Cats vs. Kittens Super Bowl

They're cute! They're fuzzy! It's Cats vs. Kitten! (and you can see Panzer Jr. in the game!)
 

No Post Today

Panzer has to go to the vet.

Business Musings: Sure, I Trust You

No! No! No! No agent!

Panzer decided to make a stop at Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog today. My big bad kitty Panzermobile pilot spent so much time there reading the latest post he almost didn't make it home in time for dinner. And you all know that must have been a pretty important post for him to be late for kitty food!

Ms. Rusch's post is about agents and publishers. There are some real horror stories included. (Both her own and other authors' stories.) There are stories of under payment of royalties. Of not being able to "fire" an agent. And of having to sign non-disclosure agreements after settlements. My poor little kitty was so upset when he got home he hid under the bed for at least 5 minutes before he came out to eat.

Panzer says, "This is really scary stuff!"

Note: You'll need at least 3 cups of tea for this v-e-r-y, v-e-r-y, v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post.

To read the post, tootle over to Business Musings: Sure, I Trust You

Kobo Acquires BlinkBox Books

B-B-B-B ...

Panzer has some hot off the presses news from the Catosphere for you. Our favorite kitty reporter found a post about BlinkBox by Michael Kozlowski at the GoodEReader site.

According to Mr. Kozlowski, Kobo has acquired BlinkBox Books Business from Tesco. BlinkBox customers will be notified how to transfer their libraries to Kobo and then the BlinkBox app will be closed out.

Panzer says, "Try to say BlinkBox Books Business fast!"

To read the post, tootle over to Blinkbox Books Business

Self Publishing Predictions for 2015

What did I get into?

Panzer has been searching high and low in the Catosphere today to see into the future. Our kitty fortuneteller wants to know what 2015 holds for indie writers and publishers. So, he did the happy kitty dance when he found a post at the Booklife site by Betty Kelly Sargent on just that subject.

Ms. Sargent interviewed some of the big names in the indie world. Names like Hugh Howey, Joel Friedlander, Thad Mcllroy, and Russell Blake. There are quotes from articles on the subject, too.

What are the big names saying? Hugh Howey says not much will happen this year. Joel Friedlander says indie publishing will grow. Thad Mcllroy talks about mobile computing. Russell Blake addresses subscription services.

Panzer says, "It's all so confusing. I wish I hadn't asked!"

To read the post, tootle over to  self publishing

A New Panzerism

Even Mom's right once in a while.

Panzer on human correctness:

Good news, Mom.

You were absolutely right!

You really can't put toothpaste back into the tube.

No matter how much you squeeze out, it just can't be pushed back in.

Game of Thrones: Season 5

Don't get between me and my Cat TV!

Today's trip in the Catosphere brings news for all Panzer's friends who are Game of Thrones fans like he is.

Our big bad kitty boy found a post at Entertainment Weekly about a Game of Thrones Season 5 Special. According to James Hibberd, in the special we'll learn all about what goes into the filming of the show.  He also tells us the special, titled Game of Thrones: A Day in the Life, will air on February 8.

Panzer says, "Woo Hoo! I'm marking my calendar and you better too!"

Note: There's a short preview below the post. Scroll down to watch it.

To read the post and watch the preview, tootle over to Game of Thrones

Indie Author Annual Earnings Dismal

Mice? Yuk!

Panzer came back from the Catosphere crying big kitty tears today. Our brave kitty boy stopped in at The Guardian site and read a devastating post by Alison Flood.

My poor boy was sobbing so hard I could barely understand him. Turns out that according to a survey quoted in the post, most indie writers are only making between $500 and $999 a year. Writing is hard work and worth a lot more than that for a year of sales. It's enough to make a cat go back to his day job as a mouse catcher!

Panzer says, "That's barely enough to keep me in kitty treats for a year!"

To read the whole post, tootle over to authors earnings

2015 Edgar Award Nominations Announced

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere and stopped in at J. Kingston Pierce's The Rap Sheet blog. Our kitty boy reporter has been waiting and waiting and waiting for the release of the names of the 2015 Mystery Writers of America (MWA) nominees for the Edgar Allan Poe (the Edgar) Awards. According to Mr. Pierce, they've finally been announced.

Finally!

The Best Novel Nominees are:

This Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash
Wolf by Mo Hayder
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
The Final Silence by Stuart Neville
Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin
Coptown by Karin Slaughter

The awards will be presented at the MWA Awards Banquet April 29 in New York city.

Panzer says, "Nope. They don't allow indie published materials to be submitted."

Please Note: There are thirteen other categories (some have already been chosen) and that's way too much keying for our little kitty's toes to handle!

To read the full list, tootle over to  the Edgars

Where 15 of Your Favorite Words Came From Infographic

Who knew?

Panzer found this fun infographic that tells you where some of your favorite words came from.

Like my big bad kitty boy, did you ever wonder where "Tween" came from?

How about "Yahoo"?


Or "Cyberspace"?

Panzer says, "Scroll down to find out."

Bookmate Adds 200,000 English Language Ebooks

200,000 new ebooks!

Panzer was out in the Catosphere today when he found a post at Publishers' Weekly of interest to his friends in Russia and Eastern Europe looking for English language ebooks.

My little sleepy kitty discovered that according to Calvin Reid's post, Russian ebook subscription company Bookmate is adding 200,000 English language ebooks to their service. They signed agreements with two distributors and several publishers. The total number of ebooks available through the company is believed to be 500,000.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... And you won't even need access to Amazon."

To read the post, tootle over to Bookmate

A New Panzerism

I watch everything you do.

Panzer on agelessness:

One gray whisker does not mean I'm getting old

and, if you don't agree with me ...

I'll tell everybody what color your hair really is.

Game of Thrones and Coldhands

Unbelievable.

Panzer was out searching for news about his favorite television show, Game of Thrones. He found a post by Bill Bradley at the Huffington Post site that had some news he couldn't believe.

If you're a fan of Game of Thrones who believe the theory about Coldhands and Benjen Stark, you need to read the post.

Panzer says, "I'm shocked I tell you. Shocked."

Warning: Spoilers are included in Bill Bradley's post!

If you're brave enough to read the post, tootle over to George R. R. Martin

NEWS: PRIVATE EYE WRITERS OF AMERICA ACCEPTING SUB...

I'm so tired, I can barely move.

Panzer was so tired from working on his newest book (more about that in a few days) that he overslept from his afternoon nap. Our poor little kitty pilot hurried out into the Catosphere as soon as he jumped into the Panzermobile.

In between kitty yawns Panzer zigzagged his way to the Kevin's Corner blog. He found a post by Mr. Tipple for his American p.i. mystery writing friends. Turns out it's time for submissions to be made to the Private Eye Writers of America's annual awards contest. If your work was published in 2014, you can submit it for consideration.

Panzer says, "Shhh. I've heard they accept indie published novels for a special category, too."

To read the full post and rules, tootle over to Kevin's Corner: NEWS: PRIVATE EYE WRITERS OF AMERICA ACCEPTING SUB...:

Amazon's Grandinetti Speaks At DBW

I'm above the fray.

Panzer followed some whispering voices through the Catosphere to the Publishers' Weekly site. Our big black kitty reporter found an enlightening post by Calvin Reid there. If you're adept at reading between the lines like our kitty boy is, there's some interesting information in the post.

According to Mr. Reid, Amazon's Russ Grandinetti was at Digital Book World. Mr. Grandinetti was questioned by DBW representatives about the author unhappiness with Kindle Unlimited. Specifically, authors are dismayed by their diminished royalties since joining KU. According to Mr. Grandinetti, changes have been made to address the authors' issues.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... If the issues have been addressed, why are authors still leaving the program?"

Warning: This is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post and also has information on the Hachette contract, Amazon's size, and other subscription platforms.

To read the post, tootle over to Grandinetti speaks at DBW

Ray Bradbury's Home Razed

Not my house too?

Panzer was out in the Catosphere today and nearly lost control of the Panzermobile. Our intrepid kitty explorer couldn't believe the news he read at John King Tarpinian's File 770 site. The home where bestselling writer Ray Bradbury wrote some of his most memorable science fiction stories has been torn down.

Have you ever wondered where the Panzermobile came from? When Panzer was just a kitten (and before his mystery solving days), he developed a love of science fiction stories. One of his favorite SF writers was Ray Bradbury. When our little black kitty learned Mr. Bradbury had advised NASA, that generated an interest in space travel and hence the Panzermobile.

Panzer says, "First the shock of Mr. Bradbury's demise and now this. Humans have no concept of the importance of history."

Warning: This post is long and includes several photos of the building's destruction.

To read the full post, tootle over to Ray Bradbury

Amazon Sued By Durst Organization

Which is better 310,000 or 500,000?

Panzer is feeling much better today. So, when he got up from his morning nap, he hopped into the Panzermobile and headed straight out into the Catosphere.

My big black kitty went to visit one of his favorite sites for business news, Forbes. He found an interesting post by Ryan Mac about Amazon there. According to Mr. Mac, Amazon is being sued by the real estate company Durst Organization for $25 million dollars. The Durst Organization says they have a letter of intent from Amazon to lease 310,000 square feet of space in one of their New York office buildings. But, instead, Amazon leased 500,000 square feet of space in an office building from Vornado Realty.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... 310,000 square feet compared to 500,000 square feet. Sounds like maybe your building didn't have enough space."

To read the whole post, tootle over to New York builder sues Amazon

A New Panzerism

Did you pay that bill yet?

Panzer on the look of innocence:

Oh, your credit card bill came today?

Who joined The Catnip of the Month Club?

Hmmm ...

How would I know?

The Tree Of Knowledge Video

Interesting.

Panzer was over at his friend Lynn Viehl's Paperback Writer blog today.

My big bad boy's friend has a great video by Joshua Stocker posted there. The video is for book lovers and is called The Tree of Knowledge.

Panzer says, "Don't worry. It's really short. You'll want to adjust the volume, though."

To watch it tootle over to paperback writer.

Barnes and Noble Sales Up at Stores Down at Nook

Really. I feel a little better. Cough.

Panzer is feeling a little better today. He headed out into the Catosphere to visit GalleyCAT.

My poor little bedraggled kitty found a post by Dianna Dilworth about Barnes and Noble and Nook sales for the holiday season. While Barnes and Noble stores, both online and stationery brick and mortar, had a combined increase in holiday sales. The Nook division, however, had 55.4% less sales than last year.

Panzer says, "Hmmm. Let's see. You're spinning off Nook. Nobody knows if it will still be around next Christmas. Why would I want to buy a Nook? Or even an ebook to read on my Nook?"

Note: Be sure to check out the links at the end of Ms. Dilworth's post, too.

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Free SF and Fantasy Ebook From Tor.com

Warm milk, please. Cough!

Panzer is still feeling a little sick, so his trip into the Catosphere was quick today.

My big bad sick boy followed a trail of kitty treats over to the Tor.com site. He discovered they have a FREE ebook anthology of science fiction and fantasy stories available now. The book contains twenty-six short stories and novellas that include works by Ellen Datlow, Peter Joseph and Paul Stevens and many others. You can read the stories at the site or follow the links to Amazon, Nook, etc. to get your own copy.

Panzer says, "FREE is always good. (Cough! Cough!)"

To read the post, tootle over to free download

(A dip of the fedora to Bill Crider for the link.)

Amazon's Kindle Unlimited and Authors

12,000 words?

Panzer has been feeling a little sick for the past week. Today he felt well enough to take a short trip into the Catosphere.

My big bad kitty pilot stopped the Panzermobile in at the Bits blog at the New York Times site. In a post by David Streitfeld my poor boy learned a lot about the Kindle Unlimited program that he didn't want to know.

Mr. Streitfeld tells the experiences of novelist Kathryn Le Veque with the new Kindle Unlimited (KU) program. Ms. Le Veque has 50 novels up at Amazon some on KU, some on Amazon. Even with that many novels uploaded, Ms. Le Veque continues her writing output. Sometimes now, she will write and 18 hour day and turn out 12,000 words. Why? To keep her income up. But, Ms. Le Veque does say she doesn't mind working that hard.

Panzer says, "My paws hurt just thinking about 12,000 words a day!"

Warning! This is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g p-o-s-t. You'll need a very b-i-g c-u-p of t-e-a and a v-e-r-y b-i-g c-o-o-k-i-e.

To read the full post, tootle over to publish or perish

A New Panzerism

Round and round it goes.

Panzer on Cleanliness:

Mom's toothbrush floats very well.

Five flushes ...

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

I don't understand why she's so upset I washed it, though.

I put it back where I found it.

Happy New Year!

From All Of Us
To All Of You
Have A Happy New Year!