02/06/2026 BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Ashon Ruffins

As we do every year in the month of February, Uncomfortably Dark takes time out to honor Black authors and Black history from every era, past and present. If you already read widely and diversely or want to get started; please add these authors to your Must - Read lists and to those TBR piles!

A massive thank you to fellow author Eliza Broadbent for this huge undertaking for this month, enabling Uncomfortably Dark to honor at least one author a day, or more!

Ashon Ruffins is an award-winning author, a native New Orleanian, and a Veteran. He loves the art of storytelling in all genres and believes the best lessons in life can be told through fiction. The human struggles and victories are perfect avenues to tell outstanding stories through all genres. He simply loves spending time with his family or submerging himself in a good book or movie. Ashon is a huge mental health advocate.

Today, we honor Ashon Ruffins

1. What kind of horror do you write/publish, and what brought you to the horror genre in particular?

Currently, I’m writing creature feature horror with tons of mental health issues. Although I do currently have a supernatural novella and Sci-fi horror WIPs.

2. Who would you consider your influences and inspiration?

My answer usually surprises people when I get this question. Dan Brown has been tremendously influential in my writing. I’m a big admirer of the way he tells stories in books. When it comes to inspiration, it’s the world we live in. I tend to blend fact and fiction in my work and there is enough things going on in the world that inspire me to continue to write horror readers can enjoy a relatable story.

3. What piece of writing has meant the most to you, and why? This can be both your own and/or another author’s.

The first short story I ever wrote means a lot to me. It was my first venture into the writing world. It’s very dark and deeply flawed, but a reminder that growth happens every day. The Da Vinci Code was the book that made me consider doing some writing. Something about the way the story was laid out. I was inspired to do a lot more reading and fell in love with storytelling.

4. What’s your writing/editing journey been like? What challenges have you faced?

The writing journey has been humbling and difficult. It is one that I am constantly learning and trying to improve as a writer. Imposter syndrome has presented itself often and it’s one that I tread my way through when it occurs. The goal is about growth. Growth as an author and person. I don’t feel I’ve put my best work out there yet, but I’m excited for the journey to get there.

5. Who do you think everyone should be reading right now?

That is a tough question. Between the well-known names and the many Indie authors out there it’s not an easy answer. If I have to name a few it would be Sylvester Barzey, J.R. Mason, Eric Butler, E. Nigma, and of course, Candace Nola. The reason I chose these authors is because of their unique and phenomenal ways of telling their stories. Highly entertaining!

6. What’s it like being a Black horror writer/editor at this particular moment?

It has its positives and negatives like most things in society. The positive is that I get to tell what I think are compelling stories that center around black characters or POC and give them a voice. Writing gives me a voice. This also gives me the opportunity to give a perspective to others who may take the opportunity to open their eyes to something outside their norm. Diversity brings a perspective to everyday things that the “mainstream” often doesn’t consider.

Of course, the negative is immediately being judged, dismissed, or thought of as lesser based on nothing but the color of my skin. It’s obvious when it happens. There are indicators and tells that you pick up on over a lifetime of dealing with it every day. I look at it as if it’s their loss. You have to keep pushing through and let your work speak for you.

7. All horror is political. How do you think your politics informs your writing/editing?

It absolutely influences my writing. Politics, religion, and social issues all usually make its way into my stories. These are real things that affect the everyday decision making in everyone’s lives. Whether they realize it or not. It’s the society we’ve built. Now we have to deal with it. You can’t ignore it because none of it is going away. I believe those things only enhance a story. Without some of it… where is the conflict?

8. Have you faced any unique challenges in your writing career?

Not sure how unique it is but filling back up after the completion of a work in progress. I find it takes me a good deal of time to refill my creative spark. I still haven’t figured out what I need to do to get spark back faster after finishing a project. It would help me produce stories in a faster timeframe.

9. What advice do you have for Black horror writers who are just getting started in the genre?

Don’t try and fit your voice to please all readers. It will compromise your story and compromise you as an artist. Be your authentic self. Write your story.

Published Works and Links:

Descent of a Broken Man (Uncovered Darkness series, Book 1)

Ascent of a Vengeful Woman (Uncovered Darkness series, Book 2)

Quiescent: Blood Feud (Uncovered Darkness series, Book 3)

Social Media:

Facebook (public profile/page): DreadfulTimesPress or Ashon Ruffins

Instagram, Threads: @life_thru_fiction

Bluesky: @lifethrufiction

TikTok: @lifethrufiction

Website: DreadfulTimesPress.com