Bryan Cantrell

Bryan Cantrell is a San Diego–based author, entrepreneur, film producer, and creative founder best known for his work in historical pirate fiction, independent film, consumer products, and premium spa brands made in California.

He is the author of the Pirates of the Wild West series and its sequel, Pirates of World War II, part of the Storm of Time time-travel saga. His stories blend real pirate history with speculative fiction, maritime adventure, and myth, drawing inspiration from legendary figures such as Blackbeard and lesser-known privateers of the Age of Sail.

In the entertainment industry, Bryan Cantrell is the founder of Dark Gravity Studios, an independent entertainment production company. Through Dark Gravity Studios, he executive produced the 2023 feature film Abigail and the 2022 multiple award-winning film Twenty-Two, expanding his creative work into narrative cinema and film production.

As an entrepreneur, Bryan Cantrell was featured on the television series Shark Tank in two episodes for the hit portable campfire product Radiate. Following his appearance on the show, he partnered with Robert Herjavec after successfully making a deal. His work with Radiate and Shark Tank led to additional national exposure, including an appearance on the daytime television program The View.

In addition to his work in media and consumer products, Bryan Cantrell is the founder of Fleur De Spa, a California-based wellness brand specializing in professional-grade paraffin wax, massage candles, dry oils, and spa treatments used by nail salons, estheticians, and at-home spa enthusiasts across the United States.

Bryan is also the creator of The Pirate Republic, a weekly newsletter and media brand dedicated to pirate history, maritime lore, festivals, shipwreck discoveries, and pirate-themed pop culture. The Pirate Republic reaches a global audience of readers, listeners, and history enthusiasts through newsletters, podcasts, and video platforms.

Often writing and publishing under the pirate persona Captain Black Quill, Bryan Cantrell combines storytelling, entrepreneurship, filmmaking, and historical research to build interconnected creative worlds across books, films, products, and media.

He lives and works in San Diego, California.