Date With A Debut

Series 3, Episode 8 - Our New Gods by Thomas Vowles

ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 17th August 2025
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.
This week, I sit down with Thomas Vowles to discuss his debut novel, Our New Gods.
WARNING: this book and podcast contains strong themes and subject matter. Listener and reader discretion is advised.
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps out! You can also support Date with a Debut on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/nickwasiliev/membership 
Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 
Date With a Debut is featured in the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/
 
BOOKS: 
Debut Feature:
Our New Gods / Thomas Vowles: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/Z6vye0 
 
Other Books Mentioned:
Narrow Rooms / James Purdy: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/XmvXvy 
What Belongs to You / Garth Greenwell: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/BnV2V0 
Bryan Washington Collection: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/WyvGvO 
 
OTHER LINKS:
Author Website: https://www.thomasvowles.com/ 
 
PRODUCTION NOTES: 
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Thomas Vowles
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 3:8
Episode Number: #42
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.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.

Series 3, Episode 7 - Half Truth by Nadia Mahjouri

ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 8th August 2025
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.
This week, I sit down with Nadia Mahjouri to discuss her debut novel, Half Truth.
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps out! You can also support Date with a Debut on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/nickwasiliev/membership 
Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 
Date With a Debut is featured in the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/
 
BOOKS: 
Debut Feature:
Half Truth / Nadia Mahjouri: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/vPgdrd 
 
Other Books Mentioned:
Heartsease / Kate Kruimink: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/XmWJRX 
The Kite Runner / Khaled Hosseini: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/mOkdBe 
The God of Small Things / Arundhati Roy: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/POqG9z 
The Dictionary of Lost Words / Pip Williams: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/VmRrR6 
 
OTHER LINKS:
The Whole Truth Podcast: https://bit.ly/4lvagxS 
 
PRODUCTION NOTES: 
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Nadia Mahjouri
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 3:7
Episode Number: #41
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Tessa Robinson and Hannah Ludbrook (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
© 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.

Series 3, Episode 6 - The Butterfly Women by Madeleine Cleary

ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 11th July 2025
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.
This week, I sit down with Madeleine Cleary to discuss her debut novel, The Butterfly Women.
WARNING: This book contains intense subject matter. Reader discretion is advised.
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps out! You can also support Date with a Debut on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/nickwasiliev/membership 
Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 
Date With a Debut is featured in the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/
 
BOOKS: 
Debut Feature:
The Butterfly Women / Madeleine Cleary: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/e1BP3Q 
 
Other Books Mentioned:
The Dictionary of Lost Words / Pip Williams: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/VmRrR6 
Demon Copperhead / Barbara Kingsolver: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/aO6QbY 
Burial Rites / Hannah Kent: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/GKq3x2 
An Onslaught of Light / Natasha Rai: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/092QEJ 
Five Seasons in Seoul / Christine Newell: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/Z643oz 
The Story Thief / Kyra Geddes: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/XmZ3g3 
 
OTHER LINKS:
The Book Deal Podcast: https://bit.ly/4kvtq62 
 
PRODUCTION NOTES: 
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Madeleine Cleary
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 3:6
Episode Number: #40
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Tace Kelly (Simon and Schuster 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
© 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.

Series 3, Episode 5 - When The Deep, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole by Geoff Parkes

ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 22nd June 2025
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.
This week, I sit down with Geoff Parkes to discuss his debut novel, When the Deep, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole.
WARNING: This book contains intense subject matter, including instances of abuse and violence. Reader discretion is advised.
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps out! You can also support Date with a Debut on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/nickwasiliev/membership 
Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 
Date With a Debut is featured in the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/
 
BOOKS: 
Debut Feature:
When the Deep, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole / Geoff Parkes: https://bit.ly/3ZI3s6W 
 
Other Books Mentioned:
Travelling / Ann Powers: https://bit.ly/3ZwM4lV 
Trainspotting / Irvine Welsh: https://bit.ly/43TZ2fR 
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest / Ken Kesey: https://bit.ly/3T0mPo5 
Catch 22 / Joseph Heller: https://bit.ly/4dDtn5z 
 
PRODUCTION NOTES: 
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Geoff Parkes
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 3:5
Episode Number: #39
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Tessa Robinson, Grace Howe (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
© 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.

Series 3, Episode 4 - The House of Rural Realness by Curtis Campbell

ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 7th June 2025
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.
This week, I sit down with Curtis Campbell to discuss his debut novel, The House of Rural Realness.
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps out! You can also support Date with a Debut on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/nickwasiliev/membership 
Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 
Date With a Debut is featured in the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/
 
BOOKS: 
 
Debut Feature:
The House of Rural Realness / Curtis Campbell: https://bit.ly/4kKx3oE 
 
Other Books Mentioned:
Doppelganger / Naomi Klein: https://bit.ly/4kIxZtI 
On Freedom / Maggie Nelson: https://bit.ly/4juJKTB 
The Hobbit / J R R Tolkien: https://bit.ly/43ivnga 
 
PRODUCTION NOTES: 
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Curtis Campbell
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 3:4
Episode Number: #38
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Chloe Mills (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
© 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.

Series 3, Episode 3 - Special Delivery by Leesa Ronald

ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 30th May 2025
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.
This week, I sit down with Leesa Ronald to discuss her debut novel, Special Delivery.
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps out! You can also support Date with a Debut on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/nickwasiliev/membership 
Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 
Date With a Debut is featured in the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/
 
BOOKS: 
Debut Feature:
Special Delivery / Leesa Ronald: https://bit.ly/3F4tEBX 
 
Other Books Mentioned:
Nina Kenwood / Nina Kenwood: https://bit.ly/3F0YbRa 
Beach Read / Emily Henry: https://bit.ly/43pOq7c 
Five Bush Weddings / Clare Fletcher: https://bit.ly/3FbPVxJ 
PRODUCTION NOTES: 
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Leesa Ronald
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 3:3
Episode Number: #37
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Allen & Unwin
 
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
© 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.
 

Series 3, Episode 2 - The Players by Deborah Pike

ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 23rd May 2025
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.
This week, I sit down with Deborah Pike to discuss her debut novel, The Players.
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps out! You can also support Date with a Debut on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/nickwasiliev/membership 
Subscribe on Podbean to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/3mRME5IMoSJx 
Date With a Debut is featured in the Australian literary platform Words & Nerds. Check out all shows on the platform here: https://danivee.com.au/podcasts/
 
BOOKS: 
 
Debut Feature:
The Players / Deborah Pike: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/K0gQvN 
 
Other Books Mentioned:
Orbital / Samantha Harvey: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/POB5ve 
Heartsease / Kate Kruimink: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/XmWJRX 
God Forgets About the Poor / Peter Polites: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/WygVzA 
The Great Undoing / Sharlene Allsopp: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/k06WGx 
The Bell Jar / Sylvia Plath: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/vPWAvv 
Paul Auster's The New York Trilogy / Paul Auster: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/MAgrVq 
 
PRODUCTION NOTES: 
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Deborah Pike
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 3:2
Episode Number: #36
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Fremantle 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
 
© 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.

Series 3, Episode 1 - Live at the 2025 Newcastle Writers Festival with Natasha Rai, Zahid Gamieldien & Lisa Kenway

ORIGINAL WORDS & NERDS BROADCAST: 13th May 2025
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 first episode, we travel to the 2025 Newcastle Writers Festival for a live episode with Zahid Gamieldien, Lisa Kenway and Natasha Rai on their books All The Missing Children, All You Took From Me, and An Onslaught of Light.
WARNING: all three books contain intense subject matter, with An Onslaught of Light containing suicidal themes and scenes. Listener and reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you care about has been affected by this, help is available. Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. 
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps out! You can also support Date with a Debut on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/nickwasiliev/membership 
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 Feature:
Zahid Gamieldien / All The Missing Children: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/K0gKr9 
Lisa Kenway / All You Took From Me: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/jeVXN0 
Natasha Rai / An Onslaught of Light: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/092QEJ 
PRODUCTION NOTES: 
Host: Nick Wasiliev
Guest: Natasha Rai, Lisa Kenway and Zahid Gamieldien
Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev
Podcast Theme: ‘Chill’ by Sakura Hz
Production Code: 3:1
Episode Number: #35
Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Rosemarie Milsom, Amy Lovat (Newcastle Writers Festival), Scion Audio and Events, Transit Lounge, Ultimo Press
FOLLOW NICK WASILIEV (+ DATE WITH A DEBUT):
A LITTLE IDEA PODCAST: FeedWEBSITE: 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.

Announcement - Welcome to Series 3 of Date with a Debut!

We are back for our brand new series in 2025 - with new episodes every Tuesday, starting next week! 
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.
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/ 
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
© 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.
 

Series 2, Episode 21 - How to Free a Jinn by Raidah Shah Idil

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.