WHO ARE WE?

I'm A.E. Green and I'm a pile of hashbrowns a nervous mixed-race illustrator from New England. Although I understand criticisms of the yaoi genre, I saw a lot of kids who never felt they could be artistic change their minds and still others come to terms with their sexualities over these books. It's hard for me to dismiss the genre entirely.

I still remember when I was sitting in history class and my friend turned to me, saying they wished there were yaoi comics that were less predictable. I told them I could make one, and I've been drawing sensitive handsome men ever since. Isn't that noble? I was thrilled when Notation said they were on the same wavelength when it came to there being some positive takeaways from the yaoi genre, and even more so when she mentioned she's gone through the Kickstarter and printing process.

A.E. has been interested in sequential art since he could pick up a pencil and is really excited about their potential to communicate with readers. They produce edutainment comics for doctor's offices professionally and are currently working on a short-form trans-inclusive comic, Ashe & Boy. They designed the site and arranged the application parameters, and will be contributing original work to the anthology. They are evaluating all submissions to the anthology, with help from Anne.

Aaaand I'm Anne Notation.I've been an avid reader of comics, on and offline, since late middle-school. I first encountered yaoi comics in highschool while trying to order general-interest doujinshi from Japan, despite my very limited Japanese language skills. Whoops! Though initially scandalized by these boys doing seemingly-improper things to one another, my curiosity was admittedly piqued. Now, a good mumble mumble years later, I've come around to making these comics myself. That's what my old Catholic school called "paying it forward". See, I did learn something!

I was brought on board with the concept of Purity when A.E. and I were discussing the amazing individuality of artists in the yaoi and LGBT+ comic genres. Many of the creators had read similar, sometimes identical, series, but the resulting art and storytelling techniques were always distinctive. We thought, well, might that be a reflection of the diversity of the artists themselves? I'm a Nowheresville, Oregon scrub turned lab drone, and A.E. is a pro from a city people have actually heard of. What other folk might be out there? What do they make? It's time we got an answer!

She is currently working on Devoto, the first seven chapters of which are in print following a successful Kickstarter campaign. She also has print comics Cannibal Cat and Skoll, as well as her work in Opowiadania. Anne brings familiarity with formatting, print, and distribution to the project, and she will be contributing original work to the anthology.