Meet Breshea Anglen | Fantasy Author & Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Breshea Anglen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Breshea, what principle do you value most?
For me, resilience is the cornerstone of progress. It is the indomitable strength that allows us to weather the storms of life. When it comes to values or principles, I would say resilience ranks the highest on my list. It’s the foundation that supports growth, adaptability, and perseverance.

The women in my family instilled the value of resilience in me at a young age. I watched them endure and bear the weight of things that I could never conceptualize at that age. Knowing what I know now, I’ve learned from their lessons and used that knowledge to forge my own resilient nature.

The reason resilience matters so much to me is that it isn’t about toughness; it’s about flexibility and learning. It’s the ability to bend without breaking, to adapt to new situations, and to emerge stronger from adversity. Resilience helps us bounce back from setbacks, rejections, and disappointments, and helps us navigate through life’s uncertainties, which ultimately leads to personal growth and success.

I believe in the power of resilience because it has taught me to thrive in the face of adversity. It is my inner strength, pushing me to push boundaries, innovate, and create positive change wherever I can, despite all obstacles. It is a value that has truly shaped my character and fueled my progress.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember, but I’ve been a serious writer for the last ten years. I have self-published two fantasy novels to date and have several in the works. All of the stories I have written and am currently writing center BIPOC and LGBT+ characters, and I think what sets my work apart from others is that the identities of my characters are not at the crux of the plot. I ensure that identity trauma does not exist in my stories; why insert identity politics to traumatize not only the characters but also the reader? I believe that representation matters and people need to see diverse characters existing without perseverating over the pain of existence. In Fantasy writing, there are always other conflicts for characters to face.

I am most excited about my upcoming projects, two novellas I will be releasing in the Spring and Fall of 2024. Both follow the ongoing ‘Noni and the God Tree’ series for which I have published 2 previous installations.

It feels good to say things like ‘upcoming projects’ and ‘previous installations’ because I distinctly remember struggling through my first novel with no hope that I’d ever finish it. It was not easy to get to where I am today. Because writing isn’t my day job, I had to find the balance between life as a teacher and life as a writer. Teaching is my passion, and I love what I do, but it is an all-consuming profession. Finding that balance wasn’t easy in the beginning, but after being stuck inside for almost two years due to the pandemic, I was able to build a real routine and learn to equally prioritize my art and my work.

I’ve learned so much during these last two years, but the most important one is this:

Everything happens when it’s supposed to. In my early twenties, I wanted everything fast–instant gratification. I wanted my book in the hands of the public as quickly as possible, and in that hastiness, I learned the hard way. I self-published with a vanity publisher that cost me more money than I was able to make, which wasn’t at all what I wanted as a new writer. I slowed down. Researched. I grew. And now, in my thirties, I’ve learned the ins and outs of self-publishing and I learned not only to protect my art but also how to effectively market myself. The time spent learning and growing was incredibly necessary.

Finally, I want the world to know that my books aren’t just stories spun from my imagination; they’re reflections of diverse experiences, cultures, and the kaleidoscope of identities that exist within our world. Through my fantasy stories, I want to amplify the visibility of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters while weaving their stories into the fabric of magical realms, epic adventures, and a little touch of romance.

My brand stands for representation, empowerment, and inclusivity. I aim to create diverse narratives where everyone can see themselves as heroes. These stories aren’t just for a specific audience; they’re for anyone who craves storytelling that emulates the beautiful diversity of our reality.

I want readers to know that, within the pages of my books, they’ll find characters who break stereotypes, challenge norms, and embark on journeys that resonate with the complexity of their own lives. Their stories are a testament to resilience, triumph, and the power of self-determination. Moreover, I want my brand to be a catalyst for conversations about representation in fantasy literature. I hope that I inspire others to embrace and champion diversity in storytelling to open the door for more inclusive narratives across genres.

Ultimately, I want the world to know that my stories aren’t just about escapism into fantastical worlds; they are about embracing the diverse tapestry of humanity that exists in our world and within our imaginations.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Breshea’s Tour of Cleveland!

**Day 1 – Culture:**
– Start at the CMA (Cleveland Museum of Art), for a rich artistic experience
– Lunch at West Side Market to try an array of diverse and delicious foods.
– Stop by Great Lakes Brewing Company for local brews and
– Dinner at Momocho for delicious modern Mexican cuisine.

**Day 2 – Rock ‘n’ Roll and Neighborhood Vibes:**
– Morning visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
– Head to the Flats East Bank for lunch at Alley Cat Oyster Bar with a view of the Cuyahoga River.
– Dine on East 4th Street (so many great restaurants and live entertainment!)
– Evening at Playhouse Square for a theater show or live performance.

**Day 3 – Nature!:**
– Visit the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
– Lunch at Condado Tacos
– Spend the afternoon at Edgewater Park, relaxing by Lake Erie or trying water sports like kayaking or paddleboarding.
– Dinner at Pier W for stunning views of Lake Erie and fantastic seafood.

**Day 4 – Sports and Entertainment:**
– Catch a Cleveland Indians baseball game at Progressive Field.
– Visit JACK Cleveland Casino
– Dinner at Lola Bistro for a fine dining experience by renowned chef Michael Symon.

**Day 5 – Farewells and Final Stops:**
– Brunch at Grumpy’s Café
– Visit the Cleveland Botanical Garden for a relaxing experience in the beautiful gardens.
– Conclude the trip with a visit to The Goodtime III, a quadruple-deck 1000-passenger luxury ship on Lake Erie.

Cleveland gets a bad rap, but it’s a culturally rich, beautiful city that I am proud to be from.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to shoutout Zakiya Jones–lenabella–a local artist in Cleveland and a beloved friend of mine. She is also the cover artist for 3 of my book covers. Her art is full of life, vibrancy, and transformation. She deserves so much recognition for her creativity!

Website: www.bresheaanglen.com

Instagram: @bresheaanglen

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breshea-anglen-5a7171130/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bresheaanglen/

Other: Tiktok: @authorbresheaanglen