Meet Kate Mcneil

We were lucky to catch up with Kate Mcneil recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kate, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

Creativity usually comes from within, however, I find that creativity can also come from others around you. I love meeting new people and connecting on a deeper level. Sharing stories of your past, challenges you have faced, or even moments of joy and despair can bring you closer to someone. When you create that bond with someone, the happiness you feel when they are successful can help foster your own creativity and success. Spending moments with those I love, bouncing ideas around and talking about ways to navigate life, keep the creativity alive within myself. They help keep me focused and centered on what’s important and how to bring my ideas to fruition.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

The Romance genre has grown significantly around the world. As a Romance reader myself, I couldn’t be more thrilled to see my beloved escape gain more traction. There was a gap in the Atlanta market and I wanted to create a space where Romance readers could connect and build community with each other. That’s when the dream for All the Tropes Romance Bookstore was born. During the few moments I came up for air on our opening day, I observed complete strangers become friends, forming bonds over Romance books. For me, this is where the magic lies: in creating a community centered around books we have grown to love and how they impact our sense of self. All the Tropes serves as a beacon for the Atlanta Romance community, hosting workshops, book clubs, and author events. With our very diverse selection of books, and our curated bookish items and gifts from local artists, there is always something for everyone at All the Tropes.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Opening up a bookstore takes passion, perseverance, and knowledge of the book industry. Before hard launching All the Tropes, I spent a year and a half conducting research. I joined the American Booksellers Association and the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, as they are incredible resources for hopeful booksellers. Passion for the Romance genre fueled my perseverance through the moments of uncertainty and fears of failure. I knew that opening All the Tropes would provide a much needed space for the Romance readers of Atlanta, but I never let go of my purpose — no matter how difficult it felt at times.

If you are just beginning the journey of making your dream a reality, stay steadfast. Hold onto your passion and perseverance as you navigate through the extensive industry research. Making sure you cover all of your bases, analyzing market trends, and securing a location can be incredibly stressful, but don’t let go of your dream.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed with wearing all of the hats, I turn to the people who are always in my corner. They help keep me grounded and remind me of my passion and purpose. All the Tropes has become a place where readers from all walks of life are represented and can explore their love for Romance books. Knowing that I have achieved my purpose and provided this space brings me back to a more peaceful place where I can focus on what’s next.

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