Author Talk with Mark Smith

Join award-winning author Mark Smith in this special WA launch of his brand new book, Three Boys Gone, in a Q&A event with fellow author Holden Sheppard.

About Three Boys Gone

'First rule of rescue: don't create another casualty.'

Grace Disher is about to face every teacher's worst nightmare.

Three of her students are going to die.

On a high school camping trip, three boys slip away for an ocean swim. By the time Grace catches up, the perilous surf conditions are overwhelming the teenagers. If she goes in, she will die trying to save them.

Should she have given her life?

The question haunts Grace as investigations begin and her decision not to attempt a rescue comes under scrutiny. Hounded by conflicted staff, grieving parents and relentless media - all dissecting her actions, all looking for someone to blame - Grace's safety is compromised and she must be careful who she trusts.

And she's not the only one with a secret.

A heart-in-mouth psychological thriller by award-winning author Mark Smith - a twisty, unflinching and pacey page-turner about an impossible choice and how tragedy tests and defines us.

About Mark Smith

Mark Smith has written four young adult novels including the highly acclaimed Winter Trilogy. The first book in the series, The Road to Winter, was a finalist for multiple awards and has become a popular teaching text in schools throughout Australia. The sequel, Wilder Country, won the 2018 Australian Indie Book Award for Young Adults.

Beyond his novels, Mark is an award-winning writer of short fiction, with his work featured in prominent publications both in Australia and overseas. He has also co-curated two short story anthologies: Minds Went Walking: Paul Kelly's Songs Reimagined and Into Your Arms: Nick Cave's Songs Reimagined.

About Holden Sheppard

When a young Holden Sheppard realised blokes weren't meant to talk about feelings, he began to write stories instead. Twenty years later, the boy from Geraldton, Western Australia is a multi-award winning author.

Holden's debut novel Invisible Boys achieved both commercial and critical success, winning many accolades including the WA Premier's Prize for an Emerging Writer. Invisible Boys has now been adapted for television as a ten-episode Stan Original Series, which premiered in February 2025 and became the #1 TV show nationally on Stan Australia upon release.

Holden lives in Perth's far north with his husband and his V8 ute.

Additional information

Getting to the event:

Subiaco Library has limited parking bays available at the rear of the building including two accessible parking bays. For more information on getting around Subiaco visit the city’s website.

Access and inclusion:

Subiaco Library is wheelchair accessible . For additional information please contact Subiaco Library on 9237 9300.

Ticket information:

You are not required to bring a ticket with you. Names will be checked at the door. Please note that space is limited and registration is essential. Please only register if you will definitely be attending.

More information:

For more events and programs at Subiaco Library visit the City of Subiaco events calendar, follow the Subiaco Library on Facebook or join the Cultural Services e-newsletter database by emailing library@subiaco.wa.gov.au.