​I cannot express enough how important it is to hire a PA. Not just any PA – the right PA. While I know money is tight for indie authors, I also know this is worth it. I would rather save money in other areas than lose my PA. I’ve always felt that way and have spent only about three months of my writing career without one. Think about it: Readers are naturally going to be more inclined to invest in your work if you do. #JustSayin.

​That said, at least once a week I get asked for PA recommendations. But there is no one answer. While I’m blessed to have found the perfect fit for me in Kimberly Lee, it takes time to find a PA that will both understand you goals and push you to do and be more. There are a few things you want to think about.
Allow me to blurb…
These are the things that were important to me:

1. Trust. This is the most important thing. The indie community gets bumpy. You need someone you know you can talk to openly about both your highs and lows who will celebrate with you and be an ear when things aren’t going well.
2. Dependability. If your PA goes missing, end the contract. Start over and find a new one. Communication is key. If you can’t depend on them to be around when they say they will or for events and release days, they are hurting you and your work – simple as that.
3. Availability. I’ve had PA’s who work other full time jobs. It doesn’t work for me. I need a PA who is around a lot and available when I can’t be. This is just something to consider. With that said, the same thing goes for how many authors they have. A PA who is overbooked won’t serve you as well as one with less authors.
4. Enthusiasm. Do they love what they do? This is something easy to spot. It’s in the extra emojis or how quickly they respond to a cover or GR TRB drop. Watch for fans and readers who stalk you. They may just be your next best friend in the indie community in more ways than you think (happened to me twice).
5. Eagar to learn. Authors hire PA’s because we need the help and can’t be everywhere. You want someone who will learn it on their own and isn’t afraid to reach out to more experienced marketing people to learn. This is so important!
6. Friendship. For some, this doesn’t matter. For me, it matters a ton. I enjoy real life chat with my PA’s and find that as I get to know them (and visa versa) it’s easier to learn how each other works. Soon, with the right relationship, you will find that you can anticipate each other’s next move – a true time saver.
7. Understanding of your goals, brand, and work. Many authors have street teams or groups. They rely on PA’s to keep those active. Make sure the person you select understands who you are and what your work is about.
8. Someone who believes in your work and is willing to push you to do more. This one speaks for itself.

 
How to find this epic person and what to do when you think you have?

1. Watch. Who buys and reviews your books? Who offers to lend a hand? Who attends your events? That may be your next PA even if they have no experience.
2. Ask around. Talk to authors about your potential new PA. What is their relationship like? How much do they pay? Find these things out first.
3. Approach. Reach out to people. What can it hurt? The worst they can say is no.
4. Trial period. Start with a three month trial period. Some PA’s will even do this for free. DO NOT EXPECT A FREE PA FOREVER – eventually you need to put your money behind your words and work. It’s only fair. These guys work hard and should be compensated.
5. Negotiate clear expectations. How much will it cost? What will they do? When will things be due? How will you communicate? When will you pay them? Iron those things out ahead of time.

Happy PA hunting!
Until next time!
-E

​Howdy, Crazies!
Since becoming an indie author and now a publisher, I’ve gotten a lot of flak about being multi genre. Frankly, it makes me laugh. There are those who say that multi genre can’t work and that, in their experience, readers don’t like it. I’ve had the opposite experience. I’m not sure if it’s that my brand is built around my crazy desire to try anything once or if my readers are as eclectic and gutsy as I am, but I know what works for me and what’s been working for Crazy Ink.
One of our slogans is that it takes all kinds. I believe it. While we all have our favorite genres, I think those who limit themselves to one genre in fear they will upset their readers are missing out. I like to give my readers more credit than that. People are not one dimensional. Some days, we are in the mood for something dark. But other days, we are looking for different. Just like moods, reading tastes can change from time to time and, for me, I have found that most of my readers are willing to follow me on my crazy ride.
I didn’t set out to be multi genre. I did set out to write books that touched people. When I write fiction or step outside my favorite genres, it’s because I’m either in the mood to try something different or want a challenge. One of my favorite things to do is to let readers pick what book I’m writing next and/or use them as sparks to shape a story. By getting readers involved, I’ve found they feel more vested in the work and are happy to help promote and share. But that’s me. And the rumor is that I’m crazy.
I’ve tried all genres. There are some I’m just not good at. Others come naturally. I don’t let that stop me. Instead, I pick up a book in the genres that are more challenging and try to figure out what authors are doing to make that genre work. Overall, I believe this stretches my writing and helps me improve.
At the same time, they say you should write what you know. I agree. Stories based on real-life clients are easiest for me. They practically write themselves and I’ve been told my passion for the work I do translates to the page. I don’t get that kind of feedback in genres I have to work harder at. However, in taking risks and playing with new genres, I’m also finding that I have new favorites. My readers are experiencing this too.
I believe writing is art. It gets messy and it’s all subjective. One day, I might be attracted to something abstract and another day something more realistic. I don’t think there are really any wrong answers. Part of life is trying new things and going where the moment takes you.
From a publishing point of view, by taking submissions in all genres, I’m creating a bigger pool of readers to draw from. One author’s readers will soon become another’s. Because of the support and networking our authors do, they tend to share readers. I’ve watched horror authors pick up paranormal readers and visa versa through readers being brave enough to try something new. I think this is a beautiful thing.
So for those who think multi genre can’t work, well, I disagree and would encourage you to stretch your wings. Give readers and yourself more credit than that. No one I know lives their life in one mood all day every day. Don’t be afraid to play with the words on the page. Like paint on a canvas, you might be surprised what comes up if you just let your imagination run and throw THE CRITIC away…
Happy writing guys. Stay crazy and try new things!
 

​If I had one word to describe the world of indie publishing, it would be crazy. Ironically, and because I believe everything really does happen for a reason, I’m fortunate enough to have a background and brand behind me that allow me to define ‘crazy’ a little differently than most. To me, crazy is not a bad word. Instead, it symbolizes creativity, chaos, and a little bit of spunk. I wouldn’t want it—or my journey—to be any different.
I’ve decided to start this blog to offer new writers and potential publishers a glimpse into a very real and transparent road I’ve traveled through indie publishing. While I haven’t come close to seeing it all, as a multi-genre, hybrid author and now publisher, I have had my share of experiences. I have made many mistakes along my messy path to bringing my words to readers. At the same time, I’ve been fortunate enough to have some great successes under my belt too. My point? I’m no different than you. And this journey really IS crazy.
In my author group for Crazy Ink authors, I am happy to post rejection letters and share my mistakes as well as celebrate my successes. Like the company I run, I believe it takes learning from those mistakes to succeed. I will attempt to do the same here – to share with you the lessons I am learning along the way in an effort to make your journey a little smoother. I’d love to hear about your experiences and adventures too.
Before I get into my epic list of mistakes (upcoming blog) let me tell you a little about myself. This is the abbreviated version of my crazy life and the roads that led me to indie publishing. I come from a background that has led well to the path I’m currently on. In my first career, I worked as a journalist. This experience gave me the ability to write quickly and keep to tight deadlines. For this reason, I am able to release books often. At the same time, authors in the indie community have accused me of “flooding the market” because of how frequently I release. To me? Well, there is no such thing. I want my and my authors’ books out there. I want the brand seen and known.  I am slowly learning that you can’t please everyone and life really does, like the Crazy Ink slogan reads, “take all kinds.” For me, the more quality material I am able to feed to readers, the better. Why wouldn’t I capitalize on an asset? It only seems logical to make the most of my ability to write quickly. My and my authors’ readers are hungry and I see no need to hold back the words and stories or tease them when they are what keeps the pens moving across the page.
Obviously, journalism was not where it ended. That was only my beginning. My second career was as a marketing director in a mental health agency. There, I learned about a different kind of “crazy.” It bothered me. There was stigma to the word and what surrounded it and I didn’t think it was fair. I wanted to remove the shame from the word. I wanted to do something important. I just didn’t fully know it yet. While I had enjoyed my work as a journalist, I was raising kids at the time and needed more stable hours than work at a daily newspaper as a beat reporter would afford. So, making the best of career two, I got to know the consumers who used the nonprofit agency as a resource to help them manage a variety of pretty severe pathologies. In listening to their stories and getting close-up perspectives on the struggles they faced in their daily lives, I became both fascinated and inspired. While I was gaining marketing skills I had no idea would one day lead to my starting my own crazy company, I wanted to do more than write brochures on suicide prevention. Instead, I found myself lingering in waiting rooms, getting to know clients and doing my best to offer pretty much unsolicited advice. It was the moments where a client would smile or laugh or thank me for listening that made me plan my next course of action.
In 2011, I enrolled in graduate school. Because I’ve always loved children and believe any mental illness impacts family units, I decided to specialize in family therapy. During my grad school interview, I was asked what the one client population I would not be able to work with would be. I said I could not work with sex offenders. Well? Everything happens for a reason. Now, as a home-based therapist specializing in at risk families, I work with families and kids from all walks of life who are generally court-appointed. About forty percent of my cases involve allegations of sexual abuse. These families are in crisis and risk being torn apart due to neglect, abuse, and other charges. It’s my job to “fix” the situation and place kids in safe homes. I can tell you, there is never any real fix. What I’ve learned from this experience is that you can only do your best: Something I apply to my publishing work now. Another lesson for the future I didn’t see coming. Life’s crazy like that.
These days, as a member of Crazy Ink Publishing, LLC, I am striving to take the skills I’ve learned in my former and current careers to celebrate life’s crazy ride. While I often write about real life cases and clients under the pen name EL George, I also enjoy escaping into fictional worlds where things aren’t so heavy. Frankly, it’s fun to take a bearded lady and turn her into a werewolf. #CircusFreakSeries. But in all honesty, my current passion is behind building the Crazy brand so that I can help both authors, mental health charities, and readers alike.
To have a solid business, you need a strong plan. But you need more than that. While it is my goal to treat every author’s book like it is my own and continue that pesky old “flooding the market” gig, I also have a bigger dream. As the company grows, I intend to donate part of its proceeds to mental health advocacy. While I miss my days as a beat reporter and many of the challenging client groups I have served, I have no intention of steering away from my roots of service no matter how quickly Crazy continues to grow. I know no other way than to be curious, to ask questions, and to try to help out where I can. Crazy and chaotic or not, it is just who I am and will continue to drive the decisions I make around CIP.
It is my hope that Crazy Ink will be a supportive, bully-free place where authors lift each other up and form a community where they can depend on one another. I can’t be everywhere at all times but do try to be available. I also can’t do the free therapy authors and readers alike often request of me, but I can be a listening ear. I truly believe that, together, we can do something crazy fantastic and take our readers with us on this wild ride we call publishing!
So there’s a little about crazy old me and how I got here. Blurb: I’ll try anything once and generally don’t live with a lot of regret. I believe in the community we are slowly beginning to form and am honored that authors have trusted me with their dreams, passion and words. I’d love suggestions for ways you’d like me to use this blog, topics you’d like to see, and any questions you may have. I will post frequently about pitfalls and successes along the way and wish you the best in your lives, reading and writing. Thanks for hopping aboard the Crazy Train. Buckle up!