True Fiction Project

• Season 6 - Children's Book Authors Mashup

  Welcome to this week’s True Fiction Project Podcast. We are in between seasons and in this special episode, we are mashing up three talented children’s book authors from Season 6, each bringing unique stories inspired by personal experiences. These episodes include Your Heart’s Voice, Leave Your Mark On The World, and The Dragon and the Mysterious Artifact: Tales from the Clinic. All three stories touch on different heartstrings: handling grief, boosting self-esteem, and following your dreams. Tune in today for interview snippets and stories, and find the link to the full episodes in the notes below. Let’s jump right in!Also, Reenita is giving away free copies of her children’s book, Sundri and Mundri’s Lohri Adventure! Email her at [email protected] or reach out on Instagram at @reenita_storyteller.IN THIS EPISODE:(00:30) Reenita shares information about her children’s book, titled Sundri and Mundri’s Lohri Adventure, and she is offering free copies! Email her at [email protected] or reach out on Instagram at @reenita_storyteller(01:32) Interview snippet with Renee Green Murphy. She shares how grief from her brother’s 2022 loss inspired Your Heart’s Voice(03:30) Excerpt from Your Heart’s Voice by Renee Green Murphy(08:53) Interview snippet with Erica Silverman discussing her daughter’s self-esteem issues, inspiring Leave Your Mark On The World(09:40) Excerpt from Leave Your Mark On The World (12:38) Interview snippet with Vicky McGrath. She shares how her daughter’s veterinary dreams inspired The Dragon and the Mysterious Artifact: Tales from the Clinic(15:06) Excerpt from The Dragon and the Mysterious Artifact: Tales from the Clinic KEY TAKEAWAYS:Renee Green Murphy's Your Heart's Voice uses grief and intuition to craft a children's book that promotes self-awareness, helping young readers navigate emotions through a heartfelt story inspired by personal loss.Erica Silverman's Leave Your Mark On The World inspires self-esteem and perseverance in children's literature, showing a marker's journey to become permanent through kindness, resonating with young readers.Vicky McGrath's The Dragon And The Mysterious Artifact: Tales from the Clinic brings a veterinary clinic to life in a middle-grade graphic novel, using a hometown setting to engage readers with themes of friendship and aspiration.Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free! https://substack.com/@reenitahora FICTION CREDITS:Your Heart's Voice A short story written and read by Renee Green MurphyYour Heart's Voice - Website Renee Greene Murphy - WebsiteRenee Greene Murphy - LinkedInLeave Your Mark on the WorldA short story written and read by Erica SilvermanErica Silverman - WebsiteErica Silverman - LinkedInThe Dragon And The Mysterious Artifact: Tales from the Clinic A short story written and read by Vicky McGrathVicky McGrath - WebsiteVicky McGrath - LinkedInThe Dragon and the Mysterious Artifact: Tails from the Clinic: Book 1RESOURCES:S6 Ep 2 - Your Heart's Voice–True Fiction Project S6 Ep 3 - Leave Your Mark on the World - True Fiction Project S6 Ep 7 - The Dragon and the Mysterious Artifact: Tales from the Clinic - True Fiction ProjectHOST RESOURCESWebsiteLinkedIn Tiktok Instagram Facebook Twitter (X) Substack Threads LinkTree Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  --------  

  17:51

  --------

  17:51
• Revisited - India at 75: A special "Partition Story" with Shukla Lal, author of Rano and Phulo

  In this revisited episode, we have a very special show because we are celebrating the anniversary of Independent India, which fell on August 15th. Our special guest is Shukla Lal, a writer based in New Delhi, who has recently written a book detailing her personal experience from the partition that led to India’s Independence. We hear the amazing story of her father’s incredible escape in the midst of the violence and mayhem of the partition. Later in the episode, Shukla’s daughter, Sonia Kullar, reads an excerpt from Shukla’s book, Rano and Phulo.  IN THIS EPISODE: [01:50] Shukla and her new book on the 75th Anniversary of the Partition of India are introduced. [05:39] We hear about Shukla’s family’s experience before the partition and how her father escaped. [11:45] We learn how her true events are interwoven into her short story. [14:30] We explore how Shukla’s story captures an India frozen in time. [18:50] Has India grown into the identity it desired after the partition? [21:16] We hear about the future of India and more about Shukla’s written work. [24:57] An excerpt from Rano & Phulo written by Shukla Lal, and read by Shukla’s daughter, Sonia Kullar  KEY TAKEAWAYS: Shukla and her family left for Shimla on holiday, never believing that they would not return to their home due to rising political and religious tensions, now known as the partition of India. Her book is based on her family’s experience during this time. Following the partition, there was a renewed sense of nationalism and patriotism. It was also a time where women were leading out in entrepreneurship and contributing as business women.  India continues to rise and be recognized for its culture and ethics. Since the 60s and 70s it has grown from being a developing and poor nation to being a globally recognized and self-respecting nation.  Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free! You will also be eligible for other extras, such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction, and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora  Fiction Credits:  Excerpt taken from Rano & Phulo, a book written by Shukla Lal Shukla Lal's website Shukla Lal's Facebook Link for further research Excerpt read by: Sonia Kullar, Shukla Lal’s daughter Sonia's email BIO: Shukla Lal was born in Amritsar. As a child, she imbibed the beauty and diversity of this beautiful land – India, as her family moved from Amritsar, Lahore, Shimla, to the Central and Southern cities of Madras (now Chennai), Nagpur and Hyderabad and eventually found their anchor in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in the early-1950s. Over 40 years later, she moved to New Delhi to retire. Since catching the literary bug on her 80th birthday, Shukla has written two historical romance sagas, Floating Logs set in Kolkata (published by Notion Press in December 2019), and Rano and Phulo set in Undivided and then partitioned India (published by Goya Publishing in March, 2019), and a collection of poems, Meri Nazmon ka Ehsaas (soon to be published) all captured gamely on her iPad Notes App. She has finished the first draft of her third historical novel, Soul’s Rapture, a mystical romance set in Lahore and Mumbai. She has also written several short stories. She was invited to write for the Chandigarh Tribune, and has been interviewed for the Reader’s Digest, the Times of India, the Telegraph (Kolkata), and www.womensweb.com. Her deep spiritual practice and sense of wonder for the beauty of the world around her find expression in her storytelling. Her own lived experience adds luster and authenticity to her stories. Joyful wit and multilingual expressiveness is a family trait she inherited from her parents and shares with her accomplished siblings. Her choice of stories and writing style could best be understood from her own words “I am a romantic and an idealist by nature and find true romance scattered everywhere irrespective of class, creed, religion, nationality or age”.  Shukla Lal Website Shukla Lal on Facebook (personal) Shukla Lal on Facebook (business) Shukla Lal on Instagram  Good Reads - Shukla Lal  If you would like to purchase any of Shukla Lal’s books, follow these links:: Amazon India Flipkart Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  --------  

  33:02

  --------

  33:02
• S6 Ep 12 - Dissonance

  Are you ready to dive into a thrilling sci-fi world? Want to uncover the chilling secrets of an alien invasion? I’m excited to welcome Aaron Ryan, a passionate author and self-proclaimed Lord of the Rings geek, to today’s episode. Aaron’s vivid storytelling, inspired by cinematic masterpieces like Aliens, brings a unique musicality to his gripping narratives. We’ll explore his Dissonance series, a four-book series that began as a trilogy and expanded with a prequel, set in a post-apocalyptic 2042. Aaron shares insights into his creative process and the thematic depth of human conflict in his work. He reads an excerpt from his novel, Dissonance, where Cameron Shipley recalls the day the world was ravaged by telepathic gorgons during their devastating 2026 invasion. IN THIS EPISODE: (01:51) Explanation of tetralogy versus quadrilogy, with tetralogy being the correct term for four books, distinct from quadrilogy for movies (02:56) Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien and Aliens, crafts Sci-Fi thriller narratives driven by speculative, scientifically creative concepts (04:22) Discussion on authors crossing genres, explanation of Dissonance as a theme (08:40) Ryan describes incorporating musicality in writing, inspired by the Alien's soundtrack (13:53) Ryan reads an excerpt from Dissonance describing Cameron Shipley recalling the 2026 Alien invasion by Gorgons      KEY TAKEAWAYS: Aaron Ryan's Dissonance series, a gripping sci-fi thriller tetralogy, explores a post-apocalyptic world after a 2026 alien invasion by telepathic Gorgons, blending intense action with themes of human dissonance and survival. Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien and films like Aliens, Ryan crafts a vivid world-building narrative, using weaponized frequencies and a musicality in writing to enhance thrilling scenes, such as those in Dissonance. Dissonance is being adapted into a Screenplay for platforms like Netflix, with its telepathic paralytic Gorgons and weaponized frequencies, highlighting its pulse-pounding storytelling and terrifying alien encounters. Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free! You will also be eligible for other extras, such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction, and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora   FICTION CREDITS: Written and read by Aaron Ryan  GUEST RESOURCES: Aaron Ryan Author - Website  Dissonance Alien Invasion Saga - Website Aaron Ryan - LinkedIn Author & Speaker Aaron Ryan - Facebook Business Page Author Aaron Ryan - Twitter Author Aaron Ryan (@authoraaronryan) • Instagram photos and videos Author Aaron Ryan - Pinterest  HOST RESOURCES Website LinkedIn  Tiktok  Instagram  Facebook  Twitter (X)  Substack  Threads  LinkTree   BIO: Aaron Ryan, a Washington-based author, lives with his wife, two sons, a dog, a cat, and finches, and writes the Dissonance series, Forecast, The Superhero Anomaly, and business books. Inspired by a second-grade novella, his diverse experiences as a voiceover artist, musician, and more fuel his unique storytelling. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  --------  

  19:03

  --------

  19:03
• S6 Ep 11 - Checkout Time

  Ever wonder how a medical thriller is born? Or what happens when a real-life experience sparks a pulse-pounding fiction excerpt? Today, I’m joined by Dr. John Bukowski, former veterinarian, epidemiologist, and now full-time novelist. John brings a fascinating journey from medicine to fiction, with a knack for turning scientific curiosity into gripping narratives. In this episode, we discuss how his background shaped his storytelling, how real moments become powerful “what if” plot points, and how an ordinary hotel stay inspired a high-stakes, suspenseful scene. John reads an excerpt from his latest novel, Checkout Time—a page-turner about a mysterious arsonist targeting hotels and the unlikely duo racing to stop him.IN THIS EPISODE:(02:10) Bukowski’s path from veterinarian and epidemiologist to fiction writer(05:06) Summary of Project Suicide, a thriller based on an Alzheimer’s drug turned weapon(06:49) Value of short fiction for building credibility before novel publishing, and how they differ(11:38) How a real hotel stay sparked the plot for the thriller Checkout Time(14:30) Paid subscribers will hear an excerpt from The Wheel of Fortune(15:50) Excerpt from Checkout Time, where an unassuming hotel room trap door erupts into an explosion               KEY TAKEAWAYS:Bukowski turned a science and medical background into a foundation for writing medical thrillers like Project Suicide.Publishing short fiction helped Bukowski refine his skills and establish himself as a novelist.A hotel trapdoor inspired Checkout Time, showing how everyday moments can lead to compelling fiction.Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free! https://substack.com/@reenitahora GUEST RESOURCES:thrillerjohnb.netwww.projectsuicidenovel.comwww.checkouttimenovel.comJohn Bukowski - Facebookhttps://X@jabukow2021HOST RESOURCESWebsiteLinkedIn Tiktok Instagram Facebook Twitter (X) Substack Threads LinkTree BIO:Dr. John Bukowski is a former veterinary practitioner, health researcher, and medical writer who now writes short fiction and fast-paced novels, including Project Suicide (www.projectsuicidenovel.com) and the recently published Checkout Time (www.checkouttimenovel.com). He has authored fourteen published short stories and a variety of consumer materials, including handbooks, website content, and radio scripts. He has extensive experience in public speaking, having appeared on the theatrical stage, radio, television, and podcasts, as well as in workshops and seminars. He’s a Detroit native who currently resides in Eastern Tennessee.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  --------  

  21:31

  --------

  21:31
• S6 Ep 10 - THE OLD TOWN HORROR: Murder and Theft in America’s Most Historic Locale

  Have you ever wondered how history’s dark secrets inspire modern fiction? Ready to uncover the violent past of America’s most iconic locales? I’m Reenita Hora, your host of the True Fiction Project, and today I’m thrilled to welcome Ed Moser—a former writer for Jay Leno’s Tonight Show, presidential speechwriter, history tour guide, and author with a knack for unearthing gripping tales. In this episode, Ed takes us through the scandal-filled history of Washington, D.C.’s Lafayette Square, as detailed in his nonfiction book, The White House’s Unruly Neighborhood, which exposes 230 years of crime. Ed reads an excerpt from his novel, The Old Town Horror: Murder and Theft in America’s Most Historic Locale, which transports us to a bloody investigation taking place at The Carlisle Mansion, in Alexandria Virginia.IN THIS EPISODE:(01:32) Ed reflects on his professional journey and working on The Tonight Show(04:25) Ed shares that there have been violent events over 230 years around the White House(06:47) How the events of the past become fiction in the present day at the Carlisle Mansion(08:52) Paid subscribers will hear an excerpt from The White House’s Unruly Neighborhood(11:44) Excerpt from The Old Town Horror, set in modern Alexandria, Virginia, where a bloody investigation taking placeKEY TAKEAWAYS:Moser’s novel The Old Town Horror draws from real historical events in Alexandria, blending past and present for a thrilling narrative.Moser’s research reveals a surprising history of violence, including murders and espionage, in iconic Washington, DC locales like Lafayette Square.Moser compares writing for The Tonight Show and the White House to making sausage, as both involve blending material from multiple writers.Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free, or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode. You will also be eligible for other extras, such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction, and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora GUEST RESOURCES:THE OLD TOWN HORROR: Murder and Theft in America’s Most Historic LocaleLafayette Sq. Tours of Scandal, Assassination & Spies MeetupTHE OLD TOWN HORROR: Murder and Theft in America's Most Historic Locale - AmazonLafayette Square Tour of Scandal, Assassination & IntrigueEd Moser - LinkedInHOST RESOURCESWebsiteLinkedIn Tiktok Instagram Facebook Twitter (X) Substack Threads LinkTree BIO:Ed Moser is a former writer for Jay Leno's "Tonight Show"; operator of a history tours group; speechwriter for the President of the United States; a former editor for Time-Life Books; tech/science writer/editor/manager; and biotech writer.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/true-fiction-project/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  --------  

  17:14

  --------

  17:14

More Arts podcasts

Trending Arts podcasts

About True Fiction Project