Horror/Fantasy

By Bianca Rose

Book Notions

Nzondi (also known as Ace Antonio-Hall) is an award-winning American author whose work blends psychological horror with emotionally driven science fiction. He holds a BFA from Long Island University and is a former Director of Education for New York City schools and Sylvan Learning Center. His debut novel, Confessions of Sylva Slasher, was published by Montag Press in 2013. In 2019, his science fiction–horror novel Oware Mosaic won the Bram Stoker Award® for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel, making Nzondi the first African American author to win the award in a novel category.

Q: Welcome back to the House of Mystery. What’s new with you?

A: My new novel, Death Con: A Zombie Story just released. It all takes place over one intense day and mixes horror, action, and heart.

Q: Before we get into the book, you mentioned meeting Lenny Kravitz. What happened there?

A: I met him at the Oscars, which was incredible. Later, his official Instagram account reached out about his new video. I commented before watching it—then saw he was half-naked in it. It was a great video, but I probably would’ve toned down my enthusiasm if I’d watched it first!

Q: You tend to write dark stories. What draws you to horror?

A: For me, horror isn’t about the monster—it’s about what the monster reveals about us. I like putting characters in impossible situations and exploring how fear, trauma, and pressure expose who they really are. It’s very much in the spirit of Alfred Hitchcock—ordinary or extraordinary

Q: Do you want readers to walk away questioning themselves?

A: I like presenting moral dilemmas. For example, if your child could save humanity but would have to die to do it, what would you choose? I’m not telling readers what to think—I want them to wrestle with the question. people facing extreme circumstances.

Q: You were a teacher for years. Does that influence your characters?

A: Absolutely. I taught for 13 years, mostly eighth graders. So themes of identity, trauma, and resilience often show up in my work. Even in dark stories, I add humor and heart because that’s how people really cope.

Is humor risky in horror?

A: It can be, but life is funny even in dark moments. I’m inspired by writers like Stephen King, who can make you laugh in the middle of something terrifying. That balance makes the story feel human.

Q: What’s the premise of Death Con?

A: It follows a teen necromancer named Cozy Coma in an alternate world where raising the dead is normal. She’s part of a group called the Screen Teens, hired for everything from solving crimes to “necrotainment.” They’re booked on a horror-themed cruise—like a mashup of San Diego Comic-Con and StokerCon—when things go horribly wrong. 

Cozy dies, is resurrected, and discovers her supposedly dead boyfriend may still be alive. It becomes a high-stakes fight for survival and trust.

Q: How much of yourself goes into your characters?

A: A lot. I observe people constantly. Experiences from my life, things I’ve seen, even getting lost before GPS—all of that gets woven in. Then I fictionalize it. It’s like baking chocolate chip cookies: same ingredients, but your twist makes it unique.

Q: Do you ever worry about controversy, especially with themes like raising the dead?

A: I think you have to write freely, but responsibly. If you’re dealing with sensitive topics—mental health, for example—you need to research and avoid stereotypes. You don’t want to misrepresent people or reinforce harmful ideas. For instance, look at places like Arkham Asylum—fiction can exaggerate mental illness in ways that don’t reflect reality. Writers need to be thoughtful.

Q: What does storytelling mean to you?

A: A storyteller captures attention and builds suspense in a way that makes people lean in and want more. It’s an art—knowing how to begin, build, and end in a way that satisfies

Q: What do you personally get out of writing?

A: Writing feeds my soul. I always say I read to inhale and write to exhale. Storytelling helps me breathe. It’s my therapy, my medicine.

Q: Do world events influence your work?

A: Definitely. Pain, empathy, and real-world struggles fuel creativity. Horror and sci-fi let us process those emotions while also offering escape. There’s always subtext, but the goal is to entertain and move the reader.

Q: Besides your book release, what else is happening?

A: The official trailer dropped for The Mandalorian Grogu, and I worked on that production for six months as a stand-in and stunt performer at Manhattan Beach Studios. It was intense and amazing to see it finally coming out.

Q: Where can listeners find you?

A: Visit EnzondiAuthor.com for updates. I’ll be appearing at WonderCon and StokerCon, signing copies of Death Con and Mosaic, which won the Bram Stoker Award and is in development for television.

Q: Final thoughts?

A: I’m grateful to be back on the show. Horror with heart—that’s what I aim to write. And I’ll happily come back for round four!

Connect With Nzondi

www.instagram.com/Radiocubb

www.facebook.com/radiocubb

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