True Fiction Project

Episode: S6 Ep 3 - Leave Your Mark on The World
Host: Reenita Hora
Guest: Erica Silverman
Release Date: March 18, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of the True Fiction Project, host Reenita Hora welcomes children's author, estate planning attorney, and mother Erica Silverman. The conversation delves into Erica's journey as an author, the inspiration behind her children's books, and the profound themes of legacy and making a meaningful impact on the world.

Erica Silverman’s Journey as a Children's Author

Erica Silverman opens up about her transition from a logical, estate planning attorney to a passionate children's author. With 14 books under her belt, most of which are geared towards inspiring young minds, Erica shares her motivations and the personal challenges that fueled her creative endeavors.

• Inspiration from Personal Life: Erica reveals, “[...] my children are the biggest inspiration for all my ideas” (10:51).

• Starting as Therapy: Writing served as a therapeutic outlet for Erica, allowing her to escape the stresses of her demanding day job and channel her creativity into something positive and uplifting.

Achieving Recognition and Success

Erica recounts the unexpected honor of being featured in the New York Times for her first book, How to Become a Superhero. This recognition not only validated her work but also propelled her into exciting opportunities, including negotiations to have her books distributed in major retailers like Walmart and Barnes & Noble.

• Pulitzer Prize Nomination: Erica shares the astonishing news that her book, How to Be Human, has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize Award, highlighting the impact and quality of her work (04:58).

Themes and Messages in Erica’s Books

Erica’s books are diverse yet unified by their inspirational messages aimed at helping children navigate real-world challenges.

• Overcoming Obstacles: Themes such as never giving up on dreams, overcoming disabilities, and building self-esteem are prevalent. For instance, her books It's Raining Lemons and Lemon focus on turning negatives into positives (05:43).

• Inclusivity and Acceptance: Stories like Enzo's Treasure Hunt emphasize enjoying life’s little moments and embracing differences, fostering a sense of adventure and acceptance among young readers.

• Inspirational Examples: Erica mentions, “You have to make a difference” (16:58), underscoring the importance of leaving a positive legacy.

Reading: "Leave Your Mark on The World"

In the featured reading, Erica presents a heartfelt story titled "Leave Your Mark on The World". The narrative revolves around a selfish marker pen who desires to become a permanent marker. Through various acts of kindness and selflessness—such as helping reconcile families and preventing crimes—the pen learns the value of contributing positively to the world. This transformation exemplifies the core message: making a lasting, positive impact through helping others leads to a meaningful legacy.

• Key Message: “If you make a difference in people's lives, you’ll never be forgotten” (16:58).

Philosophical Connections: Karma and Legacy

Reenita Hora draws a parallel between Erica’s story and the concept of Karma from Indian philosophy, highlighting how meaningful relationships and actions leave a lasting impact. Erica agrees, noting that making a permanent mark involves selfless actions that benefit others.

• Erica's Reflection: “You have to make a difference. Letting the world know you were actually here” (16:58).

Exclusive Content for Subscribers

Erica teases an additional story titled "Peanut Butter and Jelly", which explores the theme of embracing differences and the beauty of opposites attracting. This exclusive content is available to paid subscribers, providing an incentive for listeners to engage further with the podcast.

Connecting with Erica Silverman

Listeners interested in Erica’s inspiring work can find her books on major platforms such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and soon in Walmart stores. Additionally, Erica illustrates her own books, showcasing her multifaceted talent as both an author and an illustrator.

• Where to Find Erica: Visit Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart.com for Erica’s books.

Conclusion

Erica Silverman's heartfelt dedication to inspiring children through her books embodies the essence of the True Fiction Project—transforming real-life experiences into meaningful fictional narratives. Her stories not only entertain but also impart valuable life lessons, encouraging young readers to leave their own positive marks on the world.

Reenita Hora wraps up the episode by inviting listeners to share their own stories or connect with writers eager to be featured on the show, fostering a community of storytellers dedicated to impactful fiction.

Connect with True Fiction Project:

• Website: reenita.com/podcasts/true-fiction-project
• Contact: renita.com/contact
• Newsletter & Subscriptions: substack.com/reenitahora

(Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript provided and are used here for illustrative purposes.)