Episode 270 - Author Assistants: Finding One or Being One with Kate Tilton
January 7, 2025
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Kate Tilton discusses AUTHOR ASSISTANTS: FINDING ONE OR BEING ONE, including the various types of support an author assistant can offer, from organizing emails and managing forums to handling newsletters and connecting with PR firms. We explore the complexities of finding the right assistant, balancing workload, and the importance of clear communication and trust. Kate also touches on strategies for authors who find themselves overwhelmed and seeking help, providing valuable insights for anyone considering hiring or becoming an author assistant.
Kate Tilton is the founder of Kate Tilton’s Author Services, where she has been helping authors since 2010. Kate works with authors of all stripes, from New York Times and USA Today bestsellers to pre-publication authors. Becca Syme calls her "the best author support in the industry." A cat-lover and fan of many geeky things, Kate can likely be found curled up with tea and a good book, plotting world takeover, or connecting authors and readers in any way she can.
Kate Tilton is the founder of Kate Tilton’s Author Services, where she has been helping authors since 2010. Kate works with authors of all stripes, from New York Times and USA Today bestsellers to pre-publication authors. Becca Syme calls her "the best author support in the industry." A cat-lover and fan of many geeky things, Kate can likely be found curled up with tea and a good book, plotting world takeover, or connecting authors and readers in any way she can.
Episode Links
https://katetilton.com/
https://www.theindyauthor.com/072---mentoring-and-collaborating-with-interns.html
https://www.theindyauthor.com/072---mentoring-and-collaborating-with-interns.html
Summary
This week on The Indy Author Podcast, Matty Dalrymple talks with Kate Tilton about the role of author assistants and how to incorporate them into writing business operations. They discuss the origin of Kate's career as an author assistant and explore the essential considerations for indie authors seeking to hire help, and for individuals interested in becoming author assistants themselves.
Kate Tilton's journey into the world of author assistance began unexpectedly during her high school years when she stumbled upon an author seeking an assistant. Her career as an author assistant was born from this serendipitous encounter, highlighting how organic and unexpected career paths can be. This story emphasizes the importance of being open to opportunities and adaptable in career choices.
The conversation then delves into what an author assistant does. Kate explains that the role of an author assistant is highly diverse, often more diversified than many might assume. An author assistant can help manage emails, organize contests, manage forums, handle social media, and much more. This aligns with the needs of authors at different stages of their writing careers—from bestselling authors to those yet to publish a book. Kate stressed the importance of distinguishing what tasks are better suited for specialists, like social media or PR, vs. those that an assistant could handle.
The podcast episode also addresses the expectations authors should have when considering hiring an assistant. Matty and Kate talk about strategies for identifying when it's time to hire help. Kate recommends that authors should list everything they are doing, assess which tasks could be delegated, and identify the level of assistance required. For those who feel overwhelmed, a consultation with a coach who understands the indie author market could be highly beneficial.
Matty shares a personal story of employing a best friend as a business manager. She found that clarity improved when procedures were documented meticulously. It became evident during her collaboration that delegating tasks based on the strengths of the assistant could enhance productivity. This highlights the importance of a strategic approach when determining which responsibilities to hand over to an assistant.
On the other side, Kate suggests that for those interested in pursuing a career as an author assistant, starting with specific skills or tasks is beneficial. Building experience through smaller, more focused jobs and then expanding skills and services is a practical way to enter the field. Networking and getting recommendations from industry connections can also play a significant role in both hiring an assistant and becoming one.
Matty and Kate discuss the challenges and solutions in navigating client-assistant relationships, such as ensuring access to necessary resources without compromising security. The example of using password managers like LastPass increases security when sharing login credentials. They also talk about making sure that critical aspects of the business, such as website access, are adequately managed to prevent issues.
Kate advises being wary of potential 'red flags' when hiring an assistant, such as lack of professionalism or clarity in communication. Similarly, understanding the nuances between being an employee and a contractor is crucial for both parties to maintain a clear and productive working relationship.
The episode concludes with a focus on continuous improvement, both for authors considering hiring help and for aspiring assistants. The advice shared aides in creating productive partnerships that free authors to focus on writing while giving assistants the chance to refine their skills in the publishing industry.
This podcast episode provides valuable insights into the effective hiring and training of an author assistant, emphasizing the power of good organization and communication to streamline personal writing and business processes. By sharing her experiences, Kate encourages both authors and aspiring assistants to pursue the working relationships that best support mutual growth and success.
Kate Tilton's journey into the world of author assistance began unexpectedly during her high school years when she stumbled upon an author seeking an assistant. Her career as an author assistant was born from this serendipitous encounter, highlighting how organic and unexpected career paths can be. This story emphasizes the importance of being open to opportunities and adaptable in career choices.
The conversation then delves into what an author assistant does. Kate explains that the role of an author assistant is highly diverse, often more diversified than many might assume. An author assistant can help manage emails, organize contests, manage forums, handle social media, and much more. This aligns with the needs of authors at different stages of their writing careers—from bestselling authors to those yet to publish a book. Kate stressed the importance of distinguishing what tasks are better suited for specialists, like social media or PR, vs. those that an assistant could handle.
The podcast episode also addresses the expectations authors should have when considering hiring an assistant. Matty and Kate talk about strategies for identifying when it's time to hire help. Kate recommends that authors should list everything they are doing, assess which tasks could be delegated, and identify the level of assistance required. For those who feel overwhelmed, a consultation with a coach who understands the indie author market could be highly beneficial.
Matty shares a personal story of employing a best friend as a business manager. She found that clarity improved when procedures were documented meticulously. It became evident during her collaboration that delegating tasks based on the strengths of the assistant could enhance productivity. This highlights the importance of a strategic approach when determining which responsibilities to hand over to an assistant.
On the other side, Kate suggests that for those interested in pursuing a career as an author assistant, starting with specific skills or tasks is beneficial. Building experience through smaller, more focused jobs and then expanding skills and services is a practical way to enter the field. Networking and getting recommendations from industry connections can also play a significant role in both hiring an assistant and becoming one.
Matty and Kate discuss the challenges and solutions in navigating client-assistant relationships, such as ensuring access to necessary resources without compromising security. The example of using password managers like LastPass increases security when sharing login credentials. They also talk about making sure that critical aspects of the business, such as website access, are adequately managed to prevent issues.
Kate advises being wary of potential 'red flags' when hiring an assistant, such as lack of professionalism or clarity in communication. Similarly, understanding the nuances between being an employee and a contractor is crucial for both parties to maintain a clear and productive working relationship.
The episode concludes with a focus on continuous improvement, both for authors considering hiring help and for aspiring assistants. The advice shared aides in creating productive partnerships that free authors to focus on writing while giving assistants the chance to refine their skills in the publishing industry.
This podcast episode provides valuable insights into the effective hiring and training of an author assistant, emphasizing the power of good organization and communication to streamline personal writing and business processes. By sharing her experiences, Kate encourages both authors and aspiring assistants to pursue the working relationships that best support mutual growth and success.
