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
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
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.
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
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.
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
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.
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
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.
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
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.
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.