For Cori Wamsley, stories have never been just entertainment, they’ve always been an invitation. An invitation to grow, to dream, to see yourself reflected in characters who are brave enough to be flawed and bold enough to change. A lifelong lover of books turned award-winning author and respected Pittsburgh publisher, Cori has built a career and a calling around helping stories find their way into the world.

As the founder of Aurora Corialis Publishing, a boutique publishing house based in Pittsburgh, Cori has opened the door for dozens of local authors to step into authorship, guiding them as they share deeply personal stories of overcoming, alongside imaginative works of fiction. Her belief that stories should reflect the full spectrum of life the funny, the serious, the adventurous, and the heartfelt shapes not only her own writing, but the community she has cultivated through publishing.

Known for her enchanting and witty women’s fiction, Cori is the award-winning author of the Soul Sisterhood series and the creator of eleven books that blend self-discovery, history, romance, and adventure. With her latest novel, Good in Theory, set for release in March 2025, she continues to craft stories that celebrate growth, courage, and the beauty of becoming.

Beyond the page, Cori is a mother, creative, and lifelong learner who brings the same heart to her life that she brings to her writing finding joy in music, art, travel dreams, dark chocolate, and the quiet moments that fuel her imagination.

We sat down with Cori to talk about her journey from avid reader to publisher, her passion for helping others tell their stories, and what continues to inspire the worlds and women she brings to life.

Meet Cori Wamsley

What inspired your start in entrepreneurship?

I didn’t actually plan to start my own business. It was really the only option at the time. On my youngest daughter’s first birthday, I was told that they were laying off half the staff in the PR department for the federal lab where I worked. All the senior staff were let go two weeks later, and I wasn’t even sleeping through the night yet, thanks to my baby! With one-year-old and three-year-old daughters at home, I had to come up with something. I had already been working from home due to some medical issues, so I didn’t have my kids in daycare. Instead, my husband, a part-time nanny, and I juggled responsibilities. Because this was before the pandemic, there weren’t many work-from-home opportunities. A friend of mine encouraged me to freelance as a writer and editor, so I started doing that till I could find a job.

I ended up appreciating the flexibility that it gave me, especially because my husband’s schedule was so unpredictable, working in sports. It meant that I could adjust my work hours to accommodate whatever I needed with my kids.

Fast forward nine years, and my business has seen several different phases. I quickly moved from freelancer to writing coach and book editor, thanks to my experience writing novels before my children were born. Business owners wanted to know how to write a book for their businesses, and I had the skills to help them navigate that often-confusing path while helping them home in on the important parts of their story to share so they could connect with their readers and build their business.

After opening my publishing house, Aurora Corialis Publishing, in 2021, I also wanted to pursue my own writing more. I have been helping business owners with their books while writing my Soul Sisterhood series, a collection of standalone best friend stories that blend adventure, history, and romance. The third book in that series, Good in Theory, launched on March 12, 2025.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

I love that I’ve been able to help so many people tell their stories without leaving my own behind. It keeps me incredibly busy, between work and my family, but the publishing house lets me help others and showcase their work, while my own books give me a much-needed creative outlet.

Through my work, I’ve been able to hear so many stories of triumph over challenges, but not all of them get to be told. They still inspire me, though, and I love to think about how things would turn out differently if, for example, I assigned a similar story to a character who was supported by a strong best friend. It lets me explore the different dynamics that play out among friend groups or new acquaintances, which I think is incredibly fun.

If you could attribute your success to any one in your life, who would it be?

My success has a lot to do with the connections I’ve made, from friends who have encouraged me to try something I wouldn’t normally do, or who have connected me with people who need my help with their books, to my husband, who believes in me unconditionally, even when I think what I’m trying to do is nuts.

I also have to give some credit to my ability to change course quickly and adapt to new info, environments, or strategies. That flexibility is key for any business owner because the world is constantly changing. Being able to adapt quickly without freezing or panicking allows you to go with the flow but still maintain control.

What message do you hope women take away from your platform?

I hope my platform helps women believe in the power of their story to connect with others. Something that I love about my work is that I can use my fiction writing skills to help women craft a story that truly connects. So many people think that they have to cram their entire life story into a chapter for a group book or even their own books, and that simply isn’t true. We have to select what we want to use to connect with others based on what they need to hear in their journeys and what we feel comfortable sharing with our own.

I hope they also understand that it’s ok to lose yourself in a beautiful, creative work because it brings you joy. Because of my work situation and having small children, I had to wait years before I had the time to write a novel again, and that was so hard. My own writing lights me up so much. When I finally had the time to write, I wrote Braving the Shore in just six weeks (and then went through the editing process, so don’t think it was perfect!). I’ve always been driven to share my stories with the world, and I’m glad that I allowed myself that escape because it’s been so perfect for me!

What is your go-to quote for motivation?

I’m more of a song girl than a quotes girl, but when I need a pick-me-up, I think about songs like “Defying Gravity” and the bravery that it took for Elphaba to stand alone in that moment. “Nobody in all of Oz, no wizard that there is or was, is ever gonna bring me down!” I love playing songs like that on loop when I need to motivate myself, and sometimes I just belt them out in the car or at home for a quick power up.

What does being a woman making Herstory mean to you?

Thinking about all the women who came before me, who didn’t have the support system that I do, I feel like I didn’t have to do nearly half the work that they did. But it’s still a struggle. I’ve been lucky to have the education I did, the family that I do, and the wonderful friends, along with the drive to succeed. I hope that my story can help inspire others, even if they don’t have those privileges. Mostly, I hope that my own daughters see that it hasn’t been easy, and it never will be, but doing what you love is worth it.

Please connect with Cori at www.auroracorialispublishing.com, www.coriwamsley.com, or on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn. Cori’s books can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, or other online retailers.