M S Rayed | Sci-Fi and Fantasy Author
@msrayed.bsky.social
Aspiring sci-fi and fantasy author. Currently editing a South Asian dystopian fantasy, and a cyberpunk noir with a South Asian setting. My first book, Imperial Dawn, is out now! https://zaap.bio/msrayed
The journey through the Blessed Empire continues! 🏛️⚔️ Imperial Strife is officially available for pre-order and drops this Labor Day (Sept 7th)!
Seeing the sequel come together has been so rewarding.
Seeing the sequel come together has been so rewarding.
June 27, 2026 at 11:00 PM
The journey through the Blessed Empire continues! 🏛️⚔️ Imperial Strife is officially available for pre-order and drops this Labor Day (Sept 7th)!
Seeing the sequel come together has been so rewarding.
Seeing the sequel come together has been so rewarding.
Publishing my debut brought a lot of pressure to rapid-release sequels. Reading The Artisan Author recently helped me step back. 🧵
May 22, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Publishing my debut brought a lot of pressure to rapid-release sequels. Reading The Artisan Author recently helped me step back. 🧵
Imperial Dawn is out now! Thank you all for your incredible support on this journey. I poured my heart into this story of soldiers, spies, and a dying empire. I truly hope you love it.
May 5, 2026 at 11:54 PM
Imperial Dawn is out now! Thank you all for your incredible support on this journey. I poured my heart into this story of soldiers, spies, and a dying empire. I truly hope you love it.
Who is your favorite type of fantasy protagonist: the noble hero, the reluctant chosen one, or the morally grey anti-hero? (My book, Imperial Dawn, definitely has one of those).
May 2, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Who is your favorite type of fantasy protagonist: the noble hero, the reluctant chosen one, or the morally grey anti-hero? (My book, Imperial Dawn, definitely has one of those).
Let's do a fan-cast! Who would you cast as Galerius, the 100-year-old Roman super-soldier from my book, Imperial Dawn? I have my own ideas, but I'd love to hear yours!
April 27, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Let's do a fan-cast! Who would you cast as Galerius, the 100-year-old Roman super-soldier from my book, Imperial Dawn? I have my own ideas, but I'd love to hear yours!
What's more terrifying: an enemy army at your gates, or an enemy who wears the face of your most trusted advisor? My book, Imperial Dawn, asks this question.
April 26, 2026 at 1:42 PM
What's more terrifying: an enemy army at your gates, or an enemy who wears the face of your most trusted advisor? My book, Imperial Dawn, asks this question.
Bookstores and libraries can be a huge help! Don't forget to request Imperial Dawn at your local library or indie bookstore. It makes a world of difference.
April 25, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Bookstores and libraries can be a huge help! Don't forget to request Imperial Dawn at your local library or indie bookstore. It makes a world of difference.
There is a very specific joy in finishing a book draft and prepping it for a personal read-through.
This time, I went the extra mile—formatted the whole thing on Atticus, designed a draft cover, and loaded it onto my Kindle.
This time, I went the extra mile—formatted the whole thing on Atticus, designed a draft cover, and loaded it onto my Kindle.
April 25, 2026 at 12:49 AM
There is a very specific joy in finishing a book draft and prepping it for a personal read-through.
This time, I went the extra mile—formatted the whole thing on Atticus, designed a draft cover, and loaded it onto my Kindle.
This time, I went the extra mile—formatted the whole thing on Atticus, designed a draft cover, and loaded it onto my Kindle.
Let's talk about Lupans from my book, Imperial Dawn. They are the shapeshifters of my world. Trained to be the perfect spies, they can become anyone. But what happens when you forget who you were?
April 20, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Let's talk about Lupans from my book, Imperial Dawn. They are the shapeshifters of my world. Trained to be the perfect spies, they can become anyone. But what happens when you forget who you were?
In Imperial Dawn, I wanted to write about the different kinds of strength. The physical strength of a soldier, the mental strength of a spy, and the quiet, enduring strength of a moral compass.
April 19, 2026 at 1:42 PM
In Imperial Dawn, I wanted to write about the different kinds of strength. The physical strength of a soldier, the mental strength of a spy, and the quiet, enduring strength of a moral compass.
If you enjoy the world-building of Brandon Sanderson and the historical grit of Bernard Cornwell, I tried to blend the best of both in Imperial Dawn.
April 18, 2026 at 1:52 PM
If you enjoy the world-building of Brandon Sanderson and the historical grit of Bernard Cornwell, I tried to blend the best of both in Imperial Dawn.
If you're here for the political scheming, Imperial Dawn has: a puppet emperor, a power-hungry mother, secret alliances in the Senate, and advisors playing a deadly game.
April 13, 2026 at 10:27 PM
If you're here for the political scheming, Imperial Dawn has: a puppet emperor, a power-hungry mother, secret alliances in the Senate, and advisors playing a deadly game.
A favorite line from my spy, Keir, from my book, Imperial Dawn: "Rome does not require a flawless hero, Galerius. It requires a man who can do what is best for its people."
April 12, 2026 at 1:42 PM
A favorite line from my spy, Keir, from my book, Imperial Dawn: "Rome does not require a flawless hero, Galerius. It requires a man who can do what is best for its people."
A promise from a man who can't die, from my book Imperial Dawn: "I will stay by your bed until you are gone... Then, and only then, will I permit myself to… go off and die."
April 11, 2026 at 1:52 PM
A promise from a man who can't die, from my book Imperial Dawn: "I will stay by your bed until you are gone... Then, and only then, will I permit myself to… go off and die."
The first chapter of #ImperialDawn is now available to read on my website! Meet Galerius and Lysander and get a taste of the intrigue and magic to come.
msrayed.com/imperial-daw...
msrayed.com/imperial-daw...
Sample Chapter | M S Rayed
Galerius Manlius Britannicus opened his eyes. Footsteps—light, hesitant—echoed through the marble resonance of his private chamber. He rarely slept with his powers fully activated within Rome's…
msrayed.com
April 6, 2026 at 10:27 PM
The first chapter of #ImperialDawn is now available to read on my website! Meet Galerius and Lysander and get a taste of the intrigue and magic to come.
msrayed.com/imperial-daw...
msrayed.com/imperial-daw...
How much of yourself would you sacrifice for the "greater good"? In Imperial Dawn, every character has to answer this, and their answers might surprise you.
April 4, 2026 at 1:52 PM
How much of yourself would you sacrifice for the "greater good"? In Imperial Dawn, every character has to answer this, and their answers might surprise you.
My book. Imperial Dawn, asks a tough question: If you were immortal, would you allow yourself to love a mortal, knowing you are destined to lose them?
March 30, 2026 at 10:27 PM
My book. Imperial Dawn, asks a tough question: If you were immortal, would you allow yourself to love a mortal, knowing you are destined to lose them?
One of the core parts of the world in Imperial Dawn is the concept of "The Makers." The Blessed don't worship the Olympian gods; they believe they were created by a different, more ancient force.
March 29, 2026 at 1:42 PM
One of the core parts of the world in Imperial Dawn is the concept of "The Makers." The Blessed don't worship the Olympian gods; they believe they were created by a different, more ancient force.
I really wanted to ground the fantasy in Imperial Dawn. The legions still use the testudo formation, but now they have to account for enemy mages trying to drop fireballs on them.
March 28, 2026 at 1:52 PM
I really wanted to ground the fantasy in Imperial Dawn. The legions still use the testudo formation, but now they have to account for enemy mages trying to drop fireballs on them.
This isn't just a Roman story. A significant part of the book explores the frontier in places like Britannia and Parthia, each with their own unique cultures and magical beings!
March 23, 2026 at 10:27 PM
This isn't just a Roman story. A significant part of the book explores the frontier in places like Britannia and Parthia, each with their own unique cultures and magical beings!
Let's talk about Lupans. They are the shapeshifters of my world. Trained to be the perfect spies, they can become anyone. But what happens when you forget who you were?
March 22, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Let's talk about Lupans. They are the shapeshifters of my world. Trained to be the perfect spies, they can become anyone. But what happens when you forget who you were?
Who keeps these powerful Adepts in line in Imperial Dawn? A shadowy organization called Kerberos—the magical secret police of the Roman Empire. They are feared by everyone.
March 21, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Who keeps these powerful Adepts in line in Imperial Dawn? A shadowy organization called Kerberos—the magical secret police of the Roman Empire. They are feared by everyone.
Magic in Imperial Dawn comes from a source called Auracium. It's like magical gasoline—incredibly powerful, but volatile. He who controls the Auracium mines controls the future.
March 16, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Magic in Imperial Dawn comes from a source called Auracium. It's like magical gasoline—incredibly powerful, but volatile. He who controls the Auracium mines controls the future.
You'll also meet Boudicca, the historical warrior queen. In Imperial Dawn, her tragic rebellion is woven into a much larger, magical conflict.
March 15, 2026 at 1:42 PM
You'll also meet Boudicca, the historical warrior queen. In Imperial Dawn, her tragic rebellion is woven into a much larger, magical conflict.
Writing Marwa was a balancing act. On the surface, she's the perfect, supportive wife to our hero. But I planted clues about who she really is from her very first scene.
March 14, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Writing Marwa was a balancing act. On the surface, she's the perfect, supportive wife to our hero. But I planted clues about who she really is from her very first scene.