Leslie Gay
Leslie Gay asked Scott Hawkins:

Hello hello! From your wonderful "homicidal nutjobs librarians" primer, is the anecdote for David predicated on a Stephen King story? I am dying to know. I found your Reddit Q&A only now, and enjoyed it immensely - all elements of it - but so pleased I picked up the book knowing nothing about it! I have gone back and re-read portions (cough, the whole book) several times. Worth the 30 years. Your fan, - Leslie

Scott Hawkins Hey Leslie,

Yeah, good eye. The thing about David killing a small town was a Stephen King in-joke. At one point King was talking about writing a followup to 'Salem's Lot. He's since said that that's not going to happen, but the gag was that Father was a huge King fan and had been waiting for the sequel.

Eventually he got tired of waiting and sent David out to start killing small towns in the area to hopefully spark some inspiration in King. David had just gotten back from one such trip when he went to visit Carolyn in her room.

I took it out because I figured King is probably sick of people bugging him about the sequel. But I do like the image of Father sort of drumming his fingers and glowering down at Maine from on high as he rereads 'Salem's Lot. Hmm. What can we do to hurry this up? "David! Front & center--I've got a job for you."

Scott

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