I’ve seen a great deal about conjure magic in books and movies. Many of them portray conjure magic and those who use it as an evil that must be destroyed. In reality, rootworkers are regular people who hold jobs, pay taxes, raise families, and are compensated for their knowledge and talents.
Both of the Helens in my life are gone now, off to that place beyond far. I set the story back in the 1960s, a troubled and terrifying time in South Carolina. It was a time when both Helens lived and dealt with many of the things described in this book. In fact, much of this book is based on their stories (and my mother’s too!). Root Magic is my way of remembering both women, their work, and their sacrifices to educate me and bring me up with the best of both worlds.
Acknowledgments
My sincerest gratitude and appreciation go out to my family—both here and gone—for all you’ve sacrificed and all you’ve taught me. Especially to my mama: thanks for giving me you. To my husband for being the most amazing, loving, supportive, and patient man I’ve ever known.
There are so many others I’d like to thank, but I’d have another book if I named them all. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention:
Justina Ireland and Saundra Mitchell for reading early versions of Root Magic and encouraging me along this path. Sara Makeba Daise for your knowledge, your work, your love of our people and your continued support. To those who’ve read and loved my short stories and asked me about writing a novel.
Last but not least, to my fellow Gullah-Geechees for being resilient and connected people who have always made a way when there was no way.
About the Author
EDEN ROYCE is from Charleston, South Carolina, and is a member of the Gullah-Geechee nation. Her short stories have appeared in various print and online publications, including Fiyah, and she is the recipient of the Speculative Literature Foundation’s Diverse Worlds grant. Root Magic is her first book. Eden now lives in England with her husband and cat. You can find her online at www.edenroyce.com.
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Copyright
Walden Pond Press is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Walden Pond Press and the skipping stone logo are trademarks and registered trademarks of Walden Media, LLC.
ROOT MAGIC. Copyright © 2021 by Eden Royce. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
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Cover art © 2021 by Jennifer Bricking
Cover design by David Curtis
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020947638
Digital Edition JANUARY 2021 ISBN: 978-0-06-289960-6
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-289957-6
2021222324PC/LSCH10987654321
FIRST EDITION
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