The Skills Authors Avoid (But Shouldn't): Negotiation, conflict, boundaries—and why they're essential to your business

Beyond the Margins: Build a Profitable Author Business

Hello everyone, this is Kristoffer.

You don’t know me yet, but I met Sharon over a year ago and, as a fellow Chicagoan, I’ve had the pleasure of working with her ever since. For the last few months, that’s meant helping assemble these newsletter editions. Now, I am excited to introduce myself as Conspire Creative’s new newsletter writer! I look forward to continuing to help Sharon guide authors toward building their own sustainable businesses.

I’d also like to encourage you, the reader, to shoot an email to me or to Sharon any time you have feedback for us—whether it’s about the newsletter, our content (if there’s a specific topic you’d like us to cover, now's a perfect chance let us know!), or anything else.

Cheers, and have a great weekend!

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Authors,

How often do you think about your approach to resolving conflict? To negotiating? To establishing boundaries to potential partners? These are the types of skills that fly under the radar for years unless you’ve explicitly thought about bettering them. You don’t pick them up through advancing your writing craft or even once you’ve gotten into the business-making groove. Yet they underlie almost every interaction we have in our businesses—they’re essential but underrated.

These are the skills to have the conversations that need to happen: navigating conflict, asking for payment confidently, negotiating effectively, and communicating clear boundaries. In turn, your business strategies become more sustainable and professional relationships healthier.

They’re “scary” topics precisely because many people avoid them. Learning to handle them confidently will set you apart. Take a look at a few of the articles I’ve written that offer practical guidance on these essential skills.

Don’t worry, negotiation is a skill you can learn: He’s Got 99 Negotiating Tricks, Authors, and You Need to Know Every One
Rethink conflict as opportunity: The Surprising Riches for Your Author Business of Learning How to Manage Conflict
Normalize asking for payment: Authors, Here’s How You Get Paid — Always and Mostly on Time
State your boundaries and don’t hedge: What I Learned from Running My Business Through a 2-Year Concussion Recovery

Free Virtual Power Hours

Take a moment and RSVP for one or more of our free monthly Zoom calls. It's one hour that combines a little bit of author business education and a lot of community support and brainstorming for your questions and challenges.

Each one is designed for you to make more money as an author and create/refine your author business model.

August: Marketing Your Books to Younger Generations
Young readers want authenticity, not algorithms. Gen Z author Beks Roen (14+ publications since 2020) shares what works to reach younger audiences: online presence without social media burnout, tangible marketing strategies, and why the digital detox generation is returning to physical books.
September: Open Discussion on the Human Preference Economy
October: Author Business Bingo

Come Paint Your Book Cover

Bottle & Bottega, Lakeview

2900 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago

Tuesday, 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.

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All the best,

Kristoffer

Kristoffer Balintona, Content Specialist, Conspire Creative