Author Heather McCorkle

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Author Kristie Cook is asking us to come together to make a difference.  1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men just in the United States have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime ( Center for Disease Control statistics). You likely know someone who lives through this nightmare every day - a relative, a friend, a coworker or a neighbor down the street. Too many don't  live. And too many children witness the violence to/between their parents - or are direct victims themselves. Thankfully, help is  available. Unfortunately, not enough people know whom they can call for help - safely and privately. The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides this kind of secure resource, helping survivors of abuse do what they need to do to reach safety and restart their lives. I, along with Kristie, many other authors, bloggers and readers, ask you to join us in supporting The Hotline so it may con...

Today I'm helping a dear friend and fantastic author, Anne Riley , spread the word about a contest to win a copy of her paranormal YA novel, Shadows of the Hidden. The fun part, at different locations you'll get to read different excerpts! Be sure to click on the Rafflecopter at the end of the post to enter to win. Here is a bit about Shadows: Natalie Watson doesn’t believe her parents are dead, even though they disappeared five years ago. Discovering the truth about their fate is one of the only things that get her out of bed in the morning. But after moving from her home in Georgia to her aunt’s boarding school in Maine, solving the mystery of her parents’ whereabouts is just one of several challenges she must face. When she’s not fending off attacks from the popular kids, she puzzles over the rumors about a strange boy in her math class–one with fiery red hair who rarely speaks. Despite suspicions that he murdered his sister a year earlier, Natalie finds it impossible ...

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I'm joining in on the INDIE-giving blogfest. I'm thankful for each of my friends, family, fans, and so much more. It was hard to choose a prize to give away but I finally decided to give away a cover design (up to three images can be used with this type of design). Yep, you read that right, a cover design! At a $100 value!!! If you’ve been wanting/needing a cover for a book you have planned to release, now is your chance to enter to win a personalized design that is both unique and perfectly tailored to your novel. I've designed for acclaimed and award winning authors and now I could be designing for you! Before we get to the contest entry, don't forget to check out all the other fabulous people joining in on INDIE-giving and enter all the fun giveaways, read the great posts, and spread the cheer. So how do you enter? Help spread the word about CP Design by filling out the easy to use Rafflecopter form below (with ready-made tweets, F...

To help celebrate the cover reveal for Rise of a Rector, I thought I'd give you a sneak peak at the opening paragraph for Rise of a Rector. Here it is: This was not how Eren had pictured spending the last day of her senior year, but it had to be done. Her best friend Caitlin clutched her hand so tightly it was starting to cut off the circulation. If they didn’t get this over with soon her fingers would go numb. Eren’s cousin Fane stood to Caitlin’s left looking as though he was sharing her misery, which he probably was considering how close the two of them were. How Caitlin had managed to keep her and Fane’s relationship from her parents this long was a mystery to Eren. That's right, they're finally telling Caitlin's parents! A lot of tough decisions are coming for Eren's Society in this novel and this is just the first of those decisions. The cover release celebration is still going on so there's still time to enter to win a copy of To Ride A Puca. Check it...

In a matter of mere days, the hardback and eBook of To Ride A Púca will be hitting the stores! *faints* I have a lot of fun planned for the blog tour and I'd love for all of you to be a part of it. There will be great prizes each week and contestants will get entry points for each blog that they comment on that week, and even more entries for those blogs they follow. The tour will begin on May 21st and run through June 15th. My tour dates are full, but if you'd like to host me later, separate from the tour, I'd be happy to do that as well. Prizes will be awarded at the end of each week so those entering don't have to wait until the end of the tour. A new prize for each week will be given! Here is what will be up for grabs: Week #1 Prizes: eBook of BECOME by Ali Cross   (OMG, you've GOT to read this. This book blew me away) Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead...

Last week my writing goal was to finish the chapter I was working on and start another new one I need to add to my work in progress. And I made it! But just by the skin of my teeth. Wait, what exactly does that mean? Hmmm, I may have to Google that. How did all of you do on your goals for last week? In side news, Giselle over at Xpresso Reads (one of my favorite review sites) has interviewed me and put together a lovely post for the Channeler's Choice blog tour. I love the header she made, it's GORGEOUS. Seriously, you have to click here even if only to see the header. But I hope you'll stick around to read the interview and leave me a comment over there because I'm giving away two copies of BORN OF FIRE to two people who comment at Xpresso Reads! :)

Today for for the Channeler's Choice tour I'm over at author Laura Pauling's blog where I'm giving away two eBook copies of Born Of Fire so be sure to stop by and enter! Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the Born Of Fire giveaway entry. Author Karen Amanda Hooper is also giving me a shout out on her blog and I hope you'll stop by there and say hi as well.  Atmosphere can make your novel exceptional or it can make it forgettable. How much you put in depends on what kind of reading experience you want your readers to have. A little can go a long way, as is often the case in some genre fiction, or more may be necessary, such as with fantasy or literary fiction. To be well informed in what is common for your genre you need to be well read in your genre. Of course you can always be original, but beware that such a tactic must be done exceptionally well to be well received. Writing Tip: Beware of the atmosphere you’re setting in your novel. For a richer at...

Today for the Channeler's Choice I'm over at my friend (and fabulous author) Jessie Harrell's blog for a one-on-one author interview. I talk about my inspiration and a bit about the Special Project so I hope you'll stop by and say hi! And don't forget to click on the link on the right sidebar to enter the Channeler's Choice tour giveaway.

My goal was to finish a chapter I need to add in to my editing project that has been eluding me. Though I got half way through, I wasn't able to finish it. Between preparing to celebrate the launch of Lacrimosa by the fabulous Christine Fonseca , celebrating my own launch for Channeler's Choice , working on two cover designs, and trying to edit my own special project, I'm about tapped out. I've got a great vacation and writer's retreat coming up at the end of May and I'm really looking forward to the down time and recharging that it will give me. Until then, I shall keep plugging away. On a side note, OMG, Channeler's Choice is #1 on the Goodreads YA Cover Lust list ! I'm so totally humbled and honored that I don't even know how to begin to say thank you to everyone who has voted for it. You peeps are the best. Today the Channeler's Choice tour stops are special. Luke (delicious bad guy from the channeler novels) is over at Christine Fons...

One of my inspirations last week was my good friend (and fabulous author) Laura Pauling who is revealing the cover of her upcoming book due out May 7th called A Spy Like Me. Why would that inspire me? Well, for one because she's a fantastic author and I'm dying to read this novel. But reason #2 is that I designed the cover! To check it out click on over to YA Confidential , then come back to let me know what you think! Today for the Channeler's Choice tour Fane is interviewed over at author Lisa Nowak's blog. You won't want to miss that! And author Trisha Wolfe is giving me a shout out. Thanks ladies! Two winners have already grabbed books from the Channeler's Choice 'on the side' tour giveaways from lovely authors and bloggers who are giving away books to help me celebrate. So be sure you're checking out the tour stops! Last week my inspiration was this the fabulous Christine Fonseca's writing. If you haven't read Christine's fict...

One of the greatest editing discoveries I've ever made it reading my novel aloud. This is one of the last steps in the editing process that I do and it always amazes me how much I catch even after so much work by myself and my beta readers. I've even caught things an editor has missed this way. Tip: When you think you're finished editing your novel read it aloud, either to someone or to yourself. It's important to take your time with it and not just read what your eye 'thinks' it sees, but what is really on the page. A few friends of mine have a program that has their computer read it aloud to them. Super cool, but the computer voice would kind of freak me out. But if you're adventurous and techie enough, it's probably worth a shot. Today for the Channeler's Choice tour I'm over at my friend the fabulous author G.P. Ching's blog . Before you go, don't forget to click on the sidebar link to enter the Channeler's Choice tour givea...

To celebrate the release of Channeler's Choice I'm doing a blog tour that launches today and goes through March 15 th along with a giveaway. Here are the prizes: Winner #1: An eBook of Tangled Tides by Karen Amanda Hooper An eBook of Running Wide Open by Lisa Nowak An eBook of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll (if you don’t have a copy yet, or a paperback if you don't have an reader) A paperback of Born Of Fire & Dies Irae (novella combination by Heather McCorkle and Christine Fonseca released through Compass Press) And of course, Channeler’s Choice swag (bookmarks, postcards, etc.) Winner #2 An eBook of Beautiful Demons & Inner Demons by Sarra Cannon An eBook of Bound by C.K. Bryant An eBook of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll (if you don’t have a copy yet, or a paperback if you don't have an ereader) A paperback of Born Of Fire & Dies Irae (novella combination by Heather McCorkle and Christine Fonseca released through Com...

My muse last week was a big one with a big announcement. The second book in the channeler series, Channeler's Choice, has a release date with Compass Press : February 27th! *throws streamers and breaks out party hats.* Okay, maybe it's a bit early for party hats, but I'm excited! And here is the lovely cover that I've been dying to share with you: From the moment I saw the picture for the cover I knew it was perfect. This captured not only the essence of Eren and Aiden perfectly, but also that of the novel. It blew me away. And after design, it was even more amazing and perfect. I hope you love it as much as I do! Check back soon for a big contest to celebrate. Here it is on Goodreads if you'd like to put it on your 'to-read' shelf. 

Today's writing tip is about editing. With more and more authors choosing the independent path, the importance of editing and not getting in a hurry are more vital than ever. You are the last line of defense between your novel and the world. Don't let it go out into such a cruel place without making it into a lean, mean, fighting machine. Once you hit publish it's out there for the world to see, agents, publishing house editors, everyone. It can make or break you even more so than querying. Tip: Put your manuscript through the ringer; critique partners and/or beta readers, and if you are going indie, use a good freelance editor after you've put it through the paces. Golden bonus tip #2: Don't be in a hurry to put it out there until it is polished to perfection.

Today is the last stop on the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour. I'm kind of sad because it has been a lot of fun and the support shown to both my book and my cause has been so amazing that it has left me speechless at times. But the giving doesn't end with the tour. I'll be donating a portion of the proceeds of all sales of the Compass Press edition of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll until 12-12-2012. I hope you'll drop in on my author friend Lisa Nowak as I chat with her about prairie dogs, then come back and enter the contest on this link (or you can click on the sidebar picture for the contest). Entries will be closed at midnight (Pacific Time) tonight and the winner will be announced tomorrow. First place prize is a signed hardback of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll, a copy of The Gift by Cecelia Ahern, some fun Spruce Knoll swag, and a symbolic endangered species adoption of the winner's choice (a $50 donation to the charity by myself, and a stuffed critter...

Today on the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour I'm over at Talli's Roland's place and at Carolina Valdez Miller's place. Hope to see you at both! Two stops means two chances for more entries/points for the contest! And now to the fun gift ideas! My good friend, and author of Between , Cyndi Tefft has put together some fun gift ideas for fans of her novels. That means you Aiden's Angels! I'm not just featuring this because her main character shares a name with my main character (and hotness traits) but because she is a fabulous lady who deserves my support! For starters, you can get a signed copy of Between right from Cyndi's blog. Signed books are always great gift ideas and many authors, including myself, offer them on their sites. But if you're already a fan, or know a fan, then you'll definitely want to check out what Cyndi has put together on  Cafe Press for Aiden's Angels . The items on there are definitely going on ...

Today for the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour I'm over at my good friend Saba's blog talking about the polar bear, one of my favorite creatures! I hope you'll drop in. And now for my author friend Lisa Nowak's fabulous new release. If you need a gift for a guy this season, look no further! Getting Sideways: Book 2 in the Full Throttle Series Getting shipped off to live with his uncle Race was the best thing that ever happened to fifteen-year-old Cody. Then a wreck at the speedway nearly ruined everything. Cody’s making every effort to get his life back on track—writing for the school paper, searching for the perfect girlfriend, and counting the days until he gets his drivers’ license—but there’s no escaping the nightmares that haunt him. A chance to build his own car seems like the perfect distraction. Until Cody realizes he’ll have to live up to Race’s legendary status. But that’s the least of his worries, considering he doesn’t have his dad’s permissi...

Today there are two stops along the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour, which means two more chances for another entry/point in the contest! First I'm over at my author friend LK Gardner-Griffie's blog talking about the arctic fox. For the second stop I'm over at my book blogger friend's blog, Melanie McCullough , talking about the emerald hummingbird, which is a breathtaking creature you have to see to believe. I'll be dropping in on both to stops to chat with peeps so I hope to see you in both places! To see what's up for grabs, and to enter the contest, click on the button on the right sidebar for the tour.

Today for the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour I'm over at my good friend and author Roland Yeomans blog. Roland's blog is always a fun place to drop in, not to mention, you'll have a chance to gain another entry/point for the contest! Now for the teaser. This is from page 52 of the Compass Press special edition: Aiden went very still. After a painfully long silence, Eren reached over and touched his arm. He turned to her, revealing eyes that were filled with regret. "What is it? What do you know?" she asked. "I want to tell you everything but it isn't my place. It kills me not to talk to you about it, you have to believe me, please," he said.

Today's post is a two parter. Tonight I'll be over at the fabulous YA Bound blog doing a live chat all about the Tour Of Secrets. That means you can ask about myself, my writing, my novels, just about anything! And there will be a swag bag with a signed copy of The Secret of Spruce Knoll given away to one chatter during the chat so don't miss it! It starts tonight at 6pm PT. You don't need an account of any kind, you can just sign in using your name, nice and easy. Click here to join in. And now for Twitter Tuesday! This first one is from Chuck Sambuchino about pitching to new agents: ChuckSambuchino  My first post as a Writer Unboxed contributor: Should You Pitch (and Sign With) a New Agent? The Pros and Cons: bit.ly/qP9Efu Don't miss agent Sara Megibow's chat on Thursday! SaraMegibow In honor of my son going back to school (finally, right?) - I'll run an #askagent here on Facebook on Thursday.... fb.me/1eNxpS5J7 Author Melissa Garrett spreads t...