Maya Smart

Contact

330.536.3884
1145 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703

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