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Secret Windows: Essays and Fiction on the Craft of Writing

stephen king peter straub

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One day, while in his laundry room, Stephen King squeezed behind his dryer, looked out of a window, and realized that he was seeing a garden that he'd never noticed before. This is what great writers do, he thought. They look out of an almost forgotten window at an angle that renders the common extraordinary.

Secret Windows: Essays and Fiction on the Craft of Writing is an exclusive Book-of-the-Month Club anthology of hard-to-find non-fiction pieces, little-known interviews, short stories, and articles about writing for those looking for direction on how to find their own "windows" - or for anyone wishing to be touched by Stephen King's humor and wisdom.
Included in this collection are unpublished early fiction (very early; King was twelve when he wrote "Jumper" and "Rush Call"); a pre-Carrie article with tips for selling stories to men's magazines ("The Horror Writer and the Ten Bears: A True Story"); advice to his son on writing (with the look-twice title "Great Hookers I Have Known"); recommendations to teen readers in a Seventeen article ("What Stephen King Does for Love"); a long chapter from his wonderful treatise on the horror genre ("Horror Fiction" from Danse Macabre); and even a first-time-in-print short story, "In the Deathroom" (just for fun).
Intended as a companion to Stephen King's 2000 book On Writing, Secret Windows: Essays and Fiction on the Craft of Writing captures the author's mind in action-spontaneous, subversive, quirky, yet morally and ethically serious. Together, they comprise virtually the sum of the thoughts on writing of the dominant force in American fiction for the past three decades.

-CONTENTS-
• Introduction by Peter Straub
• Dave's Rag: Jumper, Rush Call
• The Horror Market Writer and the Ten Bears: A True Story
• Foreword to Night Shift
• On Becoming a Brand Name
• "Horror Fiction" from Danse Macabre
• An Evening at the Billerica Library
• The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet
• How It Happened
• Banned Books and Other Concerns
• Turning the Thumbscrews on the Reader
• "Ever Et Raw Meat?" and Other Weird Questions
• A New Introduction to John Fowles's The Collector
• What Stephen King Does for Love
• Two Past Midnight: A Note on "Secret Window, Secret Garden"
• Introduction to Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door
• Great Hookers I Have Known
• A Night at the Royal Festival Hall: An Interview by Muriel Gray
• An Evening with Stephen King: March 30, 1999
• In the Deathroom

433 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,2000

This edition

Format
433 pages, Hardcover
Published
October 1, 2000 by Book-of-the-Month Club
ISBN
9780165006437
ASIN
0165006439
Language
English

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About the author

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stephen king

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Stephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.

Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.

He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.

Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.

In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.

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Rating(4.2 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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Profile Image for Kimberly .
haileykozume
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I actually picked up this book with the intention of finding the updated version of "On Writing." To my surprise, I was astounded by how terrifying this book was, considering it was supposed to be centered around writing!

I suppose I had flashbacks of the chills that I experienced from "Salem's Lot" and other early works of King. There were a couple of chapters that I found rather boring. For instance, the extremely long chapter that reviewed other horror books.

However, in general, this was a good read, albeit a scary one. I also highly recommend "On Writing." Both books disclose that King is truly compelled to write rather than being simply inspired to write. Perhaps it's similar to how music composers have to compose. How else could you explain a deaf Beethoven creating some of his greatest masterpieces?

It seems that for King, writing is not just a choice but an inherent need, a driving force within him that compels him to put pen to paper and create stories that both thrill and terrify us.

Overall, while this book had its flaws, it still managed to keep me engaged and on the edge of my seat, just like many of King's other works.
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ireneisirene
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A significant portion of this reading involved re-reading content from other books that I had already completed. However, there was also some new material for me. I didn't have any objections to the re-read parts as "Dance Macabre" is one of my all-time favorites. Initially, I started jotting down my reflections as I was reading. But once it reached three pages, I realized it would be better to wait until I finished reading and then post something more concise.

When it comes to hooks, the best one I've ever come across (and I've read a considerable number of books) is this: "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." There has never been an opening that has stayed with me as strongly as this one. I'm rather surprised that it didn't come up during that particular conversation. It's truly a remarkable and captivating hook that immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them eager to find out what happens next.

I look forward to seeing what other great hooks and engaging stories I'll encounter in my future reading adventures.
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DarkRaven804
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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NB: This review originally appears on The Reel Bits for my Inconstant Reader column.


When Stephen King isn't writing fiction, he seems to be writing about writing. This is the impression one gets from SECRET WINDOWS: ESSAYS AND FICTION ON THE CRAFT OF WRITING. It's a collection of short stories, essays, speeches, and book excerpts he's penned over the years.


Originally published in October 2000 as a Book-of-the-Month Club offering, this now hard-to-find volume is a companion to On Writing released around the same time. It's also King's third reflection on the craft, following Danse Macabre (1981), part of which is replicated here. If you're a process junkie like me, this book lives up to its title by offering a peek behind the curtain.


Unlike his previous non-fiction works, SECRET WINDOWS consists mostly of existing material. Some of it is a treasure trove for Constant Readers, including early work from the master. There are excerpts from a 12-year-old Stephen Edwin King, and even a facsimile of the cover of a newspaper he printed with his brother.


Most of the pieces date from 1973 to 1999. The earliest is The horror market writer and the ten bears: A true story, where a writer on the verge of success gives advice on submitting stories to men's magazines. Later, there's a piece King wrote for Adelina magazine called On becoming a brand name, where he reconciles his commercial work with being a working writer.


It's also great to see when King is a Constant Reader. He's a fan of other writers, as seen in the numerous introductions and arguments in the book. There are insights into his thoughts on titles, like how Warner Bros. pushed for The Shining. And there are prophetic passages, like one written in 1983 about the spread of communicable diseases.


Constant Readers may already know some of the content. The book's title comes from a short story, and some of the pieces have been published before. But more than previous collections, these works show how King's style has developed. It may not be as interesting to casual readers, but it's essential for devotees. Now, the only question is whether a secret writing window lets in a draft.
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Fabe
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Stephen King on Writing is a remarkable compilation that offers readers a comprehensive look into the mind of the master.

It encompasses King's profound thoughts on the genre, his personal experiences, the speeches he has delivered, and the forwards from several of his books. Additionally, it includes a couple of engaging stories.

The reader gains a vivid understanding of who Stephen King is as a writer. His revelations about his humble beginnings, the numerous difficulties he encountered while trying to get published, and the unwavering dedication and hard work that finally led to his success are truly inspiring.

Overall, this book is a fine read that is easily digestible. It is filled with valuable insights and even contains some spine-tingling moments gleaned from other works and writers that King mentions.

In conclusion, Stephen King on Writing is a great choice for both aspiring writers and fans of King's work alike. It provides a unique perspective on the writing process and offers a wealth of knowledge and entertainment.
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Wheedies
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A companion to King's "On Writing," this remarkable book presents a wealth of valuable content. It includes transcripts of interviews, which offer fascinating insights into King's creative process and mindset. Additionally, it features his very earliest stories, dating back to junior high school or perhaps even earlier. These early works provide a unique glimpse into the budding talent of a literary giant. In addition to the interviews and early stories, the book also contains a few more short stories and a novella. King, who claims not to be a teacher, nonetheless dissects the horror and psychological suspense genres and writing methods with the precision of an expert carving knife. While I personally preferred "On Writing," this text still provides some highly entertaining stories along with thought-provoking writing treatises. It is a must-read for any fan of King's work or anyone interested in the art of writing.

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Guej8462
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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It was okay.

This simple statement holds a certain ambiguity. It could mean that a particular situation or experience was just average, not outstanding but also not bad. Maybe it was a task that was completed satisfactorily, or a day that passed without any major events.

However, "it was okay" can also imply a sense of resignation or acceptance. It might suggest that although something wasn't perfect, it was good enough for the time being.

In some cases, "it was okay" could be a polite way of expressing dissatisfaction. For example, if someone asks how a meal was and the response is "it was okay," it might actually mean that the person didn't really enjoy the food but didn't want to be overly critical.

Overall, the meaning of "it was okay" depends on the context in which it is used and the tone of the person saying it. It can convey a range of emotions and attitudes, from indifference to mild disappointment or reluctant acceptance.
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staradorned
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The Book of the Month Club assembled this volume to go along with the launch of Stephen King’s On Writing.

While the actual book On Writing is truly outstanding, this supplement has its pros and cons. Longtime enthusiasts of Stephen King will probably have already perused many of the excerpts and short stories incorporated within it.

The speech transcripts were something new for me. However, they had a tendency to be repetitive and in some places, the editing was not up to par.

All in all, this is a decent resource for those who are aspiring writers. But it seems more like a money-making addition for the publisher rather than a sincere effort to gather the author’s wit and wisdom. It offers some valuable insights, but it also has its flaws that prevent it from being a truly essential collection.
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aiji_hotaru
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A Must for Any King Fan


For those who are passionate about King, this is an absolute essential. Whether you're a die-hard fan who has read every single one of his works or someone who is just starting to explore his literary universe, there is something here that will captivate you.


King's writing is known for its ability to draw readers in and keep them on the edge of their seats. His stories are filled with vivid characters, thrilling plots, and a unique blend of horror, mystery, and drama. With this must-have item, you can immerse yourself even deeper into the world of King and experience his genius like never before.


It could be a special edition of one of his most popular novels, complete with exclusive illustrations and behind-the-scenes content. Or perhaps it's a collection of his short stories, carefully curated to showcase his versatility as a writer. Whatever it is, it's sure to be a treasure for any King fan.


So don't miss out on this opportunity to add something truly special to your King collection. Get your hands on this must-have item today and let the magic of King's writing transport you to another world.

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