Defying all odds is what #1 New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn McQueen writing as Sherrilyn Kenyon does best. Rising from extreme poverty as a child that culminated in being a homeless mother with an infant, she has become one of the most popular and influential authors in the world (in both adult and YA fiction), with dedicated legions of fans known as Paladins–thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her numerous genre-defying series. Since her first book debuted while she was still in college, she has placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats and genres, including manga and graphic novels, and has more than 70 million books in print worldwide. Her current series include: Dark-Hunters®, Chronicles of Nick®, Deadman’s Cross™, Eve of Destruction™, Nevermore™, Lords of Avalon® and The League®. Over the years, her Lords of Avalon® novels have been adapted by Marvel, and her Dark-Hunters® and Chronicles of Nick® are New York Times bestselling manga and comics and are #1 bestselling adult coloring books.
Byron Ballard, BA, MFA (Asheville, NC) is a western NC native, teacher, folklorist, and author of many book on magic. She has served as a featured speaker and teacher at numerous festivals and conferences, including the Sacred Space Conference, Pagan Spirit Gathering, Starwood, Hexfest and PUF as well as countless others. She serves as senior priestess and co-founder of Mother Grove Goddess Temple and the Coalition of Earth Religions/CERES, both in Asheville, NC. She podcasts about Appalachian folkways on “Wyrd Mountain Gals.” Her essays are featured in several anthologies and she writes a regular column for SageWoman Magazine. Find her online at www.myvillagewitch.com. http://www.MyVillageWitch.com
Bestselling author and editor, Carol Shaughnessy has written all her life. With more than ten highly praised novels and multiple short stories available, she started a writer’s group in her hometown with the goal of helping others learn the craft and reach publication. She believes in the adage of paying it forward. Whether trad, hybrid, or indie, she wants to help all authors achieve their dreams in this ever-changing field. Her books run a gamut of genres, but it’s paranormal and the military that keep luring her back. Married for over 41 years to a retired submariner, Carol learned a lot during her time spent at numerous naval installations and listening to the stories of men and women in the armed forces. She currently lives in South Georgia with her husband and son.
Kiki Dombrowski is an active member of the magical community and has participated as a teacher at Pagan Unity Festival for several years. Kiki has a successful writing career, being a long-time writer for Witch Way Magazine, a featured writer in Lisa Chamberlain’s annual datebook journals, and a co-author for Witch Way’s Book of 100 Love Spells. Her book A Curious Future is a well-loved, critically acclaimed collection of unique and unusual divination techniques. Her newest book Transformative Tarot is about approaching tarot for self-development and spiritual exploration, set to be released in June 2023. She has appeared as a guest on numerous popular podcasts, including the Witch Daily Show, Penny Royal Podcast, Conspirinormal, Pagan’s Witchy Corner, and 6 Degrees of John Keel. Kiki recently moved back to Nashville after living on an island just east of Savannah for the past two years.
Brian is a New age/Celtic/Folk/ Singer/Songwriter. But he is so much more. He is a storyteller, and composes and performs his music like a painter putting images on canvas, a kind of sonic shaman, drawing his inspiration from life and the natural world around him. This year he is joining us in a new idea we’ve been working on. There will be music, song, drumming, chanting, and crystal bowls around our bonfire all weekend to raise energy.
Past PUF VIP’s
- Isaac Bonewits
- Judica Iiles
- Ellen Dugan
- John Michael Greer
- Sara Greer
- Raven Grimassi
- Byron Ballard
- Oberon Zell
- Sherrilyn Kenyon
- Amy Blackthorn
- Selena Fox
- Janet Farrar
- Gavin Bone
- Shauna Aura Knight
- Donald Michael Kraig
- Kristen Madden
- Dorothy Morrison
- Judika Iiles
- Kiki Dombrowski
- Lady Passion and Diuvei
- Sherrilyn Kenyon
- Ashleen O’Gaea
- Christopher Penczak
- Wendy Rule
- M.R. Sellers
- Stephanie Taylor
- Patricia Telesco
- Belladonna Laveau
- Suzie Kerr Wright
- Jason Mankey