A prolific American author of horror and suspense novels and short stories; according to Goldman, he's also of Florinese descent. Goldman notes in the introduction to the 30th anniversary edition of The Princess Bride that he adapted a number of King's works into screenplays and the two appear to be good friends. In the introduction to the 30th anniversary edition, King even writes a letter to the Curator that gives Goldman permission to look at S. Morgenstern's notebooks. Goldman explains in the introduction to Buttercup's Baby that things go south in their relationship when Goldman learns that the Morgenstern estate wants King to adapt Buttercup's Baby instead of him. King tells Goldman that he doesn't like how Goldman adapted The Princess Bride, but he allows Goldman to take on the first chapter of Buttercup's Baby to see how he does when he sees how much it means to Goldman to have the opportunity. (Stephen King is a real author, but his interactions with Goldman here are all fictionalized.)