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Ayana Gray

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Ayana Gray
Gray at the 2022 Texas Book Festival
Gray at the 2022 Texas Book Festival
Born (1993-03-13) March 13, 1993 (age 31)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
OccupationNovelist
LanguageEnglish
EducationUniversity of Arkansas (BA)
Pulaski Academy
GenreFantasy, Children's literature
Years active2021–present
Notable worksBeasts of Prey
Website
ayanagray.com

Ayana Gray (born March 13, 1993) is an American author of young adult fiction. Her 2021 debut novel Beasts of Prey was a New York Times bestseller.[1][2][3]

Biography

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Gray was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and moved to Little Rock, Arkansas with her family at age thirteen, attending and graduating from Pulaski Academy.[4] Gray received her Bachelor of Arts in political science and African and African-American Studies from the University of Arkansas in 2015.[5][6]

Gray began writing her debut novel, Beasts of Prey, in May 2015, following her graduation.[7] In July 2020, Gray sold Beasts of Prey and two accompanying books to Putnam Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House.[8]

Beasts of Prey, the first installment in the eponymous trilogy, was published on September 28, 2021.[9] The story takes place in a Pan-African inspired world and follows two Black teens named Koffi and Ekon as they venture into a magical jungle to find and hunt down an ancient monster.[10][11][12] Beasts of Prey debuted at #4 on the New York Times bestseller list.[1] In 2021, it was announced that the book would be adapted into a feature film by Netflix,[13] with Clubhouse Pictures producing.[14][15]

Personal life

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Gray currently lives in Little Rock, Arkansas.[16][6] She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority[17]

Bibliography

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Beasts of Prey trilogy

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  • Beasts of Prey (2021) ISBN 9780593405703
  • Beasts of Ruin (2022) ISBN 9780593405734
  • Beasts of War (2024) ISBN 9780593405741

Awards & recognition

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  • 2022 Arkansas Center for the Book Selection
  • 2022 Georgia Center for the Book Selection

In March 2023, the Beasts of Prey series was chosen as the featured series for the "If All Arkansas Read the Same Book" event.[18]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Young Adult Hardcover Books - Best Sellers - Books - Oct. 17, 2021 - The New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  2. ^ "Ayana Gray to release second book in trilogy | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette". www.nwaonline.com. July 24, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  3. ^ "Ayana Gray On The Privilege Of Bringing Black Fantasy To The YA Page". Essence. March 15, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  4. ^ "HIGH PROFILE: Ayana Gray is living a writer's dream right now". Arkansas Online. December 12, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  5. ^ Enni, Sarah (September 30, 2021). "First Draft Episode #325: Ayana Gray". First Draft. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "UA grad Ayana Gray's debut novel "Beasts of Prey" being developed for Netflix". September 30, 2021.
  7. ^ America, Good Morning, Ayana Gray talks about debut novel, 'Beasts of Prey', retrieved January 6, 2022
  8. ^ Deahl |, Rachel. "Book Deals: Week of August 31, 2020". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  9. ^ "Exclusive: Ayana Gray Reveals the Cover of Her Buzzy YA Debut "Beasts of Prey"". Oprah Daily. March 4, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  10. ^ Brown, Alex (October 27, 2021). "Book Review: Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray". Tor.com. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  11. ^ BEASTS OF PREY | Kirkus Reviews.
  12. ^ Harlan, Jennifer (November 9, 2021). "4 New Y.A. Fantasy Novels Full of Dark, Enchanting Twists". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  13. ^ "Little Rock author Ayana Gray's 'Beasts of Prey' to become Netflix film | Arkansas Democrat Gazette". www.arkansasonline.com. September 27, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  14. ^ Galuppo, Mia (September 24, 2021). "Netflix Developing Fantasy Novel 'Beasts of Prey' for Film (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  15. ^ "Film on 'Beasts of Prey' in development at Netflix". Yahoo News. September 25, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  16. ^ "On the hunt: Little Rock author Ayana Gray's 'Beasts of Prey' tackles literal and metaphorical monsters in a pan-African fantasy setting". September 26, 2021.
  17. ^ "Meet Lillian Ayana Gray: B.A.S. Scholar | Arkansas Alumni Association's Blog".
  18. ^ "Ayana Gray's "Beasts of Prey" series chosen for 2023 "If All Arkansas Read the Same Book" program | Arkansas Democrat Gazette". www.arkansasonline.com. March 27, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
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