Zane Carson Carruth: Many Hats, One Large Heart

written by Eshaan Mani, HFM Kid Ambassador
photo by Cathleen Duffy

Mrs. Zane Carson Carruth has always loved writing, especially the magical world of children’s literature. This Houstonian wears many hats in her professional career, as a marketing expert, certified business etiquette and protocol professional, philanthropist, and a children’s book author. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs. Zane has started her own YouTube channel championing children’s literacy. On her channel, called ‘Zane Carruth,’ she reads several books for children ages three to eight from her beautiful home in Houston. And she already has two videos up, where she reads her own stories. Mrs. Zane Carson Carruth spoke with HFM about her prolific career of writing, etiquette, and philanthropy.

The Writing Journey

Mrs. Carruth wrote her first book, The World’s First Tooth Fairy…Ever 25 years ago and picked it back up in 2016 to inject new life into the manuscript and self-publish it. “I just picked up a spiral notebook, one day 25 years ago, and started writing about this little cute, girly fairy. I had no idea where the story was going. It wrote itself,” she reflects.

Mrs. Carruth followed up the first book with a second one titled The Adventures of Abella and Her Magic Wand, which was released in January of 2018. Both of these books have won the prestigious Story Monsters Approved Award.

Her latest book is titled Abella Starts a Fairy School, and it is slated to release in the fall of 2020. For Mrs. Carruth, the process of writing each book has been a unique journey. Her first book was her longest journey, as she explored the world of her protagonist ‘Abella’ and the history of the tooth fairy, and her second book took her “twenty minutes on a flight” to write.

But while writing her third book she experienced writer’s block and found that “you can talk yourself out of it. I remembered the process of writing the other books, and the words just came to me!”

Promoting Literacy through Technology

Mrs. Carson Carruth has a YouTube channel where she introduces kids to the wonderful world of reading and support education at home. “It was such an amazing experience. I hired a videographer who recorded me reading my books and edited it together. I plan to livestream on the channel sometime soon to answer questions that I’ve been asked frequently about such things as self-publishing.”

She is incredibly committed to children’s literacy and the youth of today writing and reading more. Mrs. Carruth believes reading is “invaluable for the future generations…you learn about everything from books!”

Over the course of the next few months, she hopes to read several more books and release more videos on her channel for kids and adults to enjoy while staying at home.

Philanthropy for Noble Causes Near and Dear

But it’s not just literacy that Mrs. Carruth loves. She serves on the board of the Houston Grand Opera, the SPCA, and the Discovery Green Conservatory. “I love anything with a heartbeat, both my husband and I enjoy the arts, and my husband loves greenspaces and parks!”

Her husband Brady is the chairman-elect for the 2021 Houston Rodeo, and she hopes it will be a great success. She “absolutely adores the rodeo. It’s an amazing experience, with stars like Gwen Stefani and Lizzo and those beautiful animals.”

Just like her philanthropic efforts are concentrated towards causes she holds dear, Mrs. Carruth encourages the youth to begin their philanthropic journey by donating their time to noble causes that align with their passions. In honor of her social work and philanthropy, she was named one of ABC-13’s Woman of Distinction earlier this year. This award has a special meaning for her, as her mother-in-law was a Woman of Distinction in the 1990s. “It makes me feel wonderful when I think that I’m following in her footsteps.”

Praying Through the Pandemic

It’s been a rough ride with the COVID-19 pandemic, and Mrs. Carruth has also been affected by its repercussions. “I haven’t been able to go to church, and I am a strong Christian, so that has been tough.” But she is confident that we will get out of this predicament stronger and more united, “and until then, know that everyone is in my prayers.”

I really enjoyed speaking with Mrs. Carruth and getting her perspective on literacy, writing, and philanthropy. I encourage all readers to visit her website and YouTube channel, and to read her books.