Totally Lit!

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]  

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]