Amygdala Magazine

Sofia Quaglia is a medical writer specializing in research and mental health reporting. She joins the podcast to review her article and research into the study of chronic and treatment resistant depression. Dr. Carmin Pariante is the subject of her article and joins as well to share about his research in this area, and why it is important.  This episode is also being podcast on The Broken Brain, a podcast focused on culture and psychology. Stay tuned to this RSS feed for the return of Amygdala Magazine, specifically with endorsement plans for indie bookstores, and fictional stories and readings. Thank you for being here and subscribing through the hiatus. 

Ivan Infante is an Author and an Immigration lawyer working in the United States. He uses his historical crime novels to help fund his private law practice, where he specializes in helping immigrants remain within the USA. Mike Chance, the protagonist in Infante's novels, is a conman in 1930s Los Angeles with a bit of a murder problem. He is reminiscent of Richard Stark's Parker, with his own flair.     Buy his book! Available on Amazon: Search for Fake Bank by Ivan Infante

Brandon Nobles is a Southern Gothic Author, a Teacher, a Linguist, and a Historian. He is the second place winner in the 2015 Amygdala Magazine short story competition with his story "The Obituary Writer."   Brandon talks about writing from the point of view of the bystander to history, the outsider, and the pacifist in the middle of violence. He shares with us his intoxicating lust for life, his take on the evolving sensitivities of readers, and much much more. Most importantly he is super fun and witty, you will enjoy hearing our discussion.  Follow Brandon on twitter @MrBrandonNobles, stalk him on FaceBook or read him at Channillo.

Rachel Brasch, author and english professor, joins me to discuss her newest novel The Listener. The Listener is a powerful tale of psychology, emotion, LGBT issues, and identity. It is Rachel's third novel.  We discuss the use of a switching third person narrative, the inclusion of raw emotion, and the breaking of expectations in telling a story.  The Amygdala Magazine podcast is tied to the Amygdala Magazine, a digital short story anthology. We are now accepting submissions for our 2016 short story competition. 

  Ivan Infante is the author of False Ransom, Fixed Fight, and the Comic Book Cannibal Detective. He is a longtime screenwriter and his award-winning short film "Pretty Little Doggie," can be seen online. He is currently hard at work on his third novel, the upcoming Fake Bank, the final installment of the Mike Chance Series. He specializes in classic noir crime fiction.  Ivan has also agreed to be a judge for the 2016 Amygdala Magazine Short Story Contest. He will return to the podcast in a few weeks to discuss what he looks for in short stories and give tips on their creation.  In this interview we discuss the movie industry, historical research, screenwriting, and the use of hard work in accomplishing your creative goals. Ivan demystifies the storytelling process, and is a fan of the Push Method of writing, which he describes on today's podcast.  Follow Ivan on Twitter at: @eddiemarsattack or view his website at:www.ivaninfantewrites.com.   Amygdala Magazine is a member of the Core Temp Arts Network of podc

Jen Chaney is the TV Journalist for the Entertainment website Vulture, and the Author of the book As If!: The Oral History of Clueless as told by Amy Heckerling and the Cast and Crew I first became familiar with Jen's work on Vulture, by reading her hilarious and insightful episode-by-episode recap of Downton Abbey (which you should really check out). She was also kind enough to cohost with me on a podcast about the final season of Downton Abbey.  Jen talks with me about the process of interview and editing that goes into an Oral History, as well as the creativity in telling compelling nonfiction stories.  Be sure to follow up this interview by reading Jen's book, check out her NY Mag Archives, and also follow her on Twitter!

Darryl Mansel is a comic genius. He is so genius that he decided to start makign his own independent comic book: Pineville (check out https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/pineville#/ to contribute to his fundraiser). Darryl is a veteran, a podcaster, a writer, and a family man. He tells me all about how he got invovled in making comics, and how he keeps things balanced. Follow him on Twitter and CHECK OUT his Indigogo page for Pineville.

Andrew Malin Milward is the author of "I Was A Revolutionary," and "The Agricultural Hall of Fame," both collections of his short stories. He joins me today to discuss writing fiction infused with history, explaining why he shies away from 'historical fiction,' writing difficult topics, and how to create independent voices for characters. An avid researcher and masterful writer, Andrew shares great ideas and tips about the creative process. 

Isaac Coleman is a writer, software engineering student, and video game designer.  He tells us the thought process behind "Tonight's Supernova," his winning entry into the 2015 Amygdala Short Story Competition. 2016's contest is now open for entries, BTW......... Check out Isaac's video game, THE LAST SPACE MARINE, at: http://gamejolt.com/games/the-last-space-marine/58220

Jennifer Beckstrand loves Romance! She is a long time writer of romantic fiction, and a specialist in writing fiction set within the Amish community. She discusses how she got started with specific genre work, writing in the voice of a new community, and society's need for light hearted fiction. She also describes how light-hearted is not the same thing as shallow, and talks about avoiding lazy short-cuts in storytelling.  Check out Jennifer's work at her website, follow her on FaceBook and Twitter (@JenniferBckst1) and read her series "The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill," and "The Honeybee Sisters."  

Jake Needham is the author of two major crime series set in Singapore and Asia: the Inspector Samuel Tay novels and the Jack Shepherd series. An international attorney turned crime novelist, Jake was kind enough to talk with me about his storylines, his approach to writing, and the use of "elaborate hanging out," to construct realistic and meaningful backdrops. Jake uses the city of Singapore as an active character within his work, and his storytelling is right up there with Elmore Leonard and Lawrence Block. Better than Block in my opinion. You heard me, Lawrence.  Check out his work at JakeNeedham.com, or follow him on Twitter @jakeneedham This is a rebroadcast of an older, re-edited interview. Click HERE to enter the Amygdala short story contest, and send us something better than Lawrence Block. 

Craig Pomranz has been an entertainer since he was 12. He recently wrote the children's book "Made by Raffi," in which he tells the story of his Godson's experience learning to knit. The reactions, support, and questions brought up by this young boy's new hobby lead to an important and charming story about gender roles, personal identity, self-confidence, and acceptance. We discuss these things and more, including childhood development, parenting, and the fact that Craig is a delightful person. Buy "Made by Raffi," and check out Craig's website by clicking HERE. This episode in being simelcast for this week's episodes of The Broken Brain and Amygdala Magazine Podcasts. 

SL Minton is a contributor to Issue #1 of Amygdala Magazine. she submitted the poignant and powerful short story "B," and was awarded inclusion in our magazine about technology interacting with humans. In this tale a little girl ponders the presence of 2 tools, low-tech but still tech: a pencil and a scythe. should she write, or should she stab her abuser? Stephanie, or SL, Minton is a delightful person and a great writer, and her take on the creative process will help any of us endeavoring to be creative, especially if your stories come from experience or anywhere deep in your soul. AND you should definitely follow her @irishlamnt on Twitter. If you'd like to contribute your own short story, we'd like to read it! Submit your story for Issue #2 of Amygdala Magazine today, over at amygdalazine.com/contest. 

Ivan Infante returns to the podcast to discuss writing and (more importantly today) READING! Specifically reading your submissions for this years Amygdala Magazine Short Story Competition. Ivan is an indie author and a great fan of creative fiction, and he and I discuss what we are looking for in this year's submissions.    Give us a listen and then send us your Story at: www.amygdalazine.com/contest !!! You can submit it anytime until Halloween night, 2016. 

Steve Cook is a writer and a teacher. He joins me to discuss his approach to writing "Belina," a kick-ass robot story, with which he won first place in Amygdala Magazine's Short Story Competition last year. Steve is an accomplished author and shares insights about writing as a creative medium, creating solid science fiction, placing humanity into nonhuman characters, world building, and just being a fun person.  Check out Steve's Blog at www.stevecookfiction.com, and his Podcast: Pocket Fiction.  

Author Elicia Clegg talks about Truck Driving fans, Long Blonde Hair, and Never, Ever giving up on your dreams. Check out her books on www.eliciaclegg.com or follow her on FB, Twitter, or Google Plus. 

Author Jake Needham discusses his noir fiction series', character development, and "Elaborate Hanging Out," as his research techniques in writing. Jake Needham is the author of the Inspector Tay and the Jack Shepard Series, both crime fiction set in Asia.