In this much-anticipated series opener, fate binds two Black teenagers together as they strike a dangerous alliance to hunt down the creature menacing their home—and uncover ancient deadly secrets.
We chat with debut author Ayana Gray about her YA fantasy release Beasts of Prey, along with book recommendations, writing, and more!
Hi, Ayana! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello! My name is Ayana and I am, among many things, a writer who loves story full of magic, and preferably monsters! I currently live in Little Rock, Arkansas with my family and my somewhat devious goldendoodle puppy, Dolly.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I’ve been telling stories for as long as I can remember, but started writing around age 8 or 9! I used to write in notebooks and journals, but felt a special thrill when I got to sit at the family desktop and type my stories onto the page!
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading!
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White! It was my first chapter book, and I remember feeling so proud after I’d finished it! I ran straight to my grandma to tell her all about it, and I was very deeply attached to it as a little girl. Even now, it has a special place in my heart.
Your debut novel, Beasts of Prey, is out September 28th 2021! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Monsters. Mythology. Magic. Melanin. Mystique.
What can readers expect?
Beasts of Prey is the amalgamation of basically all of my favorite young adult fantasy element. It follows two Black teens who enter a magical jungle to find a monster, but get much more than they bargained for. I love animals and mythical creatures, so you’ll see plenty of them along the way. There’s also a bit of an enemies-to-lovers dynamics at play, and some plot twists that you (hopefully) won’t see coming!
Where did the inspiration for Beasts of Prey come from?
The inspiration for Beasts of Prey came from a few different places actually! Firstly, I took a course in college called Political Violence where we grappled with notions of good and evil and I found that really striking. A few months later, I studied abroad in Ghana and was incredibly moved by the beautiful landscapes and deeply complicated history that I saw there. I’ve also always been incredibly struck by the infamous real-life story of The Tsavo Maneasters in East Africa.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
Sure! Beasts of Prey took nearly six years to write, and sticking with it for so long was definitely challenging. I think though, that the hardest thing for me was translating the story I so clearly saw in my head onto the page in a way that I felt did it justice. I don’t know if I’ve overcome that yet, but over the course of this journey I have learned how to love the things I write, rough edges and all.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
The first chapter of Beasts of Prey is from the perspective of a character named Adiah, and I loved writing her passages. Her voice came to me so distinctly and clearly, and I found writing her scenes incredibly fun! Writing the banter between Koffi and Ekon was also really great as sometimes I’d read things back to myself and make myself laugh. In those moments, the characters truly felt real to me.
What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
You know, my road to becoming a published author has been a long one, but I wouldn’t trade a moment of it. There have certainly been stumbling block, letdowns, and disappointments, but there have also been so many highs, moments of joy, and dreams come true. Along the way, I’ve met so many wonderful people, learned innumerable lessons, and I like to think I’ve even grown a bit as a human being.
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?
Best: “Don’t be afraid to let yourself write badly!” Growing up, I thought my first drafts had to be absolutely perfect, and there were so many stories I didn’t finish because I compared them to books by my favorite authors and thought they were awful. The truth? All first drafts are bad, and by design they’re supposed to be because that’s the time to get to know the story’s heart. Don’t strive for perfection, let yourself write badly. You can always revise later!
Worst: “Your fellow authors are your competition.” I saw this take on social media some time ago and thought it was pretty silly. The truth is that while there are going to always be authors who are writing for the same readership / audience that you are, you don’t have to compete with them. If readers love one kind of story, chances are they’ll be excited to read yours too because they want more of what they enjoy! All ships rise with the tide!
What’s next for you?
I’m contracted to write Books 2 and 3 in the Beasts of Prey trilogy, so I’ll be busy for the next few years! But, I do have a secret folder full of ideas, and every so often I drop something new into it or take a peek to see what ideas feel like they could one day become more…
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
It is a fabulous time to be reading young adult fantasy, there are so many great books coming out! Two that I’m so excited to see hit shelves are Little Thieves by Margaret Owen and Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood. If you can’t wait that long, my tried and true favorite is Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson!
