Date With A Debut
Welcome to Date with a Debut, a podcast about debut authors, their incredible books, and their journey to publication. If you are looking for a new author to discover, or writing inspiration, this is the place to be. Hosted by Australian author and creator Nick Wasiliev, this podcast sits down with debut authors, discussing their books, their unique journeys to release, and their own life stories. Grab a coffee, sit back, and let us introduce you to your new favourite authors! Date With a Debut is featured as part of the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds, which features several shows covering new releases, romance, horror, queer fiction and more. You can catch Nick, as well as main host Dani Vee and dozens of Australia’s best selling authors now.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 22 November 2024
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/
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.
For the twenty-first - and final - episode of series two, Nick sits down with Raidah Shah Idil, author of How to Free a Jinn. They discuss the book, creating Malaysia on the page, drawing on Islamic faith in the creation of fantasy, smashing traditional literary tropes, and more.
BOOKS:
Debut Feature:
How to Free a Jinn by Raidah Shah Idil: https://angusrobertson.4tqiav.net/qzDEnN
Other Books Mentioned:
Hanna Alkaf Collection: https://bit.ly/48t5T0m
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: https://angusrobertson.4tqiav.net/aORx1o
Fledgling by S. K. Ali: https://bit.ly/3C9vfEH
Sabriel by Garth Nix: https://bit.ly/48CyiRR
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Raidah Shah Idil
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 2:21
Episode Number: #34
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Reem Galal (Allen & Unwin Kids and YA)
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2024 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.
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 12 November 2024
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/
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.
For the twentieth episode of series two, Nick sits down with Lauren Crozier, author of The Best Witch in Paris. They discuss the book, winning the Text Prize, creating magical worlds in real life locations, the importance of belonging and self-discovery, and more.
BOOKS:
Debut Feature:
The Best Witch in Paris by Lauren Crozier: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/POjRoY
Other Books Mentioned:
The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/VxaAn3
Pig Tales by Marie Darrieussecq: https://bit.ly/4fvgvyk
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/Dy0OYn
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Lauren Crozier
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 2:20
Episode Number: #33
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Maddy Corbel (The Text Publishing Company)
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2024 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.
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 25 October 2024
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/
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.
For the nineteenth episode of series two, Nick sits down with Steph Tisdell, author of The Skin I’m in. They discuss the book, diversity within diversity, the many experiences First Nations people have inside and outside their community, and more.
WARNING: this podcast contains frequent strong coarse language
BOOKS:
Debut Feature:
The Skin I'm In by Steph Tisdell: https://bit.ly/3ZKSQ8a
Other Books Mentioned:
The Humans by Matt Haig: https://bit.ly/4ejq03g
Always Will Be by Mykaela Saunders: https://www.uqp.com.au/books/always-will-be
Firelight by John Morrissey: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/Y9eNkO
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Steph Tisdell
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 2:19
Episode Number: #32
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Candice Wyman (Pan Macmillan Australia)
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2024 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.
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 18 October 2024
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/
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.
For the eighteenth episode of series two, Nick sits down with Michelle See-Tho, author of Jade and Emerald. They discuss the book, winning the 2023 Penguin Literary Prize, creating the contrasting migrant experience in Australia on the page, and more.
TRIGGER WARNING: this book contains scenes of abuse, reader discretion is advised.
BOOKS:
Debut Feature:
Jade and Emerald by Michelle See-Tho: https://bit.ly/3zvJ6Ek
Other Books Mentioned:
I'm a Fan by Sheena Patel: https://bit.ly/3XIzGx8
Kokomo by Victoria Hannan: https://bit.ly/47EYYRs
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami, Sam Bett (Translator), David Boyd (Translator): https://bit.ly/3MYzcy4
Melanie Cheng Collection: https://bit.ly/3THAzF8
Growing Up Asian in Australia, edited by Alice Pung: https://bit.ly/4eDjJiF
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Michelle See-Tho
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 2:18
Episode Number: #31
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Tessa Robinson (Penguin Random House Australia)
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2024 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.
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 17 October 2024
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/
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.
For the seventeenth episode of series two, Nick sits down with Mark Wales, author of Outrider. They discuss the book, transforming Australia into a war-torn landscape, the challenges of writing action on the page, working on the set of a major blockbuster, and more.
BOOKS:
Debut Feature:
Outrider by Mark Wales: https://bit.ly/3Bcuc6k
Other Books Mentioned:
Blind Man's Bluff by Christopher Drew, Sherry Sontag & Annette Lawrence Drew: https://bit.ly/47CYYSa
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy: https://bit.ly/4gps23k
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: https://bit.ly/3TACcEE
The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy: https://bit.ly/4ddPcad
Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy: https://bit.ly/4gu3x5d
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King: https://bit.ly/4dm2sd2
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Mark Wales
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 2:17
Episode Number: #30
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Candice Wyman (Pan Macmillan Australia)
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2024 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.
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 4 October 2024
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/
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.
For the sixteenth episode of series two, Nick sits down with Melissa Goode, author of Ordinary Human Love. They discuss the book, how your values come into conflict with the needs of others, love and obligation, and more.
TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast and book discuss mental health and adult themes, so reader and listener discretion is advised.
BOOKS:
Debut Feature:
Ordinary Human Love by Melissa Goode: https://bit.ly/4d4jmMX
Other Books Mentioned:
Light Years by James Salter: https://bit.ly/3TucYrc
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson: https://bit.ly/3B3mSKb
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Melissa Goode
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 2:16
Episode Number: #29
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Zoe Victoria (Ultimo Press Australia)
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2024 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.
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 27 September 2024
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/
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.
For the fifteenth episode of series two, Nick sits down with Susannah Begbie, author of The Deed. They discuss the book, winning the Richell Prize, chaotic family dynamics, how siblings view their parents in different ways, creating country Australia on the page, and more.
BOOKS:
Debut Feature:
The Deed by Susannah Begbie: https://bit.ly/3XIDZcY
Other Books Mentioned:
The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje: https://bit.ly/3Tu6ZTr
Lost & Found by Brooke Davis: https://bit.ly/4eoxcuS
Sidelines by Karen Viggers: https://bit.ly/3BdADG7
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson: https://bit.ly/3B3mSKb
My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin: https://bit.ly/4gkUQdn
The Shiralee by D'Arcy Niland: https://bit.ly/47pjplb
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Susannah Begbie
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 2:15
Episode Number: #28
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Holly Jeffrey (Hachette Australia)
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2024 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.
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 20 September 2024
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/
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.
For the fourteenth episode of series two, Nick sits down with Jordan Prosser, author of Big Time. They discuss the book, the world of bands, the commodification of art, creating a dystopian Australia, the creeping mindset of conservatism as you age, and more.
BOOKS:
Debut Feature:
Big Tim by Jordan Prosser: https://bit.ly/4dXLtPm
Other Books Mentioned:
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield: https://bit.ly/3B2x4T6
The Secret History by Donna Tartt: https://bit.ly/3ZblpLN
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Jordan Prosser
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 2:14
Episode Number: #27
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Sarah Valle (University of Queensland Press)
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2024 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.
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 12 September 2024
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/
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.
For the thirteenth episode of series two, Nick sits down with Ernest Price, author of The Pyramid of Needs. They discuss the book, releasing it on the International Transgender Day of Visibility, family dynamics, different forms of truth, and more.
TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast and book discuss topics of mental health and transphobia, so reader and listener discretion is advised. If these topics cause distress, know there is help out there. Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
BOOKS:
Debut Feature:
The Pyramid of Needs by Ernest Price: https://angusrobertson.4tqiav.net/Y9OV1q
Other Books Mentioned:
Erasure by Percival Everett: https://angusrobertson.4tqiav.net/KjVBJz
Chemistry by Weike Wang: https://bit.ly/474BDZ6
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters: https://bit.ly/47dawv1
Pageboy by Elliot Page: https://angusrobertson.4tqiav.net/Y9OVqK
Nothing to Hide: Voices of Trans and Gender Diverse Australia, edited by Yves Rees, Sam Elkin, Alex Gallagher and Bobuq Sayed: https://bit.ly/4e11Da9
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Ernest Price
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 2:13
Episode Number: #26
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Ariane Ryan, Tace Kelly (Affirm Press)
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2024 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.
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 5 September 2024
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/
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.
For the twelfth episode of series two, Nick sits down with Anton Clifford-Motopi, author of To and Fro. They discuss the book, bringing his lived experience in, crafting the world of a twelve-year-old, the value of a good voice in a story, and more.
BOOKS:
Debut Feature:
To and Fro by Anton Clifford-Motopi: https://bit.ly/3XnYtYF
Other Books Mentioned:
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: https://bit.ly/3T905CR
The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness: https://angusrobertson.4tqiav.net/B0jEyB
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: https://angusrobertson.4tqiav.net/nLakEV
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Anton Clifford-Motopi
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 2:12
Episode Number: #25
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Reem Galal (Allen & Unwin Kids)
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2024 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.