Beyond the Margins

Build a profitable author business

February 16, 2026

Hello author friends,

You don't need to muscle your way into an author career. Instead of "do more," sometimes the better way forward is "do it differently—and not alone."

That can mean taking up a fresh perspective, leaning on close relationships, or looking at the brilliance of others. Here are a few articles from the archives that show what I mean:

• Ever tried tying in a sidekick?: The #1 Overlooked Thing for Successful Author Events and Launch Parties​
• Real examples of author creativity in motion: Notable Booth Marketing & Author Income Ideas from the 2025 Printers Row Lit Fest​
• Don't just know who you want to be as an indie author—embody it: Week 16 - Author Business Coaching Challenge - Being Not Doing​
• A quick-and-easy one-pager for helping others help you: 10 "Quick Ways to Help" That Authors Can Request from Friends, Family, and Colleagues​

Final call to join February's Beyond the Margins Power Hour: 7 Steps to Build an Author Business You Love: Build what you actually want (not what you think you should)

My virtual power hours are free monthly 60-minute sessions that fuse business know-how with community brainstorming, inspiration, and support. This month's event is about integrating what you want into what works—getting a practical framework for creating sustainable author income that actually fits your life.

Bring your frustrations, share into your challenges and questions, and leave with a plan. Register here.

Have you heard of IPNE's (Independent Publishers of New England) Annual Virtual Conference on February 20 and 21?

Saturday, February 21, 9am ET, I'll be presenting on the 7 Pillars of an Income-Generating, Sustainable Author Life You Love at IPNE's annual virtual conference.

Here's why you should pay $145 for this 2-day event ($70 if you join the organization): It is the most business and marketing author event of its kind that I'm currently aware of. Just look at the programming lineup.

All the best,

Sharon

Sharon Woodhouse, owner, Conspire Creative

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