I didn’t see a thread on this story about this writer Joe Hill who was outed as Stephen King’s son. How perverse is it that this news makes me want to try out some of his work? It looks like he’s made some name for himself without using his “connections” in the business (which you have to admire).
Has anybody here read this guy’s work? Did you know who he was? Is he worth reading?
Seems to me that I have read something under this name before, but naturally I can’t find it. And yes, the only reason I would have picked it up would have been for his father’s sake.
I put the book on hold at the library. I’m hoping he has his own voice, so I can forget he’s Steve’s kid. Otherwise, I’ll be trying to glimpse the influence of his dad the whole time instead of reading the book.
I hadn’t heard of this, but now a trip to the bookstore is in my future.
I love Tabitha King’s works, and wonder if she would be more popular writing under Tabitha Spruce. Joe must feel the same way about his works.
Stephen & Tabitha’s other son Owen is also a writer. It must be genetic.
You know, I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night. Maybe this explains it.
You and I are so old, Chuck. Sigh.
Hey, don’t mourn, organize.
I’ve read 20th Century Ghosts, his short story collection. I thought it was great. The kid can write. He’s serious – he’s not playing. Assured and confident and imaginative. I have no doubt he’d have been published even if he didn’t have a famous author father.
For some reason I thought this would be about the one-man band Joe Hill Louis. (Song samples here.)
Here is the link to PS Publishing for 20th Century Ghosts. The hardcover editions are sold out but a trade paperback is coming.
Joe’s website is joehillfiction.com.
Why would somebody who’s last name is King name his kid Joe?
You know, this is pretty creepy, consideriong it’s from Stephen King’s son.
“I never died. I never died.”
Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!
They named their son Joseph Hillstrom King. He has every right to go by Joe King, Joe Hill, Hill King or any other name he wants.
By the way, in Peter Bryant’s Red Alert, the book upon which Dr. Strangelove is based, Col. Ripper doesn’t obsessively write
P.O.E. /Peace On Earth/ Purity of Essence
(“We must retain our Precious Bodily Fluids!”),
but rather
J.F.K./ John Fitzgerald Kennedy/ Joe For King
It’s supposed to be Joe Stalin, of course.
But now we HAVe a famous Joe King…
He should have used “Richard Bachman Jr.”
Well, apparently he did get published without his father’s name. I may have to look up this collection.
I do have respect for anyone who tries to make it on their own, without cashing in on their parent’s fame. I cannot read Carol Higgins Clark for that reason.
He has his father’s self-deprecating sense of humor too. Found this on a blog:
“I am not the songwriting Joe Hill who fought for union rights in the Depression-era west before being executed by firing squad, after a court found him guilty of murder on circumstantial evidence. I have, however, read a good novel about him. I am also not the Joe Hill who wrote a book of poetry called Surviving. My own poetry has never been collected, for two good reasons: (a) there isn’t much of it, and (b) what there is, isn’t pretty.”
Annie-Xmas – she kept the Higgins and the Clark? :rolleyes:
Last weekend’s Rocky Mountain News had a book review written by the fellow who critiques sci-fi, fantasy and horror for the Rocky. The review also has some interesting background on Joe Hill.
Yep. She at least could have gone by Carol Clark.
I think furryman was thinking about what happens when you say Joe King really fast.
“I’m Joe King. Stephen’s my dad.”
“Are you joking?”
“Yeah. I mean no.”
Something like that.