Maya Beck is a broke blipster, lapsed Muslim, animanga oldhead, demipan demigirl, pastelcore bunnymom, socially-anxious social justice bard, speculative fiction writer and UCSD grad currently revising her thesis middle grade novel about witchcraft and marronage.

Their work has been published by venues including Strange Horizons, Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, PANK, Mizna, and NAT BRUT and they have participated in writing programs including the Clarion Workshop, Tin House, Kimbilio, and VONA.

Born on Kumeyaay land with a Motor City mom/Windy City dad Black lineage, Maya is a blended descendant of displaced Bantu, Hausa, and Fulani peoples. She can be found lurking under @mayathebeing on Bluesky social, a.Maybeing on Instagram, and at maya.a.beck@gmail.com.

MENTORSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, & RESIDENCIES:

  • 2023 Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop

  • 2022 July session for Storyknife Writers Retreat, Mary Ellen State Fellow

  • 2020 Summer session for Vermont College of Fine Arts

  • 2020 February Vermont Studio Center alum

  • 2019 Loft Mirrors & Windows Fellowship

  • 2018 Kimbilio fellowship

  • 2018 Tin House Winter Workshop alum

  • 2017-18 Loft Mentor Series in Creative Prose fellow

  • 2017 VONA/Voices of our Nation Writing Workshop alum

  • 2017 We Need Diverse Books Mentorship mentee

  • 2017 VONA Regional Workshop at The Loft: "Voices of Conflict, Silence, and Witness" alum

  • 2015-16 Givens Emerging Writers' Mentor Program fellow

AWARDS, GRANTS, & NOMINATIONS:

  • 2019 Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant

  • 2019 Metropolitan Regional Arts Council Next Step Fund

  • 2019 Best of Net Nominee

  • 2018 Pushcart Prize Nominee


EDITING:

  • Blog manager for The Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation VISTA blog, 2014-2015

  • Blog manager for Paper Darts, 2014-2016

VOLUNTEER & INTERNSHIPS:

  • Minnesota State Arts Board [July 2019 – August 2019]

    • Artist Initiative Grant Review Panelist

  • Paper Darts Magazine [January 2015 – March 2019]

    • Illustration Coordinator / Story Editor / Blog Manager

  • Coffee House Press [May 2016 – Aug 2016]

    • Summer Intern  

  • MRAC [February 2015 – March 2015]

    • Community Arts Grant Review Panelist