Happy New Year's Eve

 Panzer on New Year's Eve and Kitty Zen:

This is an amazing point in time.

We are at that precise intersection of history and the future.

And ...

We can embrace it and create a wonderful tomorrow.

Sequential kitty napzzzz.*

Or ...

 Some I suppose may want to sit back and watch.

Or ...

A few may be disposed toward sleeping through it all until next year.

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on the Christmas holiday:

The dent? The big guy with the reindeer.*

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

Noooo ...

From here I'd say they look like reindeer prints.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

Christmas Eve

 

Happy Holidays to Everyone!
Do you have the catnip cookies out for Santa Cat?

 

 

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

All I Want for Christmas Is:

 

 

 

 

Overdrive Retires Libby Windows app - The Digital Reader

3 days left

Today Panzer decided to make a stop at The Digital Reader site. With a little digging in the posts there he found one about Overdrive.

 

According to site owner Nate Hoffelder's post, Overdrive is retiring the Libby Windows  app. Overdrive gives users access to library books. The Libby app in its various incantations allows users to use/read Overdrive on various devices. With the discontinuation of the Libby Windows app, Windows device users won't have access to read library books through Overdrive.

 

Panzer says, "Is there a Windows ereader device?"

 

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of cocoa for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Overdrive

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on cleanliness:

Mom's toothbrush floats very well.

Five flushes ...

and it still didn't go down in that whirlpool.

Round and round it goes.*

I don't understand why she's so upset.

I washed it ...

and put it back where I found it.

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

Bookstore Sales Post Another Decline in October - Publishers Weekly

8 days

Today Panzer made a quick trip into the Catosphere. Our busy kitty boy stopped in at the Publishers Weekly site.  There he found a post about October's book sales.

 

According to the post by Jim Milliot, bricks and mortar bookstore sales were down by 28.8 percent in October when compared to October 2019 book sales. Included in the post is a link to a post about September's book sales, which also declined.

Panzer says, "Umm ... The decline in bricks and mortar bookstore sales doesn't surprise this little kitty. The stores are either closed or are limited by the number of people they're allowed to let in."

Note: This is a very short post. Bring half a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to bookstore sales

Amazon Sidewalk rollout shows the future of 'forced opt-in,' taking lessons from Xfinity Wifi - GeekWire

 Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was violently shaken and thrown about. Following all the chaos took our brave kitty boy to the GeekWire site. With no digging at all he discovered a post about Amazon's new Sidewalk offering. This doesn't have anything to do with publishing or books, but it is important.

According to the post by Christopher Budd, Amazon recently sent an email to Echo customers alerting them to the soon to be released Sidewalk. Amazon's Sidewalk uses a customer's Echo device for constant connectivity. Even if you (or your neighbor) lose your wifi connection, Sidewalk allows you (or your neighbor) to keep your wifi connection by using each other's Echo wifi. Don't want your neighbors to have access to your Echo wifi? You can follow the instructions in the email Amazon sent you to opt-out. Included in the post are links to other information about Amazon's Sidewalk, such as Amazon's own post that says your whole community will be connected with Sidewalk, and a link to another forced opt-in that was done (and is still going on) by Comcast.

This isn't what we pay for.

Panzer says, "Part of this post is about Comcast and their forced opt-in for Xfinity Wifi. Mom didn't have any idea they did that. Maybe that's what slows down her streaming sometimes."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of cocoa and two muffins. If you plan to follow the link in the post to turn off the Xfinity Wifi opt-in, add another muffin. If you plan to follow the other links, bring another cup of cocoa and three muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Sidewalk

 

 

No Post Today

 

10 days

No post today.

 

Mom is taking care of What's His Name. He's having trouble getting used to that Walking (trip and fall over everything) Boot.

A New Panzerism

 

 Panzer on the ancient feline art of studying the back side of your eyelids:

Stay drowsy. Life's better that way.*

Life is what happens when you wake up

and can't go back to sleep ...

.It's over-rated.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans 

Sorry this is late. Everything is kittywumpus around here. Going to the mailbox What's His Name fell down the front porch steps. He went to the doctor and found out he broke a bone in his foot. He's got six weeks in a Walking Boot.

Amazon Publishing in Talks to Offer E-books to Public Libraries - Publishers Weekly

14 days

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he heard cautious clapping outside the Panzermobile. Following the noise took him to the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging in the posts he found one about Amazon Publishing.

 

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, Amazon Publishing is in talks with the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) to start offering ebooks to public libraries. Apparently, the talks have been in the process between the two for several months. Discussions are around the library lending procedures. Included in the post are links to other posts about Amazon library ebook policies and about the Digital Public Library of America.

 

Panzer says, "Interesting. This little kitty had never heard about the Digital Public Library of America."

 

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring a thermos of cocoa and four muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links, bring two more thermoses of cocoa, twenty-four muffins, six chocolate chip cookies (biscuits), and your dinner.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon ebooks

The Netherlands' NL Film Is Developing a Muslim Romance With Wattpad - Publishing Perspectives

15 days

Today Panzer decided to make a stop at the Publishing Perspectives site. With a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty found one about Wattpad Studios.

 

According to the post by Porter Anderson, Wattpad Studios and NL Film have entered into a new production agreement. Aron Levitz of Wattpad Studios in Toronto, Canada, and Kaja Wolffers of NL Film in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, will work with Samya Hafsaoui for the film production of her novel. Samya Hafsaoui's Dutch Wattpad novel '36 Questions (and lots of coffee)' is translated as a serial each week on the English-speaking Wattpad. Included in the post are links to previous posts about Wattpad and NL Film and a link to Samya Hafsaoui's Wattpad site.

 

Panzer says, "Maybe this little kitty should spend some time on Wattpad."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a thermos of tea and three muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring another thermos of tea and fifteen muffins.

 

To read the post tootle over to Wattpad

No Post Today

 

16 days

 

No post today because Mom has to catch up on some work.

We'll be back tomorrow.

A Merry Jingle Cats Christmas - Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries & Meows

Only 17 days.

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today, he heard the most melodious sounds outside the Panzermobile. Following the wonderful music took our enchanted kitty boy to Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries and Meows site.

 

According to the post he found at the site, Mudpie the cat took over the blog for the day. In the spirit of Christmas Mudpie posted Silent Night sung by the Jingle Cats. There's nothing in the world more wonderful than cats singing. The post also includes a link to the Jingle Cats YouTube channel where you'll find even more music.

 

Panzer says, "You really, really, really need to follow that link. There are twenty Christmas carols by the Jingle Cats there. If they don't get you into the Christmas spirit, nothing will.

 

Note: Bring a thermos of hot cocoa and go listen to the Jingle Cats.

 

To listen to the post tootle over to  Jingle Cats Christmas

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on being a happy camper:

 

This brilliant kitty learned something new today.

 

Mom's big hot furnace thingy in the basement is broken.

 

The nice repairman gave Mom something he called a space heater.

 

I watched everything he did.

And ...

It looked like a little campfire to me.

So ...

And this one is portable. *

I put a marshmallow on a stick ...

And ...

Eureka!

It works just like the big hot campfire thingy in the basement did.

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

Audible Letter Petition - The Authors Guild

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he made a stop at the Authors Guild site. There our traveling kitty boy found a letter The Authors Guild plans to send to Audible-ACX. Panzer told you about Audible's membership program that touts the return and exchange of authors' audio books.

 

The Authors Guild letter lays out all the reasons the return/exchange program is unfair to authors and the narrators of their audio books. The Authors Guild is soliciting authors and their supporters' signatures on the letter. The Guild would like to collect 25,000 signatures.

 

Please help.

Panzer says, "It might seem like you're saving yourself money by returning and/or exchanging an audio book, but you're really costing the audio book author and the narrator money when you do it."

 

Note: It's a medium length letter. Bring a cup of tea to drink while you read it.

 

To read the full letter and add your name, tootle over to Letter to Audible

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to #Audiblegate

Campaign to buy JRR Tolkien's house backed by Lord of the Rings actors - The Guardian

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The Guardian site. With no digging at all our intrepid traveling kitty found a post about J.R.R. Tolkien.

It looks important to me.

According to The Guardian's post by Alison Flood, the Project Northmoor wants to raise the money to buy the house where J.R.R. Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings. The house would be turned into a museum. To accomplish this, the Project Northmoor charity has started a crowdfunding campaign. Lord of the Rings actors Sir Ian Mckellen, John Rhys-Davis and Martin Freeman are helping promote the fundraising campaign. The post has a link to the Project Northmoor site. The Project Northmoor site has all kinds of information about the fundraising and what the money will be used for. You can read about the gifts you will get by donating at the different levels. You can also donate from there.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty can give up his kitty treats for a day to donate at The Hobbit level. How about you?"

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the link to Project Northmoor, also bring a thermos of tea and twelve muffins. (There are also links there too.)

To read the post tootle over to J.R.R. Tolkien's house

#Audiblegate: How Audible-ACX Returns Policy Penalizes Authors - Writer Beware

As Panzer entered the Catosphere today the Panzermobile was suddenly violently shaken about by the crying and gnashing of teeth outside. Following all the chaos, took our brave kitty boy to the Writer Beware site. There he found a post about Audible's ebook return policy. Panzer told you about this situation in a post last week.

 

According to the post by Victoria Strauss, Audible has been using an audio books return policy without alerting authors to it. While some authors suspected their audio book sales didn't make sense, it wasn't until a computer glitch a couple of months ago brought Audible's return program to light. Audible members can listen to an audio book (either partially or totally) and then return it and exchange it for another audio book for no extra charge. The author, meanwhile, loses the royalty for the sale because it was returned. In Audible-ACX's Premium Plus program this is actively promoted as a benefit of the program. Since learning about the returns policy, some authors have gone so far as to get Audible memberships to test the program. They did this to see if there is any number of returns at which point a member will lose this return benefit. The answer: No. And it's not just the authors' losing out on the royalties. Narrators who didn't get paid up front, are losing on the returns to. There are several links to other sites, YouTube and Twitter for more information by authors about this return policy.

 

It really stinks over there.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Author sites? ... YouTube? ... Twitter? ... That is one big steaming pile of you-know-what Audible stepped in."

 

Note: This is a h-u-g-e post. Bring a thermos of tea and twelve muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links in the post, bring another thermos of tea, a thermos of hot cocoa, another twelve muffins, ten chocolate chip cookies (biscuits), and six brownies. Oh, you will also want to bring your sleeping bag for a nap in the middle of all your reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to #Audiblegate

To read Panzer previous post about #Audiblegate (although, if you follow all the links in the Writer Beware post you don't need to) tootle over to Audible exchange policy

 

No Post Today

 No post today.

 

Mom has a project due tomorrow and she needs to finish it.

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on persistence:

Greatness is never easy.

 

It requires focus, intense effort, and endurance.

 

But after much struggle I have made it.

 

I am at the top of the world.

 

I am the greatest!

 

Your King has spoken.*

I am the King of all I survey!

 

What ...?

 

What do yoiu mean get off the curtains?

 

No ... You can't make me.

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

MIT Free Classes

Panzer is still recovering from yesterday's Thanksgiving turkey, so this morning's trip into the Catosphere was a quick one.

Recovering? I want more.

While this doesn't have anything to do with writing, publishing or books, it looks interesting. Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a program called MIT OpenCourseWare. The OCW site says course materials are available for all the MIT departments and programs. The courses are all free. You can not get a degree here. There's a link included in the instruction to MITx where you can take other courses for free or paid. Taking the free courses at MITx you will not get a degree. Taking the paid courses you will get a certificate.

Panzer says, "Always read all the instructions!"

 

To go to MIT tootle over to MIT OCW

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Day in the US

Thank You to Everyone Wherever You Are!
(Next Year will be better)(Mom said it and I believe her)

 

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

Germany's Bertelsmann To Buy Simon & Schuster for US$2.175 Billion - Publishing Perspectives

Today Panzer decided to make a stop at the Publishing Perspectives site. With no digging at all our speedy kitty found a post about Simon and Schuster and Bertelsmann.

According to the post by Porter Anderson, it was announced today that Penguin Random House (PRH) will buy Simon and Schuster for $2.175 Billion. PRH is actually owned by Bertelsmann, a German company. Writers groups immediately asked for regulatory review of the sale. In the US the Authors Guild expressed its opposition to the sale on the grounds the merger would unfairly impact authors with less markets for their work. In Canada the Association of Canadian Publishers asked for a review of the sale on the grounds of "whether the sale violates the Competition Act ...". At the end of the post there are links to other information about the various publishing companies.

Who's getting too big now?

Panzer says, "Hmm ... People complain about Amazon getting too big? What about Bertelsmann buying up traditional publishers? Two now. Who's next?"

Note: This is a humongous post. Bring a thermos of tea, eight muffins, six chocolate chip cookies (biscuits), and a brownie for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Bertelsmann

 

 

 

 

Writers Groups Protest Audible Exchange Policy - Publishers Weekly

 Today Panzer was just finishing his afternoon nap when his kitty bed was shaken violently by noises coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, our brave kitty boy headed into the maelstrom of crying and shouting. Following the chaos took him to the Publishers Weekly site. There he discovered the cause of the problems was a post about Audible.

You know, sneaky always gets caught.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Audible and Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) now have as part of the company's Audible Premium Plus membership benefits, members can purchase an audiobook, listen to it, return it within 365 days, and then exchange it for another audiobook. When the audiobook is returned for the exchange, the royalties for the sale are removed from the author's royalties account. Audible began doing this without notifying the authors what the company was doing or why. When writers discovered what Audible was doing, they contacted the Authors Guild. The Authors Guild and other writers groups are in the process of collecting signatures on a letter protesting what Audible is doing. The letter likens the new process to Audible having a rental or subscription service. Audible has now backtracked a little and says the company won't deduct royalties for books returned after 7 days. This, however, won't become effective until January 1, 2021.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Seems like Audible has stepped in a big pile of you know what."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Audible exchange policy

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on history repeating itself:

Mom's got this high, high shelf in the kitchen.

I mean it's really up there.

Well ...

She keeps her wine glasses on this towel-like thingy up there.

Umm ...

I probably don't need to say any more ...

Except ...

I really, really hate all that crashing and yelling and screaming.

You'd think she'd learn.

And ...

The weird part is ...

The same thing happened last week.

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

Amazon Launches New Author Portal - The Digital Reader

 Panzer hasn't been to The Digital Reader for a while so, today, he decided to stop in there. With a little digging in the posts, he found one about Amazon's new author portal.

 

According to the post by The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, Amazon has introduced a new Author Portal called Amazon Author Central. Amazon Author Central replaces the older Author Central. The new portal contains most, but not all, of the functions Author Central did. You can no longer create your own author-specific URL to the site and you can't list your speaking engagements. The post contains links to the new portal.

 

Do you like it?

Panzer says, "This little kitty doesn't like it as much as the old Author Central. No author-specific URL? No listing your speaking engagement? Not author-friendly deletions, this little kitty thinks."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post and setup or explore your Amazon Author Central, bring a thermos of cocoa, twelve chocolate chip cookies (biscuits), and two brownies.

 

To read the post tootle over to  Amazon Author Portal

Try This: 24 Standing Ab Exercises to Strengthen and Define Your Core - Heathline

As soon as Panzer entered the Catosphere today, the Panzermobile was shaken by clapping and cheering.  Following all the hullabaloo took our speedy kitty boy to the Healthline site. It didn't take any digging at all to see the exercise instructions there were what was causing all the happiness. While this doesn't have anything to do with books or publishing or writing, it is interesting.

 

Just as svelte as before Covid.

Like a lot of us during the Covid-19 lockdowns, Panzer hasn't been able to go outside and get any exercise. Consequently, he has gained a little weight, so we'll be starting the exercise program tomorrow.

Panzer says, "Maybe you and What's His Name have gained weight, but not this little kitty."

 

To  check out the site tootle over to Home Exercises

 

BA calls for bookshops to be classified essential retailers - The Bookseller

When Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile today, he found a wadded up post under the passenger seat. Flattening it out, he discovered it was a post from The Bookseller site about re-opening bookstores during the UK's pandemic lockdowns. Panzer told you about French bookstores efforts to re-open during France's lockdown.

 

Books are essential.

According to the post by Mark Chandler, the UK's Booksellers Association (BA) has sent a letter to government officials requesting bookshops be allowed to re-open during the Covid-19 lockdown. While the BA and it's members agree the lockdown is necessary, the group feels bookshops and the books they sell are important to maintaining people's health. It's also important to maintain that part of the country's economy as well. Although bookshops are closed for the lockdown, other retailers (garden centres and food shops) are open and allowed to sell books. A copy of the letter is at the end of the post.

 

Panzer says, "Other countries consider bookstores essential retailers."

 

Note: This is a huge post. Bring a thermos of cocoa, three muffins, two sugar cookies (biscuits), and one brownie for today's reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to UK booksellers

To read Panzer's previous post about French bookstores, tootle over to  France

Monday's Bloody Scotland Event Replay

 Good News! 

 

I'll watch it again.

If you missed Monday's Bloody Scotland event, the replay is now available. The event is an interview between bestselling authors Michael Connelly and Ian Rankin.

 

Panzer says, "Did I mention it's still free?"

 

Note: The replay will be available until December 19.

To watch it tootle over to Michael Connelly and Ian Rankin

Europe accuses Amazon of misusing third-party retail data, opens new 'Buy Box' investigation - GeekWire

 As Panzer was tootle around in the Catosphere today, he decided to make a stop at the GeekWire site. With a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one about Amazon and the company's European sales dealings.

 

According to the post by Todd Bishop, the EU's European Commission is investigating if Amazon gives itself or those who use its services an advantage with the company's 'Buy Box.' The Commission is also investigating Prime members' use of the 'Buy Box.' If the Commission determines Amazon is in the wrong, the company could be fined 10 percent of its global annual revenue. There are links to other information about the Commission's investigation included in the post.

 

 They decide if they get the money?

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty is confused. ... Mom is an Amazon Prime member and she buys stuff on Amazon. Since she pays Amazon to be a Prime member, Amazon gives her special prices and special deals. Sometimes what she orders is shipped from Amazon fulfillment centers and sometimes it's shipped directly from the seller's company.  What is Amazon doing wrong with Prime memberships?"

Note: This is a short medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the included links, bring a thermos of cocoa, four muffins, four chocolate chip cookies (biscuits), and two brownies.

To read the post tootle over to Europe Commission vs Amazon

 

 

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on ways to save money:

Today I heard Mom and What's His Name talking.

Mom said they need to save money for Christmas.

What's His Name said my cat food is the really expensive kind ...

and ...

she should change my cat food to the cheap stuff to save money.

Well ...

I know how What's His Name could save money.

I could catch him some spiders.

I've heard bugs are a good source of protein.

Maybe ...

What's His Name needs to change his diet to save money.

From Cat Wisdom for humans 

 

National Novel Writing Month

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) started November 1. While we're really late letting you know about it, Mom's excuse is she's been working on a new book and forgot to tell you.

 

Even though it's late in the month, you can still register for NaNoWriMo. Although it's billed as National Novel Writing Month, it's really (Inter)National Novel Writing Month because anyone can join the craziness.

Mom is crazy.

Your NaNoWriMo assignment is to write a 50,000 word first draft of your novel and finish on November 30. You can upload your work and get the number of words verified.

Panzer says, "It doesn't have to be perfect."

Note: A 50,000 word novel in thirty days. That's 1.613 words per day.

To signup tootle over to National Novel Writing Month

Another Bloody Scotland Event

See you there!

Bloody Scotland is sponsoring a one hour long event with bestselling authors Michael Connelly and Ian Rankin. The free live event is on Monday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m. GMT.

 

Panzer says, "There's a "Donate" button there. ... This is a free event. ... So ... You do not have to donate ... But ... It would be nice if you did."

To watch the event tootle over to Bloody Scotland

 

 

Veterans Day

 

The Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention 2020

Pick and choose.

Last week Panzer told you about the free online Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention. If you missed it this last weekend, don't worry. All thirty-one of the presentations are now available on YouTube. There were three "tracks" attendees could signup for: the Creative Track, the Genre Track and/or the Breakout Sessions. They're all online now for a total of almost thirty hours of presentations.

 

To watch the uploaded videos from the convention, tootle over to SFF Con

'MeowTalk,' an app that translates cat sounds, is a pet project for this former Alexa engineer - GeekWire

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he heard laughing and guffawing coming from outside. Following all the jocularity, took our adventuresome kitty to the GeekWire site. With a little digging in the posts he found one about a new app called MeowTalk (That's right, there's no space between the words.) was causing all the happiness.

 

According to Kurt Schlosser's post, Javier Sanchez has developed an app called MeowTalk which allows people to understand what a cat wants when it meows. Although the app comes with ten pre-loaded cat translations, you can make changes to them and, also, make additions. The post includes links to other posts/sites with information about the app.

It's easy: Feed me. Pet me. Mine.

Panzer says, " Why do you need an app? All you have to do is read Cat Wisdom for humans and you'll know exactly what we say and want." 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of cocoa and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links, bring a thermos of tea and six muffins.

To read the post tootle over to MeowTalk app

 

 

 

 

 

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on board games:

I love playing checkers with Mom and What's His Name.

 

Especially the part where the noble jungle kitty sneaks through the tall carpet grass.

 

He waits patiently.

He slithers forward ...

And ...

You're free! Fly away!

pounces on the checker board where all the plastic pieces take flight ...

like ...

a herd of butterflies.

From Cat Wisdom for humans

Amazon hires 248,500 people in Q3 as Jeff Bezos challenges large employers to raise minimum wage - GeekWire

 Panzer decided to make a stop at the GeekWire site today. With a little digging in the posts there, our inquisitive kitty found one about Amazon.

 

1.13 million?

According to Taylor Soper's post, Amazon has 1.13 million employees worldwide. 400,000 of those employees were hired this year. Now Amazon plans to hire another 100,000 seasonal workers for the company's distribution centers. Amazon pays its employees a minimum wage of $15.00 per hour and CEO Jeff Bezos challenged other large employers to raise their minimum hourly wage as well. The post contains several links to information about Amazon's previous hiring sprees, previous wage increases, letters to shareholders, and more.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Seasonal workers? ... They must be planning for a lot of online Christmas shoppers."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea, a cup of cocoa, three muffins and three cupcakes for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links, bring a thermos of cocoa, twelve muffins, twelve cupcakes, and a blanket for a nap in the middle.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

Coronavirus Worklife: 'France Creative' and Italian Publishers Speak Out for Bookstores - Publishing Perspectives

 Today as Panzer entered the Catosphere the Panzermobile hit a headwind of crying and a screaming. Following all the chaos took our brave kitty pilot to the Publishing Perspectives site. There he discovered a post about European lockdowns and bookstores was causing all the angst.

 

I think books are essential.

The post by Porter Anderson describes efforts by French publishers and other organizations to convince the country's government to allow bookstores to remain open during the current Covid-19 lockdown. The publishers' group issued a statement requesting that during France's lockdown bookstores be allowed to open for cultural purposes. The statement also notes that other countries have designated bookstores as essential businesses. The Publishing Perspective post also includes information about Italy's lockdown's impact on books and bookstores in that country. There are links included to other posts with information about lockdowns.

 

Panzer says, "Included in the French publishers' statement is a reference to Amazon too. This little kitty isn't saying any more about that. You'll have to read the post to find out what it says."

 

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring a thermos of cocoa, six chocolate chip cookies (biscuits), and two brownies for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links, bring a thermos of tea and five muffins too.

 

To read the post tootle over to France Creative and Italian publishers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazon is Killing Kindle Owner's Lending Library on 4 January - The Digital Reader

 Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, he decided to make a stop at The Digital Reader site. With just a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one about Amazon's Kindle Owner's Lending Library.

 

Will anybody miss it?

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, Amazon is doing away with the Kindle Owner's Lending Library (KOLL). KOLL was Amazon's subscription service available for Kindle users. It proved so successful Amazon launched Kindle Unlimited. An email sent out to KOLL participants says their ebooks will still be available to read even after the service is discontinued. The post includes links to previous posts about the service.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the Comments section. There is some interesting information there."

 

Note: This is a long-short length post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Kindle Owner's Lending Library

Free Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention for writers and fans

 We couldn't post yesterday as our internet service was down. Again.

But we're back online today.

Not knowing how long we'll have internet access today, Panzer made a quick trip into the Catosphere. While there our speedy little kitty boy heard clapping and cheering outside the Panzermobile. Following all the noise took him to The Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention site. He discovered all the hullabaloo was because the online convention attendance is free.

To see information about the programs and presenters, go to the Home site. Click the Programs button to see what will be offered. Click the Presenters button to the biography for each presenter. If you've decided you want to attend, hover your cursor over the About tab at the top. Click the SFFCon 2020 button for attendance instructions. You can view the programs on Facebook or YouTube. (If you continue down this page to the convention schedule, it appears you can click the links to watch from this page too.) The convention starts Friday and concludes Sunday.

A long weekend.

Panzer says, "Whether you're an SFF writer of a fan there is something for everyone. The convention is put together in different tracks. There is a Creative Track (writers and indie publishers), a Genre Fan Track and a Breakout Sessions Track."

 

To go to the convention Home page site, tootle over to SFF Con Site

To go to the convention on Facebook, tootle over to SFF Con on Facebook

To go to the convention on YouTube, tootle over to SFFCon on YouTube

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Halloween

 Happy Halloween!

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

Looking for writers and writing entertainment to watch this weekend?

 In case you're looking for something to watch this weekend, Panzer made a trip into the Catosphere and found these for you.

 

These will all be interesting.

Malice in Memphis has a presentation by writers talking about writing during their monthly meetings. Click Events in the banner heading and then Monthly Meetings. (Some of the older ones do start with the meeting, but the newer ones are the writer presentations.)

To watch the presentations tootle over to Malice in Memphis

 

You'll need to register with your email and then be given a link to watch the Mystery in the Midlands conference.

To watch Mystery in the Midlands conference tootle over to Mystery in the Midlands

 

Murder by the Book conducts interviews with mystery authors. Here's a link to the September interview with author Ann Cleeves creator of the Vera Stanhope mysteries.

To watch the Murder by the Book interview with Ann Cleeves tootle over to Ann Cleeves 

35 Writing Contests in November 2020 - No Entry Fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Panzer made a quick stop at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site.  There our speedy kitty boy found a collection of writing contests for November.

Don't wait. Hurry!

Site owner Erica Verrillo has collected thirty-five no entry fee writing contests with November deadlines. Included in the list are fiction, nonfiction, translations, poetry, and "arts" contests.

 

Panzer says, "Better start getting your entries ready. Sunday is the first day of November."

 

Note: Since this post includes descriptions of all thirty-five contests, it's a l-o-n-g length post. Bring two thermoses of tea, six muffins, six cupcakes, six brownies, and six chocolate chip cookies (biscuits).

 

To read the post tootle over to writing contests

How bookstores are weathering the pandemic - Vox

 Today Panzer decided to make a stop at the Vox site. With just a little digging in the posts he found one about indie bookstores and the pandemic.

 

According to Bryce Covert, indie bookstores are making use of whatever tools they can find to continue business during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Indie bookstores closed either voluntarily when Covid-19 first became a problem or when there was a mandated lockdown. Many bookstores then switched to online book sales or by-phone book orders. Books can then either be shipped by mail or picked up curbside. One bookstore owner even drove book orders to people's homes. The post includes interviews with several bookstore owners. There are also some links to other posts about impacts on indie bookstore sales included in the post.

It all makes sense.

Panzer says, "Even author events were moved to online."

 

Note: This is a h-u-g-e post. You will need a thermos of cocoa, three muffins, three cupcakes, and three chocolate chip cookies and you might also want a blanket for a nap in the middle of today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to bookstores

Barnes & Noble, Former CEO Abruptly End Litigation - Publishers Weekly

 Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one about the Barnes and Noble bookstores and Demos Parnero lawsuits. Panzer told you about the ongoing court battles in September.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, the dueling lawsuits between Barnes and Noble and the company's former CEO Demos Parnero have been dropped. Demos Parnero was fired by Barnes and Noble in 2018. He promptly sued the company. The company then counter-sued him. On October 26 both Parnero and Barnes and Noble agreed to drop their lawsuits against each other. They also agreed to pay their own attorney fees. Neither parties' attorneys would issue a comment.

All that time for nothing.

Panzer says, "So ... After two years of fighting in court, it's all over. Just like that. Poof! Gone!"

Note: This is a short medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

To read Panzer's previous post about the Barnes and Noble lawsuit, tootle over to Barnes and Noble lawsuit

 

 

 

 

October 27 Is National Black Cat Day

 Happy National Black Cat Day

 

 

 

From Panzer

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on the meaning of love:

Mom is always telling me to "Get Down, Panzer."

 

She keeps telling me she says it to protect me because she loves me.

So ... I thought about that in between naps today.

 

And then ...

I got out her pack of little sticky-on-the-back papers.

And ...

Wrote "Get Down, Mom" on them.

And I put one on the couch ...

And one on the computer keyboard ...

 

And one on the kitchen counter ...

 

And one on the dining room table ...

 

She really loves me a lot.

And one on the bed ...

And one on What's His Name's recliner chair.

All the places where she told me she loves me.

I'm back!

 Panzer here.

 

Did you miss me?

It's been a long two days. First we last that stuff called electricity. That's the thing that makes the dark go away at night. Then we last that stuff called the Internet World Spider Web. That's the thing we use to send out our stuff to you. 

Happy Cat Dance! We've finally got everything back where it belongs.

So, we'll be playing catch-up all weekend.

I've got my paws crossed I'll see you tomorrow.

Wales and Ireland close non-essential shops in new lockdowns - The Bookseller

 Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he heard crying and sobbing outside. Following all the noise took our kitty pilot to The Bookseller site. With just a little digging in the posts, he discovered one about new Covid-19 lockdowns in Ireland and Wales.

 

According to the post by Mark Chandler, Wales and Ireland are closing all non-essential shops, including bookstores in a new lockdown. Wales' lockdown will last for two weeks and Ireland's lockdown will last for six weeks. Bookstores can still sell online and by telephone.

 

Books are essential.

Panzer says, "That virus thingy just isn't going away."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Wales and Ireland lockdown