Part young-love rom-com, part David and Goliath story, The Next Big Thing is a heartwarming, hilarious, quintessentially Australian debut.
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.
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?
Buy a copy of The Next Big Thing here.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
The Next Big Thing by James Colley is an easy and enjoyable read. The story is about Norm from Norman and his journey to save the town where is is from & finding out about love at the same time. I love how there was a snip from the media about big things all over Australia. I really enjoyed reading about Norm’s journey about discovering himself and also Ella, his best friend and his strongest support. I think anyone who is after a feel-good story will also enjoy this. Anna, TAS, 5 Stars
This was such a cute and wholesome novel, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I really enjoyed the rundown at the beginning of each chapter about the random ‘BIG THINGS’ we have throughout Australia. I though it was really interested (and a little funny!) and even added a few to our list to see in the future (some my husband had already visited himself!) Emma, WA, 5 Stars
Most books set in Australian outback towns focus on long-time mysteries and crime, especially murder, and there are many outstanding examples. But The Next Big Thing takes us into a whole new world of Aussie outback fiction! Certainly there’s the common thread of a small town dying because of drought and rapidly departing populations, but author James Colley has beautifully captured the spirit of the outback as young Norm, from Norman (the town), comes up with a plan to save his town. With the help of Ella, his longtime friend and potential love-interest, they decide Norman needs a Big Thing, like a Big Banana, Pineapple or Orange, although they decide their Big Thing has to be unique. Of course there’s opposition from a devious mayor and some odd townsfolk who at first don’t understand what Norm’s trying to do. Colley brings us a delightful, warm-hearted, true-blue, potential Aussie classic, that shows murder isn’t the only thing that can happen in the Aussie outback! Chris, QLD, 5 Stars
The Next Big Thing was an absolute pleasure to read. It made me smile, cry and feel inspired all within a matter of pages. The Aussie cliques of Big Things, Aussie battlers, larrikin-ism, the triumph of the underdog and sleepy country towns fading to dust were given personality and celebrated. It made me fall in love with the never give up attitude that runs through the veins of so many Australians. My next holiday is definitely going to be a tour of “big things” and I’ll be sure to dig a little deeper on the people who brought them to being. Sarah, NSW, 5 Stars
James Colley’s The Next Big Thing isn’t just a laugh-out-loud rom-com, it’s a love letter to small towns and the resilience of their hearts. Norm, our lovable protagonist, faces the daunting task of reviving his dying town, Norman. His solution? Building a wacky tourist attraction, something akin to the Big Banana or Big Prawn. What unfolds is a hilarious ride filled with quirky characters, heart-warming friendships, and a slow-burn romance that’ll keep you turning pages. Colley has a knack for crafting witty dialogue and slapstick situations. Picture Norm wrestling with a rogue sheep or getting tangled in a love triangle fueled by misunderstood emails. You’ll find yourself snorting with laughter at the most unexpected moments. Norman isn’t just a location, it’s a community you’ll come to cherish. From the gruff but secretly supportive mayor to the tech-savvy teenager with a penchant for conspiracy theories, each character feels distinct and endearing. And then there’s Ella, Norm’s best friend and potential love interest. Their banter is sparkling, their bond unbreakable, and their journey towards romance is both sweet and satisfying. Beneath the laughs, The Next Big Thing celebrates the spirit of small communities. It’s about remembering what truly matters – human connection, resilience in the face of adversity, and the power of believing in crazy dreams. A charming and hilarious rom-com with a big heart. The Next Big Thing is a feel-good read perfect for escaping into a quirky small town with unforgettable characters and a love story that warms the soul. So grab a cuppa, settle in, and prepare to laugh, swoon, and cheer for Norm as he builds not just a tourist attraction, but a future for his beloved Norman. Melissa, VIC, 5 Stars
The Next Big Thing is a funny, quirky and delightful piece of Australiana. Colley combines a tender coming of age story, rom-com and underdog story into a marvellous study on the meaning of love and community. A wonderful debut novel. Shannan, NSW, 5 Stars
A great Aussie read. Cheers to Norm and Ella who pulled off the unthinkable to bring their little town back from the brink and ultimately find romance, not only for themseleves but for the people of Norman. An amazing debut novel from James Colley, who I am hopeful will write more about the adventures of Ella, Norm and Pup. Such amazing characters, who show the diversity of our Australian larrikan characters and how small towns survive over the years! Thank you for a heartfelt story about setbacks, fear, hope and endurance – a great read. Jo, QLD, 5 Stars
Norm from Norman has a gigantic idea to vitalise the town. Norman is on track to fall like other surrounding towns to become unvisited, unwanted and unknown. Ella, who like Norm has lived there all her life, agrees to assist him with his dream of building a new ‘Big Thing’ to draw tourists and ultimately revenue into the town. However, Ella has the chance to move away and embark on a new adventure and chapter in her life and struggles with her feelings of guilt and remorse. You’ll be intrigued by all the ‘Big Things’ mentioned in the novel and be riveted to the discover the final unveiling. Wendy, SA, 5 Stars
Congratulations on James Colley’s debut novel, The Next Best Thing. Great book that I didn’t want to put down until the last page was read. I enjoyed getting to know the characters Norm and Ella and the storylines of each character as they unfolded during the book. Very Australian using ‘Big Things’ and kept me in suspense as to what the final big thing would be at the unveiling. Can’t wait to read another novel by James. Christine, WA, 4 Stars
I’ve not read anything so unique before now. James Colley, Australian comedian and television writer, has shown his comedic side in this small-town, big-hearted story. The underlying message that speaks to me the most is the unspoken frisson between two young people wanting to leave the town that made them who they were, but still feeling attached to this town in some way. Norm from Norman knows this town is dying, as does all its inhabitants, and he is the one that is trying to rectify it. What better way than to try and thing of the ‘next biggest thing’? Think the big prawn and the big banana, and those towns of Ballina and Coffs Harbour. This is what Norm wants for Norman. Norman boasts the usual hotspots, the local Chinese, the pub, and the little café, but it will die if nothing happens NOW. “This was the town of Norman, the little town that could.” Ella and Norm steal the show, and I think you will be stolen by it if you like stories about small struggling towns, hard luck stories and reading about the underdog. Oh, and throw in a corrupt pollie or two. Takeaway? Kindness and banding together. Rylee, NSW, 4 Stars
This is an enjoyable, feel-good book about a town that is dying, a couple who are made for each other but don’t know it, and a few interesting personalities including a duplicitous, greedy politician. There is a cameo of the mean manipulative mining company trying to take advantage of the dire circumstances of those living in a washed out town. I found the book to be the perfect break from the stresses of the holiday season. The Next Big Thing has some weird, quirky moments and this is what made it a fun read for me. I liked the little snatches at the start of each chapter about the strangely wonderful big things we have in Australia – some successful and most not. This was an easy read because it has no pretensions, just diverting anecdotes of all that is human nature in a location crying out for revival. Sandra, NSW, 4 Stars
A cute story with quirky, sometimes likeable, sometimes frustrating main characters you will be rooting for. Any fan of Australiana is sure to love this story of the battlers overcoming the odds. How Norm from Normans vision makes a fractured town into a community is a bumpy ride but it gets there in the end. The character Rocko is a perfect addition to the story with some funny one liners he is quite endearing in his own way. This book isn’t going to have me rushing to read it again but many will fall in love this story. Melanie, WA, 3 Stars
The Next Big Thing is about Australia’s love of “Big Things” throughout regional Australia. Norm from Norman, a dying town in country Victoria, is looking for something to save his beloved town from extinction, and cooks up an idea for the Next Big Thing to help save his town. The nostalgia I felt for my childhood visits to the Big Things didn’t make up for the lack of character development and I found structure of the book confusing, with chapters jumping back and forth in time without any warning. This was not for me, but would recommend to anyone who enjoys a look at the modern Australian society. Maria, NSW, 3 Stars
James Colley’s The Next Big Thing follows young Norm, who thinks he has the answer to saving Norman, his hometown, from joining the dying neighbouring towns. Normans’ solution? Building a ‘Big Thing’ tourist attraction, comparable to the Big Banana or Big Merino. Norm needs the jaded, drought-weary community’s help. The mayor has his own plan, which isn’t necessarily for the good of the community and doesn’t support Norms’ idea. Norm’s rock is Ella, his best friend and undeclared love interest. They have a natural bond, and easy flow of ideas and dialogue. Together they work to reinspire and save the town. The novel introduces absurd situations, like ‘Vodaphone Hill’, and unusual characters, celebrating the uniqueness of small country communities and the importance of resilience and friendships. I didn’t find myself engaging with the storyline or characters. I lost interest and would have liked something exciting to happen and the building of the ‘Big Thing’ to be introduced earlier. I enjoyed and looked forward to the drip feed of ‘Big Thing’ trivia at the start of each chapter. In summary, I would consider this novel a once only leisurely holiday read which you then pass it on to another reader. Sandra, NSW, 3 Stars
The Next Big Thing by James Colley is a fair dinkum, coming of age Aussie romance. The two protagonists Norm and Ella have had their share of troubles growing up but are both tied to their dying home town of Norman. There is a lot of humour in the book and many characters all with their own back story. Each chapter opens with an anecdote about a Big Thing (many of which no longer exist). Just like the iconic big things this book may not be to everyone’s taste but I found it to be a good holiday read. Janelle, NSW, 3 Stars
Leave a Reply