Summary Rails 4 in Action is a comprehensive introduction to Rails that guides you hands-on through all you'll need to become a competent and confident Rails developer. In it, you'll master Rails 4 by developing a ticket-tracking application that includes RESTful routing, authentication and authorization, file uploads, email, and more. Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications. About the Book Rails is a full-stack, open source web framework powered by Ruby. Now in version 4, Rails is mature and powerful, and to use it effectively you need more than a few Google searches. You'll find no substitute for the guru's-eye-view of design, testing, deployment, and other real-world concerns that this book provides. Rails 4 in Action is a hands-on guide to the subject. In this fully revised new edition, you'll master Rails 4 by developing a ticket-tracking application that includes RESTful routing, authentication and authorization, file uploads, email, and more. Learn to design your own APIs and successfully deploy a production-quality application. You'll see test-driven development and behavior-driven development in action throughout the book, just like in a top Rails shop. What's Inside Creating your own APIs Using RSpec and Capybara Emphasis on test-first development Fully updated for Rails 4 About the Reader For readers of this book, a background in Ruby is helpful but not required. No Rails experience is assumed. About the Authors Ryan Bigg, Yehuda Katz, Steve Klabnik, and Rebecca Skinner are contributors to Rails and active members of the Rails community. Table of Contents Ruby on Rails, the framework Testing saves your bacon Developing a real Rails application Oh, CRUD! Nested resources Authentication Basic access control Fine-grained access control File uploading Tracking state Tagging Sending email Deployment Designing an API Rack-based applications

Sell Books the Smart Way Five years ago releasing a book as an indie author meant uploading it, then begging everyone you knew to buy it. That method simply doesn't work anymore. Fortunately, there's a better way. Amazon has spent billions of dollars over the last decade building the world's best sales engine. They use machine learning to sell massive piles of books, and that engine is just waiting for you to tap into it. This is the book that will teach you how. Ready to become a six figure author? You'll learn: Why a sale isn't just a sale. Who you sell to is more important than how many How to find your target audience How to train Amazon to sell for you

The publishing industry is changing rapidly, and there are more options for authors than ever before. Should you find an agent and search for a traditional publishing deal or consider self-publishing? Should you print hardcover copies or opt for an ebook-only launch? Should you hire a publicist? This easy-to-read, nuts-and-bolts guide covers everything from what to look for in? a contract to how many copies to print. Some of the topics covered are choosing a publishing strategy, the editorial process, design, printing, sales and distribution, marketing and publicity.'

"Thoughts of the killer still roaming free in the streets chilled Zoes heart, but it fascinated her to ... She took out the scrapbook from under the bed and opened it to the next free page. Then she carefully cut the article from the paper. She leaned her back against the door, prepared to shove the paper and scrapbook under the be if her parents suddenly barged in. She taped the article into the scrapbook and read it again. Progress. What could that mean? Were they about to arrest the killer? The man who grabbed women at night, stripping them and killing them? The monster? That was the papers favorite word when mentioning the killer. A monster on the loose. A monster preying on helpless women. A monster hiding in Maynard. But Zoe realized the horrifying truth. This wasnt a monster. This wasnt some sort of alien or a scaly creature rising from the sewers. Much worse. It was a man."

So, you want to publish books.Drawing on 23 years of experience operating an independent publishing company, Joe Biel has written the most accessible and comprehensive guide to running a successful publishing business. You'll learn all the skills of the trade, including how to:Develop your individual books to connect with readers on a practical and emotional levelChoose between offset printed, digitally printed, and eBook formats and work effectively with printersBuild an authentic niche so you can reach your audience and sell books directlyUnderstand if and when you're ready to work with a distributor or large online retailerCreate a budget and predict the cost and income of each book so your company stays in the blackDecide what work you need to do yourself and what can be done by othersPlan for sustainable growthFeaturing interviews with other upstart independent publishers and funny anecdotes from publishing's long history as well as detailed charts and visuals, this book is intended both beginners looking for a realistic overview of the publishing or self-publishing process and for experienced publishers seeking a deeper understanding of accounting principles, ways to bring their books to new audiences, and how to advance their mission in a changing industry. All readers will come away with the confidence to move forward wisely and a strong sense of why publishing matters today more than ever.

Many authors write, then market. Successful authors write TO market Have you written a book that just isn't selling? Would you like to write a book that readers eagerly devour? Many authors write, then market. Successful authors write TO market. They start by figuring out how to give readers what they want, and that process begins before writing word one of your novel. This book will teach you to analyze your favorite genre to discover what readers are buying, to mine reviews for reader expectations, and to nail the tropes your readers subconsciously crave. Don't leave the success of your novel up to chance. Deliver the kind of book that will have your fans hounding you for the next one.

This free book marketing primer provides authors easy-to-implement advice on how to market their books at Smashwords and major ebook retailers. It starts with an overview of how Smashwords helps promote your book, and then provides 41 simple do-it-yourself marketing tips. The book is useful to all authors, even those who don't yet publish on Smashwords. Updated August 23, 2013.