"A Best Horror Book of 2025. Some of the best minds in horror came together...to create this phenomenal doorstopper of a book, unveiling new stories from across the timeline and universe of The Stand. It’s a massive, and massively ambitious tome, and against all odds, there is not a single weak link among the three dozen writers who contributed to this vast tapestry. The year’s best anthology in a walk." —Bloody Disgusting
Description
The blockbuster New York Times bestselling short story collection based on master storyteller Stephen King’s classic novel The Stand!
Since its initial publication in 1978, The Stand has been considered Stephen King’s seminal masterpiece of apocalyptic fiction, with millions of copies sold and adapted twice for television. Although there are other extraordinary works exploring the unraveling of human society, none have been as influential as this iconic novel—with generations of writers impacted by its dark yet ultimately hopeful vision of the end and new beginning of civilization, and its stunning array of unforgettable characters.
Now for the first time, Stephen King has fully authorized a return to the harrowing world of The Stand through this New York Times bestselling short story anthology as presented by award-winning authors and editors Christopher Golden and Brian Keene. Bringing together some of today’s greatest and most visionary writers, The End of the World As We Know It features remarkable stories set during and after (and some perhaps long after) the events of The Stand—brilliant, terrifying, and painfully human tales that will resonate with readers everywhere as an essential companion to the classic, bestselling novel.
Featuring an introduction by Stephen King, a foreword by Christopher Golden, and an afterword by Brian Keene. Contributors include Wayne Brady and Maurice Broaddus, Poppy Z. Brite, Somer Canon, C. Robert Cargill, Nat Cassidy, V. Castro, Richard Chizmar, S. A. Cosby, Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes, Meg Gardiner, Gabino Iglesias, Jonathan Janz, Alma Katsu, Caroline Kepnes, Michael Koryta, Sarah Langan, Joe R. Lansdale, Tim Lebbon, Josh Malerman, Ronald Malfi, Usman T. Malik, Premee Mohamed, Cynthia Pelayo, Hailey Piper, David J. Schow, Alex Segura, Bryan Smith, Paul Tremblay, Catherynne M. Valente, Bev Vincent, Catriona Ward, Chuck Wendig, Wrath James White, and Rio Youers.
Reviews
“A Best Book of 2025. This landmark anthology draws upon the imagination of 36 of horror’s brightest contemporary names to map the further reaches of [Stephen King's The Stand]—and go beyond. There are too many good stories….The End of the World As We Know It is more than a massive homage to a classic text, but a vital anthology and an invaluable time-capsule of horror in this golden era.” —Vulture
"A Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Book of 2025. An assortment of work from today’s top horror writers. Even if you’ve never read The Stand, this is a chance to sample the best in the genre.” —Wall Street Journal
“One of the buzziest horror books of the year…a sprawling, epic continuation of Stephen King’s The Stand through the lens of some of the best writers in horror. Whether the horror prowess of editors Brian Keene and Christopher Golden gets you in the door, or you just can’t pass up that table of contents, you won’t be let down by this towering collection.” —Paste Magazine
