Zell moved to New Orleans in 2003 and began working at Crescent City Books in the French Quarter. Like so many others, he was changed after Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005. He needed an outlet to express the pain and grief that he felt for his new hometown. A few authors he had always admired were Jorge Luis Borges, José Saramago, and Bohumil Hrabal, and the way they wrote about their hometowns. As he searched for answers and meaning, Zell knew that he wanted to be a storyteller and write about New Orleans the same way his heroes wrote about theirs.
So, he began to write. He wrote short stories, plays, essays, novels, articles, and anything he could. In no time, he had built up enough drafts, and nerve, to submit stories to some literary journals. In 2012, he released his first novel, Errata (Lavender Ink). The book received high praise and stellar reviews. The Times-Picayune included Errata in their Top 10 Books of the Year list for that year.
This was the motivation he needed to continue. He released his second book, Run Baby Run (Lavender Ink) in 2014 which introduced his protagonist Bobby Delery. Zell calls this a straight-up New Orleans crime novel. Law & Desire (Lavender Ink) was published in 2016 and was followed by City Krystal Soulman (MBW) in 2018 which follows Delery as he solves crimes around NOLA.
Zell is praised for the way he writes about New Orleans and how his descriptions put you right there on the streets and in the neighborhoods. His novels are beautifully written and highly regarded for the rich language he uses to tell them and the realness in how he accurately portrays the city. Susan Larson in The Times-Picayune wrote, “What really keeps us turning pages is Zell’s authorial voice, his insights into human nature, and the dark sense of humor that comes out of observing city life.”
At one point, Zell wondered if he had a book in him. In 2024, he released his seventh book, The Last Shadow (MBW). One thing you’ll notice in his books is that New Orleans plays an integral role in each one. He loves his hometown and it shows in the care he takes to weave it through the fabric of each of his stories and through the characters that populate them.
He not only writes about the Crescent City in his fiction, he also tells its real-life story. You can find Michael Allen Zell writing for offBeat magazine and 64 Parishes magazine.
What do red beans and rice mean to you?
To me, it’s 90% comfort food on a plate but also feels 10% like partaking in the footsteps of all those who came before. When eating, I’m focused on the former, so I don’t dwell on the latter, but there’s no way not to be aware of it.
What do you think is the importance of red beans and rice to New Orleans?
The importance of both is a very New Orleans-type of thing while also connecting to the rest of the world. So many countries have a beans and rice tradition, and that fits in perfectly with the groups that made up New Orleans early on.
What memories are brought up when you have red beans?
I moved to New Orleans over 20 years ago and hadn’t had red beans and rice beforehand. This is odd, because being from the Midwest, it would’ve been the perfect family food to spread out a dollar. Eating them is the same for me as having gumbo, boiled crawfish, etc. It reminds me of new beginnings. Also, when I managed a bookshop in the French Quarter for around a decade, I would often get red beans and rice from Johnny’s Po-boys, so it brings back those days.
Do you only eat or make red beans on Monday?
Traditions are made to be broken.
Who makes the best red beans and rice?
Everyone’s mother.
When did you learn to make them and who taught you?
After Hurricane Katrina, I was away for 2 years and 2 months. I had never really cooked before that, but by necessity, if I wanted gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice done right, I had to make them.
What’s your process for cooking red beans and rice?
My process for anything that will take a little while is to have some good music and something to sip that might end up in the food being cooked. At a certain point, I use a spoon to smash some beans up for creaminess. I like to add Pickapeppa Sauce too.
What do you serve with your beans?
If I eat them at a restaurant, something will be smothered. Pork chop or sausage, preferably, for some chewiness to go with the smoothness. If I make them, cornbread hits the spot.
Where is your favorite spot in New Orleans?
Probably Frady’s, but that’s subject to change weekly.
What is your favorite comfort food – your go-to meal?
My favorite New Orleans comfort food starts with gumbo or red beans and rice. That’s followed by char-grilled oysters, with plenty of bread to sop up whatever possible.
Did you have any projects that you’d like to pass along?
My New Orleans crime novel “The Last Shadow” just came out. I’m excited about that and also about releasing Kalamu ya Salaam’s “Walkin’ Blues” novel on bluesman Robert Johnson later this year.
To stay up to date with Michael Allen Zell, be sure to follow him on social media:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelallenzell/
- Substack: https://zellomania.substack.com/
- offBeat magazine: https://www.offbeat.com/author/michael-allen-zell/
- 64 Parishes: https://64parishes.org/authors/michael-allen-zell
What is The Last Shadow by Michael Allen Zell about?
THE LAST SHADOW is a New Orleans novel like no other. This is the story of a young woman becoming a warrior physically and mentally. It has a strong sense of place, particularly the three points of Riverbend, City Park, and Versailles. Its framework of Eastern philosophy and the martial arts are strong, but this most definitely isn’t an “action movie book.” The Last Shadow is simply a New Orleans story focusing on 3 people, 2 paths, and 1 book that guides the way.
“With an incredible eye for the nuances of New Orleans, America’s most interesting city, Michael Allen Zell presents crime fiction with verve, grit, and tenderness. The characters in THE LAST SHADOW are people I’ve known from a distance. Zell’s talent allows readers to have access to the hidden dreams and terrors of their lives.”
—Maurice Carlos Ruffin, author of THE AMERICAN DAUGHTERS
“Zell demonstrates a gallows humor and a fine ear for entertainment…like the best crime fiction, the story invests deeply in setting, and it succeeds by virtue of its author’s palpable love for New Orleans and the people who live there.”
—LOS ANGELES REVIEW OF BOOKS
“What really keeps us turning pages is Zell’s authorial voice, his insights into human nature, and the dark sense of humor that comes out of observing city life.”
—THE NEW ORLEANS ADVOCATE
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Eric Olsson is the food blogger of RedBeansAndEric.com. He publishes new recipes and interviews weekly. He has developed recipes and written articles for the famous Camellia brand in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has been mentioned in Louisiana Cookin‘ magazine and has had recipes featured in Taste of Home magazine – with his Creole Turkey recipe being runner up in their annual Thanksgiving recipe contest. He lives outside of Detroit, Michigan, with his wife and four children.
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