I have decided to start a new Sunday segment, called Celebrating the Author. We talk about the book and how great or bad it is, what about the person who wrote it? When did they start writing and why? What did they do before? What kind of books do they read? I will be celebrating a different author every Sunday, if you like the idea of this please join in and write about your favourite authors or ones you think do not get enough recognition. It’s as simple as choosing an author and finding out the answers to questions you want to know. Share any stories you might have about them, let us know whether or not you have met them.
This week I am writing about Maria V. Snyder. 
What has she written?
She wrote the Study series (Poison Study, Magic Study, Fire Study), the Glass series ( Storm Glass, Sea Glass, Spy Glass), Insider Series (Inside Out, Outside In), the Healer series (Touch of Power, Scent of Magic and Taste of Darkness (which is out in December 2013)). Along with short stories.
A little about her.
She is from Philadelphia and worked as a meteorologist before she became an author. Maria got a Master of Arts degree in fiction writing at Seton Hill University, she is currently a teacher there. (Lucky students).
Research.
She uses her knowledge to write interesting and creative characters and worlds, anything she does not know she does extensive research. Her knowledge and interest in the weather proved useful and creative in the Glass series. She even attended a glass blowing class as research for the series. She uses her environmental knowledge in the Insider series where they recycle everything. She even learned how to ride a horse and pick a lock, toured a prison and studied Karate. (She is definitely the real deal).
Hobbies.
Scrapbooking, reading (can you be a good writer if you don’t read?), Volleyball and traveling.
What does she read?
I had a nosy at her read list on goodreads, (I thought I had read a lot), she seems to read mostly fantasy including: The Maze Runner series by James Dashner, The Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine, the Five Hundred Kingdoms series by Mercedes Lackey and the Xanth series by Piers Anthony.
Past experience.
A few years ago I entered a competition on her website, the prize was a signed copy of her new (at the time) Sea Glass book, I was not lucky enough to win. A week or two after the competition closed I received an email from Maria commiserating me on not winning, but asking if I would like some sea glass bookmarks and a her autograph. I enthusiastically replied a few weeks later I received some bookmarks and a little note with shells on it saying:
“Emma, The sea is full of treasure. Happy hunting. Maria V. Snyder”
I thought this was a very nice gesture, even nicer when you take in the fact that she lives in the USA and I live in the U.K. Not only she is a great author she is a very nice person and loyal to her fans.
Blog and Website.
Want to know more about her? Here is her a link to her blog. http://officialmariavsnyder.blogspot.co.uk/
Here is a link to her website http://www.mariavsnyder.com/index.php
Up and Coming books
Stormwatcher is coming out October this year. The third book in the Healer series (Taste of Darkness) is coming out December this year.
Anything else you would like to know about her? I will try to find out.
Until next time, bookworms.
- Review: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (witchmagsboekenplank.wordpress.com)
- A to Z Survey (bookgeeking.wordpress.com)
- Magic Study (Poison Study #2) by Maria V. Snyder (bftreviews.wordpress.com)
- Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (bftreviews.wordpress.com)
- Poison Study – book review (writtenwordworlds.wordpress.com)
- Showcase Sunday #45 (bookarooju.wordpress.com)
- REVIEW: Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder (theliteraryflaneur.wordpress.com)
A World of Books 