After clashing with an editor at a new publisher over the direction for his historical fiction novel Speaks the Nightbird, he retired from writing. After a long hiatus which resulted from the reorganization of the publishing industry and McCammon's personal depression and soul searching, he returned to the publishing world with Speaks the Nightbird, the first book in the Matthew Corbett series. Publishers Weekly called it a 'compulsively readable yarn,' and said, 'McCammon's loyal fans will find his resurfacing reason to rejoice.' Since 2002, fourteen new books have been published, including eight, so far, in the Matthew Corbett series. In 1985, McCammon's story 'Nightcrawlers' was adapted into an episode of The Twilight Zone (1985). Like Dean Koontz, McCammon for a while refused to let his first novels (up to and including They Thirst) be republished because, while not disliking the books, he did not feel that they were up to the standards of his later works. He wrote that he feels he was allowed to learn how to write in public, and therefore had decided to officially retire his earlier works. However, Baal, Bethany's Sin, The Night Boat, and They Thirst were re-released by Subterranean Press as limited edition novels. Mystery Walk (1983) – first novel published in hardcover.The Night Boat (1980) - third published novel, but actually second written.Bethany's Sin (1980) - second published novel, but actually third written.In a 2013 interview, McCammon acknowledged that some readers would like to have a complete collection of his work, and said 'reading back over those books I find they’re not as poorly written as I recall them to be.' They have also all been released as ebooks and audiobooks.

The Listener by Robert McCammon