The Geozoologist's Guide to Fanmail

Angela Hsieh

30 Mar 2026 — 6 min read

I got fanmail!!

I've had the incredible fortune of having the author bucket list of "readers making fanart of my book/writing letters to me about my book" fulfilled not just once, but many times. It's genuinely humbling to think about how one's work has moved others to create. And of course, I simply must share it with everyone.

The book club at Seven Stories mailed me letters and art made by the club members after reading Lu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology. Hands-down the cutest mail I've ever received. My heart melts every time I look at them. Which I do frequently. I'm so touched that these kids took the time to tell me what they thought of my book, make their own art, and send it to me.

Friend and fellow graphic novelist Jessica Ricole sewed Lu's jacket for me!!! And if you're wondering: yes, it's very cozy.

The giant moth on the wall is wonderfully on-theme

You may also know Jessica from the beautiful illustration she made for the Geozoology pre-order campaign. She's also nearly finished drawing her own debut graphic novel, Magie and the Soules, coming to a store near you in April 2027. What can't she do?

My pal Bren drew this jaw-droppingly gorgeous illustration of Lu, Ren, Shan, and ALL of the geofauna in the book. Even the giant pillbug!! The colors are so warm and inviting. I keep finding new and wonderful details every time I come back to it.

And even fogdog, who only gets a cameo as a journal entry in the back matter 😭

And because Bren likes to spoil me, they also made these staggeringly detailed polymer clay pins.

I once watched them make a pin from beginning to end and I STILL don't understand how they do it

My friend Beau, master of drawing cute things, drew cavioliths! They're so soothing to look at. So round. Platonic idea of caviolith.

Longtime internet friend Carolyn Paplham painted me this sweet scene way back when Geozoology was merely a pitch packet. (You can tell by the fact that she based it on Lu's original design.) I have this one hanging in my bedroom above my bookshelf.

This was the first fanart anyone ever made for Geozoology!

Longtime IRL friend Irene sent me this incredible birthday card which is essentially (and fittingly) a two-panel comic.

What's the cake made of? Big Axolotl doesn't want you to know.

You gotta admire the consistency in scale across the pages

In conclusion: I'm one lucky author!

BOOK BRIEF

My agent emailed me with some wonderful news: Lu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology was chosen as a 2026-2027 Vermont Golden Dome Book Award nominee! I hope the kids of Vermont like it as much as the Seven Stories Book Club kids.

I'm going to the American Library Association Annual Conference from June 26-29. Do any librarians read this newsletter? Please stop by the Artist Alley to say hi!

I did an interview with the lovely Barney Smith of Storycomic.

I'll be on "From Query to Bookshelf," a panel with fellow AANHPI authors Celeste Dador, Patricia Tamunihardja, and Sylvia Liu on May 29 at 7pm, at Loyalty Bookstores in Washington, DC.

ART TO GO

I made a lot of sketches on my recent trip to southern Africa, but I haven't yet gotten the chance to scan and compile them. In the meantime, here's a plein air gouache painting I made in Paarl:

The painting has clouds because I started it on a cloudy day and finished it on a sunny one

A DOSE OF DELIGHT

I'm starting a new section that features things I encounter in the world that made me smile and hopefully will make you smile, too. We all need more whimsy in our lives.

This piece about the collection of improvised bookmarks at Vienna Central Library

SquaMates, a podcast by a bunch of herpetologists who're pals who talk about, well, squamates. One of the hosts researches the tiniest known frog species in the world.

On the Trail of Bigfoot at the Library of Congress. Says it all in the title. I love the audio interview with the 17 year-old.

This oil painting of the Ladybirds of South Africa, complete with species guide.

CREATURE FEATURE

Babadook did not agree to incubating a clutch of cavioliths

You can now get a copy of Lu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology wherever books are sold! I recommend getting it from Bookshop.org or directly from your local independent bookstore.

RESOURCES FOR OUR TIMES

It’s a highly uncertain time right now, not least for our unhoused and our migrant neighbors. I urge everyone to inform themselves of their rights and their neighbors’ rights, and to be aware of what to do if you see someone being detained. Stay safe, and keep each other safe.

Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid (DC-MD-VA area) - look into mutual aid groups in your own communities
SALUTE zines (covers many major metropolitan areas in the US)
ACLU’s Know Your Rights
5 Calls
Gaza Soup Kitchen
Your local food bank

If you'd like to receive this newsletter in your inbox, subscribe below! If you’re inclined to throw a few dollars my way and you want exclusive/early access to what I'm working on, you can support me on Patreon. This newsletter, wherever it’s hosted, will remain free.