New Books Published this Year

 

I've been a busy writer this year and the books I've published are:

A Time Traveler's Companion

This book is available as an eBook and audiobook. The audiobook is available in two parts.

I will be publishing the paperback next year and hopefully it will be with IngramSparks.

Next is: The Maze from Hell: A Backrooms Tale

This book has more eBook downloads and a few paperback books have been sold. You can find this book on Amazon and audiobook is available on GooglePlay.

Incidentally, this book was going to be published on IngramSparks for a more broader distribution unfortunately, I published the paperback first on Amazon, so meta sees it as a conflict for a some reason.

Next is : Author's Notes: Personal Notes Based on the Author's Books

This book is a novelette (short story) It is based on the notes I wrote regarding books I've published so far. Does not include Through the Eyes of a Sign Twirler.

Next is: Through the Eyes of a Sign Twirler

I recently published this eBook on GooglePlay books and AppleBooks. I have no intentions of publishing this book on Amazon. I will make it into an audiobook in the coming months.

The books that are in the Editor's hands are:

The Path Less Taken: The Phoenix Files vol. 2

Midnight & Black Dove

Both Books will be published at the end of the year or in the beginning of next year

Thank you for visiting this blog, i appreciate it and please do leave a comment in the comment box.

Through the Eyes of a Sign Twirler

A Time Traveler's Companion

(18 & over)

The Maze From Hell: A Backrooms Tale

(18 & over)

CG Heandez Blog

The Stranger Things: Paranormal, Supernatural & Unusual Phenomenon--Excerpt

 

(This is an excerpt from the book: The Stranger Things: Paranormal, Supernatural & Unusual Phenomenon-Chapter 6 Black Stick Men)

So, what exactly is a Black Stick Man? They are strange creatures, a type of bizarre humanoid that humans don’t come across very often. They’re usually depicted as resembling your classic cartoon stick figure, which makes them some of the most unusual entities people have reported seeing. There’s not a ton of information out there about these odd beings, but plenty of folks have shared their strange encounters with Stick Men, adding to the mystery surrounding them.

These occurrences frequently happen when a witness is feeling extremely tired or under a lot of stress, but that's not the only scenario. You can also find these sightings happening in remote spots, like a lonely stretch of road or an empty highway, or even in other deserted places. This new creature, which isn't paranormal or linked to UFOs, is quite intriguing. I hadn't heard of Stick Men until I started researching for this book. These beings look like simple stick figures, completely lacking any human features. Picture the basic stick figures kids draw, with heads that have no facial details like hair, eyes, or mouths. While some who claim to have seen them say they feel male, they probably don't have a gender since they lack any sexual traits. It's pretty wild! I've encountered shadow people before but never Stick Men. 

I'm curious to see one since they don't seem to pose any threat—at least, I think so. People describe them as having a strange galloping movement, and some even claim they can hover just above the ground! These beings are two-dimensional, which means they look identical no matter what angle you see them from. Quite bizarre, right? I’m really curious to catch a glimpse of one myself. Reports of Black Stick Men have been popping up on message boards and various websites since 2008, and interestingly, they haven’t been featured on shows like Ghost Hunters or other paranormal series, unlike the broader category of shadow people. Lately, I've been hearing more and more stories about people running into these strange figures. Honestly, I can't shake the feeling that something significant is going on.

(Images are for the readers entertainment, enjoy)

WEBSITE

Book

AUDIOBOOK

Barnes & Noble: Ai Generated Books?

 

Social media has become a toxic playground due to people calling everything ai and assuming that every self-published author out there is using ai in their writing and everything else. It’s the paranoia that is running amok. By the way, it’s perfectly okay for authors to use online tools to create videos or images for promoting their books, not saying that those images or videos are made with ai, I’m just saying that it’s no one’s business what an author uses to promote their book, just enjoy the video or image for Godsakes. Stop being uptight and angry.

 If someone dismisses this as AI-generated content, they can simply choose not to engage with it. The choice ultimately lies with the reader. Recently, I’ve noticed discussions online, particularly about Barnes & Noble, which is trending for unexpected reasons.

Many people are accusing the store of endorsing AI-generated books, leading some to call for a boycott. Personally, I don’t shop at Barnes & Noble, so I’m not entirely sure what the fuss is about. In an Indie Author group I’m part of on Facebook, whenever fellow indie or self-published authors post their book covers, there’s often a comment like, “Looks like AI to me” or “AI Slop.” It seems that the term "slop" has become a catch-all for anything that doesn’t meet certain standards.

I came across a comment on Tumblr that included the word "SLOP." The person was talking about a photo of someone genuinely sharing a moment with her dog in her backyard. It seems like people are really overusing that term. One day, we might look back and find it amusing, but for now, it’s not and it is annoying.

In Facebook Indie author groups and Threads, I’ve seen some members demanding proof that authors created their images without AI help, which is just crazy.

(This comment is referring to another author who shared their book cover image, in that group. And this is why I think people are blowing it all out of proportion. Witch Hunt)

If you’re an author facing this, my advice is to simply ignore those comments; they’re just looking to stir up online drama. Remember, if someone is questioning the authenticity of your work, they’re likely not genuinely interested in your book and are just trolling. Recognize these signs, scroll past their negativity, or delete their comments if you can, and don’t hesitate to block them. 

NOTE: I use KDP gallery images that are provided. However, three books do have covers that I created myself but I used Render, Bender and whatever online tools available. Personally, I don't have to tell anyone how I made my book covers and that's my point. No author should do that. If a person is genuinely interested in their book, they'll read it. Period.

In conclusion, bookstores like Barnes & Noble don’t care what books they sell, if the book has garnered a lot of rates/reviews, the company will buy copies and sell them in their stores to make a profit. They don’t care.

New Entry

Ask The Author: Q & A's

 

These are questions from random people who have read some of my books.

Q: In your book, The Maze from Hell, can you give me more background info on Syra and Kyle? It doesn’t appear that you wrote about their life before the Backrooms.

A: You’re right. This is their background:

Kyle, a divorcee, is five years younger than Syra, and is a father to three kids—two daughters and a son. While working the night shift at Walmart, he accidentally found himself in the Backrooms. How it happened was, during a break, he stepped into the restroom, and when he emerged, he was met with a disorienting yellow maze instead of the familiar store.

Turning around, he realized the door he exited had vanished. Navigating through level 0 like many before him, he made his way to other levels until he encountered one of the colonies and decided to stay.

Syra was a married woman with a loving family. Her children were already adults when she mysteriously vanished. The details of how she found herself in the Backrooms are hazy, as her experiences there have clouded her memories of the events leading up to her arrival. Initially, she faced the same challenges as others in that non-Euclidean dimension, but eventually, she reached the Raiders colony and met Kyle. Accepting that returning home was no longer an option, Syra and Kyle formed a bond, navigating their new reality together while learning from the people around them.

Q: Was Mr. Smith, in your book, A Time Traveler’s Companion, have other companions not mentioned in your book?

A: Yes, but they were short lived. After Melanie left but before he met Remi, he had a brief encounter with a woman from the day spa where he first took Remi. Following that, there was Ella, whom I mentioned in the book, along with a few others. However, it was Remi who truly captured his heart and became his long-term companion until her passing. Later, during his fifth incarnation, he took Ryla as a companion, however she referred to him as uncle because of their history. No intimate encounters between them. When Ryla dies, years later, he continues his journeys with new companions.

Q: You mentioned that A Time Traveler’s Companion is loosely inspired by a fanfiction you wrote. Does it follow the original story?

A: Well, it’s a bit of both. While some elements from the fanfiction remain, many aspects have been altered. Given that it’s a Doctor Who fanfic, I made several changes during the writing process, which unexpectedly led to the novel exceeding 500 pages. I believe the story stands apart from the fanfiction, and I appreciate you taking the time to read my book.

 

Q: In your book Flare, you mentioned that Cher knows Jane’s parents. Can you elaborate?

A: They were quite close, as Cher often assisted the Hunters, the organization to which Jane’s parents belonged. Their friendship deepened over the years, and Cher was present when Jane was born. However, after Jane’s parents passed away, Cher couldn’t take her in due to her nature as an energy vampire.

Cher is an enigmatic individual and remains so throughout the Phoenix Files book series. She will appear in one of the volumes from the series, assisting Jane on one of the assignments.

Thank you for visiting this blog and if you have any questions regarding my books, please feel free to ask.

Websites

CG Heandez

Cecile Garcia

KO-Fi

NEW ENTRY

Tired of the Whole AI Crusade

 

Lately, I've noticed a surge of comments about supposed authors using AI in various ways, and honestly, I'm tired of the ongoing crusade against indie and self-published writers. Many of those accusing indie authors of relying on AI seem more interested in stirring up drama and attracting views than in any genuine concern about the issue. Ironically, the same individuals who are now criticizing authors for potential AI use are the ones who dismissed indie authors over a decade ago. For instance, I received some pretty harsh reviews for my first book published in the 2000s, which just goes to show that this kind of negativity isn't new, it just has taken on a new face. If you can't see the image, please click on it.

Don’t think that this person would use the ai excuse to put down indie authors now? Well, guess again.

Other Author’s shaming & accusing other authors of using ai:

I saw a comment on Threads about an author who made a video accusing 67 other authors of using AI for their images, book covers, and writing. Apparently, she participated in a contest with them a year ago and might have lost, which could explain her need to vent and criticize the others. In her video, she named these authors and claimed they were using AI, but she provided no evidence to back up her accusations. That was uncalled for. What a bitch, right?

Below is the screenshot of the thread:

It hasn’t changed, it is the same behavior I’ve seen online and in real life toward indie authors. I’m not speaking for all authors, but I do know that most are not using ai for writing however if they used it for images or videos or a book cover, that’s their business, not the accuser’s. If you're judging an author's work based solely on the images or videos, they use to promote their books, it's best to just scroll past. If it triggers you, to a point of insanity, simply move on; it's really that easy. You don't have to purchase their book, especially when there are others that are buying their books. While it's true that AI has disrupted the industry and many innocent authors are caught in the crossfire, indie authors should toughen up and recognize that negativity often stems from jealousy among critics. The woman who accused 67 authors in her video, has taken it down now from YouTube, probably because of all the rage it invoked but maybe that’s what she wanted. Figures, right. A person like her is far from professional and instead of being supportive and actually giving the benefit of the doubt, she chose to be a--well you know what I mean.

Q & A

YouTube

Threads

Ko-Fi

 

Ai Online Drama

 

How many of you indie/self-published authors are getting tired of people who have or will never read your books, accuse you of using ai? How many times have you read in a post about ai and its evil influences? Personally, I’ve read many and it gets tiring. In fact, I tend to scroll past them. I recently came across a discussion in a Facebook author group where someone questioned the fuss over authors using AI, suggesting that critics will always find something to complain about, regardless of the choice.

However, whenever AI is mentioned, the conversation often turns heated, with people attacking others for either supporting or opposing its use. This topic is tricky; if you view AI as nothing more than a tool or if you’re indifferent toward it, and you don’t care, you might still face backlash based on your stance alone. 

To quote what someone once said: The whole ai paranoia is out of control.

Honestly, it is. I agree but nevertheless, I believe in, live and let live. Whether an author uses ai is none of my business because it doesn’t affect me, or it shouldn’t. I have no association with that person so, yeah.

However, as I stated before, if you’re indifferent about ai in general, then others see it as an opportunity to throw shade on you and accuse you of using ai even if you didn’t. I try to scroll past any mention of ai online posts because of the drama but sometimes it can’t be helped.

 NOTE: Many authors, including myself, have been writing and self-publishing long before AI became a topic of discussion; I've been writing since the early 2000s. Recently, I shared that info in a conversation, and someone responded with, "Well, AI has been around for a while," which honestly left me speechless. It was a ridiculous response, one that I did not respond to. A bot or troll, I don’t know but that is why I try not to engage.

If the people who post these comments are not trolls or bots, then it seems that some individuals are just looking for reasons to disparage indie authors. That's my candid take on the situation. By the way, sometimes those ai apps that claim to show you if ai was used--aren’t as accurate as you think they are. If you want to comment, please do so, I’m interested in your opinion. 

WEBSITE

 Ko-Fi

The Backrooms Creator?

 

With all the excitement surrounding Kane Pixel's upcoming Backrooms movie, it's easy to overlook the fact that he didn't actually create the Backrooms lore.

No one really owns the Backrooms. Here’s a breakdown of the copyright status of The Backrooms:

The initial 4chan post and the original image of The Backrooms are considered to be in the public domain, as they were posted anonymously and have been treated as free for anyone to use.

Most of the expanded lore and user-generated content, particularly on wikis like the Backrooms Wiki on Wikidot, is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 (CC-BY-SA). This means you can create your own stories. 

The core IDEA is free for anyone to expand upon (often under CC-BY-SA), but specific, original adaptations, like in books, media & movies are protected and copyrighted. I am not throwing shade on Kane Pixel’s creativity; I am only stating the facts when it comes to the Backrooms. Please feel free to comment if you wish. I will go see the movie since everything Backrooms fascinates me.

NOTE: A24 has the copyright to their movie, but not the actual word, The Backrooms since the word and the concept of the Backrooms is an internet creepy pasta and it's origin is unknown. Thousands of people have created videos, literature and other media involving the Backrooms. If A24 suddenly started asking social media platforms to remove everything related to the backrooms, they would be alienating half of the Backrooms fans. The fans are what made the whole concept popular!

(Images in this blog are for the readers' entertainment only)

MY WEBSITE

Betrayal

 

As my son and I drove along Lazycreek Road in our small town, we passed Oakbridge Road, and I casually wondered if my ex-friend still lived there. Curious, he asked what had happened between us. Although I felt a bit uncomfortable sharing, I realized he was now an adult at 29, so I decided to open up. I explained that the fallout occurred 40 years ago in 1986 when I was in love with a man who didn’t feel the same way. I had confided in her about becoming intimate with my boyfriend, which was a significant moment for me as it was my first time. To me, it felt like magic, and I viewed him as my soulmate. 

My ex-friend and I had been close since middle school, and I had hoped she would keep my secret safe. Unfortunately, she shared it with her boyfriend, who later became her husband. He told her to distance herself from me, labeling me a "slut." At that time, I was in my early 20s and certainly didn’t fit that description. My ex-friend and I came from conservative families, but I was the black sheep in mine. That year, I not only lost my first true love when he broke up with me a few months later, but I also lost a friend due to ignorance and stupidity. I felt a wave of disappointment when I learned that she had moved to Menifee in the 90s. Though this entry may not relate directly to my books, it offers a glimpse into how I draw inspiration for my male characters from real men I've encountered. Comments are appreciated.

(Images used in this blog are for entertainment purposes. BTW, the earrings the woman is wearing in the photo are similar to a pair of earrings I had at the time.)

MY WEBSITE

Unpopular Opinion

 

Authors keep trying to justify that they wrote/write their own books and did not use ai, even though they weren’t ask to prove it. Just stop. If you’ve been writing for quite some time and have published several books throughout the years, you don’t have to justify yourself.

Just put your books out there, let the readers enjoy your books. Another thing: Yes, AI paranoia runs rampant but just because a publisher or indie author uses a video that may seem like ai generated to advertise an author’s book, doesn’t mean the book itself is ai generated! 

Trolls and haters will always cause online drama to deter readers away from author’s books because that’s what they do. Believing their lies will only mean you’re missing out on a potentially good novel. By the way, authors shouldn’t have to pay an influencer to promote their book. If the influencer likes your book then they should mention it in their podcast or stream, for free. Indie authors shouldn't pay someone to review their books either. Reviews/rates will come when the readers posts them. I made a short video of this blog entry, not all of what I have written here made it into the video, though. if you have your own opinion about this entry, please I encourage people to post their comments.

WEBSITE

Author's Amazon Page

Author's GooglePlay Page

CG Heandez

Leaving Reviews Help

Yes, leaving reviews and ratings is definitely beneficial to the author. Contrary to what some might say, anyone who has purchased your book or downloaded it during a promotional offer is eligible to leave feedback. While there’s a common belief that reviews from friends or family could lead to a ban, this isn’t necessarily accurate. It’s fear mongering by other authors.

Question: How would platforms like Amazon or Goodreads even determine if reviewers are related? Some claim that these sites dig through social media for connections, but is it worth the effort to invade someone’s privacy just to invalidate their reviews? Sounds ridiculous, isn't it. It makes no sense really, since millions of self-published authors publish their books every year and to waste that much time for one author is mind blowing. Consider this for a moment: if an author faces negativity from haters or a disgruntled peer, it might create some buzz, but authors, don’t let that fear hold you back. 

It’s important not to discourage anyone from sharing their ratings or reviews of your books.  A smart move for any author is to secure an ISBN number before publishing on KDP or any other platform. It costs $125, and having your own ISBN can enhance your book's visibility with major retailers, rather than relying solely on Amazon for distribution.

Apparently, Amazon primarily focuses on distributing books through its own platform, unlike IngramSparks, which reaches a wider range of retailers. While I’m not entirely sure about the specifics yet, many authors have shared that they wished for their books to be available in places like Target, Walmart, or libraries, but Amazon's distribution is limited to its own site. 

This year, I’m planning to take a different approach by not only publishing a paperback through Amazon KDP but also utilizing IngramSparks for broader distribution. You can find more information about Bowker Publishing Services in the link below. Thank you for visiting my blog and please subscribe to my channel. Not all blog entries are made into short videos but most are.

BOWKER

WEBSITE

YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Unpopular Opinion

Pseudonyms: Why Authors Use Them

 

Some authors choose to adopt a pseudonym to keep their identities hidden from family and friends. In my case, my family is already aware of the pen names I use, so I have nothing to hide.

 However, I came across a comment on Threads suggesting that one reason authors choose pen names is to avoid family members expecting to find personal details about themselves in their work. When a book isn’t a biography, it’s unlikely to reflect the author’s life experiences.

 I can honestly say that in some of my books, I drew inspiration from certain individuals that I once knew. Their personalities are forever engraved in the characters. As for family members, I never incorporated them into my books.

 Will the people that I did incorporate into some of my books, ever see themselves reflected in my writing? Perhaps, but if they don’t remember me or have blocked me on social media, then it’s unlikely.

Side note, at the end of each of my books, I include a section called Author’s Notes, where readers can find additional insights about the characters and other details. Thank you for visiting my blog. Consider subscribing to my channel—link below. While not every blog post is turned into a short video, the majority are.

WEBSITE

YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Updates on my Books 2026

I am sharing a link to my blog under CG Heandez where I post updates on books I've written under that pseudonym. Please visit and comment on any entry you wish. Thank you. 

CG Heandez

Cecile Garcia

Leaving Reviews Help

Pseudonyms:Why Authors Use Them 

End of the Year Updates: 2025

 

This past year has been incredibly challenging for my family and me, especially after losing my husband in September. May he rest in peace. Despite the difficulties, I’ve managed to make some strides with my writing, particularly with my books. This year, I released three books: two are low-content titles, and one is an eBook featuring a short story I originally shared on Wattpad and AO3. For the eBook, I went with my pseudonym, CG Heandez, so if you're interested in checking it out, make sure to search for it under that name. 

I recently discovered that a book sharing the same title as one of my own (Chandra’s Quest) is available at Walmart and Target. I was flabbergasted, as I had assumed that major retailers typically avoid stocking books with few or no ratings/reviews. I found out that the author used a certain website to push her book out there and I’ll be doing the same for one of my other books that I have not yet published into a paperback book yet. It’s worth mentioning that while both books (Chandra's Quest) share the same title, their content is quite different.

My Chandra’s Quest has been around for 23 years, its first edition published in 2003. The second edition published in 2013, which brought together all four books of the series into a single volume. This comprehensive edition spans 567 pages, eBook & paperback version.

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge that "Lost in the Backrooms: The Phoenix Files vol. 1" has achieved the highest number of downloads this year and last. This outcome has taken me by surprise, yet I am pleased with the success it has garnered. Though it may not have as many rates/reviews as I'd hope but I'm still pleased with what it has. Next, The Secret Diary of a Gypsy Heart is now available in paperback, and I've made some updates to it as well. 

Which of my books do I want to see at major retail stores? 

Chandra’s Quest and A Time Traveler’s Companion, both titles have a page count that exceeds over 400. However, I believe that there's no way I can make Chandra's Quest available on IngramSpark, but I will publish A Time Traveler's Companion as a paperback there.

*Currently I'm in the process of editing A Time Traveler’s Companion, giving it the last look over before releasing it as an eBook on Amazon. Page count for this book is 564. 

 Books under my pseudonym Cecile Garcia

Books currently available under the pseudonym CG Heandez

Have a Happy New Year!

CG Heandez

My Amazon Author Pages (Books For Sale)

 

Books I've written under these two pseudonym

Cecile Garcia

CG Heandez

A Time Traveler's Companion will be published in a few weeks as an eBook and later as a paperback. Meanwhile it is available as audiobooks-vol.1 & 2 on GooglePlay.

Cecile Garcia

CG Heandez

End of the Year Entry

Social Media Indie Author Groups

 

I recently decided to leave a few self-promotion groups for indie authors on Facebook due to the lack of approval for my recent posts. While I noticed other authors successfully promoting their work, my submissions remained unapproved for several weeks, prompting my departure from those groups. I chose to stay with the groups that did approve my posts, but I find it perplexing why my contributions were overlooked. As an indie author, self-promotion is crucial, and social media offers valuable opportunities. However, it feels misleading when groups claim to support self-promotion for indie authors yet exclude certain posts. I wanted to share my experience to inform fellow authors about this issue. If you've had similar problems, please comment in the comment box below. thank you.

WEBSITE

LINKTREE

Fanfiction

Ai Online Drama