Although studies on Stephen King (1947-) traditionally belong to the field of popular culture, some of his work, such as The Dark Half and popular culture, some of his work, such as The Dark Half and "Secret Window, Secret Garden," give an insightful perspective on contemporary fiction. Drawing upon methods used in literary analysis and textual interpretation, this book proposes a new reading of Stephen King's fiction as a literary reflection on the artistic identity of the writer and on writing and shows that horrific descriptions do not necessarily exclude metafiction. Stephen King as a Postmodern Author aims to serve as an introduction to major theories influencing contemporary American literature, such as narratology, psychoanalysis, postmodernism, and various theories of fiction.

The Modern Stephen King Canon: Beyond Horror is a collection of essays focused on the more recent writings of Stephen King, including Revival, 11/22/63, and a selection of short stories by the "Master of the Macabre." The authors write about King works that have received little critical attention and aim to open up doorways of analysis and insight that will help readers gain a stronger appreciation for the depth and detail within King's fiction. Indeed, while King is often relegated to the role of a genre writer (horror), the essays in this collection consider the merits of King's writing beyond the basics of horror for which he is primarily known. Recommended for scholars of literature, horror, and popular culture.