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Smile Club

Andrea Heaton & Adam Z. Robinson

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Smile Club: The Audio Series. A six-part immersive dystopian fiction. Created and written by Andrea Heaton and Adam Z. Robinson. Follow @smileclubshow on Twitter.
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Welcome to The Ghost Story Book Club. Each episode, along with a special guest, writer and host Adam Z. Robinson discusses the ghost story genre and looks at a different classic ghost story. Authors include: M.R. James, E. Nesbit, Edith Wharton, Edgar Allen Poe, Algernon Blackwood, E.F Benson and many more. You can email your thoughts on the stories to: theghoststorybookclub@gmail.com and follow on Twitter at @ghostclubpod
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Everything Stephen King, from Carrie to The Institute, from the novels to the short stories, from the small screen to the big screen. Each month we take a deep dive into one book from the bibliography of the King of horror fiction, while also charting the byways of King's forays into other genres (The Dark Tower series, On Writing etc) and also casting an eye on the many TV and film adaptations of King's work. Recorded live from the UEA media suite, Richard Sheppard interviews writers, acade ...
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Lindsey Anderson Beer's 2023 prequel to the 2019 reboot of Pet Sematary got something of a kicking by most critics on its release. There are the bones of a good film in their somewhere though, and the look and the soundtrack of the film, plus an eclectic cast, make it an interesting curio if nothing else. Joining me to discuss it is N.P. Cunniffe, …
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We're back (again) after a long hiatus, but what a return. One of the most listened to episodes of this podcast were the two-part epic discussions between me and Andy Stanton a few years ago. We both kicked around the idea of a rematch, and what other book could we cover but the 1990 edition of Stephen King's The Stand? Whilst other podcasts displa…
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In Series 4, Episode 11 - our Christmas Special - join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Mike Muncer in this episode (recorded live on Zoom on 7 December 2023) as we discuss two class Ghost Story for Christmas films, 'The Treasure of Abbot Thomas' (1974) and 'The Ash Tree' (1975) Mike Muncer is the host and creator of The Evolution of Horror, a w…
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In Series 4, Episode 9 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Nathan Ballingrud as we discuss 'The Upper Berth' by F. Marion Crawford Nathan Ballingrud is the author of The Strange, Wounds: Six Stories from the Border of Hell, and North American Lake Monsters, which won the Shirley Jackson Award. A novella, Crypt of the Moon Spider, will appear i…
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In Series 4, Episode 8 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Naomi Ryan as we discuss 'Martin's Close' by M.R. James Naomi Ryan is a barrister. After completing the BCL at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, she taught criminal law to undergraduates at St Hilda’s College Oxford and University College London before embarking on her career as a crimin…
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In Series 4, Episode 7 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Leon Craig as we discuss 'Berenice' by Edgar Allan Poe Leon Craig is a writer and editor from London, now based in Berlin. Her gothic short story collection Parallel Hells was published by Sceptre Books and she is currently working on her first novel. Leon’s fiction has also appeared i…
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Welcome to this special bonus LIVE episode of The Ghost Story Book Club! Join me (Adam Z. Robinson), Gothic expert and award-winning writer Professor Catherine Spooner and novellist Andrew Michael Hurley for this post-screening discussion of The Woman in Black (1989 TV film adaptation) which was recorded LIVE at The Dukes, Lancaster, on Saturday 28…
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In Series 4, Episode 5 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Dr. Emily Vincent as we discuss 'The Giant Wistaria' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Dr Emily Vincent is a Deputy Associate Director of Research and an Honorary Fellow at the Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies International, based at Durham University. Emily holds a PhD in English Lite…
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In Series 4, Episode 4 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Caroline Bird as we discuss 'The Striding Place' by Gertrude Atherton. Caroline Bird is a poet and playwright. Her most recent collection, The Air Year, won the Forward Prize for Poetry and was shortlisted for the Costa Poetry Prize and the Polari Prize. Her previous collections includ…
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In Series 4, Episode 3 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Kirsty Logan as we discuss 'The Hated House' by Celia Fremlin. Kirsty Logan’s latest novel is Now She is Witch (Harvill Secker, 2023), a queer medieval witch revenge quest. Her memoir The Unfamiliar (Virago, 2023), a memoir of queer pregnancy and parenthood is out now. She is also the …
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In Series 4, Episode 2 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Will Maclean as we discuss 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad' by M.R. James. Will Maclean is a writer and the author of the novel The Apparition Phase. He’s written for television professionally since 2006, during which time he’s worked as a scriptwriter for people as varied a…
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Welcome to The Ghost Story Book Club Series 4! In Series 4, Episode 1 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Rachel Fairburn as we discuss 'Man-Size in Marble' by E. Nesbit. Rachel Fairburn is a comedian. Along with Kiri Pritchard McLean, she co-created and co-hosts All Killa No Filla, a smash-hit podcast with a huge international following. Rach…
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We unearth a real curio in the King canon today, as the teleplay for Sorry, Right Number gets a good grilling. Originally filmed as part of the Tales From The Darkside television series, the teleplay was then reproduced in the 1993 short story collection, Nightmares and Dreamscapes. My guest and I discuss how much of this is autobiography, how much…
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Join me at live events that are happening up and down England this October and November... Visit our LinkTree here for info and to book: https://linktr.ee/tbodal HAUNTED dates and details: Fri 6 October LION’S DEN, MANCHESTER, 8pm https://grimmfest2023.eventive.org/passes/buy **Use the code HAUNTED23 for a discount!** Fri 20 October OLD TOWN HALL, …
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It should be unsurprising that Stephen King, as the world's most popular writer, should have such a pervasive presence online. More than any other author, the number of his fan-sites is in the thousands. However, only one fan-site has achieved the kind of dominance that Lilja's Library has. Indeed, it is a resource in producing this podcast every m…
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Daphné Baiwir is the writer and director of a new documentary, Stephen King on Screen. When I read the description of the documentary, I knew I had to talk to her. She has assembled not only a list of filmmakers and fans (including previous guest Tom Holland) that promise real insight, but it opens with an easter-egg filled introduction that will h…
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I had the pleasure of being a guest on Kim C's podcast, The Year of Underrated Stephen King, a few months ago. It was such a fun, lively conversation, and Kim C was such a knowledgeable, charming host that I took the liberty of inviting her to come on the Constant Reader Podcast to discuss the monolithic 11.22.63. It was a pleasure to dive back int…
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I am joined by Ally Wilkes on an expedition very few Stephen King fans will forget - into the heart of darkness and autocannibalism in Survivor Type. This grisly morsel was the grossout highlight of King's collection Skeleton Crew. It was recently turned into an animated episode of Shudder's Creepshow to pretty good effect. Once read, this one isn'…
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This month we take a look at the torments of the writing process through the lens of Rob Reiner's 1990 adaptation of 1987 King novel Misery. Like last month's Shawshank Redemption it was a favourite of critics and audiences alike, mainly due to the bravura performances of James Caan and Kathy Bates. Joining me to talk about it is screenwriter and f…
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Apologies for the hiatus, now back at full strength and we have a full slate of episodes for 2023 lined up, including some TBC guests making their own Stephen King adaptations, as well as some of the geniuses behind some big-name books and TV shows, plus fellow podcasters from within the Stephen King podcasting community. James Michels is a great g…
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In Series 3, Episode 12 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Rhianna Dhillon as we discuss 'The Lady's Maid's Bell' by Edith Wharton. Rhianna Dhillon has been a film critic for 12 years, beginning her career at BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra as their in-house film critic. Now a film and TV critic on BBC 6Music’s Breakfast Show with Lauren Laverne, Rhian…
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In Series 3, Episode 11 - our Christmas Special - join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Mike Muncer in this episode (recorded live on Zoom on 2 December 2022) as we discuss two class Ghost Story for Christmas films, 'The Stalls of Barchester' (1971) and 'Lost Hearts' (1973) Mike Muncer is the host and creator of The Evolution of Horror, a weekly…
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In Series 3, Episode 10 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, James Swanton as we discuss 'The Room in the Tower' by E. F. Benson James Swanton is an award-winning actor and writer, increasingly recognised for his attempts to frighten people. He has so far been responsible for Sikes & Nancy (Trafalgar Studios, West End), Frankenstein's Creature …
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In Series 3, Episode 9 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Emily Klassen as we discuss 'They' by Rudyard Kipling. Emily Klassen is a classical soprano and actor living in Toronto, Canada. She specializes in music from the Baroque period and has performed extensively at home and abroad. She made her worldwide television debut on the critically …
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In Series 3, Episode 8 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Andrew Michael Hurley as we discuss 'The Cicerones' by Robert Aickman. Andrew Michael Hurley is currently based in Lancashire. His first novel, The Loney, was originally published by Tartarus Press as a 300-copy limited-edition, before being republished by John Murray. It went on to se…
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Smile Club: The Audio Series Created and written by Andrea Heaton & Adam Z. Robinson Episode 6: ASHES Lisa is in the dark heart of Smile Club. It will take everything she’s got to reach the light at the end of the tunnel. Content warnings: Strong language. References to terminal illness, blood, self-harm gun violence, torture. Written by Andrea Hea…
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In Series 3, Episode 7 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Becky Darke as we discuss 'The Lost Ghost' by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman. Becky Darke is a podcaster, writer, presenter and programmer with her sights on film, horror and the ‘90s. You can find Becky on the podcasts Don’t Point That Horror At Me, Return to Eerie Indiana, The Evolution of …
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Smile Club: The Audio Series Created and written by Andrea Heaton & Adam Z. Robinson Episode 5: TURN Lisa finds herself in a power play with Hallie and Paula, but who will turn the tables and win the game? Content warnings: Strong language. References to sexual assault, sexual harassment and self harm. Written by Andrea Heaton & Adam Z. Robinson Di…
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In Series 3, Episode 6 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Louise Blain as we discuss 'The House with the Brick Kiln' by E.F. Benson. Louise Blain is a broadcaster and writer specialising in gaming, technology, and entertainment. She hosts BBC Radio 3’s monthly Sound of Gaming show and can be found talking all things tech on BBC Radio Scotland…
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LIVE-STREAMED CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - Be part of the audience! On Friday 2 December, I'm going to be hosting a LIVE-STREAMED episode of the podcast. Be part of the audience - join my Patreon here. My guest will be none other than Mike Muncer of The Evolution of Horror podcast and we will be discussing the classic BBC Ghost Story for Christmas films, sp…
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Smile Club: The Audio Series Created and written by Andrea Heaton & Adam Z. Robinson Episode 4: SPONSOR Lisa meets her sponsor and realises that, while he is no ally, the real enemy is far more insidious than she ever could have imagined. Content warnings: Strong language. Misogynistic language. Scenes of tension, peril and gun violence. Written by…
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In Series 3, Episode 5 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Andy Mitton we discuss 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' by Washington Irving. Andy Mitton is a writer, composer, director, and editor, and designer. His primary focuses are the disparate worlds of musical theater and horror movies. Film credits include The Harbinger - currently on the fes…
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Smile Club: The Audio Series Created and written by Andrea Heaton & Adam Z. Robinson Episode 3: ASSOCIATION Lisa is partnered with ‘head girl’ Hallie. Secrets and lies are everywhere, Lisa visits Paula to demand some answers. Content warnings: Strong language. Disturbing scenes of implied violence and torture. Written by Andrea Heaton & Adam Z. Rob…
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In Series 3, Episode 4 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Kirsty Logan we discuss two stories: 'The Red Room' by H.G. Wells & 'There Will Come Soft Rains' by Ray Bradbury. Kirsty Logan's first story collection, The Rental Heart & Other Fairytales, won the Scott Prize, the Polari First Book Prize, and the Saboteur Award. Her first novel, The G…
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Isaac Thorne is a man with a serious imagination. Hell Spring, his most recent novel contains (amongst much else) a killer Marilyn Monroe, cataclysmic floods, self-mutilation, time travel and monstrous phalluses. Who better to investigate one of King's more off-kilter, leftfield novels, the fantasy epic The Eyes of the Dragon? We discuss this charm…
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Welcome to this special bonus episode of The Ghost Story Book Club. It's an episode of two halves: First, I'm joined by Lesley Manning and Stephen Volk, the director and writer (respectively) of Ghostwatch (1992). It's the 30 year anniversary of that outstanding film and I was lucky enough to spend some time chatting to Stephen and Lesley. Then, in…
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Smile Club: The Audio Series Created and written by Andrea Heaton & Adam Z. Robinson Episode 2: LESSONS Lisa comes face to face with old school friend Jude. Confronted by the ghosts of her past, Lisa begins to see the bigger picture of Smile Club. Content warnings: Misogynistic language. Strong language. References to sexual harassment, fatphobia, …
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In Series 3, Episode 3 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Leon Craig we discuss 'Count Magnus' by M.R. James. Leon Craig's debut short story collection Parallel Hells was published by Sceptre Books in February 2022. She has written freelance journalism for the White Review, the TLS, the Brixton Review of Books and Another Gaze, among other pu…
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Smile Club: The Audio Series Created and written by Andrea Heaton & Adam Z. Robinson Episode 1: SPARK The day from hell and a moment of violence sees Lisa Goodwin incarcerated in Smile Club, a government institution for the betterment of women. Lisa’s situation comes into sharp focus with the arrival of Paula, a malevolent ‘Pro Smile Executive’ who…
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In Series 3, Episode 2 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Jenn Ashworth as we discuss 'The Violet Car' by E. Nesbit. Jenn Ashworth is novelist and Professor of Writing at Lancaster University. Her novels include A Kind of Intimacy, The Friday Gospels and Fell. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2018. In 2019 she pu…
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Welcome to Series 3 of The Ghost Story Book Club! In Series 3, Episode 1 join me, Adam Z. Robinson, and my guest, Will Maclean we discuss 'Thurnley Abbey' by Perceval Landon Will Maclean is a writer and the author of the novel 'The Apparition Phase'. Originally from the Wirral, Will has been fascinated by ghost stories since he was a child, and has…
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PLEASE LIKE, RATE, REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST ON WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS FROM Please note that we discuss the publication of Lauren's new book Death Lines at length, as well as its original publication date. That date has now been pushed back, but I urge you all to go here and pre-order a copy now! In this episode we venture into S…
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Smile Club: The Audio Series…. Coming Soon Created and Written by Andrea Heaton & Adam Z. Robinson Directed by Rod Dixon Cast Andrea Heaton Rachel Morris Stephanie Rutherford Matt Lewney Luke Dickson Recording, editing, sound design and original music by Ed Heaton. Series recorded at The Coal Room studio, Leeds. Presented Andrea Heaton and Adam Z. …
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Series 3 of The Ghost Story Book Club is coming. Subscribe to the podcast, follow us on Twitter and we'll announce the date of the first episode very soon! Join me for our first ever Ghost Story Book Club live event. Join me, Jenn Ashworth and Professor Catherine Spooner at The Dukes, Lancaster, on Friday 28 October for a post-screening discussion …
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Still having a few issues with Zencastr, so this is another Skype special. Audio quality doesn't dictate guest quality, however, and talking to Sean Hogan was a blast. We discuss King's old-school ghost story, Bag of Bones, and how the gothic and the modern turn into an underrated King tour-de-force. I was a huge fan of Sean's book England's Scream…
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Back after a brief sabbatical, we pick up our deep-diving trawl through Stephen King's oeuvre with one of my new favourite writers, Matt Wesolowski. Here's some blurb: - "Matt Wesolowski is an author from Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the UK. He is an English tutor for young people in care. Matt started his writing career in horror, and his short horror f…
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Much gratitude to Julia Marchese of the Horror Movie Survival Guide and the director and guiding light behind the forthcoming 'Dollar Baby' adaptation of Stephen King's shot story I Know What You Need. Together Julia and I battled technical difficulties (after my interview with Stewart O Nan I think I might be jinxed, or at least have gremlins in t…
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Duma Key, an epic of recovery, talent, murderous secrets and the Florida Keys gets a deep dive today. I was recently a guest on the SFF Chrons podcast hosted by fan of the show Dan Jones and co-hosted by today's guest, Christopher Bean. Duma Key hits hard for Christopher, in ways that we discuss in depth on this episode. Thanks to Christopher for c…
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Stewart O'Nan's new book, Ocean State, has recently been released in the United States to wide acclaim. However, today we are going to look at one of his earlier books - 2001's The Speed Queen. In a change from our usual format, this isn't a book or an adaptation of a Stephen King text, but instead a novel that uses Stephen King as a character. Kin…
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