There's Nothing Wrong with Adding Images

 

Writers/Authors can add images into their works. Why not? However, I recommend including descriptions of the scene and the characters' appearances to ensure they align with the images. This helps create a cohesive experience for the reader. 

If some readers are triggered by images in books—that's their problem. Personally, I have no issue with authors using images in their works. For instance, Clive Barker included images in "The Thief of Always," and Harry Harrison did the same in "West of Eden." Personally, I believe that images can enhance storytelling, and I plan to continue using them in my own books.

In addition, if you’re triggered by an author using some images in their books, then move on. It’s that simple.

WEBSITE

The Concept of the Backrooms

When an Author Make Changes to an eBook on KDP, does it get Updated?

 

I asked my son that question and he said that it’s possible that the eBook updates on Kindle devices and the reader will have the updated version, however I searched for the answer and found this:

An eBook updates on KDP when an author uploads a new manuscript, but these changes generally only apply to new purchases. Existing customers who already bought the book keep their original, unedited version, as KDP does not automatically push updates to previously purchased Kindle devices. 

Anyone purchasing the book after the update goes live (usually within 24-48 hours) receives the latest version. Customers who already own the book do not get the update automatically.

Users can sometimes see "UPDATE AVAILABLE" on their "Manage Your Kindle" page if it is a major update, but this is not guaranteed for minor typos.

Technically, if a reader purchased the un-edited version and reviews the book as saying it had typos, another reader won't see the typos because they will have the updated version. 

It's unfortunate, but some authors, me included, occasionally spot typos and other errors in their eBook manuscripts that require immediate updates, no matter how minor. For instance, on my recent uploads, I discovered a couple of typos that prompted me to revise the file and re-upload it to KDP. I want to extend my apologies to those who downloaded the book before these corrections were made. My heart sinks when I come across errors, no matter how minor they may be. Nevertheless, it happens and all I can do is fix it. Indie authors understand what I mean.

Author's Website

Using Images in Your Book

Update on A Time Traveler's Companion

 

New! I just published A Time Traveler's Companion! Please visit the link below to view details on the book. Read/Rate/Review

I will be publishing more excerpts from the book and posting them up on my other blog under CG Heandez.

Images in the eBook are not positioned the way I'd like them to be but rest assured, I will have more control over that when I start working on the paperback version.

(If you are a fan of Doctor Who and enjoy time travel stories with a spicy dark twist, and a touch of humor, you'll enjoy this novel.)

A Time Traveler's Companion

You can find excerpts from the book on this blog

CG Heandez

(Trigger warnings: Sexual content-18 & over)

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

Rates & Reviews do Matter

 

My son captured this image of a book I recently finished called, The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe, which is available at Target now. I bought mine on Amazon. I was drawn to it because of the smut it claims it has. However, I rated it as a three star on Amazon, as I found the storyline somewhat clichéd and reminiscent of typical fanfiction plots. Even the book, Ask Alice: A Tainted Wonderland by Kell Frillman, rated a higher star by me, than this book. 

In The Never King, the character of Wendy does not embody a strong female lead, which raises the question of why this book has become a bestseller on Amazon. I suspect it is largely due to the numerous ratings and reviews it has received since its release, some of which are not particularly favorable by some readers but there it is on Target shelves.

 The significance of ratings cannot be overstated; a book is deemed a bestseller when it accumulates a substantial number of downloads or receives numerous ratings and reviews. However, it's crucial to understand that a high volume of ratings—such as over 1,000—does not inherently indicate quality. Those who claim that ratings and reviews are inconsequential are mistaken; they play a vital role in how platforms like Amazon classify bestsellers. The presence of ratings can elevate a book's visibility, regardless of its actual merit. Consequently, books with fewer ratings may achieve only moderate recognition, while those with extensive reviews are more likely to be prominently featured on Amazon, making them easier for readers to discover.

In my quest to discover indie authors with few ratings, I often navigate through a sea of choices to uncover hidden treasures, a task that can be quite daunting. To my fellow indie writers, I encourage you to persevere! Continue crafting your stories, as there is an audience out there eager to embrace your work.

My Website

CG Heandez Blog

My Amazon Author Pages

End of the Year Entry

Layla Moran: Not a Real Author, Sorry

 

(Though I've written fanfic before, I've never came across plagiarism, not of my Fanfiction stories but this is what I came across regarding one individual who took it upon themselves to boldly use other author's work and relabel it as her/his own.)

Layla Moran has taken three fanfics, from fanfic websites. For over the past few years, she published books that are suspiciously similar to some fanfiction stories from other writers. She claims they are her own. This is a clear case of plagiarism.

It's really disappointing to see someone so openly plagiarizing fanfics by just swapping out names and a few words. This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable. It is disheartening to witness something so distasteful.

I haven't read any of her books, but I did watch a video about her plagiarism, and I found it really disappointing and upsetting. My question is simple: Is she genuinely who she claims to be? With a pen name and what seems to be a fake photo, I can't help but think she's a grifter. She or he is a person who capitalizes on the hard work of others for profit. A person like that is often seen as opportunistic. Personally, I make sure to protect my original works with copyright. Fanfiction typically draws on existing characters and storylines from TV shows or movies, which makes it difficult for writers to secure copyright protection for their work through the copyright office. 

I have published three stories on Wattpad and AO3, with only one being an original work. My book, A Time Traveler’s Companion, is loosely inspired by a fanfiction I wrote several years ago. But I plan on writing a book based on an original story that is posted on AO3 & Wattpad. 

The story is based on the Backrooms. It is essential for authors who have shared their original works on fanfiction websites to take the necessary steps to copyright their creations. While the video discusses the implications of AI for some reason, my focus here is specifically on the issue of plagiarism and how some people are stealing written works. I encourage readers to share their thoughts on this matter in the comments section.

WEBSITE

Video of About Layla Moran

Rates & Reviews Do Matter