Read extract

The House of Rural Realness
by Curtis Campbell

A laugh-out-loud romp that examines the realities of small-town queer life and celebrates the transformative power of drag—perfect for fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

Recommended age: 14+

A$21.99

(Paperback)

Available. Dispatched 2-3 business days

Overview

Peter Thompkin needs a public image overhaul after his vicious clapback against the most popular gay in school goes viral. When his best friend Alan, aka teen drag queen Aggie Culture, announces the first public drag performance by The House of Rural Realness, Peter steps forward as their producer. It might be the only way he can restore his reputation.

Peter leads the queens as they survive bigoted backlash—and one another. But will Mason County’s Drag Extravaganza drop dead before they make their first death drop? And will Peter and Alan’s friendship even survive past curtain call?

Touching, sharply funny and a little absurd, The House of Rural Realness explores the pains and pleasures of queer community through one teen’s stumbling journey towards self-acceptance.

Details

Awards

Shannon Molloy, author of Fourteen

‘A rollicking good read about the life-saving power of close friendships, sassy comebacks, and camp glamour. It’s exactly what my rural-bred inner teenager needed.’

Mark Samual Bonanno, writer and performer of Aunty Donna

‘Literally every single page is overflowing with hilariously sharp, sassy, and shocking prose—making the amount of times I found myself giggling like a lunatic, screaming “Oh my GOD” impossible to count. Make The House of Rural Realness part of your self-care routine.’

Leisha Luck

‘With great wit and humour, this book touches on many of the same adversities that I, as a queen based in regional Queensland, face while creating pageants. It is a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it.’

Alexandra Mae Jones, author of The Queen of Junk Island

‘Fast, witty, and full of heart … Come for the snappy dialogue and an acerbic wit so cutting it’s almost lethal—stay for the surprisingly complex and tender heart underneath.’

Daniel MacIvor, award-winning playwright and performer

‘The House of Rural Realness feels like the teenage love child of David Sedaris and John Waters. Smart, funny, relevant, and ultimately touching.’

Anthony Oliveira, GLAAD Media Award–winning author

‘A sharp and startlingly timely story about drag’s ability to transform not just a person, but a community.’

Tanya Boteju, author of Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens and Bruised

‘A hilarious romp through small town drag. The “face” of this book is all sequins and glitter, but behind the shiny exterior is a story about messy, fraught friendship and self-discovery.’

Erik J. Brown, author of Lose You to Find Me and All That’s Left in the World

‘Hold on to your wigs! The House of Rural Realness serves a hilarious, heartwarming story of acceptance and bravery, all while boasting a sickening cast of characters with charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to spare.’

Dani Janson, author of The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life

‘The House of Rural Realness is like a good drag show: fun, messy, celebratory, and over much too soon. Peter and the queens of The House of Rural Realness show us how much a positive queer space means to people, especially young people.’

Brian D. Kennedy, author of A Little Bit Country

‘With biting humor and big personalities, The House of Rural Realness serves up enough memorable one-liners to fill an entire season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. But at its shiny, sequin-loving heart, there’s an emotionally tender story about learning how to fully accept who you are … and celebrate it as well.’

Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, author of The Smell of Other People’s Houses and Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town

‘The House of Rural Realness is a timely book about a small town grappling with its humanity. This gem of a novel is chock-full of humor, heart, and hairspray. A worthy and important debut.’

Bombae, from Canada’s Drag Race

‘I loved Peter’s personal journey of self-discovery, navigating the challenges of prejudice and intolerance while producing the gaggiest drag show his county has ever seen. The House of Rural Realness is an empowering young adult novel that celebrates the vibrant spirit of queer individuals, advocacy in a digital age, and the transformative magic of drag.’

Kevin Christopher Snipes, author of Milo and Marcos at the End of the World

‘Painfully relatable and bitingly funny, The House of Rural Realness is a timely tale of friendship, self-acceptance, and the importance of proper contouring.’

Brian Francis, author of Fruit

‘A book filled with big heels, big laughs, and a big heart. The House of Rural Realness reminds us about the importance of community, the need for visibility—regardless of where you live—and the courage it takes to be yourself.’

Curtis Campbell

Curtis Campbell is a writer, comedian, and theater artist. His plays are mainstays of the Toronto indie theater scene, and he is the winner of the inaugural Second City Award for Outstanding Comedy. NOW Magazine has described Curtis’s work as ‘razor sharp,’ the Toronto Star called it ‘pitch perfect satire,’ and Curtis’s mother described it as ‘just not my cup of tea.’ Curtis grew up in rural Ontario and now lives in Toronto with an artist named Kevin and their dog, Pip. The House of Rural Realness is his debut novel.