Kindle Unlimited Titles Off the DBW Ebook Best-Seller List

Who else will say not on my bestseller list.

Panzer couldn't believe all the yowling going on in the Catosphere today. He followed all the hissing and moaning over to the Digital Book World site. My kitty boy found out all the noise is coming from Amazon authors.

Panzer told you about the new Kindle Unlimited program last week. It turns out Amazon's "bestsellers" list will count "reads" under the program as part of the "sales" for their list. Because of this practice, Digital Book World will no longer list Kindle Unlimited titles on the DBW bestseller list.

Panzer says, "Makes sense to me. You don't get to count it as a sale when somebody checks your book out of the library. So, why should you get to count it as a sale when you read it for free with your monthly Kindle Unlimited program "all you can read membership" fee?"

To read Digital Book World's post on their decision, tootle over to Kindle Unlimited Titles Off the DBW Ebook Best-Seller List

Amazon Says Lower Ebook Prices and Increase Royalties

Is the end in sight? Do I see it?

Panzer was searching around in the Catosphere for today's post and guess what he found at the Publishers' Weekly site?

More Amazon-Hachette news.

Amazon posted to their Kindle forum their side of the dispute.

And what is their side?

Lower ebook prices and higher author royalties.

Panzer says, "Makes sense to me. What's holding up the contract?"

To read the full post and the link to the Kindle forum post, tootle over to Amazon's claims in Hachette dispute

A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Must. Stop. The Stupid.

They're almost as bad as me.

Panzer decided to pay author Joe Konrath a visit today. It's been a long time since he's been over to Joe's blog A Newbie's Guide to Publishing so he wasn't sure what he'd find there. My bad boy was happy to find that Joe hasn't changed a bit. He's still just as much a curmudgeon as ever.

So ...

Panzer found a post with Joe Konrath and Barry Eisler's take on the Authors' Guild's post, Douglas Preston's letter, the indie authors' letter and everything to do with the Amazon-Hachette dispute. Joe and Barry do the post as a conversation discussing and dissecting it all.

Be forewarned, this is a very, very, very long post.

Panzer says, "I just love these guys. They've got the bad boy attitude down perfectly."

To read the full post, tootle over to A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Must. Stop. The Stupid.:

Also More Amazon-Hachette of Interest:
Amazon Poses Possible New Offer To Hachette
Authors' Guild Sends Letter In Amazon-Hachette Dispute
Hachette Turns Down Amazon's Author Offer
Amazon-Hachette Contract Dispute Continues
300 Authors Join Amazon-Hachette Dispute

A New Panzerism

Let's try it and see.

Panzer on developing your cat's personality thru games:

No, I don't want to play a game of chase the wadded up paper ball.

Now ...

A game of ambush mom's ankles might be kind of fun, though.

Liberio Lets You Make an eBook From Google Drive - GalleyCat

A cat's work is never done.

Panzer took a leisurely trip around the Catosphere today. My bad boy stopped in at GalleyCAT. He found a post by Dianna Dilworth about an ebook conversion platform called Liberio.

According to Ms. Dilworth, if you have a Google account, you have access to the platform. You can use it to convert your Google Drive document to an ePub file. You can even make a cover for the ebook you just created. There's even a link in the post to Liberio to learn more.

Panzer says, "Oh, no. Something else I have to learn. I'll have to use Google Drive so I can test Liberio."

To learn more about this conversion platform, tootle over to Liberio Lets You Make an eBook From Google Drive - GalleyCa t

Apple Settlement May Not Be Settled Says Judge

I thought the end was in sight.

Panzer just got a Reuters news flash about the proposed Apple ebook price-fixing case settlement and possible case reversal he told you about. The judge in the case has not accepted the settlement.

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote says she has serious reservations about the settlement. Judge Cote sites issues with the amount and terms of the settlement as well as other issues,

Panzer says, "Just when I thought it might end ... no such luck for this kitty."

To read the entire Reuters news story, tootle over to Apple Ebooks Settlement

Oyster Now Available on Web & Mobile Browsers - GalleyCat

Who will survive?

Panzer hasn't been to GalleyCAT for awhile so he made a short trip there today. He found a post about ebook subscription service Oyster.

The Oyster service has until now been Smartphone and tablet based. Now the service is moving into being Web and mobile based. This will put it in competition with not only Scribd, but with Amazon as well since the (r)etailer's entry into the ebook subscription service last week.

Panzer says, "Hmmm. Let's see ... Scribd ... Oyster ... Amazon. Who will still be around in two years?"

To read about Oyster's move into the new markets, tootle over to Oyster Now Available on Web & Mobile Browsers - GalleyCat

Amazon Poses Possible New Offer To Hachette Author

Humans. Pfftttt.

Panzer got a late start in his Catosphere search today. But heading out late was worth the trip. The Publishers' Weekly site has an update on the Amazon-Hachette dispute.

Amazon made a "what if" offer to bestselling author Douglas Preston (who started the letter against Amazon). In the offer Amazon said, "what if" they starting carrying and selling Hachette's books again ... and "what if" the royalties from those sales was given to the authors ... and "what if" the money Amazon and Hachette's each earned from those sales was given to a literacy charity ... and "what if" Amazon and Hachette kept negotiating then ... would Douglas Preston and Hachette's other authors refrain from speaking out against Amazon?

Mr. Preston's response was the same as last time, "No."

Panzer says, "Humans. I'll never understand them."

If you want to read the latest in the Amazon-Hachette contract negotiations, tootle over to Amazon to authors

Using Twitter Hashtags for Book Promotion

Who knew?

Panzer was out looking for marketing ideas today. My bad boy found a site he'd never been to before called the Readers+Writers Journal. He read a post there about using Twitter for book promotions.

Twitter?

With only 140 character?

Guess what the promotion tool at Twitter is.

It's hashtags.

The post includes examples of the hashtags you want to use with samples of how to use them. It has where to upload your cover; how to promote a sale; and, even has a link to 200 more promotional hashtags.

Panzer says, "I never knew there were all those hashtags for writing."

If you're looking for information on book promotion on Twitter, tootle over to twitter for book promotion

A New Panzerism

Missed it again!

Panzer on the virtue of cat naps:

Don't you just hate it when you're late for a nap because you overslept?

Yet Another View On The Amazon-Hachette Dispute

I'm a bad kitty. I wasn't paying attention.

Panzer stopped in at Gigaom today. This is a new site for my bad boy. He was just tootling around in the Catosphere and found it. He's going to bookmark it for future visits.

My big black kitty boy found a post there by Laura Hazard Owen which approaches the Amazon-Hachette dispute from a totally different angle than the other sites he's visited recently. Ms. Owen looks at the dispute from the standpoint of the language used by each of the two companies. She demonstrates through examples of word choices used in press releases and other means how each of the companies portray themselves to writers and the public at large.

Panzer says, "I'm ashamed of myself. I never knew this was happening. There's so much spin here it's like watching the neighbor's dog chase his tail."

To read Ms. Owen's take on the dispute, tootle over to Amazon-Hachette

Smashwords: Is Kindle Unlimited Bad for Authors?

This doesn't look good to me.

 Panzer was interested to find this post by Mark Coker at the Smashwords blog about the new Amazon Unlimited service.


My bad boy already knew he wasn't going to join the Amazon Unlimited service. You have to be part of the Amazon Select Program and agree not to sell (or offer free) your ebooks anywhere except in the Amazon store. He never joined the Program because he wanted to be able to offer his adventures to everyone: Nook, Kobo, iTunes, Scribd, Oyster, etc. Turns out Mr. Coker agrees.

If you're thinking of joining the new Amazon Unlimited or just want more information, you should tootle over to Smashwords: Is Kindle Unlimited Bad for Authors?: Amazon today unveiled Kindle Unlimited, following in the footsteps of Smashwords partners Scribd and Oyster. When I first heard of Kindl...

Grumpy Cat & Friends - Cat Summer

Panzer found this video at Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries and Meows. You'll see my bad boy's friends Grumpy Cat, Nala Cat, Hamilton the Hipster Cat, Oskar the Blind Cat, and Klaus.

Friskies Grillers (cat food) will donate one meal per video view (up to one million views) to cat charities.

So help feed the kitties!

Apple Asks Court For Reversal

Finally! Maybe I can get a nap now.

Yaay! Panzer can hardly believe his luck. He was digging around at Publisher's Weekly today and found something besides the Amazon-Hachette dispute in the news there.

According to a post by Andrew Albanese, Apple has asked the Second Circuit Court to reverse the decision of Apple's price-fixing conviction by Judge Cote. Apple argues that the Department of Justice (DoJ) got their information all wrong and Judge Cote made the wrong decision.

Panzer says, "Hmmm. So everybody is wrong except Apple. Interesting defense."

If you want to read Apple's argument to the court, tootle over to Apple pleads for reversal

Smashwords CEO on Why He as an Indie Author Supports Hachette Against Amazon

Stop! My ears hurt! My head hurts!

Okay ... now Panzer is really confused. He stopped in at the Digital Book World site today. Now not only are his ears ringing, but he's got a headache too.

Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, has jumped into the Amazon-Hachette dispute. Mr. Coker says as an indie author he supports Hachette in the dispute. After you read Mr. Coker's reasons for his decision, continue to the related articles section for more information on who's picking which side in the dispute and why.

Panzer says, "Ummm. Mr. Coker, are you still trying to get direct distribution of Smashwords' indie pubbed ebooks to the Amazon store? I don't think this will help."

If you want to read the latest on the Amazon-Hachette mess, tootle over to Smashwords CEO on Why He as an Indie Author Supports Hachette Against Amazon

A New Panzerism

Trust me. I'm right.

Panzer on Rules to Live By:

Both cats and humans should observe this rule:

When someone talks to you in a soft, sweet voice ...

RUN!

They're about to shove you into a cat carrier

or

an old folks home.

Allan Ahlberg Says No To Booktrust Prize Sponsored By Amazon

Hmmm. Never heard that one before.

Panzer has more Amazon-Hachette dispute fallout news for you today. In a post by Paul St John Mackintosh TeleRead reports that children's author Allan Ahlberg has refused the Booktrust Lifetime Achievement Award.

Why?

Because Amazon sponsored the prize.

What?

He doesn't like Amazon's multinational tax treatment of its earnings or its treatment of Hachette.

So ...

He said "No" to the award.

To read the full post, tootle over to Booktrust Prize

Authors Guild Sends Letter In Amazon-Hachette Dispute

There must be quiet somewhere!

No matter how far Panzer travels in the Catosphere he can't get away from all the noise of the Amazon-Hachette dispute. Publisher's Weekly has an update on the situation. Now, the Authors' Guild has jumped into the dispute because of Amazon's letter suggesting Amazon and Hachette give authors all the ebook sales profits.

Panzer says, "The circle of yowling and caterwauling just gets bigger and bigger."

To read the latest on the Amazon-Hachette dispute, tootle over to Authors Guild

Your News: Writer's Digest and Author Solutions split and Amazon vs Hachette

Had enough Amazon-Hachette yet?

Panzer meant to post this for you last week, but he got sidetracked in the Catosphere by other stuff.

So ... here it is now.

My bad boy loves the Indies Unlimited site. In addition to being an indie ebook marketing site, they have great posts. Last week's monthly news roundup by Stephen Hise has information on the news of the Author Solutions-Writer's Digest split situation.  He also has a link for additional news on the Amazon-Hachette dispute.

Panzer says, "Even if he doesn't like kittens, he's not all bad."

To catch up on the news, tootle over to newsbites at Indies Unlimited.

Hachette Turns Down Amazon's Author Offer

Will it ever end?

Panzer followed the Amazon-Hachette yowling again today and wound up at Publisher's Weekly's blog.

Now the dispute is whether or not Amazon and Hachette should give author's 100 percent of the royalties from ebook sales while the big boys are fighting in the sandbox. After you read Publisher's Weekly's post, read the arguing going on in the comments section.

To read the newest in the Amazon-Hachette contract dispute, tootle over to Amazon's latest proposal

Smashwords' 2014 Ebook Sales Facts And Figures

Panzer stopped in at The Smashwords' blog today. Mark Coker posted his annual report of the ebook sales figures from Smashwords' distribution channels/locations. The sales figures and Mark's analysis of them are must reading for ebook authors. Here's the Slideshare for your reading information.

2014 Smashwords Survey - How to Sell More Ebooks from Smashwords, Inc.

A New Panzerism

It's magic!

Panzer on Recorded History:

I really need a kitty-sized GoPro (TM).

Then ...

I could capture wonderful leaps, acts of amazing balance,

and ...

sudden feats of startling magic,

when ...

hairballs appear without warning.

Amazon-Hachette Contract Dispute Continues

I can't get away from it. It's everywhere!

Panzer just can't get any quiet. Just when he thought he might be able to get a nap, the CATerwauling started again. My bad boy dragged his sleep deprived body into the Catosphere and discovered all the latest over at The Passive Voice blog.

As my poor kitty told you earlier this week bestselling author Douglas Preston was circulating a letter to Amazon. He managed to get 300 authors to sign it.  Now bestselling indie author Hugh Howey is circulating a letter supporting Amazon which has 3,000+ signers.

Panzer says, "Will you guys just sign the contract and get all this over with. I've got to get some sleep!"

To read the latest on the Amazon-Hachette dispute, tootle over to Amazon-Hachette fight

Cozy Chicks: THE TOP TEN THINGS PEOPLE HAVE SAID TO ME AT BOOK SIGNINGS

My ears still hurt!

Panzer is recuperating from all the fireworks and noise on July 4th.

But he left this link to the Cozy Chicks blog for you to enjoy a laugh ... Cozy Chicks: THE TOP TEN THINGS PEOPLE HAVE SAID TO ME AT BOOK ...:

Fourth of July

Fourth of July
Independence Day

Have a safe and happy 4th of July

300 Authors Join Amazon-Hachette Contract Dispute

Don't try to understand them.

It's happened again. Panzer hasn't been able to get any sleep today. There's been CATerwauling going on all day.  When my bad boy couldn't stand the noise any longer, he went out in the Panzermobile. He searched and he searched all over the Catosphere. Finally he found the answer at Publishers Weekly.

All the yowling is about the Amazon-Hachette contract dispute. Panzer told you about the ongoing disagreements in his Amazon doesn't need Hachette post. Now, it turns out Hachette's authors are jumping into the contract negotiations. Bestselling author Douglas Preston has drafted a letter to Amazon. So far he's gotten 300 authors to sign it. In the letter he asks Amazon to stop the slow response times for the availability of Hachette books. Since Hachette hasn't agreed to the new contract, Amazon is not making their books immediately available with the pre-order option. Also, shipment of books may take two to four weeks instead of immediately. The letter wants Amazon to proceed with the sales of Hachette's books as if the contract is already signed.

Panzer says, "Let me get this straight. Hachette won't agree to the contract, but you want Amazon to sell their books anyway? Hmmm. Shouldn't the authors be sending their publisher (Hachette) a letter telling them to sign the contract instead? But then I'm just a CAT. What do I know about how you humans think."

To read the full post, tootle over to authors ask Amazon to settle

Free Fiction Monday: “When Thomas Jefferson Dined Alone”

Hurry! Before it's gone!

Panzer was out trawling the Catosphere looking for FREE stuff. Every once in a while he gets the urge to hunt for FREE stuff and today was the day. He stopped in at Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog and found a FREE short story for you.

Ms. Rusch writes in all genres so you never know what you'll find in the short stories at her blog. This story has some spooky aspects and some time travel in it. That spooky stuff includes some history about U.S. presidents and their wives.

You should bookmark Ms. Rusch's blog. On Mondays she posts one of her short story FREE.  You can't download or share the story, but they're FREE for the week. At the end of the week the stories will only be available for sale at all the ebook (r)e-tailers: Amazon, Kobo, Nook, etc.

To read this story while it's FREE, you need to tootle over to Free Fiction Monday: “When Thomas Jefferson Dined Alone”

A New Panzerism

Equal is fair.

Panzer on the fairness of things:

At first it didn't seem right.

You shouted and swatted me when I accidentally landed on your head in the middle of the night.

Then you said the punishment should equal the offense.

Now ...

I agree, you're right.

So ...

you deserve what I left in your new slippers.