Words and Nerds: Authors, books and literature.

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

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.

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 ⭐️ 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!

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

Dani Vee chats to Annie Drum, writer of short fiction and poetry. They talk about her heartfelt coming of age novel, Don’t Forget to Remember Me published by Bakers Lane. Books versus kindles and audio books. The importance of hope in YA novels. How setting can shape character. The treatment of first love in a YA novel. A new generation of acceptance. The lessons we can learn from young people. The importance of vulnerability. ‘The story will make you smile and break your heart. I inhaled this book in one setting.’ Troy Hunter ‘Everyone should have a friend like star in amongst the human heartbreak drum creates a world. You won’t want to leave.’ RWR McDonald.

In Episode #803 Dani Vee and bestselling author Tristan Bancks have an epic chat about his brand new suspense thriller Raised By Wolves, a follow up to the hugely successful Two Wolves. They chat about: ⭐️ Kids navigating the adult world ⭐️ The horror film effect and how they’ve influenced Tristan’s writing ⭐️ Moral ambiguity in books and why it’s important for young readers ⭐️ Writing a sequel and giving your writing space ⭐️ Why young readers are drawn to dark books ⭐️ Tristan’s writing soundtrack ⭐️ How to write a bestselling suspense thriller Tristan also reads a section from the new book! A must listen with bestselling superstar Tristan Bancks ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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 fourth episode of series four, Nick sits down with Katie Hoskins, the debut author of contemporary fiction drama, When the Party’s Over. WARNING: this book and podcast contain topics of mental health 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 ForWhen Helpine: 1300 24 23 22 Red Nose Australia: https://rednose.org.au/ Pink Elephants Support Network: https://www.pinkelephants.org.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: When the Party’s Over / Katie Hoskins: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/DWV5xn Additional books mentioned: The Farm / Jessica Mansour-Nahra: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/ramyxv Everything I Know About Love / Dolly Alderton: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/gRAYmv ADDITIONAL LINKS: Katie Hoskins: Turning a dream into a two-book deal (Australian Writers Centre): https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/katie-hoskins-when-the-partys-over/ PRODUCTION NOTES: Host: Nick Wasiliev Guest: Katie Hoskins Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz Production Code: 4.4 Episode Number: #62 Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Lily Cameron, Dave Cain (Pan Macmillan Australia) 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 podcast hosted by writer Nick Wasiliev: shining a light on debut authors, their incredible books, and their journeys to publication. In our third episode of series four, Nick sits down with Amanda Hewitt, the debut author of romance novel The Last Resort. 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 Last Resort / Amanda Hewitt: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/QYOB1P Additional books mentioned: Just For The Summer / Abby Jimenez: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/VOZOEa The Nowhere Child / Christian White: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/ZVXVOQ PRODUCTION NOTES: Host: Nick Wasiliev Guest: Amanda Hewitt Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz Production Code: 4.3 Episode Number: #61 Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Maeve Carragher, Cath Hayes (Echo 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.

Dani Vee and Karen Comer chat about her new YA verse novel Once Upon Tomorrow. They chat about the complexity of writing three separate storylines across one hundred years, speculative fiction and the impact of AI on the human experience. Dani and Karen also explore feminism, the experience of women across the ages and how AI has been used to weaponise women. They also chat about the importance of verse novels and the writing process.

Dani Vee and Melissa Manning chat about her new book Frogsong published by UQP and how Melissa captures the sensual aching years of young life along with its confusion and exuberance. They chat about nostalgia, the things that haunt us and the impact of addiction on those around us. They examine setting, character, the writing process and the path to publication. They also discuss the impact of constantly multi-tasking in a busy world and how this has contributed to anxiety. Listen now.

Dani Vee and Mohammed Massoud Morsi chat about his new novel The Hair of the Pigeon, the importance of humanity in dark times and interesting pathways to publishing. The Hair of the Pigeon is an epic tale of exile, survival and love. They talk about the character development, how we respond to violence when we have no control over our world. Mohammed shares his self-doubt as a writer and an interesting pathway to publication. Mohammed Massoud Morsi is an Egyptian-Danish-Australian photographer, journalist and writer. His work has been published in all three of his traditional languages. His work is enriched by his photographer’s eye for detail and a passion for speaking out for those suppressed, challenging and breaking common narratives all at once.