Q&A with Maria V. Snyder

[Robyn]

Maria V. wrote: "Robyn - I'm happy to hear you enjoyed the book. I've been a little worried as it is a different world from my other books.

Did you read an ARC or the actual book? It's due out soon, but some..."

Read the NetGalley...

[Maria]

I forgot about NetGalley. Since the publishers have all cut back on the number of ARCs, I'm glad there is an alternative.

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

What is a NetGalley?

[Robyn]

I private messaged you Angie - it is a real honor to have Maria's attention and I don't want to hijack this thread...OK?

Robyn

[Robyn]

Maria - can I say that in the Glass series - as a jewelry maker and gemology student I really found your use of gems as holders of magic energy to be very unique and a great touch...what prompted the combination of glass and gems?

Robyn

[Maria]

Robyn - According to my friend, Judi - I'm a crow and like sparkly things :)

The combination wasn't picked ahead of time - they're just two things I'm interested in and they both played a part in my books.

I have been fascinated with glass from a young age. My parents took me to a glass factory in NJ when I was about 10. And gems...I used diamonds like batteries, holding magic until needed. There is just something cool about gemstones and I tend to use the names for my characters and horses. Opal, Topaz, Oynx, Garnet, Quartz and Beryl - hmmm...don't have many character names, but lots of horse names :)

[Amanda]

Do you plan on making another book in yelena's point of view? Because I have read all the Study books and the glass books and I don't feel like her story is finished.

[Maria]

Amanda - I hope to get back to her sometime in the future. I don't have any definite plans. I would like to write a story from the Commander and Valek's POV before the take-over - I think that would be interesting :)

Many of my readers miss Yelena and Valek. Are you subscribed to my free email newsletter? I'm writing a short story about them for my newsletter subscribers only titled ICE STUDY. You can sign up for the newsletter here: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/news.php (scroll down to the bottom of the page for the form) if you're interested. If you do sign up and want to read the first five parts, email me (maria@mariavsnyder.com)when the signup process is complete and I'll forward the special link to them to you.

And of course this goes for anyone who is interested :)

[Robyn]

Very Cool - thanks Maria - signed up!

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

Only a few more days so everyone get your questions posted!

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

Maria, will you write anything other then fantasy? Do you have a facebook or twitter account you keep up with?

Will Ice Study ever be available to people who are not signed up for the newsletter?

I hear you do glass blowing. Is this a hard hobby to get into? Where do you find people to teach you? Is it expensive?

[A]

@Emily, he's in there... sort of. :D not for a while in the beginning, except in her thoughts. But of course he goes where the job takes him.

[Maddie]

Please write a new series! You are an amazing writer with original ideas and gr8 writing skills. I read lots of books and only a few catch my eye. This is one of those few, my cousin was the first to introduce me to your books. I almost killed her because she got me to read magic study first by accident! At the time i was dissapionted that you did not write a previos book.

[A]

@Maddie--Inside Out just released this week (officially out next week, but a lot of stores are getting it early)

It's a new YA series. Read the synopsis here:

[M]

Hi Maria, I hope it's not too late to post...I read the series last week, and just read Poison Study again! I rarely do that. Of course, I love the relationship between Yelena and Valek. I'm very impressed by all the precise details, from weaponry to wildlife. I also love the idea of chocolate relaxing the mental defenses enough to take over someone's mind, lol.

Just a quick question: Where do you get your names--Ixia, Satia, etc.? Is there any significance to them?

By the way, I think my favorite line is when Valek muses about the mayhem at the time the Commander came to power, wondering what everyone was expecting. "All we did was give everyone a uniform and a job."

[Amanda]

Emily wrote: "Is Valek in Magic Study?"

Valek is in Magic and Fire Study. I think there are quite a few of us too that would love to see this series continue as well. Hopefully, Yelena and Valek will be in more books to come.

[Maria]

Sorry for the radio silence - it's been a crazy week with the upcoming release of Inside Out. Thanks, Alethea for posting about it. It comes out...today, I guess - it's 2 am my time! But I've seen copies in bookstores and a few friends have gotten their pre-ordered copies.

Angie - Inside Out is a dystopian science fiction, so I do write outside of fantasy. I have short stories that are also paranormal romance and urban fantasy (that's coming out in May). I guess most of my writing will be speculative fiction for adults and young adults.

Yes - Ice Study will be posted on my website for all to read once my newsletter subscribers have gotten the whole story - subscriber perks! And for those who signed up - thank you! I will send you links as soon as I dig out from under the new release madness!!

I found a place in Reading, PA called the Goggle Works, where I took glass blowing classes. It wasn't too expensive for a six week class. And it's very hard - to be proficient you need years of experience. I really enjoyed it, but don't do it now - the hot shop is over an hour's drive for me. If you want to set up your own studio - that would be very expensive!!

Maddie - I also have the Glass books, Storm Glass, Sea Glass and Spy Glass (coming in Sept). They are set in the Study world and have familiar characters, like Yelena, Leif, Ari and Janco. Valek is in Spy Glass ;> After the Glass books, I'm hoping to start a new series - but it'll depend on my editor!

Melaine - it's never too late ;> Actually, I answer all my emails (eventually!) and if you have anymore questions, just email them to me. Yes, everyone is welcome to email me as well.

As for names, I wrote an article about that - you can read it here: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/advice/na... I did invent Ixia, but then someone who traveled to Greece, said there was a town/area named Ixia - so I looked on the map and there is was - along with Sitia, so I hocked that for my southern lands.

My favorite line from Poison Study is also from Valek: "It's a dirty way to fight, but I'm late for lunch."

Mommaseymour - Valek's in Spy Glass ;>

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

I would like to thank Ms. Snyder for being here and taking our questions. It has been fantastic to get more insight into the book. Everyone please be sure to visit her website! Also there is a group on here Study Buddies that continues to discuss her novels!

Thanks Again! It was so much fun!