Home » Media Kit

Media Kit

Malayna Evans. Author. Historian. Storyteller.

Download Hi Res Photo Download Short Bio Download Long Bio

MEDIA CONTACT
Cristina Arreola
cristina.arreola@sourcebooks.com

CONTACT INFO
malaynaevans22@gmail.com
www.malaynaevans.com

Represented by: Liza Fleissig

About Malayna

Long Bio:

Malayna Evans was raised in Utah and spent her childhood climbing mountains and reading Sci-Fi. She moved to Chicago in her early twenties where she earned MAs in the ancient history of the Mediterranean and the Near East and a PhD in ancient Egyptian history from the University of Chicago.

Malayna is enthusiastic about sharing her passion for ancient history and the plights of women throughout history with readers. Her debut adult historical fiction novel, Neferura: The Pharaoh’s Daughter, has earned praise from trade pubs and readers alike.

A single mom with two kids and two feisty Frenchies, Malayna lives in Oak Park, IL. She spends much of her time writing — and balancing her writing with kids and career — but she’s “mature” enough to have wandered through Havana with her kids, shopped the souks of Bangkok and Istanbul, eaten her way through Italy, enjoyed deep sea diving in Bermuda, and, of course, trekked the ruins of Egypt. She loves (e)meeting new people so reach out to her on Twitter, Instagram or Goodreads or visit her at www.malaynaevans.com

Malayna enjoys interviews and visiting book clubs, bookstores, and libraries. Email her here to schedule.

Short bio:

Malayna Evans was raised in Utah and spent her childhood climbing mountains and reading Sci-Fi. She moved to Chicago in her early twenties where she earned M.A.s in the ancient history of the Mediterranean and the Near East and a Ph.D. in ancient Egyptian history. She enjoys sharing her passion for the ancient world with readers, adores travel, and plays a mean game of cards. A single mom, Malayna lives in Oak Park, IL, with her two children and two very spoiled Frenchies. You can learn more about her at malaynaevans.com.

Download Hi Res Cover

Title by Malayna Evans
Published by Sourcebooks Landmark
February 13, 2024
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1728278724
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1728278728
Approx. 368 pages
Available at: Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google, and more

The Book

There are many paths to power.

They all come with a price.

Neferura, princess and high priestess of Kemet, knows her duty is to her people. When your mother is the great Pharaoh, it is hard to forget. But Neferura’s unique position at court comes with high stakes for her country, especially when she’s forced to serve her vile half-brother, a man determined to stop Neferura’s potential rise.

Peace, it seems, never lasts for women who wield power in the open. Especially when they cross a vengeful man.

When Neferura overhears Thutmose’s plot to end her mother’s rule, she knows he must be stopped, no matter the cost. The discovery of a mysterious tattooed wisewoman and her shadowy network of spies offers an uneasy alliance. But the wisewoman wields more power than Neferura knew possible — power with the potential to rival her own. Neferura must decide where her loyalties lie and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to protect the people she loves before everything crumbles at the hands of a tyrant.

Download Excerpt

Learn about Malayna’s middle grade work here.

Reviews

“Historian Evans channels her knowledge of Egyptology into a gripping political drama of Egypt's 18th Dynasty...[and] seamlessly integrates vivid period details into the clever and tense plot.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“Part coming-of-age story, part political period drama...Hatshepsut's personal journey is compelling [with its] combination of court intrigue, a light romance, and a feminist focus...historical fiction fans who miss the heyday of royal novels full of court intrigue will be glad to see this book.”
LIBRARY JOURNAL

“The narrative is filled with murder, intrigue, and scandal, presenting Neferura with the dilemma of choosing between familial loyalty or carving out her own path, mirroring the strength and power her mother showed to become pharaoh. Evans infuses the novel with rich and historically accurate details that will transport readers to ancient Egypt.”
BOOKLIST

“Neferura by Malayna Evans explores the tense political landscape of Ancient Egypt through the eyes of Neferura, princess and high priestess of Kemet. Neferura's story is excellently researched and I especially enjoyed Evans' close attention to detail, demonstrating her impressive knowledge and background in Egyptology.”
ROSIE HEWLETTAuthor of Medusa and The Witch of Colchis

“An insightful and timely tale of female power...Evans' deft and illuminating book shows us little has changed in three and a half thousand years. How do women wield power? In the shadows, like scorpions. With cunning and guile and through alliance and solidarity. She shows us true power is not found in dominating others but in the simple freedom to live and love as you choose.”
NIKKI MARMERYAuthor Lilith

“Set in Ancient Egypt, Neferura plunges the reader into a fascinating world of unfamiliar beliefs, traditions, and social mores. At the same time, its focus on the trifecta of power, ambition, and desire feels very modern indeed. As Neferura surrounds herself with potential allies, she must struggle to decide whom she can trust -- with her kingdom, her love, and in the highest stakes of all, her life. A compelling and intriguing read.”
LIZ MICHALSKIAuthor of Darling Girl

“This fast-paced novel takes us through the illustrious 18th Dynasty of Egypt's New Kingdom when a woman pharaoh sought to have her daughter succeed her on the throne! This tale, both murder mystery and love story, shares a coming-of-age story in which the power of women's friendships, women's wisdom, and women's autonomy combine in the surprising conclusion.”
SOLANGE ASHBY, Ph.D.Egyptologist and Nubiologist

“A lively re-imagining of one of the most intriguing women of ancient history, all set in the context of the author's deep knowledge of Egyptian history, culture, and religion.”
PETER F. DORMANEgyptologist, University of Chicago