'The Shining', 'It' and Everything in Between—Here Are All of Stephen King's Books in Publication Order

Kelsey Kryger

August 6, 2023 at 5:00 AM·6 min read

Stephen King, the master of modern horror and supernatural fiction, has been hailed as one of the most prolific and influential authors of all time. With a career spanning decades, King has captivated readers with his unparalleled storytelling and imaginative narratives. As a New York Times #1 bestselling author, he has left quite the mark on the literary world with his chilling tales and compelling characters.

King's journey into the realm of fiction began in 1974 with the release of his debut novel, Carrie. Little did the world—or King—know that this book would pave the way for a literary empire that continues to grow to this day. Since his first spine-chilling novel was published, Stephen King has unleashed an impressive number of published books that have secured his place in the pantheon of contemporary writers.

From The Shining to It, each of Stephen King's creations has a unique allure that will keep you turning pages long into the night—even if they're a little spooky! Whether you are new to the world of Stephen King novels or a devoted longtime reader, dive in and explore Stephen King’s books in publication order. Plus, find some books for your “must-read” list.

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What Is Stephen King's Longest Book?

Of all of Stephen King's impressive works, The Stand rings in as his longest book ever at 1,153 pages. It was originally published in 1978 and later re-released in 1990 as The Stand: The Complete & Uncut Edition. Not only did King restore some of the text he originally cut from its original publication, but he completely revised sections, made updates and changed the story setting from 1985 to 1990.

The Stand takes place in a post-apocalyptic landscape in which the world is decimated by a deadly superflu pandemic. Only a scattered number of survivors struggling to make sense of their shattered reality remain. As the remnants of society grapple with grief, fear, and uncertainty, two distinct factions begin to emerge, each with its own vision of how the future should be shaped.

The Stand

What Is Stephen King's Shortest Book?

Not all of Stephen King's books are hundreds of pages long. Cycle of the Werewolf is Stephen King's shortest book, coming in at 128 pages. It was originally published in 1983. In Cycle of the Werewolf, each chapter is its own story, featuring a werewolf that terrorizes a small town every time there's a full moon.

Cycle of the Werewolf: A Novel

What Is Stephen King's Bestselling Book?

Stephen King undoubtedly has an extensive and impressive list of works. But, Stephen King's bestselling book of all time is The Shining, published in 1977. To date, it's estimated that The Shining has sold a whopping 700,000 copies. Just a few years later in 1980, The Shining was made into a major motion picture, becoming an equally popular film.

In case you're not familiar with the iconic story, The Shining follows the Torrance family as they move into the haunted Overlook Hotel for a winter caretaking job. The father—an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic—succumbs to the influence of the hotel's dark past, leading to a terrifying descent into madness that threatens the lives of his wife and their psychic son, whose paranormal abilities unlock the hotel's secrets.

The Shining

What Is Stephen King's Newest Book?

Stephen King is an author that never seems to tire or run out of fresh ideas. Stephen King's newest published book is Fairy Tale, which was published in September of 2022. King started working on this book in the early days of the pandemic. Fairy Tale follows seventeen-year-old, Charlie Reade, who inherits the keys to a parallel world where a war between good and evil rages. He befriends the reclusive Howard Bowditch and his dog, which leads to strange events unfolding and finding a portal to another world.

King's next release is Holly, set to be published in September of 2023.