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The Black Flower
When Nick and Ashlea first meet, they’re just two drunk seventeen year olds at a house party. He’s a binge-drinking redneck; she’s a wild party girl. And every weekend in a country town like Geraldton is an alcoholic’s dream.
It’s a perfect match – until it isn’t.
When tragedy strikes, Ashlea grows up fast. But Nick can’t pull himself away from the booze – or the ghosts of his childhood that echo through every part of his life.
With Nick’s addiction threatening to destroy their young love, Ashlea delivers an ultimatum – but it has deadly consequences.
THE BLACK FLOWER is a raw, emotional portrait of two teenagers trapped in the chaos of anger, vulnerability and trauma. This story was originally published in the Melbourne-based anthology Page Seventeen.
It’s a perfect match – until it isn’t.
When tragedy strikes, Ashlea grows up fast. But Nick can’t pull himself away from the booze – or the ghosts of his childhood that echo through every part of his life.
With Nick’s addiction threatening to destroy their young love, Ashlea delivers an ultimatum – but it has deadly consequences.
THE BLACK FLOWER is a raw, emotional portrait of two teenagers trapped in the chaos of anger, vulnerability and trauma. This story was originally published in the Melbourne-based anthology Page Seventeen.
48 pages, Paperback
Published September 9, 2017
About the author
Holden Sheppard
10 books456 followersHolden Sheppard is an award-winning Australian novelist once described as "the lovechild of Rambo and Rimbaud".
A country boy, a weightlifter and a self-proclaimed “bromosexual”, Holden has won acclaim for the raw, blokey honesty of his emotional novels about the modern experiences of Aussie men.
Holden's bestselling debut Invisible Boys - a confessional novel about young gay men growing up in rural Australia - picked up major accolades including the WA Premier's Prize and the Hungerford Award. In 2025, Invisible Boys was adapted as a ten-episode television series for Stan Australia, which was nominated for the prestigious Peabody Awards in the USA and was also nominated for two AACTA Awards in Australia.
Holden's subsequent novels include The Brink – a thriller about young adults grappling with a murder during their schoolies trip – and King of Dirt, a gay bogan love story set in the world of construction workers. Holden's books have won widespread award recognition nationally, including winning the Indie Book Award and Ena Noel Award, and shortlistings in the VIC, NSW and SA Premier's Literary Awards, the Queensland Writers Centre's Adaptable Program and the Australian Book Industry Awards.
Holden's latest release Yeah the Boys is the long-awaited sequel to Invisible Boys. It won the 2025 Minderoo Artist Fund Award and is in stores from 28 April 2026.
Holden has worked as a screenwriter, writing two episodes of the Invisible Boys series. His writing has been widely published in books, journals and the media. He served as Deputy Chair of Writing WA from 2019-2023. Holden is an outspoken advocate for artists' rights, gay rights and men's mental health, for which he was recognised in the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards as a WA finalist in the Australia's Local Hero Award.
Known for a trademark larrikin humour that balances the heavier content of his books, Holden appeared in the 2022 "Bogans" episode of hit ABC TV series You Can't Ask That, was once featured in a bourbon advertisement, and barracks for the Collingwood Football Club.
Born and bred in Geraldton, Western Australia, Holden now lives in Perth's north with his husband and his V8 ute.
A country boy, a weightlifter and a self-proclaimed “bromosexual”, Holden has won acclaim for the raw, blokey honesty of his emotional novels about the modern experiences of Aussie men.
Holden's bestselling debut Invisible Boys - a confessional novel about young gay men growing up in rural Australia - picked up major accolades including the WA Premier's Prize and the Hungerford Award. In 2025, Invisible Boys was adapted as a ten-episode television series for Stan Australia, which was nominated for the prestigious Peabody Awards in the USA and was also nominated for two AACTA Awards in Australia.
Holden's subsequent novels include The Brink – a thriller about young adults grappling with a murder during their schoolies trip – and King of Dirt, a gay bogan love story set in the world of construction workers. Holden's books have won widespread award recognition nationally, including winning the Indie Book Award and Ena Noel Award, and shortlistings in the VIC, NSW and SA Premier's Literary Awards, the Queensland Writers Centre's Adaptable Program and the Australian Book Industry Awards.
Holden's latest release Yeah the Boys is the long-awaited sequel to Invisible Boys. It won the 2025 Minderoo Artist Fund Award and is in stores from 28 April 2026.
Holden has worked as a screenwriter, writing two episodes of the Invisible Boys series. His writing has been widely published in books, journals and the media. He served as Deputy Chair of Writing WA from 2019-2023. Holden is an outspoken advocate for artists' rights, gay rights and men's mental health, for which he was recognised in the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards as a WA finalist in the Australia's Local Hero Award.
Known for a trademark larrikin humour that balances the heavier content of his books, Holden appeared in the 2022 "Bogans" episode of hit ABC TV series You Can't Ask That, was once featured in a bourbon advertisement, and barracks for the Collingwood Football Club.
Born and bred in Geraldton, Western Australia, Holden now lives in Perth's north with his husband and his V8 ute.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 29, 2026
Very short and very depressing story. But also very well written.
September 18, 2018
I loved this. It's grim, gritty and you can feel Holden poured everything onto the page. Looking forward to his upcoming works. One to watch for sure.
September 15, 2018
Picked this short story up at a Perth writing event and consumed it same day.
Gritty read, covering topics such as alcoholism and domestic violence. The writing style is fast paced and pointed; the author, Holden Sheppard, doesn't mince words in tackling the tough message it delivers. A ripping good read.
Gritty read, covering topics such as alcoholism and domestic violence. The writing style is fast paced and pointed; the author, Holden Sheppard, doesn't mince words in tackling the tough message it delivers. A ripping good read.
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March 25, 2018A great read
Holden has written a very gritty and sometimes hard to read short story. Although it deals with a hard subjects of addiction and violence, he has written it in such a way that it draws you in. He gives you the urge to keep reading and find out what happens.
Holden has written a very gritty and sometimes hard to read short story. Although it deals with a hard subjects of addiction and violence, he has written it in such a way that it draws you in. He gives you the urge to keep reading and find out what happens.
July 25, 2017
This is a great story. I felt what the character felt and that to me is good writing.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews