Maria V Snyder Interview & Contest

Maria V Snyder is the author of multiple books including the Study trilogy and Storm Glass, the beginning to her newest trilogy. The second book, Sea Glass, is set to release on September 1 of this year.


KBB: When did you decide that you wanted to be a writer?

MVS: My first job after college was as a Meteorologist for an environmental consulting firm. The amount of work came in waves, and we were either extremely busy or very bored. During the slow times, I started writing a short story. Ideas were always floating around in my mind, but that was when I began using them and writing stories. I submitted my first short story for critique at a writing conference in Philadelphia, and when the workshop leader gave me 7 out of 10, I thought that was pretty good for a first effort and decided to stick with writing for a while. After my son was born and I only had about one hour a day to myself, I had to decide what was important enough to spend that precious time on. Most days writing won.

KBB: Is there any one person who influenced your decision to become a writer?

MVS: My husband has always been very supportive, even when we were dating. Before I was published, if I needed to go to writer’s conference or a special class, he never said no and he happily took care of the kids while I pursued this new career. And he is still wonderful. Right now I’m in Pittsburgh, teaching writing classes at Seton Hill University and he’s home taking care of the kids. If it wasn’t for his support, I wouldn’t BE a writer.

KBB: Were you a big writer or reader growing up? What about now? Do you prefer writing your own books or reading someone else’s?

MVS: I was a big reader growing up, but I hated to write in school. I remember my older sister reading to me and I was annoyed that she could read and I couldn’t! Soon after, I was reading and I started with mysteries because that is what my mother enjoyed. Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys were my favorites before I graduated to Agatha Christie, Dick Francis, Robert B. Parker, Barbara Vine, and Ed McBain.

I still love to read and do enjoy other author’s books. Currently my favorite authors all have humor in their books. Since my life is so stress-filled and complicated, I’ve been enjoying light and fluffy reading with Mary Janice Davidson’s vampire series and her new mermaid series, Connie Willis is another favorite of mine, and I’ve recently discover the mystery/suspense thrillers of Harlan Coben. I also enjoy the writing process – you need both to be a good writer.

KBB: Did you enjoy writing any of your books more than others?

MVS: I must admit I had a blast writing my new YA novel, INSIDE OUT. It’s coming out April 2010 and I didn’t write it any differently than my Study or Glass books because it’s for a YA audience, but it’s a new world with a great character and I had fun with it.


KBB: Do any of the characters from the Study trilogy reappear in the Glass trilogy?

MVS: Yes, many of them do. Yelena, Leif, Irys, Bain, Valek, Ari and Janco all appear in the Glass books.

KBB: Where did you get the ideas for the Glass books?

MVS: To tell the truth, after writing Fire Study, I wanted to write a different book – one not in the Study world. My editor suggested I write another Study book to keep up the momentum. She mentioned Opal as a potential character.

I liked Opal and she surprised me by how valuable she became in Fire Study, but I couldn’t think of a story idea with her. I was explaining this to my editor and was literally in mid-sentence when the idea for Storm Glass popped into my mind. At first we were going to title the book Glass Study or Crystal Study, but I wanted a new title since I had a new main protagonist.

KBB: Do you have a favorite character from them?

MVS: I should be diplomatic and say they’re all my favorites ;> But I must admit Valek.

KBB: Can you tell us anything about the third book in the series?

MVS: It’s still untitled at the moment, but in this book Opal has to find her place in the world and be content. So much has changed for her over a short time, and she needs to adjust to her new circumstances (I can’t tell you what they are as it will give away some things in SEA GLASS). I’m working on it now and just getting into it. The book will be out in September 2010.

KBB: Thanks so much, Maria! I can’t wait to read the whole Glass series and your new one coming out next year. They sound amazing. Readers here is your chance to win a copy of Sea Glass before it is out in stores.


+1 comment about interview
+1 become a follower
+2 already a follower
+3 link on your blog (sidebar is fine)
+4 comment on review of Poison Study or Magic Study

The contest will run until August 15 so get entering!

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63 comments

  1. XD I don’t love MVS or anything. no siree! Oh Valek…though I have to admit I’m liking Kade a whole lot more then I originally thought I would. And w00t for more Ari and Janco. I want them to have their own side adventures book!

    +2 already a follower
    +3 gonna link in the sidebar (http://lastexilewords.blogspot.com)
    +4 commented on both Poison and Magic Study

  2. Interesting interview. I enjoyed reading about her family life and what how supportive her husband is. I’d love to read this book. Thank you for the giveaway and please count me in

    chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

  3. Great interview! It’s great that she has a supportive family πŸ™‚ Also, I liked seeing that she hated writing in school–I’m the same way.

    +1 comment about interview
    +2 already a follower
    +3 link on your blog (sidebar is fine)
    +4 comment on review of Poison Study or Magic Study

    -Allison
    love-adelaide(at)hotmail(dot)com

  4. You have nice questions that invite interesting answers. It’s good to learn that how much effort and time the author put into writing this nice work.
    +1 comment on this interview
    +2 already a follower
    linna.hsu(at)gmail(dot)com

  5. Shawna Lewis
    weloveourdogs@juno.com

    Thanks for this wonderful giveaway YA!!! I wan to read this book so bad!!!

    +2 I am already a follower
    +4 I commented on Magic study review

    +1 Comment on interview:
    I love how with just an name “Opal” she was able to come up with these new book how talented she is!!!!

  6. I think it’s great that she’s a writer who hated to write in school. Maybe that means there’s hope for some of my students who hate to write!!

    +2 follower

    mj.coward[at]gmail.com

  7. +1 Maria is very fortunate to have a good support system! I find that to be a writer that is key!

    +2 already a follower

    +4 Commented on Poison Study

    lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

  8. What a great interview! I really enjoyed it. And man, a meteorologist to a writer. What a transition! I’m really looking forward to reading Maria’s work =) I’ve heard such great things about both trilogies so far.

    P.S. i’m a new follower

    && I posted a link to this on my sidebar (http://creativitygone.blogspot.com)

    Thanks so much,

    mishtakes AT gmail DOT com

  9. Good to read in the interview that the author’s husband is so supportive.

    I am a follower.

    wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

  10. +1 – I love that Maria V. Snyder used to be a meterologist. Scientists need love too (my boyfriend is a geologist). She always has such awesome covers too.
    +1 – I just became a follower!
    +3 – posted a link on my sidebar.
    +4 – I posted a comment on your review of Poison Study, it’s fantastic.

    so all together, that adds up to +9 for me. πŸ™‚

  11. +1 comment about interview: I really like the question about if she liked reading growing up =) i find that so cool cause i was so the opposite, well in HS anyway I loved to write hated reading and now i like both =)
    +1 became a follower
    +3 sidebar on: thatchickthatreads.blogspot.com
    +4 commented on review of Poison Study =) thanks for the review btw it’s one of the books on my to read shelf =P

    leslie-lv at hotmail dot com

  12. +1 It’s amazing how MVS didn’t like to write in school! I also started with Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys!

    +1 New follower!

    +4 Left comments on your reviews of Poison Study or Magic Study!

    Count me in!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

  13. +1 Thanks for the great interview. I would love to read this novel soon

    +2 Follower

    Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat – join us at CoolCanucks.ca

    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

  14. 1+ interview comment- Maria now lives in Pittsburgh and teaches writing at Seton Hill University.
    +4 review- I thoght Magic Study sounded interesting that Yelena was kidnapped as a child.
    You said it was confusing on what the Zaltana family went through during this time. Later on everything was more clear.
    + 2 follower
    Jolynn_Reads@yahoo.com

  15. +1 great interview. I am surprised Valek, is her favorite, I prefer Janco.
    +1 new follower
    +3?? I dont have a blog, but I linked on facebook, and goodreads- does that count lol πŸ™‚
    +4 commented on Posion Study.
    Thanks for having this contest. Sept 1 can not get here fast enough, 2 sequels in one day. AHH
    – Pixie
    txmamaof3@gmail(dot)com

  16. +1 I love Maria. She is an amazing writer and she is a such a nice person.

    +1 I am now a follower
    +3 you are on my sidebar now!
    +4 I commented on the other reviews.

  17. So if Maria loves Valek, does this mean we’ll be getting more novels in the Study series or is it ending at 3? I haven’t heard either way and I am keeping my fingers crossed for more Yelena and Valek. I LOVE Valek!

    I’ve linked to your contest in today’s news post on my site. I hope that counts.

    I left comments on both reviews. Great reviews by the way. I can’t wait to see what you think of Fire Study.

  18. I don’t know if I have to do all 4 things to be entered to win… maybe just a comment on here is enough πŸ™‚ Sea Glass is coming out the day I move back in to college so if I don’t win I’ll just buy it (this and the Study series is the first series I’ve ever own ALL of teehee) and and read it fast before classes start πŸ™‚ I can’t wait! I love the world of Ixia and Sitia SO much!

  19. Have been a MVS fan for quite a while, loved the Study trilogy and have Storm Glass but havent read it yet. So looking forward to Sea Glass, gorgeous cover and definitely to Maria’s YA novel.
    I’ve collected all of Harlan Coban’s books absolutely love them so was glad to see Maria enjoys them too!

    +1 now a follower
    +3 linked on sidebar of my blog The Eclectic Reader
    +4 commented on Poison Study

  20. What a great interview. I love that her husband was so supportive and helped with the kids. That always makes a big difference in what we do. Please include me in your giveaway.

    +2 I am already a follower.
    Thanks
    Debbie
    debdesk9(at)verizon.net

  21. Oh, WOW. I read Poison Study the other night, and stayed up until 4 in the morning to finish it because I could NOT put it down. It was so incredible that the next day I immediately went out to the bookstore to buy the next in the series. I am addicted to Maria’s writing now, and can’t believe my luck in finding your contest!

    +2 already a follower
    +3 linked to the sidebar in my blog

    Thanks!

    stephxsu at gmail dot com

  22. Great interview! I love Maria’s books! Big FAN!!! Devoured the Study series and loving the Glass series. An ARC would be wonderful!!! I actually met Maria once in 2008 at the RT convention in Pittsburgh–best day EVER!

    Read all her books as I said and I remember Poison Study left me in awe and I ate up Magic Study! And Fire Study! Whoa boy!!

    So count me in for the contest!! I love her books!

  23. Nice interview! I have thoroughly enjoyed your books. Loved the Study books and just picked up the first Glass book. Would love the next one! I have Maria as a friend on facebook. Am follower of this blog. And I linked you on my book blog (newbie at it.

  24. Nice interview. Maria V Snyder will be a new author for me. It is always interesting to read an interview of a new author, it helps the reader to “get to know” a new author. I love the cover art on Sea glass. This sounds like a good book. I follow your blog.
    heatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com

  25. Thank you for the interview. Maria Snyder is FINALLY getting attention for her novels! When I first read POISON STUDY and told people about it, they were like “Who?” and now, I have a bunhc of friends in to her books and they’re all in love. We all love Valek, of course. I can’t wait for SEA GLASS, and to know we have to wait so long for the next book after that!

    +1 Commenting
    +1 Follower

    barbrafl737 (at) yahoo (dot) com

  26. Thanks for directing me to your contest in the comment you left me πŸ˜€ I am SO excited for Sea Glass. The cover is super gorgeous and after reading the excerpt that’s up on Maria Snyder’s website, I’m anxious to see what happens.

    Great interview! I didn’t realize Maria Snyder used to work as a meteorologist – it makes the Glass trilogy even more interesting. Plus I love anyone who grew up on Nancy Drew πŸ˜‰

    +I’m already a follower
    +I commented on your Poison Study review

    Kristin (email = dazdnconfusd@comcast.net)