In this episode, Rob sits down with acclaimed poet and author Seán Hewitt on The Queerly Breakfast Show to discuss his debut novel, Open, Heaven . Set in a remote English village in 2002, the novel follows sixteen-year-old James as he navigates the complexities of first love, desire, and identity upon meeting the enigmatic Luke. Hewitt's lyrical prose captures the intensity of adolescent longing and the indelible marks it leaves on the soul. Seán shares insights into his transition from poetry t...
May 29, 2025•13 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In this episode, Rob sits down with acclaimed YA author Josh Silver on The Queerly Breakfast Show to delve into his latest novel, Traumaland —a gripping psychological thriller that blends dystopian elements with a poignant exploration of trauma and identity. Seventeen-year-old Eli, emotionally numb after a near-fatal accident, discovers an underground club where virtual reality simulations offer a chance to feel something—anything. As Eli immerses himself in these experiences, he uncovers unsett...
May 14, 2025•17 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this enriching episode of The Queerly Books Podcast, we welcome the remarkable K Patrick, the voice behind the compelling debut novel, "Mrs. S". Set in the claustrophobic yet liberating confines of an elite girls’ boarding school, "Mrs. S" masterfully explores themes of gender, sexuality, and identity. Join us as we delve into K Patrick's creative process, unpack the evocative narrative of "Mrs. S", and discuss the profound themes that permeate the text. We explore the significance of an unna...
Jun 21, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In this episode of 'The Queerly Books Podcast', host Rob Gillett dives deep into the mind of debut author Tony Santorella. Tony's novel, 'Bored Gay Werewolf', brings together themes of horror, comedy, personal growth, and social commentary in a unique way. Show Highlights: - Tony shares the inspiration behind 'Bored Gay Werewolf' and how his experiences from Danvers to Washington DC, London, and across the globe influenced the book. - Listen to Tony discuss his unique career transitions, from wa...
Jun 01, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Welcome back to The Queerly Books Podcast! In this second part of our conversation with acclaimed author Becky Albertalli, we turn our attention to her latest novel, 'Imogen, Obviously'. We explore the complexities of Imogen's self-perception, her journey in a queer college community, and the ways this narrative parallels Becky's own personal journey. With its engaging characters and Becky's signature blend of warmth and wit, 'Imogen, Obviously' presents a rich exploration of sexuality, identity...
May 25, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Welcome back to The Queerly Books Podcast ! In our Series Two premiere, we're tackling some complex and important topics as we sit down with the celebrated YA author Becky Albertalli . In this first of a two-part conversation, we discuss the intersection of authorship, identity, and representation. We focus on the challenges and controversies faced by authors who pen narratives outside of their own experiences, as well as the impact of diverse representation in literature. Becky Albertalli, know...
May 18, 2023•46 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Dead men and buried secrets. On this episode Rob is joined by the award-winning author Kelly J. Ford to discuss her new book, the queer crime thriller REAL BAD THINGS. The story sees Jane, a queer woman in her forties, returning to the small Arkansas town she left 25 years earlier after confessing to the murder of her violent stepfather. There was no conviction at the time, but now that the body has surfaced Jane is back in an attempt to face her crimes and ensure other well kept secrets don't m...
Sep 01, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 16
FLORIDA WOMAN APPEARS ON LGBTQ+ BOOKS PODCAST. This week Rob's joined by Deb Rogers to discuss her debut novel Florida Woman which follows one woman's sensational summer at a Floridian wildlife centre for exotic monkeys but all is not quite as it seems. They also discuss the origins of the 'Florida Woman...' meme and just how exactly you get Tiger King's Joe Exotic to blurb your book - FYI he said "My kind of book. I loved it.' Florida Woman is out now in the US from Hanover Square Press, you ca...
Aug 25, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 15
A gay millennial Bridget Jones? Yes please! Henry Fry's debut novel First Time For Everything promises exactly that and he joins Rob on this episode of The Queerly Books Podcast to talk all about it. They also discuss the challenges of getting comfortable with yourself as a queer person, the concept of a second coming out and things get a little awkward with regard to Rob's (now cancelled) plans for his own memoir. First Time For Everything is out now in the UK from Orion Books and Ballentine Bo...
Aug 18, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Who doesn't love a royal scandal? Benjamin Dean's debut YA book certainly offers exactly that, the likes of which you have never read before. The King Is Dead is a Black LGBTQ+ royal reimagining full of scandalous secrets, rollercoaster romances and one hell of a mystery. Officially described as Gossip Girl... but make it royal. In this episode of The Queerly Books Podcast Ben tells us how his love for Princess Diana inspired this story, describes the moment he wasn't sure if he could finish the...
Aug 11, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Weddings can be absolute hell and that's certainly the case in Celia Laskey's latest novel So Happy For You , in which a wedding weekend spirals totally out of control thanks to Ellie, a bride who would kill (perhaps, literally) to have the perfect wedding. In this episode of The Queerly Books Podcast , Celia talks to Rob about her inspiration for the story and how some of the craziest moments in the book are actually based on real life. They also reflect on Celia's award-winning debut Under The...
Aug 04, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 12
James Cahill joins Rob to discuss his highly anticipated debut novel Tiepolo Blue, a mid-life coming of age story set in the worlds of Cambridge University and London's gay scene in Soho during the 1990s. An edited version of this interview was originally broadcast as part of The Queerly Radio Show.
May 30, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Global best-selling thriller writer Jack Jordan joins Rob to discuss his gripping new book Do No Harm , which sees a top heart surgeon facing the ultimate dilemma after her son is kidnapped by an organised crime group. They also discuss the importance of queer representation in commercial fiction and look ahead to events Jack has coming up this summer. An edited version of this interview was originally broadcast as part of The Queerly Radio Show.
May 25, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Queen of the queer rom com Laura Kay joins Rob to discuss her fantastic new book Tell Me Everything and reflect on the success of her debut novel The Split. An edited version of this interview was originally broadcast as part of The Queerly Radio Show.
May 20, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 9
YA author Simon James Green joins Rob to discuss his fabulous new book GAY CLUB! which charts the journey of a small-town school's LGBT society to national gay glory with plenty of drama, bitching, backstabbing and social media outrage along the way. Simon also talks in depth about finding himself in the headlines recently after a planned visit to John Fisher Catholic school in Croydon, London was banned by the Archdiocese of the church, leading to an Ofsted investigation and a strike by teachin...
May 02, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 8
University of Glasgow Research Fellow Dr Kevin Guyan joins Rob Gillett to discuss his new book Queer Data: Using Gender, Sex and Sexuality Data for Action. They start by discussing exactly what queer data is, before looking at the current issues with the collection, analysis and application of such data. They also discuss the concept of queer data competence and look at how useful or not the huge amounts of data collected by social media platforms and other digital companies can be to this area ...
Apr 23, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 7
YA author Erik J. Brown joins Rob Gillett to discuss his new book All That's Left In The World. They discuss the challenges of releasing a book about a pandemic in a pandemic, the campaign that's underway for a sequel, disco music and Erik's haunted house. An edited version of this interview was originally broadcast as part of The Queerly Radio Show.
Apr 14, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Winner of the Booker Prize 2020 Douglas Stuart joins Rob Gillett to discuss his new book Young Mungo and best-selling debut Shuggie Bain. Their conversation touches on Douglas's upbringing in Glasgow which provided much of the inspiration for his books, growing up queer in the city in the 1980s and 1990s and the associated problems of hyper-masculinity. An edited version of this interview was originally broadcast as part of The Queerly Radio Show.
Apr 13, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Master of the modern rom com Justin Myers aka The Guyliner joins Rob Gillett to discuss his new book The Fake-Up, as well as the life of a British soap star, his blog Impeccable Table Manners based on The Guardian's Blind Date column and his involvement in the TV adaptation of Adam Kay's This Is Going To Hurt. An edited version of this interview was originally broadcast as part of The Queerly Radio Show.
Apr 08, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 4
The bestselling YA author Phil Stamper joins Rob Gillett to discuss his new books Golden Boys and Small Town Pride, as well as life growing up queer in small town Ohio, book bans and the threats he has received online simply for doing his job. An edited version of this interview was originally broadcast as part of The Queerly Radio Show.
Apr 02, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Rosie Wilby , award-winning comedian and journalist and The Queen of Breakups joins Rob for The Brunch. Rosie talks about her hit podcast and brand new book The Breakup Monologues as well as sharing some great advice for anyone going through a breakup and shedding some light on the science of what goes on in the brain when we get dumped. The Brunch is recorded live every Sunday at 10am on Queerly Radio. You can contact Rob & The GDC on Twitter @QueerlyRadio or by emailing thebrunch@queerlyra...
Jun 01, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Rob is joined by author Matt Cain to discuss his wonderful new book The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle . 64-year-old Albert Entwistle has been a postman in a quiet town in Northern England for all his life, living alone since the death of his mother 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 t...
May 24, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 1
