Channel 137: A Horror Novella

by R.A. King

When Ethan Graves stumbles upon an old, discarded television, he thinks nothing of taking it home. But this TV isn’t ordinary—it doesn’t just play shows. It broadcasts alternate timelines, twisted versions of reality where fate has taken a darker turn. At first, the static-filled glimpses seem like eerie coincidences—until Ethan sees himself die on screen.

As the distorted visions grow more violent and begin seeping into the real world, Ethan realizes the TV isn’t showing possibilities—it’s changing them. Now, trapped in an unraveling nightmare, hunted by warped reflections of himself. If he can’t stop the broadcast, the worst version of his fate may become a final reality.

Would you dare to watch...knowing you might not survive what you see?

Genres: Horror, Novella

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2025

About the author

R.A. King is a horror author specializing in psychological horror. His books include The Dark Within, Channel 137, This Is How It All Ends, and others. A lifelong fan of horror cinema, he also collects books and films. A former college football player, he lives and writes in rural Ohio.

Reviews

[Lia's Haunted Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book genuinely scared me.
A perfect mix of sci-fi and horror, it builds an intense feeling of dread and sadness. Ethan discovers a mysterious TV—one that doesn’t just show static or reruns but himself. It reveals glimpses of his past, his present, what might come next, and something even more unsettling—what if?

The deeper he spirals into this eerie discovery, the more unsettling the questions become: What’s real? Do we have control over our fate? Are we just watching our own lives play out? The writing made me feel Ethan’s fear—everything described was so vivid that I felt like I was experiencing his paranoia firsthand.

Now, maybe I was already primed to be freaked out—I was reading this in a hotel, out of my comfort zone, and there was a drip, drip from the shower that wouldn’t stop. The atmosphere, the creeping unease, the sense that something just isn’t right—all of it hit at the perfect moment.

[Paige Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woah. This one was so intense. A quick fast-paced read that leaves you feeling unsettled.

Channel 137 follows Ethan. Ethan brings home an old TV but little does he know the fate it holds for him and others who may come in contact with it.

This was the perfect blend of sci-fi and horror. It’s definitely more of a paranormal horror which I really enjoy reading. If you’re looking for your next creepy read, look no further. R.A. King has you covered with this one.

Channel 137 releases August 1st, 2025.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a typical horror novella, but a paranormal experience! ✨It sucked me in right from the first page and didn’t spit me out until after I swiped the last one. It’s such an engrossing read with a lot of what if’s.

I really don’t know how the author gets this together in a 126 pages novella, but it is very extensive and it feels like I’ve read a full length novel. 🤯 Intense, mysterious, unsettling and even emotional, it’s all there!

It left me with a kind of sadness. I wanted to stay longer in this dark and fascinating world. It blew my mind and stole my heart. 🖤

An old, vintage tv is found by the main character Ethan and he decides to bring it home. But this is everything but a normal television. It broadcasts alternating timelines. Scenes that seem alarmingly familiar, but something feels off. And even more disturbing, it feels like he’s being watched..

Highly recommended if you love quick, creepy reads which will leave you longing for more. Pre-order your copy and I swear you won’t be disappointed! Pub day is August 1st, 2025. Channel 137 is my first novella of R.A. King, but it definitely won’t be my last! Thanks so much for this unique experience, I’ll keep an eye out for your future work. 👀🤩

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

R.A. King's Channel 137 is a masterclass in compact storytelling, blending horror, sci-fi, and psychological dread into a beautifully unnerving novella. From the very first page, I was hooked and read the entire thing in one sitting. This isn’t just a horror story—it’s a what-if spiral that feels straight out of The Twilight Zone or Black Mirror.

Ethan stumbles upon a vintage television that doesn’t just show old static—this one broadcasts alternate versions of his own life. It’s never explained, never justified—and that’s what makes it so chilling. King’s writing is elegant, sharp, and deeply atmospheric, creating a creeping sense of unease that grows with each page. The horror here is both existential and graphic, with scenes that veer into extreme territory and emotional reveals that absolutely gut you.

Despite being only 126 pages, it feels expansive, like you’ve lived in Ethan’s skin, haunted by the “what could have been.”

[Screams & Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is a creepy one. Ethan found an old TV, box TV in a bad part of town. Which a lot of people might not know Bout them. I remember watching cartoons on an old big box TV when I was little with my grandpa.
That had bunny ears on top! 😂 Anyways....

But something was different about this one. It would show you your worst nightmare and man this author didn't hold back at all!!!! Not only did it show you your worst nightmare but gave you back time. Which was amazing in this book and really got me a little emotional for Ethan.

One thing that I really loved about this book was the gory details!!!! Nothing is better in a horror book than gory details, if you don't know me .. I love everything horror and run my own horror movie group on Facebook. Which BTW You killed it!!!! I mean man. I know I said out loud a few times. " Omg gross" and maybe STOPPED WASHING MY DISH IN SHOCK 😅 this probably wasn't the best one to listen to while cooking dinner. 😂 Thank God I don't get queasy off stuff. But more brought a smile to my face with everything that I was going on.

So I do want to give too much away but this TV had him making choices along with others and I have to say, I am not sure I would want to make those choices and think to myself with the choices... I wouldn't know what to pick really. And when asked you had to hurry up and answer. The only thing I wanted was more in this book.....

This author thought outside the box with this one, and I have never read anything like it. Book #2 is coming out September 1st and I will be waiting to get it right away. With so much that went on in the 1st one I need to know what happens with Ethan, Claire and this TV!

I love that I found this author on IG! And took a chance with this book. Great little read that just makes you wanting more. Hurry up September!

Rate: 4⭐📚

~ Screams & Reviews

[D.J. McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amazing R.A. King has done it again! Blending horror with science fiction, Channel 137 Collection tells a tale about the main character discovering an old television that allows him to view alternate universes involving his own life, thus watching “What-If” scenarios of his life. What I liked most about this concept is that it is never said or implied the true nature of this television.You don’t know if it’s haunted, benevolent, or malignant. It is simply just “there”, which makes it all the more creepier. Speaking of ‘creepy’, every chapter is packed with that “creeping sense of foreboding” feeling that I felt and loved while reading his debut novel The Dark Within. Also from his debut novel, you can expect the same degree of beautifully and elegantly crafted sentences which I’m pretty sure that he’s known for at this point in his writing career. That being said, don’t expect the same level of “horror” that was in The Dark Within as the deaths in this novella are so gruesomely descriptive that it definitely crosses over into Extreme Horror territory. Towards the end, when a certain “thing” is told to the characters, I didn’t want it to be true, I was hoping that it wasn’t, but reading the final sentence and its unapologetic delivery, absolutely crushed me.

[Anne Wheatly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella pulls you in fast. What seems like a simple eerie concept quickly spirals into something way bigger than you expect. The story expands so fast, and before you know it, you’re completely hooked. Every time you think you know where it’s going, it throws something new at you.

The detail is amazing, making every creepy broadcast feel disturbingly real. It’s not just about what Ethan sees it’s about this thing that goes after the viewers of the broadcast. The tension keeps building, the surprises never stop, and there are moments that genuinely gave me chills. Best of all, it’s a quick read. Works perfectly for an afternoon when you want something fast, intense, and impossible to put down.

[Lindsey Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

📺✨ ARC Review – 5⭐
Channel 137 by R.A. King

This book BLEW me away. From page one, Channel 137 pulls you into its strange, suspenseful world and never lets go. It’s haunting, original, and layered with just the right amount of psychological tension and emotional depth.

The writing is sharp, atmospheric, and absolutely immersive. The concept? Completely unique. The characters? Complex and deeply human. I honestly couldn’t put it down—and when I finished, I sat there just… thinking.

It’s rare to find a story that feels this unsettling and this meaningful at the same time. If you love eerie fiction that messes with your mind in the best way, add this to your TBR immediately.

Huge thanks to R.A. King for the ARC—this one’s going to stay with me for a long time. 👏📖

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A guy brings home an old tv he found in a pile of junk, thinking maybe he can make a couple bucks off it. He gets way more than he bargained for, as this is no regular tv. This one shows reruns of different versions of his life. I don’t know about you, but if I turned on a tv and saw myself on the screen, I would have turned it right back off and chucked it back on the heap it came from. I’ve seen enough horror/sci-fi to know that this can’t end well. However, Ethan keeps watching. He can’t bring himself to stop. He is freaked out, but finds himself contemplating his life and all the choices that lead him to his current existence.

I really enjoyed this book. Very cool concept. Narration was great! I will definitely be reading more of King’s work.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Channel 137 is the kind of horror story that sneaks up on you. It's almost like training wheels for a bike in the way it introduces you to a new concept and as the story goes on it ramps up that concept to 100. In my opinion, a vintage TV broadcasting alternate timelines is creepy on its own, but it’s the execution that makes it unforgettable. Every scene is unsettling in a way that feels almost too real, and the pacing never lets you catch your breath. It’s a quick read, but it feels complete except for the fact it left me wanting more. Please make a sequel 🙏

[Angelique Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would’ve thought that just trying to resell an old TV you found on the streets would end up going from bad to worse in no time!

I enjoyed this read, it was different and creepy. I liked how fast-paced it was, like literally it didn’t waste anytime.
It did lose me a little bit when it got a little more sci-fi than I wanted but it worked with the story so I don’t mind much.
I liked how it ended and hope to read more from this author!

📺📺📺📺/5

Thank you so much to the author for the ARC, opinion is my own.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this thinking it would be a fun, creepy read, but I wasn’t expecting just how intense some spots would get. The way the story unravels is honestly unexpected in the best way. The writing makes every eerie moment hit hard, and there were a few scenes that gave me that deep, unsettled feeling. It’s fast paced without feeling rushed. By the end, I just sat there, staring at the page, trying to process it all.

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thing’s a short, sharp kick to the gut. 126 pages that will grab you and won’t let go. The old TV idea could’ve been cheesy, but he makes it creepier than I've seen done before. I'm having a hard time comparing it to other media because it really is just that original. It’s fast, no fluff, and the scares hit hard. The ending works really well and was fairly unexpected. It’s a wild ride that left me rattled and stoked for more from R.A. King.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read. Draws you in and doesn’t let go. A very good horror novella that keeps you on edge from start to finish. The pacing is tight, and the atmosphere is perfectly eerie, making it hard to put down. The author knows how to create a sense of dread without relying on jump scares. Instead, the story builds a tension that lingers long after the last page. Characters are well-drawn, and while the story is short, it packs an emotional punch.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s fast, intense, and doesn’t waste a single page. The tension keeps building, and the whole thing has this unsettling, almost too real feeling that makes it impossible to look away. I flew through it in one sitting and sat there afterward, just staring at the last page. If you’re looking for something quick but unforgettable, this is it.

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take the tv show ‘Loki’ but make it snappy and more horrifying and you’ve got ‘Channel 137’.

I really enjoyed the variety of parrallel universes and the big bad was creepy but relatable. He/it was literally just doing his job... my poor dude.

No need to worry about the ending, it was the cherry on top!

[Aeroreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parallel dimensions and horror make a beautiful mix. This novella is a fast paced adventure. Once I started I had to keep going. The author did an excellent job creating a main character with such depth in few pages. This one is a gem.

I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Gemma Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not a massive horror fan, so I feel a bit mean giving this only three stars however it didn’t convert me. The plot was ok, I feel like a lot happened over a short period of time. I did manage to read it all though and for a short novella I enjoyed it, but it hasn’t left me wanting more.

[Hailey Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Channel 137 by RA King

🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was a story that gave me an existential crisis wowza. I am interested in seeing where it goes from here. The ending was really well done and dreadful some of the middle dragged a bit for me. It feels unfinished so I’m interested to see what happens next!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horror fans rejoice. This one will crawl under our skin, and it will stay for a long while. This is the type of story that makes us question our actions and choices in character places. That will remind us of these characters every time we see an old-fashioned TV. I loved that he was taunted, seduced by possibilities, greedy. 

The author loves words, the cadence of words, and the crafting of each paragraph with care. The way the tension builds slowly, we can actually hear the static and the turn on and off. Well written. playing with parallel realities opens a lot of possibilities, but I do love an ambiguous open ending. There's nothing more creepy than that. 

Key word: static.... 

I recommend it to all classic fan readers. 



I won a goodreads giveaway and will post as therearenobadbooks to my social platforms.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing horror novella. I started reading this late at night and ended up putting it down until morning because I was creeped out 😂 absolutely fascinating as it went on and had a great ending.

[Jaiden Eustice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun fast paced book. Definitely a good palette cleanser

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gripped right from the start — it’s been ages since a horror novel pulled me in so quickly. The pacing was effortless, making it a breeze to read. Creepy, gory, and drenched in foreboding atmosphere, it delivered everything I crave in a good scare. The attention to detail was spot-on, and the tension kept building as the story unfolded. An absolutely fantastic read. Now, onto Book 2!