Question You Would Ask Stephen King

[theenormityofitall]

We've really strayed off topic here, huh? Another question I'd ask Mr. King is why is your son named Joe Hill? I used to be an expert in this kinda stuff (King, collecting signed horror novels, etc, etc), but over the past few years, I've been more interested in other things and have forgotten some things and don't keep up with new horror novels like I used to (can't afford it all anymore).
I've been so far removed from a lot of this stuff, I had no clue Joe Hill was actually King's son until about a month ago (don't laugh).

[frik51]

I'm not Mr. King, but somewhere I've read Joe wants to make it on his own terms, not ride the coattails of dad King.
Joe King would have been too easy.

sk

[theenormityofitall]

Yeah. And I knew I had forgotten to list some books by King I never read...The Dark Tower ones.
Are Joe's books any good? Most people will know if they follow Stephen King's career like I used to, that Joe Hill has to be King's son and will automatically buy any books written by him. If you've read any, what one would you suggest?

[frik51]

Most people I know really like his stuff.
I've only read the first two Locke & key comic collections, which are written by Hill.
The third is waiting to be read.
Excellent and highly recommended!

[theenormityofitall]

Ok, thanks. I did actually buy the Kodiak Varient ed. not long ago but it's not here yet. Locke & Key? I'll have to wait til my paycheck gets here lol. I've bought too much stuff recently, and the limited of IT really set me back.

[PaulB]

Yeah. And I knew I had forgotten to list some books by King I never read...The Dark Tower ones.
Are Joe's books any good? Most people will know if they follow Stephen King's career like I used to, that Joe Hill has to be King's son and will automatically buy any books written by him. If you've read any, what one would you suggest?

As others have suggested the Locke and Key series is excellent. Highly recommend his short story collection, 20th Century Ghosts. Of his 2 novels I preferred his first, Heart shaped box.

[peteOcha]

We've really strayed off topic here, huh? Another question I'd ask Mr. King is why is your son named Joe Hill? I used to be an expert in this kinda stuff (King, collecting signed horror novels, etc, etc), but over the past few years, I've been more interested in other things and have forgotten some things and don't keep up with new horror novels like I used to (can't afford it all anymore).
I've been so far removed from a lot of this stuff, I had no clue Joe Hill was actually King's son until about a month ago (don't laugh).

Joe Hillstrom King, went with Joe Hill so he wouldn't ride on his father's success. He was named Joe Hillstrom after this guy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Hill

[miki74]

First, I'd make him laugh. Then I'd smile and ask him if he wanted to read some of MY fresh story ideas, (which would probably make him laugh again.) And conclude with, "this way I could help you with your diminishing writing career and infuse some fresh ideas in your head, keeping you right on top where you belong." (at which point he would be rolling on the ground hysterically!) Then I'd ask him to get me Joe Hill's autograph. (At which point he'd pee his pants uncontrollably!) Then he'd be so embarrassed that he'd agree to come to my house and sign my whole King Library. Or maybe I'd stand there tongue-tied and awestruck too.

That's funny! lol

[theenormityofitall]

Joe Hillstrom King, went with Joe Hill so he wouldn't ride on his father's success. He was named Joe Hillstrom after this guy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Hill

Yeah, I know he didn't want to ride on his old man's coattails...that was meant to be funny. I have a habit sometimes of trying to sound serious, stupid and funny at the same time. But only people who know me sometimes catch me doing it lol.
My God, a socialist??? That's odd. I wondered if Mr. Hill has spread his wealth to the down and out from all the millions he must of made already? I really never understood why these so-called "movie stars", authors, etc travel to a bunch of commie countries and say how wonderful it is and we should be the same, etc, etc. Why the hell are they still living here if they think it's so great? I guess they just have mental problems. But if he took his name after that guy, I sure won't be buying anymore of his stuff.

[theenormityofitall]

Yeah, I know he didn't want to ride on his old man's coattails...that was meant to be funny. I have a habit sometimes of trying to sound serious, stupid and funny at the same time. But only people who know me sometimes catch me doing it lol.
My God, a socialist??? That's odd. I wondered if Mr. Hill has spread his wealth to the down and out from all the millions he must of made already? I really never understood why these so-called "movie stars", authors, etc travel to a bunch of commie countries and say how wonderful it is and we should be the same, etc, etc. Why the hell are they still living here if they think it's so great? I guess they just have mental problems. But if he took his name after that guy, I sure won't be buying anymore of his stuff.

I just read the message again...you mean King himself named his kid that? After that guy? I know King was a leftist back in the day, but I saw in interviews and you can tell sometimes by what he writes, his political philosphy has changed. At least I hope it has. I knew he had kids, but I'm not enough of a King fanatic to know why he named his kids after this guy or this dude or whatever. And by "fanatic", I don't mean that in a bad way. People who are really interested in someone want to know everything about them; it's just natural. I can't think of a person I'm fanatical about, but I am fanatical about boxing, football and hockey playoffs

[frik51]

And by "fanatic", I don't mean that in a bad way. People who are really interested in someone want to know everything about them; it's just natural. I can't think of a person I'm fanatical about,

I'm fanatic about King's works, not about the person. Although..I did fly to NYC once to see and hear him in person. That's pretty fanatical I guess.

But if he took his name after that guy, I sure won't be buying anymore of his stuff.

Honestly??? That is so American! (Not meant insultingly, as I love your country!!).

sk

And yes, King did call his son Joe Hill...sort of..... Joe(seph) Hill(strom) King.
No link to this other guy, obviously.
(but does anyone really care?)

[Nik Houser]

My understanding is that Joe Hill's secret identity as Stephen King's son was the worst kept secret in fiction. He tried to conceal it, but people kept figuring it out. He is a heckuva guy, very personable and way cool. I want to check out his panel again at Comic-Con, as this year they're going to be showing the pilot for Locke & Key, even though it hasn't get picked up by a network yet.

[theenormityofitall]

I'm fanatic about King's works, not about the person. Although..I did fly to NYC once to see and hear him in person. That's pretty fanatical I guess.



Honestly??? That is so American! (Not meant insultingly, as I love your country!!).

sk

And yes, King did call his son Joe Hill...sort of..... Joe(seph) Hill(strom) King.
No link to this other guy, obviously.
(but does anyone really care?)

You and I keep seeming to quote each other quite a bit lol.
There's nothing wrong with being a fanatic about King's work. I was too for a long time...I mean I got caught up in the hype when he was really popular 20 years ago. But nowadays I'm not fanatical about anything except the sports I listed. Well honestly, just reading posts on this forum makes me want to pick up a King book lol. It really does. I remember saying on here that I thought IT was one of King's worst works, and then CD comes out with a limited edition of it. Maybe I'm confusing it with the movie I saw...I've seen tons of horror films but can't really remember a lot of the titles anymore (off the top of my lil head).

Oh, and about the "That is so American!" stuff...no worries. I know you're living in a socialist state so that's what you're supposed to say (that's not an insult!). Hell, we're just about one here too now as well so I guess it's no big deal. I'm not one but the government is making us one, is what I mean.

[theenormityofitall]

My understanding is that Joe Hill's secret identity as Stephen King's son was the worst kept secret in fiction. He tried to conceal it, but people kept figuring it out. He is a heckuva guy, very personable and way cool. I want to check out his panel again at Comic-Con, as this year they're going to be showing the pilot for Locke & Key, even though it hasn't get picked up by a network yet.

Yeah, there's no way they could keep a secret like that nowadays. Even years ago, people figured out who "Richard Bachman" was, and that was when no one ever heard of something called the internet. But you actually know him? How old is he now?

[C.W. LaSart]

I just read the message again...you mean King himself named his kid that? After that guy? I know King was a leftist back in the day, but I saw in interviews and you can tell sometimes by what he writes, his political philosphy has changed. At least I hope it has. I knew he had kids, but I'm not enough of a King fanatic to know why he named his kids after this guy or this dude or whatever. And by "fanatic", I don't mean that in a bad way. People who are really interested in someone want to know everything about them; it's just natural. I can't think of a person I'm fanatical about, but I am fanatical about boxing, football and hockey playoffs

Having seen King speak a couple of years ago, I can assure you his political and religious views have not changed one bit. Even when discussing his book, he found every chance to bash the conservatives that he could. It was the only downfall to an otherwise perfect evening. I'm not interested in a writer's political views-just tell me a story!