Fancying your friend, writing with heart, and publishing prejudice with Matt Cain

Better Words

Matt Cain is an author, broadcaster and former journalist. He was Channel 4’s first Culture Editor, Editor in Chief of Attitude magazine and currently a presenter for Virgin Radio Pride UK. He grew up in Bolton in England’s north and now lives in London. Today, we’re discussing his upcoming novel, One Love.

Our interview begins at 28.00

We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!

Caitlin recommends: You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne*

Holly Bourne's latest YA novel takes the pressures of social media and society and notches it up in an intense dystopian exploration of feminism.

Thank you to Usborne Books for sending copies for review.

Michelle recommends: Weyward by Emilia Hart

A gripping and emotional story of three generations of women told through alternating timelines.

We don't often share interviews ahead of publication, but if you're in the UK and would like to pre-order a signed copy, you can do so through Gay's the Word or Gay Pride Shop.

In this interview, we chat about:

• Why One Love is a slight departure from Matt's previous two novels
• Exploring class, straight-passing privilege and intersectionality through main characters Danny and Guy
• Encouraging and allowing people to change their minds
• Body image in the queer community
• Crowdfunding Matt's novel The Madonna of Bolton and overcoming prejudice in publishing
• Layton Williams, who recorded the audiobook for Albert Entwhistle, and Nikita on Strictly Come Dancing 2023 and breaking barriers for future generations

Books and other things mentioned:

• Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill
• The Burning by Laura Bates
• The Curious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett
• The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett (listen to our interview)
• The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary
• Promising Young Woman (film)
• Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
• The Somerton Man
• The mystery of The Somerton Man finally solved after 70 years
• I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
• The Longest Shadow (TV series)
• Happy Head by Josh Silver (listen to our interview)
• One Day by David Nicholls
• Wild Things by Laura Kay (and check out our episodes here and here)
• Upper Middle Bogan (TV show)
• Layton and Nikita's Argentine Tango, Couple's Choice and Final Showdance

Follow @mattcainwriter on Instagram

One Love is available from January 18, 2024. Thank you to Headline Publishing Group for providing us copies of the book in preparation for the interview.

Matt will also be publishing a short novel for Quick Reads in April for World Book Night.

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