Today I’m interviewing Linda Barnett-Johnson, a professional editor and virtual assistant. After you read her interview you can find out more about Linda, and her services, by visiting either Linda’s blog, or Linda’s website.
Linda, I’ve reviewed your website and I have to say that I appreciate how informative you are about yourself, the things that matter to you, helping others, etc.
In your bio you mentioned that you worked in the business world for forty years and now you’re in Montana. What, if you don’t mind me asking, was your “day” job while you lived in Southern California? How did you come to enter the world of editing and being a virtual assistant for authors?
That’s a good question and the first time I’ve been asked. Right after high school, I entered the secretarial field. My two-year typing course in high school, prepared me for setting up letters and business forms. I worked at a hospital in several areas. I learned to do payroll, AR/AP, time cards, receptionist, dictation (in long hand), sales, etc. I loved working with people, and the applicable experience each job brought me. I loved working for an agency where you went to different businesses and learned another job. I became well-rounded in the secretarial field.
Denise Cassino and I started Long Story Short e-zine, where we could help new writers get published. That was in 2003. I learned a lot from reading and giving feedback. We did what we could to help many writers achieve their writing goals. In 2005, we opened Long Story Short School of Writing to further help new and advanced writers. We have a wonderful group of instructors, and the fees are very reasonable.
In 2001, I opened up my own writing and poetry forums that are private. I used to write a short story each month and then receive feedback from my other members. I would give them feedback, too. I have helped many writers achieve their publishing goals. It’s a satisfying feeling for me personally. I have also been published with short fiction and poetry. Now I do more reading than writing.
Being a virtual assistant for authors, I enjoy telling others about new books and authors. More and more people know me from Long Story Short and I was good at advertising and marketing, so it all went hand-in-hand for me. I actually enjoy this as much, if not more, than editing. I have a lady client that sent me her book to edit and after that I did marketing for her. She has now sent me another book, which I edited and is now marketing it. I have met so many wonderful people through this all. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
What do you love most about editing? What do you like least?
I love reading new stories, for one. I love the process. Is there a good opening hook? Does the story flow? Are the characters well-defined? Is there good build-up of tension and a reasonable resolution? What changes should be made to make the story stronger? How about the dialogue? Does it sound realistic? What about the tag lines? Too many “He said – She said?” How about the punctuation and grammar? All this needs to be taken into consideration when editing a story.
I guess the time factor would be the part I like the least. It’s hard to find extra time when you are doing all these jobs and making everyone happy. My motto is: Your goals are my goals. I want them to succeed.
In the writing world, I’m certain there are those who feel that they can handle everything (writing, editing, marketing, social media) by themselves. While I’m sure they can, how would your services make their life easier? 
What my clients want is their time to write and not worry about the marketing aspect of the business. That’s where I come in. I free up their time and worries so they can just do what they love, and that’s to write. I give them …their freedom to write, while I am finding interviews, book reviewers and putting out blurbs about their book(s) daily.
Listing yourself as a “Virtual Assistant for Authors,” do you ever feel people shy away; thinking that your services will be too expensive for them to afford? What are the prices for your editing/assistant services?
My prices are very reasonable. Here’s a breakdown:
I charge $30.00 per hour.
That may sound a lot to some, but you have to figure your time put into this. I usually do more time than I charge, that’s just the way I am. I am a giver. I am willing to do financing, like ½ and ½. What is your writing worth to you? What is it worth to not worry about doing marketing on top of writing?
CHARGES PER HOUR:
$100.00 per mo. = 4 hours
$200.00 per mo. = 7 hours
$300.00 per mo. = 10 hours
$400.00 per mo. = 12 hours
$500.00 per mo. = 17 hours
For my last question Linda, do you have any nuggets of wisdom that you would like to share with my readers?
I do have a couple of quotes that I wrote:
“Write what you feel; Feel what you write.”
“If you don’t toot your own horn, who will?”
Everyone has a story. I hear people tell me that they couldn’t write. Well, I’m here to tell you that you can. I like to encourage people to achieve their goals and reach for the stars. You can do anything you put your mind to. If you want to be a couch potato, you’ll be a couch potato. If you believe you can write a children’s book, then you’ll write a children’s book. If you’re a story teller to your kids or grandkids, then you’ll be a story teller to all of us.
I want to take the opportunity to thank you for doing this well-defined interview. I appreciate your work ethic.
Linda Barnett-Johnson
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