Stephen King is hoping to "make some people a little bit angry" with a new, left-leaning morning talk show which will offer a counterbalance to the proliferation of conservative American radio hosts.

"We're a little to the left, but we're right," the bestselling horror author said at a rare press conference announcing the new show. To be hosted by Pat LaMarche, a Green party vice-presidential candidate in 2004, and former reporter Don Cookson, The Pulse Morning Show will air on the King-owned radio stations WZON 103.1 FM and 620 AM from 12 September on weekday mornings and online at zoneradio.com.

"We're going to try to be informative. We're going to be provocative. We're going to be amusing, and we're going to try to be a positive community force," King told reporters at the press conference, according to local paper the Bangor Daily News.

LaMarche said the show would be targeting politicians who bully Maine residents – in particular those struggling with the welfare system. "There's an awful lot of bullying going on out there right now [and] nothing is more fun than standing up to a bully," she said. "We want you to laugh all the time because if you don't, you'll cry."

"We'd like to burn some feet once in a while – make some people a little bit angry," King added. "There are some people who deserve to be taken to the woodshed from time to time."