Totally Lit!

Ky Garvey
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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!

  1. 2d ago

    Nick Croydon - From CEO to Novelist: Nautilus and The Turing Protocol

    Join Ky Garvey as she chats with Nick Croydon about his new novel Nautilus, the follow-up to The Turing Protocol. They discuss Nick's historical influences, research and writing practices and the role of editors in shaping the story. Nick also shares practical insights on balancing a demanding CEO role with disciplined writing routines, in-depth research, book promotion, and tips for emerging authors, while reflecting on the changing book culture and festival scene. About the book: Nautilus is a machine with the astonishing power to send messages eight weeks back in time. Its users must follow a set of protocols established by Alan Turing, including that it can only be used by a descendant of the Turing family and only to avert global disasters. But what would happen if it fell into the wrong hands? In this follow-up to The Turing Protocol, Nautilus becomes a dangerous plaything in the hands of rogue operators, who want to use it for power, personal gain and even to bring down nations. Will the machine's capacity for good outweigh its potential for catastrophic harm? About the author: Nick Croydon was born in Surrey, England, and is the CEO of QBD Books Australia. He has more than twenty-five years’ experience running international publishing companies and book retail businesses across the United Kingdom and Australia. The Turing Protocol was his debut novel. Nautilus by Nick Croydon - 9781923419001 "Nick Croydon" Book Results on Simon & Schuster AU Host: Ky Garvey Theme Song: Claire Houghton Logo: Tondo Creative - https://www.tondo.com.au/ Production: Aud Pitch - https://www.virtualcreatrix.com/ Totally Lit is an independent podcast. You can help support us to continue to chat with wonderful Australian creatives by leaving a review on Itunes or sharing our socials with your friends.  You can also make a contribution at: www.buymeacoffee.com/Totallylit For those of you who know me I am kind of a caffeine addict! So you can keep me fueled with caffeine and this will also help with equipment & podcasting platform fees etc.  I love to interact with our listeners so feel free to say hello either by email or social media: Totallylitpodcast@gmail.com

  2. 3d ago

    Lauren Hackney: Panda Wants to Be a Border Collie — The Story Behind the Book

    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 open to opportunity. Panda is out via Daisy Lane Publishing (available in bookstores and online); follow Lauren on Instagram @lbehat.hackney and find her YouTube channel LBE Hackney for more interviews and updates. About the book: Meet PANDA — a black and white cow who is absolutely certain she is a dog. With a wagging tail, a playful spirit, and boundless affection, PANDA behaves just like one. The other animals try to set the record straight, but no matter how many times they tell her she is a cow, PANDA knows how she feels inside. It takes the farm's wise border collie stepping forward with kindness and understanding to show PANDA that her true worth has nothing to do with fitting a label. What matters most is being a good friend, and being exactly, wonderfully herself.  This heartwarming tale explores identity, self-acceptance, and the power of friendship with gentleness and humour. Perfect for any child whose inside doesn't quite match their outside, PANDA encourages young readers to embrace who they are, celebrate their individuality, and understand that they are valued — not for what others perceive them to be, but simply for being them. Panda | Seed and Sage Publishing About the author: Lauren Hackney is a Queensland-based author and screenwriter who began writing stories with her children in 2020 after her aviation career ended and her husband suffered a life threatening health episode. What began as a healing journey turned into a creative path, culminating in her internationally sold chapter book The Lolly Shop, which she has since adapted into an award winning animated screenplay. Many stories have followed in forms of picture books, novels and screenplays in spanning many genres. Family, animation, drama and romantic comedy. Lauren's storytelling blends heart, humour, and a touch of magic - often inspired by family, the bond they share, and resilience. She is also the host of a YouTube interview series spotlighting authors and creatives across the literary world. Host: Ky Garvey Theme Song: Claire Houghton Logo: Tondo Creative - https://www.tondo.com.au/ Production: Aud Pitch - https://www.virtualcreatrix.com/ Totally Lit is an independent podcast. You can help support us to continue to chat with wonderful Australian creatives by leaving a review on Itunes or sharing our socials with your friends.  You can also make a contribution at: www.buymeacoffee.com/Totallylit For those of you who know me I am kind of a caffeine addict! So you can keep me fueled with caffeine and this will also help with equipment & podcasting platform fees etc.  I love to interact with our listeners so feel free to say hello either by email or social media: Totallylitpodcast@gmail.com

  3. 3d ago

    Jodie McAlister on Craft and Career: Writing, Wine and Winning Deadlines

    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 career with publishing, the business of romance fiction, her wine qualifications used in the book, and upcoming projects and events. About the book: The author of the “brilliant” (Library Journal) An Academic Affair proves that the best love stories start with a pop with this sizzling romance about a recently separated single mom who’s absolutely not looking for another relationship...only to fall for the younger owner of her favorite wine bar. Fiona Fisher thought she had it all: a loving husband, three kids, and a life far away from the suffocating expectations of her family. But when her husband reveals that he’s leaving her for his secret second family, Fiona is left devastated and humiliated. Satoshi Tsukamoto wants it all. He’s the owner of a popular wine bar, and he’s studying for the hardest test in the world: the Master Sommelier exam. There aren’t enough hours in the day for anything else—except maybe for Fiona, his favorite customer, and the woman he’s absolutely, catastrophically in love with. On paper, Fiona and Satoshi make no sense. He’s eight years younger than her and has no time for romance. She’s a single mother and doesn’t know if she’ll ever be able to trust anyone again. But how can Fiona resist when Satoshi suggests they give into their mutual attraction and let off some steam? And how can Satoshi resist when the woman he adores is finally within his grasp—even if they’ve agreed to keep things casual? The perfect read for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Abby Jimenez, A Study in Sparkling proves that Jodi McAlister truly is “a writer to watch” (Booklist). A Study in Sparkling | Book by Jodi McAlister | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster About the author: Jodi McAlister, PhD, is an author and academic from Kiama, Australia. She is the author of An Academic Affair and the Marry Me Juliet trilogy. She is currently a senior lecturer in writing, literature, and culture at Deakin University in Melbourne and is the president of the International Association for the Study of Popular Romance. For more, visit JodiMcAlister.com.au or find her on Instagram @JodiMcAlister. Official website of Jodi McAlister, romance author and academic Host: Ky Garvey Theme Song: Claire Houghton Logo: Tondo Creative - https://www.tondo.com.au/ Production: Aud Pitch - https://www.virtualcreatrix.com/ Totally Lit is an independent podcast. You can help support us to continue to chat with wonderful Australian creatives by leaving a review on Itunes or sharing our socials with your friends.  You can also make a contribution at: www.buymeacoffee.com/Totallylit For those of you who know me I am kind of a caffeine addict! So you can keep me fueled with caffeine and this will also help with equipment & podcasting platform fees etc.  I love to interact with our listeners so feel free to say hello either by email or social media: Totallylitpodcast@gmail.com

  4. Sep 16

    Til Blood Do Us Part - Red Thorne Events: Gothic Verse, Vampires & Slasher Rom‑Coms

    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 & all round bookish fun.  The conversations highlight Red Thorne’s supportive event culture, upcoming projects including a Gold Coast bookstore, and ways listeners can connect with and support the podcast and authors. Featuring:  Anais Coker Shailee Thompson Hannah Kristen Kiki Townley Isabelle Fleay K.S Elliott Lauren Jackson Becka Rose J.S Burns Host: Ky Garvey Theme Song: Claire Houghton Logo: Tondo Creative - https://www.tondo.com.au/ Production: Aud Pitch - https://www.virtualcreatrix.com/ Totally Lit is an independent podcast. You can help support us to continue to chat with wonderful Australian creatives by leaving a review on Itunes or sharing our socials with your friends.  You can also make a contribution at: www.buymeacoffee.com/Totallylit For those of you who know me I am kind of a caffeine addict! So you can keep me fueled with caffeine and this will also help with equipment & podcasting platform fees etc.  I love to interact with our listeners so feel free to say hello either by email or social media: Totallylitpodcast@gmail.com

  5. Sep 15

    Seasons of Story: Jess Galatola on Graphic Novels, Poetry & Family

    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, workshops, and upcoming projects, including a YA short and another picture book. Tender, funny and full of practical advice for writers and parents, the episode celebrates creativity, resilience and the joy of stories for young readers. All about Jess: As a child, I consumed books faster than my mother could buy them. I loved reading Enid Blyton's, The Magic Far Away Tree, every night before bed.   I have always loved storytelling and creative writing, and I wrote my first award-winning picture book in Grade Two, 'Magical Hopscotch' (those were the days)! Today, I'm excited to be manifesting my favourite things: writing children's books and reading them before bed, with my own children. With over ten years of experience as a Drama/English teacher and Curriculum Leader, I found great fulfilment in teaching Drama and bringing stories to life on the stage, as a director of school musicals.  I have always loved storytelling, no matter what the format. Whether it was the dorky radio stations I recorded (on tape) as a child, or the poems I recited at the Speech and Drama competitions my mother dragged me along to ... I was telling stories.  I'm passionate about writing stories from the heart, promoting early literacy, and a love of reading. I want every child to see themselves and their understanding of the world through the pages of a picture book. About Me Seasons of Clementine — Perentie Press The Witch Who Couldn't Spell Host: Ky Garvey Theme Song: Claire Houghton Logo: Tondo Creative - https://www.tondo.com.au/ Production: Aud Pitch - https://www.virtualcreatrix.com/ Totally Lit is an independent podcast. You can help support us to continue to chat with wonderful Australian creatives by leaving a review on Itunes or sharing our socials with your friends.  You can also make a contribution at: www.buymeacoffee.com/Totallylit For those of you who know me I am kind of a caffeine addict! So you can keep me fueled with caffeine and this will also help with equipment & podcasting platform fees etc.  I love to interact with our listeners so feel free to say hello either by email or social media: Totallylitpodcast@gmail.com

  6. Sep 7

    Children's Voices and Rights: Inside the Making of The Big Book of Rights and Hello You!

    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 opportunities, and Danica’s varied publishing experience. This episode celebrates how authors and community initiatives help raise awareness of children’s rights and offers practical advice for writers interested in working with organisations or pursuing different publishing routes. Children’s Rights Queensland  Queensland Child Protection Week – Protecting children is everybody's business Dannika Patterson Host: Ky Garvey Theme Song: Claire Houghton Logo: Tondo Creative - https://www.tondo.com.au/ Production: Aud Pitch - https://www.virtualcreatrix.com/ Totally Lit is an independent podcast. You can help support us to continue to chat with wonderful Australian creatives by leaving a review on Itunes or sharing our socials with your friends.  You can also make a contribution at: www.buymeacoffee.com/Totallylit For those of you who know me I am kind of a caffeine addict! So you can keep me fueled with caffeine and this will also help with equipment & podcasting platform fees etc.  I love to interact with our listeners so feel free to say hello either by email or social media: Totallylitpodcast@gmail.com

  7. Aug 25

    Gabriella Page: Escape Rooms, Opera & The Nardi Puzzle.

    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-lit community from abroad. Gabriella also shares personal moments from her mentorship experience, coping with loss, and the joys and challenges of creating stories that invite young readers to solve clues alongside the protagonists. About the book: Thirteen players. Thirteen hours. One extraordinary prize. When 12-year-old Sebastian Walker is invited to legendary game-maker Elisabetta Nardi’s mansion in Sardinia, he thinks he can finally leave his troubles behind. Instead, he’s thrust into a real-world escape game with the other twelve guests, and the prize could change his life. If Sebastian wants to solve the clues hidden around the mysterious East Wing and find the secret exit, he must team up with the bubbly Lali and brilliant Vita. Even as a team, though, it won’t be easy … and elimination is always just around the corner. The Nardi Puzzle About the author: Gabriella Page is a West Australian singer and children’s author based in Italy. Since completing her master’s degree in classical music, she’s worked as an opera chorister, English teacher and occasional translator.   In 2022, Gabriella was selected to take part in the ASA/CA Award Mentorship programme. She has a penchant for puzzles and mystery, and she aims to blend humour and darkness in her novels.   When Gabriella is not singing or writing, you can find her trawling the gelato shops around Cagliari, hoarding books or applying sunscreen. To learn more about Gabriella and her upcoming projects, head to www.gabriellapage.com Host: Ky Garvey Theme Song: Claire Houghton Logo: Tondo Creative - https://www.tondo.com.au/ Production: Aud Pitch - https://www.virtualcreatrix.com/ Totally Lit is an independent podcast. You can help support us to continue to chat with wonderful Australian creatives by leaving a review on Itunes or sharing our socials with your friends.  You can also make a contribution at: www.buymeacoffee.com/Totallylit For those of you who know me I am kind of a caffeine addict! So you can keep me fueled with caffeine and this will also help with equipment & podcasting platform fees etc.  I love to interact with our listeners so feel free to say hello either by email or social media: Totallylitpodcast@gmail.com

  8. Aug 20

    Dan Thomas - Bedtime, But...: The Koala That Wouldn't Sleep

    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 changing landscape of publishing. About the book: It's bedtime for Boris … but he is not ready! But I can't find Bear! But we haven't had our story! But I'm thirsty! But, but, but! Will Boris ever stop with the bedtime buts?! A cheeky, charming and all-too relatable story for bedtime wrigglers … (and their poor grown-ups!) About the author: Dan Thomas has written all sorts of stuff, including comedy, commercials, TV and t-shirts – but what he really loves is picture books! Dan also runs a production company 'All About Me Films' which saves people's stories on film. He has two children and lives in Melbourne with his wife, author Ingrid Laguna. Dan Thomas | Scholastic Australia Buy the book: Books | Online Bookshop | QBD (This is an affiliate link) Host: Ky Garvey Theme Song: Claire Houghton Logo: Tondo Creative - https://www.tondo.com.au/ Production: Aud Pitch - https://www.virtualcreatrix.com/ Totally Lit is an independent podcast. You can help support us to continue to chat with wonderful Australian creatives by leaving a review on Itunes or sharing our socials with your friends.  You can also make a contribution at: www.buymeacoffee.com/Totallylit For those of you who know me I am kind of a caffeine addict! So you can keep me fueled with caffeine and this will also help with equipment & podcasting platform fees etc.  I love to interact with our listeners so feel free to say hello either by email or social media: Totallylitpodcast@gmail.com

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About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Ky Garvey
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Totally Lit!