Holden Sheppard: becoming your own type of man

October 21, 2019 Matt Tinney

Episode 25

Holden Sheppard: becoming your own type of man

What if you don’t fit the blokey stereotype. How do you become the man you want to be?

Holden Sheppard grew up in Geraldton, a coastal city north of Perth, where footy reigns supreme.

He was a self-confessed nerd, more comfortable holding a novel than a Sherrin.

As Holden grew up, he discovered he was gay.

He struggled to come to terms with his sexuality so much he wanted to end his life.

But just at that moment, he met somebody who would change his life forever.

After getting married this year, Holden is enjoying success with his debut novel, Invisible Boys.

The book follows three teenage boys struggling to come to terms with their sexuality in a town where it’s invisible.

I sat down with Holden before his novel was published.

The manuscript had won the T.A.G Hungerford Award, but he had no idea what was to come.

After only one week on the shelves, Invisible Boys went into reprint.

Let’s have a good chat with author Holden Sheppard, a man to inspire my son.