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.’ Sydney Morning Herald

‘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.’ Australian

‘Holden Sheppard’s voice is authentic and dynamic. His visceral characters walk a fine line between brashness and vulnerability.’ – Melina Marchetta

‘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

‘King of Dirt hits so damn hard. Where many queer narratives are drawn from urban experience and middle-class perspectives, Holden Sheppard excels at the description of a small-town version … one of those novels where a certain rawness serves to heighten the authenticity of the art.’ Saturday Paper

‘A vibrant gay coming-of-age story … [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.’ The Bookshelf, ABC Radio National

‘King of Dirt is a standout work of Australian fiction that will resonate deeply.’ – DNA Magazine

‘A banger – at times literally – of a book, that talks the tightrope between dark emotional headspace and a compelling love story.’ West Australian

‘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

‘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

Holden Sheppard is a West Australian author whose debut novel Invisible Boys won multiple awards, including the 2019 WA Premier’s Prize for an Emerging Writer. Invisible Boys has now been adapted as a ten-episode television series with Stan Australia which premiered in 2025. Holden’s second book The Brink won several accolades, including the 2024 Ena Noël Award. His new 2025 release King of Dirt is his third novel, and his first book for adults. Holden’s writing has been widely published in books, journals and the media. A country boy from Geraldton, Holden now lives in Perth’s far north with his husband and his V8 ute.

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