True Fiction Project: S6 Ep10 - "THE OLD TOWN HORROR: Murder and Theft in America’s Most Historic Locale"

Release Date: July 8, 2025

Introduction and Guest Background

In the tenth episode of Season 6, Renita Hora welcomes Ed Moser, a multifaceted writer and tour guide, to the True Fiction Project. Ed brings a unique blend of experiences, having formerly written for Jay Leno's The Tonight Show and served as a speechwriter for the White House. His latest endeavor, "The Old Town Horror: Murder and Theft in America’s Most Historic Locale," marks a significant shift from nonfiction to fiction, drawing deeply from America's rich and often turbulent history.

Transition from TV Writing to Historical Writing

Renita Hora initiates the conversation by delving into Ed's diverse writing background:

Ed Moser [02:01]: "Mostly I've been writing books, and lately they've had to do with tours that I give... I've been doing that for about 12 years and that's inspired me to write a number of history books on those locales or nearby places, but also to start to write fiction based on the sagas, the stories that I've uncovered for 200 years of history in the town and its surrounding villages."

Ed explains that his passion for history tours in Washington, D.C., especially around areas like the Capitol grounds and Lafayette Square, naturally led him to author books that encapsulate the essence of these historic locales.

Exploring Washington D.C.'s Dark History

Renita probes deeper into Ed's transition from a humorist and TV writer to a historian:

Renita Hora [02:53]: "So it sounds like you have been writing books for many years. Is it books, TV shows, TV writing. Tell us a little bit about yourself."

Ed recounts his unexpected journey into historical writing:

Ed Moser [02:53]: "It happened around the same time and it happened through similar circumstances... I found that working for either was very similar and akin to making sausage."

Analogy of Making Sausage

Ed draws a vivid analogy comparing his experience in TV and political speechwriting to the process of making sausage:

Ed Moser [03:38]: "Because in both cases, they use writers, many writers from across the country... and you wind up with very tasty sausage, one hopes."

Renita humorously teases this comparison:

Renita Hora [04:22]: "Tasty sausage. So are you saying to us then, Ed, that everything that our presidents tell us in their speeches is a joke?"

Ed clarifies the intent behind this "sausage-making" process:

Ed Moser [04:30]: "Well, this is a political season, you could say that. But hopefully it comes out very tasty and well received and sometimes humorous manner."

From Nonfiction to Fiction: "The Old Town Horror"

Shifting focus, Renita introduces Ed's new novel:

Renita Hora [06:02]: "What kind of wild are we talking about?"

Ed Moser [06:07]: "Well, you have, for instance, the first execution of the first murderer in Washington D.C.'s history took place on the grounds of the Capitol building."

Renita expresses intrigue and connects it to Ed's latest work:

Renita Hora [07:06]: "Is that what your new book is about?"

Ed elaborates on his novel, "The Old Town Horror," highlighting its foundation in Alexandria, Virginia’s rich history:

Ed Moser [07:20]: "I thought I would shake things up for my next book... to do a fictional account of a historic suburb of DC, namely Alexandria, Virginia."

He emphasizes how historical events inspire the fictional crimes depicted in his novel:

Ed Moser [07:45]: "...involving a series of crimes, of murders. But the murderer or murderers in question based their crimes on events in the distant past of the town."

Excerpt Reading and Storytelling

Renita invites Ed to share an excerpt, focusing on the Carlisle Mansion:

Renita Hora [09:22]: "Are you going to read us the opening or what do you have in mind?"

Although initially considering an excerpt from his nonfiction work, Ed opts to present a passage from his novel, bringing historical figures and eerie events to life:

Ed Moser [12:47]: [Excerpt from "The Old Town Horror"]
"As they approached the Carlisle Mansion... Benjamin Franklin Stringfellow trained as a dentist aide and gained employment as such. At the mansion, he befriended Union officers recovering from jaw and teeth wounds... His alert ears calling in military secrets as well as the sweet nothings, whispered in his ear."

He continues to weave the mansion's dark lore into the narrative:

"...Carlisle issued an unusual order that a black cat be walled up alive within the foundation stones. The terrified cat slowly suffocated. It shrieked and wells its caterwauls penetrated the thick stones out to the laborers on the lawn."

This excerpt underscores the seamless blend of fact and fiction that defines Ed's storytelling approach.

Connecting with Ed Moser

As the episode concludes, Renita provides listeners with avenues to explore Ed's work further:

Ed Moser [10:41]: "My books can all be found in the usual outlets like florenceandnoble.com and Amazon.com... And for my tours, the best way to find me is through a meetup."

Renita enthusiastically recommends Ed's tours:

Renita Hora [11:05]: "I think I just gotta head to Washington D.C. and take one of your tours. I think that would be spectacular."

Conclusion

In this episode of the True Fiction Project, Ed Moser masterfully bridges the gap between nonfiction historical accounts and captivating fictional narratives. His ability to draw inspiration from centuries-old events and reinterpret them in a contemporary setting offers listeners a gripping exploration of America's most storied locales.

Connect with Ed Moser:

• Books: Available on Amazon and Florence and Noble
• Tours: Join through Meetup

Stay Updated: Visit reenita.com/podcasts/true-fiction-project/ for more information and to subscribe.