Night Shift is the first collection of short stories by American author Stephen King, published in 1978 by Doubleday. The volume gathers twenty tales that King had written over the previous decade, many of which first appeared in men's magazines like Cavalier and Penthouse. The collection showcases King's early mastery of horror and suspense, blending supernatural terror with the everyday fears of ordinary people.
The stories range from classic monster narratives to psychological thrillers and darkly comic pieces. Several have become among King's most celebrated short works, including 'Children of the Corn,' 'The Lawnmower Man,' and 'Sometimes They Come Back.' The collection established King not just as a novelist but as a formidable short story writer capable of delivering concentrated doses of dread.
Night Shift was a commercial and critical success, cementing King's reputation in the late 1970s. Its stories have been adapted extensively into films, television episodes, and miniseries, making it one of the most influential horror collections of the twentieth century. The book's introduction, written by King's friend and fellow author John D. MacDonald, helped frame King as a serious literary talent working within the horror genre.
