In episode 11 of Between the Bookshelves, we sit downwith award-winning author Lili Wilkinson—an unstoppable force in Australian young adult and junior fiction. With over 20 books to her name, Lili’s stories range from dark,high-stakes thrillers and rich, spellbinding fantasies to laugh-out-loud junior fiction and heartwarming picture books.

Lili shares her Between the Bookshelves pitch for a number of her titles, including her latest releases, Unhallowed Halls and Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire. Along the way, we chat about the enduring appeal of dark academia for teen readers, resistance witches, ancienttoadmen rituals, and how fantasy can be a powerful tool for critiquing history and reimagining power structures.

She also offers a generous list of book recommendations for fans of her work, and reflects on the importance of making space for joy, rebellion, and complex characters - especially in stories for young people.

Whether you’re a long-time reader or new to her work, Lili’sinsight and energy are as compelling as her books.