One of the major motivating factors in beginning the writing of my books was discovering several years ago that not one book existed regarding simply offering ghost stories in a clear and uncluttered manner.  I simply wanted to only read about ghost stories minus the inclusion of a lengthy history or architecture lesson. Additionally every ghost book featured hear-say evidence and stories of legends—rarely stories from the perspective of the actual witness.  I chose to change that.

My family life provided me with the eye-opening experience of witnessing the aftereffects of encounters with the weird, eerie, spooky—and at times—evil. My childhood experiences taught me to be sensitive to the unexplainable, yet real examples of a life beyond the tangible. In my family, we did not make fun of such subjects as ghosts, hauntings, or brushes with the supernatural.  On the contrary, my mother taught us to maintain a cautious respect for spirits, folk healers, witches, and forces considered to be occult in origin. Undoubtedly, my Mescalero
Apache grandfather, who was brought to Santa Fe as a child to be “educated” at the Indian School, provided his daughter—my mother—with the basis for such a positive and respectful view of the paranormal.

My parents were healers who were able to draw upon the after-death sphere. As a child, I accompanied them on their frequent visits to households blemished by the misfortunes of illness or the troubles of misguided spirits. Through this personal apprenticeship, I witnessed both the positive and negative aspects of spirits. The important learning tools I acquired from my family were understanding and respect for spirits and their energies.  However, my personal perplexities regarding the interviews presented an additional hurdle: Would the individuals—the Native Americans, Hispanics, seniors, and religiously pious I chose to interview—grant me the privilege?  I decided at the onset of the project to maintain respect for the personal thoughts and beliefs of each person interviewed. Furthermore, I decided that if there was ever a time during any interview when I felt I might be crossing the border of sensitivity, cultural or otherwise, I would not press the issue.  Happily, my own Native American background (Otomi,Mescalero Apache) afforded me the instinctive moral and intellectual understanding to recognize when I was about to enter another person’s “space.”

During my interviews with the area’s residents, occasionally, I touched upon intimate topics such as family structures, love relationships, money, religious attitudes, and personal definitions of death and the afterlife. I was repeatedly surprised at the ease with which people discussed their experiences with me. Although some people were understandably hesitant, overall I met with little resistance. The people I interviewed were not unusual or particularly exceptional in their spiritual or religious capacities. They represent a cross section of city folk: administrators, janitors, laborers, nurses, and professionals. Some could trace their family roots in Santa Fe and Taos back four or more generations.

In addition, I interviewed several Pueblo Native Americans, and contrary to popular belief, it is not necessarily true that Native Americans will not discuss stories of ghosts.  However, it does not hurt to know the culture’s rules of decorum, both spoken and unspoken. I am convinced that my sensitivity and personal knowledge of Native-American culture have been definite assets.

I learned that people are both fascinated and very serious about the subject of ghosts. At this point, I must emphasize that the stories contained within these pages are not intended simply to amuse. They are not fanciful tales to be recounted on stormy nights to groups of wide-eyed Boy Scouts. The people who confided their personal experiences to me deserve courteous respect. They remain confident and secure in the knowledge that they are not conjuring up experiences from their own imaginations; rather, they maintain with personal honesty that their experiences truly happened.

Each of my best selling books are comprised from personal stories directly transcribed from an interview format of residents who have experienced first-hand encounters with ghosts. I offer my readers the perspective that our spiritual energies do continue beyond the transitional phase of life into death.

I am currently have several new books in various stages of completion.  I'll be covering even more new ground within the ghost book genre.  You can be sure each subsequent new title will not disappoint.  To all of my ghost book reading fans I thank you and wish you all that you wish for your selves.   —Antonio