On January 24, 2026, Oscar Revelins, the author of the novel "Delicate Friends," took to the airwaves with Nevena and Macca during a live studio session. They delved into the intricate journey of getting published in Australia, particularly for new writers eager to share their stories with the world.
Oscar's academic background is quite diverse; he initially pursued theatre, film, and television at the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles. However, he later shifted his focus to English Literature, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Australia.
Originally hailing from Melbourne, Oscar spent nearly a decade in Los Angeles, followed by a two-year stint in Perth before returning to his roots in Melbourne, where he currently resides.
In the previous year, 2025, Oscar made his literary debut with "Delicate Friends." He didn't just stop there; he also garnered significant accolades including the Varnish Prize for Fiction for his work "The Light Declines," secured third place at the My Brother Jack Literary Awards for his piece "Bishops," and had his work showcased at the Perth Queer Film Festival with "After The Funeral."
In 2024, he contributed an engaging article titled "What I Wish I’d Known Trying to Publish a Book at 23 with No Connections" to the Grattan Street Press blog, providing valuable insights for aspiring authors.
Oscar’s literary talents were evident even in his teenage years, as demonstrated by his novellas "Smoke Tricks" and "Deserted," which earned him a gold and a silver key respectively from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards in 2017.
For more information on Oscar and his works, you can visit his official website at oscarrevelins.com/delicatefriends.
Set against the backdrop of Perth, Western Australia, during the transition from spring to a hot summer, the story follows twenty-year-old Austin as he finds himself in a challenging new environment. After leaving behind his grief-laden life in Melbourne, he is in search of reinvention, though he struggles to identify where to begin his transformation.
As he faces issues like class differences, feelings of social alienation, and a strained relationship with his cousin, Austin encounters Ezra—a charming older man who has experienced his fair share of romantic disappointments. The dynamic between the impulsive and immature Austin and the composed yet wary Ezra leads to a unique friendship that oscillates between attraction and turmoil.
As both characters grapple with unresolved issues from their pasts, they confront the challenges of being vulnerable with one another, with the risk of losing themselves—and perhaps each other—looming large.
"Delicate Friends" navigates the complex and often painful territory that exists between friendship and romance, capturing the self-destructive patterns we sometimes adopt in our quest for connection and belonging.
If you're interested in hearing more about Oscar's experiences and insights, tune into the podcast episode where you can listen to their full discussion. It’s available for streaming or download here (Duration: 12:49 — 14.7MB).
Want to keep up with the latest episodes? Subscribe to our podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more! Your thoughts and reactions matter—what do you think about the themes explored in Oscar's work? Have you found yourself in similar situations regarding friendship and love? Share your views in the comments!
