Sequel to The Talisman (novel) is Blackhouse (novel), which takes place
in Straub's home state of Wisconsin. Fictional city of LaRiviera is
based on La Crosse, Wisconsin, and other Wisconsin cities.
His daughter Emma Straub was born in New York City.
His son Benjamin was born during the writing of Ghost
Story.
He earned a degree in English from the University of Wisconsin, and a master's degree from Columbia University.
When he was 7, he was hit by a car and seriously injured. He used a wheelchair before relearning how to walk. He said this experience gave him a vivid awareness of his own mortality at a young age.