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

In this episode Dani Vee chats to Tina Strachan about the maths ins storytelling and pantsing vs plotting when writing a manuscript.

We chat about Tina’s unique writing processes including Save The Cat and Story Grid methods

The conversation turns to self-care and listening to the connection between our brain and body, making space for creativity, and how writing communities shape us as writers.

We also talk about Neeka and the Missing Key, published by HarperCollins, the first book of the Wilder Zoo series.

Publisher: Harper Collins

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

Dani Vee and her brother-from-another-mother award winning author John Larkin chat about the best publishing story ever, the signing of The Bogan Book Club at a pub on title only!

Dani makes a confession to her long-time friend, and John talks about combining commercial literary fiction, and the book he was destined to write.

Both Dani & John have been open with their mental health experiences and share their journeys of mental health and wellness. They also discuss how their recent surgeries and procedures unexpectedly impacted their mental health.

*Trigger warning - this episode explores domestic violence and may be triggering for some listeners. Please listen with care.

Publisher: Larrikin House

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

🎙️ New QWS Podcast Episode! 🌈✨Season 4 - LETS GO!

S4E1, Rob chats with award-winning poet and author Rae White (they/them) about their beautiful new picture book, All the Colours of the Rainbow (Lothian Children’s Books). We dive into the inspiration behind Jem’s story, the importance of gender diversity in children’s literature, and how stories like this empower young readers to embrace their identities. Plus, Rae shares insights on using All the Colours of the Rainbow as a discussion starter, collaboration, writing for kids, and their hopes for the LGBTIQA+ community.

📚 Tune in for a heartfelt conversation on identity, storytelling, and the power of seeing yourself in books!

‘It’s never been so important to be a mother of boys. We have to shape how our boys view the world, particularly when it comes to women.’

The first episode of the Words & Nerds new season for 2025 has landed!

Kell Woods and Dani Vee chat like old friends about the importance of parenting boys and teachable moments of positive masculinity.

They also chat about finding a balance between mental health and creativity.

Kell and Dani delve into fairytales and appropriating them for a new context where the portrayal of women and feminism becomes a central theme.

Kell Woods is an Australian historical fantasy author. She studied English Literature, creative writing and librarianship, and has worked in libraries for the past twelve years. She’s the author of After the Forest and Upon a Starlit Tide.

Publisher: Harper Collins

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

MOST LOVED THROWBACKS - Alison Daddo and Dani Vee

MOST LOVED THROWBACKS - Trent Dalton and Dani Vee