Out In Greenwood
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.
James A. Lyons
James A Lyons was born in Oxford, England and now resides in Bournemouth. Having grown up seeing the impact of Section 28, James has had a long passion for the equality and rights of those in the LGBTQ+ community, a subject that is transferred into his writing. His novels always bring LGTBQ+ characters to the forefront, but with the focus shifted to show members of the community in an everyday light.
In 2023, James teamed up with actor Bradley Riches (James McEwan – Heartstopper, Netflix) on the novella “A” Different Kind of Superpower. The novella was adapted by James from a stage play of the same name, written by Riches, looking at growing up and understanding oneself when being diagnosed as autistic. The novella was featured widely across social media and in British Vogue.
Outside of writing, James is a keen runner, an Oxford United fan, and holds down an administrative day job. “The values of SRL Publishing align with my own, especially in their vision of publishing books that tackle difficult conversations, give underrepresented people a voice, and books that help bring people together. Living by a beach affected heavily by water pollution and litter, the publisher having a strong focus on being environmentally friendly is something which played a strong part in wishing to sign with SRL.”