Gero’s golden boy Holden Sheppard returns home to bask in Invisible Boys success and share new book news

Hometown hero and national literary celebrity Holden Sheppard returned to Geraldton for one last Invisible Boys event on Friday night. The award-winning author attended a Q&A and book signing at the Geraldton Regional Library, where he sat down with the ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt’s Natasha Harradine and shared the Invisible Boys success with fans, friends and family. Invisible Boys was released as a novel in 2019 and was later adapted into a Stan original show which was set and filmed in Geraldton. Released last month, the show quickly went to No.1 on the streaming platform in Australia and New Zealand and has received praise and critical acclaim for its LGBTIQA+ and mental health representation. Sheppard still can’t believe how successful his “baby” has become. “It’s been absolutely huge and I’m just so stoked. This week there have been billboards across Melbourne and every bus shelter in Sydney. It’s national. Gero is being seen across the country which is so freaky but just so cool and I never expected any of this, so it’s very cool to see,” he said. “I think what’s made it so successful is the fact that it’s universal. Whether it’s a small town or a capital city — 20, 2000 or 20,000 people — you can be singled out for being gay, being smart, for being weird, trans, having different traits or religions and it’s hard no matter what, so I think everyone is relating to that because everyone has gone through some version of shame.” During the Q&A, Sheppard discussed the much-anticipated Invisible Boys sequel, which is complete and will follow the boys on their journeys in Perth, and told the audience to “stay tuned for more info”. He also revealed the first physical copy of his third novel, King Of Dirt, a gritty and heartfelt gay coming-of-age story set in the world of FIFO workers and tradies in Western Australia and the main characters’ hometown of Geraldton, set to be released on June 3. During the evening there was one question on everyone’s mind: “will there be a second season of Invisible Boys?” Sheppard remained tight-lipped, stating that the decision was “entirely up to Stan”. At this point, it was “too soon to say”, but he added that it would be “incredible” and something he would love to see come to fruition. What’s next for Sheppard? Rest and some quiet time, he said.