Author, broadcaster and all-round LGBTQ+ storytelling powerhouse Matt Cain MBE is taking over The Ministry this September, and this one comes with a particularly lovely reason to get off the sofa.
Friend of Dorothy is bringing Matt Cain to Borough on Thursday 3 September for a special live evening celebrating his new novel, The Castle of Stories, with 100% of ticket revenue going to trans-led charity Not A Phase.
And there’s quite a bit to talk about.
Matt has built a career around putting queer lives somewhere they haven’t always been allowed to sit, right at the centre of the story. He’s been Channel 4’s Culture Editor, Editor-in-Chief of Attitude, a broadcaster and commentator, and in 2025 was awarded an MBE for services to LGBTQ+ culture. His novels include The Madonna of Bolton, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, Becoming Ted and One Love.
Long-time fans may also remember the slightly ridiculous publishing tale behind The Madonna of Bolton. After struggling to find a traditional publisher for a book deemed, essentially, a little too gay, Matt turned to crowdfunding and hit his target in just seven days. Frankly, there’s a lesson in there somewhere.
His latest chapter is Pansy, the independent LGBTQ+ publishing house he founded with husband Harry Glasstone. Its mission is refreshingly straightforward: queer books by queer writers, without assuming LGBTQ+ stories have to be niche, worthy or tucked away on a specialist shelf. The Castle of Stories, released in the UK this summer, is Pansy’s first title.
Set in Tuscany, the novel follows Adam, who unexpectedly inherits a crumbling farmhouse and castle and heads to Italy with boyfriend Theo. Then Theo’s children arrive too. Family complications, old secrets, sunshine and queer joy duly follow. Think less quiet renovation project, more emotional Italian summer with significantly better scenery.
At The Ministry, Matt will join James Wallis for a live conversation spanning the new novel, publishing, broadcasting, Attitude, queer storytelling and his career so far, before opening things up to questions from the audience.
Your ticket also includes a welcome drink, a Friend of Dorothy gift bag, access to the audience Q&A and a post-event social. There’ll be a pop-up bookshop and signing afterwards, so yes, bringing home a signed copy is very much encouraged. Friend of Dorothy is also giving attendees free advance access to the first three chapters of The Castle of Stories.
Best of all, the evening directly supports Not A Phase, the trans-led UK charity working to improve the lives of trans+ adults through community projects, peer support, wellbeing programmes, campaigning and funding.
Books, booze, brilliant queer company and money going somewhere worthwhile. That sounds like a rather good Thursday night to us.
Friend of Dorothy presents: An Evening with Matt Cain MBE
Date:Â Thursday 3 September 2026
Doors:Â 7pm, with the event beginning at 7.30pm
Venue: The Ministry, 79–81 Borough Road, London SE1 1DN
Nearest Tube:Â Borough
Tickets:Â Book your place and find full event details through Friend of Dorothy.
