I am Reenita Malhotra Hora, a South Asian storyteller who bridges Indian culture and American audiences with humor, heart, and nuance. I’ve built a career as a prolific writer, journalist, and producer across books, screenplays, podcasts, and articles, and I’m often described as the ‘Nora Ephron’ of South Asian storytelling. LA Weekly called me a top Indie writer bringing Indian culture and humor to American audiences, and my work has appeared in the New York Times, CNN, National Geographic Kids, Disney India, Cartoon Network Asia, and more. I’m committed to stories with imperfect, lovable characters that refuse to sell out, and I enjoy shaping worlds where diverse voices thrive. My production and storytelling journey spans podcasts, apps, books, and broadcast journalism. I’ve created and led shows like Shadow Realm (The Arya Chronicles) and True Fiction Project, and I’ve served as head of content and production for Himalaya USA and hibooks, among others. My work has earned multiple awards, including the Santa Barbara International Screenplay Award and recognition from Sundance Institute Development Slate, reflecting a blend of creativity, discipline, and a love for cultural storytelling that resonates across audiences.

Reenita Malhotra Hora

PRO

I am Reenita Malhotra Hora, a South Asian storyteller who bridges Indian culture and American audiences with humor, heart, and nuance. I’ve built a career as a prolific writer, journalist, and producer across books, screenplays, podcasts, and articles, and I’m often described as the ‘Nora Ephron’ of South Asian storytelling. LA Weekly called me a top Indie writer bringing Indian culture and humor to American audiences, and my work has appeared in the New York Times, CNN, National Geographic Kids, Disney India, Cartoon Network Asia, and more. I’m committed to stories with imperfect, lovable characters that refuse to sell out, and I enjoy shaping worlds where diverse voices thrive. My production and storytelling journey spans podcasts, apps, books, and broadcast journalism. I’ve created and led shows like Shadow Realm (The Arya Chronicles) and True Fiction Project, and I’ve served as head of content and production for Himalaya USA and hibooks, among others. My work has earned multiple awards, including the Santa Barbara International Screenplay Award and recognition from Sundance Institute Development Slate, reflecting a blend of creativity, discipline, and a love for cultural storytelling that resonates across audiences.

Available to hire

I am Reenita Malhotra Hora, a South Asian storyteller who bridges Indian culture and American audiences with humor, heart, and nuance. I’ve built a career as a prolific writer, journalist, and producer across books, screenplays, podcasts, and articles, and I’m often described as the ‘Nora Ephron’ of South Asian storytelling. LA Weekly called me a top Indie writer bringing Indian culture and humor to American audiences, and my work has appeared in the New York Times, CNN, National Geographic Kids, Disney India, Cartoon Network Asia, and more. I’m committed to stories with imperfect, lovable characters that refuse to sell out, and I enjoy shaping worlds where diverse voices thrive.

My production and storytelling journey spans podcasts, apps, books, and broadcast journalism. I’ve created and led shows like Shadow Realm (The Arya Chronicles) and True Fiction Project, and I’ve served as head of content and production for Himalaya USA and hibooks, among others. My work has earned multiple awards, including the Santa Barbara International Screenplay Award and recognition from Sundance Institute Development Slate, reflecting a blend of creativity, discipline, and a love for cultural storytelling that resonates across audiences.

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Language

English
Fluent
Hindi
Advanced

Work Experience

Creator, Showrunner & Executive Producer at Shadow Realm (The Arya Chronicles)
January 1, 2021 - Present
Lead the development, production and distribution of a kids & family fantasy narrative fiction podcast; oversee show concept, scripting, casting, and post-production.
Host, Showrunner & Executive Producer at True Fiction Project
January 1, 2021 - Present
Host-led podcast series exploring the origins of fiction; design format, curate guests, and drive narrative arc and production cadence.
Chief Storyteller at Chapter by Episode Productions
January 1, 2019 - Present
Lead storytelling for an app-based fiction platform with chat-style stories; shape narrative design and episodic production.
Head of Marketing & Communications at SRI International
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2021
Oversee strategic communications and branding for a Silicon Valley science and deep-tech research institute; manage media relations and internal/external messaging.
VP of Content & Production at Himalaya USA
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2019
Lead content strategy and production for a San Francisco-based podcasting/audiobook company; build pipelines and partnerships.
VP of Content & Production at hibooks
June 1, 2017 - March 1, 2019
Oversee content development, production pipelines and partner relationships for podcasting and audiobook production.
Senior Producer/Anchor/Reporter at Bloomberg Media
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2017
Produced and anchored business and feature reporting for Bloomberg’s international audience across platforms.
Senior Producer/Anchor at Radio Television Hong Kong
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2015
Senior producer/anchor; contributed as presenter, sub-editor, and business & programming strategist.
Producer/Presenter, Sub-editor, Business & Programming Strategist at Radio Television Hong Kong
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2015
Producer and presenter; sub-editor; developed business and programming strategies for channel content.
Consulting Director of Communications at SRI International
March 1, 2019 - April 30, 2019
Advised on communications strategy and outreach; supported brand messaging and stakeholder engagement.
Founder, Head of Strategy, Sales & Marketing at Ayoma Inc.
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 2005
Founded Ayurvedic health & wellness brand; led strategy, sales and marketing initiatives.
Account Manager at Landor Associates
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1997
Managed client relationships and branding projects; contributed to strategy and execution.
Marketing & Communications Strategist at Supermax International
January 1, 1998 - Present
Led marketing and communications strategy for the brand; content and campaign development.
Content Strategy/Marketing Services
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2010
Early experience in content strategy and marketing services shaping cross-channel content.
Freelance Producer / Writer at BBC World Service
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2012
Freelance arts & culture producer contributing to features and segments.

Education

Masters in Journalism – Concentration: Business Journalism at University of Hong Kong
January 1, 2010 - March 30, 2026
BA in International Political Economy at Williams College
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1993
Screenwriting at Writers Bootcamp
January 1, 2023 - March 30, 2026
Screenwriting at UCLA Extension Program
January 1, 2022 - March 30, 2026
Career Writers Program at Roadmap Writers
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2025
Cinestory Feature Retreat at Cinestory Feature Retreat
January 1, 2025 - March 30, 2026
TV Writing – Writing Pad (1 & 2) at Writing Pad
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025

Qualifications

The Writers Lab – Semi-finalist
January 1, 2025 - March 30, 2026
Shore Scripts – Semi-finalist
January 1, 2024 - March 30, 2026
Screencraft – Semi-finalist
January 1, 2024 - March 30, 2026
Outstanding Screenplays – Quarter finalist
January 1, 2024 - March 30, 2026
Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards – Winner
January 1, 2023 - March 30, 2026
Emerging Screenwriters – Finalist/ Winner
January 1, 2023 - March 30, 2026
Sundance Institute Development Slate – Second Rounder
January 1, 2023 - March 30, 2026
Los Angeles Animation Festival – Best Screenplay
January 1, 2023 - March 30, 2026
Script2Comic – Finalist
January 1, 2023 - March 30, 2026
Launchpad – Finalist
January 1, 2023 - March 30, 2026
Eric Hoff er Book Award – Grand Prize Winner
January 1, 2023 - March 30, 2026
Indie Reader Discovery Award – Grand Prize Winner
January 1, 2023 - March 30, 2026
Channel Clareer International Book Awards – Grand Prize Winner
January 1, 2023 - March 30, 2026
New York Festivals International Radio Programming Awards – Gold
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2016
RTHK Radio 3 Awards – Top 10 Radio Programs/ Presenters
January 1, 2016 - March 30, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Non-Profit Organization