I’m spoiled. As an editor, I prefer to help humans write things that communicate ideas to other humans. That’s exciting and fun, and at least as important, improves the lot of both the writer and the reader. It’s work, sure, but it’s work that matters. I’m good at it, and I love it. Take away…
Newsletter 147. If you want to build business, go out on the edge where it’s not completely safe. Plus, book launch weariness, 100,000 Anthropic plaintiffs, three people to follow, three books to read, and how to connect with me at the IBPA conference. Get to the edge. That’s where the heat is. As an analyst,…
For freelancers like me, chasing every potential lead is counterproductive. It results in three kinds of problems: (Pro tip: problem number three is the biggest risk with the greatest downsides.) That covers the problems. The flip side is the opportunities. I would prefer to spend my time projects that: I try not to let the…
It’s land-grab time. The land in question is your digital experience — your productivity, your messages, your to-do list, your social media and of course, your identity. Every app or piece of software that you interact with is escaping its box. Every one has its own messaging system, its own hooks into your life, and…
I take enormous pride in my writing and editing projects. I like to take on projects that look extremely challenging and succeed anyway, and to charge accordingly. Sometimes those risks pay off; sometimes they don’t. Editorial work is more about making other people look good, which is mostly a behind the scenes effort. But I…
I work on book projects for hire. Nonfiction authors pay me to help with ideas, get coaching, edit their books, or ghostwrite their books. There are three approaches people take when reaching out to me. The three approaches Imagine my inbox, which is stuffed with all sorts of publishing news, people who want me to…
Newsletter 146. Writing trains minds, while outsourcing it to AI leaves you stupefied. Plus AI as writing collaborator, editors who upload your manuscript to AI, three people to follow, three books to read, and how you can establish that you’re not just data. Writing is thinking. AI can’t do that for you. “I didn’t really…
Writing books to build your influence is time-consuming. AI can make it more efficient. If your time is money, you could save a lot of money this way. But it’s a foolish way to economize. What it really costs to write your book with AI Let’s game this out. For the purposes of this exercise,…
Who you are determines how you explain the world. I know I’m generalizing, but typically, when faced with a challenge . . . Engineers see problems and processes. Architects see spaces. Teachers see opportunities for learning. Doctors see conditions and ways to treat them. Software developers see algorithms. Soldiers see enemies and allies and weapons….