Scribe has acquired a new book by the author of BREAKING THE RAINBOW CEILING Layla McCay. THE QUEER CANON: A GUIDE TO LGBTQ+ LITERATURE will explore the books that have defined queer experience over generations, from 20th century classics like Maurice, which E. M. Forster didn't feel he could publish in his lifetime, to the YA publishing sensation Heartstopper.
Drawing on her own experiences, as well as a host of LGBTQ+ authors and readers from around the world, it aims to both create a new canon of LGBTQ+ literature over the past century and beyond, as well as capture the importance of the experience of reading these books for queer people.
Layla McCay is Director of Policy at the NHS Confederation and Executive Lead of the UK's Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network. She has been recognized on the Outstanding 100 LGBTQ+ Executives Role Model List 2023 as a global role model driving LGBTQ+ inclusion in business and features regularly in the media, from the Financial Times to BBC Question Time. She is the author of BREAKING THE RAINBOW CEILING, published to great acclaim by Bloomsbury this May.
McCay said: ‘As a passionate reader, I still remember how shocking, thrilling and comforting it felt to come across a book that featured a gay character for the very first time. I know I’m not the only queer person to devour a book like that under the bedcovers, heart racing, and feel less alone in the world. But then comes the question: what should I read next? As I’ve lived in different countries around the world, it’s a question that keeps coming up. What are the classics of queer literature? Which books are particularly important in LGBTQ+ history and culture? Is there a queer canon? I’m thrilled that Scribe are trusting me to pursue that answer.’
Scribe acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Abi Fellows at DHH Literary Agency, and will publish the title in May 2026, in time for Pride Month.