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Random House Secures Ayana Gray’s Debut Adult Novel, I, Medusa

In a competitive bidding war, Random House has successfully acquired I, Medusa, the first adult novel by Ayana Gray, known for her popular YA trilogy, Beasts of Prey. The deal was facilitated by Caitlin McKenna, the editorial director for fiction at Random House, who obtained North American rights for a two-book project from Pete Knapp at Park & Fine Literary Media. This highly anticipated novel is set to be released in the fall of 2025, with simultaneous publishing in the U.K. by Black & White. Gray’s writing has already reached a global audience, having been translated into ten languages, and the first book in her Beasts of Prey series, released in 2021, is currently in development with Netflix for a feature film adaptation.

I, Medusa is described as both a coming-of-age tale and a villain origin story, providing a fresh perspective on the legendary figure of Medusa. The narrative chronicles her life journey—from a young girl in search of acceptance to a teenager grappling with her sexuality amidst a toxic relationship, eventually leading to her adulthood where she faces societal judgment for a crime she did not commit. This transformation compels her to forge a new identity in a world that has expelled her.

Gray has expressed her long-standing fascination with Greco-Roman mythology, admitting that her initial understanding of Medusa was somewhat basic. A casual read eventually led her to discover conflicting interpretations of Medusa’s origins, intriguing her to explore how reimagining Medusa as a young Black woman could reshape her story and legacy. “My outlining process revealed that I could deeply relate to Medusa’s experience in a visceral way,” Gray noted in an interview with PW.

While many authors have revisited Greek myths, often through a feminist perspective, Gray’s interpretation caught McKenna’s attention for its distinct approach. “Many retellings tend to portray ancient settings as primarily white, but Ayana disrupts these narratives,” McKenna said. “Her Medusa must navigate a richly diverse Ancient Greece, reflecting a more accurate representation of that era, while contending with the implications of her identity.”

McKenna first learned about I, Medusa from a scout who informed her of the circulating manuscript. Notably, she had not previously worked with Knapp, Gray’s agent, so she quickly sought him out after being alerted. “Having been captivated by D’aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths during my childhood, I felt compelled to connect with Pete,” she reminisced, emphasizing how the manuscript drew her in from the very first page.

Knapp expressed his excitement about Random House being the chosen publisher, stating, “When Ayana met with the team, it became clear that they possessed the right vision and the necessary drive to present her powerful character, Medusa, to the world effectively.”

Although McKenna was unfamiliar with the Beasts of Prey series prior to this acquisition, she found Gray’s experience in young adult literature appealing. She remarked on how YA writers often bring a sense of urgency and emotional depth to their narratives, features she appreciates in adult fiction.

Gray concurred that her tenure in the young adult genre has honed her writing skills. “Working on three YA novels enhanced my ability to craft pacing and emotional resonance—skills I cherish in my adult writing,” she explained. “However, I value adult fiction for its capacity to delve into themes with greater nuance and moral complexity.”

Interestingly, Gray did not set out to write an adult novel with I, Medusa. “Initially, my goal was simply to tell the most authentic story that honored my vision of Medusa. As I progressed, it became clear that certain themes I aimed to address were not suitable for younger readers, leading to a natural evolution into adult fiction,” she elaborated.

Regardless of her target audience, Gray’s overarching goal is consistent: to explore the nuances of Blackness through a speculative framework. She relishes the imaginative potential of the genre, stating, “What I love most about speculative fiction is the freedom it grants to pose the question ‘what if?’”

Source
www.publishersweekly.com