R.M. Gray, a Waco native, is garnering attention in the literary world with her debut young adult fantasy novel, Nightweaver. Released earlier this month, the book has quickly become a favorite among readers, described as a unique blend of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Downton Abbey,” all with a gothic, magical twist.
Gray, who appeared on We Are Austin to discuss her book, explained the novel’s premise: it follows 17-year-old pirate Aster Oberon, who must team up with her enemy to avenge her brother’s death. The story combines traditional fantasy elements with pirate lore and a touch of the supernatural.
“I love blending fantasy with pirate lore, so you’ve got a good mix of traditional fantasy elements with pirates, and sort of like… vampires,” Gray shared during her interview.
Since its release, Nightweaver has soared to success, quickly earning a spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Gray expressed her excitement, saying, “It’s an instant New York Times bestseller, which is a dream come true. It’s been very exciting.”
The process of writing Nightweaver was both challenging and rewarding for Gray. “The challenge of it is you’re setting up a world, so you’re having to work out a lot of details and keep track of a lot of different things,” she explained. “But it’s also really fun because you’re free to choose all of those details, and you really have to commit to them.”
Initially planning to self-publish, Gray’s journey took an unexpected turn when she was offered a publishing deal. For aspiring authors, she offers valuable advice: “Write what you love. You’re going to spend the most time with the book that you’re writing. You’re going to read it a million times, so make sure it’s something you really love. If you really love it, you’re going to be passionate about it, and you’re not going to be able to stop thinking about it. That’s the most important thing—to finish something!”
Gray is also set to host an upcoming event at BookPeople in Austin, where fans will have the chance to meet the author and discuss her new book.
As Nightweaver continues to capture the hearts of readers, Gray’s talent for weaving magic and adventure into a gripping story is clear—and it’s just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting literary career.
