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.
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Episodes
2 days ago
2 days ago
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/
BOOKS:
Debut Features:
Salsa in the Suburbs / Alejandra Martinez: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/m4nPoa
Haze / Sam Elliott: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/QYKM2x
When Sleeping Women Wake / Emma Pei Yin: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/rEgmJy
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
Newcastle Writers Festival: https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/
The Write Way Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-write-way/id1652251287
yinfluence editorial: https://www.emmapeiyin.com/yinfluenceeditorial
Served with Rice Podcast: https://servedwithricepoddy.com/
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guests: Alejandra Martinez, Emma Pei Yin, Sam Elliott
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 4.1
Episode Number: #59
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Rosemarie Milsom, Cassie Gilmartin, Zoe Drew (Newcastle Writers Festival), Stefan Whitecunas (Photography), Scion Audio & Events, Pan Macmillan Australia, Puncher and Wattmann, Hachette Australia
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedNEWSLETTER: nickwasiliev.substack.comWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @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.
Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
Series 4, coming this month!
Date with a Debut and Debut Revisited are back for a brand new series in 2026, with first episodes coming this month.
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/
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedNEWSLETTER: nickwasiliev.substack.comWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @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.
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Date with a Debut is back for Series 4 early next month, and it's not the only exciting news!
I'm excited to announce that I've launched a brand new newsletter, which you can access (among other things), book reviews, upcoming episodes, and an exclusive new show: Second Date!
Get ready for a big year of debut authors and more podcasts!
A LITTLE IDEA PUBLIC PLAYLIST: https://bit.ly/4ltICC8
BOOK 'DATE WITH A DEBUT' LIVE AT THE 2026 NEWCASTLE WRITERS FESTIVAL: https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/date-with-a-debut/
SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/
Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
ORIGINAL BROADCAST: 8th October 2021
Date with a Debut is taking an extended break before our new season, but to bridge the gap, listeners have been asking for more details on publishing and where to get started.
So, over February and March 2026, I'll be reuploading my podcast miniseries, A Little Idea, which delves into the entire process I went through with my debut novel, When Men Cry. Enjoy!
***
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! You can also support and follow Nick on Substack: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/
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/
***
ORIGINAL PODCAST NOTES:
Join me for the final episode of #ALittleIdea where I chat with Debbie McInnes (Director and Founder of DMCPR Media), to discuss the importance to doing marketing and publicity correctly for your book.
📙 DMCPR Media: https://dmcpr.com.au/
✍️ Australian Society of Authors: https://www.asauthors.org/
📖 WHEN MEN CRY: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/vLq6j
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Debbie McInnes
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz (Date with a Debut), 'Loveless Gone' by Jeremy Costa (A Little Idea)
Production Code: 3:X9
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedSUBSTACK: nickwasiliev.substack.comWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.comYOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2025 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 Feb 24, 2026
Tuesday Feb 24, 2026
ORIGINAL BROADCAST: 8th October 2021
Date with a Debut is taking an extended break before our new season, but to bridge the gap, listeners have been asking for more details on publishing and where to get started.
So, over February and March 2026, I'll be reuploading my podcast miniseries, A Little Idea, which delves into the entire process I went through with my debut novel, When Men Cry. Enjoy!
***
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! You can also support and follow Nick on Substack: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/
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/
***
ORIGINAL PODCAST NOTES:
Join me for the fourth episode of #ALittleIdea, where I sit down with Jon MacDonald and David Henley (from Booktopia Publishing and Brio Books), and discuss the collaborative nature of book design and quality printing.
🖨️ Brio Books: https://briobooks.com.au/
📖 Buy WHEN MEN CRY: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/vLq6j
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Jon MacDonald and David Henley
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz (Date with a Debut), 'Loveless Gone' by Jeremy Costa (A Little Idea)
Production Code: 3:X8
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedSUBSTACK: nickwasiliev.substack.comWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.comYOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2025 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 Feb 17, 2026
Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
ORIGINAL BROADCAST: 8th October 2021
Date with a Debut is taking an extended break before our new season, but to bridge the gap, listeners have been asking for more details on publishing and where to get started.
So, over February and March 2026, I'll be reuploading my podcast miniseries, A Little Idea, which delves into the entire process I went through with my debut novel, When Men Cry. Enjoy!
***
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! You can also support and follow Nick on Substack: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/
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/
***
ORIGINAL PODCAST NOTES:
Join me for the third episode of A Little Idea, where I sit down with Sylvia Balog (Editor & Bookseller with Better Read Than Dead), and discuss the value of a editor when crafting your final draft.
📖 Buy WHEN MEN CRY: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/vLq6j
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Sylvia Balog
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz (Date with a Debut), 'Loveless Gone' by Jeremy Costa (A Little Idea)
Production Code: 3:X7
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedSUBSTACK: nickwasiliev.substack.comWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.comYOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2025 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 Feb 10, 2026
Tuesday Feb 10, 2026
ORIGINAL BROADCAST: 27th September 2021
Date with a Debut is taking an extended break before our new season, but to bridge the gap, listeners have been asking for more details on publishing and where to get started.
So, over February and March 2026, I'll be reuploading my podcast miniseries, A Little Idea, which delves into the entire process I went through with my debut novel, When Men Cry. Enjoy!
***
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! You can also support and follow Nick on Substack: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/
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/
***
ORIGINAL PODCAST NOTES:
Join me for the second episode of #ALittleIdea, where I sit down with Franscois McHardy (Head of Publishing at Booktopia), and discuss the options available to authors around getting their book published.
📚 Booktopia Publisher Services: https://www.booktopia.com.au/bps
📖 Buy WHEN MEN CRY: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/vLq6j
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Franscois McHardy
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz (Date with a Debut), 'Loveless Gone' by Jeremy Costa (A Little Idea)
Production Code: 3:X6
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedSUBSTACK: nickwasiliev.substack.comWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.comYOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2025 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 Feb 03, 2026
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
ORIGINAL BROADCAST: 27th September 2021
Date with a Debut is taking an extended break before our new season, but to bridge the gap, listeners have been asking for more details on publishing and where to get started.
So, over February and March 2026, I'll be reuploading my podcast miniseries, A Little Idea, which delves into the entire process I went through with my debut novel, When Men Cry. Enjoy!
***
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! You can also support and follow Nick on Substack: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/
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/
***
ORIGINAL PODCAST NOTES:
Join me for the first episode of #ALittleIdea, where I sit down with Robert Salisbury (Publisher at Lime Books), and discuss the process of completing your manuscript.
🍋 Lime Books: http://www.limebooks.com.au/
📖 Buy WHEN MEN CRY: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/vLq6j
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Robert Salisbury
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz (Date with a Debut), 'Loveless Gone' by Jeremy Costa (A Little Idea)
Production Code: 3:X5
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedSUBSTACK: nickwasiliev.substack.comWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.comYOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2025 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.
Thursday Jan 29, 2026
Thursday Jan 29, 2026
ORIGINAL BROADCAST: 27th September 2021
Date with a Debut is taking an extended break before our new season, but to bridge the gap, listeners have been asking for more details on publishing and where to get started.
So, over February and March 2026, I'll be reuploading my podcast miniseries, A Little Idea, which delves into the entire process I went through with my debut novel, When Men Cry. Enjoy!
***
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! You can also support and follow Nick on Substack: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/
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/
***
ORIGINAL PODCAST NOTES:
Get into the world of publishing and creating your story with this brand new podcast series from author Nick Wasiliev, 'A Little Idea!'
📖SEE MORE: https://linktr.ee/Nick_Wasiliev
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz (Date with a Debut), 'Loveless Gone' by Jeremy Costa (A Little Idea)
Production Code: 3:X4
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedSUBSTACK: nickwasiliev.substack.comWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2025 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 Dec 23, 2025
Tuesday Dec 23, 2025
ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 21st December 2025
Debut Revisited is a special series hosted by ‘Date with a Debut’ host Nick Wasiliev, where established authors sit down to discuss their entire writing journey, from debut to the present day.
In our third and final episode of this miniseries - and the final episode for 2025 - Nick sits down with Jane Harper, discussing her career from The Dry all the way to the latest release, Last One Out.
Enjoy this show or Date with a Debut? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! You can also support and follow Nick on Substack: https://nickwasiliev.substack.com/
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:
Author Bibliography:
The Dry / Jane Harper: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/194mv9
Force of Nature / Jane Harper: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/Z6gZMX
Exiles / Jane Harper: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/zxJ7or
The Lost Man / Jane Harper: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/6y4JYq
The Survivors / Jane Harper: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/vPA7Jv
Last One Out / Jane Harper: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/dO6mMj
Other Books Mentioned:
Mad Mabel / Sally Hepworth: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/7aYZvg
Watermelon / Marian Keyes: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/xL17g1
Killing Floor / Lee Child: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/jeqv9P
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone / Benjamin Stevenson: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/554Vv2
The Hiding Place / Kate Mildenhall: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/Vx1G7O
The Forsaken / Matt Rogers: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/raoVZQ
Big Feelings / Amy Lovat: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/zxJ7Yr
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Jane Harper
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 3:X3
Episode Number: #58
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Clare Keighery (Pan Macmillan Australia)
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedSUBSTACK: nickwasiliev.substack.comWEBSITE: www.nicholaswasiliev.com YOUTUBE: @NickWasiliev_OfficialINSTAGRAM: @nickwasilievTWITTER/X: @Nick_WasilievFACEBOOK: Nick WasilievTIKTOK: @nickwasiliev
© 2025 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.