CodeWord Communications

Putting secondary audiences first, and other tips - Your March CodeWord Communications newsletter is here - https://mailchi.mp/87328083585c/codeword-newsletter-mar2026

Happy February 24! And other greetings to use when you've been hacked - This month's CodeWord Communications newsletter includes the story of how malware got to my website, and a feature on choosing form. I also include upcoming speaking dates at conferences and webinars - enjoy! https://mailchi.mp/83c458207672/codeword-newsletter-feb2026

Happy Holidays from CodeWord Communications - your year-end newsletter includes the usual top books list links! https://mailchi.mp/0ce87df72be2/codeword-newsletter-dec2025

In case you missed it when I shared a few weeks ago—I was a guest on the Grammar Girl podcast! I talked with Mignon Fogarty about my book The Feisty Freelancer.

Since then, my AI experiments have continued. After spending the summer testing different platforms, I've been figuring out how to actually integrate them into my daily work—and more importantly, where NOT to use them.

Also links to articles about AI and other social media tips.

https://mailchi.mp/c1c487004a86/codeword-newsletter-nov2025

Ever wonder if AI tools are worth the hype for writers?

This summer, I finally took the time to properly test them. I put 5 AI platforms through their paces with real work: blog topic brainstorming, writing 600-word posts, and editing my client newsletter.

Read the full story in my latest newsletter: - https://mailchi.mp/0e32820a0c81/codeword-newsletter-oct2025

Keep that summer spirit going all fall - your monthly CodeWord newsletter helps you keep your creative resilience strong with a checklist for inspiration. Plus links on resting your brain, creating a do-not-do list, and nudging AI towards better creativity. - https://mailchi.mp/70b83d4909c7/codeword-newsletter-sept2025

August paralysis by analysis hitting your fall projects? My latest newsletter shares the one question that moves students (and seasoned pros) from overthinking to action. Plus: curated links on strategic project planning and AI + writing.- https://mailchi.mp/2d5aba62fb11/codeword-newsletter-aug2025

Before AI took over brainstorming, how did you extract your best ideas? 🤔

I've been thinking about the parallels between good self-prompting and AI prompting—turns out we've been doing this all along, just slower.

In this month's newsletter, I break down my process for mining my own expertise and why that one great idea is always buried under 7 mediocre ones.

Plus: curated reads on AI creativity and content strategy. -

Summer Prep, Fall Success Before AI, how did you extract your best thinking? I've been noticing the parallels between good self-prompting and AI prompting.

Reflections on letting go - how to use your summer downtime for a content audit, plus links on marketing, SEO and AI -

Summertime abandon I started this post on LinkedIn as a personal musing on letting go of projects. I’m modifying it here as a reflection on how to decide on cutting content projects.

A fresh design and old thoughts on AI, along with links to articles on best writing books and the magazine award nominees

A fresh look and old thoughts on AI Scrolling through my socials these days, so many of my colleagues are sharing their expertise about AI. Some writer/trainers have even flipped fully into that area of expertise, which is not a bad move.

Still spring cleaning - a newsletter-in-progress by a student of the form. Read about the process of redesign, plus the usual links to interesting articles about writing and workplace.

Still spring cleaning But time has run out for this month's newsletter. So don't mind the fact that the pictures are leaning against the wall waiting to be hung and I've missed a couple of spots in painting that I totally intend to touch up later.

A melty day in March brings a recap of the American Society of Journalists and Authors conference in NYC and an invitation to participate in my newsletter survey - - https://mailchi.mp/0ce7cec451ab/codeword-newsletter-mar2025