True Fiction Project

I'm Reenita Hora, and on this episode of The True Fiction Project , I talk with bestselling historical fiction author Megan Chance about her latest novel, The Vermilion Sea . Megan and I discover pretty quickly that we have more than a love of storytelling in common, including a shared appreciation for the word “Vermilion” (and, yes, we both spell it with one L!). We dig into why Megan has spe...

Welcome, I'm Reenita Hora, and on this episode of The True Fiction Project , I sit down with actor, writer, and producer Rashmi Rustagi to talk about her award-winning feature film, Designed by Preeti . Rashmi takes us behind the scenes of a story inspired by the real experiences of three Indian women and follows Preeti's journey from an abusive marriage toward independence and empowerment...

Welcome, I'm Reenita Hora, and on this episode of True Fiction Project, I talk with debut novelist Anika Fajardo about her new women's fiction release, The Many Mothers of Dolores Moore. Born in Colombia and raised in Minnesota, Anika opens up about writing a memoir, two middle-grade novels, and now a magical-realism story about a woman haunted by the voices of her deceased female relative...

Southern Fiction comes alive in this episode of True Fiction Project as author Chris Skates shares the true story behind his novel Moonshine Over Georgia . Host Reenita Hora talks with Chris about his grandfather, a Prohibition-era revenue agent who hunted moonshiners through the Georgia woods, and how those family memories became historical fiction. Chris also reflects on his winding path from nu...

In this episode of The True Fiction Project, actor Rishi Jaiswal walks us through his unlikely leap from aerospace engineering to a national Broadway tour, his lead role in The Revolution's Wife, and the deeply personal story behind his new short film, The Last Waltz. This movie is about a South Asian family confronting their trans daughter's identity and the silence that follows. We also...

This episode of the True Fiction Project dives into the remarkable true story behind the historical fiction novel, Charlotte Salomon Paints Her Life, by Pamela Reitman about Charlotte Salomon, a young Jewish artist who painted over a thousand works while fleeing the Nazis in France. We talk about the ethics of biographical fiction, how Pamela handled the unanswered questions of Charlotte’s life, a...

What happens when historical fiction dares to challenge the rules? On the True Fiction Project, host Reenita Hora welcomes New York Times bestselling author Madeline Martin, whose latest novel, The Secret Book Society, uncovers the radical act of women reading books in the Victorian era. A three-times-widowed Countess builds a secret book club, defying a culture that viewed literate women as dange...

Historical fiction meets raw human resilience in this rich conversation with award-winning author Jennifer Wright on this episode of the True Fiction Project. Jennifer’s book, Last Light Over Galveston , centers on women's empowerment during the turn of the century, following a young woman who defies her wealthy family in search of purpose, only to find herself stranded in Galveston as a monst...

Taylor Swift biography writing takes rare skill, and Caroline Sullivan has mastered it. On the True Fiction Project, host Reenita Hora sits down with UK-based music journalist Caroline Sullivan, author of Taylor Era by Era: The Unauthorized Biography , exploring Taylor Swift's remarkable rise. Caroline shares how deep research and dry wit shape her storytelling, revealing surprising details ab...

What happens when Alfred Hitchcock, Manhattan ghost stories, and a family legend collide? In this episode, debut novelist John McDermott reveals how he crafted The Last Spirits of Manhattan from a true event where Hitchcock rented his ancestor's decaying house for a celebrity-studded party. McDermott shares insights into the fiction writing process, navigating permissions for historical fictio...

What does it look like when a woman refuses to be put in a box? On the True Fiction Project, host Reenita Hora sits down with the fearless Keldamuzik Diva, a singer, songwriter, actress, and fashion designer whose life is the ultimate blueprint for women's empowerment. Keldamuzik shares how she went from childhood auditions to starring in films, performing in live theater, launching her beret...

Memoir writing blurs the line between truth and imagination in this revealing conversation with Lily MacKenzie. We explore how creative writing techniques shape both fiction narrative and personal stories, as Lily explains her unique approach: "you lie in the service of the truth." The prolific author, with works published in over 170 venues, teaches writing dialogue, narrative structure,...

Middle-grade historical fiction meets women in science in this inspiring episode! In this episode we welcome Michele Hollow, author of the novel Jurassic Girl , a biographical fiction about Mary Anning, the remarkable 12-year-old fossil hunter who discovered an ichthyosaur in 1811. Despite being poor, female, and self-educated, Mary triumphed over the dismissive men of the Geological Society. Mich...

What is a cozy mystery? Author Lori Pollard-Johnson joins host Reenita Hora to discuss her mystery book, Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage. This episode explores the cozy mystery genre and Lori discusses fiction writing, creative writing processes, and how contemporary mystery fiction blends genres. Her protagonists are divorced best friends running a house flipping business, discovering mystery and...

Hi everyone! In this episode, we’re diving into the world of songwriting, screenwriting, and fiction writing with author Eva Moon. We explore her journey from musician to playwright to novelist, discovering how storytelling evolves across musical theater, one-woman shows, and her debut novel, Pinocchio's Guide to the End of the World . Eva shares how her genetic mutation diagnosis transformed...

Historical true crime, genealogical mysteries, and unsolved deaths await in this gripping episode of the True Fiction Project! I'm Reenita Hora, your host, diving into the mysterious world of true crime with author Michelle Graff and her book Hidden: The Unsolved Mystery of Sarah Mumford . We'll explore genealogical research, unsolved mysteries from 1899, and the dark reality of human traf...

Welcome to the True Fiction Project, your go-to podcast for exploring the journey of stories from their non-fiction roots to their fictional outcomes! I'm Reenita Hora, your host, and today we're doing something different and special. We have marketing strategy expert Saurabh Bajaj, Executive Vice President at Vodafone Idea and author of the fascinating book The Practical Marketer . We exp...

Character-driven fiction, multi-perspective narrative, and historical fiction await in this episode of the True Fiction Project! I'm Reenita Hora, your host, sitting down with award-winning journalist and novelist Marshall Fine. We'll explore his new novel Hemlock Lane , releasing today, November 25, 2025! It’s a women's fiction masterpiece told through a multi-perspective narrative ov...

A queer South Asian woman’s story takes center stage at the start of season 7 of the True Fiction Project! I'm Reenita Hora, your host, diving into the groundbreaking world of queer storytelling with writer, comedian, and filmmaker Aneri Shah. We'll explore her journey from pre-med student to documentary filmmaking, her Eyebrow Queens podcast, and her television comedy pilot she’s written...

Female Indian artists shine in this powerful mash-up episode from Season Six of the True Fiction Project! I’m Reenita Hora, your host, honoring the voices of female Indian artists who use writing to explore identity, culture, and creativity. From the sacred symbolism of the Narmada River to the reflections of Indian mixed-media artists like Laila Khan Furniturewalla, these stories reveal how words...

Hope, loyalty, and love shine in this heartwarming mash-up from season six of the True Fiction Project! I’m Reenita Hora, your host, sharing uplifting stories that remind us of resilience, family bonds, and the power of kindness. We’ll hear from Mark Steven Porro and his touching memoir, A Cup of Tea on the Commode , capturing the humor and love in caregiving for his mother. Then, Brian Gotta brin...

Crime thrillers, suspense, and twists await in this gripping crime thriller mash-up review of season six of the True Fiction Project! I’m Reenita Hora, your host, diving into the thrilling world of crime thrillers with excerpts from talented fiction authors. We’ll explore Crossroads by Rhonda Parker Taylor, a novel about a young man’s haunting choices after a life-altering tragedy. Then, Shakedown...

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 storie...

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...

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,...