What This Week: Onus not Anus (Vol. 13)
Monday July 28th, 2025 - Friday August 1st, 2025
How has everyone been feeling? I don’t know about you all, but with Mercury just being in the microwave recently - my life has turned upside down. It’s been a hard several weeks, months, and overall year and I am trying my best to persevere. I hope that all of you are having way better weeks than I am.
With my previous What This Week’s before the rebrand I spent some time talking about important topics in the book community and I’d love to bring that back. And what better place to start than with a think-piece of professionalism in the book space!
The Personal Assistant’s Onus: Professionalism In The Book Space
Onus according to the Oxford Dictionary is “used to refer to something that is one's duty or responsibility.”
What is one’s onus in the book space? If you’re an author, reader, or service provider - your duties and responsibilities vary. Authors are quietly expected to be unerring. Even when they make mistakes and attempt atonement - redemption is often off the table. For readers, learning what the standard of expectations are for engagement with your peers and authors, has a habit of following you if you make an error. For service providers, any lack of professionalism or failure to provide what’s silently anticipated can leave bad tastes in people’s mouths that is often shared in spaces you have no way of accepting fault in.
This can be a complicated space for many, but today we’ll break down a service provider aspect of it.
I began my work in corporate America 9 years ago when I was just 16 years old! It feels wild to think it was that long ago.
My first job title: corporate floater. My job duties: assist the personal assistants of the CEOs of one of New York’s largest real estate companies. (I felt like I might have been in my Dwight Shrute Era. Assistant to the Regional Manager vibes.)
To say it was a huge undertaking for a 16 year old is an understatement, but I adapted quickly and not only came to love that job, but everyone I worked so closely with. Who knew that all these years later, those two years of experience would shape every job after it? When I went away to college to obtain a degree in Psychology, I maintained a job in my University’s Student Success Center doing much of the same work, but this time working directly under the office manager. Again, I adapted and developed my customer service skills in a setting I grew to love. Then, my senior year of University, I got a job in Human Resources and climbed up the ranks quickly in the short almost 4 years I spent with them because I was determined to succeed and put my professional skillset to use.
That’s how I found myself here. Building Library of Angels.
Being a service provider in the book space has taught me so much in such little time because its very different from my experience with PA work in Corporate America. The one thing that always stayed the same though - professionalism at work. No matter what that job was or who I was interacting with. No person’s job is less important or less crucial to the success of our wonderful dark romance genre and community than another’s. Relationships between readers, providers, and authors are symbiotic. They feed off of each other and are integral to the inner workings of the indie publishing world.
Recently, a harsh email sent out to ARC readers by an author’s PA was criticized for its tone, language, and also its reflection of the rising numbers of assistants in the book space. The situation itself lends a hand to many in how to learn from another’s mistakes. While this situation is the example I use, it’s not the focus of the think-piece.
The focus is - onus. Duty and responsibility in the workplace. And for authors, providers, and ARC/ALPHA/ BETA/ AND Sensitivity readers…this is a workspace. It’s easy to unknowingly melt your personal and professional relationships into one. Especially when authors become more than service commissioners - they become friends. When readers become a support system. And when service providers become your rock and confidantes.
In all things, there is balance and that is all at your discretion no matter what your role in this space is. My advice here for each group is as follows:
Authors, your stories are pieces of you. Your heart, your drive, and your dreams. Entrusting the right providers and readers is scary. There is always a risk. But, no risk…no reward, right? Work out a vetting process that works for you. No proccess will be 100% acurate, but with time - you will find your people. Don’t let a few poor experiences stop you from finding the perfect support system that’s waiting for you
Readers, you have such a unique job and role. Be honest with the authors you ARC, Alpha, Beta, or Sensitivity read for. My advice for you is to pay attention to any guidelines provided to you and if you ever feel uncomfortable with what’s being requested of you - don’t be afraid to protect your peace. Step away when you need to. Many authors will be more grateful than not for your candor. (This not about tagging authors in negative reviews. Please don’t do that!)
Service Providers, new or seasoned in the industry - your time and effort is valued. Not every client will be the perfect fit, and that’s okay! Protect your work and time by including contracts to your bookings, keep open lines of communication, and if you make a mistake - own it. You won’t be the first person to miss a deadline or the last so make sure to give yourself grace as well.
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s think-piece! If you have anything to add, please comment below! I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic - author, reader, and provider alike!
Articles You May Have Missed This Week
Podcast Updates
Filming has been paused due to a mini last minute escape, but my return to the real world happens soon and filming will begin again next week! If you missed Episode One, tune in here to check out why Horror Erotica Is A Summertime Staple.
Our very first guest will make an appearance on our August 12th Episode! So, make sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, or Youtube.
Did you know that you can also submit a form to submit a topic or apply to be on the pod!
Merch Updates
Merch returns for good on Monday, August 4th! Since we are a small business using a print-on-demand service processing and fulfillment will take 7-14 days!
When you tune in on Monday, you’ll see some new items like coffee mugs, a water bottle, and a tote bag!
Service Updates
We are currently having a FLASH SALE on our services for one week only! The sale ends on August 7th, 2025.
We wanted to say thank you for supporting us during our rebrand. There have been tons of changes, but you all have been so present and supportive of every new thing we’ve thrown your way!
We allow a Klarna option to pay in 4, but if you would like to pay in 6, please reach out via our contact page.
Magazine Updates
If you’re looking to interview our author lineup, write a column piece, submit a short story, or have your services, company, or book featured in an ad - YOU STILL HAVE TIME!
The final day to submit an application to be in the magazine is August 14th. You have two more weeks and there are plenty of spots left!
Apply Here. I promise, you won’t want to miss this!
YouTube Updates:
The LA Youtube Channel, but I’ll be doing a once a week video with me, the Founder, on what it’s like to run a small dark romance business! You can also tune in for our Youtube Shorts and see what we’e posting there!