Totally Lit!

Host Ky Garvey talks with kid‑lit author Lauren Hackney about her debut picture book Panda — a black‑and‑white cow who dreams of being the farm's border collie. They discuss Lauren's self‑published Lolly Shop series, her route to a traditional publishing contract, screenwriting successes and the animation shorts tied to Panda, plus practical advice for emerging writers: diversify your paths, foster relationships, and stay ope...

Host Ky Garvey speaks with author and academic Jodie McAlister about her new novel, A Study in Sparkling — a contemporary rom‑com about Fiona, a woman rebuilding after her husband’s secret second family, and Satoshi, the wine‑bar owner who helps her heal. They discuss plot, character stakes, and the hooks that make readers turn pages.

They also cover Jodie’s writing process and discipline, balancing an academic ca...

Totally Lit and Red Thorne Events present a special episode featuring a roster of amazing authors discussing new releases across genres—gothic poetry, urban fantasy, slasher rom‑coms, vampire romance, and science fantasy. Guests share personal insights, surprising facts, and what the author community means to them.

Til Blood Do Us Part was an amazing book launch for Anais Coker and featured an amazing array of authors, panels...

Jess Galatola joins host Ky Garvey on Totally Lit to discuss her new graphic novel Seasons of Clementine, her upcoming picture book The Witch Who Couldn't Spell, and the impact of her earlier work Some Families Change. They talk about adapting stories into different formats, the role of poetry in her work, teaching tools for classrooms, and parenting through neurodiversity. Jess shares behind-the-scenes insights on writing, worksho...

Dan Marais and Danica Patterson discuss Children’s Rights Queensland, the creation of The Big Book of Rights and Hello You! and the organisation’s community programs. Danica describes consulting with 200 children, the fast timeline to publication, and how children’s artwork inspired the illustrations. They also cover upcoming releases, Children’s Week and Child Protection Week events, ambassadorship opportun...

In this episode Ky Garvey talks with Gabriella Page, an Australian opera chorister living in Italy,  about her new middle-grade mystery The Nardi Puzzle, which sends a 12-year-old into a 13-hour escape game inside an Italian mansion. They discuss Gabriella's pathway to publication, the puzzle design and research behind the book, and how she balances a singing career with writing while staying connected to the Australian kid-li...

Author Dan Thomas chats with Ky Garvey about his new picture book Bedtime and No Butts, the creative process behind writing for children, and the joys and anxieties of being an author. They discuss illustration, publishing journeys, school visits, and connecting with young readers.

The conversation also covers Dan's past work in advertising, stand-up, and documentary filmmaking, plus tips on pitching, writing routines, and the chan...

Host Ky Garvey chats with Jemima Parker about her debut picture book Poppy Makes Pockets (EK Books), her upcoming titles with EK and Scholastic, and the real-life moments that launched her publishing journey — from open submissions to writing retreats and personal connections.

Jemima shares practical tips for aspiring authors, the joy of collaborating with an illustrator, and release details (Poppy Makes Pockets out 14 July, ...

In this episode Ky talks with children’s author Lellie Lopoter about her picture book Bella Grows a Bicycle — a heartwarming tale of a girl who starts with a single seed and, through bartering, upcycling and community swaps, works her way to a bicycle. The story introduces kids to the swap economy, resourcefulness, goal-setting and resilience in a fun, uplifting way.

The conversation also covers the author’s perso...

Host Ky Garvey interviews children’s author Janeen Brian about her new picture book Somewhere You Can Dream, her early TV work (including Humphrey Bear), collaboration with illustrators, writing habits, and the importance of persistence, community, and hope for emerging writers. She also discusses upcoming projects like Water Baby and offers practical tips for writers starting out.

About the book:

F...

Host Ky Garvey talks with Lauren Williams about her debut novel Neighbourhood Watch — a darkly comic, Melbourne-set thriller inspired by a real scarecrow competition. The episode explores the book's plot (a judge's body arranged as a scarecrow), Detective Sergeant Priyanka Powell's investigation, and the sisters Emma and Margot grappling with the fallout and corruption close to home.

They also discuss Williams's journey from ...

Host Ky Garvey interviews thriller author Matt Rogers about his new book The Damned (the sequel to The Forsaken), his transition from years of successful self-publishing to traditional publishing with Simon & Schuster, his writing and editing process, thoughts on AI and the industry, and practical advice for aspiring writers.

About the Book: Retired assassin Logan Booth is ready to settle down – but Jacinta Murphy, t...

Martin Evans, known online as This_Chubby_Bois Life, shares his journey from an on-again/off-again reader to a thriving Bookstagram and BookTok creator who champions indie and traditional authors, builds meaningful friendships, and navigates the highs and lows of content creation.

The episode highlights Martin’s community-driven work with Chapters for Change, his passion for supporting literacy and authors, and how bookish ev...

Lauren recounts her journey from viral Wattpad success to signing with Penguin, explaining how she moved from self-publishing to traditional publishing and now writes across multiple romance subgenres.

She also discusses balancing a day job, motherhood and social media, shares launch and marketing experiences, and offers practical advice to aspiring authors to keep writing and get the first draft down.

About the author: Lauren Jack...

Host Ky Garvey interviews K D Aldyn about her new crime thriller You Girls Play Nice, exploring themes of female rage, revenge and loyalty as four friends’ hypothetical murders are replicated in real life. They discuss Katie’s writing process across genres, her publishing journey, and personal insights from life on the road and living with dyscalculia and mild synesthesia.

About the book: When their best friend is ...

Author Dinuka McKenzie joins host Ky Garvey on Totally Lit to talk about her Kate Miles series, her upcoming standalone SHEER LIGHT FIRST, and her work as an ambassador for Chapters for Change.

They discuss the Chapters for Change readathon—how to register, how teams and social media boost participation, and how the fundraising supports community-led literacy projects in Cambodia.

You can register for the 2026 Chapters for Ch...

Host Ky Garvey interviews debut author Inessa Jackson about her award-winning crime novel Devil Mountain, a small-town police procedural with a creepy, witchy twist. They discuss the grisly murder that kicks off the story, the themes of misogyny and power, and how folklore and Wiccan practice inform the mystery.

Inessa shares her ten-year writing journey, the surprising moment she won the Verena mentorship, working with her publish...

Host Ky Garvey interviews Mary Colussi, the 2025 Penguin Literary Prize winner, about her debut novel Touch Grass — a near‑future speculative story in which a woman wakes up as a cactus and consciousness‑swapping becomes an endemic phenomenon. They discuss the book's themes of derealisation, digital life versus material reality, and the strange, humane humour behind the premise.

Mary describes her writing and editing process,...

Host Ky Garvey interviews Samantha Ross about her debut novel Impossible Springs—covering her journey to being published by Penguin, the practice of manifesting alongside scientific insight, and the novel’s magical-realism telepathy concept inspired by family and her grandmother’s mediumship.

They also discuss 90s music influences, Ross’s industry experiences, practical advice for emerging writers, book-laun...