Paul Flynn – författare

‘One of the most important books about gay culture in recent times’ The QuietusLong-listed for the Polari First Book PrizeIn 1984 the pulsing electronics and soft vocals of Smalltown Boy would become an anthem uniting gay men. A month later, an aggressive virus, HIV, would be identified and a climate of panic and fear would spread across the nation, marginalising an already ostracised community. Yet, out of this terror would come tenderness and 30 years later, the long road to gay equality would climax with the passing of same sex marriage.Paul Flynn charts this astonishing pop cultural and societal U-turn via the cultural milestones that effected change—from Manchester’s self-selection as Britain’s gay capital to the real-time romance of Elton John and David Furnish’s eventual marriage. Including candid interviews from major protagonists, such as Kylie, Russell T Davies, Will Young, Holly Johnson and Lord Chris Smith, as well as the relative unknowns crucial to the gay community, we see how an unlikely group of bedfellows fought for equality both front of stage and in the wings.This is the story of Britain’s brothers, cousins and sons. Sometimes it is the story of their fathers and husbands. It is one of public outrage and personal loss, the (not always legal) highs and the desperate lows, and the final collective victory as gay men were final recognised, as Good As You.

Butter Boy is the complete collection of all 152 articles and over 450 recipes from Paul Flynn's tenure as food writer for the Irish Times from November 2019 to October 2022. Paul's columns also chronicled what turned out to be the three most unusual and challenging years of our lives, when cooking and mealtimes took on new meaning.Having a cookery school has taught Paul that most people want tasty food that doesn't take hours to make, so that's exactly what these recipes are, using simple techniques that even the most novice cook can master. As Paul says, 'The most important thing is not to be afraid. Turn down the heat and keep calm.'Paul's food is simple, seasonal and family-oriented. It's designed to give comfort at any time of year because after a hard day, cooking dinner can be soothing and eating it can be comforting. Afterwards the world feels just that little bit better.Warm, witty and laugh-out-loud funny, reading and cooking from Butter Boy is like spending time in the kitchen with an old friend.

‘One of the most important books about gay culture in recent times’ The QuietusLong-listed for the Polari First Book PrizeIn 1984 the pulsing electronics and soft vocals of Smalltown Boy would become an anthem uniting gay men. A month later, an aggressive virus, HIV, would be identified and a climate of panic and fear would spread across the nation, marginalising an already ostracised community. Yet, out of this terror would come tenderness and 30 years later, the long road to gay equality would climax with the passing of same sex marriage.Paul Flynn charts this astonishing pop cultural and societal U-turn via the cultural milestones that effected change—from Manchester’s self-selection as Britain’s gay capital to the real-time romance of Elton John and David Furnish’s eventual marriage. Including candid interviews from major protagonists, such as Kylie, Russell T Davies, Will Young, Holly Johnson and Lord Chris Smith, as well as the relative unknowns crucial to the gay community, we see how an unlikely group of bedfellows fought for equality both front of stage and in the wings.This is the story of Britain’s brothers, cousins and sons. Sometimes it is the story of their fathers and husbands. It is one of public outrage and personal loss, the (not always legal) highs and the desperate lows, and the final collective victory as gay men were final recognised, as Good As You.

Not for everyone the title of Prime Minister, ForeignSecretary or other such hallowed callings; the vast majority of the House ofCommons is made up of backbenchers - the power behind the constitutionallyelected throne.Here is a guide for anyone and everyone fascinated by thequirks and foibles of Westminster Palace, covering all species of backbencherand providing every hardworking MP and political enthusiast with the know-howto survive life in Parliament.From how to address the crowd, weather marital troubles andsocialise at party conference to the all-important Backbenchers'Commandments, How to Be an MP is indispensable reading foranyone wishing to make a mark from the back benches and influence proceedingsin the House. And in the process it provides the outsider with a rivetinginsight into life as a Member.

Not for everyone the title of Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary or other such hallowed callings; the vast majority of the House of Commons is made up of backbenchers - the power behind the constitutionally elected throne. Here is a guide for anyone and everyone fascinated by the quirks and foibles of Westminster Palace, covering all species of backbencher and providing every hardworking MP and political enthusiast with the know-how to survive life in Parliament. From how to address the crowd, weather marital troubles and socialise at party conference to the all-important Backbenchers' Commandments, How to be an MP is indispensable reading for anyone wishing to make a mark from the back bench and influence proceedings in the House. And in the process it provides the outsider with a riveting insight into life as a Member.