Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast

A bookbinder and an immortal warrior forced to work together? Sign us up! On today's Chosen One episode, we speak to Australian author Helen Scheuerer about Kiss of the Black Flame, the first book in her brand-new romantasy trilogy. Helen tells us about her timely pivot from literary fiction to romantasy and why she chooses to write main characters who are no longer coming of age. We also bond over our shared love of Tamora Pierce, and Helen reveals what it's like being beta-read by her husband.

Helen's book recommendations:
Book that shaped her: Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce / Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda
Book that made her cry: Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Book she wishes to read again for the first time: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Best book to screen adaptation: Lord of the Rings
Best book of 2026: The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson
Next on the TBR: Daggermouth / The Washwoman at the River's End

If you'd like to learn more about Kiss of the Black Flame, here's the link: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/kiss-of-the-black-flame-9781911760627

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guest is Helen Scheuerer.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

Lit Witches goes abroad! On today's episode, we travel to the UK to speak to two publishers who are at the forefront of the fantasy boom. We chat about how the fantasy genre has grown and changed, and the role social media and BookTok has played in connecting readers with books they'll love. They also reveal their favourite fantasy reads, what books perfectly execute their favourite tropes and the exciting new releases you're going to want on your bookshelf in 2027.

Our book recommendations this week:
Formative fantasy book: Twilight / The Assassin's Apprentice
Perfectly executes your favourite trope: The Cruel Prince / When the Moon Hatched
Can't stop recommending: A Court of Thorns and Roses / Throne of Glass / Dire Bound
Next on the TBR: There is No Antimemetics Division / The Knave and the Moon / One Dark Window

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Rachel Winterbottom and Lara Stevenson from Wayward TxF.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

Grab your orange shirts and beaded necklaces - we're going back to Camp Half-Blood! On today's Roundtable episode, we revisit one of our favourite, most nostalgic fantasy reads: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. We chat about our first experiences with the Percy Jackson world and why it truly stands the test of time thanks to the characters, the humour, and the iconic modern twist on Greek mythology. And, of course, we debate who our Greek God parent would be.

Our book recommendations this week:
Book you'd love to read again for the first time: The Silver Brumby / The Raven Scholar
Favourite Greek myth retelling: The Song of Achilles / Psyche and Eros
Deserves a TV adaption: Skulduggery Pleasant / The Will of the Many / The Starless Sea
Series you wish would never end: The Shadowhunters universe by Cassandra Clare

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Isabella Francis and Shané Oosthuizen.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

On today's Roundtable episode, we meet for another Fantasy Classics Book Club, this time to discuss Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. We break down the book's timely themes, the enduring appeal of the monster and how it's influenced the genres of fantasy and sci-fi today. We also chat about the recent film adaptation featuring Jacob Elordi and our VERY different reactions to it.

Our quickfire book recommendations this week:
First classic: Little Women / The Secret Garden / Narnia
Favourite classic: The Secret History / Rebecca / Catcher in the Rye / One Hundred Years of Solitude
Classic we couldn't finish: Anna Karenina / Dracula / The Great Gatsby
Best classic adaptation: Alice in Wonderland / The Great Gatsby / Pride and Prejudice and Zombies / Little Women

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Ariana Khalidi and Vishali Seshadri.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.

On today's Roundtable episode, we're celebrating the release of Turncloak with a full spoiler review of Silvercloak, the first book in L.K. Steven's brutally dark fantasy series. We reveal the biggest plot twists, our favourite romantic - and gruesome - scenes, and we break down that WILD ending. We also chat about why we're joing the L.K. Steven fan club, plus, we give our predictions for Turncloak and a mini preview of what you can expect in book 2.

Our book recommendations this week:
Eragon by Christopher Paolini / Fireborne by Rosaria Munda
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros / A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode's guests are Shané Oosthuizen and Maddie Taplin.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Isabella Francis. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead.