Date With A Debut

Date with a Debut is a podcast hosted by writer Nick Wasiliev: shining a light on debut authors, their incredible books, and their journeys to publication.

In our sixth episode of series four, Nick sits down with Emily Lighezzolo, the author of the award-winning literary fiction debut, Life Drawing.

Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! 

You can also subscribe to our new monthly newsletter: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/ 

Check out our brand new podcast website: https://dwad.podpixels.com/ 

Check out the 2026 sponsor of the podcast, Pod Pixels: https://bit.ly/4cbG1Zt 

Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 

Date with a Debut is featured as part of the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/

BOOKS: 

Debut:

Life Drawing / Emily Lighezzolo: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/aNWM9Q 

Additional books mentioned:

Dream State / Eric Puchner: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/GbZM4B 

Song of the Crocodile / Nardi Simpson: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/B52vV4  

PRODUCTION NOTES: 

Host: Nick Wasiliev

Guest: Emily Lighezzolo

Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev

Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz

Production Code: 4.6

Episode Number: #64

Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Sarah Valle (University of Queensland Press)

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© 2026 Nick Wasiliev and Breathe Art Holdings

‘Date With A Debut’ is a Words and Nerds and Breathe Art Podcasts co-production recorded and edited on Awabakal Country, and we pay our respects to all elders past and present.

Date with a Debut is a podcast hosted by writer Nick Wasiliev: shining a light on debut authors, their incredible books, and their journeys to publication.

In our fifth episode of series four, Nick sits down with Leearna Shaw, the debut author of contemporary rural romance, A Farm in Golden Clouds.

Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! 

You can also subscribe to our new monthly newsletter: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/ 

Check out our brand new podcast website: https://dwad.podpixels.com/ 

Check out the 2026 sponsor of the podcast, Pod Pixels: https://bit.ly/4cbG1Zt 

Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 

Date with a Debut is featured as part of the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/

BOOKS: 

Debut:

A Farm in Golden Clouds / Leearna Shaw: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/L0Zo60 

Additional books mentioned:

The Butterfly Women / Madeleine Cleary: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/e1BP3Q 

Better than the Real Thing / Brooke Crawford: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/k4oQ6V 

PRODUCTION NOTES: 

Host: Nick Wasiliev

Guest: Leearna Shaw

Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev

Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz

Production Code: 4.5

Episode Number: #63

Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Ineke Walker, Sreya VT (DMCPR Media), Shannon Edwards (Allen & Unwin)

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© 2026 Nick Wasiliev and Breathe Art Holdings

‘Date With A Debut’ is a Words and Nerds and Breathe Art Podcasts co-production recorded and edited on Awabakal Country, and we pay our respects to all elders past and present.

Date with a Debut is a podcast hosted by writer Nick Wasiliev: shining a light on debut authors, their incredible books, and their journeys to publication.

In our fourth episode of series four, Nick sits down with Katie Hoskins, the debut author of contemporary fiction drama, When the Party’s Over.

WARNING: this book and podcast contains topics of mental health and fertility issues; listener and reader discretion is strongly advised. If this is something that affects you or your loved ones, help is available:

Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! 

You can also subscribe to our new monthly newsletter: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/ 

Check out our brand new podcast website: https://dwad.podpixels.com/ 

Check out the 2026 sponsor of the podcast, Pod Pixels: https://bit.ly/4cbG1Zt 

Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 

Date with a Debut is featured as part of the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/

BOOKS: 

Debut:

When the Party’s Over / Katie Hoskins: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/DWV5xn 

Additional books mentioned:

The Farm / Jessica Mansour-Nahra: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/ramyxv 

Everything I Know About Love / Dolly Alderton: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/gRAYmv 

ADDITIONAL LINKS: 

Katie Hoskins: Turning a dream into a two-book deal (Australian Writers Centre): https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/katie-hoskins-when-the-partys-over/ 

PRODUCTION NOTES: 

Host: Nick Wasiliev

Guest: Katie Hoskins

Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev

Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz

Production Code: 4.4

Episode Number: #62

Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Lily Cameron, Dave Cain (Pan Macmillan Australia)

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A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: Feed

© 2026 Nick Wasiliev and Breathe Art Holdings

‘Date With A Debut’ is a Words and Nerds and Breathe Art Podcasts co-production recorded and edited on Awabakal Country, and we pay our respects to all elders past and present.

Date with a Debut is a podcast hosted by writer Nick Wasiliev: shining a light on debut authors, their incredible books, and their journeys to publication.

In our third episode of series four, Nick sits down with Amanda Hewitt, the debut author of romance novel The Last Resort.

Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! 

You can also subscribe to our new monthly newsletter: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/ 

Check out our brand new podcast website: https://dwad.podpixels.com/ 

Check out the 2026 sponsor of the podcast, Pod Pixels: https://bit.ly/4cbG1Zt 

Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 

Date with a Debut is featured as part of the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/

BOOKS: 

Debut:

The Last Resort / Amanda Hewitt: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/QYOB1P 

Additional books mentioned:

Just For The Summer / Abby Jimenez: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/VOZOEa 

The Nowhere Child / Christian White: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/ZVXVOQ 

PRODUCTION NOTES: 

Host: Nick Wasiliev

Guest: Amanda Hewitt

Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev

Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz

Production Code: 4.3

Episode Number: #61

Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Maeve Carragher, Cath Hayes (Echo Publishing)

FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):

A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: Feed

© 2026 Nick Wasiliev and Breathe Art Holdings

‘Date With A Debut’ is a Words and Nerds and Breathe Art Podcasts co-production recorded and edited on Awabakal Country, and we pay our respects to all elders past and present.

Date with a Debut is a podcast hosted by writer Nick Wasiliev: shining a light on debut authors, their incredible books, and their journeys to publication.

In our second episode of series four, Nick sits down with Bridie Blake, the debut author of romance novel The Boyfriend Clause.

WARNING: This podcast contains coarse language.

Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! 

You cn also subscribe to our new monthly newsletter: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/ 

Check out our brand new podcast website: https://dwad.podpixels.com/ 

Check out the 2026 sponsor of the podcast, Pod Pixels: https://bit.ly/4cbG1Zt 

Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 

Date with a Debut is featured as part of the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/

BOOKS: 

Debut:

The Boyfriend Clause / Bridie Blake: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/QYKVaz 

Additional books mentioned:

The Butterfly Women / Madeleine Cleary: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/9VevmY 

What Did I Miss? / Holly Brunnbauer: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/Vx5MZj 

Looking For Alibrandi / Melina Marchetta: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/bay9Jb 

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

Bridie’s piece with the Australian Writers Centre: https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/bridie-blake-the-boyfriend-clause/

PRODUCTION NOTES: 

Host: Nick Wasiliev

Guest: Bridie Blake

Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev

Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz

Production Code: 4.2

Episode Number: #60

Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Aideen Gallagher, Fruzsi Gal (Text Publishing)

FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):

A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: Feed

© 2026 Nick Wasiliev and Breathe Art Holdings

‘Date With A Debut’ is a Words and Nerds and Breathe Art Podcasts co-production recorded and edited on Awabakal Country, and we pay our respects to all elders past and present.

Date with a Debut is a podcast hosted by writer Nick Wasiliev: shining a light on debut authors, their incredible books, and their journeys to publication.

Our Series 4 opener sees Date with a Debut live at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival, as Nick sits down with Sam Elliott, Alejandra Martinez and Emma Pei Yin to discuss their books and journeys to publication.

WARNING: This podcast contains coarse language and adult themes.

Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! 

You can also subscribe to our new monthly newsletter: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/ 

Check out our brand new podcast website: https://dwad.podpixels.com/ 

Check out the 2026 sponsor of the podcast, Pod Pixels: https://bit.ly/4cbG1Zt 

Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 

Date with a Debut is featured as part of the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/

BOOKS: 

Debut Features:

Salsa in the Suburbs / Alejandra Martinez: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/m4nPoa 

Haze / Sam Elliott: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/QYKM2x 

When Sleeping Women Wake / Emma Pei Yin: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/rEgmJy 

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

Newcastle Writers Festival: https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/ 

The Write Way Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-write-way/id1652251287 

yinfluence editorial: https://www.emmapeiyin.com/yinfluenceeditorial 

Served with Rice Podcast: https://servedwithricepoddy.com/ 

PRODUCTION NOTES: 

Host: Nick Wasiliev

Guests: Alejandra Martinez, Emma Pei Yin, Sam Elliott

Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev

Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz

Production Code: 4.1

Episode Number: #59

Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Rosemarie Milsom, Cassie Gilmartin, Zoe Drew (Newcastle Writers Festival), Stefan Whitecunas (Photography), Scion Audio & Events, Pan Macmillan Australia, Puncher and Wattmann, Hachette Australia

FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):

A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: Feed

© 2026 Nick Wasiliev and Breathe Art Holdings

‘Date With A Debut’ is a Words and Nerds and Breathe Art Podcasts co-production recorded and edited on Awabakal Country, and we pay our respects to all elders past and present.

Series 4, coming this month!

Date with a Debut and Debut Revisited are back for a brand new series in 2026, with first episodes coming this month.

Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! 

You can also subscribe to our new monthly newsletter: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/ 

Check out our brand new podcast website: https://dwad.podpixels.com/ 

Check out the 2026 sponsor of the podcast, Pod Pixels: https://bit.ly/4cbG1Zt 

Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 

Date with a Debut is featured as part of the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/

FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):

A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: Feed

© 2026 Nick Wasiliev and Breathe Art Holdings

‘Date With A Debut’ is a Words and Nerds and Breathe Art Podcasts co-production recorded and edited on Awabakal Country, and we pay our respects to all elders past and present.

Date with a Debut is back for Series 4 early next month, and it's not the only exciting news!

I'm excited to announce that I've launched a brand new newsletter, which you can access (among other things), book reviews, upcoming episodes, and an exclusive new show: Second Date!

Get ready for a big year of debut authors and more podcasts!

A LITTLE IDEA PUBLIC PLAYLIST: https://bit.ly/4ltICC8

BOOK 'DATE WITH A DEBUT' LIVE AT THE 2026 NEWCASTLE WRITERS FESTIVAL: https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/date-with-a-debut/ 

SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/ 

ORIGINAL BROADCAST: 8th October 2021

Date with a Debut is taking an extended break before our new season, but to bridge the gap, listeners have been asking for more details on publishing and where to get started.

So, over February and March 2026, I'll be reuploading my podcast miniseries, A Little Idea, which delves into the entire process I went through with my debut novel, When Men Cry. Enjoy!

***

Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! You can also support and follow Nick on Substack: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/ 

Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 

Date with a Debut is featured as part of the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/

***

ORIGINAL PODCAST NOTES: 

Join me for the final episode of #ALittleIdea where I chat with Debbie McInnes (Director and Founder of DMCPR Media), to discuss the importance to doing marketing and publicity correctly for your book.

📙 DMCPR Media: https://dmcpr.com.au/

✍️ Australian Society of Authors: https://www.asauthors.org/

📖 WHEN MEN CRY: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/vLq6j

PRODUCTION NOTES: 

Host: Nick Wasiliev

Guest: Debbie McInnes

Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev

Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz (Date with a Debut), 'Loveless Gone' by Jeremy Costa (A Little Idea)

Production Code: 3:X9

FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):

A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: Feed

© 2025 Nick Wasiliev and Breathe Art Holdings

‘Date With A Debut’ is a Words and Nerds and Breathe Art Podcasts co-production recorded and edited on Awabakal Country, and we pay our respects to all elders past and present.

ORIGINAL BROADCAST: 8th October 2021

Date with a Debut is taking an extended break before our new season, but to bridge the gap, listeners have been asking for more details on publishing and where to get started.

So, over February and March 2026, I'll be reuploading my podcast miniseries, A Little Idea, which delves into the entire process I went through with my debut novel, When Men Cry. Enjoy!

***

Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! You can also support and follow Nick on Substack: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/ 

Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 

Date with a Debut is featured as part of the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/

***

ORIGINAL PODCAST NOTES: 

Join me for the fourth episode of #ALittleIdea, where I sit down with Jon MacDonald and David Henley (from Booktopia Publishing and Brio Books), and discuss the collaborative nature of book design and quality printing.

🖨️ Brio Books: https://briobooks.com.au/

📖 Buy WHEN MEN CRY: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/vLq6j

PRODUCTION NOTES: 

Host: Nick Wasiliev

Guest: Jon MacDonald and David Henley

Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev

Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz (Date with a Debut), 'Loveless Gone' by Jeremy Costa (A Little Idea)

Production Code: 3:X8

FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):

A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: Feed

© 2025 Nick Wasiliev and Breathe Art Holdings

‘Date With A Debut’ is a Words and Nerds and Breathe Art Podcasts co-production recorded and edited on Awabakal Country, and we pay our respects to all elders past and present.