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Friend of Dorothy presents: An Evening with William Rayfet Hunter
- 📚 William Rayfet Hunter in conversation with Theo O’Donovan Walker
- ✍️ Book signing with William
- 🥂 Complimentary welcome drink
- 🎁 Exclusive Friend of Dorothy gift bag
- 🌈 Post-event drinks & social
- 📖 The Common Press pop-up bookshop
- 🎤 Audience Q&A
- 🏳️⚧️ The chance to help us raise vital funds for Not A Phase
The line-up who you'll see
William Rayfet Hunter
William Rayfet Hunter is the author of Sunstruck, his intoxicating debut novel exploring queer desire, masculinity, class, sex and obsession. Set against the heat and beauty of a French summer, Sunstruck follows the dangerous pull of desire and the urge to escape yourself by becoming someone else. Bold, sensual and psychologically sharp, William’s writing explores complicated men, uncomfortable truths and the places where intimacy, power and identity collide. Theo O’Donovan Walker
@willhunterr
Theo Donovan Walker
Theo O’Donovan Walker is a writer, journalist and cultural commentator covering books, politics, culture and LGBTQ+ life. A passionate reader and champion of queer literature, he joins us to interview William about Sunstruck, its characters and the complicated ideas at its heart.
@theodonovanwalkerAbout this night
Friend of Dorothy presents: An Evening with William Rayfet Hunter
Celebrating Sunstruck, one of the most intoxicating queer novels of the year. A fundraising event for Not A Phase.
A beautiful French summer. Desire. Obsession. Masculinity. And the dangerous pull of wanting to become someone else.
Friend of Dorothy welcomes William Rayfet Hunter, author of Sunstruck, for a very special evening of queer literature, conversation and community, in conversation with writer and journalist Theo O’Donovan Walker..
Together, they’ll delve into William’s journey as a writer, the inspiration behind Sunstruck, its complicated characters and relationships, and what it takes to turn desire, intimacy and uncomfortable truths into fiction.
Then we’ll hand things over to you, with an audience Q&A and the chance to put your own questions to William.
A NIGHT FOR OUR COMMUNITY, SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY 🏳️⚧️
The evening will also be raising money for Not A Phase, the charity supporting trans+ and gender-diverse adults across the UK.
William is already a friend and supporter of the charity, so it felt particularly important to us that this evening also provides an opportunity to support their work.
There’ll be opportunities to donate and fundraise throughout the night, while bringing different parts of our LGBTQ+ community together under one roof.
The Common Press joining us for a queer pop-up bookshop.
TWO TICKET OPTIONS
🎟️ General Admission
📖 Ticket + Sunstruck — includes your own copy of the book, ready to have signed by William on the night.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Anyone who loves queer books, complicated men, beautiful writing, French summers and questionable decisions.
Whether you’ve already devoured Sunstruck, it’s sitting on your reading list or you’re discovering William for the first time, you’re very welcome.
Come for William and Theo. Stay for the community. Help us raise money for Not A Phase. 🏳️⚧️☀️
Your gift bag handed to you at the door
Every ticket comes with a bag of Friend of Dorothy products and partner gifts. Not samples — full size.
- Tote Bag, Bookmark, 2 Packs of FOD Product, Coffee Cup
Contents vary by event. Bag handed over at check-in, one per ticket.
Book now — £10What it looks like when it actually works
Reels from the last one. No models, no staging.
Bring a friend or two
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Send to a friendMost of our guys showed up solo too
It's the most common worry we hear. Here's how we make sure first-timers leave feeling like they belong.
You won't be the only solo guy
More than 60% of attendees come alone. The room is built for it.
We greet you at the door
Tell us it's your first time and we'll introduce you to people right away.
The activity does the work
You don't have to make small talk from cold.
Leave when you want
Stay for the social or head home early. Both are normal.
What people said after the last one
4.9 / 5 · based on 4,225+ verified reviews
Finally a gay event where I felt seen
I'm 47 and most gay events make me feel ancient. This one had every type of guy — single, coupled, all ages.
— Marcus · Comedy night, JuneMy first gay event ever
Was so nervous to come alone. Within 10 minutes someone introduced themselves at the bar.
— Theo · Comedy night, JuneWorth every penny (which is barely any)
£10 for a line-up that would cost £40 anywhere else, plus a drink and a gift bag.
— Carlos · Comedy night, JuneWhat's on next book before they go
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