The End of the World As We Know It

New Tales of Stephen King's The Stand

By: Christopher Golden - editor, Brian Keene - editor, Stephen King - introduction

Narrated by: Sean Patrick Hopkins, Adenrele Ojo

A 2026 Audie Award Finalist for Short Stories/Collections

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An original short story anthology based on master storyteller Stephen King’s #1 New York Times bestselling classic 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—generations of writers have been impacted by its dark yet ultimately hopeful vision of the end and new beginning of civilization, and its stunning array of characters.

Now for the first time, Stephen King has fully authorized a return to the harrowing world of The Stand through this original 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 unforgettable, all-new 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.

its like showing a hungry man a steak and than throwing it away

the stories are well written and in the world of Kings The Stand. I would say any would make a fantastic story but these are made just enough to meet the characters and to see a bit of what is going on. As a fan of The Stand i am hugely disapointed that they end so abrubtly, never get a ending just a start and that is it. I would love to see them go on for longer to tell the full story. So i would give this a 10/10 and 0/10 at the same time. Great stories, great writing and narrating they just dont have a base and ending so you are just listening to the beggining. Please make them longer, into a proper book they have potential. I just feel like i have been left half mast, like the job isnt finnished it just started.

Jarring narration spoils immersion

I so enjoyed the first two stories, but starting with the third, Adenrele Ojo’s narration is incredibly distracting. She is not servicing the material with her strange, seemingly random inflections and emphases. I had to return it. I am looking forward to reading a print copy.

Great stories let down by less than great narration

I hate to say it, but Adenrele Ojo was not a good choice for this book. Her sing-songy delivery distracts and detracts from the stories she reads. Every sentence is a repeating sequence of two notes, one low and one high, and they all end on the high note.

This is a great collection, and I have no doubt Ms. Ojo is a good fit for other stories, but this is not a good match.

Adenrele Ojo is objectively bad

Some good stories here, they’re too short and no through line. Adenrele Ojo is the worst reader I have heard in a long time. Sad

I’m gonna have to read the actual book for this one

I couldn’t deal with the narration by Adenrele Ojo. I hate to admit it but to me it sounded like someone reading story time for a group of children. The inflection at the end of every other sentence drove me up the wall. The story seems interesting this far but I could not finish the pilot story. Will be buying the physical copy.