If you’re an author, actor, singer, entrepreneur, speaker, or business owner… And the list can go on.
If you want to get out there and find new clients and customers, then eZWay can help you.
I’m personally inviting you to join the Pitch Party happening on 19th January. Sign up at http://ezwayfamily.com for free.
Get your profile up on the Wall of Fame.
Make 2023 count!
So, I took part in this last year, and it was manic. Now I have more work, more clients, and more books to write, and I’m still challenging myself to record, edit and post a podcast every day through the month of November. I don’t just go online and talk for ten minutes, and that’s my podcast. No, these are full 30-minute interviews with my guests on Behind The Pen.
Got to day 16, and all is smooth sailing (so far)
Here are a couple of episodes you might be interested in.
Please don’t forget to like, comment and follow the podcast. I really appreciate that.
Please support the Facebook page as well.
I got the honour to chat with this actor, director and author about his 70 years in the entertainment business. And of course, his iconic role as Cigarette Smoking Man in the X Files.
https://www.onactingandlife.com/
I was a guest on Dr Sandi Webster’s, podcast. Available on video MP4 and MP3.
I talk about my writing, my books and then about Author Assist. What I do for my clients.
I answer the questions, why it works, and why authors are anxious about hiring someone who can help with marketing or promoting, such as VA or PA?
And I talk about my own experience when hiring a ‘professional.’
Sandi then asks my honest opinion about her book cover and I give it to her straight. As I normally would.
I’m very open and honest when I talk about my work, experience and how I can help authors out there.
Watch or listen to this very engaging interview with tips and advice throughout.
iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/…/karina…/id1572493336…
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/3zTjtdwveTXnQug6pzGRG5
If you’re a regular listener to my live radio show, Author Assist on the Artist First Radio network, you know how the show works. Okay, sometimes I throw in a few surprises for my guest like making them sing, live on air and getting them to take part in a quiz, they knew nothing about.
Well, on the last show, Friday 8th April, I did two things I’ve never done before in the five years I’ve been on the air. I had a rant, and I cried. I’m not going to tell you what the rant was about or why I cried, you need to listen to the show and find out.
As well as those two monumental occurrences, we have awesome music from Lola Black and her hit single Hot Enough. Live readings from two of my flash fictions from my Collection, Heads & Tales, and my wonderful guest, Teri M Brown, who also does a reading for you.
So plenty of entertainment. You can listen to the archived show here.
Download a copy of Heads & Tales
Meet Teri M Brown. On the podcast Behind The Pen
Ans find out more about Lola Black and her music
Check out Teri M Brown’s debut novel, Sunflowers Beneath The Snow
What’s your brand?
Good question and I bet many authors can’t answer that. One of the services I provide with Author Assist is branding and design. Many authors don’t see their book as a business but that’s the mindset you need to succeed in this industry. Writing, publishing and selling your book is a business and now it’s time to put that business hat on and take hold of the reigns.
Why brand?
Because you need to stand out in this overly saturated market and having a brand and logo will make you stand out. A unique branding, a unique logo. Everywhere you post, you show your brand and soon people will recognise the logo and know it belongs to you. You get your merch printed with your branding. At cons, your table, banners, bookmarks should all carry your unique brand.
How do I come up with a concept?
Putting my business hat on, I will explain a couple of concepts I have created for my clients. Victoria Saccenti was an award-winning author with a three-book series called Destiny and had a stand-alone book called Noémie’s Journey. What these books had in common was they were set in the 20th century but during a historical time. Now there are thousands of writers that write romance and again historical romance, so how would Victoria stand out? I asked her what plans did she have for her next books, and she surprised me when she said fantasy paranormal series and then something even darker. How was I to tie them all together? I started thinking about what romance represented and it certainly wasn’t all candy floss and chocolates. I thought about the colour of romance and then it clicked smell. The perfume. The Essence of Romance. So we had a branding now to design a logo. I saw a perfume bottle. I played around with the initials, and a signature and then we decided how about the bottle with the scent coming out and making the essence shape into VS.
Here’s how the completed branding looked. I came up with the initial concept, and design but I did not create the logo. but I take no credit for the creation of the banner.
All her following books all fitted so well under the branding of The Essence of Romance.
https://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Saccenti/e/B013H2XYPK
As for me, I write in most fiction genres so trying to find a box I fitted in could have been a difficult path to be on and so I jumped off and branded myself as Explosive Writer, as all my books are explosive.
Here’s a testimonial from a client who needed branding and logo.
I only had a vague idea about branding myself as a dystopian author. After a brainstorming session with Karina, she created an identity and brand for me that I wouldn’t have ever considered. Karina is very easy to work with. She is very receptive to an author’s input and thoroughly explains how all the elements of the brand design work together.
Karina is an extremely talented designer she creates beautiful logos and social media banners that are not only original but beautiful as well
I’m very happy with the brand she created for me and I’d highly recommend her services.
James Ayling author
You can read more about what services Author Assist provides and check out the other logos and promo graphics I’ve created over the years.
https://kkauthorassist.wordpress.com/graphics
How do you social?
On Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Linkedin… actually that’s not what this is about.
How do you connect with other writers, with your tribe and with potential new readers?
I have two answers for you.
The first; Go Indie Now.
Yep, you’ve seen me mention the media platform Go Indie Now and the workaholic, Mr Joe Compton.
Joe has created a platform where the indie community can meet, chat have heated debates, get drunk at Joe’s bar (Just kidding) – no I’m not!
Find out about new indie films, books and what’s hot in the gaming community. These shows, panels, interviews, and reports are entertaining for the public and the indie community.
Authors, there is so much you can learn from those that have done it all. We’ve all made mistakes so learn from those that have tried and failed but don’t give up. Get tips and get the inside scoop on what’s going down in the indie world.
Have you always wondered what’s inside a writer’s mind? How do they build these magical, dangerous and extraordinary worlds? How do they come up with the characters you love, with the plot twists and write stories that will keep you turning the page and gasping for more?
You will find these answers and more on the media platform Go Indie Now. So please support Joe and all the hard work he does for the Indie community. Seriously, this man just never stops.
The reason I mention this in my article about being social, is I have made some wonderful connections and long-lasting friendships with indies I’ve met while being a guest on the shows. This then takes me to their safe place. Their group, where I’m welcomed and treated as one of the family. Thus creating more connections and friendships, thus learning more from my peers.
Please subscribe to The Go Indie Now YouTube channel and take a look at the shows he hosts. Watch and be entertained, leave a comment and like the videos.
Thanks, and remember, it’s always time to Go Indie Now
And my other way to socialize is not knowing who is Behind The Pen. (Did you see what I did just then. lol)
Podcasts, Zoom interviews, Radio shows, they are so hot right now. If you want to find new readers, you have to step up, show your face, and let us hear your voice. There are thousands out there waiting to hear about exciting new books and authors they have never heard of. The world is yours to conquer!
Okay – maybe I went a little too far with that last line. But I’m sure you understand what I’m trying to say. People don’t know you. They don’t know your name, they don’t know your books, and now you have a chance to be seen, heard and noticed.
If you’re camera-shy, contact podcasts and radio stations. If the camera loves you, get on some pannels, shows and interviews. Your readers are out there waiting.
Behind the Pen is a YouTube show and audio podcast where I chat with all artists; musicians, authors, illustrators, writers, editors, anyone who uses a pen for work.
What’s on your calendar?
I have to check my diary for that. I’m useless on an online calendar, I always forget to put the date or event in.
Okay, so I have a zoom meeting with my co-author at 10.30 UK time tomorrow, as we start looking at the edits suggestions and notes for book one of our sci-fi, dystopian, Toxic. (Well, is actually today as it’s currently 3am as I write this post.
My BFF is getting married on the 19th of this month and I couldn’t get over there for the wedding, Sent a frigging awesome wedding present for them both. I’ll post a picture of the gift after the wedding.
I have been asked to be a guest on a pilot online game show so that’s gonna be cool. I’m also on the panel of the Go Indie Now show Sunday 27th March.
In between those dates, I have two Behind The Pen interviews to film and my radio show, which goes out live tomorrow at 1pm EST.
https://www.artistfirst.com/kantas.htm
You know me I love a good challenge and when I take on something, I don’t back down.
This one is called March of The Writers and every day, we are given a prompt and it could be to write about a book, introduce myself, write flash fiction and so forth. I will be given a prompt and see if I can do one every day through March. This will be fun.
From the crazy mind of Author and YouTube addict, JD.Estrada. You can follow his blog and journey on https://jdestradawriter.blogspot.com
New month, who dis?
Well, hello world. I’m Karina Kantas award-winning author and filmmaker. I have 15 books published, some independently, some under publishing contacts. I write in most fiction genres and I go through binges. Right now it’s Dark Romance.
I’m from the UK but I live on the Island of Corfu.
I’m a BookTuber, YouTuber, Podcaster and Radio Host and I also run Author Assist which offers affordable assistance to writers, authors and those in the publishing business. I’m a VA , Author Manager, Publicist, Book Trailer Creator, Designer of Graphics, Social Media Consultant, Marketing and Promotion Manager and Narrator… plus a few more I haven’t mentioned.
I’m the host of the Author Assist Radio Show. Which has just celebrated five years on the air. My YouTube and audio podcast is called Behind The Pen and I get to chat and have a laugh with many in a business where they use a pen such as Illustrators, writers, musicians, and so forth.
For all links for my social media ( I’m everywhere) and for the podcasts and my YouTube channel go to
https://linktr.ee/karinakantas
This is about looking back at the last year, building solid friendship, and for me being completely open with you about something personal.
Please subscribe to the channel, click on that like button and feel free to leave a comment.
If you listen to the podcast on Spotify, please like the podcast.
https://anchor.fm/behindthepen/episodes/One-year-anniversary-of-Behind-The-Pen-e1cs04a
Explosive Writer 