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True Fiction ProjectAuthor: Reenita Hora Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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S7 Ep 10 - The Last Spirits of Manhattan
Episode 10
Tuesday, 31 March, 2026
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 fiction featuring real figures, and why he added actual family ghosts to crash Hitchcock's 1956 soiree. From his publishing journey with Simon and Schuster to teaching undergraduates at Stephen F. Austin State University, McDermott offers invaluable lessons on creative writing and perseverance. Tune in to hear the chilling opening of The Last Spirits of Manhattan where Snug, a ghost trapped in the coal room, stirs as a new venture begins.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to balance historical fiction writing accuracy with poetic license when featuring real celebrities like Alfred Hitchcock, Henry Fonda, and Charles Addams as characters in your supernatural fiction.The importance of literary research in crafting authentic period pieces, including navigating copyright permissions, advertising archives, and biographical sources when developing your novel.Strategies for incorporating family history and personal anecdotes into creative writing, as demonstrated by McDermott's transformation of a Manhattan ghost story family legend into a publishable manuscript.The reality of the publishing journey, including the persistence required through finding the right agent and working with major publishers like Simon and Schuster.Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymal.Check out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 A story inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 party at John McDermott's great aunt's Manhattan house 02:30 Discussion of McDermott's family roots from Wisconsin to Texas and his role at Stephen F Austin State University's creative writing program04:48 Exploring the marriage plot as an inciting incident and how poetic license shapes historical fiction writing 06:03 Navigating permissions and copyright issues when featuring deceased celebrities like Henry Fonda and Charles Addams in fiction09:45 The addition of supernatural fiction elements, including family ghost stories and getting this novel published 15:32 An excerpt from The Last Spirits of Manhattan prologue introducing the blue girl ghost who hangs out in the coal roomKEY TAKEAWAYS: Historical fiction success requires extensive literary research to capture authentic voices and settings, but the magic happens when authors blend documented facts with imaginative storytelling through careful poetic license.The publishing journey for a debut novel often spans decades with multiple manuscript attempts. McDermott's 20-year persistence and four complete manuscripts before finding success with Simon and Schuster demonstrate that timing, craft improvement, and presenting the right idea to the right people all matter.Creative writing drawn from family history creates deeply personal and compelling narratives. By weaving real family members who died from the Spanish influenza into his Manhattan ghost stories, McDermott transforms historical research into emotionally resonant supernatural fiction.ABOUT THE GUEST: John A. McDermott was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. He now serves on the board of directors for the Writers’ League of Texas and teaches creative writing at Stephen F. Austin State University. Before teaching, he worked as an actor, bartender, house painter, and advertising copywriter. He lives in Nacogdoches with his wife and teenage daughter.RESOURCES MENTIONED: John A McDermott - WebsiteJohn A McDermott - LinkedInJohn A McDermott - FacebookThe Last Spirits of Manhattan - InstagramBook Shop - WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
