Byron Ballard's Staubs and Ditchwater event

[Rob Neufeld]

Hillfolks' Hoodoo author Byron Ballard, June 15

Silver Rings Press, an imprint of indie publisher rENEGADE pLANETS pUBLISHING, Candler, NC, announce the publication of Staubs and Ditchwater: a Friendly and Useful Introduction to Hillfolks’ Hoodoo by H. Byron Ballard.

Ballard, a popular blogger and essayist, is a western North Carolina native whose work has appeared regionally and nationally. 

The book—part memoir and part instructional primer—is an entertaining introduction to southern Appalachian folk magic.

Accent on Books launches the book, Friday, June 15th, 6 p.m.  Ballard will speak about the process of creating "Staubs and Ditchwater," read a little from the book, and sign copies. Light refreshments will be served.  (Accent on Books, 654 Merrimon Ave, in north Asheville; 252-6255; [e-mail].)

Ballard leads local and regional workshops on these traditional practices and techniques. After much thought and conversations with a wide range of people, she decided to share some of this information from "the fading traditional cultures of the southern Highlands."

Ballard found that there is a hunger in both the dominant culture and in her spiritual community for authentic information on this subject. She did some research, talked to some home-folks, and created a series of workshops based on what she’s learned and practiced over the years. This little book—drawn from the workshop series—gives the student a good overview of techniques and history; and a glimpse into the culture from which they flow.

Available June 15, 2012, this book may be ordered through the author at www.myvillagewitch.com (http://www.myvillagewitch.com), [e-mail].  Also, contact Ballard about speaking engagements at [e-mail]. 828.216.8961