Get Expert Answers to Your Author Business Questions

Email Advice on Demand from Sharon Woodhouse

$4/minute | $200 retainer to start | Minutes never expire

 

When You Need Quick, Expert Guidance—Not a Full Coaching Program

You don’t always need a full strategy session. Sometimes you just need a straight answer from someone who’s seen it all.​

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• Should I accept a speaking gig at that price?

• Is this contract clause standard or a red flag?

• How do I protect my intellectual property and not botch this relationship?

• Which of these three marketing strategies fits my book best? 

• How do I make this new thing work with my current business model?

• How do I price this new service I'm considering?

• How do I respond to a good client who seems to be asking for something at an unfair price?

• What’s the best way to approach this potential partnership?

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I’ve spent 30+ years answering exactly these kinds of questions. As a publisher, author business coach, and partnership architect, I see what you’re missing and give you the strategic clarity to move forward confidently.

 

How It Works

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1. Purchase a $200 retainer (gives you 50 minutes of advice).

2. Email me your question anytime you need guidance.

3. Get your answer within 24 hours (weekdays) or 48 hours (weekends).*

4. Your minutes are tracked and deducted based on the time it takes to answer.

5. Minutes never expire; use them as you need them over months or years.

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*Questions answered outside these timeframes are free—you’re only charged for responses during business hours.

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What You Can Ask About

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📘 Publishing decisions – Traditional vs. indie, contract reviews, rights negotiations
📘 Pricing and sales strategies – What to charge for books, services, speaking, consulting
📘 Marketing & outreach – Which strategies fit your book and goals
📘 Revenue opportunities – Should you pursue this partnership, speaking gig, licensing deal?
📘 Business structure – LLC questions, Profit First implementation, business models, hiring decisions
📘 Strategic partnerships – How to approach, structure, and negotiate collaborations
📘 Career navigation – What to prioritize, what to say no to, how to scale

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Basically: Any author business question where you need expert input to make a confident decision.

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Why This Works

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• Fast answers when you need them. No waiting weeks for a coaching slot. Email your question, get clarity within 24–48 hours.

• Pay only for what you use. Most questions take 3–7 minutes to answer. Complex situations might take 15–20 minutes. You’re only charged for actual response time.

• Expertise you can trust. 30+ years as a publisher and author business strategist. I’ve navigated every scenario you’re facing—and many you haven’t thought of yet.

• Strategic thinking, not just information. You’re not paying for Google-able facts. You’re paying for my ability to see your specific situation and give you the smart play.

• No pressure, no upsells. Ask one question or fifty. Use 10 minutes or 200. This is just-in-time support on your terms.​

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What Kinds of Questions Get Asked?

Real examples from clients:

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"I’ve been offered a speaking gig for $400. My instinct says that’s low, but I’m not sure what to counter with. What’s reasonable?"
Answer time: 7 minutes

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"I'm considering starting an LLC for my author business. At what revenue point does this actually make sense?"
Answer time: 4 minutes

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"Someone wants to license my book content for a course. What percentage should I ask for?"
Answer time: 8 minutes

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"My longstanding client wants to negotiate something that’s not covered in our original contract and what he's proposing leaves my intellectual property exposed. How should I respond?"

Answer time: 25 minutes over 3 emails.

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"I have three potential partnerships I could pursue but limited time. How do I decide which one?"
Answer time: 20 minutes over 4 emails.

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Most questions: 3–7 minutes. Complex situations: 10–20 minutes. Rarely longer.

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Who This Is For

This service works best for published authors and author-entrepreneurs who:

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📘 Need quick expert input on specific decisions
📘 Don’t have time/budget for full coaching programs right now
📘 Face occasional questions but not ongoing business challenges
📘 Value strategic thinking and want more than generic advice
📘 Prefer email communication over scheduled calls

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This is NOT for:

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❌ Complete beginners who need foundational education. Try my Author’s Business Accelerator instead.
❌ People who want extensive back-and-forth discussion. Consider a strategy session intead.
❌ Anyone looking for me to do the work for you. Email me about our project management services.

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The Investment

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• $4 per minute (billed in 1-minute increments based on actual response time)

• $200 minimum retainer = 50 minutes of advice to start

• Additional time: Purchase in $200 increments as needed

• Minutes never expire. Use them over days, months, or years

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Example costs:

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• Quick question (3–5 min): $12–20

• Moderate question (7–10 min): $28–40

• Complex situation (15–20 min): $60–80

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You’ll know exactly how many minutes each answer took. Full transparency, no surprises.

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Why Email Instead of Calls?

For you:

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• No scheduling coordination

• Ask questions as they arise

• Written response you can reference later

• No pressure of being on the spot

 

For me:

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• Time to give you thoughtful, strategic answers

• Can research specifics if needed

• Clear communication without misunderstanding

 

Plus: You’re paying for thinking time, not small talk and scheduling overhead.

 

Get Started

Ready for expert guidance on tap?

 

• Step 1: Purchase your $200 retainer below

• Step 2: Email your first question to [email address]

• Step 3: Get your answer within 24-48 hours

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Questions about this service? Email me at sharon@conspirecreative.com and I'll answer—on the house.

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FAQs

What if my question takes longer than expected?
You’ll see exactly how much time was used. If it’s significantly more than anticipated, I’ll let you know before using excessive time.

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What if I run out of minutes?
I’ll let you know when you’re getting low. You can add another $200 retainer anytime.

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Can I get a refund if I don't use all my minutes?
Minutes never expire, so you can use them whenever you need them. There are no refunds on unused time, but you can always use it later.

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How detailed can my questions be?
As detailed as you want! Longer questions might take more time to answer, but you’re only paying for my response time, not your question length.

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Do you answer questions about [specific topic]?
If it’s related to author business, publishing, marketing, partnerships, or revenue—yes. If you’re unsure, email me and ask (free!).

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What if I need more than email advice?
I also offer 1:1 coaching sessions, strategy sessions, and group coaching programs for more comprehensive support.

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