We found this photo of author Stephen King in the newspaper’s attic a few years back and recently sought some history behind it.

We contacted one of the people in the photo and got a response (see below). Responding was Wendy Walter (now Wendy Galgan, second from left in the photo). After she gave us a clue where we might find information about it, we checked our archived newspapers and found out it was published in the Aug. 26, 1976 issue.

One of the humorous things about the cutline (there was no story) describing the photo was that King was identified as “Steve King,” not Stephen King which appeared on the cover of the books he was signing on Aug. 20, 1976. We assume that the photographer was in a hurry when writing notes about the visit on the back of the Polaroid and abbreviated his name.

The other two people in the photo waiting to get their books signed at the former Porter’s Drug Store on Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor were Jeanette Bryer, left, and Marilyn Williams. King was signing paperback copies of two of his earliest books, “Carrie” and “Salem’s Lot.” The cutline mentioned he is working on a new book due out in January entitled “The Shining.”

This was all before King became an internationally famous horror fiction author.

Cutting to the chase, below is Wendy’s response after we sent her the photo.

“
This is so cool! I don’t remember that picture at all. Thanks for sending it!

“I do, however, remember that day very well. 

“I was working as a soda jerk at Porter’s Drug Store, and King was there for a book signing. He spent quite a while sitting and talking with me, asking questions, talking about writing and reading, really listening to what I said (which isn’t always the case when adults speak with teenagers). In many ways, that conversation with Stephen King is the reason I am a published poet and an English teacher today. He encouraged me to keep writing poetry, and to keep reading and thinking about and talking about the books I love. 

“For my entire life, I have read each Stephen King work as it came out. I use his ‘On Writing’ in my composition and creative writing courses. I have incorporated many of his stories in my literature courses, and often teach an on-campus course ‘Literature of Stephen King’ at Saint Joseph’s College. I have also developed a fully online, asynchronous course on King’s literature that I teach to nursing students at Saint Joe’s every spring. 

“King’s advice to the teenage girl I was, and the lifelong pleasure I have experienced while reading his works, really have shaped much of my own creative writing and much of my academic career. And for that I will always be grateful.

“On another note, you might enjoy watching the online interview I did with King during the pandemic. I had a great deal of fun doing it, and I think Steve enjoyed it as well. You can find it on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbQqzZtTV_U

“Thanks again for sharing the picture.” Best, Wendy

Thanks for your response, Wendy.