LaTonya Ranel Williams

LaTonya Ranel Williams is an author, entrepreneur, and lifelong lover of books, words, puzzles, and the wonderfully quirky ways people communicate. She has published more than 10 books across a variety of subjects, combining curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning with a desire to create books that are both engaging and enjoyable.

A lifelong admirer of Jane Austen, LaTonya first discovered Austen's work in ninth grade through a required reading assignment and has been enchanted by her wit, unforgettable characters, and observations on life and society ever since. That early introduction grew into a lasting passion that continues to inspire much of her creative work today.

LaTonya is the founder of Jane Austen Treasures, a literary lifestyle brand created for fellow Janeites and book lovers. Her love of Austen also extends to her publishing, including Jane Austen-inspired books and puzzle books designed to give readers another way to enjoy the novels, characters, language, and world of Jane Austen. From literary puzzles and activities to books created for curious readers, her work reflects her belief that books can educate, entertain, and bring people together.

She is also the author of *A Fun Guide to American Sayings*, an entertaining introduction to the colorful expressions that make up everyday American conversation. The book explains what familiar American sayings actually mean, especially those expressions that can be hilariously confusing when taken literally. After all, Americans aren't really "under the weather," nobody actually needs to "hold their horses," and being told to "break a leg" is usually a very good thing!

Beyond writing and publishing, LaTonya has spent more than 20 years working in technology and software engineering. Her varied interests in literature, language, history, puzzles, technology, and entrepreneurship often find their way into the projects she creates.

Whether she is creating a new Jane Austen-inspired puzzle book, writing about the peculiarities of the English language, developing a new idea for Jane Austen Treasures, or simply returning to a favorite Austen novel, LaTonya believes learning and reading should be useful, accessible, and, whenever possible, fun.