Welcome to Pagecast at Open Book Cape Town, a special edition of the regular podcast brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. While we usually explore the latest in literature throughout the year, in this episode we're broadcasting directly from the Open Book Festival—Cape Town's annual celebration of South African literature in an international context. In these festival-exclusive episodes, we sit down with some of the most inspiring voices in literature to dive deep into their stories, insights, and the powerful narratives that shape our world. Let's journey into the pages together! In this episode, Jonathan Ball Publishers Publicity Manager Jean-Marie Korff sits down with the phenomenal Qarnita Loxton. After studying law at the University of Cape Town and graduating in 1997, Qarnita worked as an attorney, primarily in the financial services sector. More recently, she transitioned into the field of executive coaching, bringing a fresh perspective to her work. Qarnita's literary career began in 2017 with the release of her debut novel, Being Kari. She followed it with Being Lily, Being Shelley, and Being Dianne, captivating readers with her nuanced storytelling. She is also the co-author of Chasing Marion, written alongside Amy Heydenrych, Pamela Power, and Gail Schimmel. Her most recent novel, What’s Wrong with June, was published in 2024. Join us as we explore Qarnita’s writing journey, the evolution of her characters, and the themes that resonate through her work.