A New Panzerism

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 cat napzzzzzz.

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.

A New Panzerism

The dent? The big guy with the reindeer.

Panzer on the Christmas holiday:

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. *


* From Cat Wisdom for Humans

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

Australian Publishing Is Losing the Copyright Fight - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers' Weekly site. There he found a post about changes to Australia's copyright law.

According to the post by Ed Nawotka, the Australian Productivity Commission is set to change Australian copyright law. Under the new proposal parallel imports would be allowed. This means the U.S. and U.K. publishers would be able to enter the Australian book market. The proposal also includes a change to the length of a copyright.

Panzer says, "I didn't know the Australian book market worked like this."

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

To read the post, tootle over to copyright fight

No News Post Today

Mom and What's His Name are decorating the house and wrapping my Christmas presents, so there will be no post today.

Union calls new strikes at Amazon's German warehouses -Yahoo! Finance

Back to my nap now.

Panzer was shaken awake from his evening nap by loud noises coming from the Catosphere. Following all the hullabaloo our tired little kitty found himself at the Yahoo! Finance site. There he discovered a post about Amazon.

According to the post from the Reuters news feed, the German union Verdi is telling workers at three of Amazon's warehouses to go on strike now until December 24. The union wants reclassification and pay increases for their members working in Amazon's German warehouses.

Panzer says, "I hope this strike doesn't mess up Santa's Christmas cat toy deliveries!"

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

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon

OverDrive is Beta-Testing a New eBook App, Libby - The Digital Reader

Panzer made a short trip to The Digital Reader site today. After a little digging around there, our traveling kitty boy found a post about OverDrive.

Now where did she hide that password?

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, OverDrive is testing a new software app called Libby. OverDrive's Libby is used to check your ebooks out from the public library system. Libby is also used to read the ebooks after they're downloaded to an Android or iOS device. There are links at the end of the post to download the software.

Panzer says, "I'm going to download Libby and put it on Mom's tablet. Like Mr. Hoffelder, I quit using OverDrive's old app for library ebooks because it was too clunky for this kitty."

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

To read the post, tootle over to OverDrive

The Final Chapter for GalleyCat - GalleyCat

I'm really sad about this.

Today Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to the GalleyCAT site. There our forlorn kitty got some bad news about the site.

According to the post by Dianna Dilworth, the GalleyCAT site is shutting down. There is no explanation as to why.

Panzer says, "No! This was one of my favorite sites for publishing news."

Note: This is a short post. Bring a tissue to wipe away your tears for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to GalleyCAT

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.

The King has spoken.

I am at the top of the world.

I am the greatest!

I am King of all I survey!

What do you mean get off the curtains?

 No ... You can't make me.

Scholastic Reports Fiscal 2017 Second Quarter Results - Press Release

It was a lot of hard work to find that.

Panzer made a long trip into the Catosphere today. Because of the upcoming holidays there is a scarcity of book news out there. After much digging around at the Book Business site our tenacious kitty finally found some news about children's book publisher Scholastic.

According to a press release at the site, Scholastic announced their 2017 second quarter financial results. The press release says revenues were up 4 percent for the quarter over last year. It also states the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them script book and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Illustrated Edition contributed to the healthy second quarter increase.

Panzer says, "No 2017 Second Quarter isn't a mistake. It's a human thing. Corporations can have their year start at different times than the rest of us. So their year doesn't have to start in January."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Scholastic

Congressional Leaders Back Independent Copyright Office - PW (Publisehrs' Weekly)

Today, Panzer made another trip to the Publishers' Weekly site. After a little digging around our inquisitive kitty found a post about the Copyright Office.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, the House Judiciary Committee has proposed making the (U.S.) Copyright Office independent from the Library of Congress. Now, the Copyright Office is controlled by the Librarian of Congress. The change would allow the Copyright Office to have their own budget, technology and leadership control. The Judiciary Committee is now accepting public comments on the proposal.

It's an important job.

Panzer says, "Do you see the number across my nose on the photo at the top of this blog page? The Copyright Office gave that number to the Cats and Crime blog. It shows this is a copyrighted periodical. The Copyright Office keeps track of everybody's copyrights to make sure nothing gets stolen."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Copyright Office

Jaime Carey Leaving Barnes & Noble - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Publishers' Weekly site. There our big bad kitty found a post about Barnes and Noble and their concept stores.

Hmm ... Who's next to go?

According to the post by Jim Milliot, the head of the development and restaurant group Jaime Carey is leaving Barnes and Noble. Mr. Carey has been with the company since January 2005. He will remain with Barnes and Noble until the end of February 2017. The company plans to continue opening their new concept stores with the dining and alcohol-serving restaurants.

Panzer says, "Barnes and Noble didn't terminate (fire) Mr. Carey. He resigned when they took away all of his job duties."

Note: This is a shortish medium post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble.html

A New Panzerism

What makes you think I did it?

Panzer on plausible deniability:

Never step in white paint.

It makes it really, really hard to deny ...

you're the one who put that in What's His Name's shoe.

Authors United Declares Victory Over Amazon, Announces "Merger" With The Authors Guild - The Digital Reader

Today's trip into the Catosphere was another short one. Panzer went to The Digital Reader site. There our traveling kitty found a post about the Authors United group.

Think they'll go away now?

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, bestselling author Douglas Preston has announced his group Authors United is "merging" (joining?) the Authors Guild. In case you don't remember, Authors United is a group Mr. Preston started a couple of years ago during the contract dispute between Amazon and the Hachette publishing group. Since the Hachette publishing group no longer had a contract with the company, Amazon stopped selling and/or promoting Hachette books. This is when Authors United was formed. There is a link included in this post to a longer post about Mr. Preston's announcement at The Bookseller site.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Unlike cats, humans have to justify their existence somehow."

Note: This is a short post. If you plan to only read the original post, bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection; but, if you plan to read the second post as well, you'll also need a muffin.

To read the post, tootle over to  Authors United

Iowa Considering E-Book Sales Tax - Forbes

If Mom doesn't feel good, I don't either.

Mom is still fighting that nasty tummy flu bug, so Panzer only made a short trip into the Catosphere today. Our hurried kitty stopped in at the Forbes.com site. There he found a post about Iowa imposing a sales tax on ebooks.

According to the post by Ellen Duffer, Iowa is considering instituting a new state sales tax. The sales tax would only apply to companies which have a physical presence in Iowa and also sell online ebooks. The post states that means Barnes and Noble and Apple because they both have bricks and mortar stores in Iowa where they sell electronics and also have online stores for ebooks.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This kitty knows how to keep new bricks and mortar stores who also sell ebooks online from moving into your state ... Put a sales tax on them."

This is a longish-short post. It looks long, but that's because it has an advertisement in the middle. Bring a cup of tea and half a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Iowa ebook sales tax

No Post Today

There will be no post today. Mom has to been sick and she has go to the doctor.

Under pressure from national governments, Commission lowers VAT rates for ebooks - EurActiv.com

I am so tired after that trip.

Today Panzer made a l-o-n-g trip in the Catosphere. Our adventurous kitty traveled all the way to the EurActiv.com site. There he found a post about the EU VAT on ebooks.

According to the post by Catherine Stupp, the European Commission has proposed to allow ebooks and online newspapers and news services to be sold with the same 7.6 percent VAT rate as paper books and paper newspapers. EU countries can accept the new VAT rate proposal or not as they determine. The proposal will not become effective until Members of the European Parliament and the respective national governments agree to it.

Panzer says, "Maybe EU ebook sales will  get better since the Commission is getting rid of the 19.9 percent VAT on ebooks."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Vat rates

2016 National Novel Writing Month Winner

Panzer and Mom took part in the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) that ends today. As of today we have completed 50,243 words of the required 50,000.

And ...

We survived!

Yay!

Amazon to move book-making warehouse in North Charleston, cutting 149 jobs - The Post and Courier

Panzer made a short trip into the Catosphere today. Our busy kitty had hardly started his travels when he began hearing crying and moaning. Following all the noise took him to The Post and Courier site. There he found some news about Amazon.

You know, they print my paperbacks.

According to the post by Thad Moore, Amazon is closing their warehouse in North Charleston, South Carolina. The warehouse is one of Amazon's Createspace locations. Createspace is the print-on-demand arm of Amazon. An Amazon representative said the lease on the location is expiring and the company wants to move the operation to Midlands closer to the distribution hub.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... I wonder if this move will cause any immediate problems with Createspace paperback books print-on-demand operations."

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 Amazon

New Panzerism

Panzer on the Kitty Toy Hall of Fame:

1. Wadded up ball of paper

2. Paper bag (Tie for 2nd Place)

Save your money. Read the list.

2. Cardboard box (Tie for 2nd Place)

3. Shadows on the wall

4. Grape

5. Fly

BookBaby Announces 2017 Self-Publishing Survey - The Largest Study of Indie Book Marketing and Promotion - Press Release

Let them know about your experiences.

Panzer's trip today took him to the Book Business site. There our inquisitive kitty found a press release about self-publisher BookBaby.

According to the press release, BookBaby and it's 15 partners are conducting a survey of self-publishing/indie authors. The survey will focus on what the authors do for promotion and marketing of their books/ebooks as well as the self-publishing industry in general now and in the future. The press release states more than one million authors have been invited to participate. There's a link included in the press release for the survey.

Panzer says, "Mom and I are indie authors, so we took the survey. When you finish it, there are offers from BookBaby's partners."

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

To read the post, tootle over to  BookBaby.

Happy Thanksgiving 2016

To Everyone Who Celebrates The Day
From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

Barnes & Noble Appoints Demos Parneros as Chief Operating Officer - Press Release

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he made a planned stop at the Book Business site. After a little digging around our illustrious traveling kitty found a post about Barnes and Noble.

That's two cat lifetimes at one place.

According to the press release at the Book Business site, Barnes and Noble bookstores has a new Chief Operating Officer, Demos Parneros. Mr. Parneros comes to Barnes and Noble after working at Staple, Inc. since 1987. Mr. Parneros will bring his 30 years of business experience to work with Barnes and Noble CEO Len Riggio.

Panzer says, "MeWoW! Thirty years with the same company."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

A New Panzerism

Panzer on politics:

If I was the President of the red, white and blue, the first thing I would do is declare climate change a hoax.

Really ...

So ... This spaceship you call Earth is heating up big time.

So ... What's the problem with that?

Me and my cat friends ...

What ice cap? I don't need a cap.

We like it warm ... warmer ... warmest.

You say, "Climate change is bad."

We say, "No! No! No!"

It's just like having a cat in control of the thermostat.

Scribd Aquires Oximity to Streamline Content Publishing and Distribution - Scribd Blog

Today, Panzer washed the windshield on the Panzermobile. When he was checking the glass for streaks, he noticed a post wedged into the passenger seat inside. Looking at the post after he got inside, he discovered it was from the reader subscription service site Scribd's blog.

Just say what you mean.

According to the post, Scribd bought the Oximity site and its assets. Oximity is a site which has accrued almost one million articles for distribution. Scribd intends to use Oximity for distribution of content through the company's social media channels software.

Panzer says, "Umm ... This is the best I can get out of the post.  It's complicated, but I think this is what it says. ... But don't quote me on it."

Note: This is a shortish-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and half a muffin.

To read the post, tootle over to Scribd

Bookstackk Lets Readers Share Book Recommendations - GalleyCat

Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile today when he found found a wadded up post under the pilot's seat. After smoothing out the post, our fastidious kitty discovered it was from the GalleyCAT site.

Looks interesting. I think I'll join.

According to the post by Dianna Dilworth, there's a new site similar to Goodreads called Bookstackk. The Bookstackk network lets readers have a library, review books they've read, see others' reviews, and have book discussions with other readers. There's a link to the Bookstackk site included in the post.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Do you think Amazon will buy Bookstackk like they did Goodreads?"

Note: This is a shortish post. If you just plan to read the post, bring a cup of tea; but, if you plan to follow the link and go to the Bookstackk site as well, bring a muffin too.

To read the post, tootle over to Bookstackk

New Nook 7 Android Tablet Costs $50, Ships on Black Friday - The Digital Reader

Panzer made a quick trip into the Catosphere today. There our inquisitive kitty boy stopped in at The Digital Reader site. With just a little digging around, he found a post about Barnes and Noble's new Nook Tablet.

She's always hiding that card from me.

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, it's official: the new Nook Tablet 7" is available for pre-order at the Barnes and Noble site for only $49.99. The Nook will ship on November 25. The Nook Tablet has a 7 inch screen, weighs 8.8 ounces, a 7 hour battery, and has front and rear cameras. The post includes a link to the Barnes and Noble site.

Panzer says, "Only $49.99? Okay, where did Mom hide that credit card this time?"

Note: This is shortish post. Bring a cup of tea for today's read.

To read the post, tootle over to Nook 7 Android Tablet

B&N Concept Store to Open Nov. 22 - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Today's trip took Panzer to the Publishers' Weekly site. There our adventuresome traveling kitty pilot found a post about Barnes and Noble's new concept stores.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble has announced the opening date for their first concept store is November 22. The new store is located in Eastchester, New York. As Panzer told you before, these new concept stores have restaurants that serve alcohol as well as food.

I don't want to hear anymore about it.

Panzer says, "Why do you humans want to drink alcohol with everything? Food? ... Books? What's next? In the bathtub? Oh, wait. You already do that."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

A New Panzerism

Panzer on forgiveness:

What's His Name stepped on my food dish this morning. Knocked the whole thing upside down.

Food everywhere ...

and ...

now the food's covered in dirt and whatever else was on the bottom of his shoe.

I couldn't believe it.  He just scooped it up and put it back in my dish. Like I'd eat it now.

Mom told me to settle down. She said it was just an accident and I need to forgive him.

Okay ... Okay. I'm all right now.

So I'm using my new cat mantra to calm down:

To err is human,
To forgive is just plain stupid.

To err is human,
To forgive is ...

Veterans' Day

Today We Salute Those Who Protect Us and Our Country

Amazon Rapids And the Dumbing-Down of Reading - Book Business

Panzer made a short trip into the Catosphere today. Our intrepid kitty traveler stopped at the Book Business site. There he found a review post about Amazon's new reading app for children called Rapids. A few days ago Panzer told you about the introduction of the Rapids app.

He really, really hates it.

In his review Joe Wikert takes issue with the fact the Rapids app only uses text messages between the characters to tell the story. He believes there's no value in the stories at all. In fact, he goes on to say the app itself is worthless. He bases this on his opinion that Amazon is dumbing-down the reading experience for children.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... I thought it was a good idea ... Short ... Fast ... Reads."

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

To read the review post, tootle over to Amazon Rapids

To read Panzer's original post about the Rapids app, tootle over to Amazon children's books

What?

Did that really happen?

Books-A-Million and FastPencil have formed a partnership - AL.com

Today, Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took to the AL.com site. There our brave kitty pilot found a post about Books-A-Million and FastPencil.

That's a lot of money.

According to the post by Kelly Poe, Books-A-Million and FastPencil have announced the formation of a new partnership. As part of the partnership Books-A-Million bookstores will begin selling self-published books by FastPencil authors. The caveat self-published authors must be aware of is that FastPencil must be hired to do the book editing and distribution to Books-A-Million. The cost of these editing packages begin at $1,100.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... You'll have to sell a lot of books to get your money back."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Books-A-Million

A New Panzerism

Panzer on educating What's His Name about the hierarchy in this family:

Earlier today What's His Name was saying bad things about me to Mom ...

Stuff like ... fat kitty ... lazy kitty ... good for nothing kitty.

So tonight ...

Surprise! There's a mouse in his shoe.

I saved Mom from a ferocious mouse** lurking in the kitchen.

And then ...

Mom told What's His Name he better stop picking on me because I'm her good kitty now.


**It's a little known fact that as soon as a kitten is born, they're issued their membership card in The Mouse of the Day Club for emergencies just like today's.

Amazon charges non-Prime members more at physical bookstores, hinting at new retail strategy - GeekWire

Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile like he does every Saturday, when he found a post wedged into the passenger seat. The post was from his visit earlier this week to the GeekWire site. The post is about Amazon's new bricks and mortar bookstores.

According to the post by Taylor Soper, apparently, it pays to be an Amazon Prime member even if you're not buying online at Amazon. Turns out, if you are a Prime member and you go to one of Amazon's bricks and mortar stores, you pay the online price not the store's list price for physical books. It seems, however, that the in-store price for devices like the Fire tablet are the same as the online price as the store sign in the photo says that.

Hmm ... Worth $99 a year? ... Maybe.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Inquiring cats want to know: How many books would You have to buy at the store to make the cost of the Prime membership worth it?"

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post with photos. Bring two cups of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon bookstores

Amazon reinvents the children's book: New Rapids app shows stories in the style of a messaging app - Daily Mail.com

Today, Panzer made a very long trip in the Catosphere to the DailyMail.com site. There our kitty pilot found news about Amazon's new app Rapids.

Whew! That was a long read.

According to the post by Stacy Liberatore, Amazon has a new app called Rapids. The app is exclusively for children 7 through 12 years old. The stories for the app are put together with the characters texting back and forth. There are already hundreds of stories available for Rapids. The subscription price is $2.99 a month with an annual fee also available. Sample screen shots and a video accompany the post.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Now where did I put Mom's credit card?"

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring two cups of tea and a muffin and a cookie (biscuit) for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon app

Subscription Reading Service Scribd Adds Magazines to Platform - Book Business

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Book Business site. There our intrepid kitty found a post about the ebook and audiobook site Scribd.

How much does a subscription cost?

According to the post at Book Business, Scribd announced they will now offer magazines as part of their subscription service. Included magazines are Time, Money, Fortune, People and several more. The monthly subscription fee won't increase to access the magazine content. Scribd's press release announcing the magazine addition is included at the end of the post.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... Ebooks ... Audiobooks ... And now magazines ... When will they add TV shows?"

Note: This is a longish medium post. Bring a cup of tea and two cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Scribd

B&N Pays Boire $4.8 Million in Separation Agreement - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Publisher's Weekly site. After some digging around, our traveling kitty found a post about the Barnes and Noble bookstores company.

Inquiring kitties want to know.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble has reached a separation agreement with former CEO Ron Boire. Mr. Boire was terminated by the company in August for unspecified reasons. No reason for Mr. Boire's termination is included in the announcement of the separation agreement either. The two new things of interest in the announcement are that Mr. Boire has agreed to return the company stock awards given to him earlier and that he will receive $4.8 million to leave the company.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... So ... It's still a puzzle why he got fired."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Boire separation agreement

A New Panzerism

Panzer on unintended consequences:

It's a thin line between cute and chaos.

Cute is

when the kitty swats at the reflection of a fly in the mirror.

Chaos is

when the kitty chases the fly

and ...

It's the fly's fault. He made me do it.

dives head first into the mirror ...

and ...

the whole thing comes crashing down.

Amazon Executives Are "Pleased" With Results of Retail Bookstores So Far - Fortune

More bookstores, huh?

Panzer was sweeping out the Panzermobile when he found a post under the passenger seat. Smoothing out the post, our kitty cleaner discovered it was from the Fortune site and about Amazon bookstores.

According to the post by Aaron Pressman, head of Amazon Web Services Andy Jassy participated in the Wall Street Journal Live conference on Tuesday. Jassy said Amazon's bricks and mortar bookstore experiment is going well and they are "pleased" with it so far. This is a followup to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' statement at Amazon's annual meeting that the company will be opening more bookstores.

Panzer says, "I wish somebody would say how many bricks and mortar stores they'll be opening."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon Bookstores

Bankrupt Shipping Company Causing Woes for Publishers - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Today's trip took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging our intrepid kitty pilot found a post about some publisher problems with the Hanjin Shipping Company.

Ships make me sick.

According to a post by Calvin Reid, several publishing companies were using the now bankrupt Hanjin Shipping Company. Hanjin ships were being used to transport the finished print books of HarperCollins, St. Martin's and others from their foreign manufacturers to the United States. Deliveries of the books are either late or not at all. Cargo, including the books, is being seized by Hanjin's creditors. Some ships loaded with cargo are stranded at sea unable to stop at a port.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This isn't a problem with ebooks."

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

To read the post, tootle over to bankrupt shipping company

B&N to Merge Nook Press Print, eBook Platforms on 8 November - The Digital Reader

No more running back and forth.

Today, Panzer was just having a nice quiet trip in the Catosphere when he suddenly heard shouting and clapping. Following all the noise took him to The Digital Reader site. There our happy kitty discovered some good news about Nook Press.

According to the post by The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, on November 8 Nook Press users will have access to all their ebook and print publishing information on one platform. The switch will be to the new (since June) Nook Press Print platform by Bahwan CyberTek.

Panzer says, "Yay! No more switching from one dashboard to the other."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Nook Press

What Barnes & Noble Doesn't Get About Bookstores - The New Yorker

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panser to The New Yorker site. There with a little digging around our enterprising kitty found a post about Barnes and Noble.

According to the post by David Sax, Barnes and Noble CEO Leonard Riggio has given clarification for some changes for the bookstores. As previously announced, Barnes and Noble is opening five new smaller "concept" stores. Mr. Riggio explained this is to give book buyers the small independent bookstore feel. He believes independent bookstores which are successful also serve good food and coffee, so these new smaller Barnes and Noble "concept" bookstores will served breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as alcohol. Mr. Sax points out in the post that Independent bookstores also have a friendlier more family-oriented feel to them which he believes Mr. Riggio will also need to address.

I'm free if the shelf is big enough.

Panzer says, "A kitty sleeping on a bookshelf would be nice too."

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 Barnes and Noble

Amazon's bookstore at Washington Square: Exclusive sneak peek - The Oregonian/OregonLive

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard clapping and shouting. Following the hullabaloo took our adventuresome kitty to The Oregonian/OregonLive site. There he discovered the source of the excitement was the opening of the new Amazon store in Oregon.

There is access to Amazon online.

According to the post by Anna Marum, Amazon's newest bricks and mortar bookstore is opening in Tigard, Oregon. There was a mini-opening of the bookstore on October 22, but the official opening is on October 25 (today). With only 7,800 square feet the store will have 5,200 physical books. Books at the store have to have received a 4 star or higher rating at the Amazon online site. The store also sells Kindles, Echoes and other devices.

Panzer says, "That's a small bookstore with not many books."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring two cups of tea and two muffins.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon books

A New Panzerism

Panzer on magical powers:

Once a day with eyes closed ...

Concentrate real hard ...

Then open eyes ...

And the sun comes up!

After all that I need a long nap.

MeWoW!

I did it again!

This being the center of the Universe with everybody depending on me each day is hard work.

Amazon Japan to Release a Kindle Paperwhite For Manga Readers - GalleyCat

Today Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to the GalleyCAT site. With just a little digging around our inquisitive kitty found a post about Amazon Japan.

I want one.

According to the post by Maryann Yin, Amazon Japan has a present for Japanese manga lovers. It's a new Kindle Paperwhite with 32GB of memory. This compares to the non-manga Kindle Paperwhite which has 4GB of memory. The larger memory capacity in the new Kindle Paperwhite will hold up to 700 graphic heavy comic books.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... I wonder how much shipping from Japan would be?"

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

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon Japan

Hachette to bring in new royalty statement system in 2018 - The Bookseller

Is it really that bad?

Today when Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile our fastidious kitty happened to look under the passenger seat and found a post from last week at The Bookseller site. The post is about Hachette's plans for a new royalty reporting statement system.

According to the post by Katherine Cowdrey, Hachette CEO Tim Hely Hutchinson sent his annual letter to all the company's authors. In the letter Mr. Hely Hutchinson says the company will begin issuing new author royalty statements. He says the new statements will be "better, clearer and more detailed." The post also details the declines in Hachette's book and ebook sales and the possible effect Brexit may have on book sales.

Panzer says, "Mr. Hely Hutchinson's letter doesn't paint a very good picture of ebook and book sales."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Hachette

No Post Today

Mom went to the dentist and we're taking the day off.

Amazon's New Review Rules: Should Authors Be Worried? - Anne R. Allen

Today, Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to Anne R. Allen's Blog. There our big bad kitty found a post about Amazon's new review policy.

Mom. Where's your credit card?

According to the post by Anne R. Allen, Amazon's new book review rules are not as hard to understand as they previously were. The first explanation on Ms. Allen's list is "The New $50 Rule." Apparently a reviewer must have used their credit card to purchase $50 of merchandise at Amazon. It appears this rule is to stop the use of fake reviewers. Ms. Allen explains each rule in depth so authors won't accidentally cause their reviews to be deleted. Be sure and read the Comment section too.

Panzer says, "Are the rules really easier to understand if you have to read a blog post explaining them?"

Note: This is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post, but well worth the read. Bring two cups of tea and three muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon's new rules

A New Panzerism

Mffy tffngue iffs sfftuck.

Panzer offers a helpful hint:

Never nap in wet cement ...

No matter how warm it is.

Do I really have to explain any more?

Ed Gorman - "He Leaves Behind a Great Literary Legacy" - The Rap Sheet

Panzer doesn't usually post on the weekend, but he learned some sad news today in a post at The Rap Sheet site.

According to the post by J. Kingston Pierce, prolific writer and author Ed Gorman has passed away. He died on Friday, October 14. Mr. Gorman was the author of mystery, private eye, horror, science fiction, fantasy, and western novels. He also wrote short stories in those genres as well. Over the years he also collected numerous awards for his work.

Panzer says, "Mom read Ed Gorman's mysteries to me when I was just a kitten. I think that's where I got my love of "whodunits."

To read the post, tootle over to great literary legacy

October 2016 Author Earnings Report: A Turning Tide ... ? - Author Earnings

It doesn't look good for indies.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today when he heard crying and moaning. Following the noise took our inquisitive kitty to the Author Earnings site. There he found the cause was the latest indie Author Earnings Report.

According to the Author Earnings site's Data Guy, indie authors' income has fallen "back to early 2015 levels." The report covers the May to October Amazon indie sales. Possible causes for the lower author earnings are explored ranging from Amazon's own book publishing arm to the Book Bub Effect. There are several sales charts included to illustrate different points in the post. In the end, there appears to be no final answer to the falling earnings.

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the Comments section under the post. There are some interesting possible causes mentioned there."

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 Author Earnings Report

Press Release: Wattpad, Gallery Books & Target Partner to Bring Fairy Tale Classics to Life

I want a copy for Mom to read to me.

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Book Business site. A little digging and he found a press release about Wattpad.

According to the press release, ten Wattpad authors have been included in a collection of re-imagined fairy tales called Once Upon Now. The book is published by Gallery Books and sold in Target stores and online. The press release also says the readers on Wattpad got to read and vote for their favorite stories to go in the book.

Panzer says, "Setting fairy tales in today. Sounds like fun."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Wattpad