Jay Hosler’s Cushi, A Graphic Novel About Ants, From HarperAlley

Cushi is a brand new graphic novel written and drawn by biology professor Jay Hosler, recognized for earlier works corresponding to Clan Apis, The Sandwalk Adventures, and Optical Allusions. Cushi, which follows a cartoon ant born right into a colony of leafcutter ants and examines how we search to grasp the pure world with the tales we inform each other, has been picked up by Andrew Arnold at HarperAlley for publication within the winter of 2024. Jay Hosler’s agent Judith Hansen at Hansen Literary Management negotiated the deal.

Jay Hosler, an entomologist and affiliate professor of biology at Juniata College, is a Xeric Foundation Award winner for Clan Apis – or The Way Of The Hive – which adopted the lifetime of a honey bee named Nyuki. The Sandwalk Adventures, an Eisner Award nominee, follows a dialog about evolution between Charles Darwin and a follicle mite residing in his left eyebrow. Optical Allusions, which acquired a National Science Foundation grant, explains the evolution of the attention and imaginative and prescient by following the story of Wrinkles the Wonderbrain. Hosler says “I write and draw graphic novels that focus on natural history, evolution, and insects. Lots and lots of insects. My goal is to use the compelling visual power of comics to illustrate the alien worlds that often go unnoticed and unappreciated.”

Back in January last year, he tweeted, “Finishing book about ants featuring my little red ant Cushi. Publisher likes it, would like more ants. Already features leafcutters, army ants, others. Originally wanted to include weaver ants, but ranges don’t overlap. Is adding weavers an inexcusable inaccuracy, forgivable fiction in service to the wonder of ants, or something else? Need to be in a tree for story reasons. Any feedback, admonition, or absolution would be appreciated.” Looks like he obtained the solutions he wanted.

HarperAlley is a graphic novel imprint launched from HarperCollins Children’s Books beneath the route of former artwork director and buying editor at First Second, Andrew Arnold final yr, described as a “collaborative, creator-focused publisher” that can specialise in graphic novels for “readers of all ages.” The new line is “looking to publish books that readers of all ages can enjoy, from the youngest readers to teens and adults. We believe that a good story is a story that any reader can relate to. That’s what we mean when we say “readers of all ages.” HarperAlley is seeking to publish about ten books a season, or about thirty books a yr and is considered one of quite a lot of mainstream e book publishers that has been quickly rising the variety of graphic novels for youthful readers.