Reese Balducci-The IAN Interview

 Reese Balducci

I am a fiction writer who explores themes of perseverance, longing, and the quiet heroism of everyday life. I admire rich, character-driven storytelling and draw inspiration from my family’s deep Italian roots. I have a passion for history, particularly the immigrant experience in America.

As a dual citizen, I live in Tennessee and Tuscany, surrounded by the landscapes and histories that continue to shape my  work. When not writing, I enjoy traveling, reading widely across genres, and spending time with my family.

IAN: Tell us about Letters from the Olive Tree.

Reese Balducci: Letters from the Olive Tree is a literary historical fiction short story set in the early twentieth century. Giovanni Olivi, the second son of a proud but impoverished Tuscan farming family, is bound by tradition and cut off from inheritance. He leaves behind the only life he’s known and the woman he loves, Ersilia Innocenti, in search of opportunity in America, promising to make a life abroad and one day send for her.

What follows is a transatlantic journey of grueling labor, crushing poverty, and bitter desolation for Giovanni, testing the couple’s steadfast love. Told through vivid prose and the letters they exchange, Giovanni’s story unfolds in sweat, sorrow, and relentless hope as he faces the ultimate test of his promise to Ersilia beneath the olive tree.

Letters from the Olive Tree is a lyrical, emotionally resonant story about what it means to belong, in place and person. It is a timeless meditation on land, love, and the courage to keep building when everything seems lost.

IAN: Is Letters from the Olive Tree published in print, e-book or both?

Reese Balducci: Letters from the Olive Tree is published in both print and e-book formats.

IAN: Where can we go to buy Letters from the Olive Tree?

Reese Balducci: Letters from the Olive Tree is exclusively available through Amazon in print and Kindle format, and it is free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. It is available here: Letters from the Olive Tree. An Audible exclusive audiobook version is currently in production, with a scheduled summer release.

IAN: What inspired you to write Letters from the Olive Tree?

Reese Balducci: I was inspired by a desire to explore the emotional and physical toll of immigration through a personal lens. My family history includes stories of Italian relatives who came to America with very little, driven by promises and pressures they didn’t always fully understand. I wanted to imagine what it meant to leave everything behind out of necessity and love and examine how that kind of devotion holds up under hardship.

IAN: Did you use an outline or do you just wing the first draft?

Reese Balducci: I developed the story around a three-act structure from a detailed outline. I find that historical fiction requires more planning, particularly when working with multiple settings, time periods, and emotional arcs. That said, some of the most meaningful moments in the story emerged during the drafting process, often when the characters’ lives began to take shape.

IAN: What do you hope your readers come away with after reading Letters from the Olive Tree?

Reese Balducci: I hope readers walk away with a deeper appreciation for the untold sacrifices made by those who came before us. This is a story about perseverance in the face of repeated setbacks and what it means to keep your word when everything around you is falling apart. I also hope it prompts reflection on what defines home, not just as a place, but as a relationship.

IAN: How much of Letters from the Olive Tree is realistic?

Reese Balducci: The story is fictional, but it’s grounded in historical reality. Every setting, from the Tuscan hillside to the sharecropper shacks of Mississippi, is informed by real-world research and my personal experiences. The emotional experience of immigration, dislocation, homesickness, uncertainty, and hope is something that has been documented across countless lives, and I tried to portray that with as much honesty as possible.

IAN: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Reese Balducci: Yes, the inspiration for the main characters came from my real-life great-grandparents, Giovanni and Ersilia Balducci. However, I also drew inspiration from oral histories, family anecdotes, and historical accounts that reflect the time period. This story is a composite of the broader immigrant experience, a fictional narrative built on very real foundations.

IAN: How is Letters from the Olive Tree different from others in your genre?

Reese Balducci: Letters from the Olive Tree focuses more on the emotional arc of its characters than on sweeping historical events. While many historical novels focus on pivotal moments or political shifts, this story centers on the intimate emotional cost of starting over. It’s intentionally quiet and character-driven, using letters as emotional anchors to reflect the uncertainty, distance, and longing between two people navigating a changing world.

IAN: What book are you reading now?

Reese Balducci: The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson. It’s an excellent biography of Winston Churchill’s first year as British Prime Minister during the sustained bombing campaign against Great Britain by the Luftwaffe.

IAN: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Reese Balducci: Just that I’m grateful. Writing a story like this is a vulnerable process, and it means a great deal to me when a reader connects with it. If the story resonates or lingers after the last page, I’ve accomplished my goal.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Reese Balducci: I am currently writing a full-length novel, Tuscany Calling. It is a contemporary romance novel, and the protagonist, Alex, is the great-great-granddaughter of Giovanni and Ersilia Olivi from Letters from the Olive Tree. It is scheduled to be released this Fall by Veridian House.

Sweeping and emotional, Tuscany Calling is a story of love’s longing, the ties that bind us to the past, and the choices that shape our future. Set against the breathtaking landscape of rural Tuscany, it is a novel about second chances, the power of home, and the undeniable call of the heart. Readers can learn more about this forthcoming project on my Official Author Website Reese Balducci.

 

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: The IAN Interview

 Ivan Muñiz-Brown

Ivan is a free man, a worker and a truth seeker, and thus a revolutionary. He is the founding member of the AFWP. Ivan has spent years studying logic, mathematics, classic literature, history, natural theology, ontology and political philosophy. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics, and he is a bus driver in Los Angeles, California.

IAN: Please tell us about your latest book.

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses is a deconstruction of the liberal state as an illegitimate political construct. It is an in-depth dissection of the catastrophic flaws of both Marxism and the bourgeois dystopia. And it is a book for all Americans living at the receiving end of that swindle.

I write from an experience familiar to many Americans: I am well-educated yet I work a low-paying job, often for almost double the hours of a regular workweek. In what free time I have, I put my economics degree to work by studying different branches of the field, as well as philosophy and history, to deductively deconstruct the current system and inductively infer the logical alternative.

More than anything else, Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses is a road map to a worker-centered democratic and ethical state. It is a political alternative that starts with a clean break. It is free of the shallow dichotomy “left wing versus right wing” and it is an uncompromising leap of logic and will into a radically different future. And more importantly, it is a glimmer of hope for the forsaken—just about all Americans.  

IAN: Is Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses published in print, e-book or both?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: It’s available as both paperback and e-book.

IAN: Where can we go to buy Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses?

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, AmericaFreeWorkersParty.org

IAN: How long did it take to write Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: It took me 15 months to write the book and six additional months to go through all the different phases until it was finally published.

IAN: How did you come up with the title?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: The title is both a hint of what the book is about plus a testament to the profound love I have for classical languages—specifically Greek and Latin. The etymology of the words “kakotopias” and “nemeses” is Greek. 

IAN: What do you hope your readers come away with after reading Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: I hope they feel inspired to break free from old paradigms and assumptions that are overwhelming in the ethos of the laissez-faire state. Most of the ideas upon which this state is predicated are not truisms but rather ideological lies. Furthermore, the first step toward social and political liberation is to develop the capacity to ask fundamental questions and be willing to accept the answers, no matter how unsettling they may be. I think this book will help that purpose.

IAN: How is Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses different from others in your genre?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: Unfortunately, the vast majority of books in this genre (social and political philosophy, political science and theory, etc.) are stuck in the liberal archetype, no matter the ideology the author subscribes to. In fact, all the present and historical counterparts of laissez-faire liberalism (communism, socialism, fascism, national socialism, and many other hybrids) were born as contraries of the liberal state and hence all of them are infected with many of the same ideological falsehoods. Moreover, academia has not helped matters because “intellectuals” and professors have been very reluctant to separate their own ideological inclinations from fundamental deontological principles that any legitimate state should adhere to. Tragically, politics without ethics is a destructive business.

IAN: What book are you reading now?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: Harrie de Swart’s Philosophical and Mathematical Logic.

IAN: Do you see writing as a career?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: I would like to make a living as a writer, but my interests as a man, worker, member of the body politic and finally author might be at the moment a very small niche. However, I am committed to work hard to expand that niche, more for the sake of the people than for my own sake.

IAN: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: I have heard some reasonable complaints about my idiosyncratic style and the excessive use of archaisms and philosophical lexicon. Sometimes I think I could have written in a more accessible way, but that requires skills that I might lack. It is indeed very difficult to write in plain English, specially when you are delving deep into complicated matters of political philosophy, political economy, ethics, etc. As for the archaisms, I certainly used a few to pay homage to Early Modern English and its masters. In this particular case, it was an artistic license born out of admiration and respect, and potentially a commercial toll that any writer should be willing to pay—lest his soul stops the creative flow in rebellion.

IAN: What was the hardest part of writing Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: The time constraints were very challenging. I work long hours, at times exceeding 60 or even 70 hours a week. When I finally get to rest, I feel sometimes physically and emotionally drained. Under those circumstances it is not easy to muster up the energy and concentration to produce your best writing. However, the will is the most phenomenal force within—and possibly without—and I do believe when properly channeled, there is nothing that can stop you.

IAN: Did you learn anything from writing Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses and what was it?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: I learned that the writing is the easiest and most rewarding stage in the publishing process. After the final script is completed, the hard work begins. This marketing tasks can be daunting and yet again, through the power of the will, there is nothing that can make you quit.

IAN: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: This is a long-term struggle. I would ask them to remain patient, strong, honest and hopeful. Enjoy the journey and keep educating yourselves and those around you. As I said in the book, the ripples always expand outward from the hardcore to those who are the weakest or the most damaged by propaganda and indoctrination. This founding work is the spring from where this innermost hardcore can articulate more powerful political actions in the future.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: It will be a stand-alone on ontology and logic, which are some of the most worthy branches of philosophy, in my opinion. But because of the massive time constraints I face it will not be out before 2027.

Daniel Lawrence Abrams-The IAN Interview

Daniel Lawrence Abrams

Abrams grew up in NYC, attended Trinity and graduated from Stuyvesant. He got his BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan. The 3-D input device he invented earned a US Patent. Abrams trained at The Second City and The Groundlings and did stand-up at The Improv and The Comedy Cellar. As a playwright, Abrams’s shows played at Stella Adler, Powerhouse Theater, and the HBO/WB Workspace.

Abrams wrote, produced, and directed 100+ hours of TV and 4 feature films (including the documentary, PINK & BLUE: COLORS OF HEREDITARY CANCER). He gave the TEDx Talk, “Sports Can Save Politics” at AJU.

IAN: Please tell us about Immortality Bytes.

Abrams: Logline/Pitch: “When an idealistic hacker’s ex-girlfriend nears inventing digital immortality, an indicted tycoon compels him to steal it.”

The Hook: Strives to be a nerdy, satirical, progressive counterbalance to Ayn Rand’s ATLAS SHRUGGED.

Back Cover Blurb: Yay, free money and a life of leisure! Except… only if you never have children. Sure, a cute little version of you (but not yet so screwed up) sounds fun. But with AI robots taking more jobs, who can reject that “bargain” hoping to afford kids someday?

Stu Reigns does. He’s an idealistic AI programmer and part-time influencer. His demisexual ex-girlfriend, Roxy Zhang, nears perfecting electronic immortality. Add in billionaire banking rascals, and there’s no more certainty — not even “Death & Taxes.”

An old-money Southerner is buying Roxy’s company. This infuriates a sick, rival oligarch — who is about to be rightfully convicted of epic fraud. To escape to this digital eternal life, he compels Stu to steal it.

You’ll never guess all the twists, but maybe the reader peering over your shoulder will.

IAN: Is Immortality Bytes published in print, e-book or both?

Abrams: Both

IAN: Where can we go to buy Immortality Bytes?

Abrams: Amazon

IAN: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Abrams: South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone helped popularize the "Therefore & But" writing advice - meaning scenes should be immediately consequential, not merely sequential. They say (paraphrasing), "When you look at all your scenes in order, each scene should connect to the next with either the word "therefore" or "but." The scenes should not connect with "and then." So, each scene should have a result that compels the scene that follows as a consequence ('therefore') or a hinderance ('but') that thwarts the previous consequence and thus changes the course of the story. Therefore, scenes shouldn't simply be a series of unconnected beats ("this happens, and then this happens, and then that happens'" is boring and/or problematic).

I've been singing that practical insight to writer clients I've coached for over a decade. Then, I took the Aaron Sorkin "Masterclass.com" online, and he instructed all writers to read Aristotle's "POETICS." That's a classic I was supposed to read in high school and probably just skimmed. In college I had to read it, but I retained nothing. In a writing course I took as an adult, they recommended reading it, but I didn't. Ultimately, however, when Aaron Sorkin said all writers must really read it and think about, I finally did. In chapter 7, Aristotle, in effect says, "Only start when nothing before it is necessary. End it right when nothing else is necessary, and have the middle (the story) naturally result in consequential scenes." It's translated more cumbersomely than that (IMO), but that's fundamentally the same Parker/Stone "Therefore & But" advice. Thus, I had been crediting the writers of a filthy, absurd (but nonetheless hilarious) cartoon when I could've sounded all fancy quoting Aristotle (which is evidently what I do now).

IAN: Do you have a specific writing style?

Abrams: I love Douglas Adams, Andy Weir, and John Scalzi's satirical, clever sci-fi. I shamelessly attempt to steal their effective use of bathos. Over a century ago, bathos used to mean sudden shifts that undermines drama with unintentionally awkward or trivial moments that are worthy of ridicule. Now, at its best, bathos is used for comedic effect. The jarring incongruity of well-placed joke in the middle of a dramatic/suspenseful/action-packed scene can not only get a laugh or smile, but also provides more of a rollercoaster of emotions. That can be better than overstimulating by overly evoking a particular emotion for too long. So, I try to use that trope effectively.

IAN: How is Immortality Bytes different from others in your genre?

Abrams: My book ambitiously strives to be a nerdy, satirical, progressive counterbalance to Ayn Rand's ATLAS SHRUGGED. I love that book but hated its coldly selfish political statements. Trudging through her many extended screeds, plus that infamous (or epic) ~60 page speech, has turned off countless readers. My book is a small fraction of its length, but I still didn't want to slow down the reader too much with ultra-wonky political tirades. However, some portion of readers love to geek out on that kind of material. Consequently, I made my nerdy tangents optional with hyperlinks (in the eBook) and endnotes (in the paperback - akin to David Foster Wallace's INFINITE JEST). I consider that gimmick to be similar to a film's "deleted scenes" and bonus featurettes.

I'm also pleased that of the dozens of beta readers, critique partners, friends, relatives, and editors, roughly 90% said the 6 big twists "worked well" (being unexpected yet well-founded), and no readers were able to correctly predict more than 2 of them. Here's hoping that "entertaining surprise" ratio holds for the greater readership. But I know a writer can't please everyone, and there's bound to be a quite sizable base that criticize my creative choices. Whaddayagonnado, right?

I'm elated and grateful my debut novel won "Best Science Fiction: Cyberpunk" in the 7th Annual American Fiction Awards and was selected as a finalist in 4 other categories - "Humor/Comedy/Satire," "Thriller: Techno," "Cross Genre," and "Visionary." Also psyched to have made the short list for Chanticleer's Cygnus Award for Best Science Fiction (still in contention as of 08/16/24).

IAN: What inspired you to write Immortality Bytes?

Abrams: My novel's worldbuilding is based on how I see technology progressing synthesized with a set of hyper-twisty story ideas that I'd been developing for a long time (over a decade). As an inventor (earned a US patent) and amateur futurist, I've often speculated on what's to come. I've been incredibly accurate on countless predictions and friends have half-joked that I might have a bit of a "Cassandra" curse since I haven't been able to monetize that apparent magical power. I write to entertain, inspire, and provoke thought. Using the sci-fi genre enables me to at least "get on the record" publicly with my ideas to enable some credit if/when it's due. We all want positive recognition in some form.

One not-insignificant sci-fi element in my early manuscript got scooped by a feature film before I could publish, and, even worse, some of that DeepFake tech has actually advanced in scarier ways. I try to be humble enough to recognize how often that while I might be ahead of the curve, I very well may not be the first for any idea. By the way, let me give a shout-out to Kirby Ferguson's "Everything is a Remix" video series, which helped put the very concept of innovation into perspective for me.

IAN: What book are you reading now?

Abrams: SNOW CRASH by Neal Stephenson.

IAN: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Abrams: John Scalzi, because he is my new favorite author. He writes smart, funny, innovative sci-fi comedy. "RED SHIRTS" is fantastic!

IAN: What books have most influenced your life most?

Abrams: Creatively, THE HITCHHIKERS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, 1984, BRAVE NEW WORLD, and SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE. My way of thinking has been shaped by an odd combination of influential philosophers and authors (e.g., John Rawls, Karl Popper, Howard Zinn, Isaac Asimov, Noam Chomsky, and Cenk Uygur), plus comedians (e.g., George Carlin, Bill Hicks, Jon Stewart, Chris Rock, John Oliver, Sarah Silverman, David Cross, Ricky Gervais, Patton Oswalt, and several others).

IAN: How much of Immortality Bytes is realistic?

Abrams: I consulted with an iconic Ivy League professor and two preeminent research scientists in AI & neuroscience. So, hopefully, the hard sci-fi aspects will be seen favorably.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Abrams: A stand-alone, plus I’m outlining a sequel to Immortality Bites, in the event it becomes a big hit.

Joan Wahl - The IAN Interview

Joan Wahl

I live in western New York where I enjoy all four seasons (although not so much the lake effect snow!)  In addition to being an author, I am also a wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, and work full time as a legal secretary.  I have been a reader my entire life, and read a little bit of everything, from mysteries, love stories, true crime, the occasional memoir, and historic fiction.  I love to travel, cook, photograph lighthouses, and watch football. 

Summer Love in Music City was born out of my love for country music, and all things Nashville. I watch a lot of country music videos, which remind me of a four-minute short story, and sometimes I want to know more. My main female character, Summer, falls in love with a famous country music superstar.  When their eyes meet backstage after a concert, their worlds collide in a moment of perfect serendipity.  But how can they navigate getting to know one another without the whole world watching and weighing in?

My book is available online at Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million and on Amazon in all formats – soft cover, hard cover, Kindle and Audible.  The audible version was narrated by famous actress and professional narrator, Michelle Williams. 

I wrote Summer Love in Music City with the intention of it being the first in a series, as I am always happy to find a book I love only to discover it is part of a series.   My publisher has the right to future works with the same characters, so I am hopeful that more stories will follow.  I am also in the beginning stages of drafting a stand-alone Christmas story. 

 

IAN: How long did it take you to write Summer Love in Music City?

Joan Wahl: My best guess is somewhere between six and seven months.  But then the hard work began!  I cannot feel creative sitting at a computer.  My book was entirely hand written, and then typed, printed, revised, proof read, and revised again.  When I wrote the last line of the book, I went back and re-wrote the first line to tie everything together.    

IAN: How did you come up with the title?

Joan Wahl: Without giving one of the most memorable moments away, it is based in part on the name of the main female character, Summer. Brody, her love interest, writes a love song for her entitled Summer Love.  They hope to keep Summer’s identity a mystery by implying that he has a summertime love interest.  The song is an important part of the storyline as it progresses.  

IAN: Who designed the cover?

Joan Wahl: Probably the most “fun” homework assignment my publisher gave me was to go to several bookstores and look at covers that interested me.  I sent them my ideas, along with a description of what my characters and the background should look like, and their graphic arts team brought my vision to life.  

IAN: How is Summer Love in Music City different than others in your genre?

Joan Wahl: My book is both similar and different from others in the genre at the same time.  There is a strong family component, in addition to being a love story. In Summer Love in Music City, my main female character is a twin.  She is close to her family, particularly her twin sister, Autumn.  She recognizes that her decision to embark on a relationship with Brody will affect the lives of everyone she is close to.  I hope everyone who enjoys a close-knit family will find something in my story that they can relate to, and feel like they were transported to so many of the iconic places Summer and Brody visit.   

IAN: Are the experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Joan Wahl: I have met – but never fallen in love with – someone famous.  I have been fortunate to meet some of my favorite authors, actors, musicians and even my football hero.  I have given more than passing thought to what their “real” lives must be like.  How can they have a date night with their spouse or take their children to the zoo?   Is the price of their fame worth what they gave up?

I have, however, traveled to many of the places featured in my book.  I have had many a biscuit at the Loveless Café, a frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity III, and visited the Grand Hotel.  I hope featuring places I have visited has made my story more believable.    

IAN: What was the hardest part of writing Summer Love in Music City?

Joan Wahl: The hardest part of writing the book was coming up with the conflict.  What could cause Summer to lose faith in Brody and their relationship?  It had to be believable, true to the characters, and also to the arc of their story.  I had already envisioned how they would reunite, but first I had to separate them.  I wanted my readers to be so invested in the storyline that they would experience all her emotions – anger, sadness, betrayal.  And experience Brody’s confusion, desperation, and willingness to give everything up for the woman he loved.  

IAN: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Joan Wahl: I used to say if I could change places with anyone for one day it would be New York Times bestselling author Wendy Corsi Staub.  One of her earlier works written under her pen name is a time travel story entitled If Only in My Dreams.  Every December when I read it, it transports me to a different place. I feel the confusion and disbelief of the character who travels back and forth in time.  Her desire to try to change history, the fate of the man she has come to love.  Her mysteries are equally intriguing and impossible to put down.  Wendy grew up very close to where I live, and she returns to the area frequently for author talks and book signings.  I have met her on numerous occasions.  She is personable, down-to-earth, and genuinely enjoys engaging with her fans. I could never hope to be as prolific or successful as she is, but I do hope to foster the same kind of connection with my readers.   

IAN: Do you have a specific writing style?

Joan Wahl: I began to think about writing a book in March of 2020 when the world as we knew it changed dramatically.  I did not start with an outline, just a basic idea.  At the beginning, it was a fun hobby.  After about 9 or 10 weeks when I returned to work full time, Summer and Brody were still there, and would not leave my thoughts for long.  Their story deserved to be finished.  Even though I was the one writing their story, I felt like they were driving the train.  I would occasionally have a thought or idea and reject it because it was not true to their characters.  I have never set aside a specific amount of time each day to write, or try to write a certain number of words each day.  But I never know when inspiration will strike, and I have been known to write down an idea on almost anything from the back of a bank receipt, grocery list or envelope.        

IAN: What do you hope readers come away with after reading Summer Love in Music City

Joan Wahl: I am a mother whose daughter lost her first child. Nothing makes you reevaluate your life more than tragedy.  One of the scariest things I have ever done was hit the “submit” button and send my book to a publisher.  I knew I could be a dismal failure, a smashing success, or something in between.  My advice is to do something that challenges you.  You may not want to write a book, but perhaps you always wanted to learn how to paint or sail, go back to school, or audition for a play.  I also want you to cherish your friends and family members.  If you would like to follow me on my Facebook page, Joan Wahl author, I would love for you to join me on this journey.           

Krishna Kumar - The IAN Interview

KrishnaKumar

Krishna Kumar studies, evaluates, and analyzes events in Indian history with particular emphasis on the British Period.

Krishna's interest in history and analysis started early when his father encouraged him to learn about various global historical events and their implications.

Krishna, therefore, learned to analyze and separate the wheat from the chaff before reaching any conclusions or forming an opinion, given the multiple narratives.

Spending most of his life in a non-related profession, books and picking up information remained constant companions, and the internet opened a floodgate about the past and different viewpoints. Three years back, his interest became his career.

Krishna grew up in India and lives with his wife and daughter in New Jersey.

IAN: Tell us about your latest book.

Krishna Kumar: 1942: When British Rule In India Was Threatened

British Rule in India started with a governorship of one of the provinces and slowly extended to the entire country, either directly or via ‘subsidiary agreements’ with multiple kingdoms. The local ruler accepted British Sovereignty in relationships with other kingdoms, the size of the army, and other matters.

In 1942, British Rule came under severe threat when Japan conquered Hong Kong, Malaya (now Malaysia), Singapore, and   Burma (now Myanmar) one by one. As per British policy, the defense of these areas was the responsibility of the British Indian Army and the Government of India, and people of Indian origin conducted a lot of trade and administration.

When Japan attacked, Hongkong surrendered on Dec 25^th, 1941, followed by Singapore and Malaya in February, and Burma was taken over in April ’42. After that, India was bombed, and ports on the eastern side of India were closed.

In Singapore on 17^th February 1942, the Indian National Army (INA)was formed from Indian soldiers who were taken prisoners. A year later, when Subhas Bose took over this army, he declared a Provisional Government of Free India, and INA became its armed wing. They began the fight to liberate India from British Rule, reaching deep inside Northeast India and flying an independent Indian flag on the Indian mainland. After the surrender in 1945, these soldiers were imprisoned, and some of them were tried for treason to make an example, as many of them were part of the former British Indian Army and had broken their oath to the British King by joining INA.

That led to a wave of protests and agitations in the country that made it ungovernable, and the British had to leave before their economic interests were damaged forever.

This book examines the relationship of various events of 1942, their linkages, and how these eventually led to Indian freedom. It also briefly discusses the nature of British Rule.

IAN: Is 1942 published in print, eBook or both?

Krishna Kumar: Available in paperback and as eBook.

IAN: Where can we go to buy 1942?

Krishna Kumar: Amazon, Kobo, Google, and Apple.

IAN: What inspired you to write 1942?

Krishna Kumar: 1942 was such a pivotal year that it changed Southeast Asia's future, and this had to be brought out clearly. I desired to bring out these events that triggered Indian Independence in particular, how they are connected, and their impact using multiple sources and citing them for the reader. Indian history has been selectively presented after independence, and the truth has been a victim. Many researchers and authors are now bringing the facts into the open of various periods, and I am trying to do my bit.

IAN: Did you use an outline, or did you just wing the first draft?

Krishna Kumar: I did an outline as most of the research was over when I started writing the book, but some changes had to be made while writing to ensure the sequence was clear and maintained flow.

IAN: How long did it take to write 1942?

Krishna Kumar: This book took about six months and had three major activities: writing, some additional information, and arranging the flow of information. But I have been researching this period for three years. For this book, I decided to pause the other book I had been working on. There were many reasons for doing this book first. Among these are checking how the audience reacts to my writing style and learning the ropes in marketing.

IAN: How did you come up with the title?

Krishna Kumar: I had prepared several titles, and this one was chosen because it clearly explains the book's content.

IAN: What do you hope your readers come away with after reading 1942?

Krishna Kumar: I hope the reader finds it interesting to learn some truths of Indian history that have not been covered in popular narratives. For example, most do not know that Japan had bombed three Indian ports in 1942. They know about the Bengal famine of 1943 but do not know that one of the significant reasons was that the import of rice from Burma stopped as Burma went to the Japanese, and no alternative supply was arranged.

Further, the book brings out the interdependence and relationships in this geographical area.

IAN: How much of 1942 is realistic?

Krishna Kumar: It is 100 percent based on real-life incidents, and extensive citations are used. My father, my uncle, and their friends who lived through this period narrated many incidents that particularly created an interest in this period.

IAN: What books have influenced your life the most?

Krishna Kumar: Mahabharata. This epic covers success and failure, emotions across a wide spectrum, and is a guide to living life.

IAN: Do you see writing as a career?

Krishna Kumar: After I retired from business, this has become my full-time activity.

IAN: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Krishna Kumar: My parents encouraged me, and while in school, I started writing articles whose publication became a major inspiration. My first article was published when I was thirteen. Even though I pursued a professional career in an unrelated field, I kept studying books and publications in history and politics.

IAN: What was the hardest part of writing 1942?

Krishna Kumar: Keeping the focus on the main part of the events and maintain the flow while citing various sources. The citations are the most important part of presenting truth; they often have expressions specific to the period, so the language differs.

IAN: Did you learn anything from writing your book, and what was it?

Krishna Kumar: Truth can be hidden, but it will come out eventually. This, by the way, is also part of the Indian National emblem and is taken from Mundaka Upanishad, which is part of ancient Hindu wisdom books.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Krishna Kumar: My next book is fiction—a collection of short stories inspired by real events in the history of the Indian Subcontinent. The protagonists in each story have an emotion that determines their activities and guides their lives.

Besides, for three years, I have been researching the period of 1920-1950 of the Indian Freedom struggles and hope to have this book- No Stone Unturned, Indian Freedom Struggle, and Subhas Bose- out later this year or early next year. This examines the events and roles played by various persons and influences, Subhas Chandra Bose in particular.

K. Reagan Zell - The IAN Interview

K. Reagan Zell

I currently live in southern New Jersey with my husband, two lovable St. Danes, and four energetic cats. As a true New Jersey-ite, I can usually be found taking walks on one of the state's breathtaking beaches, watching the amazing sunrises and sunsets while listening to a variety of music. I also enjoy discovering and exploring many of the amazing New Jersey nature trails or visiting any one of the remarkable New Jersey historical sites. It is in the nature that surrounds us and the psychology within us all that intrigues and inspires me the most to write about what I see, hear, and feel around me.

IAN: Please tell us about your latest book.

K. Reagan Zell: During the Covid quarantine, I began to write a nine book paranormal romance series, The Beguiled West Series I. Beguiled Persuasion (Book 1) begins the captivating journey of Cait, an empath who accidently discovers that her once despised empathic gift has a different purpose in her life. Nevertheless, her discoveries and ultimate decisions are not without perilous consequences.

Having broken up with her boyfriend when she discovered that he was married and then immediately having to deal with the sudden death of her father, Cait takes a sleeping pill to help her cope. Her one innocent action of that pill as she tries to find emotional relief sets into motion an incredible journey of unimaginable paranormal events. Traveling between her present-day timeline and 15th century Ireland, she encounters psychics, a Shaman, Druids, a rogue time shifter, and the Galloglaith warriors. As she slowly but surely makes her way through the astonishing events, she also makes some devastating discoveries and must decide who is dangerous and who is not.

Beguiled Persuasion is the first book in the series, followed by Mists of Tiarnas, Valley of Ogham Na, Nattfisker Ridge, Tears of Tårene, Lanterns of Sennaire, Manens Sunrise, Buran of Qaneame, and Borde's Rim.

IAN: Is Beguiled Persuasion published in print, e-book, or both?

K. Reagan Zell:The books are only E-books.

 IAN: Where can we go to buy Beguiled Persuasion?

K. Reagan Zell: Currently, books 1-5 are available on Smashwords.com (formats: epub, mobi, pdf, lrf, pdb, and txt); Barnes & Noble and Kobo. Beguiled Persuasion is also available on various library channels.

IAN: Did you use an outline or do you just wing the first draft?

K. Reagan Zell: Interesting question. I began to write the books as I listened to music. As different types of music provided a background, the ideas entered my mind. I could actually imagine and feel the characters, their actions and reactions, their dialogues, and their emotions all set against different locales. It was like when an idea pops into your head when you want to fix something, make a recipe, or decorate. It was like that, but different. There was no outline or winging it; it was as if I were a viewer watching a movie, losing myself in the storyline, and feeling the full impact of the tale.

IAN: How much of the book is realistic?

K. Reagan Zell: I would say that as far as being realistic, or even tied to personal experiences, there are some elements in the book in regards to that. As we grow in life, we always draw upon our own experiences and that of others. Love, birth, life lived, déjà vue, and death are all universal. Experiences are what make us human, connecting our values and realities through life.

IAN: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

K. Reagan Zell: Many years ago, I had an English teacher in high school who had assigned the classto write a short story. Once again, through music, my mind moved into a scene and I created a fiction story as the images came into my mind. After we had turned in our assignments, the teacher asked me to stay behind to talk. Once everyone had left, he began to question me as to where I got the idea because he felt that I could not have written something as good as that. Although he could not find any story that matched my fictional story (of which he never would - the story was original), he was still cynical. After a long discussion back and forth and explaining my inspiration process, he finally gave me an "A". He realized through our conversation that I liked to write, but he still seemed doubtful that a high school student could write such a good fictional short story. Back in the day, educators did not recognize talent, felt that anything out of the ordinary was false, and did not encourage growth of a student's special talent. I was graduating high school a year early, had good grades and he still had doubts. Unfortunately, because of my experience with him, I never wanted to write fiction again.

Then years later, came college and working on an advanced degree, a master’s in psychology. Writing assignments and term papers based upon science and the strict association writing rules (400+ pages) left me feeling cold, empty, and not producing anything worthwhile. Although I did well, my heart was not in it. In my opinion, I was not creating anything meaningful, just plugging along with the required norm. Once I got my degree, I was done with writing such cold and emotionless papers and assignments; it was not my passion.  

IAN: I see. Then how did you find your way back to fiction writing?

K. Reagan Zell: It was not until decades later with the Covid pandemic/quarantine that I once again decided to put pen to paper - with my headset on, listening to music - and wrote what I saw, heard, and felt in my mind's eye. As I approach another milestone in my life, I will eventually write full time, listening to my music, and writing what I see, hear, and feel. I have found my passion and will enjoy it well into retirement down the road.

IAN: What do you hope your readers come away with after reading Beguiled Persuasion?

K. Reagan Zell: It is my hope that not only is it a good story line, but that people associate the emotions and experiences as being universal, connecting to something that we have personally known, a shared understanding of life. By being able to relate to the challenges and joys in our lives, it is those experiences that connect us all as humans.

IAN: What was the hardest part of writing Beguiled Persuasion?

K. Reagan Zell: For me, the hardest part is not the writing of a book, but rather the disbelief of some of those around us that cannot fathom that any person they know can even be creative. The reasoning is something very basic; people have an unconscious tendency to connect a person with what they do in life rather than what they are. A newscaster who is a talented painter will always be first referred to as a newscaster; a homemaker who has a dog training business will always be first referred to as a homemaker; and a talented high school student will always be first referred to as a student. It is unfortunate that our positions in life are what label us first, limiting our primary recognition of the talents we possess and where we prosper and flourish the most. Again, as with the English teacher, people have the tendency of viewing talented people through the eyes of skepticism, an unaware portrayal based upon their own association of the world around them.

It is a slow process when they discover and finally believe that a person has a natural and imaginative talent. In the end, the most important thing for any creative person to remember is that it is not what we do or earn, but rather, it is our passion and drive to create what we value the most.

IAN: Who designs your book covers?

Multi-talented book cover designer and award-winning author, Melissa Alvarez (https://bookcovers.us/). She is one of the most amazing, passionate, and outstanding creative designers that I have ever met. When designing a cover, it is so important to get the elements right, to be able to have the designer see what you see, and Melissa nails it every single time. I am truly blessed to be working with her.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Beguiled Persuasion is currently available on Smashwords.com and I will be uploading books 6-8 of the Beguiled West Series I this summer. I am currently finishing the dramatic conclusion in book 9 (Borde's Rim). The new series (Beguiled West Series II) that I will be working on is The Eshunna Trilogy, a futuristic romance genre.