We’re three months out from release day! Which means it’s time for me to tell you about this fabulous ✨pre-order campaign✨ I’m doing for Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology.

If you haven’t gotten your copy yet, I encourage you to get it from Fantom Comics. If you’ve already ordered your copy (thank you!), or you’re not in a position to pre-order but can still request it at your library, fear not! You can still fill out the linked form and get some goodies.

If you pre-order the book or request a copy at your library and fill out this form, I'll send you:

• A 4”x8” double-sided mini print: one side illustrated by Jessica Ricole, the other by yours truly

• A signed, Geozoology-exclusive bookplate

• If you order from Fantom Comics ( hardcover | paperback ) in Washington, DC, you’ll also get your book signed/personalized AND get a bonus sticker!

In addition to receiving these goodies, two lucky people will be randomly chosen to receive a baby caviolith plush, lovingly crocheted by myself. How could you possibly resist those adorable round faces?

Pre-orders are important to a book’s success, especially for debut authors such as myself. This is my way of thanking those who support me and my work. If you pre-ordered or requested the book before the campaign launched, you can and should fill out the form and get these goodies—and you have my appreciation for your early support!

WHAT ELSE ARE YOU WORKING ON?

Mike Rhode of ComicsDC interviewed me a few weeks back! Well, I say a few weeks back, but he’d actually approached me about this in uhhhh 2023, and it took me until a few weeks ago to finally answer his questions. We cover everything from making comics to my favorite local restaurants to the greatest of DC institutions, the Q Street Barbie Pond.

WHAT’RE YOU READING?

One of the cool things about this year is that my fellow authors over at Middle Grade Escapades have books coming out too. So many books to look forward to! Three of my MGE crew’s books are already out:

The Song of Orphan’s Garden, by Nicole M Hewitt

Werewolf Hamlet, by Kerry Madden-Lunsford

Bea Mullins Takes a Shot, by Emily Deibert

The Song of Orphan’s Garden is a beautiful novel-in-verse retelling of Oscar Wilde’s “The Selfish Giant” in a more explicitly fantasy setting, higher stakes, and song-based magic—which makes the novel-in-verse form all the more appropriate. If you know me, you know I love when the medium plays a part in telling the story. I especially enjoyed the characterization of protagonist Lyriana, a cynical girl who only reveals the softness in her heart for her younger brother.

Nicole wrote a touching blog post about reading “The Selfish Giant” over and over again as a child, then finding the book again years later.

I haven’t had the chance to sit down and read Werewolf Hamlet yet, but I’m a fan of what they’ve done with the sleeve. There’s a poster on the back. I didn’t know you could do that! And what an intriguing case cover.

As for Bea Mullins, I’m excited for a middle grade girls’ hockey story that isn’t afraid to explore queerness (yes, that was a pointed dig at Pixar). I’ll be digging into that one as soon as my copy arrives!

YOU PROMISED CATS.

UPCOMING EVENTS

I’m still in the midst of planning my conventions/fairs and signings this year. I’ll update this section as I figure out my schedule.

• March 22: Comic Arts Richmond (Richmond, VA)

• May 31: Launch party for Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology at Fantom Comics (Washington, DC)

• June 7-8: Toronto Comic Arts Festival (Toronto, Canada)

Thank you for reading Anecdotal! If you have a friend who would also like to get updates about graphic novels, cats, and/or tiny trees, please consider sharing with them.

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You can also see more of my work at angela-hsieh.com or on Instagram, or you can support me on Patreon!