Interview with Maria V. Snyder (Author of Poison Study, Touch of Power)& "Touch of Power" Contest details 1.Yes, this is one of those general questions, but what did inspire the idea for this story?

In the Study books, Yelena has the power to heal, but it’s but one of her many skills.  So after writing the Study books, I wanted to explore healing powers more in depth.  I had this vague idea about a healer or an apprentice healer during an epidemic.  She was either going to be sought after for her powers – like everyone wanting her, or be hunted.  I wasn’t sure.  Then one night my daughter couldn’t sleep and she wanted me to tell her a story.  She knew all my other books, so I started telling her about this healer.  And every night, she’d ask, “What’s next?”  That’s why Touch of Power is dedicated to my daughter.

2.Within "Touch of Power," the way the magic operates seems striking similar to the "magic" in
your Poison Study books? What are the differences?

The difference is that in the Study books, magical power surrounds the world like a blanket and the magicians use “threads” of power in order to start fires, move objects, read minds.  While in Touch of Power, the magic is a gift from the various elements of the world.  There are forest mages, air mages, moon magicians, life magicians, healers, etc...  each gets their power from the “living” essence of these elements.  Except healers, they get their powers in a rather unique way that’s still linked to the world.

3. Was there any unique research required for this book? With past books, I'm aware that you've visited prisons, studied the way glass is made, and learned the craft of fencing.

For this book most of my researched focused on the various plagues and epidemics throughout history.  I wanted to learn what happened after these plagues, how the survivors coped with the bodies and grief and with the everyday tasks of life.  I also studied up on guerilla warfare tactics.  Small elite forces fighting against a larger army will come into play in the next book, Scent of Magic.

4.Weather-related metaphors, and images are pervasive in your stories. It really adds to the realism of your books. You've written "Storm Glass" which involved magic that related to weather. But, do you have any plans to ever write a story where weather is a central focus? Strangely, I can see you writing about storm chasers!

LOL!  I love the show Storm Chasers on the Discovery channel!  As for all those weather metaphors, I guess that’s just my meteorology degree creeping in. J  I did write a short story about a college student, who is a meteorology major at Penn State University who gets attacked by a big strange dog.  It’s called The Coldest Game and is the Bewere the Night anthology edited by Ekaterina Sedia.  And I have another story about a weather wizard in Black Gate Magazine titled Cursing the Weather.  Oh, and my middle-grade novel, Storm Watcher has been recently picked up by a small press (no details yet).  Wow – that’s a lot of “weather” books!  If I ever write a book about Heli the Stormdancer from the Glass books, weather will most certainly play a major part in the plot.

5.At the moment, What is your favorite film/tv show/album? (You can just answer one out of the three or all three)

I haven’t been to the movies in ages so I haven’t seen any current ones.  As for TV show, I’ve been enjoying Bones for a number of years – the dynamic between the two main characters is lots of fun to watch.  And my favorite album right now is Matchbox Twenty’s Mad Season.

6.Would you ever expand any of your preexisting short-stories into novels ?

There are a few I’d like to expand on.  Sword Pointfrom the Eternal Kiss anthology is one, and I’d like to write a sequel to Mongrel from Running with the Pack.

7. Are there any plans to have assassins within future stories in this series?

Assassins in my healer series?  Maybe.  I know that’s vague, but I wouldn’t want to give anything away. Thanks again, Maria V Snyder for taking the time to answer these questions!! Contest Details: (If you haven't already read my review of "Touch of Power, click the cover art below!!) If you're interested in obtaining your own copy of "Touch of Power," leave a comment with your name and email address (use this format for email address :pokemonzelda(at)yahoo(dot)com) Another requirement for entry involves becoming a follower on the blog. If you have no idea how to become a follower, there should be an area on the right side-bar on the blog where the counter for the number of blog followers are listed. There should be an icon that says "Follow this Blog." The rest is pretty self-explanatory. The winner will be notified via email on the deadline: Tuesday January, 24th 2012! Good luck, and thanks to both Harlequin/Maria V. Snyder for the complimentary copy.