Children's & YA
March 2025
Out In Greenwood
by James A. Lyons
Out in Greenwood is a Taylor Swift song trapped in the body of a gay teenager. Fifteen-year-old Tim Johnson believed that coming out as gay would immediately lead to a whole new multi-coloured life, yet so far not much has changed. Yes, he may now have a boyfriend (sort of, but not quite), and be open about his sexuality (well, to four people), but he still faces the everyday teenage tribulations of an embarrassing family, insecurity, homophobic classmates, and low-paid jobs. As the Greenwood Secondary summer holidays started, Tim befriended fellow paper boy Johann, who had arrived from Sweden, and they grew to realise that they were more than just friends. As the relationship develops, a family emergency hits Johann, and he is sent to Newcastle leaving Tim with best friends Lydia and Leo, and irritating Instagram influencer, Callum. The annual marquee event, the Greenwood Secondary School Fete, is just six days away, and Tim must navigate his way carefully through social activities so he is not the centre of attention for once. When things seem to be on track, a mysterious graffiti artist starts to target him.
