



Popular author Stephen King will open the Main Stage of the 2016 Library of Congress National Book Festival with a presentation and recognition of his lifelong work promoting literacy. Tickets will be required for the King presentation. Tickets will be free and will be issued electronically beginning at 9 a.m. EDT Sept. 14. Tickets are not required for other presentations or activities at the festival.

Stephen King is the international best-selling author of more than 50 books and almost 200 short stories. Many of his works have been adapted for film or other media and his books have sold more than 350 million copies worldwide. His recent books include “Mr. Mercedes,” “Finders Keepers” and the latest in the Bill Hodges trilogy, “End of Watch” (Scribner). King has received many honors, including the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to the American Letters, the 2014 National Medal of Arts, and multiple Bram Stoker Awards, World Fantasy Awards and British Fantasy Society Awards. As a philanthropist, he is co-chair of The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation and provides scholarships for local high school students, donations to various organizations which underwrite the arts and more than $2.8 million in grants each year to community-based initiatives in Maine. King lives in Maine and Florida with his wife, novelist Tabitha King.

There will not be a formal book signing associated with Mr. King's appearance.

Holding a ticket does not guarantee entry; seating will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.