Dani Vee and Pip Smith - Knowing history, finding empathy and The Pull of the Moon

In this special takeover episode – Kristin Darell and Zena Shapter chat about the pros and pitfalls of writing for different ages. From co-authoring a middle grade book to writing best-selling junior fiction and award-winning YA and adult novels, they discuss how they adjust their writing styles to suit the audience – and each other! What considerations and adjustments do you have to make? How do you know where your story or article fits? They also discuss the power of networking and sharing the writing journey to create the foundation of a long-lasting and successful writing career.

Books discussed by Kristin:

Taronga presents series (Penguin Kids Australia, 2024) – https://www.penguin.com.au/books/taronga-presents-poo-at-the-zoo-9781761347436

Football Fever series (Penguin Kids Australia, 2022–23) – https://www.penguin.com.au/books/football-fever-1-the-kick-off-9781761048067

Books discussed by Zena:

When Dark Roots Hung (MidnightSun, 2023) – https://midnightsunpublishing.com/shop/books/when-dark-roots-hunt/

When Dark Waters Burn (MidnightSun, 2025) – https://midnightsunpublishing.com/2025/01/when-dark-waters-burn/

Co-authored middle grade discussed:

Into Tordon (MidnightSun, 2016) – https://midnightsunpublishing.com/shop/books/into-tordon/

Dani Vee and Ingrid Laguna chat about being kind to yourself, owning who you are, an unreasonable fear of sharks, confessions of a lie they've told, creativity and anxiety, the impact of AI and Edie Tells a Lie.

Dani Vee and George Ivanoff chat about rejections as an established author, dinosaurs and his new book You Choose Mega: Prehistoric Peril

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, I sit down with Madeleine Cleary to discuss her debut novel, The Butterfly Women.

WARNING: This book contains intense subject matter. Reader discretion is advised.

Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps out! You can also support Date with a Debut on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/nickwasiliev/membership

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

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

BOOKS:

Debut Feature:

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

Other Books Mentioned:

The Dictionary of Lost Words / Pip Williams: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/VmRrR6

Demon Copperhead / Barbara Kingsolver: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/aO6QbY

Burial Rites / Hannah Kent: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/GKq3x2

An Onslaught of Light / Natasha Rai: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/092QEJ

Five Seasons in Seoul / Christine Newell: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/Z643oz

The Story Thief / Kyra Geddes: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/XmZ3g3

OTHER LINKS:

The Book Deal Podcast: https://bit.ly/4kvtq62

PRODUCTION NOTES:

Host: Nick Wasiliev

Guest: Madeleine Cleary

Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev

Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz

Production Code: 3:6

Episode Number: #40

Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Tace Kelly (Simon and Schuster Australia)

FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):

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© 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 Adam Cece go deep into the writing process including The Tension Spring, they discuss underground Adelaide and his new book The Locked Room

Dani Vee, Scott Stuart, James Layton and Zoe Crowest - The Winner of the Scott Stuart Literary Prize

Today I welcome Jacinta Daniher and Taylor Hampton to chat about their beautiful new picture book OUR DANCE illustrated by Janelle Burger.

Taylor Hampton is a proud Ngiyampaa/ Wiradjuri man and Jacinta Daniher is an early childhood educator. They both have a passion for educating young people about Aboriginal culture.

Our Dance is a joyful celebration of First Nations culture and Australia's unique animals through dance and music

Listen now

Join us for a special Takeover as Date with a Debut host Nick Wasiliev chats with Chrissie Bellbrae about ‘The Florentine Quilt’, crafting story from history, and her generational love of textiles.

Buy The Florentine Quilt: https://bit.ly/43mrxBs

NEW SERIES - Ever wanted to get inside the mind of an adult fiction author? This new series spotlights author through a monologue format, where authors take a deep dive into how they wrote their novel, where ideas come from, their challenges and wins, their fears, personal experiences, what it's like working with their publisher, the editing process and more.

First up Mark Mupotsa-Russell, author of The Hitwoman's Guide to Reducing Household Debt, takes us through the process of writing his second book The Wolf Who Cried Boy!

Check it out!