Given the solitary nature of the writing profession, collaboration can be an appealing option for writers who trust one another and have a common goal. They can brainstorm ideas together, explore a new genre, and promote their books as one unit. Yet “collaborations are complex undertakings,” writes literary agent Richard Curtis, “the literary equivalent of three-dimensional chess.” A collaboration agreement is a must, and “in 2026, an AI-use clause is no longer optional,” says Sarah Begley, member care manager and publishing assistant at the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).