Becoming Ted is a sensitive, realistic and ultimately uplifting exploration of love, identity and being true to yourself. Through Ted, Matt Cain gives his readers permission to let go of some of the constraints in their own lives and to make the most of opportunities that present themselves. Indeed, this might be a book whose protagonist happens to be gay, but that isn’t the point of Becoming Ted. Rather, this is a book about human connection, bravery and truth. It’s well worth the read. Alongside Ted is a Polish painter and decorator Oskar, living in a caravan, hiding away and full of shame.

We find out more about Ted's childhood, and about his family, his friends, his identity and other intriguing things. From here, Ted starts to put himself first, instead of being the people pleaser he always was. We see him blossom into a drag queen called Gail Force (great name), and then we celebrate with him as he meets a new love. When Ted’s husband suddenly leaves him, the bottom falls out of his world. However, what if from is heartbreak could come an opportunity for Ted to build something new? And to finally put what he wants first. You can give someone all your love, and make yourself small in their presence, and yet it still won't be enough. You can be the ripest peach on the tree, yet there will still be some people who don't like peaches. Wrapped into Oskar and Andrzej's stories are elements of shame and rejection based on xenophobia and class, despite the fact that (like a lot of immigrants in real life) they are incredibly intelligent, skilled and warm people. But the truth is, he’s never wanted to work for the family firm – he doesn’t even like ice-cream, though he’s never told his parents that.

However, this isn’t just Ted’s story…

Beautifully crafted characters and a thoughtful, layered plot that explores love, friendship and identity . . . Becoming Ted reminds us that every dream is worth following’ Julietta Henderson I’m always quite proud of that because when I was growing up, I didn’t know anyone who was a writer and I didn’t think it was remotely a possibility for me. I wouldn’t have known how to go about it, which is probably why it took me so long. The story is heartwarming, touching, funny, sassy, fiery, romantic, emotional, dramatic, delightful and eye-opening, and I recommend it highly! It is a great book, which is really uplifting and warm, and it will bring joy to your heart! A witty, heartwarming triumph, about the biggest challenge of all - living for yourself, not just for others, and doing it with gusto!

At TED, we search year-round for speakers who will inform and inspire, surprise and delight. Our presenters run the world's most admired companies and design its best-loved products; they invent world-changing devices and create ground-breaking media. TED also seeks out emerging artists, scientists and thinkers, introducing them to the TED community well before they hit the mainstream. For as book as long as it was, it genuinely felt like the different elements of the book could've been fleshed out more (though who knows how long this book would've been if that had happened). Becoming a drag queen itself could be one book. Getting over his ex and finding love again could be a book. Having both going on and not balancing them properly means neither lives up to it's possible potential. As an ambassador for the Albert Kennedy Trust, a charity which provides support to young LGBTQ people who are homeless or living in hostile environments, Cain knows that there are many young people who don’t feel as secure growing up. “I never had to deal with the horror of thinking you’re not going to have a home if you come out.”Denise has her own experience of toxic relationships but is an instantly enthusiastic supporter of Ted’s dream offering much needed emotional and practical assistance to help him achieve it. Initially I thought Stanley, an older gay man with a love of wearing pink and listening to Barbra Streisand, was a bit of a stereotype but in fact what he tells Ted about his experiences of being gay in the 1950s at a time when homosexuality was illegal acts as a serious reminder of what a long fight it has been to gain acceptance. Oskar’s story also highlights the homophobia that some gay people still face today. He doesn’t even like ice cream, though he’s never told his parents that. When Ted’s husband suddenly leaves him, the bottom falls out of his world. Cain gives his characters wise words and insightful observations: Ted eventually understands that he shouldn’t have to feel gratitude for being accepted for what he is; Denise tells Ted “You can only really be in love with someone when you’re not afraid to be your true self around them.” This is a wonderfully heart-warming tale and more from Matt Cain will be most welcome. We accept nominations all the time. It's best to get your suggestions to us as early as possible, so we can research them carefully and make the best decision on the speaker roster.

Full of the warm, beautifully drawn characters I've come to expect from Matt's writing . . . so moving and so much fun. This is a book that's going to mean so much to so many people I think I could honestly write about this book for ages but I don’t want to give things away so I’ll try and stop myself. Thankfully Ted is able to help Stanley feel more accepted in his home at Memory House, and Stanley is so proud of Ted for embracing his own wants in life, even at an older age, as it is a fitting tribute to all the LGBTQIA+ people who came before, and who couldn't live a life free to be who they were. Please do! Just let us know how you've heard about this person, and why you think they should speak at TED.

Come back when you're older

Hugely readable and entertaining and also full of love, warmth and inspiration, thr previous novel The Secret Life of Albert Entwhistle is still the better of the two Matt Cain novels I have read, just. However when I see the author's name, I instantly want to read what he has written. He said: “I got married on Sunday, December 18 and the ceremony happened in London but there was a big Bolton presence.

I was unpublished for years and particularly desperate to get the Madonna book out. It felt like a kind of primal existential need, like I wasn’t fully realised as a human being. Maybe that’s why I can write books like Becoming Ted now – because it’s about self-fulfilment and self-actualisation.”

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I think a lot of gay men do what I used to do – adopt a more exaggerated, heightened persona and tell outrageous stories about our hook-ups and all the rest of it. Basically we become performing seals to delight and entertain everybody, possibly because we’re so desperate for the approval that we never had.”