DESMOND Francis Xavier KON Zhicheng-Mingdé (b. 1971) is Senior Lecturer of Creative Writing and Publishing in the Division of English at the School of Humanities, Nanyang Technological University.

Desmond's latest work, Heart Fiat, is a collection of Catholic poems (USA: Wipf & Stock Resource Publications; Singapore: Poetry Festival Singapore)​. The first edition is dedicated to Pope Francis, published to mark the pontiff’s visit to Singapore in 2024. Two recent books include a quasi-memoir and guided creative journal, both published by Penguin Random House. Other authored titles span fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and experimental writing. The former journalist has also been editor on various publications and anthologies, several pro bono undertakings for non-profit organisations.

He received a BA from the National University of Singapore, and later his MTS from Harvard University and MFA from the University of Notre Dame. In addition to grants from the National Arts Council and Singapore International Foundation, he has enjoyed literary appointments at the Notre Dame Poetry Fellowship, NAC Gardens by the Bay Writing Residency, and NTU-NAC Creative Writing Residency.

As a multi-genre/cross-genre writer, he has broad interests, and remains excited by ideas in literature, art, theology, film, publishing, pop culture, pop psychology, pop sociology, pop rocks, pop tarts, and popcorn chicken.

On good days, you find him researching into contemporary Christian poetry, Eucharistic theology, and the lives of particular Saints within the Roman Martyrology. For the most part, Desmond tries to preserve an unhurried, quiet, hermitic life.