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Maya Payne Smart spent six years and tens of thousands of dollars figuring out how to get paid to write. It was a frustrating, expensive experience that she wouldn’t wish on anyone. Instead, she aims to help journalists, authors and other writers easily navigate the freelance landscape — and build profitable businesses.
To this end, she launched WritingCoach.com in 2009. The website offers essential information — from marketing basics to more advanced business-building strategies — that she wishes she had when she went after her first bylines.
She teaches from experience. To date, Smart has authored hundreds of articles for newspapers, magazines and websites, including CNNMoney.com, Black Enterprise, Essence, and trade and custom publications. She’s also a contributing author for Princeton Review books such as “America’s Best Value Colleges” and “120 Jobs That Won’t Chain You to Your Desk.”
Smart frequently takes her message of profitable writing on the road, presenting speeches, workshops and courses for professional wordsmiths. She’s provided advice to members of the Society of Professional Journalists, Society of American Business Editors and Writers, the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism, and other organizations.
An active volunteer, Smart also lends her vision, leadership and expertise to local and national initiatives. She serves on the board of governors of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers and leads its entrepreneurial journalism committee. Smart raises funds, presents professional development programs and guides policy as a board member of James River Writers, a Virginia nonprofit.
Smart earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in social studies from Harvard University and a master’s degree in editorial journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Her journalism honors include a Donald W. Reynolds Center for Business Journalism Circle of Achievement Certificate and a 29th Annual Ohio Excellence in Journalism Award in online news from The Press Club of Cleveland.
She lives in Richmond, Va., with her husband, Shaka, head coach of the men’s basketball team at Virginia Commonwealth University. |