Renowned author R.L. Stine, best known as the creator of the Goosebumps and Fear Street series, took the stage on Tuesday, October 28 for a special event presented by Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL) in collaboration with the Weinberg Center for the Arts. The free event, which quickly sold out after tickets were released in August, brought fans of all ages together for an evening filled with humor, nostalgia, and storytelling.
Montgomery County resident Afshan Mizrahi, who attended the event, described it as “a fun and unforgettable experience.” Stine, known for blending scares with laughs, “answered silly questions from the audience that they sent in, read some funny fan mail, and talked about how horror and humor are really quite similar,” Mizrahi said.
During the discussion, Stine offered insight into his decades-long writing career and creative process. He shared that he outlines every chapter before writing, works six days a week from 10am to 1pm, and aims to produce about ten pages a day. Writing has been a lifelong passion, he’s been at it since the age of nine, when he first began crafting stories on a typewriter in his Ohio home.
With more than 400 million books sold worldwide, R.L. Stine remains one of the most successful children’s authors of all time. His Goosebumps books, which debuted in 1992, became a global phenomenon, translated into more than 30 languages and inspiring multiple TV series, films, and a new generation of horror-comedy fans. His earlier Fear Street series, written for teens, has also seen a resurgence in popularity following the recent Netflix film trilogy.
The Frederick event was part of FCPL’s ongoing effort to bring acclaimed authors and diverse literary experiences to the region. Previous author talks have featured bestselling writers from across genres, but Stine’s appearance was among the most anticipated and widely attended to date. For upcoming events and programs, visit fcpl.org or weinbergcenter.org for the latest community offerings.
Courtesy Afshan Mizrahi (@Amizzzy2 on Instagram)
