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Maria V. Snyder, Author

Maria V. Snyder


Last Updated: 11/18/2009

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Gender: Female
Status: Married
Age: 100
Sign: Aries

State: Pennsylvania
Country: US
Signup Date: 3/2/2007

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Thursday, September 24, 2009 

Category: Writing and Poetry
First - I'm leaving tomorrow to go to Dubai and Malaysia - yep, just a hop, skip and a jump away....not really - looks like 21 hours in a plane!! (14 to Dubai and another 7 to Kuala Lumpur) And almost the complete opposite side of the world - KL at least.  And not your average vacation destination either. 

Why?  My husband is going there for business and I'm going along.  Why?  I've never been there before and he's actually going to be staying in one place for more than a day (not Dubai, we're spending the weekend there before going to KL).  He does that to me from time to time - and usually short notice.  He comes home reeking of chocolate and says, "I'm going here, want to come?"  Yes, I have a book due...very soon.  But I'm a sucker for travel and men who smell like chocolate. We're due back October 3rd.

Should be an adventure :)

Other news - Opal, the main protagonist of STORM and SEA GLASS has done a Q&A with a friend - Amberkatze and she is giving away a free book to commenters - here's the link if you'd like to read what Opal has to say and to enter the contest: http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/09/author-interview-contest-with-maria-v.html

And I did another interview about SEA GLASS. Linkage is: http://christacarol.blogspot.com/
3:53 AM 
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Saturday, September 19, 2009 

Category: Writing and Poetry
Yes - another author interview with my standard 10 questions (good thing I don't get the same answers back :)

I'm pleased to introduce Seanan McGuire, author of ROSEMARY and RUE - a fast paced urban fantasy and debut novel.  I really enjoyed the world created and the main character.

More Seanan's bio can be found after the Q&A, and if you leave a comment to this blog before September 27th you could win a signed copy of ROSEMARY and RUE!

Seanan's website is: http://www.seananmcguire.com


ROSEMARY and RUE is the first book in the chronicles of October "Toby" Daye, a half-breed Daoine Sidhe and former street kid. Raised in the Summerlands, last of the true fae realms, she ran back to the mortal world when she was a teenager, looking for a life that she could call her own. Unfortunately for Toby, life is rarely simple for changelings, and her own talent for complicating things makes it impossible for her to disappear into the shadows. It probably doesn't help that she attracts trouble the way that candles attract moths, or that she's somehow managed to catch the eye of some of the most powerful people in the Kingdom of the Mists...


Q&A

1.) Why this book? What made you want to write this story?

ROSEMARY AND RUE started as a silly idea that just wouldn't go away.  My friends didn't help.  I told them about it, and they started going "Toby wants a novel."  Just to tease me, I think...but it kept me thinking about Toby and her world, and the more I figured out about my version of Faerie, the more I wanted to get it down on paper.  It just turned into a story I wanted to tell.


2.) Which authors inspire you? Has that changed over time?

Silly as it sounds, Shakespeare has always inspired me.  He was a literary magpie, he synthesized the popular culture of his day into these stories that have managed to last for hundreds of years, and that just fascinates me.  Stephen King's use of language and, oddly, Terry Pratchett's sense of story have also been huge inspirations to me.  And the early works of Jane Lindskold, when she was still all weird and experimental.


3.) Why fantasy? Is there something special about fantasy that draws you to write in the field?

I never outgrew fairy tales -- which is good, because fairy tales aren't supposed to be children's stories.  They were the first urban fantasies, and they're just as full of monsters as anything by Wes Craven or James Gunn.  The way they've changed through time is just fascinating.  I've always wanted to play in that playground.  It's the one where everyone is welcome.


4.) What do you find most interesting about Toby Daye?

Toby is crazy stubborn, and crazy devoted to the people she cares about.  I respect that in her, even if it means that sometimes I want to slap her in the side of the head.


5.) What else do you enjoy doing besides writing? Interests? Hobbies?

I collect comic books, watch a LOT of horror movies, and study epidemiology for fun.  I also draw a comic strip, and have recorded three albums of original geeky folk music.  I love to travel; I love attending conventions; and I love swamps.

Oh, and I have cats.  They count as an interest, a hobby, and an excuse for just about anything.


6.) Did you have to do any special research for this book? What did you learn that you didn't know before?

I read a LOT of fairy tales.  The entire Colored Fairy series, everything by Grimm, a lot of scholastic books about European myth and folklore...I actually learned a lot of things I didn't know, but most of them are unnervingly specific.  "The Daoine Sidhe can't cast the evil eye on you if you've broken bread with them inside of a fortnight"-levels of specific.


7.)  How did you become a writer? Is this what you saw yourself growing up to be? Or did it take you by surprise?

This is what I've always said I was going to be.  I started writing when I was eight years old.  I've never stopped.


8.) Do you have a writing routine? Talk process for a moment, how do the words get on the page?

As a beginning writer, I'm still in "has a dayjob" mode, so my writing routine is very quick and dirty.  I work on computer when I can, but sometimes I wind up drafting chapters longhand in my planner.  I set goals for myself every day.  Sometimes they're huge -- "copy-edit twenty pages" or "five thousand words" -- and sometimes they're just things like "search for all references to X and replace them with Y."  I would be lost without my planner.

Once I'm actually writing, I tend to do a first draft in a single file, sending it out to my proofreading pool every few chapters.  I process corrections as I go, but the major revisions are revised for the second draft.  (I also update my continuity guide as I go.  That's vital.)  After the second draft, I'll print out the full manuscript, do one red-line ink pass by hand, and then enter my edits on the electronic manuscript.  At that point, I'm done.  I hope.


9.) Office? Closet? Corner of the living room? Do you have a set place to write?  A favorite?

I like to write in my bedroom.  The walls are bright orange, and I can blast my music as loud as I want to without upsetting anyone but the cats.  I'll also occasionally write while sitting in my living room, watching bad horror movies on late-night TV.


10.) What are you writing now?  What's coming out next?

Well, right now I'm working on THE BRIGHTEST FELL -- the fifth Toby book -- a distopian future zombie novel called FEED, and a kicky urban fantasy called DISCOUNT ARMAGEDDON.  My next release will be A LOCAL HABITATION, the second of the Toby books.  I'm really excited.  It's a story I enjoyed telling, and I can't wait to share it.



BIO:

Seanan McGuire was born in Martinez, California, and raised in a wide variety of locations, most of which boasted some sort of dangerous native wildlife. Despite her almost magnetic attraction to anything venomous, she somehow managed to survive long enough to acquire a typewriter, a reasonable grasp of the English language, and the desire to combine the two. The fact that she wasn't killed for using her typewriter at three o'clock in the morning is probably more impressive than her lack of death by spider-bite.
5:56 PM 
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Monday, September 14, 2009 

Category: Writing and Poetry
First some wonderful news!


STORM GLASS is a finalist in the Golden Leaf Award in the paranormal category! YAY!

To see the other categories and finalist go here: http://www.njromancewriters.org/goldenleaf.asp

I'm guest blogging about SEA GLASS and comparing my writing life to the different colors of sea glass over at Harlequin's Paranormal Romance blog - here's the link: http://www.paranormalromanceblog.com


And another FAB review (do you think I would send you to the bad ones? No :) actually I haven't seen any real negative ones and I like it that way - one bad one can wipe out 100 good ones).

Linkage: http://fantasticbookreview.blogspot.com/2009/09/review-sea-glass-by-maria-snyder.html



NEW - Chapter 1 of INSIDE OUT is up on my website! 

Here's the link to my Books page - it's the second one down:  http://www.mariavsnyder.com/books.php

12:31 PM 
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Tuesday, September 08, 2009 

Category: Writing and Poetry
After my friend emailed me about the book trailer for STORM GLASS, I did a little research (deadline?  what deadline?) and found this video.  It's a book trailer for the new cover and release of POISON STUDY in Australia.  I love the cover and MAGIC STUDY's new cover is up on my website at the bottom of the cover gallery page (they're in reverse alphabetical order) link: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/covergallery.php

They took some liberties with the story - which is fine with me.  But I had to laugh at two places in the story.  Can you guess which ones?

Enjoy!  I did :)

10:15 PM 
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Tuesday, September 08, 2009 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQyaIbYKT6s

A friend told me about this trailer. Wish the publisher had told me about it! What fun - I hope you enjoy!!

1:27 AM 
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Tuesday, September 08, 2009 

Category: Writing and Poetry
I know this is a bit late notice, but I'm chatting with a group of readers called the Mundie Moms (they love Cassandra Clare's books :) tomorrow night - September 8 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

It's open to everyone so if you want to talk about my Glass books and ask questions feel free to stop by :)


Hope to "talk" to you tomorrow night!

ALSO - my local newspaper just printed a WONDERFUL review of SEA GLASS!

Here's the link if you'd like to read it: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/241836
12:54 AM 
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Sunday, September 06, 2009 

Category: Writing and Poetry
I'm guest blogging over at the First Novels Club site right now, talking about the sophomore slump and why book 2 in a trilogy or series sells less than book 1.  Seemed appropriate since SEA GLASS is a book 2 :)  They are also doing a contest and only lucky commenter can win a set of Glass books - signed by me :)

4:47 AM 
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Friday, September 04, 2009 

Category: Writing and Poetry

I received an email about a project a book blogger is doing to find out what the number one book would be as nominated and voted for by readers.
 
I am thrilled that that out of over 800 nominations several of my books have been nominated, and now voting has started.

The novels that have been nominated are: POISON STUDY, MAGIC STUDY, and FIRE STUDY!

Voting has started and will end on 14th September. Voters also have the chance to enter to win the #1 book, which will be sent out once voting closes. Readers can vote at the following URL: 
http://101fantasybooks.wordpress.com/vote-for-101-fantasy/


I also received another wonderful review for SEA GLASS - here's a link if you're interested:  http://community.livejournal.com/genrereviews/174653.html

12:42 AM 
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Monday, August 31, 2009 

Category: Writing and Poetry

Hello!  I'm going to be a guest blogger and answering questions over at Bitten by Books on Tuesday, September 1st!  We're also giving away 15 copies of SEA GLASS to readers who comment and do other things (like post on other sites etc...)

On of the ways you can get points is to RSVP to the event on Tuesday - now - before Tuesday and you get like 50 points!

Here's a link to RSVP:  http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=10368

And stop on by on Tuesday and you could win!  I'm also blogging about blood magic and how it works  (well... not all the details - don't want you to run around bleeding people for power ;)

Hope to see you there!
3:54 AM 
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Tuesday, August 25, 2009 

Category: Writing and Poetry
SEA GLASS is officially being released TODAY!  However, many bookstores and Amazon.com has already put the books out, and some bookstores will wait until September 1 to display them.  You might want to call your local store first before you rush out ;>



Also the different book stores tend to shelve my books in different sections of the store. If you can't find the book in the Fantasy/Science Fiction section, check Romance, then check the Young Adult section.  If all else fails, go to the customer service desk and ask :)

About the actual book, the acknowledgements are missing. If you like to read them, please click on this link: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/books.php  The Magician's Keep map in SEA GLASS is also not labeled and credit for the nice graphic goes to Chris Phillips. 

Don't freak out at the end of the book.  There is a major typo. SPY GLASS is scheduled to come out in 2010 NOT 2011.


A few reviews have been posted and I've done some interviews over the web.  There are also a couple of contests to win free copies of SEA GLASS that are either running or will be.  I've listed what I know below:


Interviews/Blogs/Contests:



Reading Rocks 4 Me Has an interview with me (the questions were excellent!) and we're giving away a copy of SEA GLASS
http://readingrocks4me.blogspot.com



Grinding toValhalla  I did an interview in July with a video gamer. It was a lot of fun! http://grindingtovalhalla.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/reading-the-text-maria-v-snyder/ 


Bitten By Books I'm doing a guest blog on this wonderful site on September 1st. And we will be giving away 15 copies of SEA GLASS. YES - that's right 15 copies! My very generous publisher donated the books and I will personalize, sign and ship them all. I will have the link posted on my MySpace blog on the 1st. http://bittenbybooks.com 


Reviews:
Some of these reviews have spoilers, but the reviewers will tell you before you go too far :) 

http://readingrocks4me.blogspot.com/2009/08/sea-glass-by-maria-v-snyder.html 


Lexie's Reviews http://lastexilewords.blogspot.com/


Read Now Sleep Later  http://readnowsleeplater.wordpress.com/ 


Fantasy Freak And this review is for POISON STUDY But I loved it, and he even matched the book to two songs, which I also enjoyed.  He is planning to do MAGIC STUDY this week and FIRE STUDY the next. 

http://fantastyfreak.blogspot.com  


I'm sure there will be more reviews and blogs etc... To find out when and where, I will post links and updates on my MySpace blog.

 

My schedule for September :)


September 17, 2009 Book Signing and Book Discussion at Cupboard Maker Books (http:///www.cupboardmaker.com) 157 N. Enola Road, Routes 11 & 15, Enola, Pennsylvania 17025. 717-732-7288). The Cupboard Maker's Urban Fantasy book group is going to discuss POISON STUDY.  Booksigning is from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the discussion group is meeting from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

September 19, 2009  Book Signing at Borders in the King of Prussia Mall (

650 Mall Blvd, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, 610-337-9009). 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
8:18 AM 
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