R.L. Stine Shares How He Scares & Inspires Readers at The Indianapolis Public Library’s McFadden Lecture

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Public Library welcomed a near-capacity crowd to the Madam Walker Legacy Center Theatre Thursday evening for the 47th Annual Marian McFadden Memorial Lecture, featuring bestselling author R.L. Stine in conversation with librarian and literacy advocate Mychal Threets.

The event drew a large audience ranging from young children to adults, underscoring diverse community enthusiasm for reading, storytelling, and Library programming.

Stine, best known for his Goosebumps and Fear Street series, shared insights from his decades-long writing career with his classic quick wit, while Threets brought his signature “library joy” to the conversation, engaging attendees of all ages. Together, they explored the power of books, libraries, and traveled through Stine’s record-setting career to share insights with the next generation of writers.

The event also highlighted Stine’s continued impact on readers, with anticipation building for his upcoming horror novel for adults, Let’s All Kill Rosalie, and future Goosebump novels.

Across over 300 books written for kids, Stine says he’s learned how to keep things just scary enough for them.

“The kids have to know that it isn’t real,” Stine told the crowd. “They have to know it’s a fantasy. And if they know that it can’t happen, I can go pretty far with the scares. Just as long as they don’t believe it.”

Following the discussion, both authors participated in a book signing that was met with overwhelming demand, with long lines of fans eager to meet Stine and Threets and have their respective books signed.

A recording of the event will be made available next week, allowing those who were unable to attend to experience the conversation.

The Marian McFadden Memorial Lecture Series is made possible by the Friends of the Library through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation and continues to bring nationally recognized authors to Indianapolis each spring.

For more information about Library programs and upcoming author events, visit indypl.org.

Contact Austin Goss at media@indypl.org for media inquiries.