Author's Assistant/PR Agencies

Hi guys and gals,

I've been reading a lot of posts about people needing to learn how to do marketing, hating marketing, and those that wish they never, ever had to do it. In the romance circles that I run in it's become popular over the last year to two years to hire an author's assistant(also known as a VA-virtual assistant) to handle the bullshit. Some do blog tours, some do marketing, some do anything you want for an hourly rate(not that, pervert), some will set up and maintain your website and/or hook you up with someone who can, and others will basically be your administrative assistant.

Now---disclaimer-- I am in no way affiliated with any of these groups. I can't tell you who is good or who is bad(well I'll tell you if they are con artists etc) as your experience will probably be different than mine because you're you and I'm me. Before you invest money anywhere, on anything, please be sure to do your research. Anyone can call themselves anything, so make sure you ask to see an example of their work and/or talk to an author that has used them, etc.

Here are 7 things to look for in a VA(taken from-http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2010/09/seven-things-to-look-for-in-a-virtual-author-assistant/)

1. Collaborative Effort Your Author Assistant is an entrepreneur as well. She can offer advice and guidance that fit your specific needs.---Make SURE your VA specializes in romance, esp the genre you are writing--
2. References An Author Assistant is self employed as well and should be able to provide several references if needed.
3. Samples You should be able to see on the Author Assistants website samples of the services they offer. The samples may not be client samples, but might be articles the Author Assistant has written.
4. Contract You are entrusting confidential information to an Author Assistant they should provide a contract.----not always the case, many do it on a ala carte basis with no contracts involved--
5. Confidentiality Many Author Assistants have a confidentiality clause in their contracts.
6. Certification Some type of specialized training, this gives an Author’s Assistant special expertise.---once again, not really. Anyone can have a degree, I want to see what you do with it.---
7. Turnover Depending on the project you should be given a time frame on when the project will be complete.

Please feel free to add any author's assistant businesses that I've missed as I'm sure there are a bunch. Or shit, if it's your business feel free to chime in as well. For many author's this is a new concept and I'm sure they have questions.

Virtual Assistant(in no particular order/vaguely alphabetical):

Author's Angels- http://www.authorsangels.com/

Author's Assistant Agency- http://authors-assistant-agency.com/

Sizzling PR- http://sizzlingpr.com/

Romance Author's Best Friend http://www.romanceauthorsbestfriend.com/

Romance Novel Promotions- http://www.romancenovelpromotions.com/

Writer Marketing Services- http://www.writermarketing.co.uk

You are most welcome. I've only been doing this two years, but the industry (at least ePub Romance) has changed so much in that time with more and more of an advertising burden put on the author. While I don't have the funds to buy RT ads, I can spare a couple(tax deductible) buck on having someone else take care of the bullshit work so I can write. I hope you find an assistant/agency that suits your needs.
Another important thing, at least to me, is that most of the agencies are someone's dream job and they will bust their ass to make you happy. I like knowing that my money is going to people who work hard and are chasing their dream.

lol- If I didn't have a full time job as a stay at home Mom of three little boys I probably wouldn't need help. But trying to do it all had me burning my candle at both ends so I decided to delegate.

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