Author Stephen King gets key to city

Best-selling author Stephen King was given a key to the city Monday evening.

King, who owns a home on Casey Key, was on stage at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall before a sold-out audience previewing his new book, “Under the Dome.”

After the City Commission meeting ended, Mayor Dick Clapp and Commissioner Suzanne Atwell joined King on stage to present him with the key.

“I was listening to your conversation,” Clapp told King. “It was a lot more interesting than the City Commission meeting we just came from.”

King held the key high so the audience could see it, and he received a standing ovation.

“I always thought my key to Sarasota was my American Express card,” King joked.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].