“Growing up queer in Appalachia was a major influence on this book, though the first spark of inspiration came while pulling kudzu from the moonshine stills on my family farm and wondering if one day we’d immortalize the burnt spoons and orange pill bottles the same way.”
In the foothills of South Carolina, Rowan Brighton Brown’s journey began. Their formative years were spent absorbing the rhythms of the region, a tapestry woven with tales of resilience and magic, elements that now seep into every word they write. A proud graduate of the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities and Smith College, Rowan’s writings intertwine the queer experience with Southern and Appalachian identities, showcasing the beauty and complexity of Appalachian life.
Recently, Rowan spent time at Azule working on their latest project, White Trash Witchcraft. This young adult contemporary fantasy follows Sawyer, a young girl navigating Appalachian folk magic, traditional healing methods, and opioid addiction in the Blue Ridge Mountains. As part of their research, they immersed themselves in the community around Azule, engaging with traditional healers and families who held these healers within their lineage. Rowan has been involved in harm reduction activism and currently works at a pain management clinic, addressing opioids and addiction daily. Soon, they will begin medical school in New England with hopes of harmonizing modern medical practices with traditional methodologies.
Rowan’s time away from the South during their studies brought a newfound perspective on their cultural identity. “It comes back to the land and it comes back to my family’s farm. So, [in] this book I’m thinking a lot about what it means to inherit things in the South. Especially because we don’t always inherit ‘uncomplicated’ things.”
Watch Our Full Conversation
In our conversation, Rowan discusses themes of their upcoming novel, how the residency helped them in their research, and what it means to them to be Appalachian.
You can learn more about Rowan by visiting rowanbrightonbrown.com, their Instagram @rowanbrightonbrown, and track the progress of their upcoming novel White Trash Witchcraft on Goodreads.