I'm writing a book

Who knew all those years of clubbing would come in handy...

I can’t quite believe it, but my Acast commissioned podcast Memories from the Dance Floor is being turned into a book.

Memories from the Dance Floor is a docu-series celebrating LGBTQ+ venues, unravelling the forgotten history behind queer nightlife across the UK. I’m joined by founders, artists, promoters and patrons to unpack the expressions of queer identity after dark, colourfully told by the community that lived it.

Now, publishing giant Dialogue Books has has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in a competitive 3-way auction facilitated by my lovely agent, Tim Bates at PFD.

Since September I have been interviewing an illustrious cast, from Boy George to Reverend Richard Coles, Paul Oakenfold to Peter Tatchell, and I am excited to bring to an audience a definitive account of the Queer club scene and the glittering celebration of LGBTQ+ nightlife.

Memories from the Dance Floor will span the diverse landscape of the UK, uncovering a wealth of parties that not only carry on the rich tradition of queer clubbing but also build on it. From the vibrant energy of Clapham's Two Brewers to the pulsating disco beats of the Nightingale in Birmingham, and from the Lesbian Line Disco on Kings Road, Cardiff, to the old-school raves in Glasgow’s Bennetts, gay bars are depicted as more than mere venues — they are sanctuaries of celebration, solidarity, and unapologetic sexual expression.

Readers will (hopefully!) be transported to the heart of the pulsating dance floors, guided by the voices of those who populated these spaces. Their narratives unfold, unveiling the stories of epic nights and memories that resonate across time.

I can’t wait to share the stories of these incredible spaces and what they meant to the LGBTQ+ community in living memory; emphasizing their role as lifelines and homes, even during challenging times such as the AIDS pandemic, Section 28, and gentrification.

And I couldn’t have asked for a better team. Dialogue is the perfect publisher as they champion underrepresented voices in publishing, driven by a commitment to great storytelling.

If you are yet to listen to Memories from the Dance Floor then there is no better time. Season one is available to listen to on my Substack now.

I’d also love to hear from you and your favourite gay bar experience, so please do get in touch.