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PODCAST

Totally Lit!

The podcast celebrating reading, writing and creating literature. Join your host Ky Garvey as she chats with readers, writers, illustrators & all types of creators of books and stories. Be inspired to read, write, create, ignite!

arts books

All Episodes

59:15

Sally Leydon - Searching for Marion: A Daughter’s...

Totally Lit! ·

2026/02/16

And now for something completely different...In this episode I chat to Sally Leydon the host of The Missing Matter Podcast. Sally recounts her mother Marion Barter’s disappearance in 1997 and how podcasting transformed her search - from Channel 7’s investigation to her own series, The Missing Matter.She shares the international leads, community detectives who uncovered new evidence, the challenges with police priorities, and her advocacy work including the Green Seat Project to support other

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45:37

2025 Top Listens #14 - Danielle Binks & Chapters for...

Totally Lit! ·

2026/01/30

2025 Top Listens #14Author and agent Danielle Binks talks about her middle-grade novel Six Summers of Tash and Leopold — a tender suburban mystery about former best friends, school refusal, childhood anxiety and the slow rebuilding of trust. She also discusses her work as a teacher and agent, her World War I research, and her ambassadorship with Chapters for Change, encouraging listeners to join the July Readathon to support literacy projects in Cambodia. Chapters for Change Readathon 2026 Danielle

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43:55

2025 Top Listens #15 - Aaron Tait

Totally Lit! ·

2026/01/29

2025 Top Listens #15 In this episode Ky Garvey talks with Aaron Tate about his memoir Far Horizons, tracing his transformation from a young naval officer deployed after 9/11 to a humanitarian leader in Africa. Aaron discusses the trauma of war, the moral awakening that led him to pursue international development, the challenges of writing a raw memoir, and his hopes to inspire readers to live deliberately. They also touch on reading habits, the importance of men's engagement with books, and Aaron’s

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52:48

2025 Top Listens #16 - Lorena Carrington and Sophie...

Totally Lit! ·

2026/01/28

Celebrating 2025's Top Listens! Coming in at #16 is the incredible Lorena Carrington and Sophie Masson On this episode of Totally Lit, host Ky Garvey chats with author Sophie and illustrator Lorena about their new picture book, The Giant. They discuss how the story began, their collaborative process, Lorena’s mixed-media illustration techniques, working with publisher Midnight Sun, and experiences from the May Gibbs Creative Fellowship. They also share practical advice for aspiring creatives — on

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50:35

2025 Top Listens #17 - Ben Hobson -The Death of John...

Totally Lit! ·

2026/01/27

Celebrating 2025's Top Listens! Coming in at #17 is the incredible Ben Hobson! Host Ky Garvey talks with author Ben Hobson about his path from musician to writer, balancing family, day job and creative life, and the routines that keep him productive. They discuss research and collaboration (including work with Wadawurrung people), writing projects like Snake Island and contributions to Into Your Arms, and Ben’s community project, Ben’s Book Club. Ben shares practical advice for emerging writers,

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51:59

2025 Top Listens #18 - Christian White - The Long Night

Totally Lit! ·

2026/01/26

Celebrating 2025's Top Listens! Coming in at #18 is the AWESOME Christian White! Host Ky Garvey interviews bestselling author and screenwriter Christian White about his new novel, The Long Night, his process of writing both novels and screenplays, and how character drives plot. They cover writer’s-room collaboration, adapting work for screen, practical advice for aspiring writers (including the value of competitions), and a memorable personal anecdote about a teenage werewolf experiment. About the

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53:40

2025 Top Listens #19 - Angie Cui - Our Map & My Mum...

Totally Lit! ·

2026/01/25

Celebrating 2025's Top Listens! Coming in at #19 is the amazing Angie Cui! Host Ky Garvey talks with Angie Cui about her 2025 picture-book year, focusing on Our Map and My Mum Is a Bird. They discuss the inspiration behind Our Map, Angie’s long drafting process, working with publishers and illustrators, and the challenges of pitching and making a story marketable. The episode also covers themes of belonging, heritage and identity, the role of illustration in picture books, balancing writing with

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29:45

2025 Top Listens #20 - Rachel Jackson - Escape from...

Totally Lit! ·

2026/01/24

Celebrating 2025's Top Listens! Coming in at #20 is the amazing Rachel Jackson! Host Ky Garvey interviews Rachel Jackson about her Solve It Your Way series—interactive, puzzle-filled adventures for 8–12 year olds that blend choose-your-own-adventure storytelling with riddles, brainteasers, and multiple endings. They discuss Rachel’s writing and planning process (including using spreadsheets), testing with young and neurodivergent readers, upcoming titles (pirates, detectives, dragons), tips for

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43:54

Aaron Tait - Far Horizons: A Journey from War to Peace

Totally Lit! ·

2025/11/17

In this episode Ky Garvey talks with Aaron Tate about his memoir Far Horizons, tracing his transformation from a young naval officer deployed after 9/11 to a humanitarian leader in Africa. Aaron discusses the trauma of war, the moral awakening that led him to pursue international development, the challenges of writing a raw memoir, and his hopes to inspire readers to live deliberately.They also touch on reading habits, the importance of men's engagement with books, and Aaron’s tips for memoir

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36:12

Paula McLean on Debut Novels, Fearless Press & The...

Totally Lit! ·

2025/11/09

In this episode of Totally Lit, host Kai Garvey speaks with Paula McLean about her debut novel, the inspiration behind publishing imprint Fearless Press (founded by her daughter Ginny Grant), and the importance of supporting women writers through prizes like the Stella Prize and the new Fearless Prize.They discuss the shift from memoir to fiction, Paula’s experiences as an editor, the challenges writers face balancing life and creativity, and the joy of seeing women’s writing gain recognition

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51:44

Christian White: The Long Night

Totally Lit! ·

2025/10/31

Host Ky Garvey talks with novelist and screenwriter Christian White about his new book, The Long Night, his work adapting stories for screen, and his writing process. They cover character-driven storytelling, the writer’s room, and practical advice for aspiring writers.White also shares personal anecdotes—from the early days of submitting work and entering competitions to a quirky werewolf experiment—and discusses how he balances dark subject matter with everyday life and promotion. Christian White

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48:23

Carla Salmon - Red Sands, Surf, Suspicion and Debut...

Totally Lit! ·

2025/10/11

.Host Ky Garvey speaks with debut author Carla Salmon about her coastal YA mystery set in a surf life‑saving club, Carla’s three‑year writing journey from teacher to published author, marketing and school‑workshop strategies, tackling imposter syndrome, encouraging teen readers (especially boys), and plans for future standalone teen mysteries.Carla Salmon Books https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761566790/ Host: Ky Garvey Theme Song: Claire Houghton Logo: Tondo Creative -

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38:17

Carolyn Bourke on Dementia, Care and Creativity

Totally Lit! ·

2025/09/28

Host Ky Garvey interviews Carolyn Bourke about her experience as a Chaplain and writer. They discuss Carolyn’s entry in the Totally Lit Micro Fiction Prize, her 10-year journey writing a novel about dementia, and the hopeful ‘garden’ strand that represents spiritual connection and reconciliation.The conversation covers lived experience with dementia and caregiving, practical publishing tips, mentorship, and the challenges and rewards of writing about difficult topics. Carolyn shares advice for

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38:51

Nathan J Thomas - EK Books

Totally Lit! ·

2025/09/21

Nathan J Thomas, General Manager of Exile Publishing and EK Books, discusses the company’s family history, the challenges of today’s publishing market, and how EK balances community-driven stories with commercial realities. He shares practical advice for authors—know your audience, follow picture-book structure, write your pitch in your own voice—and explains opportunities like the Children’s Publishing Academy, upcoming seminars, and EK’s focus on neurodiversity, global reach, and sustainable

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52:45

Lorena Carrington & Sophie Masson: The Giant

Totally Lit! ·

2025/09/11

In this episode Ky Garvey chats with author Sophie Masson and illustrator Lorena Carrington about the creation of their picture book The Giant — from the moment the idea struck on a walk, to collaborative illustration techniques, publisher relationships, and book launches.They discuss creative practice, handling rejection, school visits, practical advice for aspiring creatives, and how podcasting and community-building support their work. Sophie Masson, Author – Official site for author Sophie

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63:09

Bethany Loveridge: Inside Harper Wells: Renegade...

Totally Lit! ·

2025/09/03

Bethany Loveridge joins Totally Lit to talk about her debut middle-grade novel, Harper Wells: Renegade Timeline Officer — a time-travel adventure where a girl meets a young Edith Cowan and runs afoul of a timeline officer. She discusses the trilogy, the audiobook, and her publisher, Wombat Books. The conversation covers Bethany’s long path to publication, the role of mentorships and critique groups, practical writing tips (read widely, start in the action, plot your story), the challenges of picture

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58:32

Ben Hobson on Writing, Guilt and Creative Risk

Totally Lit! ·

2025/08/25

Host Ky Garvey chats with author Ben Hobson about his unexpected path to becoming a writer — from punk bands and audiovisual work to university, short-story wins, and his published novels. They discuss research for The Death of John Lacey, collaborations, Ben’s Book Club, and the creative experiments that keep his work alive.The conversation also dives into practical reality: balancing family, day jobs, and writing time; dealing with imposter syndrome and the search for validation; and Ben’s advice

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38:24

Dr Helen Edwards on Writing Difference: Lighthouses,...

Totally Lit! ·

2025/08/14

Host Ky Garvey interviews author Helen Edwards about her Foreverability Award win for Legend of the Lighthouse Moon, a middle-grade novel featuring a main character with type 1 diabetes set in 1970. Helen shares how her own diagnosis informed the story, the emotional truths that remain the same across eras, and the importance of inclusion in children’s literature.The conversation explores stigma around diabetes, mental-health challenges, and how books act as mirrors and windows for readers. Helen

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27:11

Sally Rippin - Hook into Books

Totally Lit! ·

2025/07/31

SALLY RIPPINAs the current Australian Children's Laureate (2024-2025), Sally is travelling around the country and internationally to chat about the ways we can share stories and support children who might struggle to read. Sally writes stories with heart and characters that resonate with children, parents, and teachers alike. Her widely popular books are beloved across the globe and have sold more than ten million copies in eighteen countries. A mum of three boys, Sally is particularly passionate

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44:49

Catriona McKeown - Winning Against All Odds: The...

Totally Lit! ·

2025/07/20

Welcome to the latest episode of Totally Lit, where we dive deep into the world of young adult literature with author Catriona McKeown. In this engaging conversation, Catriona shares insights into her recent releases, including the intriguing 'Good Luck and Other Lies', a story about teenagers navigating financial hardships and the ethical quandaries of winning a lottery using AI technology.Catriona discusses her inspiration from real-world issues like the housing crisis and the impact of AI on

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116 results

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