Words and Nerds: Authors, books and literature.

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

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 fifth episode of series four, Nick sits down with Leearna Shaw, the debut author of contemporary rural romance, A Farm in Golden Clouds.

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:

A Farm in Golden Clouds / Leearna Shaw: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/L0Zo60

Additional books mentioned:

The Butterfly Women / Madeleine Cleary: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/e1BP3Q
Better than the Real Thing / Brooke Crawford: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/k4oQ6V

PRODUCTION NOTES:

Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Leearna Shaw
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 4.5
Episode Number: #63
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Ineke Walker, Sreya VT (DMCPR Media), Shannon Edwards (Allen & Unwin)

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© 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 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.

QWS S5E3 Dylin Hardcastle and Troy Hunter

In QWS S5E3, Troy chats with Dylin Hardcastle about their super successful, award-winning novel A LANGUAGE OF LIMBS: a fantastic, lyric, gorgeous, dark, funny, sad, queer, horny, lovely, wonderful book about love and the price we sometimes pay for it.
They also talk about Dylin’s trans identity and journey, their earlier novels, their PhD at Oxford, their art, their path to publication, as well as mental health, wanting to be a surfer, and their upcoming TV series!

Books Dylin recommends:
- Host City by David Owen Kelly
- Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

And is grateful for the help of the Pride History Group.
Trigger warning: this episode talks about mental health issues.
You can find Dylin on Insta at @dylin_hardcastle and at www.dylinhardcastle.com (where you can also find their art).
QWS is hosted by Troy Hunter who you can find on Insta @troyhunterwriter and at www.troyhuntwriter.com
Troy is the author of Gus and the Missing Boy and Gus and the Burning Stones, with Gus and the Climate Killer coming in March 2027.
#Queerauthor #Queerwriting #adultfiction #WordsandNerds #LGBTQIABooks #transmasc

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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️