Tag Archives: Notary Signing Agent

How to become an Indiana Notary Public

Leave a reply

by Daniel C. Lewis

A Notary Public is a public official who is appointed by the state whose purpose is to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents. Notaries Public has become an essential part of our part of our community.

To become an Indiana notary, you must follow these steps:

  1. Meet the eligibility requirements:
    • Be at least 18 years of age
    • Be a legal resident of Indiana or have a place of employment or practice in Indiana
    • Be able to read and write English
    • Not have been convicted of a felony
  2. Take a state-approved notary education course.
  3. Obtain a $25,000 surety bond.
  4. Complete the application process.
    • Once you have completed the education course and obtained a surety bond, you can complete the notary application process online or by mail. The application fee is $18.
  5. Receive your commission.
    • If your application is approved, you will receive your notary commission certificate from the Indiana Secretary of State. The commission is valid for eight years.
  6. Purchase a notary seal and other supplies.
  7. Take the oath of office.
    • Before you can perform notarial acts, you must take the oath of office before a notary or other official authorized to administer oaths in Indiana.

Once you have completed these steps, you will be authorized to perform notarial acts in Indiana.

Check out other blogs by this author…

Daniel C. Lewis resides in Carmel, IN.  He was named in 2010 Notary of the Year by the National Notary Association.  He was also named in the same year an Honorary Secretary of State by the Indiana Secretary of State.  Daniel is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Lewis Notary & Training Services Inc. Daniel is an entrepreneur, writer, video editor, and Keynote Speaker. 

Professional Networking

Leave a reply

by Daniel C. Lewis

Group Notary Training

Networking is a crucial component of building a successful career. Whether you’re looking to advance in your current job, transition to a new field, or start your own business, having a strong professional network can help you reach your goals. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of professional networking and provide some tips on how to build and maintain your network.

Why is Professional Networking Important?

Professional networking is important for several reasons. Here are a few of the key benefits:

  1. Access to Opportunities: When you have a robust professional network, you’re more likely to hear about new job openings, business ventures, and other opportunities that could advance your career.
  2. Increased Visibility: By attending industry events and engaging with other professionals, you can raise your profile and increase your visibility in your field.
  3. Personal Development: Networking allows you to learn from other professionals and gain new insights and perspectives on your industry.
  4. Support and Mentoring: Your network can provide support and mentoring as you navigate your career path.
  5. Business Growth: If you’re an entrepreneur, networking is critical for building your business. You can meet potential clients, partners, and investors who can help you grow your venture.

How to Build and Maintain Your Professional Network

Building and maintaining a professional network takes time and effort, but the rewards can be significant. Here are some tips to help you get started:

  1. Attend Industry Events: Attend conferences, seminars, and other events in your field to meet other professionals and learn about new developments in your industry.
  2. Connect on Social Media: LinkedIn is the most popular social network for professionals, but other platforms like Twitter and Instagram can also be useful for networking. Be sure to engage with others and share your own insights and expertise.
  3. Join Professional Organizations: Joining a professional organization can give you access to a network of peers in your field. You can attend meetings, participate in online forums, and take advantage of other resources offered by the organization.
  4. Offer Value to Others: Don’t just network to advance your own career. Look for opportunities to offer value to others in your network by sharing your knowledge, making introductions, or volunteering your time and expertise.
  5. Follow-Up: After meeting someone at an event or connecting online, be sure to follow up with a personalized message. This can help you build a relationship and stay top of mind with your contacts.
  6. Maintain Your Network: Building a network is only the first step. To get the most out of your network, you need to maintain it. Keep in touch with your contacts, share updates on your career, and look for opportunities to collaborate.

In conclusion, professional networking is a critical component of career success. By building and maintaining a robust network of contacts, you can access new opportunities, gain new insights and perspectives, and build valuable relationships that can support your career growth. Follow the tips outlined in this post, and you’ll be well on your way to building a strong professional network.

Check out other blog post by this author…..

Daniel C. Lewis resides in Carmel, IN.  He was named in 2010 Notary of the Year by the National Notary Association.  He was also named in the same year an Honorary Secretary of State by the Indiana Secretary of State.  Daniel is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Lewis Notary & Training Services Inc. Daniel is an entrepreneur, writer, video editor, and Keynote Speaker. 

Pages: 1 2

Top Notary Products Sold in 2021

Leave a reply

by Daniel C. Lewis

2021 has been a very unique year in the notary business. I started out the year in the hospital in the intensive care unit recovering from the effects of COVID-19. Even with being in the hospital for four weeks in January 2021 I still gain a record in profit for the year. Here are some of the top-selling notary products that we had this year.

Notary Permit Runner (NPR) Online Course

This course is part of our professional notary enrichment courses. A Notary Permit Runner presents applications, plans, or the necessary paperwork for a building project to the building or other local and state departments for their permission. The NPR obtains (pulls) the permit; then either faxes or mails a copy to the builder or drops the permit off to the builder. The best part of this job? You get paid IMMEDIATELY!

Click here for information on the Notary Permit Runner Online

MAKE YOUR BUSINESS OUR BUSINESS eBook

This book is for anyone who wishes to become an entrepreneur, and specifically notaries. It is a step-by-step guideline as to how to create a business. Authors Daniel C. Lewis and Judith P. Lawrence are from opposite sides of the country, having connected on Linkedin, and having decided to combine their decades of business expertise to help others to either start a new business or make a transition to a different business easier. Daniel, who frequently lectures about starting a new career, knows first-hand the kind of hard work it takes to develop a new business. Judith, for whom this is a second life career, knows what it is like to be knocked all the way down and fight to come all the way back. This interactive book is a combination of facts and funny stories. The readers will learn about the PPP theory … Policies, Procedures and Profits which will enhance their businesses immediately. Click here for more information

Click here to get your eBook today

Amplify Your Notary & Signing Agent Business eBook

In this exceptional ebook, the authors gives you the tools to market and thrive in the notary industry. It is a masterful writing for anyone considering to go into the notary entrepreneur field as well as seasoned notary entrpreneurs. Must have for serious notaries.

Click here for your copy of this eBook today

Jurat Stamp

This is the perfect stamp for the professional Notary Public. This Jurat Stamp has the required language for each state, for when the document you are notarizing is missing it.

Click here to order your professional Jurat Stamp

Indiana Title Pre-Licensing Course

Indiana state flag

This course will fulfill the state requirements to become a licensed title producer in Indiana. This course will cover Title Insurance history and basics as well as ethics and remote notarizations.

Click here to enroll in the Indiana Title pre-Licensing Course

Daniel C. Lewis resides in Carmel, IN.  He was named in 2010 Notary of the Year by the National Notary Association.  He was also named in the same year an Honorary Secretary of State by the Indiana Secretary of State.  Daniel is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Lewis Notary & Training Services Inc. Daniel is an entrepreneur, writer, video editor, and Keynote Speaker. 

Other articles written by this author

Featured Indiana Notary – LaKeshia Adkins

Leave a reply

by Daniel C. Lewis

The featured notary this week is LaKeshia N. Adkins. LaKeshia started her notary business from research did after becoming a Real Estate Agent. LaKeshia is known around the Indianapolis area as one of the most impressive up-and-coming Real Estate Agents. LaKeshia has started her notary business by diversifying her business by not only conducting real estate assignments but also offering general notary work. Here is a video interview with LaKeshia.

Do you know an outstanding Indiana Notary that you would like to see featured in our next article? Is that notary you? If so, please submit their (or your) information here (click here) and maybe they (you) will be the next Featured Notary.

Check out these other recent post:

Driving Tips for Notary Entrepreneurs

Leave a reply

About 7 years ago (while going through a mid-life crisis), I decided to learn how to ride a motorcycle. Growing up in South Carolina a lot of my friends had motorcycles as a family bike. My family didn’t have a lot of resources so we never had one but that never killed my desire to have a motorcycle to ride. When I turn 50 I took a course on how to operate and ride that was very eye-opening. Not only did this course teach me the basic fundamentals of riding a motorcycle, but it also taught me some great life-saving lessons on defensive driving. As notary entrepreneurs, we are always on the road running from assignment to assignment. Here are a few tips I picked up from my +40 years of driving and the motorcycle course.

Take a defensive driving course. I have a large network of notary entrepreneurs I keep in contact with regularly. This could explain why every 3-6 months I hear of another notary entrepreneur who has been in a serious car accident. Much of the time it is not even the notaries fault. A defensive driving course will serve as a valuable refresher on what to look out for while on the roads and highways. It will also boost your driving prowess to reduce the chances that you cause an accident that harms others, their vehicles, and your own person or vehicle.

Budget and schedule regular vehicle maintenance. As notary entrepreneurs, your vehicle should be considered an asset. Keeping it properly maintained is critical to the success of your business. By properly maintaining your vehicle, you’ll reduce future repair costs, optimize your car’s performance, maintain its value and extend its life.

Check and replace your tires appropriately. Now I know what you are thinking…shouldn’t this tip be in the “Budget and schedule regular vehicle maintenance” section? My experience has shown me that this should have its own section because this is so important. Several years ago I was in a near-fatal car accident. I was driving too fast for the conditions on the road and did not maintain my vehicle properly. My tires were in terrible shape. As I was driving down a country road (too fast) I tried to apply the brakes as I was approaching a corner. I soon discovered that not only was I not slowing down but the car fishtailed and slide right off the road doing around 60 miles an hour. I remember being thrown around the car like a ragdoll and finally coming to a stop. The only thing that saved me was that I had my seatbelt on. Months before the accident I remember looking at my threadless tires telling myself that one day I need to get new tires but never did. After that accident, I mentally wasn’t able to drive for 18 months. It took me 6 months before I would ride in a car with someone else driving.

Here is a good rule of thumb for tires. Since your tires lose about one to two PSI every monthl after you fill them, then as a general rule, check all four of your tires, including your spare, at least once a month, and during large termperature swings. I believe maintaining proper tire pressure and a quick inspection of the threads on your tires can be life saving. Check your vehicles Owners Operators Manual for more details.

Before driving in a residential neighborhood turn off the music, books on tape, or other distracting sounds in your vehicle. Driving through neighborhoods, especially those neighborhoods that you are not familiar with, you will need to give your full attention to not only finding your location but to find it safely. With distracting sounds off in your car you can focus on safe arrival. When returning to your car walk completely around your vehicle to make sure kids are not playing behind your car or that you don’t run over a toy placed behind your vehicle. This habit after leaving an assignment has really saved me from a lot of later headaches.

Staying safe on the road is one of my number one priorities. What are some tips that you found helpful on the road.

Other articles by the author……..

Daniel C. Lewis resides in Carmel, IN.  He was named in 2010 Notary of the Year by the National Notary Association.  He was also named in the same year an Honorary Secretary of State by the Indiana Secretary of State.  Daniel is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Lewis Notary & Training Services Inc. Daniel is an entrepreneur, writer, video editor, and Keynote Speaker.

Featured Indiana Notary – Laura Jones

1 Reply

The featured notary this week is Laura Jones. Laura is known as one of the most very dynamic, energic, and fearless notary entrepreneurs in Indiana. Laura has made quite the name for herself through her online notary groups and in-person professional notary meet-ups. Here is an interview conducted with Laura recently.

Interviewer: Can you tell us how you got started in the notary business?

Laura: I decided to get out of the business I was in for 20+ years and do something different. I did some research and decided that this is what I am going to do. I wanted to get into something with real estate but I didn’t want to be a Realtor.

Interviewer: Why Real Estate?

Laura: My husband Richard and I already owned some real estate and after some extensive research I found the Notary Signing Agent field would be a great fit.

Interviewer: How long have you been in the notary business?

Laura: Three years

Interviewer: How many assignments have you done so far?

Laura: I have done about 3,000 assignments so far.

Interviewer: Where do you want to go with your notary business?

Laura: I not sure. I know I want to expand but haven’t quite figured that out yet.

Interview: How have you been able to overcome challenges?

Laura: FIrst of all I don’t let fear take control of me. A lot of people allow fear to take control but I don’t live in fear. When I was starting this career and leaving a career that I knew for 25 years I had no fear. I went into it as if I was starting a new career. I had no fear. I knew I had a task at hand and I have a lot of confidence in myself. I have a belief that I can do tough things.

Interviewer: What areas do you cover?

Laura: My main area is Marion County and the surrounding counties and one more level after that. I have traveled all across Indiana.

Interviewer: Tell us something not many people know about you.

Laura: I gotten hit in a drive through at MacDonald by a drunk driver.

Interviewer: How did that impact you?

Laura: I was mad and had to get my car repaired. I was not injured.

Do you know an outstanding notary that you would like to see featured in our next article? Is that notary you? If so, please submit their (or your) information here(click here) and maybe they (you) will be the next Featured Notary.

Check out these other recent post:

How to Start & Market Your Notary Business Zoom Conversation happening 12:00 pm on Thursday 4/15/2021

1 Reply

You are invited to a one-hour power-packed Zoom conversation focusing on starting and marketing your notary business. This conversation will be hosted by the authors of “Make Your Business Our Business” Judith Lawrence and Daniel C. Lewis. Here is the link:

Daniel Lewis is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Starting a Notary Business Zoom Conversation
Time: Apr 15, 2021 12:00 PM Indiana (East)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86569103365?pwd=RzBObS9HT2ZaQjhIQkxMREQzejJkUT09

Meeting ID: 865 6910 3365
Passcode: 981661
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,86569103365#,,,,981661# US (New York) +13017158592,,86569103365#,,,,981661# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 865 6910 3365
Passcode: 981661
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kfULTAryb

Join the conversation at 12:00pm on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Hope to see you there.

Check out these other post

Notary Bonds and Insurance

1 Reply

Every day someone is jumping in, feet first, starting a new notary business.  They have checked out some websites, joined a couple of local and national organizations, and took the time to write out a business plan for their notary business.  One question that should come up at the very beginning of this new venture is….

What type of insurance do I need to properly protect my business as well as my personal assets?


Most online websites will give some basic information about Bonds and E&O  Insurance.  If this was the year 2001 that would be great protection but since we are in 2018 this definitely won’t be sufficient coverage for the professional notary entrepreneur.  Let’s take a look at some of the different protection available for the notary entrepreneur.

Bonds


What is a Notary Bond?  A notary bond is a legally binding contract guaranteeing the notary will complete tasks ethically and in adherence to the local laws.  Notary bonds are required because notaries and notaries public are entrusted with a great deal of legal authority and are appointed as witnesses who ensure signatures on important legal documents are valid.  Bonds are usually required in each jurisdiction (check your local requirements).

Please keep in mind, however, bonds actually protect the public and not the notary.  The reason why that’s important is that if there is ever an issue and your notary bond is called to pay damages, the notary would need to repay the bond back to the bonding company.

Errors & Omission Insurance


E&O Insurance is a type of professional liability insurance that protects the notary entrepreneur from mistakes resulting in a financial loss by the customer.  If a customer makes a claim for damages against a Notary Bond, E&O Insurance will protect the notary’s assets up to the chosen coverage amount.  Without E&O Insurance notaries are personally liable for damages caused by a mistake made while acting as a notary, which is why this coverage is so important.  It is important to remember that E&O Insurance does not cover mistakes deemed to be intentional in nature.  E&O Insurance is highly recommended. Click here to talk with a licensed agent

Signing Agent E&O Insurance


Signing Agent E&O Insurance (also called Signing Agent Liability Insurance) is designed to fill the gaps not covered by traditional Notary E&O Insurance.  Signing Agent Liability Insurance is specifically designed for notaries who assist with loan signings.  The policy fills the gaps left with traditional Notary E&O Insurance, which only provides coverage for the actual notarization in loan packages.  Signing Agent E&O Insurance covers unintentional errors or omissions while the notary is acting as a “signing agent”.  In addition to the notarizations, this insurance covers such things as getting all other signatures and initials, correctly dating the documents, completing the signing in the time period specified, and promptly returning the signed documents.  Defense costs are also covered within the coverage amount. Click here to speak with a licensed agent

Identity Theft Protection


I was recently in a room full of professional notary entrepreneurs and asked two questions.  The first question was how many of you ever had to use your Errors & Omissions Insurance because of a claim for damages?  Keeping in mind the average year’s experience was about 7 years, not one hand went up.  Then I asked how many of you ever been a victim or knows a victim of identity theft?  All the hands in the room went up.  Having identity theft protection is one of the most underrated forms of insurance that the notary entrepreneur can have.  I am not referring to some watered-down version of identity theft protection from a bank or as an add-on to an insurance policy that will not properly protect the notary or his/her business.  I am referring to a comprehensive plan that not only protects against the notary from credit card scams, driver’s license identity theft, passport scams, and medical fraud but even protect the notary’s social media post from being hijacked.

Since some notary entrepreneur assignments deal primarily with real estate transactions and require the notary to submit to annual background screens, having comprehensive identity theft protection is critical to operating an efficient effective notary business. Click here to speak to a licensed agent about receiving identity theft protection

Other post by this author

Daniel C. Lewis resides in Carmel, IN.  He was named in 2010 Notary of the Year by the National Notary Association.  He was also named in the same year an Honorary Secretary of State by the Indiana Secretary of State.  Daniel is currently serving as the President of the Indiana Notary Association.  Daniel is an entrepreneur, writer, video editor and Managing Partner of Lewis Notary Services Inc.  Daniel has recently obtained a license as a Financial Advisor. 

Featured Indiana Notary – Felicia Brown

13 Replies

The featured notary this week is Felicia Brown who runs her newly minted professional Notary Signing Agent business from Indianapolis, Indiana. Even though Felicia just recently got started with her notary business she is off to a very fast start. Here is an interview conducted with Felicia recently.

Interviewer: Can you tell us how you got started in the notary business?

Felicia: I got started in the notary business due to this pandemic. My full-time job at the time was reducing and cutting hours and I really did not want to be caught in that situation again. I decided that I wanted to have a side business that I could create myself that would generate extra income for me, just in case anything else like this would happen. I just wanted to be better prepared financially.

Interviewer: You are in the medical field and they were cutting your hours?

Felicia: Yes. I am in the medical field and they were cutting hours. In my field sometimes we weren’t able to see patients during the time of the pandemic. In our nursing home facility, for example, people weren’t coming in and therefore we weren’t getting a lot of patients. This causes our facility not to have a lot of work hours so they start to cut back my hours.

Interviewer: So, how long have you been in the notary industry?

Felicia: For a couple of months now. I think it’s been right around two months now. I am still considered a newbie.

Interviewer: How many how many assignments have you had so far?

Felicia: I’ve had about fifteen assignment so far. Fifteen and counting.

Interviewer: Where do you want to go with your notary business?

Felicia: I want it to go as far as my notary business will take me. I would love to do work for title companies, directly. I would love to work for any type of attorney offices or just wherever.

Interviewer: This pandemic has given all of us some challenges. How have you been able to overcome all the challenges you’ve faced this year?

Felicia: Well, I would say it’s been my faith. It’s definitely been my faith and my trust in God that has allowed me to overcome the challenges. Also, having good friends. Being able to have my friends to talk to and just bounce things off of. That has helped me to be able to keep my sanity during this pandemic.

Interviewer: What physical areas do you cover in your area with your notary business in Indiana?

Felicia: I pretty much do all of Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, and Johnson County.

Interviewer: I can tell that in 2021 we should expect a lot of great things from you. Is there anything you wanna add.

Felicia: I really enjoy doing this. Like I said I am a newbie and I have learned so much. Daniel Lewis (Lewis Training Services) has been a God sent and I thank him for that. I am eager to just learned a lot more about this business. I am ready just take the challenge.

Interviewer: Ok, thank you so much for your time and I’m sure will see a lot more of you in the near future.

Do you know an outstanding notary that you would like to see featured in our next article? Is that notary you? If so, please submit their (or your) information here(click here) and maybe they (you) will be the next Featured Notary.

Check out these other recent post:

5 Keys Notary Entrepreneurs Must Have

Leave a reply

Having been in business for the past 17 years, I have seen some incredible ups and downs. From the collapse of the mortgage industry in 2008 (on the business side) to a diagnosis of cancer in 2010 (on the personal side) to living through a pandemic that affects both sides, problems are often just around the next corner. If you are a new notary entrepreneur or even a seasoned notary entrepreneur here are five (5) keys elements you should develop for long-term success with your business.

Obtain a Legal Service Plan. This is absolutely vital to your success as a notary entrepreneur. If you are a Notary Signing Agent this is critical. I highly recommend you seek out having a legal service plan for your business. A good legal services plan can give you access to law firms across the country. Imagine if you had access to a Contract Attorney, Tax Attorney, or Estate Planning Attorney to ask an unlimited number of business questions. Also, if you are a Notary Signing Agent you are probably in your car at least 6 days a week traveling to and from assignments. The risk of you being stopped for a traffic violation is higher than for most people in other careers despite how great a driver you are. Imagine always having an attorney represent you in traffic court on these violations. If you could obtain a legal service plan at an affordable price as well as it being tax-deductible for your business could this be of value to you?

Need to set up a FREE 15-minute telephone consultation on a legal service plan in your area, click here

Seek a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) that understands your business. Tax laws are constantly changing and becoming more and more complicated. Using a CPA can help you develop a strong foundation for your business. They can help you improve your credit rating, reduce debt, help with saving for your kids, help you settle back tax debt as well as help you save critical time and money. Using a CPA can literally save you thousands of dollars over the years. As a notary entrepreneur would you find that valuable?

Develop a strong relationship with your bank manager. I grew up in a very small town in South Carolina. My family back then had a very limited relationship with the banking system. As I developed as a notary business entrepreneur I discovered that all banks are not the same. Some offer free checking but will hit you up on the back end with multiple hidden fees while others charge you small fees upfront and modest fees on the back end. It is critically important to have a good understanding of how your bank will operate with your type of business. Discovering where the hidden dangers that can cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in fees each year from your bank manager could be the key to a successful business and banking relationship. Reviewing banking policies and fee structures can definitely be of value to your business in the long haul.

Obtain Accident & Critical Illness Insurance. I said earlier that in 2010 I was diagnosed with cancer. I go through in detail how I heard and received this news in my new book “AMPLIFY Your Notary & Signing Agent Business” coming out in the next few weeks. After going through a six (6) plus hour surgery I was off my feet for nearly 3 months. Imagine not being able to work or bring in the income needed to keep your business afloat. Imagine not being able to pay the basic needs of your household like the mortgage, car payments, utilities, food, etc. Having an accident and critical illness insurance policy saved my business from being dissolved. It paid for all those things and more. Most people have health insurance, home & auto insurance, even E&O Insurance but not consider having one of the most critical coverages of them all for notary entrepreneurs – Accident & Critical Illness Insurance. This type of coverage protects you if you are hit in your car and injured by another driver if you have a heart attack or stroke, and yes, in my case, diagnosed with cancer. Would having this protection give you peace of mind?

Setup a FREE 15 Minute Consultation for Accident & Critical Illness Insurance

Be obsessed with developing and staying in excellent physical & mental health. When I started my self-employed notary business my focus was on staying very active in developing clients and getting repeat business. That focus had to lead me to some pretty bad health habits such as lack of daily exercise and keeping an eye on what food I consume. Often times I was in a fast-food restaurant by 6:30 am heading to my first appointment then by 12:30 pm in another one heading to my next appointment and then by 5:30 pm picking up the wife and kids to go into another restaurant for dinner and back out on the road by 6:30 pm. Back home by 9:30 pm or 10:00 pm to wrestle around in the kitchen for cookies or some other sweet snack. This schedule happening at least 6 days a week for years really took a toll on my overall health. Now with some adjustments on diet and mental health, my business in its 17th year is thriving.

I have interviewed several very successful notaries over the years. Following these five (5) keys will reduce your chances of failure with your business.

Daniel C. Lewis was named in 2010 Notary of the Year by the National Notary Association. He was also named in the same year as an Honorary Secretary of State by the Indiana Secretary of State in that same year. He resides in Carmel, IN, and is currently the Executive of Lewis Training Services, an approved education vendor by the Indiana Department of Insurance. Daniel is also an entrepreneur, writer, video editor, and Managing Partner of Lewis Notary Services Inc.  Check out these other blog posts by this author