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!
Episodes
On this episode of Totally Lit, host KyGarvey speaks with author Edwina Shaw about her new book Dear Madman, which investigates a century-old family tragedy in the Lockyer Valley and the murder that has haunted generations.
They discuss Shaw's years of research, the book's dual narrative voices, access to archives and mental health files, and the surprising discoveries about the perpetrator and his past. The conversation also explo...
Join Ky Garvey as she chats with Sophie Stern, whose debut novel 'What Is Left for Us' traces two estranged sisters returning to their grandmother's crumbling Bondi clifftop house. The episode explores family secrets, alternating timelines, a vivid sense of place and the environmental threat of coastal erosion that frames the story.
Sophie shares her path to becoming a writer — taking permission to write, being shortlisted for the ...
Host Ky Garvey interviews Lawrey Goodrick about his illustrated middle‑grade book Half‑Life, a lively AA battery adventure following Half and his friend Hope as they explore science, history and identity.
The episode covers the book's STEM themes, neurodiversity and mental‑wellbeing, Laurie’s creative and publishing journey, his illustration process, and practical tips for aspiring authors.
Lawrey Goodrick– Hawkeye Publishing
Host:...
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 a...
2025 Top Listens #14
Author 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 liter...
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 readin...
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 Fellow...
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, B...
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 memorab...
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, ...
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 r...
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 importa...
In this episode of Totally Lit, host Ky 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 crea...
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 ...
.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.
https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761566790/
Host: Ky Garvey
...
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 rewa...
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, ...
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 the...
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 wid...
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 w...
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