Author Heather McCorkle

I always figured the winners of contests are usually notified before the losers. So, as I watched the tweets for the Chicago North RWA chapter's Fire & Ice contest, I cheered along the others and prepared to offer congratulations to the winners. You can't imagine my complete and utter shock when I read this tweet: Winner of 2016 Fire & Ice contest FF&P category: Once Bitten by Heather McCorkle. Congratulations!!! #CNSF16 — Chicago-North RWA (@ChicagoNorthRWA) May 22, 2016 I'm so honored, and so grateful to the judges of the Chicago North chapter. The other contestants were so talented, which is part of why this came as such a huge shock. That, combined with the history of never winning contests, left me floored! This great news comes after a rather difficult year in which the publisher I signed my debut with closed (meaning it wouldn't be published),  I lost two family members, the beloved head of the agency who represents me passed away, and I had ...

I've never really been one for entering contests where my writing is concerned. I don't win so it isn't fun for me. But, when a fabulous editor I really respect told me they like their clients to enter contests and put themselves out there, it inspired me. I decided to get over my hangups, get back on the metaphorical horse, and give it a try. Besides, there was that career changing time I entered a contest at a conference and met my fabulous agent through it. So I decided to saddle up this year and really get out there and ride. I started with the Chicago North's chapter of Romance Writer's of America's Fire & Ice contest . And was totally blown away when...

In need of a great read? Here are two adult novels that I highly recommend for you fans of dystopian and paranormal. They both captivated me for their own reasons. The first is MUD: The Third War Chronicles by E.J. Wenstrom. It is a dystopian of a very different, very delectable, flavor. Trapped by his Maker’s command to protect a mysterious box, Adem is forced to kill anyone who tries to steal it. When a young boy chances upon Adem’s temple, he resists temptation, intriguing the golem. As the boy and his sister convince Adem to leave the refuge of his temple, the group lands in a web of trouble. Now Adem will do whatever necessary to keep his new young charges safe, even if it means risking all to get rid of the box. Their saving grace comes in the form of an angel who offers to set Adem free of the box’s magic by granting his greatest desire—making him human. But first, Adem must bring back the angel’s long-dead human love from the Underworld. In doing so, he will risk breakin...

Lately my muse has been an elusive, sullen creature that simply would not speak to me no matter how hard I pushed, goaded, or bribed it. All the ideas I had for novels didn't appeal to me. My characters refused to talk to me. Writers, you think it's bad when the voices in your head won't shut up? Wait for the deafening silence that falls when they finally do. I refused to think of it as writer's block. I had never had writer's block. I don't get it. So I thought. I told myself I needed to research more, outline better, force the creative muscle to work. My muse laughed at my attempts while drinking Rum Runners on a Caribbean beach far, far out of my reach. Then came a shiny new idea. But it wasn't what I was supposed to be writing. It made me stop and evaluate the turn of my career, and where that turn had taken me so far. More importantly, it made me look at where I wanted my career to go. And I realized I had taken a wrong turn. Don't get me wrong,...

I was all set to deliver fantastic news about my traditional debut releasing this year from Samhain Publishing, when the devastating news about the press closing its doors was announced. A little over a month ago I signed with them and just over a week ago my editor and I were chatting about the title and the cover design, and getting excited about the fall release. Literally one moment we were excited and moving forward, the next, the doors that had opened were slamming closed. I'm sad for not only my book and all the people who were looking forward to it, but for all of Samhain's authors (many of which are my friends), their editors, and other staff. Samhain has been a staple in the romance and horror genres for over ten years now and it is tragic to see them go. But, sales had declined to the point where they could no longer justify the overhead. Such is the way of publishing. The rights for my novel will eventually be returned to me and since my agent and I did not qu...

Sssssh!  Heather is so busy with other things that she is gone from her blog right now.  { Roland Yeomans , here, author and blogger extraordinaire. Heather's words, not mine.} Time for me to hawk my wares, ah, I meant “help out an over-worked friend!” Yes, it is time for me to shamelessly drone on about my “DON’T YOU HATE BOOK TOURS?” Book Tour! “What is the title of my new book?” you ask.   Ah, I’m waiting, but you’re not asking. I’m waiting!  All right.  Be that way. I can’t really blame you.  Aren’t we awash in a tidal wave of book tours? You look at your blog list and over 37 of them you see emblazoned: “Book Tour for HOT FLESH & COLD STEEL by C. Mai Kahunas.” Wow.  I like that title and pen name.  I might write that book myself, using that nom de plume , but with the subtitle: 50 SHADES OF TACKY. Hey don’t blame me.  I’m a victim of Irritable Vowel Syndrome. Where was I?  Oh, yes:...

I have finally made the leap to Instagram . Photos inspire me so I figured, it would be a great place to feature photos that inspire both my writing, and my life in general. It seemed like a natural transition to move from Pinterest (where there is a lot of controversy over using photos you may not have rights to). I've love Pinterest, don't get me wrong, and I'll still likely post there, but I like the idea of a site that is pictures taken or designed by only me. So, Instagram , here I come! If you're on there, come find me, I'd love to connect with you there.