GCS-1 Anthology of Gay Stories, Volume 1

Introduction

Somewhere, during this present generation, the art of the short story has been lost. It truly is an art, for in a brief space the writer must convey much—in other words, the reader must flex his thinking muscles more than in graphic descriptions and grasp much what is unsaid.

O. Henry, was, indeed, a master of the short story and writing in his style became popular. However, more recently, the short story took on a new dimension, it entered a situation—almost like opening a door on a private party (or orgy, if you wish) holding it open a few moments, then slamming it shut again—there is no introduction, no real plot, just a glimpse of a situation and, lastly, no ending, just a closed door.

The stories in this book are representative of several styles of writing. They are, without a doubt, some of the finest gay stories ever published and, having weathered the years, still remaining popular today as when they were written and have become classics as a result of this.

The stories by Alexander Goodman, while not written in the style of O. Henry, are otherwise keen insights into the lives of the gays and their tricks, which show a deep perception of the innermost feelings of the characters. The stories by Proferes, however, written more in the style of O. Henry do not really probe the psyche and the thoughts of the characters, but rely more on plot and the urgency of the situations.

But, whatever the style, you, the reader, will quickly discover why the popularity of these stories has weathered the years and why they still are as applicable today as when they were first written.

When a story does not really become dated and still holds up a generation later, it only tends to prove the artistry of the author. What better compliment can we pay?

THE EDITOR