Just a heads up, if you go to Dr. Caroline Bicks’ website, which you absolutely should, be warned, you will leave feeling that you haven't accomplished anything with your life! Shakespeare scholar, New York Times contributor, podcaster, playwright, and actor. Oh, Stephen E. King Chair at the University of Maine. Did we forget to mention that one? It was as the Chair that Caroline’s orbit crossed with that of the Master of Fear himself. The result was a year spent at the King household, combing through his private archives to write what is now one of our favorite books of 2026. “Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King” is everything you’re looking for in a deep dive into King’s early works, but it’s so much more than that. If you love King, horror, or just a beautifully written exploration of literature, you must get this book.

Caroline was kind enough to join Paper Cuts to discuss the fateful phone call she received from King, four years after becoming the Stephen E. King Chair at UMaine, that set her on the path to writing the book. The stories she has of her time at the King household are amazing, and you’ll get a deeper appreciation of both King’s work and of the man himself. Caroline is a fantastic storyteller, and we could have talked for hours (if not days). You’ll be amazed at how much fun this conversation turned out to be.

Right around this time of year, when the snow has melted, and the birds begin to sing, we here at PAPER CUTS think of one thing, and one thing only: “SUMMER SCARES” is coming! What is “SUMMER SCARES,” you ask? Well, it’s just the most wildly creative reading program from the Horror Writers Association in partnership with Book Riot, Booklist, iRead, and NoveList that provides a recommended reading list, which has been carefully chosen by a committee of six Librarians, best-selling author Jennifer McMahon, and Co-Chairs Konrad Stump and Becky Spratford. If you had a genie in a lamp, you couldn’t wish for a better crew of people to pick your books out for you!

We were overjoyed to have creators and organizers Becky Spratford, Allison Nellis, and Kate Federiconi join us to discuss the fascinating process of choosing which books will be included for that given year, the astounding amount of work that goes into the program to provide a varied array of literary choices, and the phenomenal teamwork that happens to roll the reading program out everywhere. We’re not kidding when we call these amazing people superstars. Their tireless efforts not only put books in hand but also open new worlds to readers worldwide. After you listen to this interview, we’re sure you’ll have a newfound respect for the work that goes into this fantastic reading program.

You can check out the ‘SUMMER SCARES” programming guide here.

You can listen to Konrad Stump and Jennifer McMahon talk about the “SUMMER SCARES” program on “Books in the Freezer” here.

NYPL’s “Best New Horror for Adults 2025” can be found here.

Contact libraries@horror.org if you’re interested in the “SUMMER SCARES” reading program.

There are books that sit on the shelf for eternity, the moment you’ve finished with them. Then there are books that are so good they're destined to be passed around from friend to friend, family to family, until the original owner gets a dog-eared, spine-cracked, torn-cover casualty back that shows all the signs of being well-read. Carter Keane’s “Morsel” is just that kind of book. A thrilling, quick read that keeps you on the edge of your seat the moment it gets going. We’re used to books packing a punch early on and then slowing down to catch their breath. “Morsel” hits the gas and never lets up. This novella will keep your blood pressure in the red until the very last page.

Carter joined us to talk about their real-life work experience that was the catalyst for the book, the toxic destruction of corporate America, and even worse, Hustle Culture, and the Appalachian folklore at the heart of the story. Carter is fascinating, genuine, and fun as hell. We had the best time chatting, and couldn’t get enough of our new “must-read” author. Have a listen to our conversation, and enjoy!

You can purchase “Morsel” here.

You can follow Carter Keane on Instagram here.