Instagram story viewer> @cwbstephens> Tagged

Christopher Stephens

@cwbstephens

3K

followers

1787

following

Writer and academic. But still mostly Agatha. Here are some ways (and reasons) to buy my recent book:

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

T-BOY HOWDY, it’s a huge Queer books haul on this, the last Tuesday of August! Here’s the first batch. They’ve been prepared for you with great care, and we can’t wait to see your lovely faces when you come to claim your copies!

We’ll make another post right after this one to show you the rest, but please enjoy these in the meantime. BRB! See you soon!

And please remember to never forget that
#GiovannisRoomLovesYou ! #queerbooksnow #queerbooksforever #LGBTQIAplus #TRANSRIGHTSNOW

66

1

We’re thrilled to announce our new Pride Author Series presented in collaboration with @prideweha 🏳️‍🌈📚

The Pride Author Series celebrates queer authors and queer stories through curated events hosted collaboratively by River Bend Bookshop and West Hartford Pride, Inc. Through this partnership, we strive to foster community through literacy and create a safe, welcoming, and intentional third space where LGBTQIA+ voices are uplifted and empowered.

Our first event kicks off with Christopher Stephens and Louise Radnofsky, authors of The Light of Day, the long-forgotten true story of Roger Butler, the first man to publicly come out as gay in Britain, seven years before decriminalization. It’s a story of courage, friendship, and a hidden history finally brought into the light.

🎟️ General admission is $10, with all proceeds donated to West Hartford Pride, Inc.
📖 Add on a copy of The Light of Day at checkout, or grab one at the event
🎤 Audience Q&A and signing to follow

Get your tickets now at the link in our bio!

#prideauthorseries #westhartfordct #readwithpride #riverbendbookshop #pride

41

0

We are delighted that THE LIGHT OF DAY has been selected for Audible’s August 2026 promotion. Until the 31st, Audible Members in the UK can purchase the audiobook edition for just £5.99!

‘Sir, we are homosexuals . . .’

So began the letter penned by Roger Butler and sent to several British newspaper editors - some of whom were so shocked they thought it was a hoax - in June 1960. Writing such a letter seven years before the decriminalisation of homosexuality was a radical and dangerous move. It was a risk that set a major milestone in the fight for gay rights - one that has been almost entirely forgotten.

This is the story of the first man to come out voluntarily, using his own name, to the entire British public, a decade before activists started petitioning gay people everywhere to ‘come out proud’. Taking us through a criminalised underworld of gay pubs, parties and activist meetings, THE LIGHT OF DAY charts how Roger helped bring about the legalisation of homosexuality, but soon found himself marginalised from the movement he kickstarted after losing his sight in his early 30s.

Enter Christopher - a student asked to visit and read to an old, blind man at the beginning of a new century. As their intergenerational friendship bloomed, Roger came to trust Christopher with his most precious possession: memoirs of his revolutionary past, locked away in his home. After Roger’s death, Christopher opened a series of unsent letters, left in a pink folder, addressed to him. They contained Roger’s final wish, for Christopher finally to bring his remarkable, hidden story into the light of day.

#nonfiction #books #queerbooks #lgbt #bookstagram

3

2

Canal Pride might be over, but our Pride reading continues! Try @cwbstephens ‘The Light of Day’, a heartwarming story of queer history and friendship.

Now signed! Thank you for coming by our store , Christopher! 💛

140

1

Thank you so much for visiting our queer bookshop in Alkmaar, The Netherlands @cwbstephens and for signing copies of your amazing book! ✨❤️
#queerbooks #pride #thelightofday #alkmaar #achillean

151

2

Join us during Amsterdam Pride for an inspiring afternoon with Christopher Stephens, author of The Light of Day: The First Man to Come Out at the Dawn of Gay Liberation.

Discover the remarkable story of Roger Butler, whose courageous decision to publicly come out in 1960 helped shape the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Britain. Christopher will discuss the book, followed by an audience Q&A and book signing, with Ben Fleetwood Smyth moderating the conversation.

Celebrate Pride by exploring a powerful, long-overlooked chapter of queer history.

🎟️ Tickets are available via our Events page, link in bio.

#theamericanbookcenter #amsterdampride #lgbtq #Amsterdam #indiebookstore

82

1

#Pride boekentips! 🌈 Bart las An Army of Lovers Cannot Fail van Hélène Giannecchini - en voegt er 11 tips aan toe.

Haar boek, een ode aan queer vriendschap, wakkerde Barts verlangen naar meer aan. Meer boeken over queer geschiedenis. Meer over liefde, meer over vriendschap. En welk beter moment om deze flinke stapel te tippen dan nu de World Pride voor de deur staat?

Bart Nijensteen tipt twaalf (12) boeken, die je meer leren over queer geschiedenis, en de belangrijke rol van vriendschap in deze verhalen.

Lees deze pride-zomer over Baldwin, Jarman, Hujar, Thek, Hirschfeld, Kellendonk en Butler!

#tips via de link in bio!

268

2

🏳️‍🌈Swipe right for our Amsterdam Pride Week lineup! 🏳️‍🌈

✨July 22 – Queer Story Night & Open Mic: Role Models
An evening of powerful readings and an open mic celebrating the people and stories that inspire and shape our queer community.

📖 July 26 – Nacht op scherp / Night on the Edge
Celebrate the launch of a beautifully illustrated photobook exploring Amsterdam's legendary queer nightlife of the 1990s through photographs, memories, and personal stories.

🌈 July 29 – Amsterdam, A Queer History & Lezz is More
Discover Amsterdam's rich LGBTQ+ history and the inspiring story of drag artist and activist Jennifer Hopelezz during this special double book presentation.

📚 July 30 – The Light of Day
Author Christopher Stephens shares the extraordinary true story of Roger Butler, whose courageous public coming out helped change the course of gay rights in Britain.

📝 July 31 – Queer & Feminist Poetry Anthology Vol. II
Join the launch of a vibrant bilingual poetry anthology celebrating queer joy, gender euphoria, community, and the transformative power of living authentically.

For more information and tickets, visit abc.nl/events or click the link in our bio. We hope to celebrate Pride with you at your local indie bookstore!

We would really appreciate a share!
.
.
#theamericanbookcenter #amsterdampride #indiebookstore #queervoices

143

0

At the start of June we kicked off Pride Month with a Writing Workshop by author JACK STRANGE, where he helped our curious and buddying authors explore how to write authentic queer characters and stories, it was a great opportunity for them to get insight and tips from a published author on the ideas, writing, editing and publishing journey - and we cannot wait to see the finished works by some of our attendees!

To end June, we welcomed author CHRISTOPHER STEPHENS who spoke about his book The Light of Day which uncovers the story of Roger Butler, a largely forgotten pioneer of gay liberation in the 50s & 60s. The evening was an engrossing insight, not only into a turbulent time and the bravery of being yourself in the face of grave risks, but also of an intergenerational friendship and the strength that brings in wanting to share the stories that define our lives.

We are really fortunate to be able to bring so many different author and writing events to the Balham Community.
A heartfelt thanks to both authors who took the time to come down to the library.

If you enjoyed these types of events and would like to see more, please let us know and we will endeavour to organise more!

#LibraryPride #AuthorEvents #LibraryEvent

@wandsworth_libraries
@jackstrangeauthor
@cwbstephens

11

1

July is absolutely bursting with events at the store!

From writers' parties and inspiring author events to a Dungeons & Dragons evening and a whole lineup of celebrations for Amsterdam Pride, there's something for everyone this month.

If you spot an event you'd love to join, be sure to grab your tickets through the Events page on abc.nl. The link is in our bio.

We can't wait to see you in the store this July! 📚🌈
.
.
.
#theamericanbookcenter #abcevents
#amsterdampride #authorevents

Christopher Dell will present his new book, Prophecies: Omens, Auguries, Divination, Oracles, Dreams, Apocalypse, at ABC Amsterdam on Wednesday, July 1. The richly illustrated talk explores humanity's enduring fascination with predicting the future, tracing traditions of prophecy, divination, dreams, and apocalyptic visions across cultures, from ancient Egypt, Greece, Mesopotamia, and China to Indigenous societies around the world. Following the presentation, attendees can meet the Amsterdam-based art historian and bestselling author, and each ticket includes a €10 voucher to use toward the purchase of any book that evening.

Join us at ABC Amsterdam for a meet-and-greet with acclaimed American author, poet, critic, filmmaker, editor, and performance artist Dennis Cooper, who will be signing his books. Best known for the George Miles Cycle and as the founder of the influential punk zine Little Caesar Magazine, Cooper has built a celebrated career exploring experimental and transgressive literature. His 2004 novel The Sluts, an epistolary work told through internet forum posts, emails, and taped conversations, follows readers' attempts to uncover the truth about Brad, a mysterious gay male sex worker, and received both the Lambda Literary Award and the Sade Prize. A selection of Cooper's books will be available for purchase at the event. Just walk in and say hello!

Writers' Night: Writer's Block Party is a free community event at ABC Amsterdam on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, bringing together aspiring and established writers for an evening of inspiration, networking, and practical advice. Featuring talks from published authors, writing teachers, coaches, and self-publishing expert

265

11

Happy summer!
Check out some of our favorite titles centering queer stories and by LGBTQ+ authors. Whether you’re looking for a heart-stopping thriller with a queer romance at the center, a poignant memoir that will make you grab for a box of tissues, or a rom-com that will make you blush, we’ve got you covered. 📚💖

3

1

THIS WEDNESDAY 24 June celebrate Pride Month at Balham Library with our Meet The Author series welcoming The Light of Day author Christopher Stephens

In conversation with our Reading Rainbows Book Club, Christopher, will be discussing The Light of Day : The first man to come out at the dawn of gay liberation.

5.45 for a 6pm start.

Free to attend but booking is advised via the Wandsworth Libraries Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/christopher-stephens-author-talk-tickets-1988911217993

For further information please contact Balham Library on 0208 673 1129 or email Balham.Library@gll.org

Booksellers @waterstonesclapham will be on hand for you to purchase a copy for the author to sign on the day, or reserve a copy at your local library beforehand to read!

@wandsworth_libraries
@cwbstephens
@balhamnewsie

17

0