Horror-meister King, the next generation

The news that the real name debut suspense novelist Joe Hill is actually Joseph Hillstrom King isn’t exactly new (not when there’s a long writeup on an Italian website dating back to April) but for those of us who either weren’t paying attention or genuinely didn’t know* (as HarperCollins didn’t when they signed Hill up for HEART-SHAPED BOX, due out in February), USA TODAY explains the decision. Hill, who also has published a collection of stories, uses a pseudonym, says William Morrow publicist Seale Ballenger, because he “did not want to ride on his father’s coattails.”

As it happens, King’s progeny are faring rather well for themselves. Aside from Hill’s debut being pushed heavily by Morrow, youngest son Owen is a notable literary fiction writer with a collection of short stories to his credit, and Owen’s fiancee Kelly Braffet has garnered deserved critical acclaim for her two novels.

*Like Ron, whose big reaction to Hill’s rising star last year was the inevitable union dirge wisecrack…

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