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Sunday, September 5, 2010

Author Interview & Contest with Maria V. Snyder

My author guest this week is no stranger to Amberkatze's Book Blog. Maria V. Snyder is an author I have managed to get quite a few friends and family addicted to :) I have read all her books and she is a must buy, must read for me! Now her third book in the Glass series, Spy Glass, is out and I of course I couldn't let the release go by without inviting Maria back onto the blog.

So enjoy the interview and don't forget to enter the contest! Oh and really don't forget to read Maria's amazing and unforgettable books!

Poison Study
Magic Study
Fire Study

Storm Glass
Sea Glass
Spy Glass

Inside Out

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Amber - Welcome back to Amberkatze's Book Blog! It is great to have you here as a guest again! Could you start things off by telling us a little about your latest release, SPY GLASS?

Maria - Hi Amber! Thanks so much for inviting me back – I always have fun when I visit :)

SPY GLASS picks up a few months after SEA GLASS. Opal is home recovering from a struggle where she had to sacrifice everything in order to save another. Now without her special magic, she's feeling lost and directionless until she discovers that there may be a way for her to become powerful again. Determined to reclaim her powers, Opal will do anything to get them back. Or so she believes.

Amber - Your characters always go up against the bad guys or get stuck in difficult situations. How do you decide what to throw at them in each book?

Maria - I don't decide up front. Since I'm a seat of the pants writer, I set things in motion and see what happens when everyone comes together in the final conflict. I like to be surprised and I think if I'm surprised, my readers will be as well.

Amber - SPY GLASS is the third book in the series and ties up quite a few loose ends. Is that the last we will see of this world?

Maria - For now. There are characters from the Study and Glass books that I would love to expand on and see what happens to them. I would also like to write another Yelena and Valek story – I am writing a short story about them for my free email newsletter subscribers right now. I'm also thinking about expanding that story and flashing back to Valek's past when he meets the Commander and assassinates the King of Ixia. But for right now, I need a break and a new creative challenge to keep my writing fresh. I do intend to go back to Ixia and Sitia in the future.

Amber - When is the sequel to INSIDE OUT due? Are you working on any other projects you would like to tell us about?

Maria – OUTSIDE IN is coming out in March 2011. I'm currently working on another fantasy novel about a healer set in a world that is recovering from a deadly plague. Her world has blamed the plague on the healers and has hunted them down. She is finally caught only to be rescued by a group who wants her to heal their Prince. The group's leader, Kerrick, knows the healers aren't to blame for the plague and that she could do some good for a change instead of hiding. Unfortunately, she believes this Prince is the one who started the plague as an attempt at biological warfare so she isn't risking her life for some pampered Prince. As they travel to the Prince's hidden location, they're pursued by others who have realized having a healer around might just be a good thing for them, but not necessarily for her.

Amber - How do you come up with the titles for your books? Do you always go with the first title or is it hard to come up with the right one?

Maria - I had hard time with POISON STUDY at first – I wanted something that had Poison in the title and something about learning. I played around with Poison Lessons, Educating Yelena, The Study of Poisons before finding POISON STUDY. I thought the publisher would change the title – they often do, but they kept it and MAGIC STUDY was easy to title. FIRE STUDY was harder as I wanted Soul Study and no one in my publisher liked that. It was only when the Fire Warper arrived that I thought of FIRE STUDY. At first, STORM GLASS was going to be Crystal Study or Glass Study, but I thought we needed a new title so my readers wouldn't be confused. INSIDE OUT has originally been just Inside, but none of my critiquers at Seton Hill liked that name. They brainstormed and my friend, Mike came up with INSIDE OUT. Right now, I've no idea what we're going to title the healer story.

Amber - How long on average does it take you to write a book? Do you have a process you follow? or do you just start at page one and see what happens?

Maria - I need about six months to write a book. I do start at page one and go from there, but before I get approval on a story/idea, I need to write a synopsis for my editor. Technically, the synopsis details the story from start to finish, but I never follow it once it's written.

Amber - There has been quite a lot of Paranormal TV series and Films to hit the screens lately. Why do you think that is? Would you like to see any of your books come to life in the same way?

Maria - I'm not as tapped into the current trends as some. I'm happy paranormal is getting popular, but I've no idea why :) I would love to see my books as a TV series. Movies have to cut most of the book out to fit it into the two hour time limit, but a TV series could really include all the characters and plots. I'm always hoping Joss Whedon will discover POISON STUDY and make it into a TV show.

Amber - How much say do you have in the book publishing process? Eg. Do you get to pick the cover?

Maria - I don't get to pick the cover. I do get to fill out an art fact sheet for the talented artists in the publisher's art department. I supply the details about the world and characters for them. I have more control over the content of the book. If my editor doesn't like something and she has a good reason, I'll change it. But if I don't agree with her, I have the final say.

Amber - I am sure that being an author has its ups and downs. What experiences have you had so far?

Maria - I've had my share of both. Ups are when my books win awards or are finalists. When I get an excited email from a reader about how much she enjoyed my book. When I get a good review. When my kids proudly tell their friends I'm a writer. When my husband boasts I'm a New York Times bestselling author. The downs are when I get a bad review. When I'm so stressed out about a deadline I don't have time for family or friends. When I'm sick and still have to write. When I've been working on a project so long I think it's utter crap.

But the ups outweigh the downs and I wouldn't change anything.

Amber - What have you been reading and watching lately?

Maria - I've been reading a ton of YA Steampunk novels like Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan and Cherie Priest's Boneshaker. I've only time for a few TV shows and I enjoy watching Bones and Top Chef. I can't cook, so I'm fascinated by those who can.

Amber - If you were a superhero, what powers would you want? Or would you be a villain?

Maria - I would love to have the power to heal people. I've had friends and family deal with sickness and ill health and quality of life is so poor for them and for those who take care of them. That's probably why Yelena had some healing ability and why my new heroine is a healer.

Amber - Thank you for visiting Amberkatze's Book Blog again! You are always welcome and I hope to see you here again soon!

Maria – Thanks for inviting me back! And, just say the word, and I'll be happy to come back!

PS: If anyone is interested in reading the first chapter of all my books, you can go to my website and read them here.



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Contest Time

Maria is giving away a signed copy of Spy Glass!

I am also giving away one of Maria's books. Winners choice!

How To Enter

To win the signed copy of Spy Glass tell us what new release you are looking forward to reading.

No Book = No Entry

To win one of Maria's books from me, be the first person to post the name the book where Maria mentions me in the acknowledgements.

Earn more entries for each link you place about this contest on the net. You can post on Facebook, Twitter & MySpace but make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries! However please do not make individual postings for each entry. Please post all your entries in one post.

Advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog on your site and get an extra entry for this and every other contest!

Amberkatze's Book Blog

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You can also earn extra entries by emailing your friends about the contest. Just make sure you send a copy of your email or receipt to me at Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot net.

Make sure you post your links here so I can confirm your entries.

Keep the contests going by using the Bookdepository.com links/Banners below and around the site!

The Book Depository


The contest will stay open until Sunday 12th of September 2010 4pm CET and the winner will be picked by a randomizer. Entrants should check back to see if they have won. I do not hunt down winners and will pick new winners for any prizes not claimed within 7 days.

53 comments:

Tynga said...

Please count me in for the giveaway =)

A book I'm really looking forward to is The Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead. Last in the series which makes me sad, but can't wait to see how it ends!

Maria thanked you in Inside Out! Hopefully I'm the first lol

Thank you!

TyngaUF(a)gmail.com

Unknown said...

You are the first Tynga!! E-mail me your address and book choice and I will get an order off to you!

Well done! :)

JenM said...

Darn it, I just missed! Oh well. I'm most looking forward to Bayou Moon. I swear, I would probably read the phone book if Ilona and Gordon Andrews wrote it!

jen at delux dot com

Tynga said...

Thank you ! I just sent you the email ^^

Mysteriousrose said...

Please enter me in the giveaway

I look forward to This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost and Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead, I can not wait.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Forceofstars/status/23071613575

Myspace: http://mysp.ac/9bgbQz

Facebook: http://bit.ly/a60U8S

forceofstars(at)yahoo(dot)dk

Ladytink_534 said...

I want Torment by Lauren Kate sO bad! I finished Fallen yesterday in one sitting.

Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ladytink_534 said...

Your button is on my blog.
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jessica @ a GREAT read said...

Let's see the book I am most dying to read that I have been doing everything possible to win a copy of and having zero luck is Nightshade by Andrea Cremer.

I've read all Maria's books and adore them all as well!! Spy Glass was just amazing!!

jessbess2505[at]yahoo[dot]com

Barbara E. said...

The new releases I'm dying to read are Gail Carriger's Blameless and Kelly Gay's The Darkest Edge of Dawn.

Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Love your work Maria!

I'm dying to read The Body at the Tower by Y.S.Lee :D

debbie said...

I am looking forward to reading full dark, no stars by stephen king.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Beverly said...

The book I am waiting for is Alpha! Can't hardly wait!

Please enter me - thanks for hosting!

bsharp88@gmail.com

added this contest to my sidebar!
http://wormyhole.blogspot.com

All This Silence... said...

I'm really excited for the next Laurell K. Hamiltion book to come out, though I'm not sure what it's called yet.

Unknown said...

I'm looking forward to reading No Mercy by Kenyon.

Llehn said...

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff.

Ashley said...

I'm looking forward to reading Dead in the Family.

hewella1 at gmail dot com

Pokadots1121 said...

A book I'm looking forward to is Nigtshade by Andrea Cremer.
Cool giveaway!
Pokadots1121@yahoo.com

whitewolfreads said...

I'm looking forward to City of Lost Angels by Cassandra Clare. I just finished Clockwork Angel and I can't get enough of the Shadowhunters!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmspettoli/status/23123371999

spettolij AT gmail DOT com

Pink Panther said...

I'm really looking forward to Carolyn Crane's Double Crossed. I loved the previous book, Mind Games, and simply can't wait to get my hands on Double Crossed! :)
You can reach me at luvpinkpanther@gmail.com

Ina said...

great interview - Maria is a new author to me and her books are now on my wishlist too :)

I'm looking forward to Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden!
greetings, Ina

inale87 at gmx dot at

Anonymous said...

ooh, don't know wether i'm too late :/ But great interview! :) Im looking forwards to Bitterblue by Kirstin Cashore! :D

blueweasles@hotmail.co.uk

Books Glorious Books said...

Definitely Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick. I can't wait to find out what happens next in that series!

Twitter: http://twitter.com/gloriousbooks/status/23137180812

Dovile said...

I'm looking forward to No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

Annie.talmali said...

I can't wait to read Havoc by Chris Wooding coming out October 1rst in Canada.

annie.talmali@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I am looking forward to reading Halo. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Audra said...

I can't wait to read UNRAVELED by Gena Showalter-Please enter me into the contest. Thank You
audie(at)wickerness(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am looking forward to "Alpha" by Rachel Vincent.

Anonymous said...

My most-anticipated book *was* Mockingjay, but I've just finished that, so it doesn't count. :) I'm really looking forward to reading Spy Glass (getting it soon!) and Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.

But I have to say my most anticipated is Vampire Academy No. 6, Last Sacrifice. Eeeeh!!

I loooove Maria's books! I can't wait to read that healer story! It sounds fascinating. :)

I remembered seeing a thanks to you in one of the books but I couldn't remember which. Alas... I'd have been too slow anyway. :P

Anonymous said...

The Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead and City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare.

-Michelle, wookieecookie7 at sbcglobal dot net

twinmomoftwins said...

last sacrifice by Richelle Mead.
ortizvelasquez at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I have been looking forward to reading Coronets and Steel by Sherwood Smith for a very long time.

tweeted at https://twitter.com/expogenic

east.ofedenATyahooDOTcom

Christine said...

I'm most looking forward to Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund.

fkt18(at)ca(dot)astound(dot)net

lingeorge said...

A book I have been waiting for comes out tomorrow (7th) -- The Grimrose Path, by Rob Thurman. I am so excited to see what happens to Trixa and her friends, Leo, griffin, and especially Zeke. I love Rob's books, they are so gritty and exciting. I love them.
troublelore at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I am highly excited about the next Terry Pratchett novel (Young Adult) called I Shall Wear Midnight (part of his Tiffany Aching series and discworld series). It is to be released in the U.S. on sept. 28th.

I THINK if I remember correctly it was Sea Glass that you were named. Then again, I could be wrong as my brain is a bit frazzled.

Anonymous said...

darn it, hit the button too soon. E-mail address in case (please!!) I win. smtbdb @ yahoo dot com

Vickie said...

I am really looking forward to SPARKS. I just finished EMBERS and know that SPARKS is going to be just as fab.

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

The book I'm most looking forward to is neither paranormal nor urban fantasy, my two biggest genres I read, it's Jean Auel's final book in her Earth Children series "Land of Painted Caves". By the time it comes out in March, it will have been 31 years since I started this series. I seriously feared that one or both of us might not still be around to see the end of this series.
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Stephanie said...

I'm looking forward to reading Alpha By Rachel Vincent.

Skk25@aol.com

D Q said...

I'm really looking forward to Sparks by Laura Bickle. I just finished Embers a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it.
djeanq(at)gmail(dot)com

Eternal Night said...

Thanks for the contest. The book I'm looking forward to is My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent.

~Kassandra
EternalNight06@gmail.com

Bettina said...

I am most looking forward to Water Marked by Patricia Briggs.

For the book give away:
bboone1223@gmail.com

Julie S said...

I'm looking forward to reading Clockwork Angel.

juliecookies(at)gmail.com

DeAnn G. Rossetti said...

Thanks for the great interview with Maria Snyder, Amber, she's a marvelous author and a lovely person as well!
There are several books I'm looking forward to, Lois McMaster Bujold's new Mile Vorkosigan novel, Cryoburn and Patrick Rothfuss' sequel to The Name of the Wind, The Wise Man's Fear, plus of course I'd really love to read Spy Glass, as I've read the first two books in the series, and I've read all of the "Study" books as well. Please count me into the giveaway, I'd love to win a copy of SpyGlass!

kalynnick said...

I'm looking forward the new Anya Bast book thats coming out this week.

throuthehaze said...

I am looking forward to Eat Prey Love by Kerrelyn Sparks

throuthehaze at gmail dot com

justpeachy36 said...

Count me in on the giveaway.

I am looking forward to is Alpha by Rachel Vincent... can't wait!

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Pamk said...

man there are so many I am looking forward to. One is No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon and robin D. owens next heart book and I am just starting sin undone.
scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com

Curling up by the Fire said...

I am really looking forward to Jean M. Auel's new book coming out next spring, The Land of Painted Caves.

Thanks for another great contest!

icewoman96 at gmail dot com

clynsg said...

The new release I am waiting for is Victorious, the last in the series The Lost Fleet. Would have picked Jean Auel's Land of the Painted Caves, but didn't know she had another one coming out until I read about it in the posts!

cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com

Kimberly B. said...

Oh, I love Maria's books! I'm looking forward to reading Ann Aguirre's Killbox, which is out already, and her Razorland, which won't be for awhile!
Thanks for the great giveaway!

saturdaynightfever said...

Patti LuPone's biography!

edgenemmers@gmail.com

Spav said...

I can't wait to read The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook.

spav05(at)gmail(dot)com

/\Heather/\ said...

I'll be adding those to my to-read list! Thank you!
Currently, I'm looking forward to reading Mockingjay. I just have to go out and get it!