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An author has said he crowdfunded his book after publishers said readers wouldn't be able to connect to the main character because he's gay.

Matt Cain's novel The Madonna of Bolton was rejected more than 30 times but was supported by people like Mark Gatiss and David Walliams when he turned to crowdfunding.

He told ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live's Sam Walker: "I think it's patronising to readers, straight readers, to say this would be a barrier to empathy for them."

This clip is originally from Wednesday 18 July 2018.