James Patterson plans to write 'The Murder of Stephen King,' then cancels it

Every week, The Thread tackles your book questions, big and small. Ask a question now.

What happened to James Patterson's plan to write a book called "The Murder of Stephen King"?

Two weeks ago, James Patterson announced he had written a new book. No surprise there, considering he churns out roughly 15 books per year and has built a literary empire that rakes in $95 million annually.

But his new book, which was scheduled to be released in November, had an unusual hook: It was called "The Murder of Stephen King."

The premise was that King, the horror legend, was being stalked by characters from his own books. If you've spent any time at all with King's book (or the many film adaptations of them), you know that includes some of the most terrifying figures in modern literature. There's "The Shining"'s Jack Torrance, Pennywise the Clown from "It", Annie Wilkes from "Misery" — basically a guest list for your worst nightmare.

The title raised red flags from some, but not for Patterson.

"I think it's a good title," Patterson told the Associated Press. "It's exactly what the book is." King was not consulted for the project. In an interview with USA Weekend in 2009, King said Patterson is "a terrible writer but he's very successful."

Patterson brushed off King's comments as "hyperbole" when talking with the AP.

But now it seems no one will get to read "The Murder of Stephen King," after all.

Patterson cancelled the publication a week after announcing it, saying he didn't want to cause the King family "any discomfort." He changed his mind after learning about some of King's real-life brushes with invasive fans.

For the record, Patterson told the AP that if King wrote a book called "The Murder of James Patterson," he would read it.