A gritty and heartfelt gay coming-of-age story from the author of the bestselling Invisible Boys.

Giacomo Brolo, aka Jack, is a mess. He works piecemeal construction gigs in remote WA, drinks himself to oblivion and is estranged from his family and friends. 

But then Jack returns to his regional hometown of Geraldton for a family wedding. He hasn't been back since he fled at the age of eighteen, and his past soon catches up with him.

Turns out Jack's deeply conservative Italian family would prefer he remained in the closet. Then he finds out he may have conceived a son with his teenage girlfriend, and now Jack needs to convince her and her new husband that he's fit to be a father figure. And whatever happened to Xavier, the former schoolmate who Jack was in love with and whose rejection spurred him to leave Geraldton in the first place?

Is Jack doomed to live a dead-end life – or can he open himself up to the possibility of love, found family and connection?

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King of Dirt will be published by Pantera Press on 3 June 2025 in Australia and New Zealand and is available for pre-order now.

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PRAISE FOR KING OF DIRT

 

'King of Dirt is like heavy metal – it hits hard. Jack is a terrific character, vivid and honest to life. I roared through this book.'

- Christos Tsiolkas

'Brash, bolshy and bold. No other contemporary Australian fiction writer is evoking this particular working-class demographic. Sheppard is maturing and owning this self-carved niche in his best book yet: frank, fast, funny and fearless.'

- The Sydney Morning Herald / The Age

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“King of Dirt is a bold, unapologetically Aussie yarn that has enough moxie to open minds and hearts alike. [It] flows like a meaningful conversation at the pub. It swears, it sweats, it bleeds earnestly. It’s about as Aussie as they come; if you cut the book in half, red dust falls out of it.”

- The Australian

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'An emotionally charged novel that boldly explores the complexities of masculinity and internalised homophobia. King of Dirt is a standout work of Australian fiction that will resonate deeply.' 

- DNA Magazine

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'A banger - at times literally - of a book, that walks the tightrope between dark emotional headspace and a compelling love story.'

- The West Australian

 

'A vibrant gay coming-of-age story. There’s some beautiful writing in it … plain, no-frills writing that really cuts through because it’s honest and fresh and it has these insights. [Sheppard] writes so openly about what’s going on inside these men’s minds. I ripped through it. It’s a page turner, and you’re invested in everyone.'

- ABC Radio National, The Bookshelf [Listen here]

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'Holden Sheppard hits again with the blunt edge of Australian queerness in his latest novel ... King of Dirt is most successful in its quiet and tender moments; Sheppard’s characters are shown to be capable of true connection, and although they deal with conflict and discrimination, their storylines are neither hopeless nor simplistic.'

– Books+Publishing

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'There’s a lot to love about King Of Dirt. Its raw, unapologetic authenticity draws you into Jack Brolo’s world and struggles to let you out.'

- Star Observer 

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'A powerful, witty and compelling novel.' 

- Better Read Than Dead

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'Holden Sheppard's voice is authentic and dynamic. His visceral characters walk a fine line between brashness and vulnerability.'

– Melina Marchetta

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'This is the latest illustration of why Holden Sheppard is a true force to be reckoned with in Australian literature: intoxicating prose, beautifully crafted characters and compelling plotlines. I loved it and couldn’t put it down. The rich and riveting story took my heart on a once-in-a-lifetime rollercoaster ride that left it feeling full. This book is an instant classic.’

– Shannon Molloy, author of Fourteen

'Dripping with sex and sweat, and powered by a level of empathy that's hard to find in literature these days, King of Dirt is Holden Sheppard at his rip-roaring best. It's tough, it's real, above all it's heartbreaking. Strap yourself in for the ride – and the love story – of your life.' 

– Nigel Featherstone, author of My Heart Is a Little Wild Thing