Esme Symes-Smith's Avatar

Esme Symes-Smith

@esmesymessmith.bsky.social

USA Today Bestselling Author of SIR CALLIE, Random House Kids https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2263444/esme-symes-smith/ They/Them Rep: @jenazantian.bsky.social

567 Followers  |  472 Following  |  158 Posts  |  Joined: 19.01.2025
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Posts by Esme Symes-Smith (@esmesymessmith.bsky.social)

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Ice Out.

30.01.2026 16:02 — 👍 5    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0

@esmesymessmith.bsky.social hitting us with the best news this morning ahhhh can't wait to hear more about this new trilogy!! 📚🎉💖

Also just put on hold the book they suggested~

(This is your sign to subscribe to their newsletter <3 )

11.01.2026 18:40 — 👍 5    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
A grayscale digital sketch of Callie hugging Edwyn while he’s holding a cup of hot cocoa from the Sir Callie series by Esme Symes-Smith. Callie is smiling as their face is squished against his arm, & Edwyn looks surprised by the sudden hug, though has a slight smile on his face.

A grayscale digital sketch of Callie hugging Edwyn while he’s holding a cup of hot cocoa from the Sir Callie series by Esme Symes-Smith. Callie is smiling as their face is squished against his arm, & Edwyn looks surprised by the sudden hug, though has a slight smile on his face.

Like this? :)

#FanArt #SirCallie

11.01.2026 17:54 — 👍 7    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0

😭😭😭😭💚💚💚💚

14.01.2026 03:59 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Omg give this child a hug and a hot chocolate!!

09.01.2026 05:27 — 👍 5    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
A digital, fullbody, illustration of my interpretation of Edwyn from the Sir Callie book series by Esme Symes-Smith, more heavily based on the series’ descriptions the character. Edwyn is a 12 year old boy with short, wavy, messy brown hair that’s sort of still slicked back; a several locks have come undone & fallen in his face. He has snowy pale skin, blue eyes, & a fresh scar across his farthest cheek. He’s wearing a deep scarlet red tunic with a gold trim, a golden pin on his chest, a dull & off-white undershirt, & dull brown belt, gloves, boots, & pants. He stands defensively, looking at the viewer with tensed brows, whilst wielding a dark & dull, but very pointy, sword. Edwyn stands against a sea glass green background, framed by a darker sea glass green rectangle, which is decorated with four-pointed stars, taken from the Sir Callie logo, at each corner, & triangular pointed shapes; the frame coincidentally resembles a fantasy spellbook.

A digital, fullbody, illustration of my interpretation of Edwyn from the Sir Callie book series by Esme Symes-Smith, more heavily based on the series’ descriptions the character. Edwyn is a 12 year old boy with short, wavy, messy brown hair that’s sort of still slicked back; a several locks have come undone & fallen in his face. He has snowy pale skin, blue eyes, & a fresh scar across his farthest cheek. He’s wearing a deep scarlet red tunic with a gold trim, a golden pin on his chest, a dull & off-white undershirt, & dull brown belt, gloves, boots, & pants. He stands defensively, looking at the viewer with tensed brows, whilst wielding a dark & dull, but very pointy, sword. Edwyn stands against a sea glass green background, framed by a darker sea glass green rectangle, which is decorated with four-pointed stars, taken from the Sir Callie logo, at each corner, & triangular pointed shapes; the frame coincidentally resembles a fantasy spellbook.

A cropped, close up image of Edwyn's face; the fresh scar on his farthest cheek, his roughed up brow, his messy hair, & his blue eyes are easier to see in this image.

A cropped, close up image of Edwyn's face; the fresh scar on his farthest cheek, his roughed up brow, his messy hair, & his blue eyes are easier to see in this image.

And here’s an extra messy-haired version of Edwyn for the moments in the story his hair probably wouldn’t look so put together anymore!

(This is probably my favorite version of his hair out of the three, I think the messiness suits him!)

27.12.2025 19:07 — 👍 4    🔁 3    💬 2    📌 0
A digital drawing of my interpretation of the page pin from Sir Callie, which looks like "two snarling dogs rearing up on either side of a tower topped with a crown."

A digital drawing of my interpretation of the page pin from Sir Callie, which looks like "two snarling dogs rearing up on either side of a tower topped with a crown."

Almost forgot! I did actually design the page pin Edwyn wears (it's a little hard to see, but he *is* wearing it in the art above!)

I drew this before drawing the goofy-looking tiny version on him so I'd have an idea of what to do! Might adjust the detailed design later, but I think it looks nice!

27.12.2025 20:45 — 👍 3    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
A digital, fullbody, illustration of my interpretation of Edwyn from the Sir Callie book series by Esme Symes-Smith, more heavily based on the series’ descriptions the character. Edwyn is a 12 year old boy with short, wavy, neat brown hair that’s been slicked back. He has snowy pale skin, blue eyes, & a fresh scar across his farthest cheek. He’s wearing a deep scarlet red tunic with a gold trim, a golden pin on his chest, a dull & off-white undershirt, & dull brown belt, gloves, boots, & pants. He stands defensively, looking away with tensed brows, whilst wielding a dark & dull, but very pointy, sword. Edwyn stands against a brown background, framed by a darker brown rectangle, which is decorated with four-pointed stars, taken from the Sir Callie logo, at each corner, & triangular pointed shapes; the frame coincidentally resembles a fantasy spellbook.

A digital, fullbody, illustration of my interpretation of Edwyn from the Sir Callie book series by Esme Symes-Smith, more heavily based on the series’ descriptions the character. Edwyn is a 12 year old boy with short, wavy, neat brown hair that’s been slicked back. He has snowy pale skin, blue eyes, & a fresh scar across his farthest cheek. He’s wearing a deep scarlet red tunic with a gold trim, a golden pin on his chest, a dull & off-white undershirt, & dull brown belt, gloves, boots, & pants. He stands defensively, looking away with tensed brows, whilst wielding a dark & dull, but very pointy, sword. Edwyn stands against a brown background, framed by a darker brown rectangle, which is decorated with four-pointed stars, taken from the Sir Callie logo, at each corner, & triangular pointed shapes; the frame coincidentally resembles a fantasy spellbook.

A cropped, close up image of Edwyn's face; the fresh scar on his farthest cheek, his roughed up brow, & his blue eyes are easier to see in this image.

A cropped, close up image of Edwyn's face; the fresh scar on his farthest cheek, his roughed up brow, & his blue eyes are easier to see in this image.

A digital, fullbody, illustration of my interpretation of Edwyn from the Sir Callie book series by Esme Symes-Smith, more heavily based on the series’ descriptions the character. Edwyn is a 12 year old boy with short, wavy, neat brown hair that’s mostly slicked back; a few locks have come undone & fallen in his face. He has snowy pale skin, blue eyes, & a fresh scar across his farthest cheek. He’s wearing a deep scarlet red tunic with a gold trim, a golden pin on his chest, a dull & off-white undershirt, & dull brown belt, gloves, boots, & pants. He stands defensively, looking away with tensed brows, whilst wielding a dark & dull, but very pointy, sword. Edwyn stands against a sea glass green background, framed by a darker sea glass green rectangle, which is decorated with four-pointed stars, taken from the Sir Callie logo, at each corner, & triangular pointed shapes; the frame coincidentally resembles a fantasy spellbook.

A digital, fullbody, illustration of my interpretation of Edwyn from the Sir Callie book series by Esme Symes-Smith, more heavily based on the series’ descriptions the character. Edwyn is a 12 year old boy with short, wavy, neat brown hair that’s mostly slicked back; a few locks have come undone & fallen in his face. He has snowy pale skin, blue eyes, & a fresh scar across his farthest cheek. He’s wearing a deep scarlet red tunic with a gold trim, a golden pin on his chest, a dull & off-white undershirt, & dull brown belt, gloves, boots, & pants. He stands defensively, looking away with tensed brows, whilst wielding a dark & dull, but very pointy, sword. Edwyn stands against a sea glass green background, framed by a darker sea glass green rectangle, which is decorated with four-pointed stars, taken from the Sir Callie logo, at each corner, & triangular pointed shapes; the frame coincidentally resembles a fantasy spellbook.

A cropped, close up image of Edwyn's face; the fresh scar on his farthest cheek, his roughed up brow, the hair in his face, his blue eyes are easier to see in this image.

A cropped, close up image of Edwyn's face; the fresh scar on his farthest cheek, his roughed up brow, the hair in his face, his blue eyes are easier to see in this image.

Here's my interpretation of Edwyn from Book 1 of the Sir Callie series!

He turned out pretty different than I thought he would, going in a unique direction with his hair, but I really like what I came up with!

#FanArt #CharacterDesign #SirCallie #Asexual #Fantasy #FantasyCharacter #QueerBooks

27.12.2025 19:02 — 👍 9    🔁 4    💬 2    📌 0

I'M OBSESSED!!

10.12.2025 04:26 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
A digital comic page depicting a scene between Callie & Elowen from Sir Callie and The Champions of Helston by Esme Symes-Smith. The text at the top reads, “Sir Callie and The Champions of Helston. Chapter 15, Page 171. Dialogue & characters by Esme Symes-Smith. Art by Rachel Martin, @CartoonCreatureLover. The comic begins with Elowen looking down at Callie, who is looking up at her while covering up an open blank-paged sketchbook, as she sets a plate of biscuits on the desk. Elowen says, “Take a break. You look exhausted. You must’ve been studying since dawn.” Callie says, “Haha.” & thinks, “But I feel it too. Must be something in the weather.” They yawn & put a biscuit in their mouth, getting lost in their thoughts as they chew, thinking, “Lemon. Score. Or maybe it’s all those late nights finally catching up with me. Either way—” Elowen interrupts their thought, startling them with her cold hand pressed against their forehead; she says, “Well, you’re not feverish. But you do look pale.” Callie scoots away from her, their cheeks reddened & less pale than before, saying, “Rude.” but thinks, “Usually I hate being fussed over, but apparently I mind it a whole lot less when it’s Elowen.” Elowen looks down at them annoyed, her hand pulled back from their forehead.

A digital comic page depicting a scene between Callie & Elowen from Sir Callie and The Champions of Helston by Esme Symes-Smith. The text at the top reads, “Sir Callie and The Champions of Helston. Chapter 15, Page 171. Dialogue & characters by Esme Symes-Smith. Art by Rachel Martin, @CartoonCreatureLover. The comic begins with Elowen looking down at Callie, who is looking up at her while covering up an open blank-paged sketchbook, as she sets a plate of biscuits on the desk. Elowen says, “Take a break. You look exhausted. You must’ve been studying since dawn.” Callie says, “Haha.” & thinks, “But I feel it too. Must be something in the weather.” They yawn & put a biscuit in their mouth, getting lost in their thoughts as they chew, thinking, “Lemon. Score. Or maybe it’s all those late nights finally catching up with me. Either way—” Elowen interrupts their thought, startling them with her cold hand pressed against their forehead; she says, “Well, you’re not feverish. But you do look pale.” Callie scoots away from her, their cheeks reddened & less pale than before, saying, “Rude.” but thinks, “Usually I hate being fussed over, but apparently I mind it a whole lot less when it’s Elowen.” Elowen looks down at them annoyed, her hand pulled back from their forehead.

I’ve been wanting to try making comics for YEARS now, & FINALLY got around to cleaning up one of my MANY notecard thumbnails; this one adapting a piece of what’s probably my favorite chapter in Book 1 of Sir Callie!

(Part 1 of, maybe, 6? We’ll see!)

#FanArt #SirCallie #Comic #FanComic #QueerBooks

08.12.2025 18:50 — 👍 6    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0

Just finished Sir Callie and the Final Stand by @esmesymessmith.bsky.social with my partner last night and wow...what the perfect conclusion to the series 💕 One of the last scenes, gosh did it remind me of myself and my partner 🥺
I'm so proud of you, Esme! 4 books of pure amazingness. 💖

08.12.2025 15:01 — 👍 4    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0

Um excuse me I need EVERYONE to read and appreciate this thread! The level of detail in this comic is astronomical (and way more historically accurate than my writing!!) I'm in awe!!

10.12.2025 04:25 — 👍 6    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

First step of many down!

05.12.2025 00:02 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Is it the one where Callie is feeling gross and menstrual, and El turns up to flirt?

04.12.2025 22:28 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

(It's been a REALLY good day)

04.12.2025 22:27 — 👍 15    🔁 0    💬 2    📌 0

Oh my god 👀👀👀👀

02.12.2025 23:51 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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a cartoon cat is surrounded by hearts and the words mwah ALT: a cartoon cat is surrounded by hearts and the words mwah
02.12.2025 20:23 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A graphic reading SIR CALLIE AND THE GRAPHIC NOVEL YOU NEVER KNEW YOU NEEDED on a rainbow backdrop with Callie, an orange haired tween wielding a sword

A graphic reading SIR CALLIE AND THE GRAPHIC NOVEL YOU NEVER KNEW YOU NEEDED on a rainbow backdrop with Callie, an orange haired tween wielding a sword

Pitching something exciting to my agent on Thursday with @mddoodles.bsky.social
Good vibes please!
#sircallie

02.12.2025 20:23 — 👍 21    🔁 5    💬 9    📌 2

I'm so glad you enjoyed them!!

02.12.2025 20:16 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Ive now read the last 2 books of @esmesymessmith.bsky.social’s Sir Callie series! Got em both read today! Whew, what a journey it all was to read. So good. When it comes to some of the books I read, Im left yearning desperately for more. With the series concluded, that is not the case. Everything

19.11.2025 02:51 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 2    📌 0

I really loved the audiobook of Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston by Esme Symes- Smith. It’s a middle school age series, but super poignant and fun to listen to. It focuses a lot on identity and fighting against a world not built for marginalized people.

30.11.2025 07:37 — 👍 5    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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I’ve been WAITING for this moment!! Sir Callie and the Final Stand has arrived! ⚔️ 🐉
And it’s signed! :D

#SirCallie #EsmeSymesSmith #SirCallieAndTheChampionsOfHelston

30.11.2025 06:38 — 👍 6    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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Thank you for having me @ncte.org !

23.11.2025 03:54 — 👍 8    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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6 New LGBTQ-Inclusive Middle Grade Books - Mombian Want new LGBTQ-inclusive middle grade books? We've got them! These titles include the latest from the award-winning Alex Gino, plus two drag-themed novels, sequels in two magical adventure series, and...

Want new LGBTQ-inclusive middle grade books? We’ve got them! These titles include the latest from the award-winning Alex Gino, plus two drag-themed novels, sequels in two magical adventure series, and an inclusive non-fiction title about body literacy. Reviews: mombian.com/2025/11/06/6... #BookSky

06.11.2025 13:03 — 👍 6    🔁 5    💬 1    📌 0
A digital, fullbody, illustration of my interpretation of Elowen from the Sir Callie book series by Esme Symes-Smith, more heavily based on the series’ descriptions the character. Elowen is a 12 year old girl with long, wavy, neat brown hair; a lighter blue bow ties it together into a contained low ponytail. She has snowy pale skin, icy blue eyes, & very faint freckles on her nose. She’s wearing a navy blue ribbon around her neck like a choker necklace, a matching implified, navy blue, sleeveless, cotehardie-inspired overdress with a long sleeved, cerulean blue, coteharder-inspired underdress, an off-white apron over her dress skirts, lighter blue tights or socks that peek out beneath her long skirts, & 14th century inspired, black, leather, flat shoes. She stands confidently, smiling, one hand on her hip & the other holds up a magic flame. Elowen stands against a sky blue background, framed by a darker sky blue rectangle, which is decorated with four-pointed stars, taken from the Sir Callie logo, at each corner, & triangular pointed shapes; the frame coincidentally resembles a fantasy spellbook.

A digital, fullbody, illustration of my interpretation of Elowen from the Sir Callie book series by Esme Symes-Smith, more heavily based on the series’ descriptions the character. Elowen is a 12 year old girl with long, wavy, neat brown hair; a lighter blue bow ties it together into a contained low ponytail. She has snowy pale skin, icy blue eyes, & very faint freckles on her nose. She’s wearing a navy blue ribbon around her neck like a choker necklace, a matching implified, navy blue, sleeveless, cotehardie-inspired overdress with a long sleeved, cerulean blue, coteharder-inspired underdress, an off-white apron over her dress skirts, lighter blue tights or socks that peek out beneath her long skirts, & 14th century inspired, black, leather, flat shoes. She stands confidently, smiling, one hand on her hip & the other holds up a magic flame. Elowen stands against a sky blue background, framed by a darker sky blue rectangle, which is decorated with four-pointed stars, taken from the Sir Callie logo, at each corner, & triangular pointed shapes; the frame coincidentally resembles a fantasy spellbook.

A cropped, close up image of Elowen's face; her faint nose freckles & icy blue eyes are easier to see in this image.

A cropped, close up image of Elowen's face; her faint nose freckles & icy blue eyes are easier to see in this image.

Here's my interpretation of Elowen from Book 1 of the Sir Callie series!

She turned out so pretty! (And was faster to finish than the others so far, probably because I didn't have to draw her legs, lol!)

#FanArt #CharacterDesign #SirCallie #Lesbian #Fantasy #FantasyCharacter #QueerBooks

24.10.2025 17:18 — 👍 10    🔁 6    💬 1    📌 0

I LOVE HER!!

31.10.2025 21:14 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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a baby wearing a penguins jersey holds up his fist in the air ALT: a baby wearing a penguins jersey holds up his fist in the air
31.10.2025 21:14 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Omg I haven't!!

31.10.2025 21:13 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

I cannot express enough how truly masterful the Sir Callie series by @esmesymessmith.bsky.social is. I need an animated cartoon adaptation! Like it hits all of the points needed to tell a fantastic story, I cant wait to read books 3 & 4! Read books 1 and 2 today online via the local public library!

30.10.2025 03:02 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 2    📌 1

Friend, I'm CRYING! Thank you so so much!! I'm so beyond happy you enjoy it!

31.10.2025 18:23 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0