Words and Nerds: Authors, books and literature.

Melina Marchetta, author of Looking for Alibrandi, Saving Francesca, On the Jelliecoe Road, The Piper's Son & Gorgon in the Gully, chats about her new book The Place On Dalhousie.

The Place On Dalhousie is such a beautiful book, capturing fractured families, flawed characters and love in many forms. One of my favourite novels of 2019.

We chat about character, ageing, motherhood, friendship, multiculturalism and love.

Kate Murdoch chats about her novel Stone Circle. A novel exploring class, rivalry and spiritual growth.

Is the ability to read minds a blessing or a curse?

When Antonius’s father dies, he must work to support his family. He finds employment as a servant in the Palazzo Ducal, home of Conte Valperga. Sixteenth-century Pesaro is a society governed by status, and Antonius has limited opportunities.When a competition is announced, Antonius seizes his chance. The winner will be apprenticed to the town seer. Antonius shares first place with his employer’s son.The two men compete for their mentor’s approval. As their knowledge of magic and alchemy grows, so does the rivalry and animosity between them. When the love of a beautiful woman is at stake, Antonius must find a way to follow his heart and navigate his future.

Matt Davies chats about his debut young adult fiction novel This Thing Of Darkness. We chat about The Tempest, Hag-Seed, writing for young adults, children committing crimes and forgiveness.

Jane Caro chats about her new book Accidental Feminist, outlining generations of feminism and the treatment of woman at the hands of society and how this continues to hinder women's lives.

Jane and Dani Vee discuss the third wave of feminism, social change, Barbie, menopause, the invisibility of woman over 50, gender stereotypes and the forgotten women of history.

The book is a must read for all humans.

Molly Murn chats to Dani Vee about her novel Heart Of The Grass Tree, a lyrical story of love, family and belonging set against the landscape and history of Kangaroo Island.

D.M. Cameron chats to Dani Vee about her novel Beneath The Mother Tree. A spine-chilling mystery and contemporary love story, Beneath The Mother Tree plays out in a unique and will Australian setting, interweaving Indigenous history and Irish mythology.

Gabrielle Tozer chats to Dani Vee for a second time, this time about her beautiful children's novel Melody Trumpet. The novel is about the importance of art and friendship, and how you can overcome anything. The book also touches on the power of fame and how it can corrupt you.

Listen to a review from a six year old at the beginning.

Join us for a conversation about children's literature.

Jack Heath chats to Dani Vee about his new psychological crime thriller Hunter, a follow up to the best selling novel Hangman.

This episode is not suitable for children. Jack has written novels for both children and adults but this book is specifically for an adult audience, as is the podcast.

Jack and Dani have so much fun on this episode talking about Hunter, the character Timothy Blake and the writing of a morally ambiguous character. However, they also discuss being paranoid about social media, the plague, Jack Bauer, films, literature, vampires and everything in between. This episode is truly the most fun and open interview considering the content of the book!

Felice Arena chats to Dani Vee about writing books for kids, acting and writing historical fiction.

In addition to being a prolific writer of children's books, Felice Arena is also an accomplished actor, speaker, TV presenter and playwright.

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In the Nineties he played Marco Alessi in the TV soap opera Neighbours for a year before heading off to pursue a musical theatre career in London. During his time in the UK he starred in West End musicals Hair, Godspell and What a Feeling.

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It was in this period he began to write, sparked by nostalgia for his boyhood days in country Victoria. Felice's debut novel, a story about a dolphin and a swimmer set in Australia, was picked up by a UK publisher, and he hasn't looked back since.

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Felice’s books have topped bestseller lists and garnered several awards, including six Australian Children Choice Book Awards. ​Some of these include the Andy Roid series, the Sporty Kids books, the hugely popular Specky Magee series, and most recently his acclaimed historical adventure novels The Boy and the Spy and Fearless Frederic - which recently was listed as a CBCA notable book.

His latest novel, A Great Escape, is a gripping adventure set in Cold War Berlin and is out now.

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Felice's books have also been published in the UK, USA, Ireland, New Zealand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, and China.

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In 2013 Felice was named Koala Legend of the year (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards).

Brandy Scott chats to Dani Vee about her novel Not Bad People. A suspenseful and fun book full of heart. The novel explores friendship over time, living in a small town, money, relationships and being single in your 30s.