Maya Smart

About Maya Payne Smart

Maya Smart

  • Name: Maya Payne Smart
  • Titles: Writer, Book Enthusiast, Literacy Advocate
  • Education: Master of Science in Journalism, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University; Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies, Harvard University
  • Home Base: Austin, Texas
  • Writing Specialties: How To, Book Reviews, Interviews, Features, Commentary
  • Research Pursuits: Reading Curriculum and Instruction; School, Family, and Community Engagement
  • Super Powers: Deep Reading, Database Diving, Question Asking, Storytelling

I’m Maya Payne Smart, a lover of caffeine, books, and justice (not necessarily in that order). A wife, mom, and community advocate, I split my “me time” between deep reading and slow writing.

My focus? Promoting a #litrich lifestyle for families and individuals. I aim to show parents what it takes to raise fluent readers and to connect people of all ages to great books and authors. I also share productivity tips, interviews, and more, when inspiration strikes.

I love a good lifestyle blog and thought the space could use more substance and color.

When I launched this blog in 2013, I pledged not to bore you with souped-up photos of my daily outfits. To be honest, I’m better known for the books I’m toting than the bag I carry them in. I also pledged to steer clear of horribly executed but beautifully photographed DIY projects. (When it comes to home repairs, I’m a leader in the HAPpier movement. That is, hire a professional.)

All these years later, you can still expect an eclectic mix of lit-focused advice, book reviews, and social commentary inspired by daily life as lived by me. I’ve got big dreams and an active child, so tips that can work for the work-hard-sleep-short set are my sweet spot. I appreciate when a blogosphere tidbit supports my dreams for myself and my family, or saves me time or money, and I hope to pay it forward. Whatever the topic, I aim to inform, instruct, and inspire.

Writing for the heck of it is a dream.

For years, I wrote only for hire. Before Zora I was a business journalist who wrote hundreds of articles for publications ranging from local weeklies to national mega-sites. I also taught freelancers how to run profitable writing businesses in workshops for the Reynolds Center for Business Journalism at Arizona State University, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.

These days I’m writing for love. I’m promoting the causes I support, interviewing people I admire, exploring literary events in Austin, and capturing slices of the Smart life. I’m particularly passionate about strong literacy and great reads because there’s no freedom, equality, or justice without them.

Reading’s my passion. Period.

Increasing families’ knowledge of reading fundamentals and their access to books, high-quality instruction, and community literary events is my way of expanding children’s possibilities and building a more equitable, connected society.

Writing about literacy, literature, and the joy and richness they bring to daily life is my pleasure. Thanks for checking me out!

Instagram

  • I had the pleasure of interviewing @nancyredd for @kirkus_reviews about her debut picture book, Bedtime Bonnet. Readers of her previous adult titles will recognize her tell-it-like-it-is candor. In Bedtime Bonnet, illustrated by @kinopia, Nancy explores black hair culture, from braids and twists to roller sets and locs, all colorfully wrapped in silken sleep caps, scarves, and durags. Bedtime Bonnet is a charming, entertaining read for all families, and a particularly empowering one for those who live the line, "when the sun goes down, our hair goes up." @randomhousekids Link in bio.
  • Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are circulating a Dear Colleague letter calling for emergency recovery funding for America's libraries through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This funding would be available through the Library Services and Technology Act grants to states program. This comes after a similar letter from Reps. Andy Levin (D-MI), Don Young (R-AK), and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) circulated in the House, which received over 100 signatures. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We must remind the Senate that libraries will play a critical role in recovery efforts and ask for the funds we need to protect staff and facilities across the country. Can you urge your Senators to sign? See the link in bio for details.
  • So excited to see that @megmedinabooks and @vanessabrantleynewton will be live on Instagram with @texasbookfest this week. Mark your calendars! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Until then, check the link in my bio for an oldie-but-goodie interview I did with Meg on how to build the courage to write. Her words about being caught in a cycle of "almost writing" will resonate with any aspiring author who puts pen to paper for corporate clients but struggles to write in their own voice for their own purposes.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In the interview, I love her description of what support sounds like. She said, “Sometimes in writing it feels like you’re walking on a tightrope between two skyscrapers, and you need the people around you who are going to keep you calm and say, ‘come across. You can do it. Don’t look down, just look at me. Just keep walking.’ You don’t need the people on the ground screaming, ‘you’re going to fall, oh my gosh. If you hit the ground you’re going to go splat.’ You can’t have that near you. You have to surround yourself with the people who believe that you can do it and who believe that you’re going to put the effort into doing it.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Meg has long been one of the people telling me to "just keep walking," and I can't wait for her Tuesday talk.
  • I'm baaaaaack. It's been awhile, but these trying times call for new ideas and fresh content, so I've rebooted my blog to share book recommendations, resources, and inspiration just for you.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Looking for your next great read? I've got you. Need tips for navigating long days with little children? Consider it done. Plus, I've got new book crafts by @kvnstudio going live every Monday. (You know you want to DIY some Honey Bear Bookends.) Check out the link in my bio for the goods. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Shout out to photographer extraordinaire @hakeemthedreem for the sunny pre-COVID-19 shot. May it remind us to keep smiling and shining through it all. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Stay smart,⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Maya
  • Took care of some holiday shopping at @domainnorthside with a stop at Theory, Lush and Amazon. Great gifts for all the special people in my life and few treats for myself! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ -- #DomainNORTHSIDE #ShopNORTHSIDE #OurSideHasItAll #do512 #igaustin #litrich #austin360 #atxlife