“These word-by-word comparisons of different stages of these canonical stories are a master class in craft—and a peek behind the curtain. Thank you, Caroline Bicks.”—Stephen Graham Jones
“Caroline Bicks has penned an affable, compulsively readable mix of memoir, biography, and heady analysis of Stephen King’s iconic early works enhanced by access to early drafts and notes. Monsters in the Archives is a treat for fans of Stephen King as well as anyone who ever wanted more of a peek behind the curtain at the great and terrible authorial Oz.”—Paul Tremblay, New York Times bestselling author of Horror Movie and A Head Full of Ghosts
“For Stephen King fans, Caroline Bicks’ witty and surprisingly poignant book is pure catnip. But for readers and writers who are obsessed with the mechanics of words—regardless of their Constant Reader status—this book is as vital and illuminating a glimpse into a master craftsman’s processes as King’s own On Writing. An indispensable practical lab on revision and drafting, Monsters in the Archives made me absolutely giddy with delight AND insight.”—Nat Cassidy, USA Today bestselling author of Mary and When the Wolf Comes Home
“Illuminating and original, Monsters in the Archives takes us deep into Stephen King’s private papers to show us how he crafted some of his most iconic, haunting books and took possession of so many of our imaginations.”—Amy Tan, author of The Joy Luck Club
“A personable, fascinating look at the creative process, one that soundly showcases King’s lifelong attention to craft and Bicks’s own belief in the power of facing one’s monsters.”—Keith Rosson, author of Fever House and Coffin Moon
“Literary scholars dream of having access to the drafts and notes of a major writer, then talking with the author about decisions, great and small, that inform the work. Caroline Bicks, who gets this rare chance, makes the most of it, offering a deeply engaging account of her discoveries in Stephen King’s archives. It will be treasured by admirers of his novels and is a must-read for anyone curious about how great books get written.”—James Shapiro, Professor of English, Columbia University
“If you ever were afraid to go down into the basement after encountering a Stephen King story, Monsters in the Archives is for you: a massively enjoyable, fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of his previously unseen literary archive, with Caroline Bicks as your savvy guide. This is indispensable reading for any fan of King’s work—and who isn’t one of those?”—Elizabeth Hand, author of A Haunting on the Hill and Wylding Hall
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