Ben Percy and Stephen King’s ‘The End Times’ novel gives back to Minnesota communities

After selling out its print run and earning coverage from outlets like Forbes and AIPT, Ben Percy and Stephen King’s post-apocalyptic newspaper project The End Times is expanding into a full-length novel from Bad Hand Books.

The End Times: Volume One is slated for release in early 2027 and is now available for pre-order directly from the publisher.

The novel collects the complete text of the original serial, set in a future where society is struggling to rebuild after a deadly pandemic. At the center of the story is Mary Poole, who rediscovers purpose by restoring an old printing press and launching a small-town newspaper. What begins as an effort to reconnect her fractured community soon reveals darker forces at play. As new contributors join the paper, familiar names such as Claudia Inez Bachman begin shaping events in the North End in ways that may bring more harm than hope.

This new edition moves beyond the original digital and newspaper format, presenting the story as a novel-length installment in an 8.5 by 11 trim size. Readers can also expect exclusive material not included in the serialized version.

Bad Hand Books publisher Doug Murano describes The End Times as a dystopian narrative with unsettling echoes of contemporary America. He points to its exploration of misinformation and the importance of responsible journalism within vulnerable communities as key themes that feel especially relevant today. Murano says bringing the story to a broader audience in novel form feels timely and necessary.

Set in post-apocalyptic Minnesota, where the original newspaper editions were printed, The End Times: Volume One offers a stark vision of a Midwest attempting to recover from catastrophe. Percy, a Minnesota native, has also tied the project to real-world support efforts. For every copy purchased directly from the publisher, one dollar will be donated to mutual aid initiatives in Minneapolis as the community continues to recover from the impacts of ICE saturation.

The hardcover edition is available for pre-order now and is expected to ship in early 2027.