Q&A: Eden Royce, Author of ‘Psychopomp & Circumstance’

We chat with author Eden Royce about Psychopomp & Circumstance, which draws on both the fantastical and the historical in this Southern Gothic novella, creating the perfect atmospheric read for balmy nights. 

Hi, Eden! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

I’m from Charleston, SC and I’m a Gullah Geechee descendant of West and West Central African enslaved and brought to the American South in what’s called the Gullah Geechee Corridor. The culture and folklore of my people influence my work greatly. Now I live in the southeast of the Uk, but I continue to write about characters and locales that represent my hometown.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I can’t recall a time when I didn’t love reading, and writing grew naturally out of that. There was a newspaper contest when I was about six or seven years old – a finish the prompt sort of thing. I was one of two winners and got my short story in the newspaper. It was all of four sentences, but it was a great thrill.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
• The one that made you want to become an author: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Conjure Man Dies by Rudolph Fisher

Your latest novella, Psychopomp & Circumstance, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Love, duty, death, history, freedom

What can readers expect?

Readers can expect an exploration of grief and duty that takes a sheltered, well-bred, free young Black woman on a journey from one showy magical city to another, quieter town full of mystery and possibility, all while preparing the final act of care for an estranged loved one gone too soon.

Where did the inspiration for Psychopomp & Circumstance come from?

It came from the planning and preparation my grandmother did on for her own funeral that she then entrusted me at the age of eight to execute for her. I had twenty years to grow into that responsibility and that experience has stuck with me decades later. 

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I loved writing about Aunt Cleo’s house, making it a strangely beautiful place that gives the protagonist, Phee, an unsettling welcome. I also loved writing Cross as a character. He is a quiet man who doesn’t say much in words, but his actions speak volumes in a steady, powerful way.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Writing about grief always stirs emotions for me. It made me miss my grandmother terribly. In addition, I lost my father while going through edits for the book, and had to plan another funeral. To cope, I made some of my grandmother’s favorite recipes and it made me feel closer to her and that helped a great deal.

What’s next for you?

I have a lot on the Horizon. If you’ve read the book, that comment will have additional meaning for you! I’m expecting edits back on my debut YA horror novel, and I’m in the process of writing what I hope will be my debut adult horror novel. Something I’m enormously excited about is that I’m writing a screenplay for an anime dark fantasy/horror movie called WEBE: SPIRIT DETECTIVE, based on Gullah Geechee folklore, coming out with N Lite Studios.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

I enjoyed Strange Pictures by Uketsu, The Dead Withheld by L.D. Lewis, the Murdle series of puzzles by G.T. Karber, Flowers from the Void by Gianni Washington, and Rhinestone Sharecropping by William Gunn.

I’m looking forward to The People’s Library from Veronica Henry, Spread Me by Sarah Gailey, and All of Us Murderers by KJ Charles.

Will you be picking up Psychopomp & Circumstance? Tell us in the comments below!