Host Ky Garvey talks with Jane Sullivan about the origin and rapid growth of Birds of a Feather Book Club, her partnership with Rebecca Sparrow, and their mission to help women fall back in love with reading. They discuss community-building, supporting remote readers, author events, the challenges of monetising a book club, and new initiatives like a romance-only subgroup. This episode celebrates reading as nourishment for mental health, the joy of connecting readers and authors, and the inclusive, no-judgment spirit that keeps the book club thriving. About Jane: By day, Jane Sullivan co-hosts Birds of a Feather, Australia’s fastest-growing online book club for women, and by night, she’s probably under a doona with a good book (some habits never change). She’s also the creator of Scholarly, an online tutoring platform supporting high school students across Queensland. A lifelong reader, Jane was the kid who stayed up late with a flashlight, determined to finish “just one more chapter.” Her love of literature led her to study English at university, where she fell for voices as diverse as Shakespeare, Charlotte Brontë, Vikram Seth, and Arundhati Roy. She spent 15 years sharing that passion as an English teacher before becoming a professional book club host, public speaker, wedding celebrant, and online course creator. She also spent five years running book clubs for kids, teens, and teachers at her favourite Brisbane bookstore. Now, Jane pours her biblio-zest (yes, she made that word up) and literary nous into Birds of a Feather, creating a warm, thoughtful space where women connect over great reads. When she’s not recommending books or running her literary ventures, she’s wrangling her four young sons and gently encouraging their love of reading (with plenty of picture books on repeat). Firm favourites: Still Life by Sarah Winman, My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, Dusk by Robbie Arnott. About Birds of A Feather: Founded in 2022 by best-selling author Bec Sparrow and experienced English teacher Jane Sullivan, Birds of a Feather Book Club has reignited a love of reading in thousands of Australian women. Today, it stands as the country’s most successful subscription-based online book club; cleverly meeting women where they are by offering online meetings and facilitating real life meet-ups. Bec and Jane have turned what is typically a solo activity into a joyful, collective experience - inspiring women to put down their phones, pick up a book and join in. We are a tight-knit yet welcoming community of readers who happily glide from delicious whodunnits to literary award-winners. Birds of a Feather Book Club – Australia's fastest-growing book club for women. 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 https://www.facebook.com/totallylitpodcast
