Thread lands TikTok duo Mackinnon and Payne's guide to coming out 

Thread has acquired Love is Love, a "friendly and practical guide for young LGBTQ+ people” by TikTokkers Matthew Mackinnon and Ryan Payne.

Claire Bord acquired world English-language rights from Marianne Gunn O’Connor at Marianne Gunn O’Connor Literary, Film and TV Agency. The book will be published in paperback original, e-book, and audio on 25th May.

Bord said: “With their rapidly growing audience of six million followers on TikTok, 750K on YouTube and over 100K on Instagram, Matthew and Ryan have built a thriving and inclusive online community. They are the fun-loving faces of social media but behind the scenes they’ve also become online agony uncles for young people.

“In Love is Love, Matthew and Ryan share their own experiences and everything they’ve learnt on their journey from coming out to becoming a young single-sex couple. Written in their friendly, warm and relatable style, Love is Love is packed with bite-size entries, tips and advice.”

In a joint statement Mackinnon and Payne said: “We pride ourselves on laughter and spreading love, working every day to help normalise being a same-sex couple and be a voice for those in the LGBTQIA+ community who need it. With both our experiences being so different, we understand how everyone’s journey is never the same and sometimes we all need a little help.

“We received countless questions over the years surrounding the topic of LGBTQIA+ and wanted to create something with depth, compassion and [that] offered support as people navigate their own journeys through the rainbow.”