Maria  Alexander

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Maria Alexander

Goodreads Author


Born
The United States
Website

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Member Since
June 2007


Maria Alexander is an award-winning author of YA and adult fiction. Her debut novel, MR. WICKER, won the 2014 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel. Her debut YA novel, SNOWED, both won the 2016 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel and was nominated for the 2017 Anthony Award for Best Children's/Young Adult Novel.

When she’s not stabbing people with her foil, she’s being outrageously spooky or writing Doctor Who filk. She lives in Los Angeles with two ungrateful cats, a Jewish Christmas caroler, and a purse called Trog.
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Maria Alexander Absolutely, although it's closer to my short story process. I spend more time planning structure, researching and developing characters before writing…moreAbsolutely, although it's closer to my short story process. I spend more time planning structure, researching and developing characters before writing a book. My characters drive the plot, so I have a really good idea who they are before I even start. Generally with short stories I know the ending and something about the protagonist, but not always more than that before I start writing. I very often don't need to research for my short stories because they tend to be more autobiographical.

Poetry is another creature altogether. Almost always I have a snapshot in my mind – an image, vivid and emotional. The words and structure flow from that. And those images come during intensely emotional moments. I'm not as disciplined about my poetry those other forms of storytelling. I can go years without writing a single poem, and then suddenly – a cataract. (less)
Maria Alexander Hello, Dr. Jasmine! And thank you for your question.

Dark fiction explores what scares us. It shines a light on things that would rather moulder in the…more
Hello, Dr. Jasmine! And thank you for your question.

Dark fiction explores what scares us. It shines a light on things that would rather moulder in the shadows. As a writer, I love the feeling of finding that dark, terrible, unspeakable thing and showing a character conquer it. Psychologically it's a wonderful thing. Emotionally, too. I think there's a misconception that horror only dwells on the negative. While there's generally a price paid when one conquers the bogeyman, horror should show how we come out of it on the other side, how facing our demons transforms us. Horror can be a meditation on faith, as well. Take Mike Flannagan's MIDNIGHT MASS. He explores various religious faiths as his characters face a deadly menace. It's absolutely beautiful.

So, I'd say the feelings I get are everything from dread, disgust, and excitement to healing, awe, and joy. You know -- all the feelings of being a human.

All the best,
Maria

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Average rating: 3.74 · 2,074 ratings · 394 reviews · 34 distinct worksSimilar authors
Mr. Wicker

3.35 avg rating — 204 ratings — published 2014 — 5 editions
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Snowed (Bloodline of Yule T...

3.71 avg rating — 126 ratings — published 2016 — 6 editions
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Halloween Spirits: 11 Tales...

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3.66 avg rating — 47 ratings — published 2011
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Gothic Blue Book V: The Cur...

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4.08 avg rating — 24 ratings — published 2015 — 2 editions
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Sins of the Sirens

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4.35 avg rating — 20 ratings — published 2008 — 2 editions
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Brimstone & Blades

3.82 avg rating — 22 ratings3 editions
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Snowbound (Bloodline of Yul...

4.37 avg rating — 19 ratings3 editions
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At Louche Ends: Poetry for ...

4.24 avg rating — 17 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions
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12 Tales Lie, 1 Tells True

4.12 avg rating — 17 ratings2 editions
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Left Hanging: 9 Tales of Su...

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4.17 avg rating — 12 ratings — published 2011
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More books by Maria Alexander…

Brimstone & Blades Events

It’s going to be a busy couple of months! Check back here as the list grows.

May 29th, 2025 at 7:00p.m. PT on Crowdcast

Mystery Writers of America, Historical Mystery Writers Event (Virtual!)

Join us on Crowdcast for a fantastic lineup of award-winning historical mystery writers:

Naomi HiraharaAnne Louise BannonAmy DunklebergerPaddy HirschMaria Alexander

We’ll each be reading excerpts from our wor

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Published on May 03, 2025 13:32
Snowed Snowbound Snowblind
(3 books)
by
3.82 avg rating — 157 ratings

All Systems Red
Maria is currently reading
by Martha Wells (Goodreads Author)
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Maria’s Recent Updates

Maria is now following Brandie June's reviews
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Brimstone & Blades by Maria  Alexander
"Historical fantasy, but make it light and easy to read.

I really enjoyed the setting and especially the heroine Julie. She is strong and fierce in a time when women are not supposed to be like that. Also her being queer was a nice turn.

But what was " Read more of this review »
Brimstone & Blades by Maria  Alexander
"✨Arc Review✨

Thank you to the author Maria Alexander And Netgallery for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fierce, fiery historical fantasy with magic, monsters, and a gender-defying heroine

Brimstone & Blades is a bold, imagin" Read more of this review »
Brimstone & Blades by Maria  Alexander
"
Fencer, singer, adventurer, bisexual, and Frenchwoman during the reign of Louis XIV—all this is said to be true of Julie d’Aubigny, later known as La Maupin. Her real-life story is so full uncertainty, swashbuckling adventure, and probably apocryphal" Read more of this review »
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All Systems Red by Martha Wells
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The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
The Reformatory
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The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
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Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theatre by Brandie June
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An enchanting tale of love and second chances, Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theater will break your heart and mend it all over again with its warmth and wonder. Brandie June's talent is no illusion. Her vibrant world of unforgettable characters remin ...more
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Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theatre by Brandie June
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An enchanting tale of love and second chances, Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theater will break your heart and mend it all over again with its warmth and wonder. Brandie June's talent is no illusion. Her vibrant world of unforgettable characters remin ...more
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Brimstone & Blades by Maria  Alexander
Brimstone & Blades
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Quotes by Maria Alexander  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“He just shook his head and let his smile grow bigger. There was something about her that made him feel like his heart was bouncing on a pogo stick.”
Maria Alexander, Mr. Wicker

“A window smoky with lavender twilight arched over a desk littered with books and weeping columns of burning wax. Over the desk hunched a sooty-headed character. The scratching paused as he dipped a quill into an inkwell that sat beside an old-fashioned black telephone with large finger holes for dialing.”
Maria Alexander, Mr. Wicker

“Brooding at his antiquated desk in the lavender twilight of eternity, Mr. Wicker recalled the unspeakable delicacy of Alicia’s skin as he’d inhaled the fragrance of blood on her slashed wrists.”
Maria Alexander, Mr. Wicker

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“I dreamed I spoke in another's language,
I dreamed I lived in another's skin,
I dreamed I was my own beloved,
I dreamed I was a tiger's kin.

I dreamed that Eden lived inside me,
And when I breathed a garden came,
I dreamed I knew all of Creation,
I dreamed I knew the Creator's name.

I dreamed--and this dream was the finest--
That all I dreamed was real and true,
And we would live in joy forever,
You in me, and me in you.”
Clive Barker, Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War

“Here is a list of terrible things,
The jaws of sharks, a vultures wings
The rabid bite of the dogs of war,
The voice of one who went before,
But most of all the mirror's gaze,
Which counts us out our numbered days.”
Clive Barker, Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War

“Any fool can be happy. It takes a man with real heart to make beauty out of the stuff that makes us weep.”
Clive Barker, Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War

“There's a lot of Sherlock love in here. In many ways, this book might as well be called 'Deduce THIS, Sexlock Holmes!' with a picture of me licking his meerschaum, cross-eyed and screaming.”
Caitlin Moran

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Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra ...more
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A place to connect writers with beta readers. Sometimes writers get so involved in the plot they can't see the wood for the trees. Hang on a sec'--th ...more
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