Amygdala Magazine

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.