Claim OwnershipWords and Nerds: Authors, books and literature.
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Words and Nerds Podcast is an entertaining and conversational podcast that aims to get inside a writer's mind. We discuss books, the social and political influences of a writer's work and how literature has the power to change the world.
The podcast digs deep to bring you an in depth and sometimes humorous analysis of the author's book and its influences. Join us for a new way of looking at literature.
Dani Vee your host, English teacher, podcaster, reader, book enthusiast and over-thinker. Dani is joined by various guest co-hosts and has a number of spin off episodes including the Feedback Sessions, Summer Series Takeover, Bite-Size Episodes, livestreams, mash-ups and cross-overs.
Subscribe, leave a review and listen now.
The podcast digs deep to bring you an in depth and sometimes humorous analysis of the author's book and its influences. Join us for a new way of looking at literature.
Dani Vee your host, English teacher, podcaster, reader, book enthusiast and over-thinker. Dani is joined by various guest co-hosts and has a number of spin off episodes including the Feedback Sessions, Summer Series Takeover, Bite-Size Episodes, livestreams, mash-ups and cross-overs.
Subscribe, leave a review and listen now.
1088 Episodes
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TOP 30 COUNTDOWN BEST OF SERIES 2025
Dani Vee and Ashleigh Barton celebrate the new book How to Sail to Somewhere.
They chat about writing in the chaos of creativity and parenthood, and how they’re tackling the big parenting moments, while trying to remain inspired.
The conversation turns to being present, never being perfect and interesting writing process that doesn’t involve writing!
Ashleigh is a children’s author as has worked in publishing running publicity and marketing campaigns. Ashleigh had written six picture books, two junior fiction series and has been recognised on the CBCA Notables and shortlist three years running.
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TOP 30 COUNTDOWN BEST OF SERIES 2025
Everything I (Don't) Know About Publishing with superstars Pip Harry and Kate Foster. They chat about the opaque publishing industry and the changes they'd like to see occur in the publishing industry. They discuss writing market versus writing an author wants to write, the importance of creatives having access to data, and balancing creativity with business. An episode not to be missed if you want to know more about publishing.
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TOP 30 COUNTDOWN BEST OF SERIES 2025
In this adults only chat with Dani Vee and Holden Sheppard they chat about the brilliant STAN series Invisible Boys, brilliant casting and writing the raw and realistic episode 8.
They discuss unrealistic love scenes in rom coms and how damaging they are in creating unrealistic expectations.
The chat turns to shedding shame and who you are supposed to be and choosing to live authentically.
Holden chat about the Invisible Boys sequel and how it is the book he was always meant to write.
Holden Sheppard is an award-winning author. His debut novel Invisible Boys has now been adapted for television as an original series.
Holden's second novel The Brink won Young Adult Book of the Year at the 2023 Indie Book Awards and the 2024 Ena Noël Award. The Brink was shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, the South Australian Literary Awards, the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) and the QLD Writers' Centre's Adaptable program.
Holden's third book King of Dirt will be published in June 2025 by Pantera Press.
Publisher: Fremantle Press
TV: A STAN Original
Music Credit: Happy Corporate Whistle, published by Four Track, Composed by Andre Albrecht
TOP 30 COUNTDOWN BEST OF SERIES 2025
Michelle Mitchell and Dani Vee chat about her new book TWEENS.
They talk about this time being the most rapid period of development for a child, the difference between concrete and formal thinkers and how we can improve our connections with our tweens.
They also chat about screen time, building positive relationships, mental illness and how we're all just trying our best to be the positive adults our kids need.
Michelle Mitchell is a bestselling author and speaker, sought after for her compassionate and grounded advice for parenting tweens and teens.
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A very feminist chat, essential listening for men and women, by women of a certain rage!
Dani and Sara have a fascinating chat about creating female characters that push back against stereotypes and tropes.
They also chat about the renegotiation and complexity of mother/daughter relationships as you age, and the paradox of what we want for our daughters (freedom) versus the safety of women in the world.
Sara delves in the toxic masculinity such as transactional relationships, power and how uncomfortable conversations have to be had in order to dismantle misogyny and toxic masculinity. Women have always been uncomfortable and have had to plan their lives around their own safety.
They also manage to chat about why thrillers engage audiences and how important they are in holding a mirror up to society.
Sara Foster is the author of acclaimed dystopian thriller The Hush and six bestselling psychological suspense novels: You Don't Know Me, The Hidden Hours, All That is Lost Between Us, Shallow Breath, Beneath the Shadows and Come Back to Me.
Her new novel is When She Was Gone.
TOP 30 COUNTDOWN BEST OF SERIES 2025
🎙️ New QWS Podcast Episode! 🌈✨ Season 4 Continues!
In QWS S4E3, our new co-host Troy Hunter (he/him) sits down with Lisa Tirreno (she/her), a bi fantasy and speculative fiction writer, to chat about her debut novel Prince of Fortune. They dive into Lisa’s inspirations, the evolving definitions of "romantic fantasy," and the intersection of queer storytelling and world-building. They also explore shifting ideas of masculinity, from the Regency era to today. Lisa shares insights on navigating the publishing industry, obtaining an international agent, the role of social media for authors, and how the fight for marriage equality shaped her novel.
📚 Plus, Lisa recommends some must-read queer books:
• You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson
• Dark Rise series by C.S. Pacat
• Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson
🔗 Hosted by Troy Hunter (he/him)
🌟 Gus and the Missing Boy by Troy Hunter
🔥 Gus and the Burning Stones – coming July 2025
📖 More about Troy: Website | Instagram
Listen now!
TOP 30 COUNTDOWN BEST OF SERIES
🎙️ New QWS Podcast Episode! 🌈✨ Season 4 Continues!
In QWS S4E5, Troy Hunter (he/him) sits down with Gary Lonesborough (he/him), a proud gay Yuin man and YA writer, to chat about his three acclaimed novels The Boy from the Mish, We Didn’t Think It Through, and I’m Not Really Here.
They dig into the history of each novel, including Gary’s path to publication, as well as the stories behind the stories. Gary gives hints about his new novel due in 2026 and why it is the favourite thing he has written.
Gary describes his books as like sending a time-travelling branch of hope back in time to teenagers like him at 17.
Plus he explains why he wishes his cats (and Kylie Minogue) could read his books!
Plus, Gary recommends:
📚 • We Could Be Something by Will Kostakis
📚 • Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
📺 • It’s A Sin (streaming on Stan)
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TOP 30 COUNTDOWN BEST OF SERIES 2025
Dani and Joel chat about his brand new book Heist: The Great Chocolate Caper, planning vs the benefits of spontaneous writing, word counts and trends.
Joel also confesses something about his past that inspired the book - and it's shocking!
They also chat about the importance of self-care when touring, the power of poetry in bringing out the vulnerability of students, particularly boys, unraveling the patriarchy and practising courageous vulnerability.
TOP 30 COUNTDOWN BEST OF SERIES 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, Nick sits down with Chloe Adams to discuss her debut novel, The Occupation - winner of the 2024 Penguin Literary Prize.
Enjoy the show? Drop us a review, it really helps the show out! You can also support and follow Nick on Substack: nickwasiliev.substack.com/
TOP 30 COUNTDOWN BEST OF SERIES 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, Nick sits down with Natalia Figueroa Barroso to discuss her debut novel, Hailstones Fell Without Rain.
TOP 30 COUNTDOWN BEST OF SERIES 2025
Dani Vee and Gavin Aung Than chat about his new graphic novel Creature Clinic. They also chat about the differences between Australian and US publishers, the secrets of the industry, parenting, finding creative space and whether meditation really works.
COUNTDOWN the top 30 most listened to episodes for 2025.
‘It’s never been so important to be a mother of boys. We have to shape how our boys view the world, particularly when it comes to women.’
The first episode of the Words & Nerds new season for 2025 has landed!
Kell Woods and Dani Vee chat like old friends about the importance of parenting boys and teachable moments of positive masculinity.
They also chat about finding a balance between mental health and creativity.
Kell and Dani delve into fairytales and appropriating them for a new context where the portrayal of women and feminism becomes a central theme.
Kell Woods is an Australian historical fantasy author. She studied English Literature, creative writing and librarianship, and has worked in libraries for the past twelve years. She’s the author of After the Forest and Upon a Starlit Tide.
COUNTDOWN of the top 30 most listened to episodes.
It's a Kidlit takeover! Join Ky Garvey as she chats to Picture Book creatives Rory H Mather, Brent Wilson & Kirsten Ealand on their new picture books Laugh in the Bath from Little Book Press and The Big Backyard Plan from Affirm Press.
The authors share what it's like to collaborate with their fellow publishing creatives including getting creative advice from their peers and what the relationship between Author and Illustrator can be like.
COUNTDOWN the top 30 most listened to episodes of 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.
COUNTDOWN the top 30 most listened to episodes of 2025.
NEW SERIES - Ever wanted to get inside the mind of an adult fiction author? This new series spotlights author through a monologue format, where authors take a deep dive into how they wrote their novel, where ideas come from, their challenges and wins, their fears, personal experiences, what it's like working with their publisher, the editing process and more.
First up Mark Mupotsa-Russell, author of The Hitwoman's Guide to Reducing Household Debt, takes us through the process of writing his second book The Wolf Who Cried Boy!
Check it out!
COUNTDOWN the top 30 most listened to episodes of 2025.
Dani Vee and Adam Wallace talk about publishing vs self-publishing, and Adam shares his experiences of writing for children. Adam has sold more than 14 million books worldwide.
COUNTDOWN the top 30 most listened to episodes of 2025.
Don’t miss this chat with Dani Vee and bestselling superstar author Christian White where they chat about Christian’s darkest novel yet, The Long Night.
They chat about what makes a best selling book and the writing process, as well trading stories about urban legends that haunt them and the weird confessions they make because of this fear!
They talk about dark places, shared anxieties and the complex relationship between mothers and daughters.
This is one in depth, fun, creepy chat. Buckle up!
COUNTDOWN the top 30 episodes of 2025.
Episode 752: Everything I Know About Publishing with Adam Wallace and Sue Whiting PART 1 🩷
Dani Vee chats to Sue Whiting and Adam Wallace about their journey into publishing.
⭐️ How to start your writing career
⭐️ Dealing with rejection in a positive way
⭐️ Follow the energy
⭐️ Creativity is playing
⭐️ How publishing is always changing
⭐️ Being open to ideas and being easy to work with
COUNTDOWN the top 30 episodes for 2025.
Dani Vee and Paula McLean have an insightful chat about storytelling, feminism, women and how the past shapes you.
The One Remaining is a story of memory, endurance, loss and love.
Hilary comes upon a stack of her old diaries, which document the trauma she's endured and decides she is ready to face the hidden backstory of her life.
The One Remaining is a captivating story of overcoming loss, finding the courage to trust and the self-healing power of writing our stories.
Paula McLean is an author, philanthropist and advocate for Australian literature. A Patron and former Deputy Chair of the Stella Prize, she now serves as their NSW Ambassador.
With a background in publishing and a legacy of
COUNTDOWN the top 30 most listened to episodes in 2025.
In QWS S4E4, Rob chats with writer and artist Catherine Johnstone (she/her) about her lyrical, hybrid memoir-in-progress and her contributions to the international anthology Stories of Place (Black Rose Writing).
They talk coming out through art, the power of queer storytelling, and how creative nonfiction can blur and bend traditional forms—lyric essays, fragments, visual structure, and more. Catherine reflects on publishing with a global collective, the joy of letting go, and her hopes for the LGBTIQA+ community.
She also shares thoughtful advice for fellow writers: the importance of daydreaming, embracing experimental forms, and ending the never-ending pursuit of perfection—letting go of work when it’s ready “enough,” rather than endlessly chasing a mythical final draft.
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Jazzy new intro!