Hodder reveals 'ambitious' reissue of Stephen King's backlist

Hodder & Stoughton has unveiled an “ambitious” reissue plan for Stephen King’s entire backlist.

Beginning with six of King’s novels set to be released with new covers on 11th May 2021, further groups of titles will be relaunched in two to three batches a year, with a total of more than 70 books being revamped between spring 2021 and autumn 2024, culminating with the 50th anniversary of Carrie.

The books will be grouped into different categories including Chilling Classics, Epic Thrillers and Reading Group Suspense, helping readers to navigate their way through the extraordinary range and depth of his body of work, and discover which type of novel will most appeal to them.

“Each group will be unified by striking new author brand lettering, and distinguished by a distinct colour palette and title lettering,” Hodder said. The first six titles to be released in May are The Shining, Doctor Sleep, Cujo, Salem’s Lot, Christine and Firestarter. In September, Hodder will be launching some of King’s novellas, including Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption and The Body, many of which will be available in the UK for the first time as single editions.

Philippa Pride, Stephen King’s UK editor, said: “Stephen King is a true Classic in his own lifetime - the ultimate storyteller whose books are both timeless and time-capsules. With this dynamic and eye-catching new cover look, we want to wake up the reader - existing and new, from every generation - whether they saw 'IT' on the big screen or asked ‘did he really write The Shawshank Redemption?’ We aim to introduce them to the rich variety of his work from supernatural novels such as The Shining, to coming-of-age stories such as The Body, crime novels such as Mr Mercedes and fantasy such as the Dark Tower, to name but a few, and to remind them that there is a wonderful world of King out there.”

Alice Morley, brand director for Hodder & Stoughton, says: “Alongside the stunning new covers, this reissue programme will be underpinned by a multi-channel sales and marketing campaign, with bespoke strands and focus titles for different audiences, formats and market sectors. We truly believe that there is a King story for every reader, and we will continue to innovate our strategies in order to reach them.”

The first group of reissues will be followed in August by the hardback publication of a brand new standalone novel by King, Billy Summers, described by H&S as “a gripping thriller about a contract killer with one last payday to earn before he retires”.

This year also sees a number of screen adaptations, with "The Stand" TV miniseries starring Whoopi Goldberg and Alexander Skarsgard currently streaming online, and the Apple TV+ adaptation of Lisey’s Story expected in the summer, produced by J J Abrams, starring Julianne Moore and Clive Owen, and with a script written by King himself.