The Stephen Kingdom: Recent Episodes
David McCracken
Your ultimate deep dive into Stephen King, with exhaustive commentary and interviews on the literary and cultural influence of the books and films by the King of Horror. For longtime fans and newbies alike, this adrenaline fueled educational series will leave no stone unturned as we dissect the mind of the world's most infamous writer, Stephen King.
Morality, Recession, and Faust . . . oh my!! Welcome to the third novella ("FAIR EXTENSION") in Stephen King's 2010 collection FULL DARK, NO STARS, a classic Deal with the Devil story with a Stephen King twist.
We'll traverse our way through the history of Deal with the Devil stories, beginning with the story of Faust, all the way to the present, where Deal with the Devil stories are alive and well in our popular culture in shows like BREAKING BAD and THE SIMPSONS.
We'll also examines the Recession of 2008, which was when King wrote the novellas in FULL DARK, NO STARS and which heavily informed the themes of class and economic inequality in "FAIR EXTENSION."
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating and writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you won't regret.
And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
As part of our first episode, "The Magic of Stephen King," we interviewed over 20 people from all manner of professions spread out across the globe who have been impacted in some way by Stephen King. We were only able to use a small clip of each interview in the episode, but we want to share their full stories and explore further why Stephen King is so important to so many people.
First up is Charles Ardai, the Editor of Hard Case Crime, a publishing house in New York focused on hardboiled crime novels. To date, they have published three different Stephen King novels: The Colorado Kid, Joyland, and Later.
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating or writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you will not regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
For many Americans, the 4th of July is just another day to get plastered and blow shit up. Like St. Paddy’s Day or Cinco de Mayo... but with explosives. Such is the premise of one of Stephen King’s rare forays into pure comedy—the short story DRUNKEN FIREWORKS.
David discusses the short story while also taking a look at the centuries-long history of fireworks.
But you know what? F*ck fireworks. They hurt animals, they poison our environment, they terrify our pets, and they traumatize our veterans.
This Independence Day, join David in saying f*ck fireworks and God Bless America!
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating and writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you won't regret.
And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
As you recall from Part 1, BIG DRIVER is the story of a woman raped and left for dead who fights the odds and takes vengeance on her assaulter. King roots this novella firmly in the tradition of Rape Revenge Cinema, and this episode will take a look at the long and complicated history of how this fraught subgenre went from fringe outcast to respected mainstream.
Along the way we'll hear from Intimacy Coordinator Deven MacNair about the difficulties of filming rape scenes and the potential harmful effects they can have on the actors, filmmakers, and audience.
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating and writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you won't regret.
And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
Springtime is a time of rebirth and renewal. Flowers and trees blooming and all that crap. So leave it to Stephen King to write a story about springtime and make it about . . . a serial killer.
Appearing in King's first short story collection NIGHT SHIFT (1978), "Strawberry Spring" investigates a series of brutal murders at the fictional New Sharon College in New England in March of 1968. And while the story is straightforward enough, no discussion of serial killers would be complete without a look at the master of manslaughter, the granddaddy of all serial killers: Jack the Ripper.
So before summertime has a chance to bulldoze through and ruin everything, won't you join us on this grisly adventure that is STRAWBERRY SPRING?
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating and writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you won't regret.
And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
REVENGE vs JUSTICE!
Welcome to BIG DRIVER, the second novella in Stephen King's FULL DARK, NO STARS collection. It's the story of a woman raped and left for dead who fights the odds and takes vengeance on her assaulter.
Because there's a lot to unpack here, we'll break down the novella into two parts. Part 1 will focus on Revenge Cinema through the lens of three movies King namedrops in the story: Jodie Foster's "THE BRAVE ONE," Charles Bronson's seminal 70's revenge flick "DEATH WISH," and the classic noir "KISS OF DEATH."
Many thanks to the voice actors who contributed their talents to this episode: Jack Scott as Terrence Rafferty, Kasey Sternberg as Irving Layton, and Felicia McNear as the Narrator.
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating and writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you won't regret.
And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
"God help him, this man is having fun."
--Terrence Rafferty
Every now and then, we like to open up The Stephen Kingdom vaults and humbly offer the general public a taste of the goods that we provide to our devoted Patrons as exclusive content.
When it comes to Stephen King scholars, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone more knowledgable than this week's guest. Bev Vincent is the author of "The Road to the Dark Tower", "The Stephen King Illustrated Companion", and most recently "Stephen King: A Complete Exploration of His Work, Life and Influences". Additionally, he co-edited the anthology "Flight or Fright" with Stephen King in 2018.
His non-fiction has appeared in diverse magazines, including The Poetry Foundation, Fangoria, Rue Morgue, Screem, Pensacola Magazine and Texas Gardener. He has been a contributing editor with Cemetery Dance magazine since 2001 and is a former member of the Storytellers Unplugged blogging community. He also writes book reviews for Onyx Reviews.
Enjoy this convo about all things Stephen King, Dark Tower, air travel, and the early days of the internet.
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating or writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you will not regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! As always, if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content like today's interview.
Long days and pleasant nights, Constant Listeners -
Better known as “Mother Horror”, Sadie Hartmann is a horror reviewer, publisher, blogger, and general connoisseur of all things horror. Aside from being editor of Dark Hart Books and co-owner of the horror fiction subscription company Night Worms, she's also been known to have a direct line to Stephen King when it comes to new horror recommendations.Sadie also recently compiled an incredible modern horror handbook 101 HORROR BOOKS TO READ BEFORE YOU'RE MURDERED. Whether you're brand new to the genre or a seasoned pro, this book stands as a testament to the embarrassment of riches we have with the abundance of amazing horror fiction available today (and it's not just all Stephen King, although that would've been tempting). And this book is like a big hug from one horror lover to another. But don't take my word for it!
Out now in bookstores everywhere -- grab yourself a copy!
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating or writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you will not regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
Writer Philip Fracassi experienced firsthand the mighty power of Stephen King with a simple tweet that jumpstarted his career. Fracassi's first published novel, BOYS IN THE VALLEY, explores good vs evil, demonic possession, free will, and many other dark themes. (Bonus round, we also discuss what scares Stephen King!)
'Boys in the Valley' is out now in bookstores everywhere -- be sure to grab yourself a copy!
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating or writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you will not regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
Whether you're a fan of Stephen King, musical theatre, or just thrive on some good ol' schadenfreude, you're undoubtedly familiar with CARRIE: THE MUSICAL, one of Broadway's most notorious flops.
In his new book, OUT FOR BLOOD: A CULTURAL HISTORY OF CARRIE THE MUSICAL (as well as the companion podcast of the same name), Chris Adams sifts through the annals of theatre history to bring us an amazingly thorough retrospective of an epic disaster that reinvented itself as a mainstream musical success.
To watch the full video of CARRIE: THE MASTER CUT, numerous other versions of the musical, press coverage of the original Broadway run, and much more, be sure to check out Erik Champney's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ErikChampney
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating or writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you will not regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
In his brand-new bestselling novel WHALEFALL, Daniel Kraus puts a scientific spin on the old Jonah and the Whale myth -- what would it be like if you were actually swallowed by a whale?
Kraus discusses the rigorous scientific research behind WHALEFALL, why he set the novel in Monterey, the importance of having a strong narrative voice before he starts writing, what it's like collaborating with horror legends like Guillermo del Toro and George Romero, and why his favorite Stephen King book is DANSE MACABRE.
Out now in bookstores everywhere -- be sure to grab yourself a copy! https://bookshop.org/lists/summertime-reading
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating or writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you will not regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
In his latest novel LOWDOWN ROAD, published by Hard Case Crime, author and film critic Scott Von Doviak takes us on a wild, gritty, rampant joyride. Part heist, part road trip, and fully unchained, it's got cops and criminals, a music festival gone awry, a sh*t ton of marijuana, and Evel Knievel.
LOWDOWN ROAD is more than just an homage to the 1970s, it's a love letter to a bygone era that you can't help but get sucked into, and a novel which Stephen King rightfully dubbed "a great f*cking story."
Out now in bookstores everywhere -- be sure to grab yourself a copy! https://bookshop.org/lists/summertime-reading
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating or writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you will not regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
In our CARRIE PART 4 episode, we delved briefly into telekinesis and pseudoscience with paranormal investigator Benjamin Radford, but David's full conversation with this renowned skeptic covered so much more.
Radford has done first-hand research into psychics, ghosts, exorcisms, miracles, Bigfoot, stigmata, lake monsters, UFO sightings, reincarnation, crop circles, and many other topics. He has authored, coauthored or contributed to over twenty books and written over a thousand articles and columns, many of which have been incorporated into college and university courses on critical thinking.
In addition to being a contributor to Snopes.com, Radford has appeared on CNN, BBC, Good Morning America, and many other media outlets as an expert on urban legends, unexplained mysteries, the paranormal, critical thinking, mass hysteria, and media literacy.
In his own words: "I'm open-minded. I never said I don't believe ghosts exist. But I can say I've looked at the research that's been done, and I've done personal investigations. In each particular case there either is or isn't good, compelling evidence, and so far I haven't seen it."
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating or writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you will not regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
POW! This is how Stephen King describes the elements in his life colliding to form his first novel CARRIE.In Part Four of our CARRIE Megasode, David explores King's struggles with writing the world of teenage girls, as well as the two real-life girls from his past who informed the character of Carrie. Along the way, David chats with renowned skeptic and paranormal investigator Benjamin Radford to discuss the big question on all our minds: is telekinesis real?
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating and writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you won't regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
Today's guest is a rare treat as we welcome to the show a true American treasure: special make-up effects designer and horror guru Greg Nicotero.
Greg learned his trade under the watchful eye of SFX splatter guru Tom Savini, and got his start on George A. Romero's 1985 film "Day of the Dead". Shortly thereafter, he and close friends Howard Berger and Robert Kurtzman started the KNB Efx Group, and nearly 40 years later he shows no signs of letting up. His most notable work of late has been as the executive producer, special make-up effects supervisor, and primary director on "The Walking Dead", but his IMDb page boasts well over 200 other films and television shows that are iconic touchstones of cinematic history.
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating or writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you will not regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
Every now and then, we like to open up The Stephen Kingdom vaults and humbly offer the general public a taste of the goods that we provide to our devoted Patrons as exclusive content. Today is one such occasion, brining you David's conversation with Andrea Subissati, a Toronto-based writer/podcaster/magazine editor/mother of dragons with a background in sociology, market research and horror movies (just don't say her name five times in a mirror).
Andrea is the co-host and producer of the award-winning Faculty of Horror Podcast with Alexandra West, is a co-founder of the Toronto-based horror lecture series The Black Museum with Paul Corupe, and perhaps most impressive of all, is the Executive Editor of Rue Morgue magazine, the world's leading horror in culture and entertainment publication. And when she's not doing all that, Andrea stalks the streets of Toronto with her undead Pomeranian Dante. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @necromandrea.
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating or writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you will not regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And remember, if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content like today's interview.
Long days and pleasant nights, Constant Listeners -
CARRIE is Stephen King's first published book, but did you know he actually wrote a bunch of other novels before ever typing a single word of CARRIE?In Part Three of our CARRIE Megasode, David explores King's pre-CARRIE works and some of the factors that gave him just the right kick in the pants to start writing the novel that would become a horror classic, including pushback on his early oeuvre of dude-centric stories and a little well-intentioned goading from one of his college buddies.
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating and writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you won't regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
Following up our previous coverage of the novella "1922" from Stephen King's gruesome collection FULL DARK NO STARS, David scored some face time with Australian writer/director Zak Hilditch to talk about his incredibly faithful film adaptation of the story.
Zak initially rose through the ranks with his 2013 apocalyptic thriller THESE FINAL HOURS, which ultimately led to him teaming up with Netflix in 2017 to adapt "1922". David mines the depths of Zak's experiences working with Thomas Jane, the pressure of knowing that King would be reading his script, what it's like working with hundreds of rats, and so much more.
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating or writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you will not regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
This week, David transports us to the sinister world of Stephen King's grim novella, "1922," from the collection FULL DARK, NO STARS. Centered around Nebraskan farmer Wilfred Leland James and the gruesome murder of his loathsome wife, we'll explore this grisly tale of cows, rats, and ever-encroaching guilt.
Featuring special guests Zak Hilditch (Writer & Director of the film adaptation of "1922") and Chris P. Rat (Rat Ambassador, Kingdom of All of Ratdom)
If you enjoy this series, please consider rating and writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you won't regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe! And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
"Back ratcha!"
--Chris P. Rat
With this week's release of his brand new novel DON'T FEAR THE REAPER, David had the pleasure of sitting down with bestselling author STEPHEN GRAHAM JONES to chat about Stephen King, horror, Texas, and dollar burgers.Stephen Graham Jones is a Blackfoot Native American originally from Midland, Texas who has been reading everything he could get his hands on for as long as he can remember. His publications and awards are far too numerous to list here, but he is a prolific writer who pushes the boundaries of the horror, crime, and science fiction genres.If you enjoy this series, please consider rating or writing us a review - it only takes a minute and helps us a ton. And if you need more of a fix of THE STEPHEN KINGDOM in your life, head over to our YouTube channel for a wildly different take on the material we cover here on the podcast. It's a decision you will not regret. And while you're there, be sure to Like and Subscribe!And if you want to help us continue to make the series bigger and better, please consider supporting our Patreon, where you can get access to all sorts of bonus content. Until next time -
In Part Two of our ongoing multi-part CARRIE Megasode, David makes his way to Chamberlain, Maine to explore firsthand the origins of Stephen King's debut novel. Riding on the coattails of horror leviathans like THE EXORCIST, ROSEMARY'S BABY, and JAWS, the stage was set for CARRIE, assuming King could successfully maneuver the perplexing publishing world of the mid-70s. And as it turns out, this little telekinetic tale had a few surprises up its sleeve...
“Believing is enough.”
—S.K.
In this first part of our multi-part CARRIE Megasode, David takes us back to the mid-70s to explore the circumstances that nearly resulted in a wildly different narrative for Stephen King, a dark alternate universe where CARRIE never became a sensational phenomenon. We'll delve into King's early days as a struggling writer, a young Doubleday editor who believed in him, and a series of happy accidents that led to King becoming one of the biggest bestselling authors of all time.
“You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo.”
—Eminem
As 2022 draws to a close, David looks back on the year's most memorable horror flicks to relive all the greatest thrills, chills, kills, and other truly disturbing and terrifying moments.
Welcome to The Stephen Kingdom...
In our premiere episode, we explore how Stephen King has cast a spell on millions of readers over the past five decades. With the help of filmmakers, writers, actors, and close friends of King, we take a look at his relentless workmanship, his contributions to the horror genre, his incredible knack for writing believable and relatable characters, and his endless generosity. Not what you'd expect from The King of Horror? Come along on this journey to discover the true Magic of Stephen King.
Featuring special guests Jenn Adams, Nancy Allen, Charles Ardai, Richard Chizmar, Clare Davitt, Sadie Hartmann, Stephen Graham Jones, Greg Nicotero, Louis Peitzman, Darren Shan, Andrea Subissati, Paul Tremblay, and Bev Vincent.
Whether you’re a Stephen King nut or a newbie who shudders at horror, join host David McCracken on his journey to discover the weird, wild, and wonderful world of Stephen Edwin King... if you dare.