Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Smashwords: Smashwords Year in Review 2014 and Plans for 2015

cat searching
Let's see. Am I the only one?
Panzer headed out in the Panzermobile to find out what was going on in the Catosphere today. It is the end of 2014 and my big bad boy wanted to know what his Catosphere friends have been doing all year.

So, when my kitty reporter stopped in at the Smashwords blog, he was pleasantly surprised to find a post there that answers all his questions about Smashwords' year. Owner Mark Coker posted his annual Smashwords' year in review. Included in the post is what he's got planned for Smashwords in 2015. According to Mr. Coker, Smashwords is growing bigger with more and faster distribution channels, more authors and books, and more employees.

Panzer says, "Hmmm. Smashwords has 100,000 authors. I wonder how many are cats besides me?"

To read the post, tootle over to Smashwords: Smashwords Year in Review 2014 and Plans for 2015:

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Author discontent grows as Kindle Unlimited enters its fifth month ⋆ The Digital Reader

So sad. I thought you loved me.
Panzer headed over to The Digital Reader site today.

My big bad (Christmas is over, he doesn't have to be good anymore) kitty reporter found a post there by Nate Hoffelder about Kindle Unlimited. According to Mr. Hoffelder, some authors are unhappy with the amount of their payments from Amazon Kindle Unlimited. Turns out authors are finding their sales are not what they expected. After paying a monthly fee, there are 750,000 ebooks in KU that readers can choose from and those readers aren't displaying author loyalty anymore.

Panzer says, "You mean my readers don't love my catness enough to read all my books one right after another?"

To read the post, tootle over to Author discontent grows as Kindle Unlimited enters its fifth month ⋆ The Digital Reader

Monday, December 29, 2014

A New Panzerism

But fun.
Panzer on Celebrating New Year's Eve:

Same thing every year:

Skip my late, late nap.

Munch some catnip,

pass out,

and...

spend the rest of the night snorting carpet dust.

Blech!

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Barnes & Noble Buys Nook Stake

I wonder. Will it? or Won't it?
When Panzer went out in the Catosphere today he discovered that while he was buying presents for the holidays, Barnes & Noble was busy buying their own present.

Turns out according to Jim Milliot of Publishers' Weekly, B&N was busy buying Pearson's holdings in Nook Media. B&N now owns 100% of Nook Media. This will allow B&N to spin off the Nook Media portion as a separate entity in the near future.

Panzer says, "Hmmm. I wonder, can Nook survive on its own?"

To read the full post, tootle over to B&N buys Nook stake

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas
To All Our Friends
In The Catosphere


Tuesday, December 23, 2014

A Not So Merry Christmas Story

Not Merry? You're kidding, right?
Panzer was out in the Catosphere doing the last of his holiday shopping and he stumbled over this FREE Christmas story at Anne Frasier and Theresa Weir's blog.

Panzer says, "Don't be fooled by the title, this is not a Merry Christmas story."

To read a not so nice Christmas story, tootle over to Merry Christmas

Monday, December 22, 2014

A New Panzerism

Panzer on human narcissism:

I have joined Mom and What's His Name at backyard barbecues with neighbors, coffee and tea on the deck in the mornings, and holiday season dinners with their family.
You can't change what is.

One thing stands out to me at these gatherings:

Mom is always the second most attractive creature there.

Too bad she has such an attractive cat over-shadowing her.

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Macmillan-Amazon-Apple-Subscription Services

Got to finish my shopping!
Panzer has been so busy this week getting ready for the holidays he completely missed this announcement about publisher Macmillan.

Jim Milliot at Publishers' Weekly posted about Macmillan's new book agreement with Amazon. But reading the entire post you'll discover Macmillan is still tied to Apple as far as discounting their ebooks is concerned. You'll also discover Macmillan intends to put their backlist books into the subscription service companies.

Panzer says, "So Macmillan may have a new contract with Amazon, but they're still tied to Apple and they plan to jump into subscription readers services. That's an interesting contract."

(Reminder: Did you check out yesterday's link to William Shatner's Kickstarter project?)

To read the post, tootle over to Macmillan

Friday, December 19, 2014

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Apple Says Price-Fixing Is Okay

Trust me. It's for your own good.
When Panzer entered the Catosphere today, the Panzermobile started getting buffeted around. My big strong kitty pilot regained control and discovered it was raucous laughter that was causing all the steering problems. Following the trail of laugh bubbles lead my boy to The New Yorker site.

According to Vauhini Vara, Apple's lawyers' argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is that Apple fixed prices to benefit ebook buyers. Apple (and the big six publishers) felt it was necessary to fix prices and force Amazon to match those prices. In that way Amazon would lose market dominance because of Amazon's low consumer-friendly ebook pricing.

Panzer says, "That's right. All you guys got together and raised your prices. It was for my own good to make me pay more."

To read the full post, tootle over to Apple

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Free Fiction: Chains by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Oooo! Ghosts!
It's been such a l-o-n-g time since Panzer visited Kristine Kathryn Rusch's site that he decided to stop in there today.

My big black kitty found Ms. Rusch has a FREE Christmas ghost mystery story available there this week. We all know how much my kitty boy loves genre hopping stories, so he couldn't wait to come back and let you know about it.

Panzer says, "Here's another holiday gift."

Important Note: This story is only FREE this week, then it goes back to regular price at all the e-tail stores, so hurry.

To read the full story, tootle over to  Free Fiction Monday: Chains

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

3 Fiction Markets Accepting Submissions

Just for fiction writers.
Panzer was out in the Catosphere today looking for markets for fiction writers.

My good kitty boy's first stop was at Lynn Viehl's The Paperback Writer site. He found two market anthology calls there. You can read the requirements at Paperback Writer

My speedy little adventurer then stopped in at Sandra Seamans' My Little Corner site. He found another fiction market call for submissions there. You can check it out at My Little Corner

Panzer says, "Just a holiday present for my friends."

Monday, December 15, 2014

A New Panzerism

The dent? The big guy with the deer.
Panzer on the holidays:

Do I think those look like my paw prints on the hood of the car?

Noooo ...

From here, I'd say they're reindeer prints.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Friday, December 12, 2014

Apple E-book Price-fixing Appeal Continues

Just admit it.
Panzer got up from his noon nap today to bright sunshine. My adventuresome kitty hopped into the Panzermobile. Unfortunately, when he got into the Catosphere he ran into a hail of crying and yowling. Following all the noise got him to the Publishers' Weekly site. There he found a post by Andrew Albanese about Apple's upcoming appeal of their loss in their price-fixing case.

Back on December 2 my kitty reporter told you about Apple's appeal. The appeal will be heard before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals on December 15. In his post Mr. Albanese addresses the issues Apple's attorneys will argue to convince the court to overturn Judge Denise Cote's verdict in the original case. Then he addresses the Department of Justice's rebuttal to those issues.

Panzer says, "Just take the money you're giving your attorneys and pay it to the ebook buyers. It would save you a lot of money in the long run."

Warning: This is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post and you'll need more than one cup of tea to read the whole thing.

To read the post, tootle over to Apple E-book Appeal

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Game of Thrones Compendium Submissions

Follow me!
Panzer stopped in at the GalleyCAT site today.  If you're a "Game of Thrones" fan, my good boy kitty reporter found a post by Maryann Yin that's just for you.

According to Ms. Yin, HBO is putting together a compilation of material from fans! They'll include artwork, music, crafts, and much more from fans of the show. Of course, there will be judges who'll decide what will be included. Submissions are due by March 28, 2015. If you're included in the book, you'll get a byline/credit and a free copy of the book. The post includes links to the rules.

Panzer says, "Mom, get the camera, while I make a costume!"

To read the post, tootle over to Game of Thrones Compendium

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Douglas Preston and Authors United vs. Amazon Continues

Panzer was trying to take a nap this afternoon when he got bounced out of his cat bed by some whiny noises coming from the Catosphere. Against his better judgement my poor tired kitty boy took the Panzermobile out to track down the crying. It didn't take long to find the source of all the tears in a post by Judith Rosen at the Publishers' Weekly site.

It turns out best selling author Douglas Preston and his Authors United group is still  chasing after Amazon and nipping at its heels. Mr. Preston isn't satisfied with Hachette and Amazon's contract agreement and hopes to hamstring the bookseller by siccing the U.S. Department of Justice on it.

Why?

Amazon is too big. They sell too many books.

And ...

And this is the really big reason ...

Really? You don't know how?
Amazon doesn't treat books as authors' children ... they treat books as commodities, like TVs and diapers. According to Amazon, books don't need to have their noses wiped and their diapers changed. Books are to be sold.

Panzer says, "Um, Mr. Preston, apparently that's one of the big differences between cats and humans. Cats know where babies come from and it's not from pushing keys on a keyboard."

To read the full post, tootle over to Douglas Preston

Monday, December 8, 2014

A New Panzerism

Don't soak your paws in it, either.
Panzer on good health:

If you want to add salt to your food, I don't recommend Epsom Salts.


Saturday, December 6, 2014

J.K. Rowling, Pottermore and Christmas

Harry Potter gifts.
Panzer was over at GalleyCAT today.

My good kitty reporter discovered it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Pottermore. According to Dianna Dilworth, J.K. Rowling will be giving away a gift each day from December 12 through December 23.

Panzer says, "There's only 19 days until Christmas, but whose counting?"

To read the full post and instructions, tootle over to J. K. Rowling

Friday, December 5, 2014

Barnes & Noble and Microsoft Agree To Divorce

Being good is really, really hard.
Panzer took a trip to the Publishers' Weekly site to check out a whispered rumor he heard today.

According to a post by Jim Milliot my big good black kitty found there, Barnes & Noble and Microsoft have agreed to an amicable divorce. Mr. Milliot says B&N will buy out Microsoft's investment in Nook Media. B&N will then be free to divest itself of Nook Media. Nook Media owns Nook and the college book stores section of B&N.

Panzer says, "Can Nook survive as a standalone?"

To read the full post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Britain To Levy 25% Google Tax

I'm not going over there.
Panzer woke from his nap this afternoon to yowling. My adventurous kitty jumped in the Panzermobile and followed the wailing and gnashing of teeth to The New York Times site. He found the source of all the noise in the Bits section of the site in a post by Mark Scott and Stephen Castle.

According to the post a draft legislation to levy a 25% tax on Google and other multinational companies (Amazon) will be presented to Britain's Parliament on December 10. It is expected to pass.

Panzer says, "Let's see. You have the EU VAT and now a 25% tax on sales. Why do you want to chase all these businesses out?"

Warning: Another b-i-g cup of tea as this is a long post.

To read the whole post, tootle over to Google tax

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

A Christmas Tree Of Books

I am a good kitty, Santa.
Panzer stopped in at GalleyCAT today.

My big good kitty found a cute little video to get you into the Christmas spirit. Learn how to make a Christmas tree from all your books.

Panzer says, "There are no ornaments on the tree. Those Christmas balls are my favorite part of the tree."

To watch the video, tootle over to Christmas tree

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Apple December E-book Appeal

Panzer took some time off from his Christmas shopping to stop in at the Publishers' Weekly site. He found a post there by Andrew Albanese about Apple's appeal of their price-fixing case.

Making a list; checking it twice ...
Apple lost the price-fixing case back in 2013. At that time Judge Denise Cote ruled for the Department of Justice that Apple had participated in price-fixing of ebooks. Apple's appeal is based on what they say was circumstantial evidence used by Judge Cote in making her decision. The appeal will be heard on December 15.

Panzer says, "Boy, Apple's attorneys are making a litter box full of money on this case. It's been dragging on for years."

Be warned: There are several links included in the PW post, so you better have a b-i-g cup of tea.

To read the post, tootle over to Apple Ebook Appeal

Monday, December 1, 2014

A New Panzerism

Panzer says:
I can't get that taste off my tongue.

Soap bubbles just don't taste as good as they look like they should

even ...

the second time.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

P.D. James Mystery Novelist Dies

We lost one of the good ones.
Panzer found some bad news in the Catosphere today.

My bad boy kitty reporter stopped in at the New York Times site. In a post by Marilyn Stasio he discovered one of his favorite mystery authors P.D. James died on Thursday. Ms. James was the author of the Scotland Yard detective Adam Dalgliesh mysteries.

Panzer says, "May you rest in peace in the forever land of crime and mystery."

To read the full post, tootle over to P.D. James

Friday, November 28, 2014

NaNoWriMo Winner!

Happy Cat Dance!
We finished 50,200 words today!

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Amazon's New Marketing Plan

Can you buy an ebook, too?
Panzer found an interesting post over at the AdWeek site.

In a post by Lauren Johnson my big bad kitty learned Amazon has set up holiday kiosks in the New York Transit Systems' subway stations. Amazon will have 100 kiosks with digital screens located in the stations. Subway travelers will be able to use the kiosks to do their holiday shopping.

Panzer says, "What a great marketing idea."

To see what the kiosks will look like and to read the post, tootle over to NY Subway Riders

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Kobo Self-Publishing In France, Germany and Italy

Europe, here I come.
Panzer was out in the Catosphere today and he found a site called Publishing Perspectives.

My big bad kitty adventurer found a post by Olivia Snaije about Kobo in Europe. Ms. Snaije addresses Kobo's efforts to help self-publishing authors in France, Germany and Italy achieve success. According to the post, Kobo helps authors understand the importance of marketing and advertising. They also work with authors who have their work translated with marketing using their Kobo Next page.

Panzer says, "Makes me wish I was a European kitty so I could get all that extra help."

To read the post, tootle over to Kobo publishing (Be advised this page can be slow loading. So just try again.)

Monday, November 24, 2014

A New Panzerism

A little back scratch would be nice, too.
Panzer on Tools:

Mom, what do you mean cats can't use tools?

Not true.

I think of you as my PTU.

That's Personal Transportation Unit.

Now, pick me up and carry me to the window while you're petting my head, you silly tool.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Past NaNoWriMo Participants Give Tips

I'll never catch up on my naps.
Panzer has been busy working on this year's NaNoWriMo novel. My bad boy thought you all might be interested in reading Daniel Leffert's Publishers' Weekly post. Mr. Leffert has interviews with Jason M. Hough, Hugh Howey, Marissa Meyer, Karen Harrington, and Gennifer Albin. All are former NaNoWriMo participants who went on to publish novels.

Panzer says, "34,000 words done. Only 16,000 words left before November 30. Me-OW-OW-OW!"

To read the full post, tootle over to NaNoWriMo

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Smashwords: Ebook Publishing Gets More Difficult from Here - H...

I need a nap.
There was so much yowling and caterwauling today that Panzer couldn't get his noon nap. He staggered out to the Panzermobile and hit the Catosphere to chase down all the noise. It turns out, all the yowling was about a new post at the Smashwords blog.

According to Mark Coker's post the future of indie authors is about to change. There are so many indie authors that readers are getting buried under all the ebooks. On top of all those ebooks, there are literally thousands of free ebooks for readers to chose from.

What's an indie author to do to rise above that pile of ebooks?

Mr. Coker has twenty things (although there are actually more buried in these twenty) an indie author can do.

Of course there's the old standby of write more ebooks.  And use professional services. And do series. And more. And more. This is a marketing plan in a blog post.

Panzer says, "Bookmark Mr. Coker's post. You'll use it again and again."

To read the whole post, tootle over to Smashwords: Ebook Publishing Gets More Difficult from Here - H...:

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Barnes and Noble Re-enters Audiobook Market

Again?
Panzer heard some mewling today and he headed out to see where it was coming from. According to Calvin Reid over at the Publisher's Weekly site, Barnes and Noble is getting into the audiobook market.

What?

Yes, all of you who are my bad boy's friends do remember right. He did tell you back in June that Barnes and Noble was leaving the audiobook market. At that time B&N announced their customers needed to backup their audiobooks before the audio files turned into random ions in the Catosphere.

Now, they've announced they've come out with a new app for Android devices. You can download the app in the Google Play store. According to Mr. Reid's post, Barnes and Noble will carry 50,000 audiobooks. The post also includes a link to Nook's site to download the app.

Panzer says, "Hmmm. I wonder how long they'll stay in the market this time?"

To read the full post, tootle over to Nook audiobooks app

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Amazon-Hachette Settlement Benefits Publishers and Authors

I believe it.
Panzer was over at The New Yorker site today. My bad boy reporter found a post by Vauhini Vara about the Amazon vs Hachette settlement.

Ms. Vara believes the new contract between Amazon and Hachette will prove beneficial to both writers and publishers.

How can that be, you ask?

Well, Ms. Vara says the new contract will give publishers more money which they can use for more and bigger advances for writers.

Panzer says, "Hmmm. Hachette sure is big-hearted to give all that money to authors."

Be warned: You'll need a big cup of tea because this is a very long post.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon vs Hachette

Monday, November 17, 2014

A New Panzerism

How fast can a can run?
Panzer says:

Some of my favorite memories from kittenhood go back to those times when Mom and What's His Name would come back from the hunt.

They'd bring in cans of food for me and other stuff for them.

Then we'd all sit around by the glow of the TV

and ...

Mom would recount how much the food was on sale.

Whatever that means.

I'm not really sure, but I think sale means how fast the prey runs.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Smashwords: The Amazon Hachette Dispute Comes to a Pyrrhic End...

I'm back!
Did you miss Panzer this week? There was rain and wind and ice and downed trees. That meant my bad boy couldn't get to the Catosphere.

But ...

Now he's back!

My big black kitty found a post over at the Smashwords blog about the results of the end of the Hachette vs Amazon dispute. Mark Coker has some interesting ideas about who won and who lost in the settlement.

Panzer says, "I can't believe Amazon lost the battle."

To read the entire post tootle over to Smashwords: The Amazon Hachette Dispute Comes to a Pyrrhic End...

Monday, November 10, 2014

A New Panzerism

I'm ready.

Panzer says:

Mom told me old cats sleep 20 % more than kittens.

Getting old sounds pretty good to me.

Saturday, November 8, 2014

What Is Amazon's Impact On Publishing?

Back to work.
Panzer is still behind in his daily NaNoWriMo word count. My speedy little black kitty made a short trip to Book Life today.

Panzer found a post about a panel discussion arranged by the New American Foundation about Amazon's impact on publishing. Panel participants were bestselling indie author Hugh Howey, book store owner Sarah McNally, and National Public Radio host Manousch Zomorodi.

Panzer says, "Of course Amazon has an impact on publishing."

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon

Friday, November 7, 2014

Goodreads Choice Awards Are Open For Voting

This way to vote.
Panzer stopped in at Goodreads today.

You've heard of Goodreads, right? It's a place where readers talk about (and review) the books they're reading. It's also a place where authors can interact with their readers, have giveaway contests, and join discussion groups.

Each year Goodreads gives out the Goodreads Choice Awards. Members get to vote for their favorite books. Well, the polls are open and it's time to vote.

Panzer says, "Did I forget to mention Amazon owns Goodreads?"

To vote or to join, tootle over to best books of 2014

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Office Apps For iPad, iPhone, And Android

I'm getting mine.
Panzer was out cruising around when he found a deal at Office Blogs he couldn't pass-up.

Microsoft is offering FREE Office apps to iPad, iPhone and Android tablet users. You'll be able to get Word, Excel and Power Point apps starting today. There are examples of what the apps will look like on the devices and links to download them.

Panzer says, "FREE is always good."

To read the full post, tootle over to Office

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Studio C Creates a Trio of ‘Hunger Games’ Parody Songs - GalleyCat

I'm just exhausted.
Panzer is behind on today's word count for his NaNoWriMo novel, so he only made a quick trip into the Catosphere. My big bad kitty boy found some FREE Hunger Games parody songs for you over at the GalleyCAT site.

Panzer says, "It's only Day 5. I don't know if I can last for another 25 days!"

To get the songs, tootle over to Studio C Creates a Trio of ‘Hunger Games’ Parody Songs - GalleyCat

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Sherlock Holmes Now In The Public Domain

I can't believe it.
Panzer was out taking a nice little trip in the Catosphere today. My adventurous kitty was looking for a new docking spot for the Panzermobile.  He found one at the Los Angeles Times site

Panzer couldn't believe what he read there. According to a post by Michael Schaus, Sherlock Holmes is now in the public domain. That means anybody can write anything (or do a movies or tv show or video) using Holmes as a character.

But wait. How did that happen?

Mr. Schaus reports that the Supreme Court refused to review a 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that Sherlock Holmes wasn't protected under copyright. That's all it took.

Panzer says, "As soon as I read the 1927 version of The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Author Conan Doyle, I knew I was a puzzle solver and a mystery writer. What's going to happen to Mr. Holmes now?"

To read the whole post, tootle over to Sherlock Holmes

Monday, November 3, 2014

A New Panzerism

Finders keepers. It's yours.
Panzer on ownership:

Why are you telling me there's a mouse in the kitchen?

You saw it first; its yours.

Seriously ...

It's okay, you can have it.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

It's NaNoWriMo Time!

NaNoWriMo started yesterday. This is the time of year when writers hunker over their computers, drink gallons of coffee, go without food or sleep to emerge on November 30 with a 50,000 word novel.

If you want to join the craziness, tootle over to NaNoWriMo






Saturday, November 1, 2014

Foes want probe, but antitrust law favors Amazon

Doesn't look bad to me.
Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere and he found a post he missed a couple of days ago.

According to Jay Greene at The Seattle Times newspaper site, it may be harder to prove Amazon is a monopoly than The New Republic magazine's Franklin Foer and Authors United's Douglas Preston might think. Mr. Greene addresses two salient points against Mr. Foer and Mr. Preston's assertion that Amazon is a monopoly. First: there is no argument that Amazon is the biggest dog in the pen ... but ... there are other dogs in there too. Second: the argument that Amazon causes harm to consumers is refuted by the fact Amazon wants to lower the prices of ebooks to the consumers.

Panzer says, "Lower prices makes sense to me."

To read the full post, tootle over to Foes want probe, but antitrust law favors Amazon | Business & Technology | The Seattle Times

Friday, October 31, 2014

Happy Black Cat Day!

Happy Black Cat Day

Wherever You Are!

It's the best day of the year for me!
 
 

Oh, And Happy Halloween From Mom And Me!

Thursday, October 30, 2014

YouTube Subscription Services Coming Soon?

We'd all subscribe to that.
Panzer heard some sniffling noises in the Catosphere today. With a check-in at the New York Times Bits site he found the source of the crying.

According to a post by Connor Dougherty in which he quotes statements made by YouTube's Susan Wojcicki subscription services are in YouTube's planned future. The much anticipated music subscription service is one, as is a gaming service.

Panzer says, "Hmmm. Will there be a Girl Kitties of San Francisco subscription service?"

To read the whole post, tootle over to YouTube subscriptions

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

VAT Will Increase Ebook Price

What do you do with the tax money?
Panzer got jerked out of his noon nap today by all the CATerwauling going on in the Catosphere. He hopped in the Panzermobile to track down the trouble. My poor sleepy kitty pilot found the answer at The Bookseller site.

In a post by Lisa Campbell and Sarah Shaffi he learned about a new European VAT.  This new taxation law of digital products goes into effect on January 1. Ebooks are included in the EU taxation change. The change will mandate an ebook is taxed at the location of the buyer not the location of the seller. According to Ms. Campbell and Ms. Shaffi, this means the European price of ebooks could be significantly higher after the first of the year.

Panzer says, "How can you increase the tax on a bunch of electrons from Luxembourg just because  they travel to the UK or Germany? You humans tax everything."

To read the complete post and what this change will mean for ebook prices in Europe, tootle over to ebook prices

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Will you discover a great unpublished book through Amazon?

How many times can I vote?
Panzer heard a bunch of meowing going on in the Catosphere. He followed all the noise to The Christian Science Monitor site. In a post by Molly Driscoll he found out that everybody is excited about Amazon's new Kindle Scout program.

According to Ms. Driscoll, through the new program you can submit your manuscript directly to Amazon. Amazon will first consider the submission. It will then be made available for online readers to consider. Readers will get to vote on whether the submission should be offered a contract. Note: The contract includes a clause that gives Amazon the rights to your book for five years.

According to an Amazon press release on Monday, the voting phase is open now. (If you want to skip the rest of this post, you can click voting phase to go register now and read the current submissions.)

Panzer says, "So how many friends and relatives do you have to vote to get you a publishing contract?"

To read Molly Driscoll's post, tootle over to Will you discover a great unpublished book through Amazon?

Monday, October 27, 2014

A New Panzerism

Panzer on Toys:

You bring home bright red rubber balls and sticks with green feathers that almost glow in the dark.

But cats are red-green color blind, remember.

So obviously you're buying those garish trinkets for yourself. It's you who likes the bright colors, not me.

Cat toys? Give me a break.
Now stop calling those ridiculous objects ...

cat toys.

They are Mom toys.

Got it?

Good.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Samsun Galaxy Tab 4 Nook (Part 2)

Do I want one or not?
Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today looking for interesting news to tell you about.

My big bad black kitty boy told you earlier this week about the new large screen Nook. Well, today he found a post by Clare Swanson at the Publishers' Weekly site about the reviews of the new Galaxy Tab 4 Nook. In her post, Ms. Swanson has a roundup of the reviews by CNet, ZDNet, Tech Radar and Good EReader.

The general consensus seems to be that the new Galaxy is basically no different than the Android tablet. The only two differences are the $200 worth of Barnes and Noble content available with the new Galaxy and the customer support available at their bookstores.

Panzer says, "There is a link to each of the review sites included, so you can make up your own mind if it's worth the $300 price tag."

To read the post, tootle over to Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook

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