The Talisman is the 19th book published by Stephen King, co-written by Peter Straub; it was his 16th novel, and the twelfth novel under his own name. The book was released by Viking on 8 November 1984. It is one of few novels not to be set in Maine or New England; it is set in Wisconsin, Peter Straub's trademark. King and Straub would collaborate again on the novel Black House.