Snyder, Maria V.

PERSONAL: Born in Philadelphia, PA; married; children: two. Education: Pennsylvania State University, B.S. (meteorology); Seton Hill University, working toward M.A. (writing popular fiction). Hobbies and other interests: Karate, volleyball, cello, traveling.

ADDRESSES: Home—PA. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Luna Books, 233 Broadway, Ste. 1001, New York, NY 10279. E-mail—maria@mariavsnyder.com.

CAREER: Writer. Has worked variously as an airquality specialist and instructor in college writing classes.

WRITINGS:

SUBHEAD

Poison Study, Luna Books (New York, NY), 2005.

Magic Study, Luna Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Contributor of articles and short fiction to a variety of publications.

WORK IN PROGRESS: The third book for Luna in the "Study" series.

SIDELIGHTS: Maria V. Snyder studied meteorology at Pennsylvania State University, but shortly after graduating she realized that predicting weather was not one of her talents. She eventually turned her attention toward writing fiction, working on short science-fiction stories while she earned her living as an air-quality scientist. Her first novel, Poison Study, launches her "Study" trilogy; it combines fantasy with mystery as it follows the adventures of a young woman named Yelena, as she agrees to become a food taster for the ruler of Ixia in order to escape execution. While researching foodtasting methods, Snyder was able to spend a great deal of time with an expert chocolate taster, her husband. Other research for her novels included acquiring a brown belt in Issinryu karate, which has allowed her to stage the fight scenes in her books in a believable manner. In a review of Snyder's first book for Library Journal, Jackie Cassada commented that Snyder's "talent for storytelling bodes well for her continuing career." A contributor for Publishers Weekly noted that Snyder's debut effort "will keep readers dreaming long after they've read it." In a review for Midwest Book Review, Harriet Klausner wrote that "Snyder makes readers believe in her world and the characters she creates, a writer's form of magic."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Library Journal, October 15, 2005, Jackie Cassada, review of Poison Study, p. 51.

Publishers Weekly, September 12, 2005, review of Poison Study, p. 48.

ONLINE

Maria V. Snyder Home Page, http://www.mariavsnyder.com (February 4, 2006).

Midwest Book Review Online, http://www.midwestbookreview.com/ (February 4, 2006), Harriet Klausner, review of Poison Study.