From Market to Margin: The Growth of Queer Literature in the UK
April 14 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm BST
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Over the past five years, the UK has seen a striking surge in LGBTQIA+ literature, both in visibility and in commercial weight. The “Queer Top 50” alone accounted for around 2.2 million books sold and £20.6 million in value in 2024, showing that queer writing is no longer a niche but a significant cultural and economic force.
Breakout titles such as Heartstopper have set records — 60,000 copies sold in just three days — proving that readers are hungry for authentic queer stories across genres. This growth is also supported by change inside the industry itself: in 2024, 16% of the UK publishing workforce identified as LGBT+, up from just 5% in 2017, helping shift commissioning and marketing decisions towards greater inclusivity.
For independent and specialist booksellers, this represents both opportunity and responsibility. We are uniquely positioned to curate, champion, and hand-sell the diverse range of LGBTQIA+ titles that mainstream outlets may overlook. At a time when some schools and libraries are under pressure to remove queer books, shops like Gay on Wye become not just retailers but safe cultural spaces, sustaining visibility, access, and community for readers who need these stories most.
Join Tom Owen, founder of Gay on Wye, an independent LGBTQIA+ bookshop in Hay-on-Wye, as he discusses the research which led to the opening of his shop and his vision for the future of queer literature on the UK high street, Stocking LGBTQIA+ books isn’t about cashing in on the pink pound — it’s about offering stories that resonate deeply with readers and help build lasting community.
About Tom Owen:
Tom opened Gay on Wye in 2023 after nearly a decade of planning. With a background in the creative arts, he has worked with institutions across South Wales and the UK, shaping his understanding of storytelling, culture, and representation. A passionate reader — especially of science fiction — he believes in literature’s power to transport, challenge, and affirm identities.
Whether promoting LGBTQIA+ authors, creating a welcoming space for discovery, or simply sharing his love of books, Tom remains committed to the belief that every reader deserves to see themselves reflected in literature.