GUEST POST: J.C. Long, Author/Contributor to 'One Pulse' Anthology
I'm so very happy Kimmers asked me to come talk to you today. Not just about my story but coming together for this worth while anthology.
Much like the Superhero genre of American fame, Japan’s Magical Girl genre is all about the good guys (girls) taking on the bad guys and saving the day. When I started considering what kind of story I would write for the One Pulse anthology these themes naturally appealed to me, and my short story “Magical Boys Just Want to Have Fun” was born!
The great thing about this genre is that it has something that will appeal to many varied interests. For those of you who like your stories filled with camp and fun, what better example is Sailor Moon? Let’s not forget the original Japanese character arcs for Sailors Neptune and Uranus, the lesbian lovers that American television tragically turned into cousins to erase any LGBTQ references. But it’s not all rainbows and butterflies and pretty transformations. If you like your storylines dark and heavy there’s a place for you, too, with Puella Magi Madoka Magica—also featuring a wonderful LGBTQ friendly storyline that thankfully hasn’t been toyed with too much in America.
Every author loves a trope, right? I mean, I know I do! But what’s more fun than your normal tropey goodness? A trope turned on its ear! That’s right, as much as I love the Magical Girl genre, I adore the Magical Boy genre more! It speaks to my childhood, really. I used to watch Sailor Moon religiously every day (I’ve seen every episode—even the not-released-in-America Sailor Stars beauty of a train wreck—and every movie) and wanted nothing more than to be like them. But boys couldn’t be that way. We couldn’t wear fun costumes or have magical powers; we only got to wear a tuxedo, a mask and throw a rose. Thrilling. Then I discovered Magical Boys as an adult. My first love of MB is Cute High Earth Defense Force LOVE, and it is forever something I recommend. And then for the more adult-humored loveliness, there’s the live-action Magical Boy Cherry’s, which is about a group of Magical Boys who can keep their powers to save the earth as long as they stay virgins. You have to love late night Japanese dramas.
When writing “Magical Boys Just Want to Have Fun” I knew right away I wanted to fall into the camp side of things--the world is dark enough right now, don’t you think? I think this is a short story that will be a lot of fun for readers who are familiar with anime—they will see a lot of the typical anime concepts brought in and promptly made fun of; this story does not take itself seriously, nor did I want it to. This is a story that will speak to every single person who has ever seen that “I wonder if parents in anime see that their children have blue hair and think Fuck, my kid’s a main character?” meme. Let’s be honest, we’ve all wondered that before, right?
What I very much hope this story maintains is the concept that love is enough. Let me say it again for the people in the back, in case they didn’t hear it: LOVE IS ENOUGH. I know sometimes it doesn’t seem like it, but it is. This anthology is a primary example of that. You have twenty-nine incredible authors (and then me) coming together to write stories for which we receive zero monies, and why? To support—read ‘love’—our fellow human beings. I have never been more proud of my work than I am when I see my name in connection to this great project, and I’ve never been more proud to be a part of a publisher like Dreamspinner. As much as I hope you enjoy my story, I hope you’ll find it even more enjoyable to know that you got to read some great works by great authors and contribute to a worthy cause, as well.
Title: One Pulse
Author: Various Authors
Published: September 19, 2016
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Paul Richmond
Genre: Erotic Romance; Contemporary Romance
Length: 574 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Anthology; Paranormal: Ghosts, Werewolves, Shifters; Western; Sci-Fi
BLURB:
Stories drive life. Sometimes life is good; sometimes life is bad. But it’s the nature of our community that in the aftermath of an act of hatred, we respond with love. Because darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. Cruelty cannot stand against compassion. Negativity will never overcome hope.
To show our support for those affected by the Orlando shooting, our authors, editors, artists, and staff have volunteered their talents to create this anthology. All proceeds will be donated to LGBT organizations in central Florida. Join us as we celebrate the triumph of love over every obstacle.
Read excerpt for story blurbs.
J. C. Long is an American expat living in Japan, though he’s also lived stints in Seoul, South Korea—no, he’s not an army brat; he’s an English teacher. He is also quite passionate about Welsh corgis and is convinced that anyone who does not like them is evil incarnate. His dramatic streak comes from his life-long involvement in theater. After living in several countries aside from the United States J. C. is convinced that love is love, no matter where you are, and is determined to write stories that demonstrate exactly that. J. C. Long’s favorite things in the world are pictures of corgis, writing and Korean food (not in that order…okay, in that order). J. C. spends his time not writing thinking about writing, coming up with new characters, attending Big Bang concerts and wishing he was writing. The best way to get him to write faster is to motivate him with corgi pictures. Yes, that is a veiled hint.
