Stephen King, the undisputed master of horror and one of the most prolific authors of the modern era, has spent over five decades haunting the bookshelves—and dreams—of readers around the world. But now, at 78, King is signaling a possible slowdown in his relentless creative output, raising questions about what comes next for both the author and his legions of fans.
In a recent interview with USA Today, King opened up about the realities of aging, his writing plans, and the possibility of stepping back after completing just two more books. “I’m trying to clear my desk as much as I can. At my age, you’re off the warranty. You can’t take anything for granted,” he confided, acknowledging the uncertainty that comes with advancing years. “You can’t guarantee anything once you get past the age of 75, 76. 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.”
King, who published his first novel Carrie in 1974, has rarely missed a year without a new release. Even in years when he skipped, he often compensated with extra-thick novels or multiple books. The author’s prodigious output is the stuff of legend. Yet now, he’s making it clear: the faucet may finally slow to a drip. He’s not announcing a formal retirement—far from it. “I’m a busy guy,” King explained, but he wants to avoid publishing out of habit and keep his work fresh. “While I’m still healthy,” he said, he wants to take some time off, perhaps even a much-needed breather.
So, what’s left on King’s immediate to-do list? Two highly anticipated projects—each with significant implications for his sprawling literary universe. First up is The Talisman 3, the long-awaited third entry in the series he launched with the late Peter Straub. King confirmed earlier this year that he’s writing this book, and now reveals it’s intended to conclude not just the Talisman saga, but also tie up threads connecting to his magnum opus, The Dark Tower. For those who track the intricate webs between King’s worlds, this is a major event.
The second project is another novel featuring Holly Gibney, a character who has become one of King’s most persistent modern heroes. She’s already headlined or appeared in Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch, The Outsider, If It Bleeds, Holly, and Never Flinch. King plans to revisit The Outsider to prepare for this new Holly book, which he expects to start writing in the winter of 2025. “I want to keep things fresh,” he emphasized, noting that the character’s many appearances make it all the more important not to fall into repetition.
King’s writing routine remains as disciplined as ever. He describes himself as a predawn writer, sitting at his desk at about a quarter to six in the morning. With the house quiet and his wife in another room enjoying her first coffee, King gets three or four uninterrupted hours to immerse himself in his made-up worlds. “That, more than anything, is what still gets me in the chair,” he said, offering a glimpse into the habits that have fueled his career.
Despite his plans to slow down, King is not leaving the door to retirement fully closed. He’s leaving his options open, suggesting that after these two big projects—one wrapping up a decades-spanning fantasy epic, the other continuing the saga of his most beloved modern protagonist—he might pause, but perhaps not stop altogether. If that’s his pause point, it’s a fittingly King way to do it: with a bang, not a whimper.
Of course, King’s influence on popular culture remains as potent as ever. According to Daily Mail, this year alone has seen Hollywood strike box office gold with adaptations of his work. The Monkey and The Long Walk both wowed critics and made millions at the box office. On the small screen, MGM+ found success with its Institute series, recently renewed for a second season, while HBO’s highly anticipated It – Welcome to Derry is set to premiere on October 26, 2025. Studios continue to mine King’s vast bibliography for material, ensuring his stories reach new audiences even as he contemplates a slower pace.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the King of Horror. The past year has seen the author embroiled in a string of public controversies, largely stemming from his outspoken presence on social media. In September, King faced backlash for a tweet about the late conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, in which he incorrectly claimed that Kirk had “advocated stoning gays to death.” The post sparked outrage, with Republican Senator Ted Cruz among those condemning King: “You are a horrible, evil, twisted liar. No, he did not.” King responded by deleting his original post and issuing a public apology: “I apologize for saying Charlie Kirk advocated stoning gays,” he tweeted. “What he actually demonstrated was how some people cherry-pick Biblical passages.”
Earlier, in July, King drew criticism for a pair of posts about the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. “The Epstein client list is real. So is the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus,” he wrote, following up with, “Boy, I hit a nerve with that Epstein post. The ‘list’ is like UFOs: Everyone knows someone who’s seen one,” punctuating the comment with two crying-laughing emojis. These incidents have kept King at the center of the culture wars, with critics and supporters alike weighing in on his every word.
Amidst these controversies, King has also spoken candidly about his personal fears, especially regarding his health and cognitive future. In an interview with The Times, he admitted, “Every time that I can’t remember a word or something, I think, ‘This is the start.’” King’s anxiety about developing dementia is palpable, especially in light of the fate of his friend and fellow author, Terry Pratchett. Pratchett, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2007 and died at 66, was forced to rely on technology to help him write as the disease progressed. King referenced Pratchett’s struggles, underscoring the vulnerability even the most celebrated minds face with age.
For now, though, Stephen King remains as industrious as ever. He’s got two major books left on his immediate agenda, a writing routine that hasn’t wavered, and a cultural presence that shows no signs of fading. Whether he ultimately retires or simply takes a well-deserved break, his legacy is assured. The only real unknown is what surprises—chilling or otherwise—he still has in store for his readers.
