Named after King Acemandese from Kemet, Africa, Nzondi (Ace Antonio-Hall) was born Acemandese Nzondi Hall in Queens, New York on July 4th. Nzondi received his BFA from C. W. Post, Long Island University. In 2006, Nzondi quit his job as a Director of Education for the Sylvan Learning Center to learn how to write novels. In 2013, his debut novel, Confessions of Sylva Slasher, was published by Montag Press. His science fiction/horror work, Oware Mosaic is the 2019 Bram Stoker Awards® Winner for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel, making him the first African-American to win the prestigious award in a novel category. Nzondi is also a two-time Honorable Mention winner of the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Award.

 

His non-fiction book, Lord of the Flies: Fitness for Writers shares his weight-loss tactics he used for optimal health and fitness, and his YA zombie novel, Lipstick Asylum (The Girl Who Could Raise the Dead), were both originally published by Omnium Gatherum Media. His award-winning novel, Oware Mosaic was relaunched by Crossroad Press in 2023.

 

Influenced by mostly Seattle-bred bands like Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Nirvana, Nzondi’s songs carry the energy of a Red Hot Chili Peppers-Rage Against the Machine mashup. His music is a blend of hard rock, alternative, punk and funk. Nzondi lives in Los Angeles, California and enjoys writing in an environment of nature.