Author Heather McCorkle

Amazon is taking money out of authors pockets, again. The myths about authors making millions are not true. I'm really sorry to burst the bubble of anyone out there with huge dreams. It still happens of course but it is the exception to the rule, not the norm. Anytime someone offers to sell brand new hardback books for ridiculously low prices it hurts authors, a lot. Authors get around 10% of a hardback price and 6% of a paperback, seriously, that's it. Most debut authors sell under 40,000 books. Add it up, but be careful, it may depress you. Don't forget to take out around 30% in taxes and 15% for your agent. That starving author thing, not a myth. So what has Amazon done this time? They refuse to compromise with MacMillan, one of the biggest publishers in the industry. MacMillan was trying to get them to raise the price of an e-book from $9.99 to around $15 dollars. I think that is a reasonable request, both as a writer and a consumer. I don't mind shelling out a co...

It happens to all writers. Admit it and face your fear. That's what I've decided to do. Until we face our fears we cannot conquer them. I hate to break it to those of you still on the agent hunt, but it doesn't stop once you get an agent. For a while it does, but then comes the moment when you hand your manuscript over and they submit it to publishing house editors. The wait and the stress begins again. Doubt creeps around every corner, within every empty in box, and every empty voicemail. It can grow like a great demon with every passing week if you allow it to. It can consume you, and it will if you let it. A few of my friends who are waiting on submissions are battling the doubt demon right now. Heck, I battle it myself every day my manuscript is out there being considered by publishing houses. I have bad days, but they pass because I know how combat them. First, I know that what I sent off was as polished as it could possibly be and is worthy. You of all people must b...

Heather's Odyssey has been awarded The Silver Lining blog award by fellow writer and blogger Anne Riley! I'm so honored, but I don't have a speech prepared! I'm a writer not a spur of the moment kind of gal. The Silver Lining award is given to blogs that help others in some way or focus on the good things in life to uplift others, or so I understand it. To know that I have helped others or brightened their day enough to earn an award for it makes me feel amazing. That's what Heather's Odyssey is all about, making the journey to publication easier-or at least less mystifying-for other writers. To know I have accomplished that for at least one person makes every entry I've ever written worth it. Thank you Anne! This award comes with a condition. I must now pass it on to five other blogs that I feel have accomplished the same thing. I love this because it gives you a chance to see some of the fantastic blogs that have helped me along the way. Without furthe...

If people were cups of coffee Krissi Dallas would be a tall double shot peppermint mocha, lots of energy and tasty sugar with just enough bite to make you take notice. Krissi and I met on Twitter and have been friends/followers ever since. She has one of the biggest, kindest hearts I've ever known and is quick to support other writers. She's always there with words of encouragement when I need them and great advice. Once I found out about her book Phantom Island: Wind I had to have it. It's about a girl who's life is forever altered when her father disappears. Six years later she returns to the youth camp that turned her life around only to embark on a magical journey that will forever alter it yet again. Krissi's love and understanding for teens shines through in her writing. This is another writer on the rise you don't want to miss! You can find Krissi on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/KrissiDallas And check out her website and blog here: http://web....

I had a very busy week. Two chapters! The words were flowing like marvelous wine at a Greek dinner. These are Aztec ruins, where, I'm not sure. Don't worry, I'm not flashing back to my previous book, they just fit well for inspiration this week since I'm writing about an ancient dragon city. Turns out I didn't need the snowy pictures so much to set me in the right mood since our weather finally cooled down below forty, but the picture sure didn't hurt. http://www.dac-editions.com/gallery.htm This is another beautiful picture from Ciruelo. Can you tell he inspires me? I love finding pictures like this that give me a glimpse into another world. My second chapter this week definitely took me into a different world. And yet, it feels like coming home. I missed writing fantasy.

Last year I attended the Hawaii Writer's Retreat and got to work with the New York Times bestselling thriller author, William Bernhardt. I'm not a thriller writer so why would I take his class, you might ask? I wouldn't have, except I knew how fantastic a teacher he was. In 2008 I attended my first Hawaii Writer's Retreat and I was suppoed to be in James Clemmens class. He's a remarkable fantasy writer for those who don't know, ironically, he's also a thriller writer under the name of James Rollins. Due to an unfortunate incident James didn't make it to Hawaii. I was rescheduled in Mr. Bernhardt's class. I was deeply disapointed but remained optimistic that I could learn at least something . Boy did I. That class was full of writers from all different genres, not just thriller writers. It's where I met Aprilynne Pike and Sarah Brennan and fell in love with the young adult genre. More than that though, my writing moved to a whole new level I nev...

Rachel and I met on Twitter through a mutual writer friend and am really glad we did. Her tweets (Twitter entries for you non-Twitter folks) are informative and often so funny I have to be careful not to drink my coffee when I'm reading them. Like me, Rachel didn't start out writing in the genre she's come to love. She sort of stumbled upon romance one day and discovered it was the one . It can happen to any of us, preconceived notions about what a genre is all about can keep us from our calling. Rachel now writes historical romance and is working hard toward publication. If you're looking to connect with other writers who are supportive, helpful, and a blast to get to know, be sure to look her up. Here she is on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelJameson And here's her blog: http://racheljameson.com/index.php/blog/