2025 Top Listens #14

Author and agent Danielle Binks talks about her middle-grade novel Six Summers of Tash and Leopold — a tender suburban mystery about former best friends, school refusal, childhood anxiety and the slow rebuilding of trust.

She also discusses her work as a teacher and agent, her World War I research, and her ambassadorship with Chapters for Change, encouraging listeners to join the July Readathon to support literacy projects in Cambodia.

Chapters for Change Readathon 2026

Danielle Binks - I write books for children and young adults and short stories for grown-ups.

About the author:

Danielle Binks is a Melbourne-based writer and literary agent with Jacinta di Mase Management. She is the author of bestselling middle-grade book The Year the Maps Changed, and the award-winning young adult books; Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology as well as The Monster of Her Age. Her latest middle grade novel is Six Summers of Tash and Leopold. Danielle also teaches Fiction & Young Adult Writing in the Associate Degree of Professional Writing and Editing at her alum, RMIT University.

Buy the book:

QBD Aiffiliate link:https://www.qbd.com.au/six-summers-of-tash-and-leopold/danielle-binks/9780734421890/?a=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

2025 Top Listens #15

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/

QBD Affiliate link: Far Horizons: A Journey from War to Peace by Aaron Tait - 9781761452796

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

Celebrating 2025's Top Listens!

Coming in at #16 is the incredible Lorena Carrington and Sophie Masson

On this episode of Totally Lit, host Ky Garvey chats with author Sophie and illustrator Lorena about their new picture book, The Giant. They discuss how the story began, their collaborative process, Lorena’s mixed-media illustration techniques, working with publisher Midnight Sun, and experiences from the May Gibbs Creative Fellowship.

They also share practical advice for aspiring creatives — on handling rejection, building relationships with publishers and booksellers, connecting with young readers through school visits, and sustaining creative projects like podcasts and launches.

Sophie Masson, Author – Official site for author Sophie Masson

Lorena Carrington – Illustrator & Author

MidnightSun Publishing # MidnightSun Publishing

QBD Books Affiliate link: You can get your copy here - The Giant by Sophie Masson & Lorena Carrington - 9781922858658

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

Celebrating 2025's Top Listens!

Coming in at #17 is the incredible Ben Hobson!

Host Ky Garvey talks with author Ben Hobson about his path from musician to writer, balancing family, day job and creative life, and the routines that keep him productive. They discuss research and collaboration (including work with Wadawurrung people), writing projects like Snake Island and contributions to Into Your Arms, and Ben’s community project, Ben’s Book Club. Ben shares practical advice for emerging writers, reflects on doubt and validation, and tells memorable stories—from courtroom-style feedback to his trek to Everest Base Camp.

About the Author:

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

www.allenandunwin.com

Buy the book:

QBD Books Affiliate link: You can get your copy here - The Death Of John Lacey by Ben Hobson - 9781761065897

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

Celebrating 2025's Top Listens!

Coming in at #18 is the AWESOME Christian White!

Host Ky Garvey interviews bestselling author and screenwriter Christian White about his new novel, The Long Night, his process of writing both novels and screenplays, and how character drives plot.

They cover writer’s-room collaboration, adapting work for screen, practical advice for aspiring writers (including the value of competitions), and a memorable personal anecdote about a teenage werewolf experiment.

About the author:

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

New Book Releases, Bestsellers, Author Info and more at Simon & Schuster AU | Simon & Schuster AU

PR services Melbourne | Righteous PR | For rebels with a cause

Buy the book:

QBD Books Affiliate link: You can get your copy here - https://www.qbd.com.au/the-long-night/christian-white/9781761822155/?a=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

Celebrating 2025's Top Listens!

Coming in at #19 is the amazing Angie Cui!

Host Ky Garvey talks with Angie Cui about her 2025 picture-book year, focusing on Our Map and My Mum Is a Bird. They discuss the inspiration behind Our Map, Angie’s long drafting process, working with publishers and illustrators, and the challenges of pitching and making a story marketable.

The episode also covers themes of belonging, heritage and identity, the role of illustration in picture books, balancing writing with family life, and upcoming launches and festival appearances. Angie shares candid publishing insights and practical advice for writers navigating conferences and submission decisions

About the author:

Angie Cui, also known as Yanting Cui, is a Melbourne-based author passionate about children’s literature. Her work has been featured in ABC Everyday, SBS Voices, The Guardian, and Sydney Morning Herald. Born in Harbin, China, Angie moved to Australia at 18 and pursued a career in banking before transitioning to office manager for the Children’s Book Council of Australia VIC Branch. As an active member of CBCA VIC, SCBWI, Writers Victoria, and ASA, Angie is dedicated to promoting literacy and storytelling. She resides in Melbourne with her husband and two children, embracing their multicultural heritage of Australian, Bangladeshi, and Chinese roots. Angie crafts tales that celebrate diversity and cultural identity, empowering children to find themselves in the stories they read.

www.angiecui.com

Rhiza Press

www.uqp.com.au

Buy the books:

Our Map

QBD Books Affiliate link: You can get your copy here - My Mum is a Bird by Angie Cui & Evie Barrow - 9780702268632

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

Celebrating 2025's Top Listens!

Coming in at #20 is the amazing Rachel Jackson!

Host Ky Garvey interviews Rachel Jackson about her Solve It Your Way series—interactive, puzzle-filled adventures for 8–12 year olds that blend choose-your-own-adventure storytelling with riddles, brainteasers, and multiple endings.

They discuss Rachel’s writing and planning process (including using spreadsheets), testing with young and neurodivergent readers, upcoming titles (pirates, detectives, dragons), tips for aspiring writers, and where to find her books and community events.

About the author

Rachel Jackson draws on her extensive experience as an intelligence specialist to create twisty branching plotlines that challenge the reader to problem solve and develop a toolbox of critical thinking skills. She strives to create stories as unique and fun as her young daughters – to show them that anything is possible, both in the books and in real life!

She’s also a sucker for good puzzles and bad jokes; subject matter that she shares generously with her readers in the Solve It Your Way series published by Riveted Press.

When she’s not scheming up diabolical plots to entertain young readers, Rachel loves to relax with her family and menagerie of horses, llamas and ducks in the green hills of Central West NSW.

Rachel Jackson - Author -

Riveted Press

QBD Books Affiliate link: You can get your copy here - Escape from Marigold Manor by Rachel Jackson - 9781763526068

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

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