Stephen King to Maine’s Governor LaPage: “Man Up and Apologize.”

Horror icon Stephen King took to Twitter to call out Republican Gov. LePage for claiming that the author didn’t pay Maine income tax. LePage had made the claim on his weekly radio address.

King elaborated in a letter to the Portland Press Herald:

In 2013, my wife and I paid approximately 1.4 million (dollars) in state taxes. As this is a matter of public record, I have no problem telling you that. I would imagine 2014 was about the same, but I do not have those figures.

King, who is one of the best-selling authors in the world, also noted he donates several million to charities. King is an outspoken Democrat and endorsed the conservative LePage’s rival in the last election.

King was born in Portland, Maine, graduated from the University of Maine, and has set a large number of his best-selling novels and stories in Maine.

LePage has yet to apologize.

(h/t LA Times)

UPDATE from 3/27: Maine’s governor finally responded, saying he would not apologize but telling King, “Just make me the villain of your next book and I won’t charge you royalties.”

More Like This

Mini Horror Stories for Literary People

Ghosts? Been there, done that. Someone writing their own marginalia in a book you lent them? Petrifying!

Oct 31 - R.L. Maizes & Ali Solomon

Reframing the Horror Genre Through a Trans Lens

In “Uncanny Valley Girls,” Zefyr Lisowski explores classic horror films, growing up trans in the rural south, and the hope that emerges through connection

Oct 28 - Christ

Modern America Is a Horror Movie

A tyrannical orange clown who draws power from brainwashed young people? Oh right, we’re talking about “Weapons,” the year’s most incisive genre film

Oct 21 - Maria Robinson
Thank You!