Alley B

My book Reflected in Shards, one of the victims of the Google Play Books mass piracy, was taken down after my DMCA report. The dirt-cheap sale price of $0.50 is gone, but the 40-page preview is still there, along with their so-called metadata information. I also saw many other stories published and sold there since 2022, including some Amby Award-winning books, at the same dirt-cheap price. For writers, especially those looking to publish their work professionally, this is an issue that really needs attention.

Hey, not sure if you're aware but your story is pirated on Google Play Books. Just search your username there and you'll find it. 

Hiii

Balcony of Heaven Chapter 39 - Half blessings, half curses: https://www.wattpad.com/1635392164
          
           “Where've you been?” he pressed. His grip tightened, as if a strong wind might carry her away. 
          “I, uh...” She looked away. “Had a few creditors to run from.” 
          She offered a sheepish half-smile. “But I found you now, didn't I?” 
          
          Aaron released her and studied her more carefully, afraid she might be an illusion. “Where are we?” 
          
          They sat beneath the broad shade of a maple tree in a meadow that seemed tucked into the edge of existence itself. Grass rolled endlessly toward a horizon where space no longer felt obligated to end, and time no longer cared to move forward. 
          
          Hope gazed at the distance. 
          “I think...” she said slowly. “This is where we began.”

Balcony of Heaven Chapter 38 - The C-Day: https://www.wattpad.com/1634709783
           “You acted confident,” she continued, perfectly imitating the soft, needling tone he loved to use. “But you were scared, weren't you?” 
          “Careful,” he warned, low and controlled. “I'm not sure what I might do to you if you keep talking.” 
          “Poor thing.” She murmured, as if his threat were nothing but dust. “Everyone else is remembered. Loved.” 
          She tilted her head. “But you?” A scoff. “Who would remember you?” 
          She leaned forward, gripping the back of his leather seat. 
          “If there ever was someone,” her voice softened with pity, “they'd be too disappointed to recognize what you've become.”

I posted a chapter of BOH on my Twitter page. It’s doing well.
          
          https://x.com/glel1991/status/2062921505453777297?s=46
          
          

Balcony of Heaven Chapter 37 - Remembrance Week: https://www.wattpad.com/1633275259
           Her enemy was a demon who had spent centuries manipulating people and power to serve his own ends. 
          Could an ordinary human defeat someone like that? 
          Maybe not the old Hope Rufford. 
          But she wasn't the same girl anymore. Not after everything she had survived. 
          Lucina had lost her war. But Hope hadn’t. 
          “If they want a war,” she said quietly, her eyes darkening with her own fierce determination, “then we'll give them one.”

Participating https://www.wattpad.com/story/411325720-the-unhinged-awards-2026

Balcony of Heaven Chapter 36: 
          "Save your breath to tell that bastard," Grace shouted from the opposite end. 
          Hope whipped toward her, and her heart sank. 
          "Tell him, don't you dare use my girl like a Pandora's box!" Grace barked, grinning through the blood staining her mouth. 
          "She's not a box." Her eyes blazed as they fixed on Hope. "She's hope itself." 
          Her voice rang through the wreckage, proud and triumphant. 
          "I named her Hope, you fucking demons!" 
          Chapter 36 - I named her Hope: https://www.wattpad.com/1631517998

Making it to the ONC round 3 qualifiers feels like being long-listed already. Partly because I think my plot is quite far from the judges' preferences, and partly because I don't want to be demoralized by external expectations. I hear many fellow writers ask how to get more views, win contests, or sell books. I admit I don't know how, and honestly, I don't care. I write primarily because the market doesn't have enough of what I like, so I figured I had to make it myself. 
          External validation is helpful and valuable, but chasing it too much would turn a healthy passion into a job I hate. Even if I miraculously make it big, there is no guarantee I would be able to enjoy it freely without pressure or scrutiny. I am totally satisfied with where I am right now. (◍•ᴗ•◍)