About Justinien Huang:
Former film director turned novelist Justinian Huang shares his journey from creating animated stories to writing his first novel. Born to Taiwanese immigrants and having spent considerable time in China, Justinian's rich cultural heritage deeply influences his writing. His experiences as a queer Asian man bring a vibrant authenticity to his characters and stories, exploring themes of love, identity and acceptance.
Episode Highlights:
1. Justinian discusses his personal challenges and triumphs as a queer Asian man, reflecting on family reactions and societal expectations.
The inspiration behind her novel, rooted in a historical love story from the Han dynasty, highlights universal themes of love and acceptance.
From cinema to fiction:
2. Overview of Justinian's transition from a successful career in animation at companies like Sony Pictures Animation and DreamWorks to writing his novel.
3. How storytelling in animation influenced his approach to fiction writing, focusing on universal themes with culturally specific narratives.
4. Justinian opens up about the therapeutic aspects of writing and the mental health implications of living across cultures. Discussion also focuses on how her novel serves as a means of exploring personal and collective identities.
5. A look at the “spice” of his novel, diving into its erotic elements and how it challenges and redefines perceptions of Asian masculinity.
6. Justinian reflects on his experiences with social media post, the pressures of public perception, and the importance of authentic representation.
Justinian Huang's "The Emperor and the Endless Palace" is available for purchase on major book platforms and as an audiobook featuring talented AAPI actors. https://a.co/d/cQRhRTm
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