So, who's this Maggie person?
Maggie Anderson is a fantasy author and blogger who lives in Chicago, Illinois with her husband, dog, and snake. She grew up in a western suburb but has totally embraced the city life.
Fourth grade was the year Maggie read The Hobbit and Watership Down, beginning a lifelong passion for fantasy. She asked the school librarian at that time about more 'adventure' books like these, and was told they weren't sure about such things, but perhaps she would enjoy an American Girl book (the books with the dolls, for heaven's sake!). At that time, Maggie vowed to grow up and write 'adventure' books. Currently, Bilbo's hobbit hole and the wise rabbit leader, Hazel, are tattooed on Maggie's arm as an homage.
Maggie went to Glenbard East High School in Lombard, Illinois where she enjoyed band, choir, and being a 'techy' in theatre. She went on to attend Augustana College (Chi Alpha Pi!) in the Quad Cities where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with minors in Environmental Studies and German. Maggie loved the opportunity, through Augustana, to study abroad at the University of Passau in Germany. Her education continued as she obtained a Masters of Science in Environmental Science and Policy at The Johns Hopkins University.
While writing full time would be marvelous, Maggie's livelihood is secured through her work as an environmental consultant. In her spare time she writes, reads, walks her dog, and makes travel plans! Meanwhile, she doggedly pursues the perfection of her snobbery in the fields of chocolate, coffee, and wine. Maggie takes supreme satisfaction and pride in the art of blending these hobbies and specialties.
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Favorite authors/books include J.R.R. Tolkein (duh), Joe Abercrombie (especially The Heroes), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive, and WoT), Brent Weeks (Night Angel and Lightbringer), E.E.Knight (Vampire Earth and Age of Fire), Robin Hobb (especially Liveship Traders), George R.R. Martin (GoT), Michael J. Sullivan (Riyria!), and Nicholas Eames (Kings of the Wyld).
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