Official Maria V. Snyder Blog

This time the extended delay is my fault (and bloggers - I had it set to post on Wednesday - but it didn't!). Bri sent me parts 3 (this one has PRIZES!) and 4 and so I'll post Part 4 in a couple days. Review Formatting By Bri Clark Oh…wow dear readers it would seem I’m late yet again. [and I made it later - sorry!]  My apologies. However, my excuse is most valid. I’ve recently been inducted into the  the Women’s Speaking Association . It’s a truly wonderful accomplishment but in order to capitalize on it I had to do a lot!! But I digress. [Congrats Bri!!!  I hope the Global Women's Summit goes well (or went well - you said June, but not the date :)] So here is the 3rd installment of the power you amazing readers have. If you missed  Part I  or  Part II well they are highlighted for a reason hun. ;) Today I’m going to show you the suggested formatting for a review. There is no set in stone too short, too long, or...

Yes!! Progress!!  I'm making progress on my before-I-can-relax-at-the-beach To Do list.  It's all due to everyone's encouragement - I should post my to do lists more often ;>  See below for a status update: •Revise SCENT OF MAGIC [Have 269 pages done] • Write a short story for THE BEST LAID PLANS anthology   Done and sent to the editor. And I came up with a title, Brand Spanking New (it's about a new recruit's first mission). • Write a travel article about Australia for b Magazine   Done. • Write a synopsis for TASTE OF DEATH (bk 3 in the Healer series)   Done!  (I really like the way this book develops - a new nasty comes into play called the Skeleton King - he's mention in Touch of Power - does anyone remember?). • Write a synopsis for another series to be written after Taste Of Death.   Done - I only wrote the synopsis for book 1 since I'm a seat of the pants writer and have no idea what book ...

Thanks for all the encouraging comments about my ability to work my way through my To-Do list!  As you can tell from the title - I've downgraded my status from MASSIVE to HUGE as I managed to accomplish a few bullet points in the last week and a half.  See below! Revise SCENT OF MAGIC [Have first 100 pages done] Write a short story for THE BEST LAID PLANS anthology   Done! Still need a title, though. Write a travel article about Australia for b Magazine   Done and sent to my editor with pictures for the article. Write a synopsis for TASTE OF DEATH (bk 3 in the Healer series)  [Currently in progress] Write a synopsis for another series to be written after Taste Of Death Prep for talk for the Valley Forge Romance Writers [Currently in progress] Present to VFRW Attend the Book Expo in NYC in June   Had a great time - signed a book for Dr. Ruth!! Prep for Seton Hill's residency (I'm teaching two classes) and writer's conference (I'm lea...

I had a great time at Balticon this weekend even though I was busy with 10 panels/workshops. It was wonderful to see everyone and hanging out with my writer friends. Now I need to get back to work. Here's a list of what I need to do before I can go relax at the beach on June 25: Revise SCENT OF MAGIC Write a short story for THE BEST LAID PLANS anthology Write a travel article about Australia for b Magazine Write a synopsis for TASTE OF DEATH (bk 3 in the Healer series) Write a synopsis for another series to be written after Taste Of Death Prep for talk for the Valley Forge Romance Writers Present to VFRW Attend the Book Expo in NYC in June Prep for Seton Hill's residency (I'm teaching two classes) and writer's conference (I'm leading one workshop) Here's the link: https://alumni.setonhill.edu/page.aspx?pid=673 Attend SHU's residency and writer's conference The list is rather overwhelming...impossible maybe?  I also have a n...

by Bri Clark This is about 24 hours late and it is completely my fault reader dears. My life goes at a Warp 9 speed. So when anything not on my usual schedule happens (ie a child gets sick, a cat decides she wants to wear my bra, I drop a phone in a toilet) my mojo gets thrown for a loop. So apologies to Maria and ya'll as well. Last week I introduced ya'll to 2 things. 1. You readers are powerful. 2. Amazon Algorithm. If you missed  The Power in a Reader's Touch: Part I go here  Now if you thought I was going to try and explain in more detail AA then I'm going to introduce you to disappointment. This is a post for readers and frankly you don't need to know all that. Not to mention it changes all the blasted time. However, I'm going to introduce ya'll to one tool of manipulation. Cue the dada dumdum music followed by the drum roll..... REVIEWS I heard that sigh. I'm so glad we've moved passed the eye rolling. Reviews are one of the comp...

Today I'm thrilled to have a guest blogger - the bestselling author Bri Clark who is one smart and savvy lady.  Long time followers of my blog may remember her other guest post: GMC and we Ain't Talking Trucks - that post has the 4th highest page views of my blog (it was 3rd, but Scent of Magic Cover Art knocked it out). This blog is the first in a series that I will post every Wednesday. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did :) The Power in a Reader’s Touch By Bri Clark There is one element that defies publishers whether Indie, a big NY house, or the self pubbed author, a force that controls even the almighty Amazon, Walmart and Barnes and Noble. This power is a humble presence. It is so humble in fact, it does not realize its own strength. Whom am I speaking of? What could be so strong that it could defy traditional publishers and even Amazon? I t is you my dear reader. I see your scoffing smirks and those rolling eyes. Once you can focus, again keep rea...

I'm guest blogging today on Sit Read Cook's blog about a typical day for me - there are pictures of my desk and various toys that keep me company :)  We're also giving away a signed copy of INSIDE to a lucky winner - open internationally of course!  Here's the link: http://www.stitchreadcook.com/2012/05/day-in-life-of-maria-v-snyder-giveaway.html Also I'd like to CONGRATULATE Maria on winning the Special Prize Package offered during the Double Promo with author Dana Marton!  (not me - another Maria ;) You still have a chance to win one of 12 books if you post a comment by 11:50 pm EDST tonight on my Facebook status here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/mvsfans/posts/10150787697329322?notif_t=feed_comment   I'm celebrating over 3000 likes by giving away lots of books!!