Horror mastermind Stephen King is writing the introduction for acclaimed author Nat Cassidy’s I Know a Place, a collection of short stories published by Shortwave Publishing. On occasion, King has written introductions for revered books like Lord of the Flies, The Haunting of Hill House, and The Girl Next Door. However, King rarely writes intros for living contemporary authors, though he was clearly happy to do so for I Know a Place after he was impressed by Cassidy’s writing.
“These stories are f*cking great. They rule. So read them,” King stated about the book.
Per the publisher, I Know a Place is described as a “travelogue, leading readers to the dark places of the world where the light doesn’t seem to reach. From the iconic empty gas station rest stop littered with googly eyes, to a tech millionaire’s haunted kitchen, to a yoga retreat in the middle of the desert, Cassidy acts as a guide through terrifying detours.”
This will mark Cassidy’s first collection of short stories, and beyond King’s approval, it’s already been generating some great hype. It landed in the Top Ten Most Requested Books on NetGalley and is the #1 Most Requested in Horror. Its release will follow Cassidy’s successful novel When the Wolf Comes Home, a title that King previously called “a classic.” Cassidy’s other work includes penning Mary: An Awakening of Terror, Nestlings, and Rest Stop.
Related: Sam Raimi Recalls “Hero” Stephen King Kickstarting His Career
I Know a Place is slated to release on May 5, 2026. Pre-orders are live now from Shortwave Publishing and other book retailers.
