The Neotenic Queen

About the Author

Alejandro Canelos

Alejandro Canelos was born in Nogales, Sonora and raised in Tucson. He earned a BA in Biology from Harvard in 1992. His second story collection, Hunters and Thieves (Neotenic), was published in early 2023. In his spare time, he plays drums professionally—freelance, all styles—and sings tenor II in two community choirs. He enjoys hiking, mountain biking, cheering on the UA Wildcats, jazz, and spending time with his family.

About the Illustrator

Rachel Ivanyi

Rachel Ivanyi is one of those strange people who like the smell of formaldehyde. It takes her back to the early days of working in a museum lab. She is at home among the preserved and mounted critters. She applies both her scientific and artistic training, giving animals everlasting life through art and bringing attention to environmental issues. Rachel received a BS in Zoology from U.C. Davis and Graduate Certification in Natural Science Illustration from U.C. Santa Cruz. Many of her paintings have been exhibited across the U.S. and internationally and are part of permanent collections, both public and private. Her illustration clients include National Geographic, Scientific American, and nature institutions around the world. Having taught a wide variety of nature art classes over the course of her 25+ year career, she is currently a core instructor for the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute. When she’s not in her art studio, you will likely find her looking for reptiles, dancing, or hanging with her family.