The Next Big Thing

Norm has lived in Norman his whole 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.

Ella, meanwhile, plans to leave Norman for the big smoke. She’s tired of being a big fish in a small pond, especially when that pond is running out of water.

Ella encourages Norm’s big idea nonetheless. If it works, Norm will have a four-metre-high reminder of her. And if not, at least they’ll have one last perfect summer together.

2025, Russell Prize for Humour Writing Adult, Short-listed

©2024 James Colley. First Published by Pantera Press. (P)2024 Bolinda Publishing

Reseñas de la Crítica

'An Aussie classic, alongside The Castle, Vegemite and Steve Irwin... I laughed, I got teary and I cheered for the underdogs in this heartwarming story of overcoming adversity, following your dreams and fighting for what matters to you. Everything is big in The Next Big Thing.' (Rachael Johns, award-winning author of Jilted and The Patterson Girls)

'The Next Big Thing is simply adorable. In it, James Colley gently captures the messy, ridiculous, melancholic yet joyful heart of small-town Australia and in doing so pays a well-deserved tribute to one of The Greats.' (Jan Fran, social commentator and Walkley Award-winning journalist)