R.L. Stine looks back on 30 years of Goosebumps

Goosebumps is celebrating 30 years, folks! It’s hard to believe that one of the iconic series of horror novels is turning three decades old. I grew up reading (and rereading) Goosebumps, so this is a moment for me.

In an interview with SYFY Wire, Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine talked about what it’s been like to keep the franchise alive all this time. (Side note: Stine loves to attend New York Comic-Con, where I’ve gotten to meet him multiple times. He’s such a kindhearted person, and was so excited, even all these years later, to meet fans.)

Anyway, since 1992, Stine’s novel series has spawned television shows, video games, movies, and an upcoming Disney+ series. After 30 years, this is still just the beginning!

During the interview, Stine revealed that Goosebumps wasn’t even his idea. At the time, he was writing Fear Street for teenagers and because it was doing so well, his editor suggested writing a scary book series for children aged 7 to 12. “And I said, ‘No, I don’t want to,'” he recalled. “Because I was afraid it would screw up the Fear Street audience. That’s the kind of businessman I am. I didn’t want to do Goosebumps. And I kept saying, ‘No, I don’t want to do it.’ And finally, they kept after me and I said, ‘Well, okay, maybe we’ll try two or three.'”

Whoever that editor was, we thank you for your genius idea!

Goosebumps turns 30 years old!

The most adorable part of Stine’s interview comes when he’s asked about the moment he realized the series had become a cultural phenomenon. “Here’s how I knew things were getting weird,” he said. “I was in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio and I was doing a book signing at a Barnes & Noble. I was in the car and in a terrible traffic jam. And I hate being late — I don’t want to keep kids waiting. I was so nervous. Then I looked around at all the cars around me and they were all filled with kids. It was my traffic jam. I had caused it. That’s when I knew things were getting a little strange.”

If you’re a fan of this franchise then you’re probably aware of the tagline, “Reader beware, you’re in for a scare.” It’s an iconic line, although Stine doesn’t think he came up with it; he gives his copy editor Kathryn Cristaldi credit for that one.

It’s been quite the journey with Goosebumps these past 30 years, and Stine is ready to keep going as long as he’s able. We congratulate him for all the success he’s had and hope that there’s plenty more in the future. Until then, get ready for the upcoming Goosebumps Disney+ show and check out Stine’s favorite book from the series, The Haunted Mask.

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