Matt Cain
Matt Cain writes humorous, riveting and uplifting novels about self-discovery and self-love.
Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, Matt was a gay child in the 1980s, a time when boys like him were widely hated. He also had a little-known health condition which meant his heart cut out several times a week. Feeling like a freak, he channelled a fierce desire to prove himself into his schoolwork, then a series of high-profile media jobs – as a documentary director for ITV, arts correspondent on Channel 4 News and editor of Attitude magazine – before pursuing his dream of writing fiction. But he had to battle through ten years of rejection and crowdfund his breakthrough novel, The Madonna of Bolton. He’s since become the author of several bestsellers, including The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, Becoming Ted, One Love and Game On, a Quick Read and one of the official short novels of World Book Night 2024.
At the age of 37, doctors finally worked out what was wrong with Matt’s heart and installed a pacemaker to stop it cutting out. At the age of 44, he bucked decades of romantic failure when he went on a Tinder date and met Harry Glasstone, whom he married in 2022. Matt and Harry now present their own show on Virgin Radio Pride and live in London with their cat Nelly, possibly the best loved pet in the world.
Matt’s website: www.mattcainwriter.com/
Matt on X: @MattCainWriter
Matt on Instagram: @MattCainWriter
Matt is represented at Jenny Brown Associates by Lisa. For all enquiries contact lisa@jennybrownassociates.com.
Books by Matt
One Love
Headline, January 2024
Two men. Twenty years of friendship. One love.
2002
Danny arrives at Manchester University determined not to hide from the world any longer. This is the year his life will begin. He locks eyes with a handsome stranger across the hall at the Freshers’ Fair. It starts with a wink, and soon Danny and Guy are best friends.
2022
Now, both single for the first time in years, Danny and Guy return to the confetti-covered streets of the Gay Village for Manchester Pride. After years of shared adventures and lost dreams, Danny finally plans to share the secret he has been keeping for two decades. He has always been in love with Guy. Could this weekend be the end of a twenty-year friendship … or the start of something new and even more beautiful?
Praise for One Love:
‘Utterly absorbing and affecting. Matt Cain is one of the most entertaining and illuminating writers out there.’ Bryony Gordon
Becoming Ted
Headline, 2023
Ted Ainsworth has always worked at his family’s ice-cream business in the quiet Lancashire town of St Luke’s-on-Sea. But the truth is, he’s never wanted to work for the family firm – he doesn’t even like ice-cream, though he’s never told his parents that. When Ted’s husband suddenly leaves him, the bottom falls out of his world. But what if this could be an opportunity to put what he wants first? This could be the chance to finally follow his secret dream: something Ted has never told anyone…
Praise for Becoming Ted:
‘Becoming Ted is the story of an ordinary man’s journey to fulfil his extraordinary dream. It’s full of warmth, humour and courage and I absolutely loved it! Loud, proud and ruddy marvellous!’ Ruth Hogan
The Secret Life of Albert Entwhistle
Headline, 2021
64-year-old Albert Entwistle has been a postie in a quiet town in northern England for all his life, living alone since the death of his mam 18 years ago. He keeps himself to himself. He always has. But when he’s forced to retire, with no friends and nothing to look forward to, the lonely future he faces terrifies him. He realises it’s finally time to be honest about who he is. He must learn to ask for what he wants. And he must find the courage to look for George, the man who, many years ago, he lost – but has never forgotten… Join Albert as he sets out to find the long-lost love of his life, and has an unforgettable and completely life-affirming adventure on the way.
Praise for The Secret Life of Albert Entwhistle:
‘Wonderful. Written with such a good heart, filled with joy and strength and optimism. Like the best fiction, it’s real … It’s inventive and fun but most importantly true.’ Russell T Davies
The Madonna of Bolton
Unbound, 2018
Charlie Matthews’ love story begins in a pebble-dashed house in suburban Bolton, at a time when most little boys want to grow up to be Michael Jackson, and girls want to be Princess Di. Remembering the Green Cross Code and getting out of football are the most important things in his life, until Auntie Jan gives him a gift that will last a lifetime: a seven-inch single called ‘Lucky Star’…
Charlie’s story is Billy Elliot meets Beautiful Thing wearing a conical bra – a story for anyone who ever sang their heart out, looked for love, and dreamed of more.
Praise for The Madonna of Bolton:
‘A glorious celebration of the queen of pop and a triumphant coming-of-age tale about the power of being true to yourself’ Juno Dawson