Words and Nerds: Authors, books and literature.

⭐️ Episode 811 - Dani Vee and Michaela Bolzan chat about this year’s SouthernHighlands Writers Festival, the importance of writing communities and why creators need to create.

Dear Festival Loving Listeners,

The SouthernHighlands Writers Festival is one of the most exciting festivals this year!

Grab your tickets for the 23-26 July where you can choose to attend the literary dinner with Bryan Brown or author conversations in two of Bowral’s iconic venues. Grab your coats and head to the festival and find yourself reading by the fire drinking hot chocolates!

Michaela is a creative force and they discuss:

💋 Making your own opportunities

💋 The importance of creative communities

💋 Connecting with readers

💋 AI and its controversy

💋 Why creators need to create

Loved chatting to Michaela about this wonderful festival!

Thanks for listening

Dani 💋

Dani Vee and Dr Kerry Jewell - A Little Unwell and the intersection between science and art,

Dear The Pitt obsessed listeners,

Whether you're debating who your favourite TV doctor is - Dr John Abbott (The Pitt) , Dr Miranda Bailey (Grey's Anatomy) , Dr John JD Dorian, (Scrubs), Dr Dana Scully (The X Files), or those of us who remember the best doctor of all - Dr Doogie Howser - this interview and book 'A Little Unwell' is the cure for those who are counting the seconds until. Dr Robby, Dana, Whittaker and Santos reunite for more chaos in the emergency department.

Dr Kerry Jewell takes us through the writing process, juggling fact and fiction and how to include the realities of working in medicine into a fictional and entertaining book.

She also discusses realistic medical TV shows (you will be surprised by her answer!), women's health and how it has been minimised, women in medicine and the intersection between science and art, which is a fancy way of saying how she successfully engages with both science and art. You don't have to choose, listeners.

A Little Unwell is a realistic, entertaining novel that will delight the couch Drs among us (yes, I am one).

Thanks for listening

Dani x

⭐️ Episode 809 - Dani Vee and Emily Gale - The Wild Unknown 2045

Dear gentle listeners,

In this episode I chat to Emily Gale about her new dystopian middle grade novel set in 2045.

We chat about …

💋 Researching technology across the world

💋 Fears and hopes for the future in DNA and politics

💋 Balancing tech and a traditional mystery

💋 Anxieties of technology

💋 Snoopy Tennis

We also chat about …

🩷 The writing ‘mistakes’ Emily makes

🩷 How to manage feedback

🩷 Surviving a structural edit

🩷 Writing the first draft

🩷 Shifts in publishing

🩷 Burn out and hustle

Thanks for listening!

Dani 💋

New tile made with Photoshop and my own tears

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.

While the main show is off for the next few weeks and will return in late June for the continuation of series four, to bridge the gap please enjoy a sneak peek of my new newsletter show, Second Date, where authors return for a second round of rapid-fire questions.

Check out a romance special as I go spoiler heavy with Bridie Blake and Amanda Hewitt, and if you like it, sign up below! I have a special deal currently where if you sign up to the newsletter, you can have 50% off a monthly or yearly VIP subscription for the next twelve months. That's $3 a month, or $25 a year!

Sign up to the newsletter here (you can also get a free version too!): https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/

Get 50% off a paid VIP subscription here: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=651cc6fe

Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out!

Check out our brand new podcast website: https://dwad.podpixels.com/

Check out the 2026 sponsor of the podcast, Pod Pixels: https://bit.ly/4cbG1Zt

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

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

MAIN EPISODES:

Bridie Blake: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-9rath-1a98846

Amanda Hewitt: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-gr9zq-1a9a11e

BOOKS:

Debut Features:

The Boyfriend Clause / Bridie Blake: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/QYKVaz

The Last Resort / Amanda Hewitt: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/QYOB1P

Other Books Mentioned:

An Academic Affair / Jodi McAlister: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/aNAL1N

The Love Contract / Steph Vizard: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/GbVQjn

What Did I Miss? / Holly Brunnbauer: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/Vx5MZj

The Good Part / Sophie Cousens: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/JkVjr2

Melina Marchetta Collection: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/X4nrxG

Jane Eyre / Charlotte Brontë: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/enEQ11

Wuthering Heights / Emily Brontë: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/5kZq51

Rebecca / Daphne du Maurier: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/1GPg9z

Persuasion / Jane Austen: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/VOYQxj

PRODUCTION NOTES:

Host: Nick Wasiliev

Guests: Bridie Blake & Amanda Hewitt

Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev

Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz

Production Code: 4:X1

Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Aideen Gallagher, Fruzsi Gal (Text Publishing), Maeve Carragher, Cath Hayes (Echo Publishing)

FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):

A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: Feed

SUBSTACK: nickwasiliev.substack.com

WEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com

YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_Official

INSTAGRAM: @nickwasiliev

TWITTER/X: @Nick_Wasiliev

FACEBOOK: Nick Wasiliev

TIKTOK: @nickwasiliev

© 2026 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.

Episode 808 - Dani Vee, Ingrid Laguna and Dan Thomas - Children’s books, writing, feedback and the challenges of being in a creative relationship

Dear lovely listeners,

In episode 808 I chat to (newlyweds) Ingrid Laguna and Dan Thomas about their new releases My Brother Otto published by Text Publishing and Bedtime, No More Buts published by Scholastic.

We chat about:

⭐️ the light and dark and why it’s important for kids to experience both.

⭐️ how to write about real life experiences

⭐️ feedback and rejection

We take a deep dive into what it’s like being in a relationship with another creative and discuss:

💋 Being emotionally ready for feedback

💋 Creating spaces to write

💋 How to best support each other

💋 Being cheerleaders of each other’s work

💋 Creating boundaries about giving and receiving feedback

💋 The challenges of social media

Secrets are vulnerabilities are revealed.

Thanks for listening

Dani 💋

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.

In our seventh episode of series four, Nick sits down with Melissa Sharman, the author of an incredible memoir, The Beauty of Broken Things.

WARNING: this book and podcast contains topics of mental health, self harm, domestic violence and fertility issues, listener and reader discretion is strongly advised. If this is something that affects you or your loved ones, help is available.

Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA): 1300 726 306

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

LifeLine: 13 11 14

Egg Donation Australia: https://www.eggdonationaustralia.com.au/

Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out!

You can also subscribe to our new monthly newsletter: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/

Check out our brand new podcast website: https://dwad.podpixels.com/

Check out the 2026 sponsor of the podcast, Pod Pixels: https://bit.ly/4cbG1Zt

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

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

BOOKS:

Debut:

The Beauty of Broken Things / Melissa Sharman: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/1G7X5m

Additional books mentioned:

Know My Name / Chanel Miller: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/gRGmb9

A Language of Limbs / Dylin Hardcastle: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/oNOxem

Solo Mum by Choice / Lorena Otes: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/yqdP4W

PRODUCTION NOTES:

Host: Nick Wasiliev

Guest: Melissa Sharman

Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev

Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz

Production Code: 4.7

Episode Number: #65

Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Hawkeye Publishing

FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):

A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: Feed

NEWSLETTER: nickwasiliev.substack.com

WEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com

YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_Official

INSTAGRAM: @nickwasiliev

TWITTER/X: @Nick_Wasiliev

FACEBOOK: Nick Wasiliev

TIKTOK: @nickwasiliev

© 2026 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.

EPISODE 806 - Dani Vee and Gabbie Stroud

Dear gorgeous listeners,

In this episode I speak to the wonderful Gabbie Stroud about her new book The Angry Wive’s Club. A feminist episode where we discuss a whole range of topics including:

* Prioritising female friendship so it’s as important as romantic relationships

* Writing from the women’s experience

* How the book is a battle cry for women to be angry and take action

* Squashing the idea of competitiveness between women

* The importance of men speaking out and advocating for women’s rights

* Women carrying the mental load

We also discuss her publishing and writing journey including:

* Hot tips to becoming a published author

* The writing process

This episode is a battle cry for women and The Angry Wive’s Club. So if you feel the rage, ladies this one is for you!

Thank for listening

Dani 💋

EPISODE 806 ⭐️ Part 1 ⭐️

Dear beloved creatives,

In Part 1 of this bonus long weekend episode, Dani Vee and Mary Anastasiou take you through the process from production, choosing an illustrator, design elements, editing and everything about publishing behind the scenes.

We come at the industry from a multitude of angles, including publisher, designer, marketing and publicity, podcaster and writers, and share everything we know, everything we’ve learnt as well as all the things we don’t know!

We also open a can of worms and address the elephant in the room … including how many contracts they’ve had cancelled, dealing with rejection, balancing publishing and being a writer, navigating professional and personal relationships, and the contentious issue of rhyme.

We chat about:

⭐️ The greatest behind the scenes challenge

⭐️ Why a contract might get cancelled

⭐️ When writers should push back and when they shouldn’t

⭐️ How much collaboration does the author and illustrator have when the book is in production

⭐️ How a cover can make or break a book

⭐️ Dani’s obsession with data

We discuss the common mistakes made by aspiring authors and self-published authors.

We reveal what was the writing process switch that made a bestseller?

Thanks for listening

Dani x

PS Part 2 - Promotion and Marketing Coming soon!

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.

In our sixth episode of series four, Nick sits down with Emily Lighezzolo, the author of the award-winning literary fiction debut, Life Drawing.

Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out!

You can also subscribe to our new monthly newsletter: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/

Check out our brand new podcast website: https://dwad.podpixels.com/

Check out the 2026 sponsor of the podcast, Pod Pixels: https://bit.ly/4cbG1Zt

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

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

BOOKS:

Debut:

Life Drawing / Emily Lighezzolo: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/aNWM9Q

Additional books mentioned:

Dream State / Eric Puchner: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/GbZM4B

Song of the Crocodile / Nardi Simpson: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/B52vV4

PRODUCTION NOTES:

Host: Nick Wasiliev

Guest: Emily Lighezzolo

Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev

Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz

Production Code: 4.6

Episode Number: #64

Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Sarah Valle (University of Queensland Press)

FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):

A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: Feed

NEWSLETTER: nickwasiliev.substack.com

WEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com

YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_Official

INSTAGRAM: @nickwasiliev

TWITTER/X: @Nick_Wasiliev

FACEBOOK: Nick Wasiliev

TIKTOK: @nickwasiliev

© 2026 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 chats to Seetha Dodd about inclusivity, finding yourself, being a middle child and her new novel Myra in the Middle published by UQP.

* How important it is for kids see themselves in books.

* Girls in soccer.

* From aspiring writer to published author with multiple books coming out.

* How a writing community provides opportunities for writers

* Tips when pitching to publishers.

* The contentious issue of rhyme.

* Writing process for Myra in the Middle.

‘A charming and heartwarming story of family and friendship, delicious feasts, and a delightful young heroine whose life is turned upside down by the arrival of a new baby. I absolutely loved it.’ Belinda Murrell