The Next Big Thing

Part young-love rom-com, part David vs Goliath story of small-town life, this is a heartwarming, hilarious, quintessentially Australian novel by a talented new voice.

Norm has lived in Norman for most of his life. It’s where he grew up with his dad, where he went to school and met his best friend Ella. But the town is dying: the river has dried up, and with it all the jobs.

One night at the pub, on the anniversary of his dad’s death, Norm announces a plan. He’s going to build a Big Thing – like Coffs Harbour’s Big Banana or Ballina’s Big Prawn – to drive tourism to the town and give it a future. And to show Ella that she could have a future here too, maybe even with him.

Meanwhile, Ella has watched all of her peers leave Norman for big cities and greener pastures. As she watches their university graduations from afar, she feels lost and stuck. But Ella has a plan of her own: to leave Norman for university next year.

Out of guilt, Ella keeps her plan a secret while encouraging Norm’s big idea. If it works, Norm will have a four-metre-high souvenir to remember her by when she leaves. And if not, at least they’ll have one last perfect summer together.

Will Norm from Norman build a Big Thing in time to save his town, and to convince the girl of his dreams she belongs here too – or is it too late?