After writing many science fiction short stories, Maria started Poison Study, her first novel about a food taster. She found employment in the environmental field as an air quality scientist, and it was during those years that she began writing. Earning a Bachelors of Science degree in Meteorology, Maria discovered, much to her chagrin, that forecasting the weather wasn't one of her skills. Teaching fiction writing classes at the local college gives her the enjoyable opportunity to encourage novice writers and to keep improving her craft.īorn and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Maria attended 12 years of catholic school before going to Penn State University to study Meteorology. She has also published numerous freelance articles in regional magazines and in local newspapers. Library's Reader's Choice award, was a 2005 Booksense pick, was nominated for four other awards, and received a Starred Review from Publisher’s Weekly. Published in October 2005, Poison Study won the 2006 Compton Crook Award for Best First Novel, won the Salt Lake Co. Snyder changed careers in 1995 from being a Meteorologist to a Novelist when she began working on her first novel, Poison Study. Dreaming of chasing tornadoes, Maria earned a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology at Penn State University. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Maria always had a fascination with big storms. She has also published numerous freelance articles in magazines and newspapers, and teaches fiction writing classes at the local college and area libraries.

Snyder changed careers in 1995 from being a meteorologist to a novelist when she began working on her first novel, Poison Study (published by LUNA Books in 2005). Fantasy / YA Urban Fantasy / YA Science Fiction / Middle-Grade

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder