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!

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

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

Will you discover a great unpublished book through Amazon?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?

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.

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

18 Free Spooky Stories

Follow me for some scary fun.

Panzer heard some really scary news in the Catosphere today. My big brave kitty boy headed over to the Blastr site to check it out.

It turns out that for the third Halloween in a row, Blastr has FREE spooky short stories available at their site. There's a total of 18 short stories. Many of the stories are from authors such as Bram Stoker and H. P. Lovecraft, but others are from authors such as Stephen King, Neil Gaiman and Robert McCammon.

Panzer says, "You'll need a big cup of tea, because you can't download the stories and have to read them online."

To read the stories, tootle over to spooky stories

Large-Screen Nook Makes Its Debut

I want to see it.

Panzer was out in the Catosphere and made a stop at GalleyCAT. He found some news for all you Nook lovers.

Back in August my big bad news-gathering kitty told you about the agreement between Barnes & Noble and Samsung. The two companies agreed to a joint venture on a new tablet.

According to a post by Maryann Yin over at GalleyCAT, the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook has arrived. It has a 10.1 inch HD display, so no more squinting at the screen. Best of all, it's available in stores and online now.

Panzer says, "Finally. It was taking so long I thought they changed their minds."

To read the full post, tootle over to Large-Screen Nook Makes Its Debut - GalleyCat

More Ellora's Cave vs Dear Author

It has been such a long day.

Panzer got a late start on today's trip into the Catosphere. But my poor little overworked kitty boy did manage to make it over to The Passive Voice site. He found an interesting post about the ongoing court fight between erotica publisher Ellora's Cave and the Dear Author blog site.

My busy kitty reporter told you about the court case in his October 3rd post. In the earlier post he explained to you that Amazon was being blamed for Ellora's Cave's financial problems.  Now, there's information on new developments in the case. The developments involve moving the case from state court to Federal Court, difficulty getting depositions and other case matters. You'll want to read the Comments section for even more information and other links.

Panzer says, "I couldn't find a mention of Amazon anywhere."

To read the full post, tootle over to Elloras Cave vs Dear Author

The Amazon debate: Amazon Critic vs Self-publishing Rock Star

Not a hiss in the bunch.

Panzer was going to stop in at Joe Konrath's blog today, but he didn't make it that far.  He made a detour to the Salon site instead. Joe Konrath and Rob Spillman were having an online debate there about Amazon.

The online debate consists of Konrath and Spillman's back and forth emails about whether Amazon is truly the evil ebook publishing empire. It delves into Jeff Bezos' admitted admiration of Sam Walton's business style and the similarities between Amazon and Walmart.

Panzer says, "These two humans actually agree that they mostly agree. Who would have believed that's possible with these two."

This is a very, very, very long post, so bring a very, very, very large cup of tea.

To read the post, tootle over to The great Amazon debate: A leading Amazon critic and a self-publishing rock star try to find common ground

A New Panzerism

Next time I'll tell you what I want.

Panzer on Exercise Equipment:

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

Kind of silly, huh?

It doesn't have handlebars. I don't have any laundry or rain coats to hang over it.

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

Amazon To Open Pop-Up Kiosks

I didn't see that coming.

Panzer was out in the Catosphere today catching up on some of the news he missed while he didn't feel well. He found some big news for you.

Last week my big bad kitty reporter told you about the rumors Amazon was opening some brick and mortar stores. According to Tricia Duryee at the GeekWire site, that's almost true.

Amazon says they will be opening two pop-up kiosks for the holiday shopping season. One will be in a San Francisco, California, shopping mall and the second in a Sacramento, California, location. Amazon's own electronics will be available there.

Panzer says, "MeWow! I can just stroll into the Mall and buy a new Kindle!"

To read the whole post, tootle over to Amazon retail stores

Amazon And World Domination ... Not

Finally, a human with a sense of humor.

Panzer heard about an interesting post over at the Boston Globe site. He hopped right in the Panzermobile and took a trip over there.

My bad kitty boy reporter discovered somebody like himself. Somebody who doesn't hate Jeff Bezos for starting, and now being the head, of Amazon.

It's true!

In his post Alex Beam says he not only doesn't hate Mr. Bezos, he believes Amazon has done great things for customers (readers) and writers. Mr. Beam's post also addresses the proposition that while Amazon has changed the whole publishing landscape, the change is for the better.

And, guess what ...

Amazon is not out to dominate the world.

Panzer says, "I like this guy. He has a cat's sense of humor."

To read the whole post, tootle over to Jeff Bezos
 

Panzer is still feeling a little under the weather, so he only made a short trip into the Catoshere today.

Google and Amazon? Who knew?

My poor sick kitty boy did a quick stop at the Slate site. He found a post by Alison Griswold about the competition between Google and Amazon.

Goggle and Amazon are competitors now?

In what?

In search engine competition and delivery competition.

Panzer says, "Did you know about either of these?"

To read the full post, tootle over to Google Amazon competition

Taking A Sick Day

I don't feel well. I went to the vet today and got a shot. See you tomorrow.

My tummy hurts.

Anne R. Allen's Blog: How to Write Chapter Endings That Make Readers Wan...

So exciting, you just can't stop.

Panzer stopped in at his friend Anne R. Allen's blog. He likes stopping in there because she always has such interesting posts.

Today, my big bad kitty captain found a post about turning each chapter ending into a page turner.

Page turner?

Yes. A page turner.

Get your readers to turn the page and start the next chapter.

The chapter ending is so compelling you have to know what happens next. Who cares if you have to go to work in the morning? You just have to finish this chapter ... and the next ... and the next ... until you're finished the book.

Panzer says, "I want to write books you can't put down."

You'll need a big cup of tea as this is a long post. The post opens with a contest, then continues with suggestions and tips from Jessica Bell. Ms. Bell tells you how to make you chapters grab your readers attention and not let go. The end of the post includes some writing contests too.

To read the post, tootle over to Anne R. Allen's Blog: How to Write Chapter Endings That Make Readers Wan...:

A New Panzerism

Panzer on Perfection:

Mom says it's important to practice what you're good at so you can get better.

Perfection is my goal.

Okay, let's see ...

Nap Practice at 1:00 p.m.

Nap Practice at 2:00 p.m.

Nap Practice at 3:00 p.m.

Nap Practice at ...

What will it be?

Panzer was out in the Catosphere when he followed some news crumbs to The New York Times site.

There my big kitty boy-reporter learned that, according to a post by David Streitfield and Charles V. Bagli, there are more rumors circulating about Amazon. Now before you run away screaming, these are not bad rumors.  It's being bandied about that Amazon may be opening a bricks and mortar store in New York city. Or may be opening office space in New York city. Or may be opening a warehouse distribution center in New York city.

Panzer says, "That's the thing about rumors. There's never just one."

To read the full post, tootle over to Amazon real estate

Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Amazon? Not German Publishers.

I saw it coming. Did you?

Panzer was doing his usual search in the Catosphere for the latest news today. My big, bad, black kitty stopped in at the Biz Community blog. He found a post about Amazon in Germany.

According to the post, Heinrich Riethmueller, President, German Publishers and Booksellers Assn., says German publishers are well-positioned to withstand an Amazon invasion. Publishers have had a year to watch Amazon's movements in Germany. Not only is Amazon dealing with tax issues there, but in August German authors started a petition similar to Douglas Preston's Authors United petition.

Panzer says, "Is Amazon sending a representative to Frankfurt, Germany, for the International Book Fair? Why? It sounds like they're not welcome."

To read the full post, tootle over to German publishers

I Know Something You Don't Know

Can you find the hidden big bad kitty?

Panzer went to visit novelist Margot Kinberg's blog Confessions of a Mystery Novelist today. My big bad kitty boy found a post there that is well worth a writer's time to read.

Ms. Kinberg posts about the author device of letting the reader know an important clue the story "detective" doesn't know. If handled correctly, this can add suspense to the novel as the detective finds the clue. However, if handled incorrectly, the detective can look like he needs to find a new occupation. She includes examples from six well-known crime novelists' books to illustrate her points.

Warning: Since there are several examples included, this is a LONG post so you'll need a very BIG cup of tea this time.

To read the full post, tootle over to if only

EU Investigating Amazon in Luxembourg

Anybody else want to get in line?

Panzer was out in the Catosphere today and stopped in at the New York Times site. He found a post by Mark Scott with breaking news about Amazon.

Scott lets us know that the European Union has opened an investigation into Amazon's office in Luxembourg. The investigation looks at the possibility Amazon may have gotten special tax treatment from Luxembourg.

Amazon says "No."

Luxembourg says "No."

But, the investigation continues.

Panzer says, "The line just keeps getting longer against Amazon."

Be warned, you'll need a HUGE cup of tea because this is a LONG post.

To read the whole post, tootle over to Amazon in Luxembourg

A New Panzerism

Panzer on Hypnotism:

Mom said she's worried that her little kitty boy is overweight. She said she wants to try hypnotism for the weight problem.

Well ...

Okay ...

Mom, your eyelids are getting heavy.

"Mom, repeat after me,

I will not worry about the kitty. He's not overweight, just big-boned ... I will not worry about the kitty. He's not overweight, just big-boned."

Three Sides To The Amazon vs. Hachette Fight?

You should have seen this coming.

Panzer was out in the Catosphere today and stopped in at bestselling author C.J. Lyons' blog No Rules Just Write.

My bad boy super reporter found a post about the Amazon/Hachette contract dispute. Ms. Lyons' post addresses the issues in the dispute from an interesting perspective. Instead of using the the two sided argument of Authors-Hachette vs. Amazon, she uses the three sided argument of Authors vs. (Hachette vs. Amazon).

Ms. Lyons points out that publishers (Hachette and others) long ago gave up book distribution. This gave rise to book distributors (Amazon and others). Authors have traditionally chosen to have nothing to do with either of these business models. Most authors have not looked at the changing landscape nor prepared for it. And therein lies authors' problems with the Amazon/Hachette contract dispute. Authors have no say in this dispute nor should they, as they have nothing to do with either the publishing side or the distribution side of this dispute.

Panzer says, "Didn't they ever hear of don't put all your eggs in one basket?"

To read C.J. Lyons' post, tootle over to Three Sides to This Fight?

Of Amazon, Ellora's Cave and Dear Author

I don't want to know about this.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere and stumbled over an interesting post at publisher Melville House's site.

Melville editor Sal Robinson's post addresses the issues with erotica publisher Ellora's Cave.  Ellora's Cave brought a law suit against Dear Author blogger Jane Litte.  Ms. Litte wrote a post about Ellora's Cave's finances.

Now my big bad kitty boy knows nothing about erotica or Ellora's Cave or their finances. What drew him to the post was the title, Is Amazon responsible for the Ellora's Cave fiasco? Most of the post is about EC's finances. In addition, there are some interesting points included about Amazon's search algorithm and its possible impact on EC's sales. However, there are other points about why and how the search algorithm might not be picking up EC's books in the potential buyers' searches.

Panzer says, "Do you suppose Amazon is responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs? They seem to be responsible for every other bad thing that's happened in the world."

To read the latest about the destruction of the world as we know it by Amazon, tootle over to Melville House

Two Free Audios From Kaye George

FREE! FREE! Hurry!

Panzer was out visiting some of his writer friends today. He stopped in at Kaye George's blog Travels with Kaye.

My bad kitty found a great big surprise for you there. Kaye is giving away two FREE audio short stories at her website. She has a link at the bottom of her post to the FREE audios.

To get the FREE audios, tootle over to Travels With Kaye

Literary Agent Asks Clients To Join Authors United

Today Panzer was cruising in the Catosphere when he felt a thump. The Panzermobile got caught in a tractor beam and pulled over to the New York Times site. There my bad boy found it was a post by David Streitfeld that caught him.

My tummy hurts I have no literary merit

Turns out Authors United has a new standard bearer. Literary agent Andrew Wylie has sent a letter to all of his clients asking them to join bestselling author Douglas Preston's Authors United group and quite a few of them have agreed to join. According to Mr. Streitfeld's post, Mr. Wylie says Amazon's lack of marketing some books will lead to the "end of literary culture in America."

Panzer says, "But ... wait. Does that mean my books sold now on Amazon don't contribute to the literary culture? Don't my books have literary merit?"

Warning: You'll need a very b-i-g cup of tea. This is a very l-o-n-g post because it has quotes from not only Mr. Wylie but some of his clients as well.

To read the whole post, tootle over to more Authors United