Recognized as one of the best developmental editors in the game, I'm here to help you create engaging content—from books to blog posts and beyond—that grows your business, solidifies your position as an industry leader, and delivers a lasting impact.
Ann Maynard, nonfiction developmental and content editor
Helping You Establish Your Brand and Expertise
more than good grammar
For over a decade, Command+Z Content has been the go-to choice for thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals who want their content to:
Attract new clients and opportunities. Establish their authority. Build their brand. Reach a new audience. Share their big idea. Deliver impact at scale. Impart hard-won lessons. Declare their mission. Challenge the status quo. Drive positive change. Transform minds, careers, and lives.
Command+Z Content is where strategy, clarity, and damn good writing come together.
I'm not just an editor—I'm your creative wingwoman, committed to crafting content that exceeds your expectations. Having collaborated with hundreds of authors and businesses since 2013, I understand what it takes to craft a compelling narrative that connects, informs, and inspires.
WHAT I'M KNOWN FOR:
Strategic thinking to align your writing with your goals. Restructuring for a persuasive, intuitive flow. Addressing trouble spots, content gaps, and areas that need improvement. Refining your words to sound like you at your best. Recognizing your content's potential and guiding you to realize that vision.
Okay, wait though…
What kind of editing do you do?
Great question! Type "book editor" into the search bar and you'll turn up all kinds of different results: copyeditors, proofreaders, content editors, developmental editing, substantive editing, line editing… It's overwhelming, right? Especially when no one seems to share the same definition of what any of those things look like.
(You'd think an industry centered on getting words right would be able to work out their own semantics, but here we are.)
So here's the quick rundown: Generally, a copyeditor is the person running cleanup. They correct errors, do some fact-checking, and bring your manuscript in line with a specific style guide. A proofreader is the eagle-eye catching any lingering errors in your text and the layout of your book, the final stop before your book goes to print. You won't find those things here.
A content editor (or developmental editor, or substantive editor) looks at the bigger picture stuff: your book's structure, the clarity of your writing, the flow and feel of the read. They tighten, trim, prune, and repurpose. Basically they uplevel your writing from amateur to author.
I'm a little bit of all those things. but i'm mostly my own thing.
I'm a seasoned developmental and content editor dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs, coaches, service providers, and creative professionals throughout the writing process. From drafting to polishing, I provide expert guidance to refine content structure and flow, elevate writing for clarity and impact, and produce content that resonates with target audiences and drives tangible business results. Beyond the words on the page, I serve as a sounding board and accountability partner, helping clients repurpose content for maximum reach and establish behind-the-scenes systems to create profitable ecosystems around their books.
Sounds good, right?
hey there. I'm...
Ann Maynard
I became a book editor by selling a bottle of wine. Really. It's a story about saying yes without knowing what'll happen next and figuring it out as you go. (Remind me to tell it to you some time.) The words I used to sell a fantastic cabernet sauvignon were the catalyst to my career.
Because my start was a swan dive into the deep end, I learned through trial, error, and evolved the way I work according to what I think editing ought to be. It started that way because I didn’t know any better; it stayed that way because I think it’s right—and it works. It wasn't until later that I realized I was doing something unique from most other editors.
I care more about what you have to say and how you want to say it, prioritizing your perspective and voice over "how things are done." I won’t make your words subservient to grammar rules. And there is no red pen shredding your work into a heap of white, black, and red. (I use a blue pen—it's friendlier.)
More than anything, my process is collaborative. Together, you and I will work to solve the puzzles your draft presents and elevate your writing to its highest potential. We'll make sure your message lands.
Because here's the thing: The right words delivered the right way make things happen: surprises unfurl, expectations get subverted, minds change, emotions crack open, services sell, opportunities knock, and writers become authors. So how might your writing make things happen? I can help with that.
All About: Straight talk, sharp wit, wild ideas, good hospitality, empathy, em dashes, a great night's sleep, and really strong coffee.
Not About: over-promising, under-delivering, missed potential, lazy writing, bullshit, band-aid fixes, and playing by someone else's rules.
AGREE? WE'RE PROBABLY A GREAT FIT.
Every day, I have the privilege of working with people who want to share what they love and breathe and believe in—and helping them draw that out onto the page is the best part of my job.
What Guides my Work
Craftsmanship
We'll build a partnership on trust, feedback, and growth.
We'll find and amplify your unique voice.
You'll never hear the words "good enough."
Craftsmanship is the intersection of love and effort—the desire to get better, to do good work, to create something that matters because it matters to you. It is rare and it is so valuable. It's commitment and excellence and growth, and the desire to create something that's going to last. Can it be a grind? Sometimes. Does it pulse with joy and creative energy? Absolutely. This is the spirit that I bring to my work and the perspective I'll bring to your writing. Let's create.
Originality
From the very first page of your draft, I will be looking for YOU. Your ideas. Your perspectives. The stories only you can share in your words. Instead of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," you and I get to ask "What if it can be better?" Nothing is sacred, and everything can be reframed, redefined, and refined through your lens. Playfully picking apart old ideas is not just encouraged—it's necessary. So bring your inner rebel and I'll bring mine. Let's play.
Honesty
Honesty underpins every facet of our work together. When you work with me, you can expect honest, constructive feedback at every stage. I won't hesitate to tell you if an idea falls flat or a section needs a complete overhaul. But I'll also celebrate your successes and champion your strengths. And I want you to share your own insights and concerns openly. Few things are as transformational as telling the truth, and that goes for the words you put on the page as much as the words we speak to each other. Let's hold each other to a high standard.
Connect
elsewhere
Do right by your inbox and subscribe to my newsletter, where I share writing + editing tips, stories, exclusive opportunities, resources, and more.
stay awhile + read
the blog
subscribe to the
editor's notes
explore the
'Gram