Bolton author, Matt Cain, releases recent novel at the start of Pride month

Matt Cain, author and leading commentator on LGBT+ issues, is excited for his latest book to be published in paperback - and it has a strong connection to Bolton.

The Bury born author who was brought up in Bolton said: "I'm chuffed to bits that The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle is finally being published in paperback.

"I've never written a book that's connected with so many readers before and had so many of them contacting me to tell me how it inspired or moved them.

"I'm really proud that it's set in the working-class north west of England, where I was born and brought up.

"Although it's set in a fictional town, Boltonians will recognise several landmarks, such as Turton Tower, the Second World War bunker at the entrance to the Jumbles reservoir just off Chapeltown Road, and of course Albert himself is named after the village of Entwistle, one of my favourite places in Bolton.

"My Nana Irene and my Auntie Marjorie both have characters named after them too.

"So this is a book infused with the spirit of Bolton!"

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle will be published by Headline Review on June 1 to celebrate Pride month.

The book follows 64-year-old Albert Entwistle, who has been a postie in a quiet town in Northern England all of his life, living alone since the death of his mum 18 years ago.

He keeps himself to himself, he always has.

But he's just learned he'll be forced to retire at his next birthday.

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 the man that many years ago he lost - but has never forgotten.

Join Albert as he sets out to find the long-lost love of his life.

Matt said he hopes the book inspires readers to make the most out of life.

He said: "After the horrible few years we’ve all had, I hope the book inspires readers to make the most out of life.

"And if they have any unresolved dreams and ambitions, I hope it makes them realise that now’s the time to pursue them.

"On a more personal note, one of the things that inspired me to write the novel was the joy I felt at seeing gay men like myself being embraced by society.

"I think you'd be hard-pushed to find any other minority community that was as hated, feared and vilified as gay men were fifty years ago and is now as widely accepted and loved.

"I wanted to write a book that would celebrate this.

"And I really hope it makes readers feel good about themselves and the part they’ve played in bringing about this extraordinary social shift."

Speaking about his novel, Matt said he thinks it is hugely important that readers see LGBTQ+ characters in books.

He said: "When I was growing up, I came across very very few LGBTQ+ characters in novels, on TV or at the cinema.

"They say that if you can't see it, you can't be it, and I agree with that - it took me a long time to work out who I was and to learn to accept and love myself.

"I'm so thrilled that younger generations of queer people don't have to go through this.

"From Heartstopper on Netflix to The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle in bookshops, they have so many positive representations to choose from."

Matt will be at Waterstones in Bolton on June 11 to sign copies of his new paperback release.

And on even more exciting news for fans, Matt has a new book Becoming Ted coming out in January.