Picture a storyteller weaving magic from the heart of Charleston, South Carolina—meet Eden Royce! This award-winning author spins tales that blend Southern Gothic horror with the rich traditions of the Gullah-Geechee culture, captivating readers with her unique voice. From her debut novel Root Magic to chilling short stories, Royce’s work dives deep into fantasy, identity, and resilience, making her a standout in contemporary literature.
Born and raised in Charleston, Royce’s stories pulse with the Lowcountry’s mystique, where Spanish moss and ancient traditions inspire her craft. Now living in Southeast England, she brings a fresh perspective to speculative fiction, earning accolades like the Shirley Jackson Award finalist nod and the Diverse Worlds Grant. Let’s explore the world of Eden Royce, where magic and meaning collide!
The Making of Eden Royce
Eden Royce grew up immersed in the Gullah-Geechee culture, a vibrant community descended from enslaved Africans along the Sea Islands. Her family’s storytelling, rootwork, and conjure traditions shaped her imagination, planting seeds for her future as a writer. As a child, she devoured books, but noticed few reflected her Southern Black experience—a gap she’d later fill with her own stories.
Before becoming a full-time author, Royce wore many hats: bridal consultant, reptile handler, and stockbroker. Her leap into writing began with short stories, published in magazines like Apex and Strange Horizons. In 2016, the Speculative Literature Foundation’s Diverse Worlds Grant recognized her talent, paving the way for her to craft longer works that resonate with readers worldwide.
Eden Royce’s Unforgettable Stories
Royce’s debut novel, Root Magic (2021), is a middle-grade masterpiece set in 1963 South Carolina. It follows Jezebel Turner, an eleven-year-old learning rootwork amidst family loss and racial tensions. A Walter Award Honoree, Nebula Award finalist, and Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winner, it’s praised for its heartfelt portrayal of Gullah culture and African American folk magic.
Her second novel, Conjure Island (2023), whisks readers to a magical island where a girl discovers her ancestral powers. The Creepening of Dogwood House (2024), a Bram Stoker Award nominee, blends spooky vibes with emotional depth, cementing Royce’s knack for middle-grade horror. Her short story collections, like Spook Lights: Southern Gothic Horror, showcase her chilling prose, weaving Gullah folklore with eerie atmospheres.
Royce’s style is a tapestry of Southern Gothic, dark fantasy, and folk horror, infused with cultural authenticity. Her characters—often young, Black, and navigating complex worlds—face monsters both literal and societal. By centering Gullah-Geechee traditions, she challenges the genre’s lack of diverse voices, creating stories that are as thought-provoking as they are thrilling.
Why Eden Royce Matters
Eden Royce’s work is a beacon for diversity in speculative fiction. By spotlighting Gullah-Geechee culture, she preserves and shares a heritage often overlooked in mainstream literature. Her stories empower young readers, especially children of color, to see themselves as heroes in magical, meaningful narratives. Awards like the Ignyte and Walter Dean Myers honors reflect her impact on children’s literature.
Beyond her books, Royce inspires aspiring writers through interviews and mentorship, urging them to read widely and persist. Her move to England has only broadened her influence, bridging Southern and global storytelling. As she continues to write, Royce is shaping the future of Southern Gothic and speculative fiction, one haunting tale at a time.
About Eden Royce
- Origin: Charleston, South Carolina, Gullah-Geechee heritage
- Key Works: Root Magic, Conjure Island, The Creepening of Dogwood House, Spook Lights
- Awards: Shirley Jackson Award finalist, Walter Award Honoree, Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winner
- Fun Fact: She loves roller skating and cinnamon ice cream!
Snag Root Magic or Spook Lights and dive into Eden Royce’s spellbinding blend of Southern Gothic and Gullah magic!