One of the Kingsize family, we are joined this week by the wonderful Steph McKenna as our Survivor Type. Steph curates and creates Outsider Zine, which showcases writing and artwork by marginalised genders. Vol 1 and Vol 2 available, and they will change the way you read King. In these turbulent times, jump in here with us - the water's warm.
Freewheeling, saxophone soundtracked deep dive chat between Matt n Nat re all things Stephen King. It's our biggest Survivor Type episode yet with the award winning horror novelist Nat Cassidy, author of "Mary", "Nestlings" and the upcoming "When The Wolf Comes Home".
Our castaway this episode is none other than Hans-Åke Lilja, the curator of Lilja's Library - the Go To resource for all things King. This man is an absolute fountain of knowledge; has spoken to The King not just once but twice, and has more scoops than Brady when he masquerades as an ice cream van man in Mr Mercedes. Jump into the waves and join us !
https://www.liljas-library.com/
" I soak myself in the only terrors that can match my own, and I, often reluctantly, leave the rest to whatever shadowed future waits for us ahead".
Matt talks to the very special author and mother Elizabeth Austin about her essay "Finding Comfort In The Horror Of Stephen King's Maine" . We explore the catharsis of horror, the darkness of the monster that is cancer and the light that still shines.
TRIGGER WARNINGS - we do talk about child cancer, depression, suicide idealisation.
The Stephen King essay can be found here: https://reactormag.com/finding-comfort-in-the-horror-of-stephen-kings-maine/ The Substack chronicling our years after cancer: https://writingelizabeth.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writingelizabeth/ The wish list for the Child Life Services department at St. Christopher's Hospital in Philly, where we received treatment: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/21PW0WWV6RNLU/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1] Link to the Children's Oncology Group site: https://www.childrensoncologygroup.org/ Link to Alex's Lemonade Stand: https://www.alexslemonade.org/
Matt and King expert Jamie Stewart keep the thrills coming your way as they join Bill Hodges in The Mr Mercedes Trilogy . King as crime writer - let's get forensic. And then back to full dark no stars with the horror of Revival, and some Bad Dreams...
The man needs no introduction from me, but I'll do it anyway. Long time friend and collaborator of Stephen King, Bev is the author of The Road To The Dark Tower and the upcoming Stephen King A Complete Exploration of His Work, Life, and Influences. We get stories and exclusive scoops fit for the King.
You like it darker. We go off the beaten path and end up in a place which hits hard. Light relief thanks to our celebration of King's retweet ! And a celebration of lefties.
We are so lucky to have Stephen King's favourite mid grade horror author Ally Malinenko on the island as our Survivor Type. We talk Losers, Censorship, Cancer and Why Story Matters. Unmissable.
If you go down to the woods today... The teddy Bears' picnic but it's Zombie Bears! Join Matt and Si as they stray off the path and pick away at the surface of domesticity and sense the monsters lurking within King's classic novel. We cover the first part of the novel.
Following on from the Amused Bouche of last week's interview, now we sink our teeth into the main event - Richard is our Survivor Type. What 3 Kings will he worship ? Which King will be thrown on the flames? Will The Beam be upheld or left to ruin away ? What character will Richard set traps for ... and which King protagonist will share the sands with him ? All this and more.....
Matt kicks off 2024 with author & King expert Jamie Stewart as they bring back the much loved "King Through The Ages" series. King is 63 in 2010 and shows no sign of slowing down - in fact he's speeding up. In this bonanza episode we talk Full Dark No Stars, 11/22/63, The Wind Through The Keyhole, Joyland and Dr Sleep. The man is clearing the shelves and fleshing out fan faves and ideas that have been percolating for 20 years plus.... it's a trip.
On 22 Jan we have a new Survivor Type - the fascinating Richard Sheppard, host of The Constant Reader Podcast . Simon and Matt had such an in depth chat with Richard, that we decided to release a tasty morsel of our interview in advance of the main course next week. He's in the lifeboat with us , sharing his insights before we throw him overboard. Come grab a bite....
Cometh the hour, cometh the Ice Man. We reach the endgame . The man on the mission marches us to this glorious book's final suckerpunch conclusion. Take our hand, let's roll.
Let us take care of you all in that strange nomadic place that is Betwixtmas where we are all dazed and confused. Let's talk the power of the laughing tiger - watch out for the claws on this one.
Some Christmas love and thanks to you all from The Kingsize Boys. x
What could a nicer way to spread festive joy than by spending an hour with The Castle Rock Strangler ? You're welcome. Hold our hands as we go in search of the Slick Killer - this one casts a long shadow in the King multiverse.
