Words and Nerds: Authors, books and literature.

⭐️ Episode 830 - Dani Vee and Amy Coomer - Ravensbourne, teen life and writing process ⭐️ Published by Bakers Lane.

*Please note this episode discusses drug taking

Dear music festival lovers,

In this episode I chat to Amy Coomer about her brand new YA novel Ravenbourne.

A mystery, a tragedy and a music festival that changes everything.

We chat about:
💋 The risks of being a teenager,
💋 How the book changed since Amy started writing it when she was a teenager herself,
💋 Empowering teenagers,
💋Writing process and the lens of maturity,
💋 Exploring dark themes,
💋 How screenwriting informed the book,

Support Aussie books, authors and publishers. Hit play and grab this book 🔥

Dani 💋

⭐️ Episode 829 - Dani Vee and Rebecca Higgie - The Book of the After ⭐️ Published by Fremantle Press

In this episode we discuss the big issues in this epic book!

We chat about:
⭐️ The afterlife,
⭐️ The book as a political love story,
⭐️ Extensive research,
⭐️ What is takes to spend 6 years writing a book,
⭐️ The publishing journey,
⭐️ Extensive post-it note planning.

Support Aussie authors, hit play and read this book!

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 15th episode of series four, Nick chats with Stephanie MacFie, discussing her delightful romcom, Once Upon a Breakfast Show.

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

You can also subscribe to our new monthly newsletter, and get access to exclusive show Second Date: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/

Sign up to the free Instagram Date with a Debut Writing/Reading Crew: https://bit.ly/4pyCx9u

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:
Once Upon a Breakfast Show / Stephanie MacFie: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/dyrbGk

Additional books mentioned:
The Wedding Forecast / Nina Kenwood: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/NGEnb2
Side Character Energy / Olivia Tolich: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/yZonkW
The Boyfriend Clause / Bridie Blake: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/QYKVaz

PRODUCTION NOTES:

Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Stephanie MacFie
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 4.15
Episode Number: #73
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Cora Roberts (Text 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 828 - Dani Vee and Alex Sawyer - Rat Daniels, psychology & male friendship ⭐️ Published by Hachette

Dear lovely listeners,

⭐️ The importance of male friendship
⭐️ Winning the Richell Prize to publication,
⭐️ The psychology of characters,
⭐️ Moral ambiguity of characters actions,
⭐️ How much do you write for an audience?

We also delve into psychology …
🔥 How to we explain ourselves to ourselves?
🔥 Is journaling really good for your mental health?
🔥 Self-awareness and checking in with yourself

Support Aussie books and hit play!
Dani 💋

⭐️ Episode 827 - Dani Vee and Samantha Wheeler - The Lost Island and connecting kids to nature through reading ⭐️ Published by UQP.

Dear nature loving listeners,

In this episode I chat to Samantha about her new release The Lost Island, inspired by her PhD in connecting kids to nature through fiction.

We chat about …
⭐️ Finding magic in nature wherever you are,
⭐️ Surviving in the wild,
⭐️ The frustrating process of being a pantser,
⭐️ Exploring the story through writing rather than planning,
⭐️ The publishing contract journey.

A fun and honest chat about writing, research and accepting the writer inside you.

Support Aussie books by hitting play or reading this book!

Dani 💋