U of A alumna Ayana Gray has written her own story in more ways than one. 

Originally from Atlanta, Gray relocated to Little Rock when she was 13 and has made a name for herself as a bestselling author, inspired — in part — by experiences and classes pursued at the U of A.

“I credit Fayetteville,” Gray said. “I don’t think I could have written Beasts of Prey without being in Fayetteville, because there were two things that happened on campus that impacted the story.”

Gray shares these experiences in the Short Takes episode “A Way With Words” and reflects on her time as a student.

“I came to the university with a lot of uncertainty, and having professors who said, ‘No, I see that you have talent, and I see you have something to contribute’ very early on really created a foundation that allowed me to believe in myself,” she said. “It really meant a lot to me to feel seen, valued and appreciated. When I come back to campus, I always think there’s a piece of my heart that’s always here. It’s like a time capsule of my life, and I come here, and I have a lot of reflection and nostalgia and genuine joy. I found some of my dearest friends and mentors because I came to the University of Arkansas.”

Beasts of Prey is a fictional tale that takes place in a Pan-African-inspired world and follows two Black teens named Koffi and Ekon who are pursuing a murderous creature in the depths of a magical jungle. African folklore is prominent throughout — a clear nod to the cultures Gray experienced while studying abroad -- and the story features three facets that Gray loves: monsters, mythos and magic. The first book debuted as No. 4 on the New York Times bestseller list for young adult hardcovers and picked up a bevy of “Best Book Picks” in 2021.

In 2022, Gray became the youngest alum ever to receive the Young Alumni Award from the Arkansas Alumni Association. In her visits back to campus, she regularly draws a crowd of students, faculty and staff — some who “knew her when” and some who didn’t — who want to celebrate her successes and hear her perspective on writing.

“When I get the chance to talk to students, what I emphasize is, ‘Don’t give up on your dreams,’” she said. “It took me five years to write my first book, and not a lot of people knew, but I’m so glad I didn’t give up on it, and I’m so glad I had good people around me to encourage me when I wanted to give up. It’s surreal when people are like, ‘I’ve read your book and I know who you are.’ I still feel like I’m just a kid from Little Rock at the end of the day.”

Gray’s experiences as a student and bestselling author are detailed in the university’s Determined story “A Way With Words.” 

For additional Short Takes videos, visit shorttakes.uark.edu. 

---

More Short Takes

Caught on Camera: Insects Edition U of A researchers have developed an insect trap prototype to help farmers identify potential pests more efficiently in order to protect valuable crops. Artificial intelligence identifies pests and sends data back to the farmers.

Determined to Succeed Erick Soto found a way to help other students as a mentor in the Freshman Commuter Student Success Program. Soto believes: “If you’re determined to succeed, I think you’ll accomplish anything you put yourself to.”

The Heart of Student Success at the U of A The Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence is passionate about helping students grow to meet the rigors of academic life. It’s a place where students work together to ensure success and create a sense of belonging.

---

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.