I WAS A TEENAGE GRAVE ROBBER -- Stephen King's First Published Story

[@BecomingBoundless]

When I come across works like this in any art form, I think of how illustrators say, "You have 10,000 bad drawings inside you, the more you draw, the faster you'll get them out." I'm glad Stephen King writes a lot.

[@leoniem6920]

Imagine the teacher's lounge if he'd handed this story in for homework.😂

[@daniellewillis2767]

I have some personal experience with turning in horror stories to elementary and junior high teachers. It's a real mixed bag of reactions...

[@sharonpolak8410]

Lol

[@bradyblackburn4863]

Everybody has to start somewhere. You can see the kid has talent, but he doesn't have any life experience yet. No drugs or alcohol, no young kids and no struggle to feed a young family, no boring or dangerous jobs that let his mind roam, no Vietnam War, JFK is alive. So, he's got nothing to draw from yet, but he's finding his voice. Thanks for posting this!

[@pink.penguin]

Awww .. who doesn't love a trauma bond love story ❤

[@johnsnyder4653]

Very Lovecraftian! Great story, and I'm loving the chuckles and the KINGO! More please!

[@RavynAngelDarck]

I enjoyed this story a lot and sent it to my daughter. She's just getting into Stephen King's works and I think she'll enjoy it too.

[@Mandy_lee-l9f]

Not the school shooter one!!!

[@marybdrake1472]

I had never heard of this story before now.

[@Brandyalla]

"Oh, a gigantic white maggot, that's gross (:D). I like this" is an absolutely delightful reaction to that lol

[@MsSharkDemon]

Even in the weaker sections you can see some of King's potential developing in this story.

[@itsmeaimster6698]

As a new writer in my 50’s, this gives me hope. 😂 If SK can go from this to what he was in his 20’s, I can’t wait to see how my writing improves over the next 10 years or so. ❤ Thanks, it was fun to hear a story from a youngster SK! Congratulations on 50K! 🥳

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

That's awesome! Happy writing :)

[@FRADAVE02]

One can definitely detect the influence of 50's B-movies in young Master King's early work!

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

Yes, and a LOT of horror comics!

[@daniellewillis2767]

That line about his complicated, dead flesh involving experiments was just awesome!

[@sethbowen3093]

There is a moment in most of my favorite Stephen king works when the protagonist is about to descend into either the lair of the beast, salems lot, it, rose madder and I felt that was present here. Oh and loved the dreamlike scenes when he was sensing ‘evil’?!?

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

I know that moment of which you speak! :)

[@jamesupton5601]

I love spotting the odd turn of phrase that I recognise as Kings Style.

[@Adoozyofaday]

You have an excellent voice for narrating. You read very well. Congrats on your channel success

[@Sandra_HereToSeeTheDuctTape]

Thank you, this was fascinating! Even if the story itself may not be the most exciting, I find it incredibly interesting to see how Stephen wrote as a 15-year-old. In my opinion one can see that there already was a lot of potential, that with practice this could turn into something really good. And I think I saw an interview (or maybe it was in "On Writing") where he said he started by copying the writing style of other authors and that you could often see which writers he liked best at the time. This one here gives be a bit of a Lovecraftian-vibe, doesn't it? And I really liked the way you read it, very nice voice! Greetings from your now new subscriber from Germany! 😊

[@johnkirby8939]

I'm reminded of George Carlin critiquing the early music of the Wyld Stallyuns at the end of the first Bill and Ted movie: "They get better."

[@Amanda-cd6dm]

You were so cute Stephen when you were little!

[@fuzzyelf1]

This was great! Got myself an idea for a d & d campaign

[@johnsnyder4653]

or Call of Cthulhu, Beyond the Supernatural, etc. Tons of ideas!

[@montecristo1845]

Remembering that Stephen King was once young reminds me of a specific episode from the TV series Quantum Leap. Goodness, has it been thirty years? Memory like a steel trap, I tell ya!

[@inkyjill]

Oh, this is so needed and looked forward to! Congrats on 50k! 🎉 I'm so happy for my favorite channel!

[@diesel4125]

Absolutely brilliant! 😂 Love the way you read it. No Kingo for me either. Yes please, more of this if you can find it.

[@daniellewillis2767]

I like calling the car's accelerator a "go pedal".

[@MrUndersolo]

This is fantastic! Glad he was so ambitious and dark from a young age...

[@meursault7030]

You can tell he read a lot of Lovecraft.

[@cherylnashmacisaac5682]

Wow interesting look back, I also see similarities to environments he has expanded on in future works, thank you!

[@50goingon15]

Yes more please! It was interesting to experience unpolished King.

[@kerchydaproductions6384]

Sometimes I watch these stories to fall asleep not because they’re not boring. It’s just because your voice is so relaxing and calming, and Stephen King has been a big part of my life since my mom my grandfather and even my great uncle absolutely adore him specifically his works in story, writing, and tales of fictionand it just took me back to a simpler time where I didn’t have to worry about being an adult I am so glad I have a day off today

[@alison4dice]

Always enjoy your videos.

[@Pieternel2002]

I'm waiting patiently, but not really! 😂 Congratulations on your 50,000 subcribers, you deserve it .

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

Wow, thank you!

[@Pieternel2002]

@@stephenkingbookclub1054 It's the other way around: I should thank you.

[@tracycraft2546]

Wow! This was pretty good coming from a teenaged King! Really does show that he was destined to become a famous writer!!❤

[@alicenolfi2095]

Congrats on your 50k subscribers! You deserve them in full! May your strawberry pie make you thinner, may your balloons be numerous, and may your hotel visits be ghost-free!

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

LOL, Thank you so much!

[@alicenolfi2095]

@@stephenkingbookclub1054 you’re welcome!! ☺️

[@kathymcguire8287]

I would absolutely love to hear more from the early years. To hear(see) the progression of his writing.

[@alicenolfi2095]

@@stephenkingbookclub1054 you’re welcome! 😉

[@alicenolfi2095]

@@kathymcguire8287 Like an acorn becoming a mighty oak

[@WooferMcWooferson]

Thank you. I could really use this. ❤ Edit: Congratulations on 50K! 🎉

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

Agreed. I think we could all go for some escapism right now!

[@snazzybean]

50K subscribers, congratulations! 🥳🎆🎊 I enjoy your content SO much, especially in these tense times. Please keep doing what you're doing! Extra excited about this story because I've never read it!

[@mommiesaurus]

Kingo is my favorite series by you

[@nellywilliams2776]

Congratulations 🎉 on 50k subscribers ❤️❤🙌🏿🙌🏿

[@RudigerFreiherrvonTerryglass]

He developed more dialog in future writing.

[@sconni666]

0:20 he looks crazier than Charles Manson in that picture.

[@Steven-le5oc]

And that eyebrow....

[@Aust51989]

It reminded me a lot of Herbert West: the Reanimator by Lovecraft.

[@tracycraft2546]

Oh gosh, i was listening to this laying in bed and was like, seriously!? You do this to me now!? Lol ok. Not fair! Lol

[@eve3857]

I love kingo

[@stephaniejensen2821]

You narrate Stephen King. ..our constant writer.....very well

[@madmaddox1139]

The OG title is like those creepypastas read by KZbinrs. 😅

[@snazzybean]

There was a movie called I Was a Teenage Werewolf in the 50s then I Was a Teenage Frankenstein and I think a few more.

[@madmaddox1139]

@snazzybean yes, oh I'm tickled pink with all of those. It's amazing 😆

[@tracycraft2971]

This reminds me of my own son’s writing! He never published other than his university publications! I so wish he had published! He’s really talented!

[@tracycraft2971]

Thank you so much to who ever gifted me the 30 day membership!!❤ I so love this channel and the members only is the icing on the cake!! Thank you again!

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

You're very welcome -- though I should mention the gifting was randomly selected -- but I'm so glad YOU were one of the chosen few. :)

[@tracycraft2971]

@ well I appreciate it just the same! Kinda feel like a won the Stephen king lottery!!

[@Colleen-cq8ws]

Would love to hear more of young Stephen King my first time listening to you loved every moment 😻💗

[@richterkennedy2101]

I didn’t think you would get a Kingo on this early story. It will be some of his recent work where I think you will get your first. Anyway, this was definitely before the Coke years , but I’m gonna assume he popped a shroom or two for this one.😂Thanks for the telling, I never heard this one before.

[@coyoteartist]

OK so it's the rat king of Alaskan Bull worms. As to vomit and alcoholism. The card doesn't specify if someone actually has to be doing it, so there was a pervious vomit mention, same as you could have counted the first time she said her uncle was a drunkard.

[@kadie7656]

Many aspects of this story, especially the back story in chapter 3, scream teenage boy imagination. But the storyteller talent is there. It's interesting to hear such early work.

[@Amarianee]

I am now convinced that every author "bingo" card needs to have a freebie space for the word, "inexorably." I never realised how obscenely overused it was, until I became addicted to Audible. Books I've read multiple times, and didn't clock it until I heard it back to back in every book (I start a new one as soon as I finish one). Old books, new books, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Richard Matheson, Clive Barker, Shirley Jackson, Ron Ripley, the list goes on - that damn word haunts my dreams at this point.

[@dennisthornton4434]

Do you have an email. I found a number of his juvenile stories I have In electronic format. Even before he was fifteen.

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

Very cool! The book club email is: [e-mail]

[@borostergirl60]

Crazy as a rat in q tin shithouse. One of my favs of SK tropes

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

My dad used to say a similar phrase: crazier than an outhouse rat!

[@italia_Irish_Applachia]

Yay !!! 😊 just what I needed! I was wondering if there are any more The Long Walk commentary in the future ? Or is it finished? I really thought it was brilliant! ❤

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

There are more LONG WALK installments on the horizon. But first we gotta catch up on a new Strange Resort video. There should be another WALK episode in December or January.

[@italia_Irish_Applachia]

@ … yay !!! 😁 😁😁😁 Thank you ! 🥰

[@deforeestwright2469]

I’m imagining Weinbaum as the Tall Man from Phantasm. 😂

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

I can see that!

[@monagorgan7288]

🖤🖤🖤

[@KaylasBestie]

Question: I couldn't find a better way to ask. Want to join your page. Do you have Patreon, or is KZbin the only group u have? Thsnk you n advance!

[@tracycraft2971]

If you will click on the story description you will find the link for the constant reader’s membership! It’s so worth it!!! The link is at the bottom of the description!

[@nadiaweshnak9116]

Definitely different from his current writings . But it was his first book . But great listening to it .

[@davidglenn6219]

I'm a bit short on cash this month. I went into the local pawn shop and inquired how much I could get for some thoughts and prayers. Boy, he said. I wouldn't give you anything. Not a spit in the sand. I turned to leave, and he said hold on. Would you take a wish in a bucket? I think I made out like a bandit on this deal. I got a bucket, and he got nothing.

[@ashleyedwards6036]

Definitely more Teen Stephen King please.

[@tracycraft2546]

I think you could have checked off catch phrase...the one character who said "troubles" alot!

[@aaronhoosiershrm-cpphr8362]

Still better then what I could do

[@Spuggky45]

I love your channel! I was wondering if you could do a video about Stephen King’s short story “Bad Little Kid”?

[@fayemoss7282]

Super cool

[@ericag.2348]

So good 😊 🎉

[@radracing3370]

✌️

[@devonniewalker2675]

No Kingo

[@magnuskallas]

I'm surprised they didn't consider experimenting on pig carcasses first ;)

[@Leslie12.66]

Has Storm of the Century been read on the channel?

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

Not yet!

[@norbertcondoros6803]

Can you please tell me what AI do you use for the pictures?

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

Midjourney :)

[@WVgrl59]

11:45 the story was flowing pretty good except for the Home alone note but I don't I don't understand why the story deviated into a scam, and how they fell for it. But I am too old for this story I guess. 😂

[@daniellewillis2767]

Who thinks Stephen King is going to ressurect Greg Stillson after Trump's re election ?

[@Amarianee]

11:00 Yeeaahhh, that's not how debt works - legal or illegal. For anyone who doesn't know, you're debt dies with you, aside from joint ventures, like credit cards or mortgages. Other than that though, if you ever get a call or letter like this, it's absolutely a scam.

[@jaged314]

For the impatient: Starts at 3.15, Yw

[@astrocitizen]

When the letter from the "law firm" was first mentioned, I could have sworn that the roof falling in was involved, but it was only that one mention and just as soon forgotten about. Mildly disappointed...

[@suzysandor3131]

How do u get a card

[@stephenkingbookclub1054]

You can get one at this link: bingobaker.com/#65eb63cf3ed019db

[@alexandresobreiramartins9461]

Ah, the times when King knew how to write a horror story.

[@BryinWillis-e8g]

Complete

[@markplumb3968]

I made it to the end of chapter 2… I hate to be that guy, but might I suggest a couple of things, Don’t interrupt the story with your observations, wait until the end to make them and play your Kongo… And if you’re going to read the story, shoot for something more neutral in your tone, we the constant reader don’t need you to read he said in a deep voice in an actual deep voice for example…. 🙏

[@jasonwistaff]

The twins in the Shining were Stanley Kubricks creation and not Kings.

[@wade]

In King’s novel, they are the Grady sisters (not twins) ages 8 and 10.

[@sharonpolak8410]

Not as Stephen King-ish as I like. But I guess for a first attempt, it wasn't horrible.

[@SaltySeaWitch3]

It feels inappropriate to critique the writing of a teen when they became the most prolific author of modern English literature. Comparing is one thing, insulting the writing itself is bad taste.

[@lauraholmes2402]

This reads like a teenage boy bragging at the pub. No one believes him but he only doubles down.

[@Loreweavver]

Thank you. Everyone wants to talk today about child development leading to addictions and deviant behavior but Stephen King is an example that some kids just ain't right in the head.

[@RickHansbury]

Stephen King is perfect as he is because God doesn’t make mistakes. Some people might question a connection between God and a macabre storyteller, but if God created everything he also created the imagination.

[@Loreweavver]

@RickHansbury what a weird response. Chatbotsaywhat?

[@krisanderson3796]

Love the art, can't stand the artist

[@ananimity7332]

The maggots were gross but I didn't like the story itself.

[@MikeStivicATS]

If this dude talked any slower he would be speaking backwards..I played this at 1.5 speed and it sounds normal.

[@williamshafer1996]

It's so much better than his later, politically infused works. I hear his next book is going to be about a very confused man who screams at a giant orange...

[@Brandyalla]

Screaming at oranges is just the thing people do these days. Nothing confusing about it...well, the presence of the orange is confusing, but not the screaming

[@teebee9232]

DonOLD! Donable Lecter, Runny Dump Trump

[@Amy-r1s]

🙄 If you don't think King talked about politics before the psychotic rapist felon then I don't know what to tell you bud.

[@sarahgrable7479]

I really appreciate all the work you put into these. The visual elements you chose really fit the pulp genre feel of the tale. And the animation of yourself clapping made me laugh out loud. I love what you're doing and can't wait for more. Huge congratulations on reaching 50k subscribers 🎉🎉🎉!

[@godivagal1]

​@@Amy-r1s perhaps the poster is younger than us and doesn't recognize some of the veiled political commentary... Or isn't very versed in historical nuance and references to political figures and events previous to 2010? I knew what he was alluding to in his various works, but I was living through most of those events so it was somewhat obvious to me lol

[@kelleymaxwell3875]

Imagine a 77 year old man, abandoning his decades long fans because of Polly Tics. I mean this in the most sincere way: Grow up Stevie.