Monday, June 9, 2025

My Author's Q & A's

 


(Once every other month I will post Q & A's that readers have asked me)

Q- Will you be posting new short videos or excerpts on Path Less Taken from the Phoenix Files? I’ve seen that you haven’t posted anything about that book, and I thought that maybe you decided to abandon the project. J. Peters

A-I appreciate your interest in my work! Currently, I'm focused on completing "A Time Traveler's Companion," which is nearly 500 pages long. Once I wrap that up, I plan to finish "Path Less Taken" and will share some short videos and excerpts soon after. 

Q- When will you publish the recent version of Chandra’s Quest on AppleBooks? You mentioned that you combined all four books into one. I would love to read it. Mary Fuentes

A-Regarding "Chandra's Quest," I do intend to release the new version on Amazon and Apple Books, but as mentioned in a previous blog post, it won't be available on GooglePlay and AppleBooks until July. An audiobook is currently being made.

Q- Do you use AI generated images for your short videos? Jessica P

A-Some images in my promotional videos, are AI-generated, but I use them primarily to depict the characters visually for the readers’ entertainment.

Q- I really enjoyed Flare and I would like to know if it is available as an audiobook. ldyVamp

A-I'm glad to hear you enjoyed "Flare” there is indeed an audiobook available on GooglePlay, so feel free to check it out!

Q-I enjoyed reading the book about the Backrooms from the Phoenix Files, will you be writing another one related to the Backrooms? Anonymous

A-There will be another installment in the Phoenix Files series that revisits the Backrooms, specifically in volume 4. It will be available in the future.

(I love receiving questions from readers through social media, and I promise to feature them on my blog in the coming months!)








Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Here We Go, Once Again...

 



To my fellow indie/self-published authors: It doesn't matter if you're utilizing certain features available on WordDocX via WordDoc 365, you’re still considered an author. I'm frustrated with people criticizing authors who employ specific writing tools to enhance the quality of their writing. Remember, you understand your audience; you know your audience, those who purchase, download, or listen to your books, let them judge. You are an author, whether you are self-published or not!

My Experience: Twenty-three years ago, self-published authors faced significant criticism on social media, a landscape I was not part of at the time since I didn’t have a Facebook account, I only had MySpace. I shared a link to my book, Chandra’s Quest, on forums and MySpace. I was unfamiliar with eBooks, my book was only available on eBay as a paperback. Despite my efforts, sales were minimal, and I was met with harsh comments on forums from users who had never even read my book but only despised my presence simply because I chose the self-publishing route and was sharing my book

Chandra’s Quest, my first novel, was originally written in the first person but was later revised to a third-person narrative in the 2010s. My encounters with online trolls, who seem to thrive on targeting Indie/self-published authors, have shown me that their tactics remain unchanged; they now use AI as an excuse to accuse writers of using it because their books may not be as bad as they first assumed. 

I have read numerous indie books, I can confidently say that many are well-written, and I don’t perceive any AI influence in them, as I focus on the content rather than the medium. I typically prefer purchasing paperback editions, I’m not looking for AI, only Karens do. 

Look, regardless of whether a writer is using some form of editing tool for their work, people shouldn’t be quick to judge. Personally, it’s taken me two years to write out my book and I am currently editing it but as I do, I am releasing it in parts on GooglePlay until I can merge all parts together into one full length novel. If you are following me on Facebook and other social media websites, I’m sure you know which one I'm referring to. I PREFER to write out my books before editing them thoroughly. Sorry if you thought otherwise.

Here's a thought: When it comes to AI, it's pretty straightforward- you just need to provide a brief prompt, and the AI takes care of the rest. I've come across one or two AI-generated books, and honestly, they weren't impressive. As I've mentioned before, I'm not interested in AI for storytelling; the two I read felt like they were written by someone who didn't put in much effort into them. That's not my style—I prefer to write my stories and refine them using the editing tools available in Word.

The way I see it is, if you're paying for Office365, you might as well take advantage of those features. In the end, people will always have their opinions, and there will be critics and trolls out there, often just reflecting their own ugliness. Ugly is, as Ugly does.

Below are sceenshots that I took of another user's rant on Wattpad reddit about AI & how it has tainted people's view on indie authors works. Not everything is AI & not all authors, especially indie authors use AI. If you're on a crusade in calling out people who use AI for certain creative endeavors, then you have issues. You're not perfect and before pointing the finger at someone else, look in the mirror.








Friday, May 23, 2025

Images of The Main Character from A Time Traveler's Companion

 



Updates on images related to character in A Time Traveler's Companion.

This post is related to a book I am currently working on and I have updated the images of the main character, Remi. I don't' always share anything related to this book on this blog, I prefer to share excerpts on my other blog under my pen name CG Heandez.


Remi (18) & Mr. Smith's first incarnation


Remi (20) & Mr. Smith's second incarnation


Remi (28) & Mr. Smith's 3rd incarnation


Remi (45) & Mr. Smith's 4th incarnation


The four incarnations of Mr. Smith

Please do visit my other blog, I share excerpts from this book and others written under CG Heandez. Link below.


 

Sunday, May 4, 2025

KDP Select & it's Rules

 



I recently received a notification from KDP indicating that one of my books is being sold on a third-party site, which violates the terms of the KDP Select Program. Since my book is currently enrolled in the 90-day KDP Select period, I am restricted from selling it elsewhere. 


(Blacked out the name of the title and the link for privacy reasons)

This situation was unintentional; I had simply forgotten to uncheck the renewal button for KDP Select program. I was fuming, I took the necessary steps to remove some of my eBooks from Google Play to comply with Kindle's policies. I have audiobooks for those titles on that platform, and according to their guidelines, this shouldn't be a major issue. Once the 90-day enrollment period ends, I intend to re-list the eBooks on Google Play, but I won’t be enrolling any of my titles in the KDP Select Program again. Moving forward, I plan to publish future eBooks on Google Play and Apple Books, and for any paperbacks, I’ll use IngramSpark, except for the Phoenix Files series, which includes the Lost in the Backrooms book, they will still be published on Amazon KDP. Overall, I believe it's crucial to make my titles available on multiple platforms for better exposure.



I’ve decided to remove my website link from my profile on the KDP Community Forum. I've noticed that some indie authors tend to compete and backstab each other, and I’m not interested in getting involved in that kind of drama. The less they know about my business, the better off I’ll be.


 I will add a link to a short video related to this topic. Please visit and comment, ty.

KDP SELECT PROGRAM: Should You or Shouldn't You Join

Friday, May 2, 2025

Writers Who Use AI to Produce Multiple Books in A Month

 


 I’ve seen comments posted by anonymous people about writers using AI to churn out multiple books in a month, suggesting that they rely on AI because they didn’t spend a year crafting their stories. 

Is it a misconception to think that? I can't definitively say yes or no, but I've been working on a Time Traveler's Companion since late 2023, and it’s taken me this long to nearly finish the novel. So, am I using AI? If I were, I would have wrapped it up in no time and moved on to my other writing projects. Just saying.

People have mixed feelings about AI these days, and everyone has their own take on it. Personally, I’m indifferent. Whether to use it or not is a choice for each writer, and honestly, some stories I've come across on Wattpad that might have involved AI are indistinguishable from others to me.

 The ones I’ve read are pretty good, however that’s just my opinion and I’m not looking for AI in other writers’ literary works. I’m not the AI police. A little joke there. Feel free to share your thoughts, but please keep it respectful, as I do review comments before posting.


My Website

My other Pen Name

CG Heandez

Here We Go Again


What Can Be Copyrighted

 


I don’t know how many times I must say this, you can copyright almost anything CREATIVE. But keep in mind that copyright doesn't cover ideas, facts, or methods. It only protects how those ideas or facts are EXPRESSED. For instance, you can't copyright the idea of a 'dinosaur,' but you can copyright a drawing or a story you created about one. If an author uses an AI editor to help polish their writing, their books are still eligible for copyright because it's their original story, even if AI played a small role in editing. For those who know, Word-Doc has Co-Pilot a built in AI editor for writers, which might surprise some, but it's true. It comes with a subscription of 365 Word.

I have my own thoughts on AI and copyright. Honestly, I’m not too concerned about what other writers choose to do. You can absolutely copyright your work, even if AI played a small role in the editing process. Ultimately, the story is still the writer's creation. I'm currently working on a Time Traveler’s Companion, and I use Co-Pilot for some of the editing, but since it’s primarily my own writing, it’s taking me a while to finish the novel. I started the book in 2023. Yes, you can copyright almost anything creative. However, names are not copyrighted, you cannot copyright your own name unless it's a very unique name. Please do comment if you wish but keep it civil, I look over comments before approval.


My Website

Other Pen name

CG Heandez Website

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Updates: Chandra's Quest & A Time Traveler's Companion

 


(For those who are new here, this is my Author's blog under the pseudonym Cecile Garcia, where I share excerpts and updates about my writing projects.) 

I am currently focused on completing part 5 of A Time Traveler’s Companion, which I plan to release on Google Play. Ultimately, I intend to compile all parts into a single novel for publication on platforms such as Amazon, Apple Books, and IngramSpark. Won't be doing the Kindle Select Program because of issues with them!

Additionally, the full-length novel eBook of Chandra’s Quest is now available on Amazon, Apple Books, and Google Play, while I continue to work on the paperback version, which I will also re-publish on Amazon. Please do visit the link in my profile to view details on books.  

UPDATE: At the moment Chandra's Quest (eBook) is unavailable on AppleBooks until July, the same  for GooglePlay. I am having issues with the Kindle Select program. Anyways, this book will eventually be available on GooglePlay and AppleBooks in a few months, please visit the link below to one of my other blog entries discussing the reasons.


Below is a link to a short video I recently made related to A Time Traveler's Companion, enjoy. The 4 incarnations of Mr. Smith. Remi at ages: 18, 21, 28, 30.

Subscribe to my channel, thank you.


A Short Video

What Can Be Copyrighted

Writers Who Use AI to Produce Multiple Books in A Month

KDP Select Program: Should You Join it?

Sunday, April 20, 2025

Chandra's Quest Available On Apple Books

 


I have recently combined all four books of the Chandra's Quest trilogy into a single full-length novel, which is now available on Amazon Kindle. However, I've noticed a discrepancy between the page count and what is displayed in the document file. Additionally, I have uploaded an EPUB version of the book to Google Play and Apple Books. I am currently in the process of creating the audiobook version, but given that the novel exceeds 500 pages, this will require some time. The paperback edition is also in the works and will take a while to finalize too. What else is on my list to complete? A Time Traveler's Companion. I am in the process of compiling the work while simultaneously releasing sections on Google Play. The complete novel will be available on Amazon and Apple Books. One motivation for sharing it in parts on Google Play is to connect with readers familiar with the fanfiction that inspired this story. However, it's important to note that the novel is only loosely based on that original work and will be written under another pen name I use.



Please do follow me on Facebook & Instagram. I do have a TikTok but it's best to follow and subscribe to me on YouTube, because TikTok's future is a bit flakey. You never know when it will be banned.
(I will be re-uploading Chandra's Quest on AppleBooks after July, please visit website for more info)














Friday, April 11, 2025

Hidden Door Only Seen with Black Light: The Stranger Things

 


(Excerpt from The Stranger Things: Paranormal, Supernatural & Unusual Phenomenon.
Chapter 9: Hidden Door Only Seen with Black Light)

 Imagine if I told you there are doors that are completely invisible to the naked eye, only revealing themselves under black light. In this chapter, I’m going to share the intriguing tale of an 18-year-old girl named Stacy, who unexpectedly discovered one of these mysterious doors. Stacy resides in a house that used to belong to her grandmother. After her grandmother passed away, her father inherited the property, which was built back in the 1980s. 


With her parents away on a trip and her brother off at a friend's house engrossed in video games, Stacy found herself alone at home that week when a friend decided to drop by for a visit. A fierce storm was rolling in, and the women opted to stay indoors, choosing to binge-watch their favorite shows until the clock struck midnight. The thunder rumbled ominously overhead, while lightning lit up the night sky, casting eerie shadows throughout their cozy four-bedroom, single-story house. Suddenly, the power went out, prompting Stacy to grab a flashlight and head to the kitchen pantry where her parents stashed emergency lanterns.


She managed to pull out four of them, but when she flicked on the last one, instead of the expected bright LED glow, it emitted a strange black light that filled the room with an unusual hue. "I bet my brother was the one who messed with this light bulb," she said to her friend, giving an exaggerated eye roll. With a slight shake of her head, she grabbed another lantern and strolled down the hallway toward her parents' room. She was on the hunt for a light bulb that would fit the fourth lantern, but despite her search, she came up empty-handed. As she exited the room, balancing both lanterns in her arms, something unexpected caught her attention. She paused for a moment and switched off the LED lantern, keeping the black light flickering. As she swung the lantern to her right, something caught her eye—a strange door intricately carved into the wall! Curiosity piqued, she ran her fingers along the crack of the door, exclaiming softly, “Oh my god, it’s a door! It’s actually real! Where did this come from?” 

Bursting with excitement, she switched on the LED lantern once more and switched off the black light, only to discover that the door had completely disappeared. Confused, she extended her hand toward the spot where the door used to be and whispered, “Wow. Where did it go?” At that moment, her friend walked over, curious about what her friend was looking at.

 “Hey, what’s going on?” she asked, making Stacy jump in surprise. “What’s the matter?” her friend inquired, looking concerned. 

"Check this out," Stacy said as she flicked on the black light, plunging the room into darkness except for the eerie glow. Both women stared in shock, their jaws practically hitting the floor. "What in the world is this?" her friend exclaimed, reaching out to feel the door's surface. Stacy, feeling a mix of curiosity and thrill, gave the door a light knock. Her friend gasped sharply, and her eyes widened. "Stop! You have no idea what's waiting for us on the other side," she warned, and Stacy felt a chill run down her spine. As the door creaked open, the two girls stepped inside with a sense of hesitation. The space was pretty standard, roughly the same dimensions as Stacy's own room. However, it was strikingly monochromatic; every single thing in the room was a shade of white, from the walls to the furniture and even the curtains.

"What on earth is this place?" Stacy exclaimed, making her way to the window to get a better look outside. To her surprise, the weather was clear and bright, with no sign of a storm—just a vibrant, lush landscape bathed in sunlight. "What the heck is going on?" Stacy muttered, both girls now transfixed by the view beyond the glass. Out of nowhere, they picked up the sound of footsteps getting closer from behind. They quickly turned around, but there was nobody in sight. The footsteps came to a halt right in front of them, creating an eerie silence. Suddenly, Stacy's friend let out a terrified scream and bolted out of the stark white room, yelling for Stacy to follow her. "Hurry up!" she called back, panic evident in her voice. At that moment, Stacy could have sworn she felt a chilling breath right against her face. Driven by a mix of fear and curiosity, she reached out to touch whatever was lurking in front of her, only to feel an intense coldness envelope her hand. 

She yanked it away and dashed toward the door, but then froze, glancing back over her shoulder. There stood a tall, bald figure clad in white, completely faceless! Her heart skipped a beat. 

“Who are you?” she shouted. To her shock, the figure echoed her words back to her! Her eyes widened in disbelief as she watched the creature's empty visage start to morph, her own features slowly emerging where there had once been nothing but a blank surface. She quickly ran out and shut the door. From behind the door, they can hear scratching, like large claws eager to get through. Stacy and her friend stood frozen in front of the door as the creature continued to claw at it. She heard it say, “Who are you,” with that creepy vibrating voice that it tried desperately to mimic hers.


(The images used in this entry are for the readers entertainment purposes.)



 



Wednesday, March 19, 2025

CG Author’s Updates: March 2025

 


I would like to provide an update regarding my work on Chandra’s Quest & a Time Traveler’s Companion. As many of you are aware, that I was consolidating all four books of the Chandra’s Quest trilogy into a single comprehensive volume. 



Well, I have finished the task and will review it before republishing on Amazon and Google Play. The novel consists of 596 pages. 



Progress on A Time Traveler’s Companion is going well, and it is scheduled for release some time this year but can be found in segments on Google Play for anyone interested in listening to the audiobooks. For more information, please check the Linktree in my profile. Thank you.


 Linktree

KDP Select Program: Should You Join or Not

 

Monday, February 17, 2025

Boycotting Kindle Unlimited

 



Let's talk about this K. U. boycott for a second. I understand the political motivations behind it, I really do. But here's the harsh truth that a lot of people seem to be missing: you're not sticking it to Bezos or Kindle Unlimited. The ones who are actually getting hurt by the boycott are the independent, self-published authors who rely on KU for income and exposure. 



If you're against supporting Amazon, that's fine! There are other options. 

Check out Google Play or Apple Books for eBooks, and Google Play also offers audiobooks. Just please, think about the consequences before canceling out K. U., and thinking you're making some grand statement. You're not. You're just making it tougher for the hardworking indie authors to make a living and sell their books that frankly deserve more exposure. 


KDP Select Program: Should You Join or Not





Sunday, February 16, 2025

The Backrooms

 

Once again, I have to reiterate that certain elements of the Backrooms, such as the game Backrooms: Realm of Shadows and the Backrooms logo, are indeed copyrighted.

 However, the concept/idea of the Backrooms itself isn’t owned by any individual. This lack of a single owner makes it challenging to differentiate between genuine narratives and fan-created stories, as ideas themselves cannot be copyrighted. 



The Backrooms, technically is a creation of the fan community, with numerous individuals contributing through books, videos, and artwork inspired by this intriguing concept of the Backrooms. 

So, when someone claims that Kane Pixel holds the copyright to the Backrooms, that's a misconception. 

He has copyright to his unique interpretation of the Backrooms, including the videos he produces and his YouTube channel. However, the original idea of the Backrooms predates Kane Pixel's work. In reality, his channel serves as a fanfiction platform centered around the Backrooms. Much like other fan based art, literature & videos. 

Overall, do your research and kudos to the creative fans who contributed to the Backrooms lore. 


Linktree


The Backrooms: What Part is Copyrighted 

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Hardcover Books

 


Many of the titles I offer on Amazon and Google Play are available in paperback or eBooks formats. However, after I finish A Time Traveler’s Companion and combine all four volumes of Chandra’s Quest into one book, I plan to release a hardcover edition for these two works.




Chandra’s Quest has reached more than 500 pages, while A Time Traveler’s Companion exceeds 300 pages as well. 

For A Time Traveler’s Companion, I’m in the process of editing it and merging all the sections into a single volume.


I currently offer eBooks and paperbacks for some of my books on Amazon. Since In the Company of Elves is under 200 pages, I won’t be providing a hardcover edition. I invite you to check out the link in my profile to explore my Amazon and GooglePlay pages.


Author's Amazon


GooglePlay




Friday, January 24, 2025

Lost in the Backrooms: Mary Kate’s Parents

 


(I’m dropping some info about MK’s parents, which I’ve been slowly weaving into Vol. 2 of the Phoenix Files as MK’s dreams start to unfold.)


Mary Kate's parents being from the Backrooms, is hardly a secret. This detail is briefly touched upon in Path Less Taken: The Phoenix Files vol. 2. I enjoy dropping hints and spoilers throughout the narrative, allowing readers to catch glimpses of MK's father and mother. 

Clearly, MK's mother is a mutant, and her father, a scientist who was trapped during the accident that created the Backrooms, fell in love with MK’s mother. In a desperate attempt to save her from the transformation her body was undertaking, he committed to administering an experimental drug designed to suppress her changes, hoping to prevent her from becoming one of the many creatures that roam the Backrooms.



The experimental drug proved effective, allowing MK’s mother to recover some of her human traits. However, she still kept her feline ears, flowing white hair, and a delicate layer of soft peach fuzz covering her body. 


MK’s father conducted experiments on himself prior to administering the drug to MK’s mother, resulting in his own transformation. He now possesses three eyes, including a peculiar one located in the center of his forehead. The catch is that this unusual, catlike eye, when opened, has the power to cause pain and suffering to anyone it locks its gaze upon.


His third eye can also send messages crossing dimensions, whilst in a meditative state. The power of his eye is profound and terrifying to those who encounter him and fall to his rage. 

He proclaims himself the king of the Backrooms. It is his world, however MK doesn’t want any part of the Backrooms.  I don't usually drop spoilers, but I hope my readers enjoy this little peek into MK's parents.


Lost in the Backrooms 


Author's Website