Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast

Penguin Books Australia
  • 4.3 (4)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

Lit Witches opens the portal to fantasy for readers, writers and all things in between. Hosted by Adelaide Jensen, take a seat at The Roundtable and delve into all of your favourite fantasy genres with a rotating cast of special guests. We’ll introduce you to the Chosen Ones, fantasy authors from around the globe who will lift the veil on their latest spellbinding novels. New video and audio episodes every Tuesday. Powered by Penguin.

  1. 4d ago

    Book-inspired tattoos and a roadtrip to Forks: How fantasy books have shaped us as readers

    On today's Roundtable episode, join us for another trip down memory lane as we reveal the fantasy books that shaped our undying love for the genre. From Percy Jackson to Inkheart, The Starless Sea and many more, we discuss the stories that turned us into readers and the ones that reshaped our reading as adults. We also reveal the lifelong obsessions sparked by these books, including how one of us planned an entire holiday around visiting the filming locations for Twilight. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Lily Crozier and Isabella Francis. Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle, Isabella Francis and Maia Longhurst. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

    20 min

  2. May 24

    Peak nostalgia and pure magic: The fantasy books that shaped us as readers

    On today's Roundtable episode, we get sentimental as we look back at the formative books that made us fall in love with fantasy. From Eragon to Northern Lights, Six of Crows and many more, we chat about the stories that feel like coming home, whether they still hold up today and how they have influenced our reading tastes as adults. We also discuss how reading unlocks memory, identity and empathy, and we reveal the fantasy new releases we can't wait to get our hands on. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Hannah Armstrong and Shané Oosthuizen. Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

    25 min

  3. May 18

    Dragons, magic and deep nerd stuff: Ryan Cahill on 'Of Blood and Fire’

    On today's Chosen One episode we speak to internationally bestselling author Ryan Cahill about Of Blood and Fire, the first book in his high fantasy series 'The Bound and the Broken'. We chat about how he created an epic fantasy world spanning multiple cultures and a unique language (spoiler: it involves a cartography obsession and a professional linguist), and we uncover the real reason why readers are eternally drawn to dragons. We also discuss the changing landscape of the fantasy genre and why Ryan is a romantasy defender, and he reveals the surprising skill that fantasy and romance writers both possess. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guest is Ryan Cahill. Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

    42 min

  4. May 11

    Soul-sucking reapers or death prisons? Fantasy queen Lynette Noni is back with 'Shadow Reaper'

    On today's Roundtable episode we discuss Shadow Reaper, the new book by Lynette Noni that Rebecca Yarros called the 'must-read YA fantasy' of the year. In this spoiler-free chat, we delve into our first impressions of Shadow Reaper – the intriguing magic system, our favourite characters, and what we thought of this new fantasy world. We debate whether Shadow Reaper is darker than The Prison Healer series, and we discuss how young adult fantasy can work well as a safe space for exploring heavy themes. We also talk about how the genre has changed since the romantasy explosion, and we reveal our favourite YA fantasy couples and reads. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Adiba Oemar and Isabelle Werro. Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

    34 min

  5. May 4

    Gladiator meets The Vampire Diaries: Author Stacia Stark on her new fantasy trilogy 'We Who Will Die'

    On today's Chosen One episode we speak to bestselling author Stacia Stark about We Who Will Die, an Ancient Rome–inspired romantasy filled with vampires, humans, magical creatures and more. We bond over our love of character art and our favourite tropes (forced proximity! only one bed!), and we uncover the unexpected parallels between writing fights and spicy scenes. We also discuss the book's themes of grief and the parentification of eldest daughters, and how a hyperfixation on gladiators came in handy during the research process. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guest is Stacia Stark. Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

    31 min

  6. Apr 27

    Is this the perfect romantasy sequel? Unpacking 'Rites of the Starling' by Devney Perry

    On today's Roundtable episode we discuss Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry, the thrilling second installment in the bestselling romantasy series 'Shield of Sparrows', which delivers plot twists, romance and epic worldbuilding in spades. Join us for a deep dive into what makes a perfect fantasy sequel, how to avoid the dreaded second book slump and why writing a satisfying series is truly an art form. We also chat about our favourite fantasy sequels, the best character redemption arcs of all time (hi Zuko) and the surprising link between book series and . . . dating? Spoiler Alert! We discuss major spoilers and the ending of Rites of the Starling in our After Dark section, from 28.11 - 42.02. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Shané Oosthuizen and Isabelle Werro.Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

    45 min

  7. Apr 20

    Yearning, angst and a Mr Darcy hand flex - Author Braidee Otto on her romantasy debut 'Songbird of the Sorrows'

    On today's Chosen One episode we speak to debut author Braidee Otto about Songbird of the Sorrows, the first in a brand-new romantasy trilogy that ticks all the boxes – assassins, secret princesses, heists, second chance romance, forbidden love, and, of course, dark and broody men. We discuss the Greek-inspired world, why we love trials as a fantasy plot device and how romantasy is the next in a long line of undermined genres thanks to its predominantly female readership. We also delve into the benefits and pitfalls of using tropes for marketing, and we learn how Braidee overcame selfdoubt to write her debut novel in under six months. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guest is Braidee Otto. Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

    43 min

  8. Apr 13

    Power dynamics, enemies to lovers, and . . . The Lion King? Queer fantasy and the 'Captive Prince' trilogy by C.S. Pacat

    In this Roundtable book club episode, we discuss C.S. Pacat’s groundbreaking fantasy trilogy, Captive Prince, and the importance of mitigating harm when portraying queer characters. We delve into why it’s the ultimate enemies-to-lovers story, full of slow burn, intense pining and complex power dynamics in a rich queer-normative fantasy world. We also trace our fan-fiction reading roots (shoutout to Wattpad and LiveJournal) and our favourite fantasy book-to-screen adaptions. Spoiler Alert! We discuss major spoilers and the ending of the Captive Prince series in our After Dark section, from 34.35 - 39.45. Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Hannah Armstrong and Lily Crozier. Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

    42 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Lit Witches opens the portal to fantasy for readers, writers and all things in between. Hosted by Adelaide Jensen, take a seat at The Roundtable and delve into all of your favourite fantasy genres with a rotating cast of special guests. We’ll introduce you to the Chosen Ones, fantasy authors from around the globe who will lift the veil on their latest spellbinding novels. New video and audio episodes every Tuesday. Powered by Penguin.

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