Why I hired a PA and how I found her

When people found out I had a personal assistant (whom I adored), I started getting questions about how I found her, and she started getting propositions from other authors who wanted her.

So, I thought I should explain a little bit more about our relationship and how after only two months, I know I've found the perfect PA.

Let me start out by saying I've been writing and publishing since 2011 and have had assistants and PR people before. All I have parted ways with.

They either weren't doing the job right, didn't have time for it, or I just plain couldn't afford them.

A lot of things also changed from 2011 to now.

I started doing my own formatting and uploading.
I had a second child.
I moved across the country TWICE.
I quit my full-time job.
Sales TANKED.

I would have loved to go back with a PR company but at close to $400 a month (and over), I couldn't afford it.

I've had previous PA's who I paid in books and swag and I asked for help with promotion. But then their lives got busy and I started wanting more and more that they couldn't handle.

So I was without a PA.

Then, in July, we moved across the country AGAIN.

I wanted to release two books in a series within a week of each other. I knew that I needed help.

So I started evaluating, what DO I need help with? What was taking me away from writing (the ultimate money maker)?

Formatting paperbacks - Yes, I do this myself and, yes, it can take me about two hours to do, even without fancy formatting.

Uploading books to all sites - Again, PITA

Keeping Street Team, Facebook groups, all active. - I can post once a day, but sometimes I needed to spend days away from social media when moving (or when the internet is effed up).

Organization - Just remembering that I have ads, takeovers, etc.

Finding new places to advertise that were free or cheap and submitting.

Finding new reviewers.

Once I looked at this, I also thought about what I wanted in a PA and who I trusted to do these things.

I met Alissa a year or two ago. We actually met in an online group and found out we were both from the same small town and her husband took me trick or treating with my cousin when I was younger (he dressed as a woman).

She had been interesting in writing and publishing but life got in the way (two active kids, writers block, etc).

I'd been using bloggers in the past, who do help, but the business side of things was something I had to teach them, something they weren't that interested in.

So, I approached Alissa to do this as an intern/assistant. She immediately jumped at the chance.

Now we're going on our two month anniversary.

My advice for finding your own PA.

Write down what YOU want a PA to do (specifically). Interview applicants. Ask other people what their PA's do. And the biggest one: PAY THEM. They work a lot harder for pay.

Now we have an NDA and contract in place so she has to stay with me for a certain amount of time, but she is free to use this knowledge if she eventually PA's for other people or publishes her own book. As far as pay goes, she makes 10 percent of what I make a month. The more she helps and I get books out, the more she makes. We have a cap at a certain amount, but otherwise that's what she gets. You don't have to shell out a ton of money, if a PA is willing to work for this, but just books and swag doesn't always cut it.

This process may not work for everyone, but this is what I did to find my assistant and I couldn't be happier.

Monday Musings

I decided to start off my first Monday Musings back to kind of fill everyone in on what I've been up to.

Whoa. It's been awhile.

In 2009 I started on this journey of writing and getting published. I queried agents and even got a few nibbles.

In 2011 I had my first child and everything kind of went a little lopsided. I didn't know what I was doing with parenting and trying to balance all things books. Luckily I met an author named GP Ching who turned me on to self-publishing and in December 2011 my first YA book was self-published.

Yeah...it didn't do so hot.

I was ready to give up. It took months before I even got close to making what I put into it. I didn't even know why I started writing YA and there was a lot of fighting with my husband and crying and wondering where I went wrong.

So August of 2012 I self-published my New Adult novel, My Paper Heart, and all of a sudden my luck turned around.

Since then I've put out A LOT of books ranging from Young Adult to New Adult to even one erotica. EEP.

But somewhere along the way I got lost. I found myself drowning in a numbers game in which I was obsessed with ranking and making lists. I spent too much time on social media and not enough time living my life.

After years of depression, a second child, and a move across the country (okay and a lot of pushing and prodding) I decided not to be a crazy woman and start writing for me.

How are things going now?

Meh...it's okay I guess? There are days I have my ups and days I have my downs.

So, how are you doing? Are you writing? Blogging? Reading?

Contemp Book Bloggers Wanted!

Life, Life, & Lemons ARCs should be ready by end of February/ Beginning of March. Are you a book blogger that loves some contemp?  Drop me a line at authormagan@gmail.com with your blog link, why you want to read the book, and something pretty.

Fangirl Friday

That’s right the Fangirl wants YOU.

For what you may ask?  I’m not a published author or agent (or maybe I am?)  You don’t need to be published to be a Fangirl you just have to REALLY like something!  Are you really excited by a new author’s book?  Maybe even a style of writing?  Heck maybe you just want to promote yourself and you are a clay pot maker from Boring, Idaho!  Either way I want your Fangirlness!

So what do you need to do?

Send me your blog post!  I want to know what has you Fangirling (or heck even Fanboying) out!

I do have some rules though, not many, but I need to have them.

1.)     No blatant bashing.  Yes, I’ve alluded to some books or movies that I don’t like, but you can’t blatantly say “this is a piece of crap!”

2.)    You can talk about controversial topics, but just realize that it can get heated.  I have talked about homophobia and gay bullying repeatedly and you do have to realize that others may have strong opinions on those topics and just be aware.

3.)    You CAN promote yourself or your own book.  I’m fine with that, give me some options.

4.)    It doesn’t have to be about books, just anything that has you jazzed.

5.)    Please keep swearing to a minimum.  Just a personal preference, but it bothers me…

6.)    Please include a short bio of yourself and a link to your blog or website.  If you want to include a picture, that’s fine, if you don’t then that’s fine too!

7.)    All blog posts will be e-mailed to magan.vernon@gmail.com and will have to be approved before posting.  If I say it’s a go without any questioning material then I will give you the Friday day that it’s posted.

Happy Blogging everyone and I look forward to reading what you have to say!