Meet Brandy Ange

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Ange.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Sure! I actually started really young. I had a pretty tumultuous home life as a kid. I used to escape by getting outside or when that wasn’t an option, reading. I really immersed myself in books and let my imagination run wild. Pretty much as soon as I learned how to write, I started writing my own stories. As I got older, I briefly dove into fan fiction (in my middle school years). Harry Potter specifically, because that was the first time I was exposed to a kid my age having PTSD, which wasn’t something I thought kids could have. I thought that was just something soldiers got from war. It really helped me to process my own trauma through the safe buffer of a fictional character which detatched me enough to be more honest with myself. When I was in high school, I found a love of poetry and short stories, which was a whole new level of processing and putting voice to the things I never spoke about. Writing really became a therapeutic process as well as an escape. I wrote my first book while I was in college thinking it was just a hobby and never intended to publish it. However, after I graduated and got stuck in the rut of a 9-5 job, I found myself absolutely hating my life. I realised I had settled for plan B before ever trying plan A, and decided to give publishing a try. My first book, Transgression (2017), did way better than I thought to hope for, and in 2021 I was able to leave that day job to write full time!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
If I were to describe the road to you, I would describe it as a moderately well maintained gravel road. It was somewhat clear to tell where the road was, but it was definitely bumpy and had the occasional pothole. I think most artists would agree that it’s always hard to put something out there that you made for yourself, and put so much of yourself into. In the beginning you have to build up that tough skin. Not everyone is going to like my books, or me for that matter, and that’s fine. But it took time to not take it personally. On the business side of things, it’s a lot to stay on top of. Social media platforms come and go, and get banned. Accounts get hacked, and you lose access… Marketing is a ton of trial and error, as is advertising. So there’s a huge learning curve. However, I find that sort of challenge fun for the most part. I’m always excited to try new things to see what works and what doesn’t. But I’ve definitely had to remind myself daily that I am in this for the long haul. I’m playing the long game, and that requires a lot of patience. That is far from easy. The logistics is probably where I run into the most problems. When you’re having problems with a printer or shipment that goes missing before a signing event, your artist is late and delivers the rough draft on their deadline and needs lots of work… that sort of thing. The things out of your control. Those are the frustrating ones. In general I’ve learned to assume, if something can go wrong, it will, and to leave room for those human errors and time to correct them. Stuff happens. Bracing for that and leaving a buffer in advance helps make those situations so much less stressful!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Right! So, at the moment, I am writing a YA Fantasy/Supernatural Thriller called, The Kingdom Come Series. It’s a little different from most if not all YA books out there in that its a pretty wide ensemble cast, and you get the story from the teen characters, but also from the adults that are actually present in the series, as well. It’s a great bridge between YA and Adult readers, so it makes a great buddy read for parents and teens. I generally tell people it’s for ages 14 and up. Many of my readers are actually adults, parents and even grandparents. I think it’s important to have coming of age stories that teach teens to learn to think for themselves, and question authority, but too many YA books stop there. I also want my readers to learn to establish trust with those authority figures deserving of it. I want the youth of today to know that even if it falls on you to save the world, Heaven forbid, you don’t have to do it alone. There are adults who actually do know a lot more because they’ve “been there and done it”, and those are relationships to develop and trust. You don’t have to do everything alone to be considered independent. That is a lesson I didn’t learn as a teen who moved out at 15. I am still having to do a lot of unlearning, and retraining myself about what true/healthy independence means. Probably why I still write YA! So that’s what I’m mostly known for at the moment, but I am hoping my readers will grow up with me, because I have plans to move forward into writing some New Adult Fantasy as well as some Adult Epic Fantasy.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
It takes a village to raise a kid. And though I moved out at a young age, I would say that I only survived because I had that village looking out for me. Despite my family not looking typical, I still have a deep love for my parents and they are both super supportive of what I do. My sister, Candice, is my writing buddy! Even though we are basically polar opposites, we’ve been able to grow closer as adults, which I love. We write VERY different genres, but are always bouncing ideas back and forth and going to each other with our writing woes.

I have an incredible support system through my church, and people who were like a second or third set of parents that taught me via the contrast to my own family what things could be like. I also had some incredible teachers especially in high school and college who really believed in me for some reason. Many times they are the unsung heroes. Teachers really do a lot to shape who we become as adults, and I was really fortunate. Three or four in particular come to mind: Beth Craft, who was my drama teacher as well as my English teacher in high school. I dedicated my first book, Transgression, to her and am sad to say she never got to see it as she passed away my sophomore year of high school. My band director Bob Ebert looked out for me and made sure I was safe. He kept me really busy with music and created an amazing community for us band nerds, so I didn’t feel nearly as alone as I might have. I also had a college professor who really pushed me and challenged me to show up for myself, Doctor Rafael Rodriguez. He gave me an F on my first real college paper that I had spent days polishing to perfection, and told me that it was beautifully written and he loved my metaphors but he “expected more” from me. And another, Alicia Crumpton, who poured into me until I believed in myself, that I could go out and do big life changing things! She was one of my business professors and sponsored my leadership certification and taught me that women can do incredible and creative things in business, especially when we help and encourage one another.

I would also be remiss not to mention those who actually help me with the books themselves, my editors, Debbie Broyles and Marcia Eatmon, and my cover designer and life-long friend Phil Thomas. I can’t say enough about all those readers who read and actually leave reviews. Those reviews are food for the soul, and also at times, a helpful prod to move me forward in developing my craft. The writing community is also an incredible resource of support, encouragement, and commiseration. Which you know, we all need at some point! I am so beyond grateful for my author friends!

Pricing:

• Transgression e-book 9.99- 19.99 paperback
• Penance e-book 8.99- 16.99 paperback
• Abolition e-book 8.99-16.99 paperback

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brandyange.me/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vagabee/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheKingdomComeSeries/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Vagabee
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@brandyange1753?app=desktop