A new independent UK-based LGBTQ+ publisher, founded by novelist Matt Cain and businessman Harry Glasstone, launches with the aim of spotlighting queer authors and celebrating stories from the community. Pansy Books UK, named in reclamation of the historic homophobic slur, launches on 4th June with the press’ first publication; Matt Cain’s latest novel, The Castle of Stories. The website for the imprint explains that the chosen name portrays that “the ethos behind Pansy is political and disruptive, as well as being playful and fun.”
In an announcement on social media, Cain explained: “Without compromising the books’ queer integrity and authenticity, [Pansy Books UK] will avoid niche or literary titles to target readers with more mainstream tastes.
“In doing so, it will respond to a major need in the publishing industry, which has often under-resourced queer-themed books classed as ‘commercial’ or ‘genre’, underestimating their potential readership and clipping the wings of LGBTQ+ authors. Pansy is here to overturn that belief with a business model that puts queer authors first.”
Matt Cain is a British writer and broadcaster known for the novels: The Madonna of Bolton, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, Becoming Ted and One Love. In the New Year’s Honours List 2025 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to LGBTQ+ culture. Cain’s latest novel, publishing with Pansy Books UK, The Castle of Stories promises to be “Modern Family meets The Durrells in this life-affirming, poignant and evocative novel set against the idyllic beauty of the Tuscan countryside.”
Following this publication, Pansy Books UK will open up to other queer authors of fiction. The plan to only publishing one book per quarter so each can be a lead title with the publication of their second title scheduled for 2027.
In the about section of Pansy Books UK’s website, the founders add: “Pansy is different to the major publishing houses. Whilst they follow an established template for publishing queer ‘literary’ titles, many readers find it difficult to engage with these books or feel intimidated by them. The needs of queer readers and allies with mainstream tastes – who don’t want to be shamed for it – aren’t being met. The needs of people who may want to read a romantic comedy or a psychological thriller with queer themes aren’t being met. Pansy is here to meet those needs, without compromising the books’ queer integrity and authenticity, without asking our queer authors to adapt or neuter their voice.
“Pansy has an authors-first business model that’s also very different to the major publishing houses. When queer books targeted at the mainstream are occasionally published in the UK, they can be overlooked or under-resourced by publishing houses that underestimate their potential readership and, in the process, clip the wings of LGBTQ+ authors. Pansy will remain a boutique imprint and only publish one book per quarter so that each can be a priority and a lead title. We offer authors a profit share on their sales and grant them a greater degree of control over the process, involving them in key decisions.
“After decades of neglect, Pansy is here to put queer writers and readers first.”
