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I’ll see you at the bookshop!
Matt Cain Books in Order
Originating from Bury and growing up in Bolton, Matt Cain is a fantastic writer and commentator on LGBTQ+ issues.
He has worked for ITV, Channel 4, and was previously Editor-in-Chief of Attitude magazine between 2016 and 2018. Queer stories have long been the subject of his work, having produced programmes about Freddie Mercury and Ian McKellen during his time at Channel 4.
Despite this, Matt’s third book The Madonna of Bolton struggled to find a publisher, receiving more than 30 rejections due to its LGBTQ+ themes. Instead the book was crowdfunded using Unbound, and became the company’s quickest ever funded title, having reached its target in just 7 days.
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.