The NaNoGang are back with the final episode for 2025.

Did anyone make it to 50,000 words?

Listen to writing tips, fun facts and where to next.

It is a rambunctious episode to end the month!

Everything I Know About Publishing with Dani Vee and A.L. Tait. If you want to know everything about publishing tune into this new series where seasoned authors tells us everything they know about the publishing industry with a deep dive into their publishing journey.

Find out the greatest lesson A.L. Tait has learned, tips for writers, the importance of feedback, the writing process for middle grade novels and how to get published.

If you want to know everything about publishing listen now!

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.

This week, Nick sits down with Jessica Mansour-Nahra to discuss her debut novel, The Farm.

TRIGGER WARNING: this podcast and book discuss topics of depression, domestic violence and miscarriages, so reader and listener discretion is strongly advised. If you or anyone you know is struggling, help is available. Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

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/

BOOKS:

Debut Feature:

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

Other Books Mentioned:

Feast / Emily O'Grady: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/55vG32

The Water Cure / Sophie Mackintosh: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/kOrvXL

Nightwatching / Tracy Sierra: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/aOMzmR

PRODUCTION NOTES:

Host: Nick Wasiliev

Guest: Jessica Mansour-Nahra

Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev

Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz

Production Code: 3:18

Episode Number: #52

Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Holly Jeffrey, Kirstin Corcoran (Hachette Australia)

FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):

A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: Feed

SUBSTACK: nickwasiliev.substack.com

WEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com

YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_Official

INSTAGRAM: @nickwasiliev

TWITTER/X: @Nick_Wasiliev

FACEBOOK: Nick Wasiliev

TIKTOK: @nickwasiliev

© 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.

Dani Vee and William J Byrne chat about his new book The Warrumbar 💛

They talk about the importance of story, intergenerational relationships, the lasting impact of history, how stories are influenced by personal stories.

The episode also touches on domestic violence (so always listen with care), and the complexity of family.

The Warrumbar is a coming of age story about love, injustice and courage

Listen now!

Sami is an international award-winning author and illustrator whose favourite topics tend to be the ones most people like to avoid... such as 'ugly' animals, parasites, poo stories and more. She has published six books and has been shortlisted for/won over 20 awards (check them out below).

Four of her books are non-fiction and are part of The Illustrated Encyclopaedia series: The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature and The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Extinct Animals.

Dinuka McKenzie chats with Mark Mupotsa-Russell about his new novel: The Wolf Who Cried Boy.

They discuss writing an adult story from a child’s perspective, the life event that sparked this unique thriller, and how to explore social issues and big emotions while keeping the narrative propulsive.

With 20 days into NanoWriMo has anyone made their writing goals? We also hear from a mystery author giving great advice on how to nail an ending and the messy process of writing.

New QWS Podcast Episode S4E10 Michael Burge

Rob chats with journalist and author Michael Burge (he/him) about his new crime fiction novel Dirt Trap (MidnightSun Publishing), a sequel to Tank Water.

They discuss writing rural noir and queer history, the silences that shape small towns, and what happens when truth finally breaks through. Michael talks about blending crime-thriller pace with emotional weight, writing justice into places that resist it, and why representation in regional stories matters more than ever.

📚 Book shout-outs:

- Dirt Trap, Tank Water by Michael Burge

- The Watchnight by Michael Burge

- Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry

- A Thousand Miles from Care by Steve Johnson

- My Heart at Evening by Konrad Muller

- Swallow by Alexandria Burnham

🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts!

#QWSPodcast #MichaelBurge #DirtTrap #TankWater #QueerCrime #AustralianCrimeFiction #LGBTQIABooks #RuralNoir #QueerStorytelling #WritingCommunity #OwnVoices #MidnightSunPublishing #WordsAndNerds

Everything I (Don't) Know About Publishing with superstars Pip Harry and Kate Foster. They chat about the opaque publishing industry and the changes they'd like to see occur in the publishing industry. They discuss writing market versus writing an author wants to write, the importance of creatives having access to data, and balancing creativity with business. An episode not to be missed if you want to know more about publishing.

Join the NanoGang for episode 3 after two weeks of doing NaNoWriMo. How did they go? How many words did they write and are they going to get through the danger zone?