Author Heather McCorkle

As a young writer I wanted nothing more than for my books to sit alongside some of the great bestsellers in fantasy on the NYT bestseller racks in the bookstores. As I grew older and the world changed, I longed to have my books sit alongside those greats on the online bestseller lists on retail websites. Today that dream came true in a HUGE way. In the fantasy realm of writing there are few~if any~names bigger than George R. Martin and Robert Jordan and last weekend my epic fantasy novel, The Dragon Empire, sat among them on Amazon's Epic Fantasy bestseller list. I couldn't be more honored, humbled, and utterly grateful to everyone who bought a copy this weekend and helped propel me up amidst such greats. Thank you for helping to make one of my greatest dreams come true.

Today I'm excited to be revealing the cover of the YA Sci-Fi novel Grounded by my friend G.P. Ching. I don't recommend it just because G.P. is my friend though, I recommend it because she is an outstanding author, which has been proven by her bestselling status. Here is a bit about Grounded: All my life I've worked to be simple, but I can't pretend anymore. Nothing about me is simple. In the year 2050, a secret government study nicknamed Operation Source Code injects eight volunteers with a retrovirus. The goal? To abate the energy crisis by reprogramming human DNA to power personal electronic devices. The experiment works but with disastrous consequences. Seventeen years later, Lydia Troyer is far from concerned with the energy crisis. Growing up in the isolated community of Hemlock Hollow, life hasn't changed much since 1698 when her Amish ancestors came to America. She milks her cow by hand, makes fresh bread every morning, and hopes to be courted by Jeremi...

Last week we chatted about family dynamics and ways to work it into your writing. Here are the highlights from the chat: EbonyMcKenna Within a family, members often pulling in diff directions. Ripe for conflict. Everyone wants their own way. #writersroad EbonyMcKenna #writersroad I love family dynamics. Makes such a fantastic change from the sometimes overused orphan trope. @HeatherMcCorkle Betrayal is a powerful family dynamic that can shape a character and an entire novel. #WritersRoad akabins I think as a whole we writers like to create messed up families. What does that say about us? ;) #writersroad HeatherMcCorkle When using family dynamics in your work be careful to either stay away from cliques or make them extremely original somehow. #WritersRoad Tina_Moss Family dynamics tend to play a significant role in my MCs' pasts and how they interact with the world around them present day. #writersroad jbeemills I tend to prefer quirky family members that add some flavor ...

Today I'm thrilled to be participating in the cover reveal for the latest Debt Collector serial, Fallen by Susan Kaye Quinn. If you haven't dove into this serial yet, you're really missing out! It is an amazing dystopian tale that will leave you breathless in anticipation for the next installment. I'm devouring this fantastic story! Here is a bit about the serial: What's your life worth on the open market? A debt collector can tell you precisely. Lirium plays the part of the grim reaper well, with his dark trenchcoat, jackboots, and the black marks on his soul that every debt collector carries. He's just in it for his cut, the ten percent of the life energy he collects before he transfers it on to the high potentials, the people who will make the world a better place with their brains, their work, and their lives. That hit of life energy, a bottle of vodka, and a visit from one of Madam Anastazja's sex workers keep him alive, stable, and mostly sane... unti...

In a world of bad news that is only getting worse, books that help teenagers are becoming more and more important. Today I'm thrilled to be celebrating one such book, The Girl Guide by Christine Fonseca. Here is a bit about it: Finding your unique voice in a noisy world can be hard—very hard. But not if you have a great guide! The Girl Guide: Finding Your Place in a Mixed-Up World is a must-read for girls in grades 6–8 as they enter the tumultuous world of adolescence. Packed with fun worksheets and quizzes, as well as stories from older girls and women, The Girl Guide covers everything a teenage girl needs to know on the journey toward her own identity. Proven strategies for dealing with stress management, confronting relational aggression, being safe online, navigating the changing mother-daughter relationship, and more make this the ultimate guide for any girl to get through the teen years and discover her unique point of view in the world. Already rave reviews are coming ...

Today I'm thrilled to welcome my good friend~and fabulous author of adult sci-fi~Jessica E. Subject over for a chat about her latest release. Take it away Jessica! First of all, thank you, Heather for hosting me on your wonderful blog! Hello, everyone! I’m Jessica Subject, and I write science fiction romance and contemporary romance. Just last week, I released my first indie title, Alien Adoration. It is the first in a trilogy titled Alien Next Door. Now, this story all started when I was cleaning the wreck room, listening to music on my phone. The song ‘Spaceman’ by Bif Naked came on, and the following lyrics really stuck in my mind: Spaceman, oh spaceman! Come rescue me from this! Calling all aliens! Come rescue me! Here, I imagine the heroine secretly calling for help from a not-so-perfect life. Remember that night at my window When I waved at you? I must have been only five, or so, But I never forgot you. I really did see a little girl...

I'm excited to share the trailer for Christine Fonseca's up coming release, Dominus . If you haven't read the other novels and novellas in Christine's Requiem series , you are really missing out. They are enthralling, dramatic, and pretty much all-consuming. Dominus is the final novel in the series and I can hardly wait for it's release. Check out the book trailer and you'll see why:

I'm thrilled to announce the release of a fabulous new book by an outstanding author. The Forgotten Ones, book one of The Danaan Trilogy is now available exclusively on Amazon ! Here is a bit about it: Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember. What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore h...

It's May! This is one of my favorite times of the year, time to pull out the gardening gloves, amend the soil, and plant new things. Ironically, I'm also starting a new novel right now so the timing and atmosphere couldn't be more perfect for me. And many of those practices transfer over into writing as well. I have my favorite tools (writing utensils, computer, pictures and music for inspiration) and I'm ready to mix up my writing skills with fresh ones learned to start this new project. That wonderful feeling of starting something fresh and new while fueled with the excitement of what is to come is much the same as well. Then of course there is mother's day this month, another great opportunity to combine my love of living things and books. Books and potted flowers are one of my favorite gifts to give the moms in my life. Both are gifts that keep on giving. Gotta love that! Spring is in the air! Are you writing anything new?