Today we're excited to chat with Eden Royce author of

Root Magic.

Read on for more about Eden and her book, plus a giveaway!

Meet Eden Royce!

Eden Royce grew up immersed in rootworking traditions in South Carolina, and has been known to work a spell or two herself. She is a member of the Gullah-Geechee nation, and her fiction has appeared in PodCastle, FIYAH Literary Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction, and Sycorax's Daughters, a Bram Stoker Award-nominated anthology of Black women’s horror fiction and poetry. She is also the recipient of the Speculative Literature Foundation’s Diverse Worlds grant for “Doc Buzzard’s Coffin,” the short story in which the character of Jezebel from Root Magic first appeared. She now makes her home in Kent, England.

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Meet Root Magic!

“A poignant, necessary entry into the children’s literary canon, Root Magic brings to life the history and culture of Gullah people while highlighting the timeless plight of Black Americans. Add in a fun, magical adventure and you get everything I want in a book!”—Justina Ireland, New York Times bestselling author of Dread Nation

Debut author Eden Royce arrives with a wondrous story of love, bravery, friendship, and family, filled to the brim with magic great and small.

It’s 1963, and things are changing for Jezebel Turner. Her beloved grandmother has just passed away. The local police deputy won’t stop harassing her family. With school integration arriving in South Carolina, Jez and her twin brother, Jay, are about to begin the school year with a bunch of new kids. But the biggest change comes when Jez and Jay turn eleven— and their uncle, Doc, tells them he’s going to train them in rootwork.

Jez and Jay have always been fascinated by the African American folk magic that has been the legacy of their family for generations—especially the curious potions and powders Doc and Gran would make for the people on their island. But Jez soon finds out that her family’s true power goes far beyond small charms and elixirs…and not a moment too soon. Because when evil both natural and supernatural comes to show itself in town, it’s going to take every bit of the magic she has inside her to see her through.

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~ Author Chat ~

      YABC:  What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

My inspiration came from listening to stories my elders told when I was younger. I wanted to tell tales they would recognize, ones that hadn’t had the chance to see the light of day very often, if ever. I also wanted to portray Southern conjure magic in its original form and with its original intent: as protection and healing for the rootworker and their loved ones, instead of the evil practice most film and other media depict it as.

      YABC:  Which came first, the title or the novel?

The novel.

      YABC:  Do you have a favorite writing snack?

I don’t eat while I’m writing, but I’ll usually have a cup of coffee or tea, depending on my mood.

      YABC:  Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?

Be persistent. Keep at it even when you think no one is paying any attention.

      YABC:  What do you like most about the cover of the book?

The tiny details: Jez’s hair texture and her doll, Jay’s potion bottle, my name reflected in the water.

      YABC:  What’s up next for you?

My next book is another magical adventure this time set in present day.

    YABC:  Are there any film adaptations, tv shows, audiobooks, or other adaptations in the works for this book?

Root Magic already has an audiobook available, narrated by the super talented Imani Parks.

YABC:  Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to narrate?

 The opening scene in Root Magic where Jez is saying good-bye to her grandmother. It was incredibly emotional to write, as my own grandmother was such a huge part of my life.

    YABC:  Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?

Revising. I already have the storyline complete, so I can focus more on polishing the language, adding fine detail, and making the book shine.

Root Magic

By: Eden Royce

Publisher: Waldon Pond Press

Release Date: January 5th, 2021

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS* 

One winner will each receive a copy of Root Magic (Eden Royce) ~ (US Only)

*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*

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