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kimschaaf

Kim Schaaf Reads...

A work as the PA to the amazing Airicka Phoenix!!! I love to read....

The Ramblings of a Reviewer turned PA…..from YATR to Airicka Phoenix….

 

  I’m not really a seasoned personal assistant.  I’ve only been doing this for a few months.  It’s something that I honestly NEVER even thought about doing before I was approached.  When the lovely Derinda Love (founder of YATR) asked me….”So, Kimmie – have you ever thought about being a personal assistant to an author?”  I seriously made that face….the face that screamed, “Whatcha talkin’ about Willis??”

 

“Should I be, D?”  And then Derinda, god love her, started to tell me all of the reasons why she thought I would be a PERFECT PA….finally, I had to stop her and just ask her straight up, “D, is someone asking you if I would be a PA, or are you just wondering?”  Still not 100% sure what was going on Derinda responded, “I’m asking you…are you interested?”

 

Sure….why the hell not….

 

And then a new thread on FB was opened between me, Derinda, and Airicka Phoenix.  In the amazing words of my lovely boss, “HOLY POOPSICLES!!”  I literally about fell off of my chair.  I mean….THE FREAKIN’ AIRICKA PHOENIX!!!!

  

And this was legit.  The real deal….contracts, agreements….a job…..a job doing something that I would have done without even being asked to do it.

 

And that’s how it started.  A match made in heaven.

 

And I was a nervous wreck!!!  What if I did it wrong?  What if Airicka hated how I handled things?  What if it was too much??  Just ask Nanette Bradford….I was a wreck….always worrying…..

 

So, why am I really here?  First and foremost, to tell my story.  And if you made it this far, it mustn’t have sucked too much.  And, well….recently there’s been A LOT of talk about PA’s in our indie author community.  Readers looking to be PA’s….authors looking for PA’s.  And in the little bit of time that I’ve been a PA, I’ve learned A TON!!  And honestly, I never expected what I have…..

 

So I thought I would share my top ten things I LOVE about being a PA.

 

10 – A New Appreciation for Authors

 I have ALWAYS respected the amazing authors that we all love. But I have a brand new appreciation for how much they really put their whole hearts and souls into their craft.  The hours upon hours upon hours that they spend…not just writing, but thinking about their books, their characters….it’s EXHAUSTING!!  But in a good way.  Not in the, “I just ran 5 miles and feel like I could die…” kinda way….

 

It’s WAY better than that.

 

9 – Fans

I say this with no bias what-so-ever….book fans are THE BEST!!!  I am so blessed to be immersed every day in the world of amazing, crazy, obsessed, and super fun book fans!! 

 

8 – Inside Jokes

Twins and Skeaze Bitches….we’ll just leave it at that….  J

 

7 – Teasers

Ok – I LOVE TEASERS.  I love posting them, I love reading them, I love them.  I love teasing Airicka’s followers about teasers.  What can I say?  I’m a tease….tee hee….

  

6 – Giveaways

 I’m a sucker for giveaways.  I love participating in them.  I love having the freedom to offer up Airicka’s works in giveaways.  I love putting them together.  Giveaways are just another tool in the arsenal that is promoting an author. 

 

5 – The Books

 I’m not going to lie.  Being a PA has its perks.  I have been gifted some AMAZINGLY beautiful paperbacks from some great authors. 

 

 4 –Support

 So being a PA is, in my personal opinion, so much more than just being an admin on an Author page, or pimping out the books, or getting new readers.  Being a PA is all about support.  Support through the writing process….and let me tell you, it’s the best feeling to know that you’ve helped that person that you “work” for through something difficult.  And the writing process is difficult, and complicated, and wonderful, and heartbreaking, and well….it just is.  And I’m BLESSED to have the opportunity to go through the process with Airicka.

  

3 – Releases and Reveals

 If you guys had ANY idea what goes on behind the scenes….see my reason #10.  J  Cover reveals and book releases are such an adrenaline rush.  Watching people like and share and get excited about books….it’s great!!  And seeing the excitement behind the scenes….again….just flippin’ fantastic. 

  

2 – Street Teams

 Airicka Phoenix has THE BEST – hands down – THE BEST Street team out there.  These girls pimp when I ask; they pimp when I don’t ask.  And they are so super supportive of Airicka both out in the open and behind the scenes.  These women rock my socks. 

 

1 – Airicka

 What can I say?  She’s the #1 reason I LOVE THIS JOB!!  Seriously, if I EVER have the means to make the choice to work for her full-time and quit my “day job”….it’s a no brainer.  Amongst all of her craziness…and trust me, there’s some crazy….this woman just amaze me.  She’s super INSPIRING.  Not only is she an obvious kick-ass writer (we all know that), an amazing Mama (her kids crack me up…), a loving wife……..above and beyond all….she’s such an awesomesauce friend.  One of my best friends.  I never in a million years believed that we would be as close as we are.  I thought going into this that I would be working FOR her….not WITH her.  We laugh, we cry, we bitch, we laugh….ok, we laugh a lot.  I couldn’t do this without her (obviously) and I don’t believe I would ever WANT to do this for anyone else.  She deserves all the best…and I will do my best to get her what she deserves!!! 

 

So, when people ask, “Should I be a PA?”  I would give only this answer.  Do what you love, love what you do.  If you can put 150% into someone else….someone that has their livelihood as this amazing craft….then do it.  And enjoy it….every stinking amazingly awesome minute of it.