On Writing isn’t a horror novel—but it is one of the most honest books ever written about the act of writing. In this episode of Required Reading, we dive into Stephen King’s hybrid memoir-and-manual to explore what it really means to become a writer.

King strips away the mystique surrounding creativity and replaces it with discipline, reading, revision, and a willingness to fail publicly. From his childhood and early rejections to his battles with addiction and his near-fatal accident, On Writing argues that good writing isn’t about talent or inspiration—it’s about showing up, telling the truth, and cutting what doesn’t belong.

We discuss King’s famous “toolbox,” his hatred of adverbs, the brutal beauty of revision, and why reading constantly might matter more than any writing rule. Along the way, we ask a bigger question: is writing a special gift, or is it a craft available to anyone willing to do the work?

Whether you love Stephen King, hate horror, or think you “aren’t a writer,” this episode makes the case that writing is less about genius—and more about persistence. Hosted by Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Carroll, and Mike Burns

In this episode of Required Reading, we dive into Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting short story, The Tell-Tale Heart. Through the fevered confession of an unreliable narrator, Poe explores the thin line between sanity and madness, guilt and obsession. We discuss how Poe uses rhythm, repetition, and symbolism to capture the relentless beat of a guilty conscience — and why this tale still makes hearts race nearly two centuries later.

Co-hosted with Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, and Mike Carroll

Check us out!

• Shifting My Thinking about AI in the Classroom by Mike Burns
• Women, Reform, and War by Nic Hoffmann
• Comedy on the Arabian Peninsula by Nic Hoffmann
• The Last Time I Rewound: VHS, Star Wars, and the Freedom to Remember by Nic Hoffmann
• Follow the ongoing publication process with Mike Carroll

In this episode of Required Reading, we explore Edgar Allan Poe’s chilling masterpiece, The Cask of Amontillado. Set in the eerie catacombs beneath an Italian palazzo, the story follows Montresor’s calculated revenge against Fortunato—an act cloaked in deception, wine, and madness. The episode unpacks themes of pride, guilt, and psychological horror, showing how Poe turns a simple act of vengeance into a timeless study of the human mind’s darkest corners. This includes a reading of the audiobook from flansburgh38 from Librivox.

Co-hosted with Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, and Mike Carroll

Check us out!

• Shifting My Thinking about AI in the Classroom by Mike Burns
• Women, Reform, and War by Nic Hoffmann
• Comedy on the Arabian Peninsula by Nic Hoffmann
• The Last Time I Rewound: VHS, Star Wars, and the Freedom to Remember by Nic Hoffmann
• Follow the ongoing publication process with Mike Carroll