Words and Nerds: Authors, books and literature.

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)

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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/

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.