Words and Nerds: Authors, books and literature.

Oliver Phommavanh chats to Dani Vee about his new kid lit book Natural Born Loser. Oliver discusses the importance of cultural diversity in books, and ensuring all kids see themselves in his stories. Having taught in Western Sydney schools, he know show important it is to challenge stereotypes and ensure kids believe in their abilities.

Oliver chats about the writing process, working with young people and how he connects with his audience.

Oliver also chats about the importance of burgers, and what makes the best burger. Stay tuned for the burger evaluation.

Laura Stitzel, illustrator, designer and author chats to Dani Vee about collaborating with Elliot Perlman, on his children's book The Adventures of Catvinkle.

This episode is Part 2 of the creation of The Adventures of Catvinkle, in Part 1 Elliot Perlman chats about the writing process, the importance of empathy and literature. In Part 2, Laura takes us through the creative process of illustrating the book.

A wonderful chat about drawing, Dalmations, dancing cats and Amsterdam.

Award winning Australian author Elliot Perlman chats to Dani Vee about his new children's book The Adventures of Catvinkle, set in Amsterdam. We chat about his literary fiction for adults; 7 Types of Ambiguity & The Street Sweeper.

Elliot discusses the writing process and how it differs from writing for children. We chat in depth about the impact literature has to change the world, the importance of empathy and standing up to racism, inequality, bullying and xenophobia. Literature has the power to change the world, and shaping young minds is important if we wish to move forward with compassion and understanding.

We talk about our love of Amsterdam, backgammon and literature. A wonderful episode that is thought provoking with a lot of heart.

Children's author Adrian Beck chats to Dani Vee about his latest project Total Quack Up, a collaboration between Australia's finest authors and illustrator for a great cause. All proceeds for the book go to Dymocks Children's Charities who supply books to kids in need.

This fun-filled book of joy, has stories written by Sally Rippen, Matt Stanton, Deborah Abela, Tristan Bancks, Paul Jennings, Adrian Beck, Alex Miles, R.A. Spratt, Jacqueline Harvey, Oliver Phommavanh & illustrator James Foley.

Adrian and Dani also cast about parenting, dangerous trampolining and 90s playlists. Join us for some fun.

Benjamin Stevenson chats to Dani Vee about his new crime thriller Greenlight.

Debut author Benjamin Stevenson is no stranger to the writing or publishing industry; he also works with high profile writers in his role at prestigious literary agency Curtis Brown. He also has his own stand-up musical comedy show with his twin brother - check out the Stevensonexperience.

Benjamin chats with Dani Vee about his debut crime thriller Greenlight, published by Penguin. We chat about his terrifying prologue and how it’s important to hook your reader by opening with something original that will encourage the reader to continue.

Writing the novel is not as collaborative as writing comedy with his brother and was a very different experience. We explore the similarities of writing comedy and suspense and agree that humour comes from a satirically dark place. Benjamin states that comedy and suspense are similar in that they are both pushing the comfort level of the audience and providing a sting or punch line that elicits a reaction in your audience or reader.

Suspense and crime also relies on revealing information at the right time, as Chekhov states ‘If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don’t put it there.’

We also chat about the darker side of media manipulation and how in documentaries such as The Making of Murderer and Michael Moore even where the truth of a story is told there is way of telling the stories so that bias is created.

We chat about social media and how it has allowed people who may have otherwise been silenced a voice. We also discuss the stereotypes around men with eating disorders and societal expectations of masculinity. When discussing the reality of knowing someone and their flaws, we go off on a tangent and chat about watching Louis Theroux’s documentary on adult films. Eventually we get back on track and discuss suspenseful endings and how Sarah Bailey states that the reader has to have some idea who has committed the crime because the writer has set it up and spent time foreshadowing along the way, it’s not like The Orient Express.

You’ll also hear birds in the background; they are glorious.

Megan Jacobson, your adult author chats to Dani Vee about The Build-Up Season and the CBCA short-listed novel Yellow.

The Build Up Season set in Darwin centres around a family experiencing domestic violence. Our young protagonist experiences domestic violence first hand making it essential reading for young adults. The book packs a punch, and Megan and Dani bravely discuss their own experiences of being in abusive relationships.

An important episode but it may act as a trigger for some people. Please take care while listening and if you need to seek help, please contact 1800 RESPECT.

John Purcell chats to Dani Vee about his brilliant new novel The Girl On The Page. We chat about integrity, genius, literature, sex, filthy manuscripts and complex characters that draw you into the novel.

Described as 'a smart, sexy, provocative and powerful novel of ambition, betrayal and redemption, The Girl On The Page follows the story of 'hard-drinking, bed-hopping, hot-shot young book editor' Amy Winston 'on a downward spiral'.

Published Catherine Milne said: 'The joy of this novel isn't just that it's a complete page-turner, with lashings of sex, glamour, bad behaviour and wonderfully wicked insider publishing references, but that at its heart The Girl On The Page is a deeply serious and intelligent novel about the power of literature, which asks searching questions about art and commerce, integrity and authenticity.'

You can also find John Purcell on The Booktopia Podcast, as he is Director of Books.

Alex Miles, author of the Olive Black series and the Zac Power series (under pen name H.I. Larry, chats to Dani Vee about writing for young readers, creativity and celebrity culture. Alex has worked across theatre, television and advertising.

We have a fun and lively chat about her latest book The Pyramid Puzzle, young readers, education and everything in between.

Listen to Alex now!

Nicole Hayes, author and podcaster for The Outer Sanctum chats to Dani Vee about

Charlie Archibald chats to Dani Vee about her YA novel Mallee Boys.

This debut novel won the Adelaide Festival Unpublished Manuscript Award. Mallee Boys explores masculinity in a tough landscape and how two brothers overcome grief, accept their differences and find a way to move on. It's a beautiful novel and the setting is authentically Australian.

'It's a novel teenage boys will recognise themselves in - a feat for any writer to achieve.' Age/Sydney Morning Herald.

'The landscape is tough, but full of beauty for those who look for it.' Claire Saxby.

Enjoy!