Amra 's Armchair Anecdotes

John Infortunio, a lifelong Brooklynite and author, shares his experiences as a teacher and writer, drawing on his upbringing and career in education. The conversation delves into the impact of teaching on writing, the depth of relationships, and the lessons learned from childhood. The conversation covers the craft of writing, the impact of memory and Alzheimer's, and the therapeutic nature of writing. It also delves into the experience of sharing personal stories and the importance of finding inspiration. The conversation concludes with advice for first-time novelists and details on where to find the author's books.

Takeaways

• Teaching as a career provides a deep sense of fulfillment and connection with young people.
• The act of writing can tap into personal experiences and relationships, shaping the narrative and character development. Craft of Writing
• Impact of Memory and Alzheimer's
• Therapeutic Nature of Writing
• Sharing Personal Stories
• Finding Inspiration
• Advice for First-Time Novelists

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey of an Educator
• 03:23 Teaching and Writing: A Symbiotic Relationship
• 16:16 The Impact of Relationships and Childhood Experiences
• 23:26 The Art of Writing and Teaching
• 26:35 The Craft of Writing
• 30:24 The Impact of Memory and Alzheimer's
• 34:11 Therapeutic Nature of Writing and Sharing Personal Stories
• 42:50 Finding Inspiration and Advice for First-Time Novelists

Connect with John Infrotunio

John Infortunio is a lifelong Brooklynite and the author of two emotionally charged thrillers, Destroyed by the Events of the Day and Today Was Tomorrow. Raised in Windsor Terrace before later settling in Bay Ridge, John draws on the neighborhoods, and the Italian and Irish culture, that shaped his upbringing. A graduate of Bishop Ford High School and St. Francis College, he spent sixteen years teaching English, History, and Philosophy at his alma mater, also serving as Athletic Director and coaching a championship basketball team — a career in education that now spans more than three decades.

His debut novel, Destroyed by the Events of the Day, was a fifteen-year passion project centered on a prep-school teacher whose name was inspired by John's real-life twin brother. His second novel, Today Was Tomorrow, released this year, draws on his own experience with his father's Alzheimer's and follows a son piecing together his family's hidden truths. John is currently writing his third novel while continuing his career in education. He lives with his son, Kevin, and outside of writing enjoys music, theater, and travel.

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Website: 
Instagram: @johninfortunio

Amani Roberts, author of 'The Quiet Storm', discusses the untold stories of R&B groups and the impact of media on their disappearance. He shares insights on the decline of black-owned media, the digital divide, and the challenges faced by artists in the music industry. Amani's book is a cultural manifesto that aims to correct the record on R&B groups and their forgotten stories. The conversation covers Amani Roberts' book, which includes personal stories, opinions, and historical facts about R&B groups. It also delves into the challenges of traditional publishing, the impact of R&B music, and the future of R&B groups.

Takeaways

• Untold stories of R&B groups
• Impact of media on the disappearance of R&B groups Self-publishing and hybrid publishing offer opportunities for authors to own their intellectual property and reach success without traditional gatekeepers.
• R&B music has a significant impact on all music genres and raising awareness about its history can lead to more credit, sampling, and proper songwriting credits for R&B artists.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Untold Stories of R&B Groups
• 04:54 The Decline of Black-Owned Media
• 12:28 The Digital Divide in Music
• 20:34 Challenges Faced by Artists in the Music Industry
• 22:07 A Cultural Manifesto: 'The Quiet Storm'
• 23:39 A Personal Journey Through R&B
• 25:01 Challenges of Traditional Publishing
• 27:29 The Impact of R&B Music
• 32:15 The Future of R&B Groups
• 38:25 The Power of Self-Publishing

About Amani Roberts

Amani Roberts, M.A. spent years behind the turntables before he spent years in the archives — and both taught him the same lesson: someone always decides which stories get remembered. His book, The Quiet Storm, is his attempt to correct the record on R&B groups — The Isley Brothers, The Temptations, TLC, Destiny’s Child, Boyz II Men — acts that dominated the charts for six decades and then vanished almost overnight once the industry, the media, and the algorithms moved on. Amani holds a master’s in Music Business from Berklee College of Music and a degree from Howard University, and his writing on music, culture, and creativity has appeared in Forbes, People, and The LA Times.

His other books, DJs Mean Business and Resilient & Brilliant, circle a version of the same idea: that creativity and history live in places the mainstream doesn’t always think to look. He co-hosts the podcast Adventures in Business and has spoken to audiences at Marriott, Meeting Professionals International, and beyond about music, memory, and reinvention.

Website: https://www.amaniexperience.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amaniexperience

Elisabeth Storrs, a former lawyer and acclaimed historical fiction writer, discusses her transition from law to writing, the challenges of balancing writing with family responsibilities, and the persistence and passion that kept her project alive for a decade. She also explores the challenges of publishing World War II fiction and the impact of Nazi research ideology. The conversation delves into the psychology of eugenics and genocide, highlighting the modern-day relevance of understanding historical atrocities. It also explores the challenges in publishing historical fiction and the power of digital books. Additionally, it discusses the Historical Novel Society, the judging criteria for historical fiction prizes, and the importance of community in writing.

Takeaways

• Balancing family responsibilities with writing requires dedication and regular practice.
• Historical accuracy in fiction requires a balance between research and storytelling. Understanding the psychology of eugenics and genocide
• The power of digital books in publishing

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Elisabeth Storrs and Her Novels
• 02:01 Transition from Law to Writing
• 03:20 Balancing Writing and Family Responsibilities
• 04:41 Efficiency and Growth in Writing
• 06:18 Inspiration and Creation of a Project
• 10:43 Exploring Women's Stories in Historical Fiction
• 12:58 Balancing Historical Accuracy and Storytelling
• 15:37 Practical Tips for Organizing Research
• 18:07 Persistence and Passion in Writing
• 20:12 Challenges in Publishing World War II Fiction
• 25:03 The Ideology and Impact of Nazi Research
• 27:34 The Psychology of Eugenics and Genocide
• 29:13 Understanding Modern-Day Genocide
• 30:22 Challenges in Publishing Historical Fiction
• 35:12 The Power of Digital Books
• 38:43 The Historical Novel Society and Literary Prizes
• 46:28 Judging Criteria for Historical Fiction Prizes
• 47:55 The Importance of Community in Writing

About Elisabeth Storrs

Elisabeth Storrs former lawyer who spent over fifteen years researching and writing her acclaimed A Tale of Ancient Rome trilogy. Her latest novel, Fables & Lies: A World War II Novelis set in 1940s Berlin, follows Freyja Bremer, a museum assistant who marries an SS scholar to protect her family, only to fall for an archaeologist who exposes the lies underpinning the Nazi regime. Inspired by the true, little-known story of the curators who risked their lives to save Priam's Treasure and the Aryan myth manufactured by Himmler's Ahnenerbe institute.

Beyond her own novels, Elisabeth is a driving force in Australian historical fiction: she co-founded the Historical Novel Society Australasia and established the ARA Historical Novel Prize, the richest literary prize of its kind in Australia and New Zealand, and is a longtime contributor to the History Girls blog. She lives in Sydney with her husband.

Website: https://elisabethstorrs.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisabethstorrsauthor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elisabeth.storrs/

Jim Shomos spent twenty years breaking format as a screenwriter and producer—his 2005 series Forget the Rules was the world's first to broadcast every episode across TV, web and mobile at once—before pivoting to indie fiction. He and Amra trace that reinvention: how a screenplay that couldn't get financed became his debut novel Up Here, why he chose indie publishing after COVID lockdown made the decision for him, and what changed when he swapped studio notes and gatekeepers for total creative control. They dig into the discipline behind the craft—Jim's answer to "what's your greatest talent" isn't story or voice, it's showing up—along with the pull of romance versus thrillers, where AI actually earns its keep for an indie author (and where it doesn't), and how grief and upheaval reshaped both their writing lives. A candid look at what it costs, and what it's worth, to keep chipping away at the work.

Takeaways

• Creative Freedom
• Collaboration in Creative Projects Discipline
• Continuous learning

Chapters

• 00:00 Meet Jim Shomos
• 01:28 The Birth of Forget the Rules
• 04:31 Total Creative Control vs. Studio Notes
• 08:53 From Copywriter to Screenwriter: Craft, Mentors, and Emotional Truth
• 15:54 Gatekeepers and a Subjective Industry
• 18:27 Streaming Economics and Vanishing Residuals
• 20:36 When Editors Pull You in Different Directions
• 23:41 Can AI Write an Original Story?
• 27:37 Canva, AI Narration, and Indie Marketing Tools
• 29:45 Grief, Sabbatical, and Stepping Back
• 31:02 Becoming a Romance Writer, and a Lifelong Thriller Reader
• 33:11 The Idea Behind Up Here
• 34:32 25 Years of Pitching One Script
• 36:18 Craft, Discipline, and the Myth of Inspiration
• 39:13 "Real Writing Is Rewriting"
• 41:45 Parenthood, Upheaval, and Getting the Work Done
• 44:06 Why Reading Makes You a Better Writer
• 45:21 Deciding on the Next Project: Kidnap
• 47:33 COVID and the Decision to Go Indie
• 48:13 Finding a Publishing Community: BusyBird and Romance Writers of Australia
• 51:23 Hybrid vs. Traditional Publishing, and Spotting the Scams
• 55:04 Staying Current on Marketing
• 56:10 Choosing to Write the Next Book
• 57:02 Protecting Your IP as an Indie Author
• 58:15 Walking Away from Producing
• 59:11 Legacy, Mortality, and What Matters Now
• 1:00:13 Where to Find Jim

Jim Shomos

Jim Shomos spent over twenty years as a screenwriter and producer before reinventing himself as an indie novelist. Jim Shomos created ‘forget the rules’—the world's first comedy-drama series to broadcast every episode on TV, web and mobile at once—picked up wins and nominations at Cannes and the Australian Writers' Guild, and was once ranked in Australia's Film & TV Power-50. A few years ago, he turned that screenwriting instinct toward the page. Today he's the indie-published author of three contemporary romance novels, and  Up Here, Three Women in November, and More Text Than Sex.

Website: https://jimshomos.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jim_shomos/

Fiona Tarr discusses her transition from writing fantasy to crime fiction, the process of building a community of readers, and the strategies for exploiting her intellectual property. She shares insights into genre planning, community engagement, and the challenges and opportunities of self-publishing. The conversation covers the challenges and strategies of being an indie author, including the balance between writing and business, the use of Kickstarter and special editions, engagement with library events and public lending rights, challenges with Kindle Unlimited and wide distribution, navigating industry challenges, advice for emerging indie authors, and series completion and reader engagement.

Takeaways

• Genre Transition
• Building a Community
• Exploiting Intellectual Property Adapting to the evolving industry
• Understanding the market and reader preferences

Chapters

• 00:00 Transition from Fantasy to Crime
• 03:52 Building a Community of Readers
• 07:21 Exploiting Intellectual Property
• 41:47 Series Completion and Reader Engagement

About Fiona Tarr

Fiona Tarr is a number-one bestselling Amazon author who has built a devoted, worldwide readership from her home in Noosa, Queensland.

In 2023 she launched the Opal Fields series, following Constable Jenny Williams through a remote opal-mining town inspired by Coober Pedy, and it changed everything. She has written full-time ever since.

Since then, Fiona has built two ongoing crime series — Opal Fields and Dawn Grave — alongside the Foxy Mysteries spin-off, racking up tens of thousands of reader ratings.

•      Website: fionatarr.com

•      Instagram: @fionatarr

•      Facebook: Fiona Tarr – Author (facebook.com/fionatarr.atime2write)

•      YouTube: Fiona Tarr on YouTube

The conversation with Mirela Cufurovic covers her projects, including Tea Time with Mirela and the Australian Muslim Review, as well as the challenges and opportunities in the publishing industry. Mirela's work focuses on amplifying diverse voices, fostering genuine connections, and addressing the limitations of traditional publishing. She also discusses the impact of her projects on professional development and the need for greater representation in literature and history. The conversation covers a wide range of topics including the challenges of applying for grants and funding, the manipulation in the publishing industry, the impact of self-publishing, the importance of intention and passion in creative projects, and the issue of burnout and sustaining creativity. The discussion also delves into the value of genuine connection, the joy of connecting with like-minded individuals, and the significance of trusting oneself.

Takeaways

• Amplifying diverse voices
• Challenges in traditional publishing Challenges of applying for grants and funding
• Impact of self-publishing
• Importance of intention and passion in creative projects
• Issue of burnout and sustaining creativity
• Value of genuine connection and trust in oneself

Chapters

• 00:00 Limitations of Traditional Publishing
• 42:00 Value of Genuine Connection and Trust in Oneself

Connect with Mirela Cufurovic

Mirela Cufurovic is a historian, writer, interviewer, and founder of Tea Time with Mirela, an Instagram interview series with female authors in Australia. Through long-form discussions with writers, academics, artists, and community voices, she has built a platform that values nuance, intellectual curiosity, and genuine dialogue in an online space often driven by speed and simplification.
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She is also the founder of The Australian Muslim Review on Substack, an independent publication dedicated to amplifying Muslim voices, ideas, literature, history, and cultural commentary beyond the narrow frameworks often presented in mainstream media. Her work explores the importance of storytelling, historical memory, representation, and community-led media spaces.

Personal - https://mirelacufurovic.substack.com
TAMR - https://theaustralianmuslimreview.substack.com
Tea Time with Mirela - https://mirelacufurovic.substack.com/podcast

Krystle Herdy, a queer disabled poet and editor, discusses the emotional reality of writing poetry, navigating literary spaces as a queer and disabled writer, and the pressure of recognition. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, representation, and accessibility in the literary world. The conversation covers the journey of a poet and writer, Krystle, as she navigates the challenges and triumphs of her creative life. It delves into the themes of bravery, self-compassion, the value of poetry, and the importance of creating accessible spaces for disabled writers.

Takeaways

• Authenticity and representation are crucial in the literary world.
• Accessibility and inclusion are essential for writers with disabilities. Bravery in creativity
• Kindness to oneself
• The value of poetry
• Creating accessible spaces for disabled writers

Chapters

• 00:00 Challenges of Accessibility and Inclusion in Literary Spaces
• 15:52 Impact of Recognition and Personal Journey
• 25:15 The Value of Poetry
• 30:25 Kindness to Oneself

Season two of Amra's Armchair Anecdotes delves into deep and honest conversations about generational trauma, art therapy, indie publishing, sustainable living, the business of making art, writing and publishing challenges, the emotional cost of writing trauma, and print on demand publishing. Each episode offers unique insights and perspectives on these topics, providing a rich and diverse exploration of creativity, healing, and storytelling.

Takeaways

• Exploring the impact of generational trauma
• The intersection of art therapy and dietary rebellion

Chapters

• 00:00 Exploring Generational Trauma
• 03:01 Art Therapy and Dietary Rebellion
• 04:11 The Reality of Indie Publishing
• 05:27 Living Sustainably and Electric Homes
• 07:13 The Messy Business of Making Art
• 09:32 The Challenges of Writing and Publishing
• 12:24 The Emotional Cost of Writing Trauma
• 14:13 Demystifying Print on Demand Publishing

The conversation delves into the multifaceted artistic journey of Jelena Curic, exploring her experiences as a writer, comedian, singer, and cultural representative. From the creation of the character Teta Yela to the challenges of cultural representation in writing, the discussion highlights the complexities of artistic identity and the pursuit of creative freedom. Jelena's journey reflects the triumphs and struggles of navigating the publishing industry and embracing a multifaceted approach to artistry. The conversation covers diverse podcast content, midlife challenges, coping with anxiety and vulnerability, embracing confidence and authenticity, creative risks and content creation, and navigating online identities. It delves into the multifaceted nature of storytelling, the complexities of midlife relationships, and the emotional impact of menopause. It also explores the importance of authenticity, confidence, and creative expression, as well as the challenges of managing multiple online identities and promoting writing and books.

Takeaways

• Multifaceted artistry: Embracing diverse creative expressions
• Cultural representation: Navigating challenges in writing and storytelling Diverse storytelling in podcasts
• Navigating midlife challenges
• Embracing authenticity and confidence
• Navigating online identities and content creation

Chapters

• 00:00 Introducing Jelena Churich: The Multifaceted Artist
• 08:29 Navigating the Publishing Industry: Struggles and Triumphs
• 20:01 Artistic Identity and Creative Freedom
• 27:26 Embracing Multifaceted Artistry: Breaking the Mold
• 35:19 Coping with Anxiety and Vulnerability
• 45:05 Navigating Online Identities

Guest bio:

Jelena Curic wears a few hats — literary novelist, crime writer, comedian, and, by her own admission, the resident diva of her local Croatian community, singing most weekends whether or not anyone asked her to. You may already know her online as Teta Jela, the aunty who says the things the rest of us only think. Her name is Jelena Curic.

Jelena's debut novel, Sing to Me, was published by WestWords in 2025. It follows Pero — a Croatian immigrant in 1980s Western Sydney, a flawed and fascinating man who, when Tito dies and his mother's health fails, returns home to confront family secrets, a father who won't speak to him, and the long shadow of a war-torn past. It's a story about silence, forgiveness, and the song the soul forgets it knows.

She came up through the WestWords Academy and Accelerator and was shortlisted for the Born Writers Award two years running — and today she's here to talk about everything she learned getting that book into the world.

You can find Jelena at jelenacuric.com, follow Jelena the writer in her Teta Jela on Instagram @jelena.curic_writer

Warren Rankine, author of Fifteen Feet Tall, shares his journey from business to authorship, the emotional process of writing, the decision to publish, and the challenges of vulnerability and cultural representation in memoir writing. He discusses the role of editors and the response to his memoir from men and women, highlighting the growth and evolution experienced through the writing process. The conversation delves into the themes of compassion and connection, revisiting personal records, institutional trauma and freedom of information, separating craft from product, persistence in marketing and promotion, and belief in self and value creation. Warren's experiences and insights provide valuable lessons for aspiring authors and individuals navigating personal challenges.

Takeaways

• The journey from business to authorship
• The emotional process of memoir writing Compassion and empathy build trust
• Revisiting personal records can reveal discrepancies and confrontational surprises
• Persistence and belief in self are crucial in marketing and promotion

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey to Authorship
• 06:31 The Decision to Publish and the Editing Process
• 13:46 Writing About Family and Vulnerability
• 25:50 Vulnerability and Growth in Memoir Writing
• 32:04 Compassion and Connection
• 37:23 Institutional Trauma and Freedom of Information
• 46:03 Persistence in Marketing and Promotion
• 52:16 Belief in Self and Value Creation

About Warren Rankine

Warren Rankine is author of Fifteen Feet Tall — a memoir written by a Ngarrindjeri man exploring childhood abandonment, foster care, trauma, identity, survival, and what it means to rebuild a life after growing up without stability.

Warren’s story isn’t just the memoir itself, but the way he’s approached authorship. He’s not coming from a literary or academic background. He built a business first, then turned to storytelling, and has approached publishing with a really direct, entrepreneurial mindset.

We’re talking about writing trauma honestly without becoming trapped by it, the emotional cost of memoir, masculinity and vulnerability, and the realities of marketing and direct-selling your own story in a crowded publishing landscape.

Website: https://www.fifteenfeettall.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fifteen_feet_tall/