Nov 15, 2025
Bestselling author Joe Hill returns this fall with King of Sorrow, a chilling descent into dark academia, occult obsession, and the high cost of revenge. Set in a quiet Maine college town, six friends tamper with forces beyond their understanding—and succeed, summoning a sinister entity that demands a gruesome price: human sacrifice. Hill, the master of modern horror behind The Fireman, NOS4A2, and Locke & Key, delivers a gripping, atmospheric novel that blends supernatural terror with all-too-human folly. King of Sorrow is both a razor-sharp thriller and a haunting parable for our times. Hosted by NWS co-founder and #1 New York Times bestselling author Doug Stanton.
Joe Hill is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Fireman, Heart-Shaped Box, and Strange Weather. Much of his work has been adapted for film and television. His second novel, Horns, was made into a cult horror-comedy starring Daniel Radcliffe; his third novel, NOS4A2, was adapted for television by AMC, and featured Zachary Quinto; his short story The Black Phone was adapted for the big screen by Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, and starred Ethan Hawke. In 2007, he co-created the long-running comic book Locke & Key, with artistic maestro Gabriel Rodriguez; in 2011 Hill won the Eisner Award (Best Writer) for his work on the series. The six books in the Locke & Key saga formed the basis for a hit TV series on Netflix. A seventh volume, published in 2022, married the world of Locke & Key to the epic Sandman universe.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with live music and a cash bar. The event begins at 7 p.m. and includes a Q&A and author signing. Each ticket comes with a copy of King of Sorrow (or opt for a two-ticket package with one book). Please note: signed books are only available at the live event.
Which Ticket Package to Choose?
If you and a partner or friend are attending together and only need one book to share, choose our Two-Tickets/One-Book package.
Individual Tickets:
Admits one person to the live event and each ticket comes with one signed hardcover edition of Joe Hill’s King of Sorrow (retail value $38). Please note: signed books are only available at the live event.
Two-Ticket/One-Book Packages:
This two-ticket option admits two people to the live event and comes with one signed hardcover edition of Joe Hill’s King of Sorrow (retail value $38). Perfect for couples or friends who want to share a book together. Please note: signed books are only available at the live event.
About Our Book Sales:
One of the most exciting parts of attending our events is getting a signed copy of the author's latest book along with the chance to meet the writer and have them personalize it after the show.The bundled price of National Writers Series books is always 20 percent below retail, so you also get a great deal.
If you do not want to buy the book for any reason, use the code BookChampion (one word) at the City Opera House checkout and a generous donor will pay for the book on your behalf.
Performances
Saturday, November 15, 2025 - 7:00pmSustaining Sponsor: The Green Brick Foundation
Season Sponsor: NorthGuard Technology Group
Event Sponsor: TBA
Arts Benefactor: Mary and Ward Bevans Gillett
Media Partner: Interlochen Public Radio
Media Sponsor: Traverse City Record-Eagle
Supporting Sponsors: Image 360, Cambria Suites