Holden Sheppard is one of Western Australia’s most distinctive literary voices.
Deploying raw, powerful storytelling, Holden’s debut novel, Invisible Boys, draws directly from his own experiences growing up gay in Geraldton. Through his generous mentorship, authentic LGBTQIA+ representation and fearless mental health advocacy, Holden is a voice for countless Australians, particularly gay and bisexual men from rural areas.
Holden’s novel became a bestseller and received multiple prestigious literary awards. It’s now streaming as a critically-acclaimed 10-episode Stan Original series.
Holden served as deputy chair of Writing WA from 2019 to 2023, where he helped expand the organisation’s reach and impact. He has mentored emerging writers, judged major literary awards, been a grant assessor for arts funding bodies, and championed greater diversity and ethical standards in publishing, including taking a national stand on AI ethics.
Through these efforts, Holden has built a more inclusive, representative and ethical creative sector.