Cody Hunt admits it wasn’t easy being gay and growing up in Haliburton, but he channeled his negative experiences into creating a 305-page novel.
“Death & Red Trilliums” follows the story of Cory Thomas as he grows up in a town similar to Haliburton.
The book’s synopsis explains Thomas, “quietly works on his art and goes through the motions of his job. He tolerates his small-town life, but dreams of more. He’s never been on a date, he’s never had a first kiss, and he’s never had a boyfriend.”
However, when a zombie apocalypse starts, Thomas, “finds an unexpected ally in Jake Tannery, a single father and his former high school bully.”
Hunt says he launched the book in late May and was at the Rainbow Street Festival on Walter St. in Minden for Minden Pride Week 2024.
“I’ve always struggled to fall asleep,” explains Hunt. “To get my brain to shut off, I would tell myself stories to distract myself until I fell asleep.”
One day he decided he would start writing them down and, as soon as he did, the story just flowed.
Hunt explains the story begins critically and looks at what it’s like not fitting in when you live in a small town. As it continues, he shares how it details how his life may have been if he stayed in Haliburton rather than leave for his post-secondary education.
He says the book has reached number six on Amazon’s science fiction book category. “I was a little taken aback,” he says. “I didn’t expect that.”
Leanne Bowron, who says she’s acted as his “momager” since the book launched, shares how proud she is of him. She says it’s difficult knowing your child is being bullied because you don’t want to believe kids can be that mean.
“He actually didn’t tell me he started writing a book,” adds Bowron.
Hunt says despite the difficulties he had growing up in Haliburton, he wouldn’t change a thing. “It shaped who I am,” he says.
He hopes the book puts a spotlight on the area because while it may not be like a busy city with there always being something to do, Haliburton deserves its moment in the spotlight.
