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Maria V. Snyder

Maria V. Snyder
Mentor and Lecturer
Writing Popular Fiction (MFA)

Meteorologist turned novelist, Maria's been writing fantasy and science fiction since her son was born. Over twenty published novels, and dozens of short stories later, Maria's learned a thing or three about writing. She’s been on the New York Times bestseller list, won a dozen awards, and has earned her MA degree in Writing from Seton Hill University where she's been happily sharing her knowledge with the current crop of MFA students since she graduated in 2007. Traveling is one of her biggest distractions from writing and Maria hasn't said no to a trip yet. She's been to all seven continents and is closing in on seventy countries -- all provided wonderful fodder for her stories.

Education

  • MA, Writing Popular Fiction, Seton Hill University (Greensburg, PA) 2007

  • BS, Meteorology, Pennsylvania State University (State College, PA) 1988

Publications

  • "Up to the Challenge" (short story collection). MVS Press, April 2022

  • "The King of Koraha" (novel). HQ YA, Harper Collins, December 2021

  • "The City of Zirdai" (novel). HQ YA, Harper Collins, June 2021

  • "Defending the Galaxy" (novel). HQ YA, Harper Collins, November 2020

  • "Chasing the Shadows" (novel). HQ YA, Harper Collins, November 2019

  • "The Eyes of Tamburah" (novel). HQ YA, Harper Collins, June 2019

  • "Navigating the Stars" (novel). HQ YA, Harper Collins, November 2018

  • "Dawn Study" (novel). MIRA Books, Harlequin Enterprises, February 2017

  • "Night Study" (novel). MIRA Books, Harlequin Enterprises, January 2016

  • "Switzerland - On the Rooftop of Europe" (travel article + photographs). b Magazine, On-Line Publishers 2015 Fall issue,

  • "Trip of a Lifetime - Bella Italia" (travel article + photographs). b Magazine, On-Line Publishers 2015 Summer issue, p. 28-32

  • "Shadow Study" (novel). MIRA Books, Harlequin Enterprises, January 2015

  • "Choices Can be Made Again" (essay). In Divergent Thinking, BenBella Books, March 2014

  • "Taste of Darkness" (novel). MIRA Books, Harlequin Enterprises, January 2014

  • "Storm Watcher" (novel), Leap Books, October 2013

  • "Halloween Men" (short story). In "Halloween: Magic, Mystery and the Macabre," Prime Books, October 2013

  • "New Zealand - Astounding People, Culture, and Landscape" (travel article + photographs). b Magazine, On-Line Publishers 2013 Summer issue, p. 38-41

  • "Brand Spanking New" (short story). In "Best Laid Plans" Dark Quest Books, March 2013

  • "Scent of Magic" (novel). MIRA Books, Harlequin Enterprises, January 2013

  • "Flying Down to Heaven" (travel article + photographs). b Magazine, On-Line Publishers 2012 Fall issue, p. 40-43

  • "Capturing Images" (short story). In "Bloody Fabulous" Prime Books October 2012

  • "New Girl" (short story). In Spirited: 13 haunting tales. Leap Books, LLC, March 2012

  • "Berserker Eyes" (short story). In Brave New Love. Running Press Teens February 2012

  • "Touch of Power" (novel). MIRA Books, Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd. Canada January 2012

  • "Stockholm - The Capital of Scandinavia" (travel article + photographs). b Magazine 2011 Fall issue, On-Line Publishers, p. 34-37

  • "Super Summer Reads" (article). MIZZ Magazine July 2011, Panini UK Ltd, p. 58-59

  • "Godzilla Warfare" (short story). In No Man's Land, Dark Quest Books, May 2011

  • "Storms & Magic: Forecasting the Future" (essay). In Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society May 2011, American Meteorological Society, p. 644-645

  • "Dumping the Info Dump" (writing how-to article). In Many Genres One Craft, Headline Books, May 2011

  • "Under Amber Skies" (short story). In Corsets & Clockwork, Running Press, April 2011

  • "The Coldest Game" (short story). In Bewere the Night, Prime Books, April 2011

  • "Exploring the State of Golden Dreams" (travel article). b Magazine 2011 Spring issue, On-Line Publishers, p. 32-37

  • "Cursing the Weather" (short story). In Black Gate Magazine, Issue 15, New Epoch Press, April 2011

  • "Outside In" (novel). Harlequin TEEN, Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd. Canada, March 2011

  • "Sake and Other Sprits" (short story). In After Hours: Tales from the Ur-Bar. DAW books, March 2011

  • "Spy Glass" (novel). MIRA Books, Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd. Canada, September 2010

  • "Mongrel" (short story). In Running with the Pack, Prime Books, April 2010

  • "Inside Out" (novel). Harlequin TEEN, April 2010

  • "Dr. Time" (short story). In The Stories in Between, Fantasist Enterprises, November 2009

  • "Sea Glass" (novel). Harlequin MIRA, September 2009

  • "Sword Point" (short story). In The Eternal Kiss, Running Press, July 2009

  • "Storm Glass" (novel). Harlequin MIRA, May 2009

  • "Night Vision" (short story). In The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance, March 2009

  • "Fire Study" (novel). Harlequin MIRA, March 2008

  • "Wizard's Daily Horoscope" (short story). In Black Gate Magazine, Issue 11, New Epoch Press, August 2007

  • "Magic Study" (novel). Harlequin LUNA, October 2006

  • "Poison Study" (novel). Harlequin LUNA, October 2005

Awards

  • PRISM Awards, Defending the Galaxy, 2021 (Best YA SF Novel & Best of the Best Award)

  • PRISM Award, The Eyes of Tamburah, 2020 (Best Fantasy Novel)

  • PRISM Awards, Chasing the Shadows, 2020 (Best YA SF Novel & Best of the Best Award)

  • PRISM Award, Navigating the Stars, 2019 (Best YA SF Novel)

  • Golden Leaf Hall of Fame Award, October 2014

  • Golden Leaf Award, Scent of Magic, 2013

  • PRISM Award, Outside In, 2012

  • Golden Leaf Award, Touch of Power, 2012

  • Golden Leaf Award, Storm Glass, 2009

  • Wirral Paperback of the Year Award, Poison Study 2009

  • Compton Crook Award for best first novel, Poison Study 2006

Organizations

  • Pennwriters

  • Romance Writers of America

  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America

Presentations

  • Keynote Speaker, Oklahoma Writers Federation Conference, Oklahoma City, 2022

  • Keynote Speaker, Quills Conference, League of Utah Writers, Utah, 2018

  • Keynote Speaker for Pennwriter's Annual Conference, Lancaster, PA, 2012

  • Presented, "Storms & Magic" at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 2010

  • Presented, "Juggling the Writer's Life" at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 2009

  • Presented, "Ideas, Influences, and Inspiration," to the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 2008

Achievements

  • Golden Leaf Award Finalist, Taste of Darkness, October 2014

  • Golden Leaf Award Finalist, Outside In, 2011

  • Prism Award Finalist, Inside Out, 2010

  • Prism Award Finalist, Storm Glass, 2010

  • New York Times Bestseller, Fire Study, 2008

  • Romance Writers of America RITA Award Finalist - Magic Study 2007

  • Romance Writers of America RITA Award Finalist - Poison Study 2006