Join author Gary Lonesborough in conversation with Myoung Jae Yi at the South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA) in Bega, Sat 28 Sep, 11am - 12pm

‘I wanted to write a story that I could have read when I was a teen and seen myself in the character – a gay Aboriginal boy, who struggles with his weight and making friends, falling in love with boys he doesn’t think he can get.’ Gary on I’m Not Really Here

Jonah is the new kid in a country town. When he joins the school footy team to be closer to his crush, Harley, it feels like a fresh start – but he still has to navigate new friendships, old family secrets, and the same body image issues he’s always had. A wonderful coming-of-age queer romance from the multi-award-winning author of The Boy from the Mish.

Footsteps approach behind me. I turn and see an Aboriginal boy arriving at the doorway. He’s tall, taller than me. He’s got curly hair. His body is fit. His chest is chiselled and bare and he’s wearing only football shorts.

When 17-year-old Jonah arrives in a new town – Patience – with his dad and twin brothers, Zeke and Luke, it feels like a foreign place. A new town means he needs to make new friends, which isn’t always easy. Especially when he’s wrestling with his body image. And his memories of his mother. When he joins the school footy team so he can spend more time with his new crush, Harley, he feels like he’s moving closer to something good. But even though he knows what he wants, it doesn’t mean he’s ready.

Emotionally compelling, honest and warm, I'm Not Really Here is a beautiful novel about navigating family and friendships, and finding a way through grief towards love, from an internationally acclaimed bestselling Indigenous author.

This is a free event, with registration required.

Presented by Headland Writers Festival and South East Centre for Contemporary Art, Bega

Headland Writers Festival is presented by South East Arts, Candelo Books and Tathra Hotel. Supported by Regional Arts Fund and Create NSW.