Beyond the Margins: Build a Profitable Author Business
Hello Author Friends,
This month is devoted to May and future events. Part of my mission with Beyond the Margins is to combine a little bit of author business knowledge with mutual author support, brainstorming, coaching, and networking in a range of virtual and in-person, free and paid, creative and energizing events.
Take a look at what's coming in May...and beyond.
Free Virtual Power Hours
Thursday, May 14, 1pm–2pm CT: You’re an Author—Not an Accountant with Tax Pro Michael Haupt. Business taxes don’t have to take over your life. Join author and tax pro Michael Haupt for his best tax advice for authors, writers, and creatives—from big-picture thinking to nitty-gritty write-offs. Get better prepared for next year’s taxes (yes, now is the time!) with practical strategies that work for creative businesses. Free 60-minute Zoom—bring your tax questions, leave with clarity. [Register here.]
Free In-Person Events
Thursday, May 14, 6pm–8:30pm: The Craft vs. Tools Debate: Deeper Stories Through Software?
- 6pm–7:15pm Sulzer Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Large Community Room, for program
- 7:15pm–8:30pm Gideon Welles, 4500 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, for socializing and drinks
One Chicago startup says Yes.
Novelists. Screenwriters. Playwrights. Comic creators. Nonfiction authors. Marketing folks. Those of us who tell stories of any kind all wrestle with the same beasts: structure that won’t cooperate, threads that go missing, the gap between our vision and the page, and the chaos of a first draft.VocaTales—a Chicago-based startup—has built a platform designed to wrangle all of it.
Think Canva meets Scrivener, but built from the ground up for storytellers of every kind. Film schools and universities are already using it. Now they want to hear from Chicago’s literary community.We’re hosting a live demo with founder Anubhav Srivastava and and an honest Q&A — including the harder questions about what software can and can’t do for your creative process.
Optional: Bring your laptop or other device and follow along.
Then we’re heading to Gideon Welles to keep the conversation going over drinks.
Free. Open to writers of all stripes. No agenda except a good argument and better stories. RSVP here.
Hosted by: VocaTales, Beyond the Margins, Conspire Creative, and the Chicago Writers Association
Saturdy, May 16, 10am–2pm: Berwyn Public Library's Local Author Fair
- 2701 S. Harlem, Berwyn, IL
Join me and dozens of other local authors at the Berwyn Public Library's 5th Annual Local Author Fair. I'll be selling The Profitable Author: 1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books.
Tuesday, May 19, 6pm–8:30pm: Writers, Authors, and Creatives Are Business Owners Now: The Tax Knowledge That Saves You Money (and Stress)
- 6pm–7:15pm Sulzer Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Large Community Room, for program
- 7:15pm–8:30pm Gideon Welles, 4500 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, for socializing and drinks
For many authors, business taxes are something they don’t understand and would prefer to avoid completely. Author and tax pro Michael Haupt will walk us through reporting requirements, receipts, expense writeoffs, and other tax and accounting basics. He will save you money, time, and headaches!
Haupt, author of Aviation Chicago Timeline, is a professional tax preparer. As an entrepreneur for over 40 years, he handled his own taxes in a wide variety of situations.
The first 20 attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Sharon Woodhouse's award-winning book, The Profitable Author: 1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books. All attendees will receive a free 3-month subscription to Sharon's Substack, giving you full access to over 400 articles on author businesses and book marketing strategies.
In-Person Events Coming Later This Year
- Author Business Bingo, October.
- Speed Networking for Authors, September.
- Authors, Come Paint Your Book Cover, August.
Paint, sip, and build the author business you've been dreaming of!
What if one evening could spark both your creativity and your author business clarity?
Bottle & Bottega, Lakeview
2900 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
August 25, 6pm–9pm
Join me for an intimate, one-of-a-kind evening designed exclusively for authors who are serious about building a business they love around their books.
You'll paint your book cover on a 16" x 20" (or 11" x 14") canvas. You'll sip wine. You'll eat cupcakes. And in the middle of all that creative energy, you'll receive personalized and group coaching on the author business and book marketing moves that matter for you.
Intimate by design, transformative by intention, and magically delicious. Think of it as your author business breakthrough—with better snacks.
The evening includes:
- A guided painting session where you re-create your book cover on canvas (no experience necessary)
- Wine, soft drinks, and cupcakes
- Group author business and book marketing coaching from Sharon
- Personalized coaching moments woven throughout the evening
- A room full of serious, like-minded authors
P.S. Don't have a book yet? Come paint the cover of the one you're going to write. There's no better vision board than a canvas.
Space is strictly limited to 16 authors.
Early Bird Rate: $80 (first 6 seats only); Regular Rate: $95
All painting supplies, wine, soft drinks, and cupcakes included.
Email me if interested in reserving a spot: sharon@conspirecreative.com.
Have a great month,
Sharon
Sharon Woodhouse, owner, Conspire Creative
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