Episode Details

For more than five decades, Trent Angers has dedicated his life to journalism, publishing, and preserving the stories that define Louisiana and its people. As founder, editor, and publisher of Acadian House Publishing, Trent has edited and published 126 books over a 45-year career while also authoring six books of his own. His work has ranged from Cajun history and Louisiana political figures to military ethics, faith, and inspirational storytelling.

A graduate of LSU’s School of Journalism, where he was named Outstanding Graduating Senior and received the Hodding Carter Award for Responsible Journalism, Trent followed in the footsteps of his father, Bob Angers, founder of Acadiana Profile magazine. Trent would eventually spend 36 years as editor and publisher of Acadiana Profile, helping build it into one of the longest-running regional magazines in America before selling the publication in 2010 to focus full-time on book publishing with Acadian House Publishing.

During our conversation, Trent reflects on a life immersed in words, ideas, and the people behind them.

“Born with printer’s ink in my blood”

Trent jokes that journalism was his destiny. “You could say I was born with printer’s ink in the blood.”

His father purchased the Franklin Banner-Tribune in 1953, and Trent grew up watching the realities of community journalism firsthand. When Bob Angers launched Acadiana Profile in 1968, regional magazines were virtually unheard of.

“I thought he had lost his mind because there was almost no such thing as a city or regional magazine in this country at the time.”

Instead, Bob Angers proved to be a visionary. More than fifty years later, the publication remains an important voice for South Louisiana.

Acadian House Publishing: More Than Books

Today, Acadian House Publishing is one of Louisiana’s most respected independent publishers. Its catalog includes biographies, history, cookbooks, inspirational works, faith-based books, and regional classics.

Trent describes publishing as far more than simply printing books.

“Publishing involves careful acquisition of titles, careful editing, fact-checking, correcting, perfecting, marketing, warehousing, accounting, and distribution.”

Acadian House receives approximately 150 manuscript proposals each year but publishes only three or four books annually.

“No is the most powerful word in the English language.”

With limited capacity, Trent looks for books that move people, educate readers, and inspire meaningful reflection.

Dispelling Myths About Cajun Culture

At age 40, Trent wrote his first book, The Truth About the Cajuns, a work designed to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about Acadian people.

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