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Malik Writes

Malik Writes

Malik Gonzalez's personal blog and portfolio, where storytelling meets brand clarity, empowering creators and small businesses through thoughtful marketing.

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Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy – Malik Writes

Last updated: February 2026


Who We Are

Our website address is: https://maliktells.com

Malik Writes is a personal blog and creative platform operated by Malik Gonzalez, focused on writing, business insights, and personal reflections.


Information We Collect

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide, including:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Website (if submitted via comments)
  • Any information you submit through contact forms or newsletter sign-ups

We also collect certain technical information automatically, including:

  • IP address
  • Browser type
  • Device information
  • Pages visited
  • Time spent on pages

This data helps improve website performance, security, and user experience.


Comments

When visitors leave comments on the site, we collect the data shown in the comments form, as well as the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help with spam detection.

An anonymized string (hash) created from your email address may be provided to the Gravatar service to determine whether you are using it. The Gravatar privacy policy is available at: https://automattic.com/privacy/.

After approval of your comment, your profile picture may be visible to the public alongside your comment.


Email Newsletter (Flodesk)

If you choose to subscribe to our email newsletter, your name and email address will be stored and processed through Flodesk, our email marketing provider.

Flodesk may use tracking technologies to collect data about email engagement, such as:

  • Open rates
  • Link clicks

This helps improve communication and content relevance.

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link provided in any email.

Flodesk’s privacy policy is available at:
https://flodesk.com/legal/privacy-policy


Cookies

This website uses cookies to improve your experience.

If you leave a comment, you may opt-in to saving your name, email address, and website in cookies. These cookies last for one year.

If you visit our login page, a temporary cookie is set to determine if your browser accepts cookies. It contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.

Login cookies last two days. If you select “Remember Me,” your login persists for two weeks.

If you edit or publish content, an additional cookie is stored in your browser. It contains no personal data and expires after one day.


Analytics (Google Analytics)

We use Google Analytics to analyze website traffic and usage patterns.

Google Analytics collects anonymized data such as:

  • Pages visited
  • Time spent on pages
  • Device type
  • General geographic location (not precise location)

This information helps improve website performance and user experience.

Google Analytics may use cookies to collect this data. You can learn more about how Google handles your data here:

https://policies.google.com/privacy

You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by using Google’s browser add-on:
https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout


Embedded Content from Other Websites

Articles may include embedded content (e.g., YouTube videos, social media posts, images).

Embedded content behaves as if you visited the other website directly. These websites may collect data, use cookies, and monitor interactions with their content.


Who We Share Your Data With

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

We may share data with trusted service providers strictly for operational purposes, including:

  • Flodesk (email marketing)
  • Google Analytics (traffic analysis)
  • Spam detection services

If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email.


How Long We Retain Your Data

If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely.

If you subscribe to the newsletter, your information is retained until you unsubscribe.

Registered users (if applicable) may view, edit, or delete their personal information at any time (except usernames).


What Rights You Have Over Your Data

If you have an account or have left comments, you may request:

  • An exported file of your personal data
  • Deletion of your personal data

This does not include data we are required to retain for legal, administrative, or security purposes.

To make a request, please contact us via the website’s contact page.


Where Your Data Is Sent

Visitor comments may be checked through automated spam detection services.

Newsletter data is processed through Flodesk.

Analytics data is processed through Google Analytics.


Future Products and Services

In the future, this website may offer digital products, courses, or coaching services.

If payment processing is added, additional data policies regarding payment processors will be updated in this Privacy Policy accordingly.


Contact

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy, you may contact us through the website’s contact page.

Primary Sidebar

About Meh

This is where I think out loud.

I’m Malik. Writer, designer, and chronic dot connector. I write about storytelling, personal branding, creative work, and occasionally whatever I’ve just become obsessed with.

The throughline is always the same though. The story beneath the surface.

Pull up a chair with your matcha.

Instagram

maliktells

I was using AI to make my writing sound like the v I was using AI to make my writing sound like the version of me I thought people wanted to see.

And I told myself it was fine because I wrote it first.

But then I started thinking about photographers. Nobody complains when a camera does the heavy lifting. 

So why are we so up in arms about writers using AI?

There's a line though. And once I figured out where it was, it changed how I write completely.

New blog post is up. Link in bio.
I'm on my "artist date" where I'm out solo to cont I'm on my "artist date" where I'm out solo to continue building a relationship with my "artist self."

I haven't been feeling like an artist for a few months now. I've been on survival mode focusing on business and stopped having fun with the work I do.

This morning I thought back to Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way where she says to go on a once a week solo expedition to do something that fires up your imagination or simply brings you joy.

For me today is being at one of my favorite coffee shops @sweettweetsbakeryep and have my iced vanilla matcha, portable keyboard and iPad to write for my Substack.

It feels good showing up the version of me I want to be today. Which btw if you want to take a peek at my writing, check out my Substack, link is in bio.

If you were to be your artist self for the week, who would you show up as?
I had to lower my reading goal to actually enjoy r I had to lower my reading goal to actually enjoy reading again.

I went from skimming books just to hit a number, to actually loving the process again by setting the bar "stupid low."

​Turns out, when you stop trying to prove you read, you actually read more.

​Full breakdown of the strategy on Substack today. Link in bio! 

​#reading #books #mindset #Substack
I stopped trying to write for an imaginary audienc I stopped trying to write for an imaginary audience.

And my work finally started sounding like me.

Write for yourself first.

The audience comes later.

Read the full post on my Substack. Link in bio.
This arctic freeze was cold. I live in a studio ap This arctic freeze was cold. I live in a studio apartment, and my little heater did what it could.

I bought a few books, picturing myself warm and cozy with hot tea. That didn’t happen. I ended up writing.

I started watching a non-fiction writing course I bought, and one of the exercises sparked something. I thought, I want to post this somewhere.

I started on Instagram. I wrote about my time in New York back in 2019, practicing present tense. I did it a little too well, people thought I was there when I posted it.

Then I rewrote a longer version and realized it was too long. Too long for Threads. Already on Instagram. Not right for LinkedIn. I didn’t want to start a blog.

A friend suggested Substack. I couldn’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner. I started one two years ago and never used it. Now I finally have a place for my writing, my thoughts, and the things I’m interested in.

I went from planning to finish a book to starting a Substack.

If you’re curious about what I wrote while filming this, the link is in my bio.
This saturday (Jan/31st) grab your favorite book, This saturday (Jan/31st) grab your favorite book, get a warm cup of coffee (or matcha lol) and catch up on the book you've been working on.

We'll be reading from 10 to 11 and then from 11 to 12 we'll be mingling and joining @borderartistsociety in junk journaling!

We'll be at @alienbrew830 located at 486 Concho St

DM if you have any questions.

See y'all this Saturday!
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