Ayana Gray Newsletter: Fall 2023
Hello there!
If you read my last newsletter, you already know that I am a verifiable sweet summer child, but if I’m honest, the older I get, the more fond I am of autumn too. Arkansas is rather famed for its incredibly vibrant autumnal landscapes, and all across the state you’ll see an abundance of pumpkin patches, hay rides, and apple cider-spiced air. It won’t truly cool down here until November, but the relief from the heat is very welcomed!
In my personal life, I’ve just returned from a mini-roadtrip to St. Louis with Puddin’ and had a wonderful time exploring a new place. We visited the famous Gateway Arch and Museum, then rambled around the national park grounds for hours. St. Louis is an incredibly old and historic city, and it definitely left me with plenty of material for my “Ideas” folder.
Professionally, a lot has happened too! First, Beasts of Ruin came out in paperback in August! If you haven’t read the series yet, now is the perfect time to catch up before Beasts of War comes out in just 3 short months (whoo!).
Speaking of Beasts of War, I am not quite allowed to share specifics yet, BUT, two important updates:
I will be going on a U.S. tour — stops will be announced soon!
There will be gifts for all those who preorder and submit your receipts — more details coming soon!
I have some other really exciting news to share about the series as a whole, but I’m being asked to hold off on sharing just a little longer! Fingers crossed I’m allowed to announce soon, and know that when I am you will be the very first to know!
This Fall I also went on two different writing retreats, one to Alaska and Canada, and one to Northern Michigan. These were vastly different retreats, but both were incredibly fun and so inspiring. Writing is mostly a solitary job, and I so treasure fellowship with other authors. I also continue to count myself so fortunate that my job has allowed me to travel the world and see so many beautiful places. Photos below!
As for the rest of the year, I don’t have any more official public events lined up, but I will be heading to Charleston for YALLfest in November. This is a children’s book festival that I’ve participated in for the last 2 years, but this year I’m just coming to see friends and readers and eat delicious food. If you plan to be there and happen to see me, please don’t be shy! I’m happy to sign books too, if you happen to have them!
Writing Advice
Normally, this is a place where I wax poetic about something writing-related that’s on my mind. Instead, this season, I’d really like to plug a writing/publishing podcast I have been obsessed with for the last few months. It’s called The Publishing Rodeo (hosts: Scott Drakeford and Sunyi Dean), and to date it is the most transparent and honest podcast about author life that I have found. So often at conferences and workshops, I hear very curated and poetic discussions about art and craft et cetera. I see far fewer discussions about things like foreign rights, how to afford living as an author, and what to do when your career as a writer doesn’t go as planned. If you are really serious about becoming an author (or if you are an author and want more transparent info!) I highly recommend this one! It’s FULL of great insights!
What I’m Reading
My tastes went all over this place this fall, but I am always drawn to transportive stories with a deep sense of place and magic brimming just beneath the surface. Whether you like young adult, middle grade, or adult fantasy books, here are four fantasy novels I am obsessed with. (Apologies, What the River Knows isn’t out until Oct. 31 and Faebound isn’t out until Jan. 16 but you can preorder both!)