Stephen King is an American author, born in Portland, Maine, in 1947, and is considered one of the most successful writers of modern popular fiction. He is best known for his horror, thriller, and mystery novels, but has also written fantasy and drama.

He had his breakthrough in 1974 with the novel Carrie, which was immediately adapted into a film. This was followed by bestsellers such as The Shining, It, Pet Sematary, The Green Mile, and The Dark Tower series. Many of his works have been adapted into film or TV productions and have profoundly shaped the genre of modern horror.

King is known for his gripping narrative style, complex characters, and the blend of everyday reality with supernatural horror. More than 350 million copies of his books have been sold worldwide.