You’ve got the ideas. The voice. The vision. But if your message is still tripping over itself on the way out of your mouth, I’m here to turn tangled thoughts into clear, compelling, this-is-what-I-meant-all-along messaging. Not just for a book. Not just for your brand. For everything you put into the world.
Ann Maynard, messaging strategist, editorial partner, & clarity-obsessed collaborator
Say what you mean.
Make it matter.
more than good grammar
For over a decade, Command+Z Content has been the go-to partner for founders, thought leaders, and brands who want to:
Talk about what they do without wanting to throw things. Sound like themselves (but with a sharper blade). Say something original. not just marketable, Turn “it’s complicated” into clear and quotable. Cut through noise, floof, jargon, and dead-weight paragraphs. Build trust, build buzz, and build brands that actually stand for something.
If you’ve got strong opinions, high standards, and a sneaking suspicion you’re underselling yourself, you’re in the right place.
Command+Z Content is where is where strategy meets story. Where clarity gets a personality. And where your message starts pulling its weight.
I’m your editorial co-conspirator, clarity translator, and “did-you-mean-to-say-it-like-that?” truth teller. I’m not here to fix commas. I’m the person who helps you figure out what you’re actually trying to say—and how to say it in a way that lands, lingers, and sounds like no one else.
WHAT I'M KNOWN FOR:
Cutting straight to the strategy behind the words. Reworking structure so it flows, persuades, and gets read (and remembered). Spotting what’s not working—and knowing what to do about it. Helping you sound like you, just with a stronger spine. Pulling order out of chaos—and turning it into something people feel
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 it ought to be: deeply collaborative. 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.
I developed it by listening closely to what clients were really trying to say—and then building something better with them. That “figure it out together” approach wasn’t just how I started. It became my signature. It’s collaborative, intuitive, and relentlessly strategic. And it works. Over the years, I’ve helped authors find their voice, founders find their story, and brands sound like themselves.
So no, I don’t bring a red pen and a checklist. I bring a blue pen and a map—one we’ll draw together. This is a partnership, not a pass-fail test.
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.
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