Overview: Stephen King's Children
Stephen King and his wife Tabitha King have three children: Joe Hill (born Joseph Hillstrom King), Owen King, and Naomi Rachel King. This article focuses on the two sons, Joe Hill and Owen King, explaining their distinct careers, major works, and public profiles. It avoids speculation and summarizes verifiable details drawn from interviews, public records, and authoritative sources, so readers can understand each son's professional identity apart from their father's legacy.
Joe Hill: From Hillstrom to Joe Hill
Name and Early Life
Joe Hill was born Joseph Hillstrom King on June 4, 1972. He uses a pen name that references both himself and Stephen King's earlier pseudonym Richard Bachman. Joe Hill has built a career as a writer of horror, crime, and fantasy, with works published in many formats, including novels, novellas, and comics.
Major Works and Formats
Joe Hill's first novel, Heart-Shaped Box (2007), debuted at number one on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list. His other novels include Horns (2010), NOS4A2 (2009), and Lock Every Door (2018) with Joe Hill and Brian Freeman. He has also released story collections such as 20th Century Ghosts (2005) and Full Dark, No Stars (2011), the latter containing novellas that were adapted into the film Big Driver. In comics, he wrote series such as Locke & Key and Revival, the latter with Tim Seeley. Television adaptations include NOS4A2 and the Apple TV+ series Creepshow, for which he serves as host and executive producer.
Professional Identity and Public Profile
Joe Hill maintains a broad public profile beyond print, with credits in television, audio, and film. His professional bio notes his work as an editor, producer, and series creator. He has described his approach as building standalone, genre-driven stories that appeal to both dedicated genre readers and a wider audience. In interviews, he has discussed the challenge of living up to, and distinguishing himself from, his father's name and influence.
Owen King: Coauthor and Independent Writer
Name and Early Life
Owen King is Stephen King's younger son, born in 1977. He is a writer and editor who has developed a career distinct from his father's, contributing fiction and non-fiction to publications and collaborating on major projects.
Collaboration with Stephen King
Owen King coauthored the novel Sleeping Beauties (2017) with his father, Stephen King. The book is set in a women's prison in West Virginia and features a mysterious illness that puts all women in a deep sleep. While the idea was framed as a father-son collaboration, Owen King described the process as a two-person writing team in which each chapter was assigned and then traded. In interviews, he has discussed balancing collaboration with establishing his own voice as a writer.
Independent Work and Editorial Roles
Owen King has published original fiction in outlets such as The New Yorker, The Paris Review, and Playboy. His solo novel Double Feature (2021) follows two screenwriters and the movies they make, and We Spread (2024) is a standalone novel described by reviewers as gothic and atmospheric. He has worked as an editor and contributed to anthologies, including editing Best American Short Stories 2024. These activities underscore his professional presence beyond shared projects with his father.
Comparative Table: Joe Hill vs. Owen King
| Attribute | Joe Hill | Owen King |
|---|---|---|
| Year of Birth | 1972 | 1977 |
| Notable Collaboration with Stephen King | None (writes under his own name) | Coauthor of Sleeping Beauties (2017) |
| Major Solo Novels | Heart-Shaped Box, Horns, NOS4A2 | Double Feature, We Spread |
| Primary Mediums | Novels, novellas, comics, television | Novels, short stories, editing, screenwriting |
| Public Statements on Father's Fame | Discusses managing legacy and building separate recognition | Describes collaboration process and developing independent voice |
Public Distinction and Separate Recognition
Both sons have cultivated careers that stand apart from Stephen King's fame. Joe Hill has achieved bestseller status with original works and high-profile adaptations, positioning himself as a major figure in horror and fantasy. Owen King has contributed notable solo fiction and coauthored a high-profile novel with his father, while also building an independent presence through editing and journalism. Their separate professional trajectories reflect deliberate choices to define themselves by their own work, rather than by family association.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many sons does Stephen King have?
Stephen King has two sons: Joe Hill and Owen King. He also has a daughter, Naomi Rachel King.
Did either son coauthor a book with Stephen King?
Yes. Owen King coauthored Sleeping Beauties (2017) with Stephen King. Joe Hill has not formally coauthored a book with his father.
Which son is older?
Joe Hill, born in 1972, is older than Owen King, who was born in 1977.
Do Stephen King's sons work in similar fields?
Yes. Both are writers. Joe Hill works broadly in novels, comics, and screenwriting, while Owen King writes novels, short stories, and essays, and has also worked as an editor.
Are either of them involved in adaptations of their father's work?
Owen King co-wrote the film 1408 (2007), which is based on a Stephen King short story. Joe Hill has created and produced television series such as NOS4A2 and contributed to Creepshow , but these are original or adapted projects not based directly on his father's books.