Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
Image for event: Holden Sheppard - King of Dirt

Registration now closed

Holden Sheppard - King of Dirt

In-conversation with Mark Smith

2025-06-11 18:00:00 2025-06-11 19:00:00 Australia/Melbourne Holden Sheppard - King of Dirt A gritty and heartfelt gay coming-of-age story set in the world of FIFO workers and tradies in Western Australia, from the author of the bestselling Invisible Boys. Geelong Library and Heritage Centre (The Dome) - Wurdi Youang

Wednesday, June 11
6:00pm - 7:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-06-11 18:00:00 2025-06-11 19:00:00 Australia/Melbourne Holden Sheppard - King of Dirt A gritty and heartfelt gay coming-of-age story set in the world of FIFO workers and tradies in Western Australia, from the author of the bestselling Invisible Boys. Geelong Library and Heritage Centre (The Dome) - Wurdi Youang

A gritty and heartfelt gay coming-of-age story set in the world of FIFO workers and tradies in Western Australia, 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. He's consumed by a self-loathing all too common for closeted men who have grown up in a world of hate and shame.

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?

Author Holden Sheppard will be in conversation with Mark Smith.

About the author:

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.  King of Dirt is Holden's first adult fiction book.

This is a free event but bookings are required.

Book sales and author signings will be offered at this event.

If you require any assistance with attending this event, please notify us of your access requirements via events@grlc.vic.gov.au or 4201 0600 at least two weeks prior to the event date. 

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Author Talks |

TAGS: | recommended |

Geelong Library and Heritage Centre (The Dome)

Phone: (03) 4201 0600

Hours

Geelong Library and Heritage Centre (The Dome)

Mon, Jul 21 9:00AM to 5:30PM
Tue, Jul 22 9:00AM to 5:30PM
Wed, Jul 23 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jul 24 9:00AM to 5:30PM
Fri, Jul 25 9:00AM to 5:30PM
Sat, Jul 26 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jul 27 10:00AM to 5:00PM

Tel: (03) 4201 0600

Upcoming events

Wed, Jul 23, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Wed, Jul 23, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Thu, Jul 24, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Thu, Jul 24, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Creatives of all ages are invited to join local artist Fern Smith to help create the longest book in the world.

Thu, Jul 24, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Ground Floor South (Blue Table)
Geelong Library and Heritage Centre is the home for zines in Geelong! Come along to our regular workshops to learn... more
Geelong Library and Heritage Centre is the home for zines in Geelong! Come along to our regular workshops to learn how to construct your personalised zine.

Fri, Jul 25, 10:30am - 11:15am
The Reading Nest
Help your child discover the magic of stories and develop a lifelong love of reading.

Sat, Jul 26, 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Meeting Room Level 2
Have fun sketching unique still life compositions at the iconic Geelong Library & Heritage Centre!

Sun, Jul 27, 3:00pm - 3:30pm
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Mon, Jul 28, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Mon, Jul 28, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Mon, Jul 28, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Calling all artists & creative legends. Get hands on with painting, origami, cut & pasting, & all things art &... more
Calling all artists & creative legends. Get hands on with painting, origami, cut & pasting, & all things art & craft. Activities vary each week. Come along & let your imaginations fly! Ages 5-18

Tue, Jul 29, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Tue, Jul 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Build and construct Lego® Spike models, the innovative robotics and coding platform that brings STEM learning to... more
Build and construct Lego® Spike models, the innovative robotics and coding platform that brings STEM learning to life! Recommended age 8-12.

Wed, Jul 30, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Thu, Jul 31, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Thu, Jul 31, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Join other LEGO fans, explore your creativity and see where your imagination can take you. Ages 5+

Fri, Aug 01, 10:30am - 11:15am
The Reading Nest
Help your child discover the magic of stories and develop a lifelong love of reading.

Sun, Aug 03, 3:00pm - 3:30pm
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Mon, Aug 04, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Mon, Aug 04, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Mon, Aug 04, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Calling all artists & creative legends. Get hands on with painting, origami, cut & pasting, & all things art &... more
Calling all artists & creative legends. Get hands on with painting, origami, cut & pasting, & all things art & craft. Activities vary each week. Come along & let your imaginations fly! Ages 5-18

Tue, Aug 05, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Tue, Aug 05, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Build and construct Lego® Spike models, the innovative robotics and coding platform that brings STEM learning to... more
Build and construct Lego® Spike models, the innovative robotics and coding platform that brings STEM learning to life! Recommended age 8-12.

Wed, Aug 06, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Wed, Aug 06, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Wed, Aug 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Ground Floor South (Blue Table)
Come along and get crafty! All skill levels welcome.

Thu, Aug 07, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Thu, Aug 07, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Join other LEGO fans, explore your creativity and see where your imagination can take you. Ages 5+

Fri, Aug 08, 10:30am - 11:15am
The Reading Nest
Help your child discover the magic of stories and develop a lifelong love of reading.

Sun, Aug 10, 3:00pm - 3:30pm
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Mon, Aug 11, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Mon, Aug 11, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Mon, Aug 11, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Calling all artists & creative legends. Get hands on with painting, origami, cut & pasting, & all things art &... more
Calling all artists & creative legends. Get hands on with painting, origami, cut & pasting, & all things art & craft. Activities vary each week. Come along & let your imaginations fly! Ages 5-18

Tue, Aug 12, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Tue, Aug 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Build and construct Lego® Spike models, the innovative robotics and coding platform that brings STEM learning to... more
Build and construct Lego® Spike models, the innovative robotics and coding platform that brings STEM learning to life! Recommended age 8-12.

Wed, Aug 13, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Wed, Aug 13, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Wed, Aug 13, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Ground Floor (Central)
Come along to this workshop to learn basic crochet techniques!

Thu, Aug 14, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Thu, Aug 14, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Join other LEGO fans, explore your creativity and see where your imagination can take you. Ages 5+

Fri, Aug 15, 10:30am - 11:15am
The Reading Nest
Help your child discover the magic of stories and develop a lifelong love of reading.

Sat, Aug 16, 10:30am - 1:30pm
Ground Floor (Central)
Zines from Geelong and beyond will be available to buy or swap. We are also totally open for anyone in the zine... more
Zines from Geelong and beyond will be available to buy or swap. We are also totally open for anyone in the zine community to join us, hang out, and sell your own zines.

Sun, Aug 17, 3:00pm - 3:30pm
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Mon, Aug 18, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Mon, Aug 18, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Mon, Aug 18, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Calling all artists & creative legends. Get hands on with painting, origami, cut & pasting, & all things art &... more
Calling all artists & creative legends. Get hands on with painting, origami, cut & pasting, & all things art & craft. Activities vary each week. Come along & let your imaginations fly! Ages 5-18

Tue, Aug 19, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Tue, Aug 19, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ground Floor (Central)
Come along and get crafty! All skill levels welcome.

Tue, Aug 19, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Build and construct Lego® Spike models, the innovative robotics and coding platform that brings STEM learning to... more
Build and construct Lego® Spike models, the innovative robotics and coding platform that brings STEM learning to life! Recommended age 8-12.

Wed, Aug 20, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Wed, Aug 20, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Thu, Aug 21, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Thu, Aug 21, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Ground Floor South (Blue Table)
Geelong Library and Heritage Centre is the home for zines in Geelong! Come along to our regular workshops to learn... more
Geelong Library and Heritage Centre is the home for zines in Geelong! Come along to our regular workshops to learn how to construct your personalised zine.

Thu, Aug 21, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Join other LEGO fans, explore your creativity and see where your imagination can take you. Ages 5+