Brighten Your Day

Stephen King Donates $6,500 To Elementary Students In Maine So They Can Publish Their Book

February 11, 2021

A group of young writers will become published authors thanks to a famous Maine author who has made a living out of it.

Stephen King /Fandom.com

Students at Farwell Elementary School in Lewiston, Maine, are writing a 290 page manuscript based on their own stories during the coronavirus pandemic.

They started a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for publication, but once Stephen King heard about it, he decided to cover the $6,500 cost.

"It was, like, mind-blowing," said Ella Leo, a student involved in the project.

The book is titled Fletcher McKenzie and the Passage to Whole, a reworked story about a Maine boy from mentor Gary Savage's manuscript to include adventures during the coronavirus pandemic. The students drew from their own pandemic experiences to provide the narrative.

"I've been in it for the last four years, and only the people in my school have ever gotten to read what I've written, and it's really cool to think that (now) pretty much anyone can read anything you write," said fifth-grader Hailey LaBrecque.

Farwell Principal Amanda Winslow said she is proud of the students for their accomplishment, as well as the dedication of librarian Kathy Martin and author Gary Savage, who advised the students.

"The kids talk in the hallway about this, they talk to me about it, they talk to their teachers about what they're doing," Winslow said, "and it's really wonderful to see this much effort and support put behind their writing."

The books are ready for publication, and with the help of King's donation, they'll be sent to a publishing company and available for purchase.