Don't worry, folks, King's not retiring tomorrow. As he says, "I'm a busy guy." However, the author admits he'd "like to stop before I start to drivel. Like, repeat myself. I feel like I've still got a little more space to explore, but I have to watch out and not become a bore. I hate that idea, of being a boring person. I'd like to still surprise people a little bit."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stephen King plans two new books, maybe a career break
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
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