Huda Fahmy grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, and has loved comics since she was a kid. She attended the University of Michigan, where she majored in English. She taught English to middle and high schoolers for eight years before she started writing about her experiences as a visibly Muslim woman in America and was encouraged by her older sister to turn these stories into comics. Huda, her husband, Gehad, and their children reside in Houston, Texas.

I had the opportunity to interview Huda, which you can read below.

First of all, welcome back to Geeks OUT! For those unfamiliar, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Thank you for having me back! I’m geeked to be here! My name is Huda (like shoulda, coulda, woulda—Huda!) I’m the author and illustrator of the Huda F series and the internationally popular webcomic series Yes, I’m Hot in This. I taught English for eight years before changing career paths and becoming an author. 

What can you tell us about your latest project, Huda F Would Love You?  What was the inspiration for it?

HFWLY is the latest and final book in the Huda F series. It follows Huda, a young Muslim American girl who has freshly graduated from high school and is in her last semester of community college. She’s a card-carrying romantic and is ready to find love. This story was inspired by the many young people who are just getting their first taste of independence. They are vulnerable and many times unfamiliar with what healthy relationships look like—whether romantic or platonic. And so, while on their path to finding love and belonging, red flags are overlooked or brushed off, often to their own detriment. So, I wrote HFWLY to help audiences read what I wish I’d read when I was younger. 

As a creative, what drew you to the art of storytelling, especially graphic novels/comics?

I’ve been a storyteller since I was five. And I’ve loved comics for almost as long. I loved sharing the events of my day with my mom and sisters. The joy of setting up the final reveal was always my favorite part. Whether with a laugh or a little introspection, whoever was listening was gonna leave there with something. And getting to add illustrations to that is just the cherry on top. I learned to speak/read English by studying the Sunday funnies. I was drawn—ha!—to comics. Even at a young age, I could tell they were accessible, entertaining, and educational. It feels very full circle that I get to write and draw comics for a living. 

How would you describe your creative process?

Slow, but in hindsight, very fulfilling. It begins with brainstorming and sharing ideas with friends and family. When an idea really starts to take hold, I write a summary of the whole story, then an outline and script. After edits, I begin thumbnails and sketches. After more edits, I begin inking. I have an amazing colorist (shout out to Weinye Chen!) and then it’s off to edits again. The whole process takes a couple years before it’s out in the world. So, yeah…slow but fulfilling. 

What are some of your favorite elements of writing/illustrating? What do you consider some of the most frustrating and/or difficult? 

One of my favorite elements of writing/illustrating is getting to see something go from start to finish. The fulfillment I feel when I finish a story is indescribable! And every time I finish a book and get to hold it in my hands, I get to celebrate. What an accomplishment! Despite the voices in my head telling me I’m no good, I did the thing! And the most frustrating element is that when you’re forced to be creative to meet a deadline, it becomes work. I end up having to do something else completely unrelated to drawing or writing to keep my love for creating from souring (I’ve so far done ceramics and cake decorating!).

As a creative, who or what would you say are some of your greatest creative influences and/or sources of inspiration in general?

Some of my greatest creative influences include Bill Watterson and Gary Larson. Their sense of humor and art can always get me out of a creative funk. I am also inspired by the amazing graphic novel and comics community, including Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud. And because I am a self-taught artist, I find creative influence from watching educational drawing tutorials on YouTube and Instagram.

What advice might you have to give for aspiring storytellers out there?

My advice would be don’t be intimidated by the need for perfection. Find and read books on craft and storytelling. Watch YouTube videos on craft and storytelling (more specifically for the genre you’re interested in writing). Storytelling is a skill that needs to be continuously developed. Even established authors are constantly trying to improve by studying. Being an avid reader makes you a better writer!

Are there any other projects you are working on and at liberty to speak about?

I have a short graphic story coming out in the We Need Diverse Books horror anthology, Monster Moon Rising, coming out Summer 2027. And I’m working on my next graphic novel series, Fang Files, that follows a young Muslim boy who wakes up to discover he is a vampire.

Finally, what books/authors would you recommend to the readers of GeeksOUT? 

Buckle up! Here are my current favs: 

• Jasminne Mendez—The Story of My Anger
• Shifa Saltagi Safadi—Sisters Alone
• Sharee Miller—Curlfriends
• Tony Weaver—Weirdo
• Betty C. Tang—Parachute Kids
• Malaka Gharib—It Won’t Always Be Like This
• Jarrett Krosozcka—Hey, Kiddo! 
• Sara Alfageeh—Squire
• MS Masood—The Unnamed 
• Sarah Mughal–Dawn of the Firebird
• SK Ali—Fledgling/Golden Flight
• Pedro Martin—MexiKid
• Heba Al-Wasity—Weavingshaw