New Joe Hill Deluxe Collector’s Edition Book Is Only $16 During Launch Week

Joe Hill, the acclaimed horror writer, is releasing his fifth novel, “King Sorrow,” on October 21, marking an almost ten-year wait since his last. This extensive 896-page book tells the story of college friends who accidentally conjure a malevolent entity. Pre-orders for the hardcover edition are available at a significant discount, priced at $26.60 (34% off the original $40).

In addition to “King Sorrow,” fans can also look forward to the 20th Anniversary Edition of Hill`s debut collection, “20th Century Ghosts,” releasing on August 19. This special edition is available for $16, down from $20, while some retailers` stock for pre-orders is currently depleted.

William Morrow describes this reissued short story collection as a “Deluxe Collector`s Edition,” featuring unique multicolored sprayed edges and a new afterword. While “20th Century Ghosts” contains many compelling horror tales, it is particularly famous for “The Black Phone,” which was adapted into a successful film in 2021. With “Black Phone 2” set to release on October 17, this is an opportune moment to delve into the original stories.

The “20th Century Ghosts Anniversary Edition” features a suitably eerie cover design, blending misty blue and magenta artwork. Its distinct page edges, adorned with a mix of violet and blue, magenta swirls, and neon pink insects, make it a truly unique collector`s item.

This collection compiles a diverse range of stories, many of which were initially featured in smaller journals during Hill`s early career. Beyond “The Black Phone,” notable works include “Abraham`s Boys,” a sequel to “Dracula”; a Kafka-inspired narrative about a boy transforming into a colossal insect; and “Pop Art,” a poignant story of friendship between a troubled boy and a boy made of inflatable plastic.

First published in 2005 with a limited print run, “20th Century Ghosts” garnered significant critical acclaim, earning both Bram Stoker and British Fantasy Awards. When it was released, Joe Hill`s lineage as Stephen King`s son was not publicly known. He revealed his identity in 2007, prior to the release of his debut novel, “Heart-Shaped Box.”

In total, this 336-page collection comprises 15 stories, an introduction by Christopher Golden, and a new afterword penned by Hill himself.

“King Sorrow” is Joe Hill`s longest novel to date, spanning 896 pages. Its setting is Rackham College, a fictional university located in Maine. This release follows “The Fireman” (2016), meaning fans have anticipated “King Sorrow” for almost a decade.

The plot centers on Arthur Oakes, who is coerced into stealing valuable books from his college library. Desperate, he seeks help from friends. One suggests summoning a dragon to deal with the drug dealer extorting him. Arthur and five friends proceed with a summoning ritual using an ancient journal bound in human skin. Predictably, this act unleashes a malevolent entity. The group is then faced with a grim yearly choice: sacrifice one of their own, or all will be sacrificed.

Joe Hill is the elder son of the iconic horror writer Stephen King. They have collaborated on various works, including two stories in Hill`s 2019 collection, “Full Throttle.” Coincidentally, the “20th Century Ghosts: Anniversary Edition” launches on the same day as a new anthology, “The End of the World As We Know It,” which features stories set in the universe of Stephen King`s 1978 novel “The Stand.” This 800-page anthology includes an introduction by King and contributions from numerous authors, available in hardcover for $26.74 (originally $35).

Catch up on Joe Hill`s novels and collections

Joe Hill`s Novels

All four of Joe Hill`s previous novels have been bestsellers and several have won awards. His 2007 debut novel “Heart-Shaped Box” won the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel. His 2010 novel “Horns” was adapted into a movie starring Daniel Radcliffe in 2014. “NOS4A2” (pronounced Nosferatu) was published in 2013 and later adapted into a two-season television series by AMC. The 2016 novel “The Fireman” is a post-apocalyptic novel about a deadly fungus that is definitely worth reading if you enjoyed “The Stand.”

• Heart-Shaped Box (2007)
  • Paperback — $9.63 ($20)
  • Mass Market Paperback — $7 ($10)
  • Hardcover — $29.75
• Horns (2010)
  • Paperback — $13 ($20)
  • Hardcover — $32
• NOS4A2 (2013)
  • Paperback — $12.50 ($20)
  • Hardcover — Sold out
• The Fireman (2016)
  • Paperback — $11.68 ($20)
  • Hardcover — $34
• King Sorrow (2025)
  • Hardcover — $26.60 ($40)

Short Story and Novella Collections

Along with “20th Century Ghosts,” Hill has published two additional collections of shorter fiction. The 2017 collection “Strange Weather” features four novellas (short novels), and the aforementioned “Full Throttle” is Hill`s most recent original publication.

• 20th Century Ghosts (2005)
  • 20th Anniversary Paperback — $16 ($20)
  • Paperback — $11 ($18)
  • Hardcover — $35
• Strange Weather: Four Short Novels (2017)
  • Paperback — $27.48 ($36)
  • Hardcover — $39
• Full Throttle (2019)
  • Paperback — $15 ($19)
  • Hardcover — Sold out

Joe Hill`s Locke & Key series and other comics

Joe Hill has also had a prolific career in comic books. Most notably, Hill is the creator of “Locke & Key,” the supernatural fantasy series that was adapted into a hit Netflix series. You can get “Locke & Key`s” original nearly 1,000-page run in a six-volume slipcase collection or the hardcover Keyhouse Compendium. The slipcase box set is markedly cheaper right now thanks to a deal.

A trio of hardcover Master Editions offer another premium way to read the series, but these are pricier at $50 each, and Volume 2 is hard to find. Multiple follow-up side stories and prequels were published after the series concluded. We`ve included those below, too.

• Locke & Key 6-Volume Slipcase Set (Paperback) — $78 ($100)
  • Volume 1: Welcome to Lovecraft — $12 ($20)
  • Volume 2: Head Games — $17 ($20)
  • Volume 3: Crown of Shadows — $17.83 ($20)
  • Volume 4: Keys to the Kingdom — $17 ($20)
  • Volume 5: Clockworks — $20
  • Volume 6: Alpha & Omega — $18.25 ($25)
• Locke & Key: Keyhouse Compendium (Hardcover) — $123.49 ($125)
• Locke & Key: Master Editions (Hardcover)
  • Master Edition: Volume 1 — $50
  • Master Edition: Volume 2 — $50
  • Master Edition: Volume 3 — $50
• Locke & Key: Heaven and Earth (Hardcover) — $10
• Locke & Key: Small World Deluxe Edition (Hardcover) — $13.50 ($15)
• Locke & Key: The Golden Age (Hardcover) — $30

More comics by Joe Hill

For more Joe Hill comics, check out the list below. We`d especially recommend taking a look at the 6-volume Hill House Comics Box Set and Joe Hill: The Graphic Novel Collection, a nearly 500-page compilation containing five graphic novels.

• Hill House Comics 6-Volume Box Set (Paperback) — $52 ($100)
• Joe Hill: The Graphic Novel Collection (Paperback) — Preowned
• Joe Hill’s Rain (Hardcover) — $11 ($22)
• Basketful of Heads (Hardcover) — $10 ($25)
• Plunge (Hardcover) — $12.74 ($25)
• Dying is Easy (Hardcover) — $18.71 ($20)
• Thumbprint (Hardcover) — $22
• The Cape (Hardcover) — $24 ($25)
• The Cape: Fallen (Hardcover) — $10.38 ($20)
• The Cape Omnibus (Paperback) — $28 | Releases December 9