BANGOR – In a rare interview in his home state, famed horror novelist Stephen King sat down with “A Good Read” host Sandy Phippen for an in-depth discussion about King’s writing career and aspirations for his future.

Their spirited conversation is captured in an hour-long “Stephen King: A Good Read Special,” to be broadcast at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, on Maine PBS.

The program captures the zeal the best-selling author still has for writing more than a quarter century after “Carrie,” his first published success.

“Literature,” King said, “is supposed to be a sweaty and close-up thing. It’s sexy but angry – all the basic emotions.”

King spoke candidly to Phippen about his choice to leave horror and fantasy behind for the uncertainties of new writing endeavors.

“I’ve done all the major monsters that I every really wanted to deal with,” King said. “I’ve said a lot of what I have to say [and] I see myself going back repeating theme formats and places I’ve been before.”

Despite his concerns, King remains faithful to the craft.

“I can’t imagine giving up writing. It’s a blast,” he said.

King has dabbled in most forms of writing, he said, because “it keeps you fresh.” Like the musical project he started with singer John Mellencamp – King will write the script, while Mellencamp creates the music.

“It’s something I haven’t done before,” King said.

King, the 2003 recipient of The National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, also shared the challenges he’s had working with movie director Steven Spielberg, revealed character developments in his on-going Dark Tower series and spoke of the struggles he’s had penning his book on writing.

“Stephen King: A Good Read Special,” will be rebroadcast at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6; at 10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9; at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13; at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14; and at 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, on Maine PBS.