Beyond the Margins

Build a profitable author business

March 2, 2026

Hello author friends,

Me again on author business things, starting with: Realize you’re running a business. This means zooming out and playing the larger game of building sustained income. Be attentive to scale and prioritize approaches that can actually hit your mark.

An easy check is doing the math: Think in terms of volume and check whether your strategy can tip the scales. Here are a few pieces from the archives to help recognize what this involves:

• One-off sales are good, selling volume is best: Stop Wasting Time, Money, and Effort Selling One Book at a Time, Instead Work on Volume Sales​
• If you care about volume sales, then you should care about discount schedules too: What Is a Discount Schedule and Why Do Authors Need One?​
• Don’t underestimate the motivational power of 3,000 printed copies staring you in the face: The Problem with Print on Demand and the Magic of 3,000 Printed Copies of Your Book​
• You’re a business, so negotiate payment accordingly: Authors, Expect to Get Paid​
• Create solutions that deliver what you want your author life to look like: Two Reframes for Your Author Business Problems​

3 Experts, 3 Hours, Zero Cost—Here's What’s Coming

March 18, 1pm CT: DIY PR for Authors with Tristra Newyear Yeager You don’t need a publicist to get press—but you do need strategy. Join PR veteran Tristra Newyear Yeager (20+ years helping creative people get media attention AND a published author herself) for practical DIY PR tactics that work. Learn how to find your story angle, pitch journalists, time your campaign, and build media relationships that matter. Free 60-minute Zoom—bring your PR questions, leave with a plan. [Register here.]

April 16, 1pm CT: Experience-Driven Marketing with David Jay Collins Tired of the same old book marketing tactics? Indie author David Jay Collins has mastered creative events, partnerships, and experiential marketing that get his work (and characters) visibility on and off the page. Learn his proven strategies for creating experiences that bring your books to life and actually get noticed. Free 60-minute Zoom—bring your visibility challenges, leave with actionable strategies. [Register here.]

May 14, 1pm 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.]

Stay tuned! Information on our first three in-person, Chicago-area events is coming next time.

All the best,

Sharon

Sharon Woodhouse, owner, Conspire Creative

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