What Amazon's OER Platform Means for Education Publishers - Book Business

They're always looking for new markets.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he spotted a site he hasn't visited in a while. Our adventuresome kitty pilot stopped in at the Book Business site. With practically no digging at all he found a post about Amazon and their foray into the education market.

According to a post by Neal Goff, it looks like Amazon is planning to move into the K-12 education market. Amazon has been working on a new platform for Open Education Resources (OER). The new platform, Amazon Inspire, will search for OER material offered free to educators and then collate/file it for easy access. Apple and Google have already been making inroads into the K-12 market for at least two years, so Amazon's entry initially will be one of catch-up. The post also explains what Apple and Google's entry into the K-12 market has been like and it includes more information about the OER program and how that works.

Panzer says, "All these companies want to get consumers while they're young. Brand recognition is everything."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. You'll need a cup of tea and two muffins for your reading today.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon

Self-published titles '22% of UK e-book market' - The Bookseller

Ahhh ... A nice quiet day.

Panzer took a nice relaxing trip in the Catosphere today. Our happy kitty pilot didn't hear any arguing or snarling or crying or disruptive behavior anywhere. After just enjoying the quiet for a while he stopped in at The Bookseller site to find something interesting for you.

According to a post at the site by Lisa Campbell, some good news for indie authors was discussed at the Nielsen BookInsights Conference last week. Although growth of ebooks in the UK is not what it was 2 or 3 years ago, growth of self-published ebooks is growing. Self-published ebook sales for 2015 were 22 percent of all digital ebook sales compared to 16 percent for 2014. And where do all those self-published ebooks come from? According to Steve Bohme of Nielsen Book UK, it's Amazon self-published ebooks. Also covered in the post are audiobook sales, print book sales and tablets and other ebook reading devices impact on sales.

Panzer says, "Indie ebooks are being recognized by readers for their value in the marketplace."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. You'll need a cup of tea and two muffins for today's read.

To read the post, tootle over to e-book market

A New Panzerism

Panzer on training your human with unsheathed claws:

Sometimes What's His Name can just be too overly helpful.

Mom says he means well and maybe she's right.

But ...

I'm a cat.

I don't need help from anybody.

So ...

That's what my tongue is for.

Get this Mr. What's His Name ...

Next time you think I need a bath ...

I'll do it myself.

We'll both be happier.

The Pulp Fiction Dime Novel Is Making a Comeback

Panzer made a short trip into the Catosphere today. Our intrepid kitty explorer went to the Observer site.  He hasn't been there for a long time, so it took a while and a lot of digging to find a post for you.

According to the post by Parker Richards, mega-bestselling author James Patterson has a new project called BookShots. It's meant to be a resurrection of the old time Dime Novels. The books will be novella length, less than 150 pages, paper books. Since these will be physical books, they won't be in competition with Amazon's Kindle Singles which are similar but digital.

Whew! I am so glad Mom is better.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... If Mr. Patterson's business turns out to be successful, I wonder if Amazon will follow suit with shorter physical books?"

Note: This is a medium read today. You should only need a cup of tea and a muffin.

To read the post, tootle over to pulp fiction

No Post Today

Panzer here.

I feel bad when Mom is sick.

Mom had a couple of her teeth fixed yesterday. It turned out to be more complicated than she expected. Poor Mom has been recuperating yesterday afternoon and today. She says she'll be better tomorrow and we'll be able to post then. I've got my paws crossed she's right.

Whither the Nook? - Indies Unlimited

Panzer made a trip over to the Indies Unlimited site today. Our intrepid kitty traveler hasn't been there for a while, but this trip was definitely worth it. Digging around he found a post by Lynn Cantwell about Nook.

 According to Ms. Cantwell's post, it doesn't appear Barnes and Noble is doing enough to ensure the viability of the Nook. She also addresses Barnes and Noble's lack of support for ebook authors by the closing of their U.K. sales distribution and the lack of ebook promotions. There is a link included to a PW (Publishers' Weekly) post about Barnes and Noble's third quarter sales figures. The PW sales figures post is the one that includes information about Barnes and Noble's new concept stores that Panzer told you about earlier this month and linked to it too.

Come on ... Admit it ... I'm cute.

Panzer says, "Actually for this little kitty, I get more sales from Barnes and Noble than I do from Amazon or Kobo. What can I say? ... I guess that means B and N readers just love this kitty."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g-ish post. A cup of tea and muffin should do it for today's reading. If you want to follow the link in Ms. Cantwell's post, then you'll want to add a half a muffin. If you also want to read Panzer's post about Barnes and Noble, add another cup of tea. And ... if you do all that reading and eating, you'll need to skip lunch.

To read the Indies Unlimited post, tootle over to Nook

To read Panzer's post about Barnes and Noble's plans for their new hybrid stores, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

A New Panzerism

Panzer on maintaining your dignity:

The main thing about being a proper cat is ...

always act like you know what you're doing.

Like ...

when you dive head first into the window ...

chasing the bird outside ...

Or ...

when you dive head first into the toilet bowl

chasing Mom's toothbrush.

Really ... I wanted to do that.

Just stick your tail straight up in the air

and ...

saunter away like you meant to do it.

The King Coloring Books - PW (Publishers Weekly)

Panzer made a short trip into the Catosphere today. Our kitty traveler went to the Publishers' Weekly site. With just a little digging he found a post about the adult coloring book market.

As Panzer told you in February, adult coloring books are a huge market. The post in PW by Jim Milliot consists of an interview with Laurence King founder of U.K. publisher Laurence King Publishing. According to Mr. King his publishing company had a 300 percent increase in revenue in 2015 compared to 2014. How did the company manage to do that? Adult coloring books. In 2013 LKP published their first adult coloring book in Europe. Sales were brisk there, but when the books hit the U.S. market they took off. And in 2015 half of LKP's revenue came from the U.S.

Maybe there is a cat market.

Panzer says, "I'm still don't understand it, but I'm working on a coloring book for adult cats."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. You'll need a cup of tea and two muffins for your reading.

To read the post about Laurence King Publishing, tootle over to Laurence King Publishing

To read Panzer's post from February about adult coloring books, tootle over to adult coloring books

No Post Today

Panzer here. Mom went to the dentist today. She doesn't feel well so no post today.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day From Panzer, Mom, and What's His Name

J.K. Rowling under fire for writing about "Native American wizards" - The Guardian

I'm staying out of it.

Panzer didn't make it very far in his trip into the Catosphere today. Our traveling kitty had barely started when he heard shouting and snarling. He followed all the noise to The Guardian site.

According to a post by Alison Flood, it turns out all the hubbub was caused by one of J.K. Rowling's posts at Pottermore. Panzer told you last week about Ms. Rowling's posts about wizardry in America. Some members of the Navajo Native American culture found her post about their legend of the skinwalkers disrespectful. Apparently, there has been quite a few Tweets on Twitter about it. The post also includes a link to the post about skinwalkers.

Panzer says, "One of the first things this little kitty learned was don't use real people, places or things in a story. It's just safer that way."

Note: This is a longish, involved post. You'll need a cup of tea and a muffin.

To read The Guardian post, tootle over to J.K. Rowling

To read Panzer's original post, tootle over to new story

Cozy Chicks: Ten MORE Things I've Learned From My Cats

It's a bad hair day, okay?

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard raucous laughing and clapping. Following all the noise took him to the Cozy Chicks site, where he joined in all the laughing too.

Panzer says, "Mary Kennedy knows her cats. I don't know how she got them to do what they did in those photos."

Note: You won't want any tea or muffins today. You don't want to get your laptop keyboard wet when you start laughing.

To read the post, tootle over to  Cozy Chicks: Ten MORE Things I've Learned From My Cats:

A New Panzerism

Panzer on how to tell when you've had enough catnip:

1. Try this test: You know how sometimes colors make noise and the noise floats around like a rainbow?

If you don't see it yet ...

Then ... you haven't had enough.

2. Try this test: Count from zero to one by whole numbers.

If you keep losing your place and have to start over ...

Either that's enough ... or ... you need a nap.

3. Finally ... try this test: Roll around in a pile of catnip ...

And ...

It's never enough.

If suddenly this thing appears behind you

And ...

 Starts following you everywhere you go ...

Oh ... Wait ... That tail thing has nothing to do with catnip. Keep rolling.

Kobo's Michael Tamblyn on the Age of E-Reading - Publishing Perspectives

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere and decided to make a stop at the Publishing Perspectives site. Our intelligent traveling kitty found a post about Kobo there.

It's worth looking at.

The post is an interview by Mark Piesing with Kobo's Michael Tamblyn. According to Mr. Tamblyn, Kobo is making a profit on their ereaders with 2015 being their best year. Kobo's ebook reader users are in the 50 - 70 year old range. Why? Younger people don't have the time, interest or money to read ebooks at the level people in the higher age group do. Mr. Tamblyn also says the company started a new program at Christmas called Kobo Welcome for people unfamiliar with ereaders and ebooks which was well-received by their target market.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Interesting ... I wonder ... Is Amazon looking at the 50 to 70 year old market?"

Note: This is a l-o-n-g-ish post. You'll need a cup of cocoa and muffin for your reading today.

To read the post, tootle over to Michael Tamblyn

Free Ebooks: Cat Wisdom and Cats and Crime

Panzer has good news for those of you interested in reading "Cat Wisdom for humans" or "Cats and Crime." Both are FREE on Smashwords today and tomorrow.

The links below should take you directly to the book purchase page. Click the "Buy" button. At check out enter the code RW100 and your cost should be zero. Be sure to check! Panzer doesn't believe you need an account to buy a free book; but, if you do, the accounts are free to setup.

Hurry! Sale ends tomorrow night!

The links to the ebooks are:

Cats and Crime

Cat Wisdom for humans

Not Dead Yet - George R.R. Martin

I can't keep my eyes open any longer.

Panzer had just laid down for his nighttime sleep when he heard all kinds of racket coming from the radio in the Panzermobile. Heading into the Catosphere it only took a couple of seconds to find the source of all the noise.

Bestselling author George R.R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame announced on his blog that he's not dead yet. Turns out some fans confused him with Sir George Martin (of Beatles fame) who passed away. So, George R.R. Martin wants everyone to know he's alive and well.

Note: This is a very short post (about the same length as this one).  You won't even need a full cup of tea to read it.

To read the post, tootle over to George R.R. Martin

Smashwords: A Call to End the Cuban Book Embargo

Leave me out of it. I have no opinion.

Today Panzer made a stop at the Smashwords Blog. Our intrepid traveling kitty found a post there about U.S. and Cuban relations and what some consider the continuation of an unfair embargo on "books."

According to the post by Smashwords founder Mark Coker, he and others in the publishing industry have started a petition asking the U.S. government to lift the Cuban embargo. The post lists several of the publishing industry supporters of the move which writers will be familiar with including Publishers Weekly, Smashwords, Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, Simon and Schuster and several others. The post includes a link to the petition.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty doesn't get mixed up in politics. Today's post is for humans who do."

Note: This is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post. You'll need a thermos of tea and a dozen muffins.

To read the post, tootle over to Smashwords: A Call to End the Cuban Book Embargo

J.K. Rowling publishes new story about skin-walkers - cnet

During Panzer's trip in the Catosphere today, our little kitty heard cheering and clapping. Following all the happy noises to the cnet site, he discovered news about J.K. Rowling.

Now, you may remember, our kitty boy is a big fan of Harry Potter. So much so, that last year he managed to get accepted to Hogwarts. Now, any kind of news about Pottermore is big news to him.

According to the post at cnet by Bonnie Burton, Ms. Rowling has started a series of posts called "Magic of North America" at the Pottermore site. She will write one post per day standing yesterday and ending Friday. The cnet post includes a link to Pottermore and the "Magic of North America" series.

I'm out of here. Gotta go read it.

Panzer says, "No time for anything more now. I'm off to the Catosphere to learn what Ms. Rowling's got planned for North America."

Note: You'll need a cup of tea for today's reading. If you plan to read the "Magic of North America" posts too, you'll need a second cup of tea and two muffins.

To read the post at Cnet, tootle over to J.K. Rowling

Supreme Court Rejects Apple's Appeal - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Panzer was out tootling around in the Catosphere today, when the Panzermobile was buffeted by a huge gust of wind. Going in the direction the wind had come from, took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers' Weekly site. It took no digging at all to find a post about the results of Apple's petition to United States Supreme Court.

Panzer discovered the buffeting wind that hit the Panzermobile had actually been a collective sigh of relief. Our kitty boy told you back in January that Apple had appealed their conviction of ebook price-fixing to the U.S. Supreme Court. According to a post by Andrew Albanese, the Supreme Court rejected Apple's appeal, finally bringing the case to a close. This means Apple will now be responsible for paying $400 million in refunds to ebook buyers.

Okay. Clean up your mess now.

The case has stretched on since beginning in 2011, when Apple was first accused of ebook price-fixing. Since being found guilty of price-fixing in 2013, Apple has used every means their attorneys could come up with to avoid the court financial settlement. Now, in addition to the refund to ebook buyers Apple also will pay $50 million in legal costs to their attorneys.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... If you humans would have listen to this little kitty and paid the money to the ebook buyers three years ago, you could have saved most of those attorney fees."

Note: This is a long post with links to other posts included in it. You'll need a thermos of tea and six muffins for your reading. If you want to read Panzer's post from January too, add two more muffins.

To read the post about the Supreme Court decision, tootle over to Apple appeal

To read Panzer's post about Apple's appeal, tootle over to Apple Supreme Court appeal

 

A New Panzerism

And ... the food dish.

Panzer on cat philosophy:

A journey of a thousand miles ...

begins ...

with a single trip to the litter box.

Signaling more ambitious retail plans, Amazon chooses San Diego for second brick-and-mortar bookstore - Geek Wire

As you all know, Panzer likes to take Sundays off and catch up on his missed naps. Well today was not a good day for naps. Our big bad kitty was rudely awaken from his afternoon-evening nap a while ago by oohhing and aahhing coming from the Catosphere. Our sleepy kitty boy staggered to the Panzermobile and headed out. It didn't take long to find the source of all the noise at the GeekWire site.

According to a post there by John Cook. Amazon is opening a second bricks and mortar store. Their first store was opened in Seattle, Washington about four months ago. The new one will be in San Diego, California. The store will be located in the Westfield University Towne Center Mall. A sign at that location says they are hiring employees and will open this summer.

Back to what's important. Napzzzzz

Panzer says, "Sales must be really good at the Seattle (Washington) store for them to open another one so soon."

Note: A cup of cocoa and muffin will be enough for today's reading.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon San Diego bookstore

Perseus Book Group Split By Hachette and Ingram in Buying Tournament

When will the buying end?

Panzer was tootling around enjoying the view in the Catosphere. Suddenly, he heard yelling and screaming. Following all the cries, our brave kitty found himself at the Publishers' Weekly site. Digging around he found a post by Jim Milliot about Perseus Book Group. When he realized there was still more crying going on, he started digging again and found a second post.This post was by Rachel Deahl and also about Perseus Book Group.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Hachette Book Group announced they are buying Perseus Book Group's publishing arm. Hachette wanted to expand into the non-fiction book market and the Perseus Book Group, in addition to their fiction and children's books, has a market in non-fiction.

According to the second post by Rachel Deahl, the Ingram Content Group announced they are buying Perseus Book Group's distribution arm. Ingram will use the purchase to increase their global distribution.

Panzer says, "Goodbye, Perseus Book Group. Pretty soon all the smaller publisher and distribution companies will be gone and there will only be one or two behemoths left."

Note: Since there are two posts today, bring a b-i-g cup of tea and two muffins.

To read the post about Hachette's acquisition of Perseus Book Group's publishing arm, tootle over to Hachette and Perseus

To read the post about Ingram's acquisition of Perseus Book Group's distribution arm, tootle over to Ingram and Perseus

Harry Potter Fans Create the Severus Snape and The Marauders Movie - Galleycat

Panzer's trip today took him to one of his favorite sites, GalleyCAT. Just one little paw flick brought up a post about Harry Potter.

Whew! I need a nap after all that.

In the post by Maryann Yin, our intrepid kitty boy learned some interesting news about Harry Potter fans. The fan group at Broad Strokes Productions has put together a YouTube video called Severus Snape and The Mauraders. The video deals with Severus Snape and James Potter's time at Hogwarts. This is a well-done production. There are also several links included in the post to other GalleyCAT posts with Harry Potter information.

Panzer says, "I didn't embed the video here because it's almost 26 minutes long."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g video. You'll need a cup of tea, a muffin and a candy bar while you watch it. If you want to follow the links in the post too, bring a thermos of tea, a dozen muffins and a sleeping bag to take a nap in the middle of your watching and reading.

To watch the video and/or read the links, tootle over to Harry Potter

With Earnings Up in Q3, B&N States Plan to Open New Concept Stores - Publishers' Weekly

Panzer did a little traveling around in the Catosphere today. Stopping in at the Publishers' Weekly site, our exploring kitty found a post with some interesting news about Barnes and Noble.

Just like Amazon's hybrid store.

According to a post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble announced their increased earnings for the 3rd quarter. In addition to their earnings figures, CEO Ron Boire also announced details about their new hybrid bookstores. Panzer told you about Barnes and Noble's hybrid bookstore concept in February. The stores use the same marketing plan as Amazon's new bricks and mortar store. Barnes and Noble plans to open four stores in fiscal 2017.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... I still wonder about competing with Amazon's new store concept."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g-ish post. You'll need a b-i-g cup of tea and a muffin for your reading.

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

To read Panzer's post about the Barnes and Noble new store concept, tootle over to new prototype store

Self-Publishing firm finds national audience - New Hampshire Business Review

Panzer made a short trip into the Catosphere today. Our inquisitive kitty boy found an interesting post about self-publishing at the New Hampshire Business Review site.

Always check things out first.

According to a post there by Liisa Rajala, self-published author J.J. Hebert has a company called MindStir Media. Based on his experiences with his self-publishing, Mr. Hebert decided to help other authors with the process, He hired editors and illustrators to be able to offer those services to authors. In order to be a full service company to authors, his next step was to start a self-publishing press, Seacoast. They publish hardbacks, softcover, and ebooks and report they've published 400 books now.

Panzer says, "The last section of the post is an interview with an author who has used the business for all of her books."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. You'll need a b-i-g cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading.

To read the post, tootle over to self-publishing firm

Kobo CEO faces uphill e-book battle against Apple, Amazon

They're number two in e-readers.

Panzer made a trip into the Catosphere today looking for publishing news for you. His travels took him to The Globe and Mail site. After some digging around in the files, he found a post about ebook publisher and e-tailer Kobo.

According to a post by Shane Dingman, Michael Tamblyn Kobo CEO is making plans for the company to develop a bigger footprint in the ebook market in the coming year. Kobo's competitors Amazon (number one in ebooks) and Apple (number two) are both huge with divisions in more than ebooks. Mr. Tamblyn says he wants Kobo "to be the best bookseller." The company is already the second largest manufacturer of e-readers (outpaced by Amazon Kindle).

Panzer says, "You know, Kobo only does ebooks ... no housewares ... no TV shows ... nothing but ereaders and ebooks."

Note: This is an e-n-o-r-m-o-u-s post. You'll need a thermos of tea and at least a dozen muffins for your reading.

To read the post, tootle over to Kobo