Author: C.E. Flores

October 2023 Writing Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

Screaming into the void! That’s how the writing challenge went for me in October. I devoted so many hours to working my day jobs that NO writing got done. 

Then, despite all the publicity (See YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR (ME) ARTICLE & PODCAST FEATURES), October was a dismal month for sales. I’m going to blame it on Amazon Prime days, but who knows? It could have been just a fluke. 

On the last day of the month, I finally got the editing done for the revised version of The Mexican Apothecary. The internet hasn’t been very cooperative lately, so we’ll see when I can get the new edition uploaded. 

In November, I signed up for Nanowrimo mostly for accountability purposes. I am DETERMINED to get some writing done this month. And just because I can, I’m choosing herbs as my focus once again. I’ve already started my research on wild roses in traditional Mexican remedies. 

Yippee kay-ya-eh. Move along, little bookies!!!

Your Favorite Author (me) Article & Podcast Features

| C.E. Flores

Would you believe that articles I’ve written are featured in not one but TWO digital zines this month, a print magazine, and a podcast? Whoop!

Take a gander at A Cup of Chocolate in A Tale of Two Cities in BookWorm Nook Magazine

Read it now

Explore the mystical world of Mexican Herbalism: Traditional Knowledge and Modern Applications in ReAwakened Online Magazine.

Read it now

Discover the mystical journey of Monarch butterflies as they dance between realms, serving as ethereal messengers bridging this world and the afterlife in this enchanting exploration of their symbolism and significance in the October/November issue of the Edge Magazine. 

Monarch Butterflies: Messengers of the Afterlife

But wait, there’s more! I’m also on Rediscovering Your Passion and Purpose with Patti! 

Season 2 – Episode 4 

“Surviving Mexico with Camille Flores. Camille talks about how she overcame starting from scratch in rural Mexico. This included building a house, getting electricity, and figuring things out. One of the unexpected things to happen to Camille was discovering a passion for Mexico herbalism. She now writes books about her adventures in Mexico and about the health benefits of the many herbs she is discovering and the historical importance of each of them.”

Listen now on: 

Whew! Gotta say, all this attention is a bit overwhelming! Fortunately (or not) I don’t expect a repeat next month.

Writing Challenge Update October 2023

| C.E. Flores

I’d hang my head in shame since I didn’t complete ANY of my proposed writing projects for the month, but I did get a roof put on and stopped an insurrection in La Yacata, so I’m going to be forgiving of myself this month. AND I get the added bonus of having had some juicy adventures, which I will undoubtedly feature in a future book (or two). 

I have a lot of book marketing planned for this month. Or rather, marketing that I had planned previously has dogpiled during the month of October. I’ll be airing on a podcast, appearing in a print magazine, and in TWO online magazines. Thus, I’ll be tooting my own horn a lot in the next few weeks. Hope you can bear the trumpets!

I also signed up to do an October Reading challenge from bookstore.org and will be appearing every Sunday between teaching classes to Chinese students at the impromptu community meetings that are taking place in front of my house, which often devolve into angry mobs. To say I’ve got a lot going on at the moment is an understatement. 

However, I’m going to see this writing challenge through. My goal for this month is to get that Mexican Apothecary book edited and republished. I also plan on working on books in the La Yacata series, although which book I focus on might vary from day to day. I’m desperate to get back to my herb studies, and I might be able to sneak in a plant or two, but I don’t think I’ll have anything publishable in that genre by the end of the month. 

I guess I’ll just take it one word at a time and see how it goes. What are you writing this month?

Celebrate the Season with Bookshop.org’s Fall Reading Challenge!

| C.E. Flores

Are you ready to lose yourself in the enchanting world of books this fall? Bookshop.org presents its Fall Reading Challenge, and it’s the perfect opportunity to cozy up with some captivating reads and potentially win amazing prizes. Whether you’re a seasoned bookworm or just an occasional dabbler in the world of literature, this challenge promises an exciting journey from October 1st to 31st. Let’s dive in and discover how you can be a part of this literary extravaganza!

How to Join the Challenge

Participating in the Fall Reading Challenge is as easy as picking up your favorite book. Simply follow these steps:

  • Sign Up: Head over to Beanstack and sign up for the Fall Into Reading Challenge. It’s your passport to a month filled with reading and fun activities.
  • Log Your Reading: As you devour your books, record your progress on Beanstack. Logging your reading journey is not only satisfying but also an essential part of the challenge.
  • Complete Activities: Keep an eye out for exciting activities throughout October. Completing these activities will earn you badges on a Bingo card, adding a competitive twist to your reading adventure.
  • Prizes and Treats: Brace yourself for the fantastic prizes up for grabs!

Prizes and Treats

The Fall Reading Challenge offers some incredible incentives to keep you motivated and engaged:

Grand Prize Winner:

  • A generous $250 Bookshop.org Gift Card to fuel your reading addiction.
  • An additional $250 donation to the bookstore of your choice, supporting local businesses and authors.

Gold Prize Winners (10 Lucky Readers):

  • Each gold prize winner will receive a $50 Bookshop.org gift card to expand their personal library.

Discounts for Everyone:

  • Achieve a Bingo on your card, and you’ll be rewarded with a 10% discount on your next Bookshop.org purchase.
  • Go the extra mile and complete the entire Bingo card to unlock an impressive 20% off an additional order, letting you explore even more literary treasures.

Official Rules

Before you get started, make sure to familiarize yourself with the official rules of the challenge. You can find all the details here.

Join the Challenge!

I challenge you to read with me and discover the joy of books all over again. Join the Bookshop.org (NY) Fall Reading Challenge on Beanstack by entering my friend code: 1BTXSHR. Download the app here or visit Bookshop.org on Beanstack to immerse yourself in this literary adventure.

This fall, let’s celebrate the magic of books, explore new worlds, and create unforgettable reading memories. Keep turning those pages, and who knows, you might be one of the lucky winners to take home fabulous prizes. Happy reading!

Check out Cherokee By Nature

| C.E. Flores

I am so excited to announce that Cherokee By Nature in Apodaca, Mexico, is now carrying two of my books. Take a look!

If you are looking for essential oils, crystals, incense, and more, Cherokee By Nature has you covered!

Check them out on Instagram and Facebook.

Writing Challenge Update September

| C.E. Flores

Sadly, I don’t have a new release this month, but I have been making progress. If you remember, I am reworking some parts of The Mexican Apothecary. The first half of the book is done. This month I hope to do the second half and re-release it in October.

Then, I’ve started on the book that chronicles the crackpot income-generating ideas we’ve tried since moving to Mexico. The working title is Minding the Business in La Yacata. I might need a month or two more on that. The rough draft is done, but the editing–oh, the editing.

I do have some freebies for you to hold you over until these WIPs are done. I also have some freebies for you. First, A Woman’s Survival Guide to Holidays in Mexico is free on Amazon until Labor Day.

Get it now

Then, Sip Your Way to Summer Wellness: 10 Delectable Herbal Elixers for Refreshing Vitality is available via Edge Magazine.

Get it now

And finally, Herbal Academy also has a free ebook you can download, 11 Herbal Recipes for Memory and Focus.

Get it now

See you at next month’s writing challenge check-in!

August 2023 Writing Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

I wasn’t sure I was going to finish the shopping book in July. Not only did formatting give me grief, but the rainy season meant my internet was unstable, and uploading the manuscript to Amazon took DAYS! 
Anyway, to celebrate, the ebook version of A Woman’s Survival Guide to Shopping in Rural Mexico: Where to Go to Get the Essentials is FREE August 1-5. The print version is still under review and not live quite yet on Amazon. 


As much as I want to work on herbs some more (the wellness garden book is calling my name), I’m going to spend this month working on another book in La Yacata series. It’s not my best-selling series, but I’m pretty sure I can get this one out in a month, as I have the draft done already. Remember that impressive list of WIP I started the year with?


I am going to do some revisions on The Mexican Apothecary book. I received some constructive criticism which I’m going to use to rethink the book before I move on to the next one in the series. So I won’t totally be deprived of herbs this month! Don’t forget to grab your free book! 

Get it now

Publishing is Only the Beginning

| C.E. Flores

Alright, fellow writer, listen up! After pouring your heart and soul into your children’s book and finally getting it published, you deserve a round of applause. But guess what? The hard work is far from over. Today, I’m here to share the inside scoop on the top three things you need to know after publishing your children’s book. So grab your favorite beverage, relax, and let’s dive in.

  1. Spread the Word Like Wildfire: First and foremost, you need to get the word out about your book. Utilize every tool in your arsenal: social media, email lists, book reviews, and word of mouth. Be creative with your marketing tactics. Consider hosting a virtual book launch party, collaborating with other authors, or even creating a captivating book trailer. Generating buzz is key to reaching a wider audience. For more ideas, check out Book Hawking: A Beginner’s Guide to Marketing Your Self-Published Book.
  2. Embrace the Hustle: Independent publishing requires you to be a jack of all trades. From writing to editing to marketing, you’re responsible for every aspect of your book’s success. Embrace the hustle and put in the effort required. Set clear goals and create a detailed plan of action to achieve them. Remember to celebrate your achievements along the way, no matter how small. For just a little more guidance, check out Book Building: A Beginner’s Guide to Crafting Your Book.
  3. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help: As an author, asking for help can be a game-changer. Network with other authors, join writing communities, and consider taking courses on marketing and branding. Don’t let pride hold you back from seeking assistance. Remember, we’re all in this together, and collaboration can open doors you never thought possible. Make connections and learn from the best with the KidLit Creators 3 stack from Infostack.

So, congratulations on publishing your children’s book! Just remember, the journey doesn’t end there. Spread the word, embrace the hustle, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. The road may be long, but the reward is worth it. Keep pushing forward, take chances, and share your remarkable story with the world.

Available July 18-25!

Learn More About Kidlit Creators 3.0

July 2023 Writing Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

Well, I’m not as impressed with my progress this month as I’d like to be, but progress is progress, right? 

I had the intention of getting the shopping book launched and was well on the way to doing just that when I got what may have been sun poisoning during the mid-month heat wave. I spent entirely too much time sleeping and recuperating, which I suppose did me good because I’m up and about again anyway. 

So I managed to get the draft of the shopping book edited but still need to do the formatting (which is my least favorite aspect of publishing and one I tend to procrastinate the most at). 

My goal remains to get this shopping book done. I’m not going to set myself another task this month. If I finish early, then I can reward myself with some herb research.