What's Happening ?

It's been a while since I had an update but behind the scenes here a lot has been going on.
The self-publishing industry has expanded so much this year that some of the major companies are merging their services, others are introducing new ones, and a few are closing down.

For me, as an imprint owner of Gizzard publishing, I've been reading manuscripts, doing some editing, and giving feedback to a group of first time Authors who have signed up to Gizzard Publishing and I am humbled to have the trust of these talented, amazing Authors. Towards the beginning of next year you will all get to read some of the wonderful, hilarious, often sad, works these Authors will bring to you.

My next Nick Benson novel hit an issue when my Mac died. I'm wise enough to know to back up everything, and I have moved my home office to another room now, and everything feels fresh, and invigorating.
Having taken a break from writing to focus on others, it has stirred up my imagination,  and I have generated a few more outlines for future books I hope to offer you next year.
For now, my plan is to finish 'Rogue' and bring it to market by the end of the year.

Thanks for subscribing, and following, and G+1's - I really appreciate you all.

Amazon Launches Kindle Fire HD in Australia

Fantastic News !

As an Author who publishes on Amazon Kindle, my audience just got much bigger.

Amazon has finally launched Kindle Fire HD and Kindle App Store in Australia, and the news could not have come at a
better time. Right before the Holidays.

For the first time, you can now pay in Australian Dollars, and have your goods shipped to Australia.

This is fantastic news for my book readers.

With this in mind, we have reduced the prices on some of our top-selling books in the Kindle Store.

Choose from 700,000 titles priced under four bucks, and 1.4 million books under $10. 

- - - Author Interview with Ruby Binns-Cagney - - -

Author Interview with Ruby Binns-Cagney

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

I grew up in a small town in England. I lived near a library, and got into reading fiction books while attending college.
I enjoyed crime thrillers by Lawrence Block, James Patterson, and Patricia Cornwell, and it gave me an interest in Criminology and Psychology and I put it together from there.
After college I got interested in Forensic Science, and took my interests further into my book writing, which features crime scene investigations and forensic testing of evidence in homicides, based in New York City.

When did you first start writing?

I wrote my first fictional short story book on paper aged sixteen. I showed it to my classmates, and told them to look out for it to be published.
Of the friends who read the book, they all said it was fantastic.
It gave me a real confidence boost.
It wasn't until much later in life that I got around to being a self-published Author due to extensive travel and career plans.
I gained certification as a Life and Relationship Coach, and write relationship self-help books alongside fiction.

What's the story behind your latest book?

My latest new fiction book, "1-8-7 Homicide, New York," is an espionage-themed crime thriller featuring NYPD's Detective Sergeant Finkel Macaulay.
The challenge for Macaulay begins when she discovers her husband, FBI Supervisory Special Agent Nick Benson has kept a major secret from her, and it rocks their marriage. They're already trying to cope with Nick's Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and it's getting worse. His medication has stopped working, and he becomes violent, with disastrous consequences.
It was challenging to create such intense drama for the main characters because they're usually romantic with each other.
I hope my readers will enjoy it, and give me their thoughts.

What motivated you to become an indie author?

I had a manuscript ready for a long time before I broached the idea of self-publishing as an Indie Author. The learning curve for digital publishing was very steep until I discovered Smashwords, and how simple it was to have extended distribution to other retailers.
I spent an entire weekend and emerged with a book published and on sale.
It was a pivotal moment in my writing career.
Now I publish one book every month. I enjoy writing so much I set up BinnsCagneyPublishing and Design Co to encourage new Authors to self-publish.

How has Smashwords contributed to your success?

From the get go, Smashwords has metaphorically held my hand through the entire digital publishing process. Without any assistance I've been able to produce high quality digital books on many platforms for eBook readers including Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, and Canada's Kobo reader.

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

I especially enjoy creating high suspense and drama. Keeping the readers guessing what will happen next. Unlike a movie, readers have to get to the next part of the plot over several days' reading.
The build up of suspenseful story telling is the real skill.
Once the reader cares about whether the characters survive the explosion, or manage to escape from the serial killer hopefully goes a long way to their enjoyment of my books. I certainly hope so!

What do your fans mean to you?

My fans mean the world to me. I get so many messages on Facebook and on my blog from fans who love NYPD's Detective Sergeant Finkel Macaulay and the FBI's Supervisory Special Agent Nick Benson, and often ask me if they will stay together!
It helps that Finkel and Nick are so sexy and passionate, and enjoy being physical with each other.
I introduced a new character, Mike Sabrini, who is a Crime Scene Investigator who becomes infatuated with Finkel, and the fans went wild !
Some of them told me in no uncertain terms that Finkel belongs with Nick !
I found it so incredible that my fans are already so invested in my characters.
I love to hear from fans at my Facebook Page Author Ruby Binns-Cagney because it's important to me to connect with them, and give them the enjoyment of my books they seek.

What are you working on next?

I've just finished writing "1-8-7 Homicide New York" which is available for Pre-Order at Smashwords, and will be published on September 7.
The next book in the 'Detective Macaulay Homicide Case' series is called '5th Avenue Murder' and is available in twelve languages, and you can sample it at Amazon.com soon!
In fact, all my books are available for sampling at Smashwords.com at anytime.

Books by This Author

1-8-7 Homicide - New York    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Pre-release — available September 7, 2013. Price: $2.99 USD. Approx. 56,550 words. Language: American English. Category: Fiction.

From The Author of 'Pandora's Box' and 'The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy' comes a thriller with a tantalizing twist. Divorce Attorney Helena Webster-Rumholdt is assaulted in Central Park while out on a run. A victim's body is found in Central Park's Lake and NYPD's Detective Finkel Macaulay is called in to investigate.

Tabula Rasa    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $3.99 USD. Approx. 57,690 words. Language: English. Published on July 27, 2013. Category: Fiction.

NYPD Detective Finkel Macaulay takes on a Homicide case which brings death to her door. When one of their own is abducted, the NYPD and FBI scramble to capture him. As she pursues the killer,Finkel has to make a decision which could cost her everything she ever wanted.

Pandora's Box    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $2.99 USD. Approx. 25,950 words. Language: English. Published on June 29, 2013. Category: Fiction.

A grisly Homicide case leaves Detective Macaulay's life changed forever. One Homicide Detective. One FBI Special Agent. One suspect.One mysterious box. Two corpses. As one man's impulse to kill is challenged, his horrifying grip on a small town is threatened. Detective Macaulay's determination to stop him comes with unforeseen risk.

One For The Money - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #1   by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $1.99 USD. Approx. 11,430 words. Language: English. Published on May 16, 2013. Category: Fiction.

***IT’S FINALLY HERE! The 1st book in the Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy!!*** Flirty, Frisky, Frantic and Frightening: "One For The Money" is just plain thrilling!!!! The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy brings you sizzle and sleuth-boggling murder, chaos and mayhem. Overview of One For The Money: One corpse. One manhunt. One chance for Macaulay to trap a sadist. The countdown begins.

Lay Lady Lay - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #2    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $1.99 USD. Approx. 18,520 words. Language: English. Published on May 22, 2013. Category: Fiction.

**IT’S HERE! The 2nd book in the Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy!!*** Fast paced, sexy, and exciting !!!! The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy picks up the pace - A relentless sadist has put a target on Detective Macaulay's back. The clock is ticking. Overview of Lay Lady Lay: One dead blonde. One bomb. One sadist. Detective Macaulay is not about to quit.

Albatross The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #3    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $1.99 USD. Approx. 28,710 words. Language: English. Published on June 9, 2013. Category: Fiction.

****The FBI and NYPD's hunt for Bo Harknett intensifies to its thrilling climax. ****** One life hangs in the balance. One chance. Time is running out. Will Detective Macaulay get there in time to capture Harknett?

Ultimate Intimacy    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $0.99 USD. Approx. 10,340 words. Language: English. Published on April 17, 2013. Category: Nonfiction.

How do you achieve an ultimate level of intimacy which lasts, deepens and grows? When you are in a happy, passionate relationship, you want it to last. Inevitably, the passion cools and soon fades. "Ultimate Intimacy" has expert relationship advice which guides you towards new ways to develop real intimacy, which serve as a foundation you can build the crucial components of intimacy upon.

All About Love - A Guide To Evolving Relationships    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $1.97 USD. Approx. 5,150 words. Language: English. Published on February 19, 2013. Category: Nonfiction.

What do you want your relationship to mean to you? What is it about love that attracts you to it? How can you grow as a couple once you are in love? These are questions which are answered in 'All About Love-A Guide To Evolving Relationships' the exciting new book from Ruby Binns-Cagney, Expert Relationship Coach.

Love Over 40: Find Real Lasting Love    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $1.99 USD. Approx. 9,480 words. Language: English. Published on January 31, 2013. Category: Nonfiction.

'Love Over 40' is the essential guide for women, and anyone aged 40 or over who wants to find lasting love, whether you have just ended a relationship or marriage, or have not dated for some time.This valuable self help book is written by relationship expert Ruby Binns-Cagney, who has Coached thousands of clients to help them find real lasting love. A great reference guide for modern dating.

New York City & Times Square Night Tour

I love New York City, so it made absolute sense to based my character, NYPD's Detective Finkel Macaulay there. Her office is in Columbus Circle and she drives from her home in Rivington Street, off-Soho, to the office. 

In the video clip you can follow the same route Macaulay takes to work, up through Times Square, and across to the West 57th Street exit to leave Midtown.

NEW BOOKS - Coming Soon - Amazon and Smashwords.com

NEW Paperback Book: Tabula Rasa - A Detective Macaulay Homicide Case - ISBN 978-1491096734

Paperback released at amazon.com 

ISBN 978-1491096734

Amazon.com for Kindle 

and

Smashwords.com for all other eBook readers

Other books by Ruby Binns-Cagney:  available at Amazon.com 

This Month's Writing Challenge - July

July

Wonderful July came screeching in, bringing with it the chaos and mayhem of computer glitches, for want of a better word. When one makes ones living from writing, and it is one's craft, inevitably things go awry.

Take for instance the Microsoft Windows Update which lasted most of an entire evening, and left me frustrated and 'inoperable'. Frequent checks to see whether the update had finished, blotting of fevered brow, and ensuing frustration. I lost an entire day of creativity due to this update. Imagine my horror then, to discover that the laptop would not boot after the installation of said update. I'm one of those laptop owners who kept the manual. Fortunately, I also kept the install discs. Unfortunately, I didn't have the Windows 7 installation disc, so now I'm without a laptop. 

As providence would have it, I had recently backed up all my work onto Google Drive. I also have a Mac Mini sitting in the corner, where the uncomfortable chair makes my back hurt, and my feet become swollen within hours of being seated there. I write best when I am on the couch, next to the window, with bright sunshine pouring in. I am also opposite the television, where I can select various radio channels to hum away in the background.

My challenge this month was technology. The laptop will be repaired, when i get around to it. It isn't old, but it isn't a priority right now. I've swapped to the Mac Mini, and Smashwords happily snap up and convert into all the other formats, and my e book is published, as before.

Until the Windows Update problem is resolved, I shall not be setting my computers to automatically download them anymore. If I take control over when downloads occur, I hope to minimise the disruption to my craft. My advice to you, Dear Reader, is to backup, remotely store your files in the Cloud, and above all, have a second computer where you can get set up and be on our way again.

'Tabula Rasa - A Detective Macaulay Homicide Case' - July 31, Smashwords.com and Amazon.com for Kindle, and at all the retailers below(via Smashwords.com)

'The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy' by Ruby Binns-Cagney is available at Amazon.com for Kindle  or at smashwords.com for Apple iPad, Kobo Books, Barnes and Noble Nook, and more (via Smashwords.com).

What are your writing challenges? Sound off in the comments.

Albatross - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #3 - at amazon.com and smashwords.com now.

 

**** The FBI hunt for Bo Harknett intensifies to its thrilling climax. ******

One life hangs in the balance.
One chance for survival.
Time is running out.

Will Detective Macaulay get there in time?

The pursuit of sadist Bo Harknett takes Detective Finkel Macaulay into uncomfortable territory, which shocks her to the core.

The final part of this gripping, murder-based trilogy,

"Albatross - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #3" 

has just been published at amazon.com and at smashwords.com

Now that the trilogy has been published, I feel as though I have suffered a bereavement. I did not prepare myself for this overwhelming sense of loss, this feeling like I had lost "people" I love.

As I clicked 'publish' I did not steel my heart for the loss of my beloved characters. Characters who had been in my head and heart for weeks, months, and even years before I could finally confine them to page and screen, and book.

This sense of loss has me feeling bewildered, unsure what to do with myself, what to do to fill the void left by releasing my creativity out into the world.

Writing 'Albatross' was difficult, for a variety of reasons. 

Not only is it the longest of the trilogy, it is also the most challenging story-wise, with multiple story arcs and emotions all vying for your attention simultaneously.

Near the final paragraphs of the final chapter I even found myself making excuses not to finish it, and I did all I could to avoid sitting down to write the final few words.

If I told you that there were real tears in my eyes at some of the parts of this  final book, you would be astonished. I have a feeling that this book will take off - all the time I have been writing it, the story and dialogue has come to me in dreams. It felt at times like I was being helped to write this book, it often felt as though another's presence was helping me. 

Although I had crafted an outline of the book before starting to write it, the plan changed many times, taking on a life of its own. I went to sleep each night and had dreams about what my characters would do next, and when I woke up it was with a new found eagerness to put down on page and screen what I had dreamt about. 

Perhaps it is a 'stream of consciousness' that allowed me to tap into my psyche and write this incredibly suspenseful, thrilling and emotional book, and now that the Trilogy is complete, I have enough material coming to me while I sleep to write at least a dozen more books in this series.

I have arrived, Universe, embrace me.

If you wish to preview or download a sample all of the books in the Trilogy go to smashwords.com  for iPad iPod Touch, Apple iBookstore, Sony Reader, Barnes and Noble Nook, and Kobo Books Reader. Amazon for Kindle also allow you to download a sample to your Kindle device.

To look inside this book, or to download a sample for Kindle, go to  amazon.com
Ruby Binns-Cagney is a successful self-published Author at smashwords.com and at Amazon.com for Kindle.

Google's Penguin 2.0 Update Has Arrived

(credit: national geographic)

Google Penguin 2.0 Update Background:

May 25 saw the implementation of the long-awaited Google Penguin 2.0 update.

Google started cleaning up the quality of content pulled into their search engine going back to the Panda update in 2011 which targeted low quality websites; ones with duplicate content, thin content, scraped content.

2012 heralded the blackhat spam update, Penguin, targeting those websites which were full of spammy links and redirects, and the ones where users were served pop-ups and pop-unders and redirects to porn websites and websites offering Viagra pills.

Penguin 2.0 update leads on from this, in an aggressive way, detailed below.


What Are The Main Factors?

The Google Penguin update is a fairly standard update that was aimed at reducing the webspam within the Google results. There have however been some highly documented factors that the Google Penguin update specifically targeted.

Google have publicly stated that the update was aimed at reducing web spam techniques utilized by many SEO’s, and the factors above clearly demonstrate that they have tried to attack web spam and low-quality content. 

About 2.3% of English-US queries are affected to the degree that a regular user might notice.

What can you do to improve your sites Page Rank post-Penguin if you notice your rank has dropped significantly?

>>Clean up your website. Remove old, duplicate ads, broken links, photos that are too big and load slowly.

>>Check the backlinks you have - do they help or harm your ranking? Use the Google disavow tool to remove backlinks which do not serve you in a positive way.

>>Avoid having too many ads above the fold.

>>Verify your website with Google by using an exact-match domain (for example, make sure you have an email address which matches your domain name, such as info@mydomainname.com from http://www.mydomainname.com) and get verified now.

>>Have a responsive website design: if your site takes a long time to load, revise this to make sure it loads faster. One way to do this is to use CSS to ensure that whichever device a visitor uses to view your website is an optimised experience.

>>Stop using paid links that pass PageRank - you will receive a penalty notice from Google if you continue to use paid links to make your PageRank higher.

These are just some of the Google Penguin 2.0 updates. Even if you do just one of the suggested improvements your PageRank will thank you.

Ruby Binns-Cagney is a successful self-published Author at smashwords.com and at Amazon.com for Kindle.

Lay Lady Lay - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #2

Published now at smashwords.com and amazon.com for Kindle

***IT’S HERE! The 2nd book in the Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy!!***

Fast paced, sexy, and exciting !!!!

"Lay Lady Lay" - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #2 

picks up the pace right where "One For The Money - book #1" ended.  

A relentless sadist has put a target on Detective Macaulay's back. 

The clock is ticking. 

Will time run out for Detective Macaulay?

Overview of "Lay Lady Lay"

One dead blonde. 

One bomb. 

One sadist. 

Detective Macaulay is not about to quit.

Available to own at amazon.com for Kindle and Smashwords.com for Apple iPad, iPhone, Barnes and Noble Nook or Kobo Books now.

Ruby Binns-Cagneyis a successful self-published Author at smashwords.com and at Amazon.com for Kindle.

[MOVIE REVIEW] "After Earth" - Peter David - Now A Movie Starring Will Smith & Jaden Smith

 "After Earth"  Will Smith, Jaden Smith; Dir: M. Night Shyamalan - Watch the trailer below:

"After Earth"

Sony Pictures Entertainment presents "After Earth" - starring Will Smith and Jaden Smith. Set one thousand years into the future, after earth has been destroyed by an environmental apocalypse and Humans call another planet - Nova Prime - their home. The action scenes are fast, and truly scary, and will leave you cheering for the underdogs to prevail. This movie delivers on all levels, and leaves you breathless, and in awe of the beautiful scenery depicted in high resolution. The only downside is the stiffness of Will Smith's character, and inability to emotionally connect with his screen son. Sophie Okenedo also features.. [9 out of 10]


Story written by Will Smith, and screenplay written by Director M Night Shyamalan and Gary Whitter. Check your local listings for showings near you.

"After Earth" is a screen adaption of the brilliant Sci-Fi novel, written by acclaimed author Peter Davies; who is known for writing the most loved 'Star Trek Next Generation' series, and has a diverse body of work including reviving 'The Incredible Hulk' comic; and is a writing contributor to 'Babylon Five' as well as several tv screenplays.

After Earth - the novel Peter David is available to buy from all good book retailers.

Product Details

• ISBN-13: 9780345543202
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Publication date: 5/28/2013

HAS TIME RUN OUT FOR DETECTIVE MACAULAY ? [The Macaulay Murders Trilogy #1 ] [New Book]

ONE FOR THE MONEY 

 [THE MACAULAY MURDERS TRILOGY #1]

"Taking down perpetrators keeps me focussed. 

That, chocolate chip cookies, and great coffee.

Today is going to be a two-cookie day.

It's show time." 

- Detective Macaulay, Newhall Yard PD

  

Another of Harknett's victims has been found, and Detective Macaulay's on the case. 

About "One For The Money" - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #1

Newhall Yard Police Detective Finkel Macaulay is up against her old adversary, Bo Harknett, only this time she may have taken on more than she can handle. 

With her partner, Detective Baines, she hunts down the notorious serial killer, Bo Harknett to the darkest crevices of New York City where he remains at large. 

His victim's flesh was seared before being branded with by a garish tattoo that simply read "XIII" leaving Macaulay even more determined to catch him.

Up against the clock, Detective Macaulay knows she has just four hours left to catch Harknett before he skips town, and she is adamant that she's not going to let him escape. 

Not after he tortured her, and left her for dead. 

Has time run out for Detective Macaulay? 

PURCHASE this book at smashwords.com for iPad, Nook, Kobo, Kindle Reading Apps, Apple iBookstore. Also available for Kindle at amazon.com

Ruby Binns-Cagney is a successful self-published Author at smashwords.com and at Amazon.com for Kindle.

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This Month's Writing Challenges - April

What a week!

This week's writing challenge has been marketing the new book sufficiently to coincide with my KDP Select book promotion which started today.

What a lot of self-publishers do not realise is that once you have written your book the real work of getting it to sell begins. Through trial and error when releasing a new book you will find which methods work for you, and your niche.

Try and remember that the marketing methods other authors have used may not work well for you. Every reader is different, and your method of courting them will need to be adjusted. Similarly, using social media to promote your book may not work for you - social media platforms are now overly saturated with internet marketers trying to sell products in a social arena. There is an etiquette connected to social media which many people do not observe, which is a big mistake.

It can take a long time to attract traffic, attention, interest, and ultimately sales through using social media. This is partly because people need to feel that they can trust you before they will consider buying your stuff, so you have to create a situation where you can build a relationship with them in order to sell to them at a later date. Add to this the fact that sales from social media participation is minimal, sometimes as low as 4% of sales are generated from social media.

Also of note, if you decide to use social media to generate sales for your products or services, do ensure that you read the terms and conditions of using the website, as often there are no affiliate links allowed, which scuppers your return on investment, and revenue. Further, consider that the most active website in social media, Facebook doesn't allow affiliate or "follow" links unless you create a paid advertisement with the Facebook Ads Team.

With these obstacles, it can be understood why only 4% of a companies sales are generated through social media interaction. By all means, use your social media presence to attract traffic to your website. This is my method, and largely it works.

The takeaway message of this week is learn where to market your products and services, make connections or "fans" and nurture the relationship. Only after you have done all these steps, gently introduce your products and services. Provide value and your fans will be clamouring for your products and services.

Get my new book "One For The Money-The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #1 at smashwords.com now for iPad, iPad Mini, iPod Touch, Kindle Reading Apps, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble Nook before publication at amazon.com for Kindle on May 27th.

One For The Money

The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #1

Out now at amazon.com for Kindle and smashwords.com for iPad iBookstore Barnes and Noble Nook and Kobo

                                                        

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Writing Challenge Of The Month

available now at smashwords.com

APRIL

Writing is an elusive craft. When you force yourself to write something, real creativity and inspiration will not come. If you manage to write anything at all, it will not be compelling stuff. 

Similarly, when you are not focusing on your writing, you will find you suddenly overflow with ideas. Keep a notebook handy.

April has been one of those months where the inspiration to write has waned, and just as I was about to publish a new Amazon Kindle book I had to muster up all this strength and creative energy which just wasn't coming. What could I do to turn this around? The answer will surprise you.

Where I would previously have been determined to write something every day of the week, I now know that this approach is fraught with failure. The impetus to write comes from dreams, imagination, creative and artistic license to create. 

If I tried to force the conditions which I am in when I write, the result would be poor, low quality, incomprehensible. I needed a different approach if I was to succeed. What did I do?

I took a few days off writing and shifted my focus to clearing out clutter in my small apartment, catching up on some paperwork, and kept my writing muse in her gilded cage. 

I took time off completely, did not make any notes, or jot down any ideas and enjoyed just letting my mind roam freely without the concentration of producing articles, and suchlike.

The piece de resistance was how my mojo suddenly resurfaced, resulting in a 3am writing fest, almost causing carpal tunnel syndrome in my hand. It was almost as if I was downloading the entire new book I was going to write. In all, I spent almost 19 hours writing, with meal breaks and time for stretching my legs, and the book was self published over a weekend, and on sale on Monday morning.

Now that's how the magic happens.

What do you do when inspiration won't come, or you hit "writer's block"? 

Please leave a reply in the comments box.

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PREVIEW my latest book now exclusively published at smashwords.com prior to being published for amazon.com Kindle on May 27th.