For our special Halloween episode of Page Chewing, I had the opportunity to speak with Caroline Bicks, author of Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King, about her remarkable experiences exploring King’s original manuscripts.

What she discovered offers a fascinating look at how one of horror’s most disturbing novels evolved before publication.

During our conversation, Caroline shares some surprising discoveries, including:

• An alternative ending to Pet Sematary.
• The original wording of one of King’s most memorable lines.
• Disturbing changes involving Gage and Zelda.
• Why King initially put the manuscript aside.
• How King’s personal experiences influenced the story.

We also discuss the novel’s deeper themes of grief, guilt, and the consequences of trying to reverse death.

This interview concludes our October Pet Sematary read-along, but you don’t need to have followed the entire series to enjoy the discussion.

If you’re a Stephen King fan, interested in the writing process, or simply fascinated by the stories behind great books, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Watch the full interview below or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

Spoiler warning: Our conversation includes major spoilers for Pet Sematary.

Find Caroline: https://carolinebicks.com/

Happy Halloween!