Amygdala Magazine

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.

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!

 

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 podcasts. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.