Author's assistants are well-known inside the publishing world, but not recognized by many outside of it. We predict that will change very soon because of the increasing numbers of authors who are getting published, either as independent publishers themselves or the more traditional route with established publishers.

Every big-time author has an author's assistant - someone the author can call on to do the amazing number of tasks that surround the successful completion, publishing and marketing of a book. But first-time authors are lucky - they can have author's assistants, too - virtually.

A new author can pay for just the time and expertise needed, without having to create a staff, making a virtual author's assistant an important part of an author's success. Here are the four biggest reasons this is an essential member of the author's success team:

1. There is just too much work for one person. So many new or aspiring authors have day jobs and this is what they must do until their writing pays the rent. Until an author can clone him or herself, he or she must rely on others to help carry the load.

2. An author's assistant has special expertise. Look for someone with training and experience in doing what you need done - from preparing a manuscript, to doing a competitive analysis, to coordinating a self publishing process, to running a virtual book tour or an Amazon best seller campaign. Author's assistants can do all this and much more. They understand the industry, the technology and have already established resources and connections.

3. The cost is greater when you do it yourself. There is a high learning curve for anyone who has never made the publishing journey. Whether the author is paid $70 an hour or $270 an hour as a coach, therapist, attorney or entrepreneur, the author's assistant is a tremendous value at a much lower per-hour cost. With an author's assistant the author has the freedom to concentrate on those things only the author can do, especially writing the best book he or she can. Expect to pay from $30 to $60 an hour (and it goes higher with greater expertise) for a qualified virtual assistant.

4. The synergy of the collaborative effort. There is nothing that inspires work like someone waiting for it. An author's assistant is there to help you take each step so precious little time goes by between your writing and preparation for publishing and marketing. If you set the date, the author's assistant will be there with support and encouragement to help you make it happen.

If you haven't worked virtually before, talk to someone who has. Most people who start are hooked. One of the keys to success is to have clarity about the tasks you want to have done and the payment arrangements - and then to memorialize these in a contract. Another key is to find someone with demonstrated training and experience since the first-time author may be in the dark about what the tasks actually are.

Take it from the established successful authors, don't go it alone. Get the support you need and you will be well on your way to publishing success.

Copyright (c) 2007 Gail Richards