The Stephen Kingdom

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.

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.

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, bringing 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?

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). Many thanks to voice actors Aidan Bell as Neil Gaiman, Jack Scott as Terrence Rafferty, Josh Riedford as David L. Ulin, and Aaron Riedford as Michael Lesy.

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 -