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Transgender B.C. brothers debut fantasy novel as author duo Vincent Hunter

BԪַTransgender people are being misrepresented in popular fiction and media, and we aim to change thatBԪַ
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Surrey-raised brothers Kise Vincent Hastings (left) and Hunter Levi Hastings have collaborated on a fantasy novel, The Garnet Crown, with the pen name Vincent Hunter. (submitted photo)

Transgender brothers raised in Surrey have co-authored a debut fantasy novel that aims to challenge racism and transphobia.

Vincent Hunter is the pen name for Kise Vincent Hastings, 29, and Hunter Levi Hastings, 25, who self-published The Garnet Crown in August.

BԪַWeBԪַve co-authored the book as a duo, which is not too common for brothers,BԪַ Vincent said.

Graduates of Kwantlen Park Secondary in Surrey, the siblings say their book BԪַdelivers a thrilling high-level fantasy plot that features diverse characters and themes.BԪַ

Vincent said J. K. RowlingBԪַs recent BԪַanti-transgender tweetsBԪַ challenge diversity in the fantasy genre, and that the Surrey-based duo is determined to showcase transgender, LGBTQIIA+ and queer characters in their novel series.

BԪַTransgender people are being misrepresented in popular fiction and media, and we aim to change that,BԪַ the duo say in a news release. BԪַAs mixed-race transgender individuals, we grew up terribly underrepresented in all of the fandoms that we have loved. When we were represented, it did no justice. The characters that were portrayed as BԪַdiverseBԪַ or BԪַtransgenderBԪַ were written stereotypically, were usually antagonists, and did not occupy main roles in the story.BԪַ

Mixed-race individuals were rarely mentioned at all, the duo add.

BԪַWhenever we tried to challenge the representations of transgender and mixed-race characters in popular fiction, we were often discouraged by educators and told by other fans that our kind of person didnBԪַt belong in these series because they were not a part of the lore.BԪַ

The Garnet Crown, a 666-page book billed as BԪַBook 1 in the Crimson Plumes series,BԪַ , in both soft-cover and e-book formats.

The book also aims to celebrates Canadian values, the brothers say.

BԪַAs Canadians, we wanted to write a story that represented the diversity and inclusion that our country is known for,BԪַ the duo stated. BԪַWe are proud to be Canadian and we were determined to write an epic fantasy series that highlighted how important and wonderful our countryBԪַs values are. We hope that our novel will inspire the world to be more like Canada and to celebrate multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusion.BԪַ

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Vincent Hunter has also written an album of BԪַshanties and tavern songsBԪַ to promote their love for the fantasy genre and the universe theyBԪַve created. Some of the tunes, featured on the album BԪַShanties & Songs of Aldrayon,BԪַ are posted to their .

They hope their novel series will inspire others who have felt marginalized and misrepresented to write and share their stories, and participate in the fandoms they love.

BԪַOur stories deserve to be told and we deserve to take up space. WeBԪַre a part of this world too, and itBԪַs time people realized that,BԪַ the brothers stated.

Vincent Hunter is on , and , and also runs a page.



tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com

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Tom Zillich

About the Author: Tom Zillich

I cover entertainment, sports and news for Surrey Now-Leader and Black Press Media
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