Words and Nerds: Authors, books and literature.

Celebrate the 800 episode milestone with Dani Vee, Adrian Beck, Tristan Bancks and Cristy Burne.

The gang kick off by chatting about Cristy's new verse novel One Day Soon, a personal story inspired by real events.

To celebrate life and 800 episodes of talking to creatives about their work, Dani, Adrian, Tristan and Cristy ask each the hard questions about their childhood dreams, things they've always wanted to do, books they've always wanted to write and they have a lot of fun doing it!

Whatever journey you've been on with Words and Nerds, join the celebration of 800 epic interviews with authors, illustrators and publishers.

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.

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 second episode of series four, Nick sits down with Bridie Blake, the debut author of romance novel The Boyfriend Clause.
WARNING: This podcast contains coarse language.
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 Boyfriend Clause / Bridie Blake: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/QYKVaz

Additional books mentioned:

The Butterfly Women / Madeleine Cleary: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/9VevmY
What Did I Miss? / Holly Brunnbauer: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/Vx5MZj
Looking For Alibrandi / Melina Marchetta: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/bay9Jb

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

Bridie’s piece with the Australian Writers Centre: https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/bridie-blake-the-boyfriend-clause/

PRODUCTION NOTES:

Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Bridie Blake
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 4.2
Episode Number: #60
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Aideen Gallagher, Fruzsi Gal (Text Publishing)

FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
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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 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.

Date with a Debut - S4, E1 - Live at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival with Nick Wasiliev, Alejandra Martinez, Sam Elliott and Emma Pei Yin

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.

Our Series 4 opener sees Date with a Debut live at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival, as Nick sits down with Sam Elliott, Alejandra Martinez and Emma Pei Yin to discuss their books and journeys to publication.
WARNING: This podcast contains coarse language and adult themes.
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/