Building Bridges Stephen King Live at the National Book Award

by Stephen King

In 2003 the National Book Foundation in the USA awarded Stephen King a "Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters". This audio CD contains an introductory speech by author Walter Mosley followed by Stephen King's acceptance speech.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Inspirational, Essays

1 pages, Audio CD

First published September 13, 2004

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars**

[Kandice · Rating 5 out of 5]

King loves his wife. There is no denying that and the fact that he continually credits her with allowing, and encouraging, him to be the writer he is warms my heart every time he mentions it. I also love how he calls out the association for neglecting to credit popular writers. He implores them to at least read his contemporaries even if they decide not to award them. The guy is just a mensch!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how much he adores and appreciates his wife ❣️

[Angelasdawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww, King is very sweet when it comes to his wife.

[Keyne Gazso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading my first Stephen King book when I was seventeen (it was IT for those of you who are curious) and since that moment have been a constant reader of Mr. King’s. This speech is incredible and I am so glad I got my hands on a copy of it!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love listening to Stephen King read his own stuff, or even (like this) give a speech.

This was recorded when he was given a much deserved honour for his work, in around 2003. He talks about his humble beginnings as a writer, and then how he became a very successful one. In amongst this he does give a really good dig at the people attending that he really is not the only writer that they should honour in this way, and that there are a number that deserve this too.

A quick listen, but a good one.

[Alex at lost Haven Homestead · Rating 4 out of 5]

audio recording of Stephen King’s famous acceptance speech at the 2003 National Book Awards.
King was awarded the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, and his speech became a landmark moment in literature.
King isn't there to play nice; he’s there to demand respect for the storytellers who keep people reading. It’s a 30-minute listen that feels less like a "filler" award speech and more like a manifesto on why stories—all stories—matter.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

King accepts the 2003 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters at the National Book Awards. He's full of wit and grace, and he reflects about his personal place in American letters - the bridge between literary and popular fiction, and the wrongness of the dismissal of authors who are popular.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Stephen King will enjoy this quick listen, about thirty minutes, from his 2003 Medal of Distinguished Contributions to America Letters speech. King sings the praises of popular writers who are not traditionally recognized for their contributions to literature and his wife Tabitha King who insisted that he write even when it was financial hard on their family.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely worth listening to! A bit of Stephen King's history. Heavy focus on the need for the "literary world" to consider that "popular fiction" of all genres is worth reading AND worth considering for awards.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

King defends the value of popular fiction and popular fiction writers. It was interesting to hear King's voice. After reading a couple of his novels, I enjoyed getting to know the man through this very short audio book .

[Kane Vallance · Rating 5 out of 5]

He really stood and said, “I know I don’t write literary-well, fuck you, and I love my wife” and now I have my structure for my Oscar acceptance speech.

King’s admiration for his wife and contemporary fiction is so adorable—I love this man with all I have.

[frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth a listen. Reminds me of a time when I was young and some pulled a book out my bag (the ruins by Scott smith) and said it’s hardly literature is it. I think about the interaction a lot, but I don’t remember her name or face, but I still have that paperback in my trunk to this day

[Nikkita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be writing a blog post about this soon.

[Sheree Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoy reading, or in this case, hearing Stephen’s comments on his writing career.

[Halifax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook. Stephen King is a cool dude with a super great beginning.

[meow meow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great brief short story about KING, great speech, found motivation in it, & love this guy.

[Angela Dawn Martini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this.

[Alyona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wise words from a man who loves to write.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to hear how much of his success he attributes to his wife.

[Simon Vacca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent.

[Jennifer Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This speech is so amazing. His speech is like something out of one of his books - his love for his wife and passion for writing is so inspiring.

[Regis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic! We should all think like Mr King.

[Janice Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who loves to write on her free time, this was a great speech to listen to

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great speech!

[Beckie · Rating 5 out of 5]

listened on hoopla

i really liked his and walter mosley's speeches - i laughed and i cried

[Sarah Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about Stephen King more than his literary genius ... is his humbleness and respect for other writings.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Stephen King and enjoyed listening to this speech. Just added books and authors to my reading list!!

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelent!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband better speak about me like this one day I stg