Totally Lit!

Host Ky Garvey interviews Mary Colussi, the 2025 Penguin Literary Prize winner, about her debut novel Touch Grass — a near‑future speculative story in which a woman wakes up as a cactus and consciousness‑swapping becomes an endemic phenomenon. They discuss the book's themes of derealisation, digital life versus material reality, and the strange, humane humour behind the premise. Mary describes her writing and editing process, the surprise of shortlisting and winning (including the Penguin publishing deal and $20,000 prize), early ARC reactions, influences like Octavia Butler and Ling Ma, and her background in scriptwriting. She also shares practical advice for emerging writers: finish a project, embrace rejection as part of the craft, and keep going. The book is published June 2 with a launch at Gleebooks in Sydney; Mary will tour around Australia and can be followed on Instagram @marycolussi for dates and updates. About the book: When her consciousness starts spontaneously ejecting from her body, Charlie becomes the first known case of a bizarre new phenomenon – and the unwilling centre of a global crisis. And an immortal sheep might be the key to everything. As disembodiment spreads, corporations celebrate it, governments fear it, and Charlie can’t decide whether she’s losing herself or finally escaping. But the memories she worked so hard to delete won’t stay gone, and the only way to survive a world splitting at the seams may be to reclaim the self she tried to erase. Astute and inventive, Touch Grass explores identity, consent and the hilariously messy business of being a friend, sister and person – especially when someone keeps editing the footnotes. About the author: Mary Colussi is an Australian American writer currently based in Sydney. She’s a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and the National Institute of Dramatic Art. Touch Grass | Mary Colussi 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] https://www.facebook.com/totallylitpodcast

Host Ky Garvey interviews Samantha Ross about her debut novel Impossible Springs—covering her journey to being published by Penguin, the practice of manifesting alongside scientific insight, and the novel’s magical-realism telepathy concept inspired by family and her grandmother’s mediumship. They also discuss 90s music influences, Ross’s industry experiences, practical advice for emerging writers, book-launch plans, and personal stories of resilience, creativity and grief. About the Book: Welcome to Possible Springs, where secrets are a way of life. Jimny Adams should have died on that hot summer day in 1987 in the remote town of Possible Springs. Only eleven at the time, she was saved from drowning by her school teacher Mr Cross. Seven years on and she has grown into a watchful, quirky eighteen-year-old - her near-death experience having left her with an unnerving psychic ability. It’s an unwelcome gift that she tries desperately to hide: from her parents, from her best friends, from everyone in town. In such a tight-knit community, being different means becoming a pariah. However Possible Springs is actually a town teeming with dark secrets. And with her ability to read people’s thoughts, Jimny is closer than she would like to be to discovering its truth… About the Author: Samantha Ross is an author and scriptwriter, who left the cold climes of Melbourne for the more glamorous yet remote country town of Port Douglas. Samantha has travelled the globe working in the circus of nightclubs, and recording music with DJs and bands. Although her first love was for all things literary. Throw a medium grandmother in the mix and Possible Springs, her first novel, was born. Possible Springs by Samantha Ross - Penguin Books Australia 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] https://www.facebook.com/totallylitpodcast

Host Ky Garvey interviews author Anna Johnson about her new novel 'When Lemons Give You Life', following retired Michelin-star chef Griff Barlow as cooking brings purpose, community and long-buried secrets to light. They discuss themes of aged care, LGBTIQ+ communities, midlife ADHD, family reconciliation, Anna’s background in aged care and public health, her writing and publishing journey, and the book’s screen interest. Listeners also hear practical tips for aspiring writers, details about upcoming launches and tours, and personal stories that illuminate the joys and challenges of caring, creativity and second chances. About the author: Anna Johnston is a former baby, aspiring octogenarian and emerging Australian author with a love for the heartfelt and hilarious. She grew up in country Victoria before moving to Melbourne where she lives joyously with her husband and daughters by the beach. Anna left an imminent career in medicine to follow her heart into her grandfather’s nursing home where she became the social support coordinator, taking great delight in shaking up the usual program. When injury left her unable to continue working in aged care, she began to write about it, About the book: Redemption is a dish best served warm . . . Retired Michelin-star chef Griff Barlow has lost his appetite. He’s done with grief, guilt and the beige slop they dare call food at Sunny Glen Aged Care Facility, where he now resides. Life’s given him all the lemons he can handle – so he breaks into the nursing home kitchen to bake himself one last tart. It’s supposed to be his final meal, but the act of cooking stirs a dormant joy. Soon, he’s regularly sneaking in after dark, serving up flavour and comfort to his fellow residents. Yet behind the apron is a lie so big it could destroy the one thing he has left to protect . . . Meanwhile, Griff’s younger sister, Lisa, is navigating a new ADHD diagnosis and the spark of an unexpected romance. Despite their fractured sibling relationship, she dutifully visits Griff, though she knows hope of a reconciliation is gone, buried in the silence between them. But the truth has a way of boiling over – and when secrets, soufflés and second chances collide, they may discover a recipe for forgiveness. When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston - Penguin Books Australia Anna Johnston Author 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] https://www.facebook.com/totallylitpodcast  

Host Ky Garvey interviews author Lauren Keegan about her new historical novel, The Woman In The Seal Skin, set in 1690s Scotland. They explore selkie folklore and research, the novel’s themes of motherhood, domestic violence and the pull to the sea, and Keegan’s path to publication including mentorship, craft work and practical tips for aspiring writers. The conversation also covers balancing creative life with parenting and clinical work, Keegan’s podcast 'Trust the Process', and a light-hearted behind-the-scenes anecdote from her past. About the Author: Lauren Keegan is a perinatal psychologist, writer and author of All The Bees In The Hollows (Affirm Press) which was voted Best Debut Fiction in the 2025 Indie Book Awards and longlisted in the ARA Historical Novel Prize 2025. Her second novel The Woman in the Seal Skin will be published in April 2026 with Affirm Press. Lauren has worked extensively in perinatal and infant mental health and is an editor at Perspectives in Infant Mental Health, a publication of WAIMH (World Association for Infant Mental Health). Her infant mental health training programs are consistently in high demand. Lauren lives with her husband, two daughters and their pet Beagle on Dharawal and Gundungarra country (Wollondilly, NSW). Mint slices are her guilty pleasure and she drinks more tea than is sensible. About the Book: Based on the selkie myths of the time, this is the story of Malie, a young woman struggling with grief, oppression, her relationship with nature and her own inherent wildness within during Europe's 'little ice age'. Malie grew up hearing tales of selkies: shape-shifting women who shed their seal skins to seduce fishermen on the Orkney shores. That's the story of how her parents met, and it must be true because one day her mother slipped into the sea and was never seen again.Raised by her father, Malie has always done what she's been told, and now she's married and expecting her first baby. Life on land is predictable and safe, and her future is all mapped out for her. But, just like the seals in the sea, there's a wildness in Malie's soul – one that cannot be tamed and deeply yearns for the sea.Dealing with themes of motherhood, grief, violence and female oppression, The Woman in the Seal Skin is a wonderfully haunting and atmospheric tale of a woman living in a cloistered community on a wild Scottish island, who one day meets her wildness within. The Woman in the Seal Skin — Lauren Keegan New Book Releases, Bestsellers, Author Info and more at Simon & Schuster | Simon & Schuster 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] https://www.facebook.com/totallylitpodcast  

Host Ky Garvey talks with Troy Hunter about his debut YA crime series - Gus and the Missing Boy and sequels, the shift from adult to YA storytelling, and the craft decisions that shape teen-focused mysteries. They discuss Agatha Christie’s influence, engaging young readers - especially boys, school responses to the books, writing advice -finishing drafts and joining writing groups, and the rewards and realities of publishing later in life. About the author: Troy Hunter is a bestselling crime fiction writer, living in Melbourne/Naarm.  His debut YA novel Gus and the Missing Boy came out in March 2024 and was shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Award and the BAD Sydney Danger Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction. The sequel Gus and the Burning Stones was published in August 2025. A third and final Gus novel Gus and the Climate Killer is due out in March 2027. He is currently working on an adult crime novel. Troy is passionate about getting reluctant readers, especially boys, into reading books. He’s also a massive Agatha Christie fan. He regularly appears at writers’ festivals, runs YA and crime writing workshops, and also hosts of the Queer Writes Sessions podcast. Troy Hunter Home - Wakefield Press About the book:  True crime buff Gus Green has always felt out of place in the world. He's overweight, gay, his injured mum's primary carer, and he only has two real friends: sporty Kane and feisty Shell, who are both dealing with their own problems. Gus's life is flipped on its head one day when he finds a missing persons website with a digitally aged picture of a missing boy who looks eerily like him. Could he be a kidnapping victim? It would explain a lot about his patchy background, but what would that make his mum - his kidnapper? As Gus and his friends dive into the mystery, their investigation reveals more questions than answers. Can they unravel the case before his world falls apart? And what will they do if the truth is too much to handle? 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] https://www.facebook.com/totallylitpodcast