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Contact
Kourtney Heintz
2 Diamond Rock Road
Wolcott, CT 06716
Phone: 917-805-2666
Email:
Website:
Kourtney Heintz
Author
K.C Tansley lives with her warrior lapdog, Emerson, and three quirky golden retrievers on a hill somewhere in Connecticut. She tends to believe in the unbelievables—spells, ghosts, time travel—and writes about them.
Never one to say no to a road trip, she’s climbed the Great Wall twice, hopped on the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg, and danced the night away in the dunes of Cape Hatteras. She loves the ocean and hates the sun, which makes for interesting beach days.
As Kourtney Heintz, she also writes award winning cross-genre fiction for adults. Her debut novel, The Six Train to Wisconsin, was published in May 2013. It won several awards and was on the Amazon Top 100 lists for Psychic Mysteries and Paranormal & Urban Fantasy.
Kourtney has given writing workshops and author talks at libraries, wineries, museums, universities, high schools, book festivals, conventions, non-profit organizations and writing conferences. She has been featured in the Republican American, on WTNH’s CT Style and Everything Internet on the radio. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Backspace.
Awards and Honors
The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts is her debut YA time-travel murder mystery novel. It has been on the Amazon Top 100 lists for Time Travel, Horror and Mysteries & Thrillers for Teens. It has also been a finalist in the Readers' Favorite Book Awards, the International Book Awards and the National Indie Excellence Awards.
Presentations
About My Workshops and Presentations for Schools
As a former high school nerd, I love visiting schools and talking with students about my writing process.
Workshops:
My workshops are in-depth explanations of how I create my books. They are designed for audiences in grades 7-12. Using PowerPoint slide shows, I focus on different aspects of the writing process, including: experiencing inspiration, generating ideas, developing concepts, writing rough drafts, revising and creating final copies with the publisher. I explain how the writing processes are linked for me and emphasize the importance of all the revising and editing I do to my work while creating it. During my revision workshop, I even share drafts with the students and demonstrate why it’s so important to keep working and reworking the writing. I also discuss what it’s like to be an author and share what authors really do all day.
Each workshop session is limited to 40 students to ensure that all students have a chance to get involved and receive hands-on feedback.
I also offer four different workshops
• Finding your Story: Going from Inspiration to Idea to Concept (45 minutes)
• Revision: Getting It Right on the Fourth Try (45 minutes)
• Flash Fiction Writing Workshop (45 minutes)
• Juggling Priorities: Time Management Techniques from a Former Management
Consultant (45 minutes)
Presentations:
In addition to the workshops, I also offer a general presentation on the author’s life. The presentation is more informational and suited to a larger audience. The interactive component is limited to a Q&A session. Presentation sessions are limited to 80 students per session to ensure an effective presentation.
I offer one general presentation:
• An Insider’s Peek at the Author’s Life (45 minutes)
Testimonials
“I really enjoyed the workshop. Kourtney did an excellent job helping the audience create the frame for a short story. I would recommend her highly.” —Ms. Wendy Hellekson, Ella T. Grasso Technical High School
Pricing for Workshops or General Presentations for School Visits
• Single session (Day or Evening): $150
• 2 sessions: $275
• 3 sessions: $400
• 4 sessions: $500
• 1 hour Skype writing workshop/general presentation: $75
Block Booking Discounts Available. The discount can be shared by multiple schools.
Travel fees (50¢/mile) apply for schools beyond a one-hour drive.
For schools requiring overnight stays or long-distance travel, please contact me for details.
You can download in-depth information on my workshops and check my availability on my website: http://kourtneyheintz.com/workshops/school-visits/
Published Books
The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts (The Unbelievables Book 1)
K.C. Tansley (Author), Reading level: 12 years and up 256 pages Publisher: Beckett Publishing Group (August 1, 2015) Paperback: ISBN-10: 1943024006, ISBN-13: 978-1943024001, Kindle: ASIN: B00WZOJ028
In The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts, prep school junior Kat Preston accidentally time travels to 1886 Connecticut, where she must share a body with a rebellious Victorian lady, prevent a gruesome wedding night murder, disprove a deadly family curse and find a way back to her own time.
The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts is a YA time-travel murder mystery novel for ages 12 and up. It has been on the Amazon Top 100 lists for Time Travel, Horror, and Mysteries & Thrillers for Teens. It has also been a finalist in the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards, the International Book Awards, and the National Indie Excellence Awards.
Editorial Reviews
From Kirkus Reviews — "The novel's murder mystery is intriguing and grows more complex as its supernatural elements are unveiled."
From Publisher's Weekly — "By centering her supernatural world on the concept of belief, adult author Tansley (The Six Train to Wisconsin, writing as Kourtney Heintz) gives her story a complex and unusual framework, and having the formerly possessed Kat become a possessor herself, as she inhabits another woman's body while in the past, puts a neat spin on conventional ghost story motifs."
From Foreword Reviews — "Those who enjoy suspense, ghost stories and a little hint of romance are sure to devour Tansley’s novel."
From VOYA Managine — “This well-written young adult debut, with its intriguing mix of mystery, romance, ghosts and time travel, should appeal to teen fans of light horror as well as those who enjoy a compelling mystery and supernatural encounters against a historical backdrop."
"In The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts, K.C. Tansley has crafted a compelling, magic-tinged mystery that spans generations. At once haunting, poignant and tragically romantic, The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts is not to be missed. Ignore at your own peril." — Chris F. Holm, Anthony and Spinetingler Awards nominee and author of the critically acclaimed Collector Trilogy
"Castles, curses, ghosts and vivid characters fill this wonderfully spooky story from K.C. Tansley. You won't want to put it down." — Paige Shelton, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Country Cooking School Mystery Series and YA time-travel novel Clockwork
"The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts is a fascinating blend of mystery, romance, time travel and ghosts. The small, seaside town setting and gothic atmosphere instantly pulled me in, and the complex, carefully plotted storyline kept me hooked. K.C. Tansley took time travel to a whole new level, and I loved it from start to finish!" — Page Morgan, author of the YA gothic thriller The Beautiful & The Cursed
"What we have is a sublime, engaging YA paranormal story that demonstrates the evocative talent of its writer. I truly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more in this series." — 5 Star Review from Readers' Favorite by Lit Amri
The Six Train to Wisconsin (The Six Train to Wisconsin Series Book One)
Kourtney Heintz (Author), Reading level: 16 years and up 430 pages Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (May 2, 2013) Paperback and audiobook: ISBN: 1481884573, ISBN-13: 9781481884570 (ebook published by Aurea Blue Press. Paperback will be reissued by Aurea Blue Press in the fall of 2016.)
When Kai’s telepathy spirals out of control, her husband Oliver brings her to the quiet Wisconsin hometown he abandoned a decade ago, where he must confront the secrets of his past to save their future. The Six Train to Wisconsin is a work of award winning cross-genre fiction for adults.
Awards
Amazon Bestseller in Paranormal & Urban Fantasy and in Psychic Mysteries
2014 National Indie Excellence Awards Winner
2014 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards Bronze Winner
2014 International Book Awards Finalist
2014 EPIC Ebook Awards Finalist, 2013 USA Best Book Awards Finalist
2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards Semifinalist
Editorial Reviews
From Kirkus Reviews — "Heintz's debut weaves psychological insight into a suspenseful, sci-fi-tinged thriller and produces a welcome variation on the classic marriage drama."
From Publishers Weekly — "Readers will be hooked by Kai's special powers and the ways in which they make her life difficult."
"THE SIX TRAIN TO WISCONSIN is an engaging story that deftly explores the mysteries and secrets of the heart and mind. Kourtney Heintz has crafted a story that is hypnotic and uplifting - you won't want to put it down." —Paige Shelton, New York Times bestselling author of Farm Fresh Murder
"THE SIX TRAIN TO WISCONSIN is like a breathless thrill ride on an out-of-control freight train rushing through the darkness, at a pace that never slows down, never lets up, and never compromises. There are enough twists and turns and near misses to make you hang onto your seat by your fingernails, and at the end, respite and a satisfying conclusion that makes the crazy ride worth it." — Jenna Bennett/Jennie Bentley, USA Today & New York Times bestselling author of the Do-It-Yourself Home Renovation mysteries & the Cutthroat Business mysteries
"A richly layered novel, The Six Train to Wisconsin gently pushes at the reader's expectations, then exceeds them, turning what could almost become kitschy in more inexperienced hands to something with an almost literary bent (if the literary genre ever decided to dabble in the paranormal)." — Readers' Favorite reviewed by Kayti Nika Raet
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