Watson, Chien, Smith Win 2026 Newberry, A, Printz Awards - Publishers Weekly

After all this I need a nap.

Panzer found this post on the Publishers Weekly site. It's a compilation of several award competitions.

 

The post contains award winner information from Emma Kantor, Iyana Jones and Nathalia op de Beeck. It includes information about several winners of awards other than those listed above.

 

 Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know there were so many awards available."

 

 Note: This is a very, very, very long post. You might want to bring you dinner for this one.

 

To read the post tootle over to Awards

Killer Nashville Magazine Online Update

Each week they add to it.

The final online update for the January issue of the Killer Nashville Magazine is posted now.

 

A new writers craft article, short story, flash fiction, and poem have been added.

 

To read the new additions tootle over to January Killer Nashville Magazine 

18 Fabulous Writing Conferences and Workshops in February - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Always read the rules.

Panzer stopped in at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site where he discovered the February post of writing conferences and workshops for February is up.

 

 Erica Verrillo's list includes conferences and workshops which may be in-person retreats or online. All are in February, but some run into March.

 

Panzer says, "Always check the application deadlines and any restrictions."

 

Note: This is a long list so you'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferences and Workshops 

Computers can't surprise - aeon*

It's heavy reading.

Here's an interesting post Panzer found at the aeon site about writers and creativity and LLMs.

 . 

According to author Richard Beard, arguing about 'computers' impact on writing and creativity have been around since the 1800s.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty says, LLMs can't project the depth of emotion in the creative human brain."

 

Note This is a long, long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to AI Writing

 

 

* A tip of the kitty hat to Publishers Daily for the link to the post. 

88 Writing Contests in February 2026 - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Something for everyone.

Today's first stop in the Catosphere for Panzer was at the Publishing ...and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our little inquisitive kitty boy found a post about free writing contests in February.

 

Erica Verrillo's list includes fiction, novels, short stories, plays, nonfiction, and poetry. They're all free to enter.

 

Panzer says, "If you can't find a contest for your work, you're not looking hard enough."

 

Note: This is a long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the contest list tootle over to Writing Contests

A Monday Panzerism

Panzer on exercise equipment:

 

Mom bought me a scratching post. She said it's like her treadmill, only for cats. 

 

Next time I'll tell you what I wanr.

Kind of silly, huh?

 

 It doesn't have handlebars. I don't have any laundry or raincoats to hang over them even if it did.

 

Nope. ... It's a waste of money, Mom.

 

 

 

 

 From Cat Wisdom for humans 

Today's Jigsaw Puzzle: It's simple. No.

Hint

Here's your new puzzle.

 

Remember at the puzzle site to click the square in the lower left corner to see the finished puzzle.

 

Have fun. 

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to  Cat Puzzle

Free to Watch Classic Mystery Movie: The Bat Whispers

See you tomorrow.

Here's a mystery movie Panzer found on the Groovy Movies channel on Youtube.

 

The thriller The Bat Whispers is a 1930 black and white movie. It's 1 hour 24 minutes long.

 

Make some popcorn, grab your favorite beverage and have fun!

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie 

Free to Listen Regency Romance Audiobook:A Reckless Courtship

I'll go find a movie for you now.

If you like a tiny bit of mystery in your romance, Panzer found this one on the author's youtube channel.

 

The clean romance A Reckless Courtship is written by Martha Keyes. It's 7 hours 40 minutes long.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Romance Audiobook 

Free to Listen Cozy Mystery Audiobook:The 'Spirited' Swindler

Today a paranormal romance and a ghost mystery. 

If you want a little scary stuff in your cozy mystery Panzer found this one on the Shadow Chapter Audio channel on ' Youtube.

 

The 'Spirited' Swindler is written by Clare Lockhart. It's 6 hours 25 minutes long.

 

 Note: It has ads.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Cozy Mystery