Dani Vee and Chris Flynn chat about his new supernatural thriller novel Orpheus Nine. Described as Australia's Stephen King, Chris writes a satire about world problems through small town conversations. They explore doomsday culture and impact of a catastrophising media on mental health and desensitisation. They discuss why people are so worried about wrong or learning from their mistakes and what it is about the internet that makes people double down on their ideas. They also chat about the impact of AI, critical thinking and staying curious. Chris also confesses something about his personal journey when moving from Belfast to Australia, and why he needed to reset.

🎙️ New QWS Podcast Episode! 🌈✨Season 4 continues

In QWS S4E4, Rob chats with writer and artist Catherine Johnstone (she/her) about her lyrical, hybrid memoir-in-progress and her contributions to the international anthology Stories of Place (Black Rose Writing).

They talk coming out through art, the power of queer storytelling, and how creative nonfiction can blur and bend traditional forms—lyric essays, fragments, visual structure, and more. Catherine reflects on publishing with a global collective, the joy of letting go, and her hopes for the LGBTIQA+ community.

She also shares thoughtful advice for fellow writers: the importance of daydreaming, embracing experimental forms, and ending the never-ending pursuit of perfection—letting go of work when it’s ready “enough,” rather than endlessly chasing a mythical final draft.

📚 Plus, Catherine recommends some must-read queer books:

· The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel (QWS S2E7 guest – haven’t listened yet? Go check it out!)

· My Life in Sea Creatures by Sabrina Imbler

· There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak

Oh—and there’s a shout-out to Helen Garner, a launch across five countries, and the underrated magic of daydreaming ✨

Listen in for a rich, inspiring conversation about craft, vulnerability, and place.

🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts!

⭐️ NEW EPISODE WITH MAITHREE WIJESEKARA ⭐️

Dani and Maithree chat about why the fantasy genre resonates with readers and why Maithree was compelled to write a novel in the middle of her dentistry degree.

They take a small segue into how best to look after your teeth, with some surprising tips and a unique way to drink coffee!

They discuss Maithree’s incredible pathway to publication and how she entered the publishing industry.

Maithree Wijesekara is an Australian-Sri Lankan writer

based in Melbourne. Graduating with a Masters in Dentistry in 2021, she splits her time between dentistry and writing stories inspired by the fantastical and the real world. The Prince Without Sorrow is her debut novel and is being positioned as one of 2025’s most exciting fantasy releases.

Publisher: Harper Collins

Book: The Prince Without Sorrow

Music Credit: Happy Corporate Whistle, published by Four Track, Composed by Andre Albrecht

⭐️ NEW EPISODE WITH SARAH FOSTER ⭐️

A very feminist chat, essential listening for men and women, by women of a certain rage!

Dani and Sara have a fascinating chat about creating female characters that push back against stereotypes and tropes.

They also chat about the renegotiation and complexity of mother/daughter relationships as you age, and the paradox of what we want for our daughters (freedom) versus the safety of women in the world.

Sara delves in the toxic masculinity such as transactional relationships, power and how uncomfortable conversations have to be had in order to dismantle misogyny and toxic masculinity. Women have always been uncomfortable and have had to plan their lives around their own safety.

They also manage to chat about why thrillers engage audiences and how important they are in holding a mirror up to society.

Sara Foster is the author of acclaimed dystopian thriller The Hush and six bestselling psychological suspense novels: You Don't Know Me, The Hidden Hours, All That is Lost Between Us, Shallow Breath, Beneath the Shadows and Come Back to Me.

Her new novel is When She Was Gone.

Publisher: Harper Collins

Book: When She Was Gone

Music Credit: Happy Corporate Whistle, published by Four Track, Composed by Andre Albrecht

Episode 728 - Dani Vee and Ashleigh Barton celebrate the new book How to Sail to Somewhere.

They chat about writing in the chaos of creativity and parenthood, and how they’re tackling the big parenting moments, while trying to remain inspired.

The conversation turns to being present, never being perfect and interesting writing process that doesn’t involve writing!

Ashleigh is a children’s author as has worked in publishing running publicity and marketing campaigns. Ashleigh had written six picture books, two junior fiction series and has been recognised on the CBCA Notables and shortlist three years running.

Listen now!

Publisher: Hachette (Lothian)

Book: How To Sail to Somewhere

Music Credit: Happy Corporate Whistle, published by Four Track, Composed by Andre Albrecht

🎙️ New QWS Podcast Episode! 🌈✨ Season 4 Continues!

In QWS S4E3, our new co-host Troy Hunter (he/him) sits down with Lisa Tirreno (she/her), a bi fantasy and speculative fiction writer, to chat about her debut novel Prince of Fortune. They dive into Lisa’s inspirations, the evolving definitions of "romantic fantasy," and the intersection of queer storytelling and world-building. They also explore shifting ideas of masculinity, from the Regency era to today. Lisa shares insights on navigating the publishing industry, obtaining an international agent, the role of social media for authors, and how the fight for marriage equality shaped her novel.

📚 Plus, Lisa recommends some must-read queer books:

• You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson

• Dark Rise series by C.S. Pacat

• Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson

🔗 Hosted by Troy Hunter (he/him)

🌟 Gus and the Missing Boy by Troy Hunter

🔥 Gus and the Burning Stones – coming July 2025

📖 More about Troy: Website | Instagram

In this adults only chat with Dani Vee and Holden Sheppard they chat about the brilliant STAN series Invisible Boys, brilliant casting and writing the raw and realistic episode 8.

They discuss unrealistic love scenes in rom coms and how damaging they are in creating unrealistic expectations.

The chat turns to shedding shame and who you are supposed to be and choosing to live authentically.

Holden chat about the Invisible Boys sequel and how it is the book he was always meant to write.

Holden Sheppard is an award-winning author. His debut novel Invisible Boys has now been adapted for television as an original series.  

Holden's second novel The Brink won Young Adult Book of the Year at the 2023 Indie Book Awards and the 2024 Ena Noël Award. The Brink was shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, the South Australian Literary Awards, the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) and the QLD Writers' Centre's Adaptable program.

Holden's third book King of Dirt will be published in June 2025 by Pantera Press.

Publisher: Fremantle Press

TV: A STAN Original

Music Credit: Happy Corporate Whistle, published by Four Track, Composed by Andre Albrecht

It's a Kidlit takeover! Join Ky Garvey as she chats to Picture Book creatives Rory H Mather, Brent Wilson & Kirsten Ealand on their new picture books Laugh in the Bath from Little Book Press and The Big Backyard Plan from Affirm Press. The authors share what it's like to collaborate with their fellow publishing creatives including getting creative advice from their peers and what the relationship between Author and Illustrator can be like.

✨ New Episode Alert! ✨ QWS Podcast S4E2 – Curtis Campbell

On this episode of QWS Podcast, Rob chats with writer, comedian, and theatre artist Curtis Campbell about his debut YA novel The House of Rural Realness (UQP). This razor-sharp, heartfelt, and hilarious book dives into queer community, drag, and self-acceptance—all with a healthy dose of drama!

Curtis shares his pathway to publication story, writing tips, the power of humour in tackling heavy themes, and the importance of community—now more than ever. Plus, drag! 👠 Curtis shares his thoughts on Sasha Velour’s The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag and a discussion on whether success changes the way we create.

🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts!

#QWSPodcast #CurtisCampbell #WordsandNerdsPodcast #QueerWriting #TheHouseOfRuralRealness #Drag #LGBTIQBooks @uqpbooks

Dani Vee and Victoria Brownlee, author, writer and editor, covering food, travel and lifestyle across Australia and France, chat about their passion for food, celebrity obsession and toxic work places.

They talk about writing fun books and the most stressful scene of the book that makes the book unputdownable!

With Victoria having had various publishers, she chats about what she has learnt about publishing including the need to survive rejection and be brave to throw away words that aren’t working.

They also talk about Paris and romance in books.

Her latest novel, 'Eat Your Heart Out' is published by Affirm Press.

Publisher: Affirm Press

Music Credit: Happy Corporate Whistle, published by Four Track, Composed by Andre Albrecht