AS SEEN IN . . .

Hi, there! By day, I work in publishing at Penguin Random House helping authors launch their books into the world. At night (and early mornings, weekends, and whenever I fall down a research rabbit hole), I write The Spiegel Files—a project documenting the remarkable life of my grandfather Si Speigel: Jewish WWII B-17 bomber pilot, history-maker, and, in an unexpected plot twist, the man who helped modernize the artificial Christmas tree.

I’m mildly (okay, very) obsessed with history, World War II, and keeping the legacy of our Greatest Generation alive amidst the absurdity of living in today’s world.

You may also know me for my travel and lifestyle writing, or my obsession with marketing nearly anything. I especially love working with small businesses, creatives, and interesting people doing interesting things.

I live in New York City with my dog Sweet Pea where you’ll find us somewhere between cappuccinos, vintage hunting, and bookshop browsing.

Say hi, subscribe to The Spiegel Files, or drop by to commiserate about the conundrum of being a lifelong em-dash user (and lover of the Oxford comma). Let’s connect!

P.S. If you are looking for information about or official records on the life of Si Spiegel, reach me at maya@mayaono.com or visit SiSpiegel.com. The Spiegel family owns Si’s life story rights.