Stephen King spoke at the Manatee Performing Arts Center on Thursday January 29, 2015 in Bradenton, Florida. King’s appearance helped fund a new operating system for Manatee county’s Central Library.
“I’m a little bit puzzled by the success that I’ve had,” King told the crowd who had paid $200 and up for a seat at the Manatee Library Foundation’s annual author event.
So popular was King with the local audience that tickets sold out in three weeks, raising $100,000 for the foundation.
King, who with his wife, Tabitha, spends four months of the year on Casey Key, is well known for his support of libraries, which played a crucial role in his childhood in Maine, where the Bookmobile opened up the world to him.
Fans at the event took home pre-signed copies of “Revival.” Top sponsors, in the upper-level Northern Trust-sponsored reception, were able to meet him face to face as he did a quick tour through the room.
Below is a video of his appearance.