![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_8077-scaled-e1767704586235.jpg\")
Author, Jack Strange. Photo: Jack Strange<\/p>\n Author, Jack Strange. Photo: Jack Strange<\/p>\n
Ella Groves<\/strong><\/p>\n A Welsh author has announced his second novel, a \u201cpolitically-charged dystopian\u201d set in mid-Wales, will be published in April 2026.<\/p>\n Titled \u2018The Boyfriend Academy\u2019, the novel follows Dylan Cecil, a student at Ganymede boarding school, where \u201cboys are forged into the men society demands \u2013 strong, obedient, perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n Graduation promises the world; \u201ca home, a career, a wife. But fail\u2026 and you\u2019re no longer useful to society.\u201d<\/p>\n As June\u2019s trials draw closer, featuring eight tests which determine who is \u201cworthy of manhood\u201d, Dylan is distracted both by his friend Blake\u2019s disappearance and the unknowable Roman Edwards.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a world rebuilt on order and obedience, Dylan must decide: will he become the man the academy wants \u2013 or the man he really is?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack Strange, from mid-Wales himself, was inspired by the constant stream of news about the far-right, fascism, and climate change to write a novel centred around a dystopian version of Wales following widespread societal collapse.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cThe concept of the novel came from a conversation with my publisher, HarperCollins, about what a dark academia novel would look like.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d wanted to write something with the themes of masculinity and had an idea forming, and once I knew there was interest I started truly thinking about the worldbuilding aspect of it.<\/p>\n \u201cI created a dystopian version of Mid Wales, where population regrowth is vital, and same-sex attraction is forbidden. A society that has to rebuild.<\/p>\n \u201cThe story follows 17 going on 18-year-old Dylan as he is about to graduate from his prestigious school, Ganymede\u2019s. Upon graduation, he will meet his perfect female partner for marriage.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Dylan is falling for his fellow student, Roman, while also learning that the school he has trusted has been keeping secrets, as boys go missing.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cI wanted to explore humanity and community within the novel, and ask questions around power and leadership, and what happens if we continue going the way we are going in all areas of our life, without making the necessary changes.<\/p>\n \u201cI personally believe we are heading in the wrong direction, and should be taking climate change seriously and changing the way we live and consume. I also dread the support for a certain flag waving party, and urge everyone to look at Green or Plaid, instead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Representation\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n As a Welsh author, Jack said he is always searching for more literature that includes Wales in some way, seeing it as his \u201cduty\u201d to represent Wales in his work.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIn The Boyfriend Academy, the characters are living and studying in Mid Wales, where the Welsh language is regularly spoken, and some of the characters have Welsh names.<\/p>\n \u201cI chose Mid Wales because it\u2019s where I live, and having natural landscapes on the doorstep really puts you in tune with the environment, and makes you consider how delicate it all is.<\/p>\n \u201cAs for the names, Dylan is named after Dylan Thomas, and there are references to his work in the book. Ganymede\u2019s headmistress is named Dwynwen as she is responsible for creating the perfect romantic pairings. She is, of course, named after Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cI\u2019ll always advocate for Welsh settings and characters, and if I\u2019m able to be part of bringing more Welsh stories to people, then I want to be able to do so.<\/p>\n \u201cWe often see sections in bookshops and media coverage for Scottish and Irish literature, and I\u2019d love to see more championing and support for Welsh authors and stories and hope that Welsh novels continue to be published.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018What next?\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Jack shared some of his future writing plans including his third novel \u201925 Days in Athens\u2019 which will be published in June 2026.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIt\u2019s a contemporary novel, where Cardiff man Will finds out his ex is getting married to somebody else in Athens. He decides to fly to Athens and stop the wedding, but reunites with an old school friend in the process. It\u2019s a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n Published by HarperCollins, \u2018The Boyfriend Academy\u2019 will be available for purchase from 9 April 2026. You can pre-order a copy from Waterstones<\/a> or Amazon.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/boyfriend-academy-cover.jpeg\")
The Boyfriend Academy cover. Photo: Jack Strange<\/p>\n