Holden Sheppard, a West Australian author, has released his first adult fiction novel titled 'King of Dirt', marking a significant evolution in his writing career.

In this new work, Sheppard introduces Jack Brollo, a protagonist who closely mirrors his own life as an Italian-Australian gay man from Geraldton, contrasting with the concealed identities of characters in his earlier young adult novels.

The transition to adult literature has allowed Sheppard to explore more explicit themes, including candid depictions of sexuality that were previously restricted in young adult fiction.

The narrative follows Jack as he confronts his past, dealing with family estrangement after being outed as gay, and rekindling a connection with Brick, an old love interest who aids in his mental health journey through fitness.

Sheppard describes 'King of Dirt' as a 'gay bogan love story', embracing the term 'bogan' after initially feeling disconnected from that identity during his university years.

He expresses frustration with the gatekeeping in young adult literature, particularly regarding the appropriateness of content for LGBTQ+ narratives, emphasizing the universal themes of isolation and mental health struggles present in his book.

Positive responses from straight male readers suggest that the themes in 'King of Dirt' resonate beyond the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting shared experiences of family estrangement and male loneliness.

Jack Brollo's character serves as a 'sliding doors version' of Sheppard, illustrating how his life might have unfolded had he not embraced his sexuality and received support from his family.