Keiko Takemiya
"June" was the earliest yaoi (BL) magazine, which began in 1978 as a response to the success of commercially published manga such as the works of female artists Keiko Takemiya, Moto Hagio and Yumiko Ōshima. Other factors that influenced the founding of June were the rising popularity of depictions of "bishōnen" in the "dōjinshi" market and ambiguous musicians such as David Bowie and Queen. "June" was meant to have an underground, "cultish, guerilla-style" feeling – most of its manga artists were new talent. Frederik L. Schodt describes "June" as "a kind of 'readers' magazine, created by and for the readers." Very early on, Keiko Takemiya became the editor of a section called "Manga School", which instructed readers and amateur manga authors. "June" magazine ceased operations in 1979, but was relaunched in 1981. Azusa Nakajima ran a contest in the magazine for readers called "Shosetsu dojo" ("Novel School") which was an important platform for aspiring writers.