Maya Smart

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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!

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Hey There, I’m Maya!

Maya Smart

I’m Maya Payne Smart, a journalist, book lover, and literacy advocate. I split my time between deep reading and slow writing, often about dynamic women who lift as they climb. 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.

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Austin Lit Events

  1. KUT Book Club – The Gift of the Magi

    December 9 @ 7:00 pm
  2. Heartsong Music Storytime!

    December 10 @ 10:30 am
  3. Ms. Staci Storytime!

    December 11 @ 10:30 am
  4. Carrying Hope Storytime!

    December 14 @ 10:30 am
  5. VOYAGE OUT BOOK CLUB – Conversations with Friends

    December 15 @ 5:00 pm

View All Events

Instagram

  • 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!
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#DomainNORTHSIDE #ShopNORTHSIDE #OurSideHasItAll #do512 #igaustin #litrich #austin360 #atxlife
  • No matter where I am on Thanksgiving, I always pause to reflect on the years of family feasts I enjoyed as a kid at my Grandma's house in Cleveland. Love and laughter were always on the menu along with turkey, dressing, greens and sweet potatoes. Here are a few great picture books I discovered at the @texasbookfest that help us celebrate grandmas and grandpas and nanas and paw-paws year-round. The special ways grandparents love, teach and relate to their children’s children is proven fodder for vivid, powerful storytelling. May they remind us of our elders’ wisdom, wit and care, as well as the role we parents can play in fostering space for those irreplaceable bonds to bloom.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#bibliophile #abmlifeissweet #kidsreadingforpleasure #literacymatters #readersgonnaread #childrensliteracy #morethanbooks #readersareleaders #readingisfundamental #litrich #familytime #thanksgiving
  • That nagging feeling, those recurring dreams, that idea that won't let go. Sit with them. Embody the lesson. Be free.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#quoted #quotabelle #beautifullysaid #morethanbooks #litrich #quotesforyou #quotefortheday #quotesoflife #quoteslover #igquotes #pemachodron
  • Add camping—in a tent—to the things motherhood has made me do. I never thought of myself as the outdoorsy type but as a Girl Scout troop leader I’ve got to model the adventurous spirit we wish for our girls. So here we are at Pedernales Falls State Park for the Walnut Creek Service Unit Fall Campout. Yes, I am wearing a fanny pack. This is definitely one for the books!
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Photo by @instaeileen
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#riseandclimb #gsctx #flashesofdelight #thehappynow #weekendvibes #livemoremagic #lessworkmorelife #simpleandstill #theslowdowncollective #howyouglow
  • I was traveling last week and missed The Library Foundation's Stories Gala, an incredible celebration of my very favorite library. Looks like my mom did a great job keeping the party going in my absence.  Thanks to everyone who raised funds and awareness to keep @austinpubliclibrary resources and programming strong. Nothing says community like a vibrant public library!
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#aplambassador #bibliophile #flashesofdelight #abmlifeissweet #familyphoto #literacymatters #readersgonnaread #childrensliteracy #morethanbooks #readersareleaders #do512 #igaustin #litrich

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