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Published by SparkPress
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
A poignant and irreverent coming-of-age tale of a queer young aspiring photographer in the ’70s torn between her love for her conservative family and her desire to be true to herself, perfect for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six.
It’s 1972, and eighteen-year-old tomboy Maeve O’Connor must win a photography contest to escape her suffocating, conservative family and attend her dream school in Manhattan. But where will she find arresting subjects? Why, a washed up old seaside resort called Asbury Park, New Jersey—a place where sideshow entertainers, strippers, carnies, artists, and alternative lifestyles coexist on the boardwalk in plain sight.
To her great surprise, Maeve manages to talk her parents into letting her go for the summer. Immediately upon reaching Asbury Park, she meets and falls in love with Georgie, a young man with superstar talent, held back by the fact that he is androgynous. She befriends other undiscovered artists as well, including a man who breaks through with a hit album. But what price will she pay for embracing the bohemian lifestyle where she feels she belongs?
It’s 1972, and eighteen-year-old tomboy Maeve O’Connor must win a photography contest to escape her suffocating, conservative family and attend her dream school in Manhattan. But where will she find arresting subjects? Why, a washed up old seaside resort called Asbury Park, New Jersey—a place where sideshow entertainers, strippers, carnies, artists, and alternative lifestyles coexist on the boardwalk in plain sight.
To her great surprise, Maeve manages to talk her parents into letting her go for the summer. Immediately upon reaching Asbury Park, she meets and falls in love with Georgie, a young man with superstar talent, held back by the fact that he is androgynous. She befriends other undiscovered artists as well, including a man who breaks through with a hit album. But what price will she pay for embracing the bohemian lifestyle where she feels she belongs?
Product Details
- Publisher: SparkPress (July 15, 2025)
- Length: 280 pages
- ISBN13: 9781684633258
Raves and Reviews
"The Shore Sound is rising, innocence is falling as heroes easy to like and villains easier to hate fuel a steaming—and unforgettable—summer of initiation. This is coming of age like it once was and always should be!"—James M. Tabor, winner of the O. Henry Award for short fiction and author of Blind Descent
"This engaging story is full of quirky characters, unpredictable twists, a beautiful love story, and even an appearance by Bruce Springsteen. Mehuron's novel shines as it showcases the wonders of living outside-the-box. A joy to read!"—Jacqueline Friedland, USA Today best-selling author of He Gets That From Me
"I loved this coming-of-age story and its brazen heroine! Down on the South Beach Drag will transport you to a time and place when societal norms were a barrier for the wild hearts and talents of blossoming artists and free spirits. Thank heavens not everyone stayed behind those barriers! This unique novel is filled with lovable, wild, and unique characters and a storyline that will make you stand up and cheer.”—Kris Radish author of The Year of Necessary Lies.
"Mehuron's Down on the South Beach Drag is a captivating journey of self-discovery set against the vibrant backdrop of 1970s Asbury Park. With a unforgettable kaleidoscope of characters and a story that tugs at your heart, this is a must-read for anyone who’s ever dared to really chase their dreams."—Marley Gibson, Radiate and the Ghost Hunter series
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High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Down on the South Beach Drag eBook 9781684633258
