Totally Lit!

Aaron Tait - Far Horizons: A Journey from War to Peace

In this episode Ky Garvey talks with Aaron Tate about his memoir Far Horizons, tracing his transformation from a young naval officer deployed after 9/11 to a humanitarian leader in Africa. Aaron discusses the trauma of war, the moral awakening that led him to pursue international development, the challenges of writing a raw memoir, and his hopes to inspire readers to live deliberately.
They also touch on reading habits, the importance of men's engagement with books, and Aaron’s tips for memoir writing, along with anecdotes about Cambridge, family, and giving back. 
About Aaron: 
From war zones to slums, Aaron Tait has travelled to and worked in more than 70 countries across the globe as a military officer, humanitarian and social entrepreneur, and now writes to help people live deliberate lives filled with purpose.
Aaron was thrust into the frontline of international crisis at a young age, deploying to Iraq immediately after 9/11 as a 17 year old military officer. A move to East Africa at 25, saw him leading aid projects in crisis zones and urban slums.
As a co-founder of the impact organisations ygap and Education Changemakers, Aaron has helped to improve the lives of more than a million people living in poverty. He is a geography graduate of the University of Cambridge and holds three master's degrees in international affairs. As an entrepreneur, sold his business EC to the technology unicorn Go1 in 2023. Aaron lives with his wife, Kaitlin, and his two sons, Atlas and Finn, and moves between his home in Byron Bay and global travels.
Author of 'Far Horizons - A Journey from War to Peace'
Far Horizons: A Journey from War to Peace by Aaron Tait | Hardie Grant Publishing
https://www.righteouspr.com.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
https://www.facebook.com/totallylitpodcast

Paula McLean on Debut Novels, Fearless Press & The Stella Legacy

In this episode of Totally Lit, host Ky Garvey speaks with Paula McLean about her debut novel, the inspiration behind publishing imprint Fearless Press (founded by her daughter Ginny Grant), and the importance of supporting women writers through prizes like the Stella Prize and the new Fearless Prize.
They discuss the shift from memoir to fiction, Paula’s experiences as an editor, the challenges writers face balancing life and creativity, and the joy of seeing women’s writing gain recognition. Paula also shares insights on the publishing process, launching her novel, and the emotional journey of creating a character and letting her go.
https://bakerslane.com.au/the-one-remaining
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
 

Christian White: The Long Night

Host Ky Garvey talks with novelist and screenwriter Christian White about his new book, The Long Night, his work adapting stories for screen, and his writing process. They cover character-driven storytelling, the writer’s room, and practical advice for aspiring writers.
White also shares personal anecdotes—from the early days of submitting work and entering competitions to a quirky werewolf experiment—and discusses how he balances dark subject matter with everyday life and promotion.
Christian White is an Australian author and screenwriter whose credits include feature film Relic, Netflix series Clickbait and Paramount’s Apartment 7A. His debut novel, The Nowhere Child (2018), was one of Australia’s bestselling debut novels ever, with rights sold in 17 international territories and a major screen deal. Christian’s second book, The Wife and the Widow (2019), and third, Wild Place (2021), were instant bestsellers. The Ledge (2024) was named QBD Book of the Year and shortlisted for the ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year Award. His next book, The Long Night, will be released in November 2025. Christian wrote the Audible Original Second Skin (2020) and co-authored three more with Summer DeRoche: Still House (2021), The Call (2023), and Unfollowed (2025). Christian also wrote for the Amazon series Deadloch (2023) and the Netflix/TAP series The Survivors (2025).
Christian White
https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/The-Long-Night/Christian-White/9781923046795
 
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

Carla Salmon - Red Sands, Surf, Suspicion and Debut Success

.Host Ky Garvey speaks with debut author Carla Salmon about her coastal YA mystery set in a surf life‑saving club, Carla’s three‑year writing journey from teacher to published author, marketing and school‑workshop strategies, tackling imposter syndrome, encouraging teen readers (especially boys), and plans for future standalone teen mysteries.
Carla Salmon Books
https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761566790/
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

Carolyn Bourke on Dementia, Care and Creativity

Host Ky Garvey interviews Carolyn Bourke about her experience as a Chaplain and writer. They discuss Carolyn’s entry in the Totally Lit Micro Fiction Prize, her 10-year journey writing a novel about dementia, and the hopeful ‘garden’ strand that represents spiritual connection and reconciliation.
The conversation covers lived experience with dementia and caregiving, practical publishing tips, mentorship, and the challenges and rewards of writing about difficult topics. Carolyn shares advice for emerging authors and updates on her book’s upcoming release.
Carolyn Bourke – Author | Speaker | Chaplain
Totally Lit Microfiction Competition – Ky Garvey
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

Nathan J Thomas - EK Books

Nathan J Thomas, General Manager of Exile Publishing and EK Books, discusses the company’s family history, the challenges of today’s publishing market, and how EK balances community-driven stories with commercial realities. He shares practical advice for authors—know your audience, follow picture-book structure, write your pitch in your own voice—and explains opportunities like the Children’s Publishing Academy, upcoming seminars, and EK’s focus on neurodiversity, global reach, and sustainable publishing practices.
Host: Ky Garvey
Theme Song: Claire Houghton
Logo: Tondo Creative - https://www.tondo.com.au/
Production: Mike Garvey
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

Lorena Carrington & Sophie Masson: The Giant

In this episode Ky Garvey chats with author Sophie Masson and illustrator Lorena Carrington about the creation of their picture book The Giant — from the moment the idea struck on a walk, to collaborative illustration techniques, publisher relationships, and book launches.
They discuss creative practice, handling rejection, school visits, practical advice for aspiring creatives, and how podcasting and community-building support their work.
Sophie Masson, Author – Official site for author Sophie Masson
Lorena Carrington – Illustrator & Author
https://midnightsunpublishing.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
https://www.facebook.com/totallylitpodcast

Bethany Loveridge: Inside Harper Wells: Renegade Timeline Officer

Bethany Loveridge joins Totally Lit to talk about her debut middle-grade novel, Harper Wells: Renegade Timeline Officer — a time-travel adventure where a girl meets a young Edith Cowan and runs afoul of a timeline officer. She discusses the trilogy, the audiobook, and her publisher, Wombat Books.
The conversation covers Bethany’s long path to publication, the role of mentorships and critique groups, practical writing tips (read widely, start in the action, plot your story), the challenges of picture books, and writing about anxiety and historical figures. Plus upcoming launches, school visits and community work.
Bethany Loveridge
Rhiza Press
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

Ben Hobson on Writing, Guilt and Creative Risk

Host Ky Garvey chats with author Ben Hobson about his unexpected path to becoming a writer — from punk bands and audiovisual work to university, short-story wins, and his published novels. They discuss research for The Death of John Lacey, collaborations, Ben’s Book Club, and the creative experiments that keep his work alive.
The conversation also dives into practical reality: balancing family, day jobs, and writing time; dealing with imposter syndrome and the search for validation; and Ben’s advice to emerging writers to have fun, take risks, and find small pockets of time to create.
Ben Hobson is a teacher, and an author, based in Brisbane. To Become a Whale, his debut novel, was released in 2017. It was longlisted for the ABIA Debut Fiction award and shortlisted for the Courier-Mail's People's Choice Award. His second novel, Snake Island, a literary thriller, was released in 2019. He also runs Ben's Book Club, a monthly online book club for libraries, and often does in-person interviews with authors. The Death of John Lacey, an Australian Western, was released in 2023, and is his third novel.
ben hobson
Ben's Book Club | Facebook
Libby App: Free ebooks & audiobooks from your library | by OverDrive
*Affiliate link
You can purchase a copy of Ben's book 'The Death of John Lacey':
The Death Of John Lacey by Ben Hobson - 9781761065897
Totally Lit recieves an affiliate payment from sales using this link which contributes to the costs associated with running the podcast.
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

Dr Helen Edwards on Writing Difference: Lighthouses, Selkies & Strength

Host Ky Garvey interviews author Helen Edwards about her Foreverability Award win for Legend of the Lighthouse Moon, a middle-grade novel featuring a main character with type 1 diabetes set in 1970. Helen shares how her own diagnosis informed the story, the emotional truths that remain the same across eras, and the importance of inclusion in children’s literature.
The conversation explores stigma around diabetes, mental-health challenges, and how books act as mirrors and windows for readers. Helen also describes immersive research trips to lighthouses and shipwreck sites, upcoming projects (including A Light on the Rocks and collaborations with Kate Gordon), and practical advice for emerging historical and magical-historical writers.
Listeners hear about reader responses, the power of representation, and Helen’s passions for music, art, and collaborative writing. The episode celebrates storytelling that blends history, nature, magic, and diverse voices.
Dr Helen Edwards writes diverse stories of nature, magic and history. She is also a freelance writer, mentor and speaker and has a PhD in Psychology. Helen has type 1 diabetes, and lives with anxiety and ADHD. She likes to include characters in her stories who are neurodivergent and/or who live with physical and mental health conditions, out in the world, having adventures. Helen is passionate about inspiring action for our planet and encouraging people to understand how important nature is to all of us. Animals and the environment feature in all her stories. Her debut novel, The Rebels of Mount Buffalo, was published by Riveted Press in 2023. 
https://www.helenedwardswrites.com/
https://www.forevability.org/
https://rivetedpress.com.au/
 
*Affiliate link
You can purchase a copy of Helen's book 'Legend of the Lighthouse Moon':
https://www.qbd.com.au/legend-of-the-lighthouse-moon/helen-edwards/9781763526013/?a=GARVEY
Totally Lit recieves an affiliate payment from sales using this link which contributes to the costs associated with running the podcast.
 
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