To my sister, Karen Phillips, for all the advice, support

and good times (BFF). This book has a definite sister vibe!

I’ve been receiving a bunch of questions from my readers about why I chose Opal to be my next protagonist, how did I think of the idea for her glass magic, and what’s up with the weather stuff? I hope everyone is comfortable—this is going to take a while. I can wait while you get something hot/cold to drink ;)

For the first part of that question, I must admit it was my editor's idea. After Fire Study, I wanted to write a different book—one not in the Study world (I had been writing about Yelena for eleven years—I like her, but come on—enough already). My editor really wanted another Study book to keep up the momentum. She mentioned Opal as a potential character.

I liked Opal and she surprised me by how valuable she became in Fire Study, but I couldn't think of a story idea with her. I was explaining this to my editor in Austin, Texas, during a World Fantasy Convention, and was literally in mid-sentence (she claims I was in mid-whine—but don’t believe her) when the idea for Storm Glass popped into my mind. At first we were going to title the book Glass Study or Crystal Study, but I wanted a new title since I had a new main protagonist.

Most of my readers know I don't plan my stories in advance. I do have a general idea for a book and will write a synopsis for my editor to approve—but the finished book usually doesn't match the synopsis at all (at least, not yet). Writing is a discovery process for me and it’s what I love the most about it.

The second part of the question is why glass? In Magic Study I had a kidnapped victim named Tula who was in a coma.