Meet Trona TK” Peoples | Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Trona “TK” Peoples and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trona “TK”, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Creating my own self-publishing company was a personal journey fueled by a mix of self-belief and a bit of frustration with the traditional publishing route. Traditional publishing is most, if not all, writers’ dream, but it wasn’t happening for me. I believed that the books I wanted to create deserve to be in today’s world, not when someone finally saw my potential. I embraced the freedom to bring my creative ideas to life without jumping through the hoops of the conventional system, where it often feels like breaking in is an uphill battle. Starting my company was about embracing my stories and ideas in a way that felt true to me and just doing it my way. I am a librarian, and while reading stories one day, I saw a need for more bilingual children’s books. The days of reading story after story sparked my first book project, “Wow Mom, You Speak Spanish!” My favorite quotes are “Knowledge is Power” and “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way.” I learn as much as I can about self-publishing so that not only will my company flourish, but this company will help others like myself. I was determined to share with the world, and Anort Books, LLC became the way!

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.
With over 23 years of experience as a teacher and librarian, my journey has been evidence of hard work, dedication, and an unwavering belief in the power of education. In 2019, I ventured into self-publishing by creating Anort Books, LLC, driven by a passion for cultivating lifelong readers and providing a platform for emerging authors. Balancing my roles as an educator and entrepreneur, I’ve discovered the resilience that comes from a deep-rooted commitment to my goals and a reliance on faith in God. The challenges of being an educator have only fueled my determination to make a lasting impact. Anort Books, LLC is a testament to the belief that “Where there’s a Will, There’s a Way.” What sets me apart from most is my experience in education, my love for reading and language learning, and the entrepreneurial spirit that led to establishing Anort Books, LLC. I take pride in the journey that brought me here, navigating the complexities of both the educational and publishing realms. The path hasn’t been easy, but overcoming challenges has been a lesson in persistence and the importance of staying true to one’s vision. I want the world to know that Anort Books, LLC is not just a publishing company; it’s a beacon of possibility, demonstrating that with determination and a love for storytelling, one can break barriers and inspire readers and writers worldwide.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
While I know that when most come to Georgia, the city of Atlanta is a true highlight. However, just outside of Atlanta, a beautiful city in Jonesboro, GA, is worth a visit. Start off with a light breakfast with coffee and tea at The Fig Tree. To soak in the town’s history, one can tour the Road to Tara Museum and other popular locations, gaining insights into Jonesboro’s rich past. For lunch, a stop at Nouveau Bar $ Grill or Slutty Vegan for some of the most amazing food. In the evenings, stop at our newest business, The Cigar Parlour, and enjoy a mix of good food and live entertainment, and, oh yes, the cigars. To add a touch of nature, our beautiful Lee Street Park is the location to soak up all of the beautiful, serene surroundings. This Gone with the Wind, southern charming city of Jonesboro, GA, will surely have you returning for a longer stay.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
While many have been resources and sources of inspiration, two stand out. I am so grateful to all of my self-published compadres. I was looking to do more than write. I wanted to create a way for myself and others. Lotunja Wright, creator, and owner of The Self-Publishing Blueprint, is a teacher librarian like myself who had books that needed to be on the shelf now. The blueprint offered will guide you step by step through the process. My self-publishing journey led me to Crystal Swain-Bates, founder of Goldest Karat Publishing. Crystal Swain-Bates is highly successful and has sold thousands of books. She has a program that teaches others to do the same. I am genuinely thankful for every person I have encountered, especially these two individuals.

Website: www.anortbooks.com

Instagram: @anortbooks

Linkedin: @tronapeoples

Twitter: @anortbooks

Facebook: @anortbooks

Youtube: @tronapeoples