New Ilvermorny writing and Sorting Ceremony by J.K. Rowling now on Pottermore

A nice trip to school.

Panzer got back from the vet with a clean bill of health. To celebrate our happy kitty got back in the Panzermobile to make another trip into the Catosphere. Over at the J.K. Rowling site Pottermore he discovered a video about the Ilvermorney School. He also found, if you register, you can learn your house at Hogwarts and/or at Ilvermorny. You can also read about the schools and get your wand. He can't wait for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them to come out.

Panzer says, "It's an interesting place to visit for an inquisitive kitty."

Note: This can be a short visit or a long visit. It's up to you.

To visit Pottermore, tootle over to Ilvermorny

Authors and Their Day Jobs: Infographic - Galleycat

I don't want to go.

Panzer made a quick trip into the Catosphere today before his trip to the vet for a checkup. Our anxious kitty boy found an interesting infographic at the GalleyCAt site.

Have you ever wondered what day jobs authors like Stephen Kind or Margaret Atwood or Douglas Adams had before they became famous? Maryann Yin found an infographic that lists twenty authors and what they did to pay the bills.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... A school janitor? That's kind of scary."

Note: This is a short infographic. You'll only need a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to day jobs

The State of Indie Audiobooks

Panzer made a short trip into the Catosphere today. Our intrepid kitty explorer made his way to the Book Life site. With just a little digging around he found a post about indie audiobooks.

What's she go planned now?

In a post by Ryan Joe Panzer learned about Audible's Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX). ACX has had  a phenomenal amount of growth in the indie audiobook market. ACX helps indie audiobook authors find narrators for their projects and then helps with the distribution of the finished product to Amazon and other outlets. Also included in the post are other avenues to find narrators and distribution.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... I wonder if that's why Mom got a copy of the Audacity program. I'll have to ask her."

Note: This is a h-u-g-e post. Bring a thermos of tea and a dozen muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to audiobooks

B&N's Nook Press Debuts Print, In-Store Event Programs - PW

Panzer was just tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard cheering and clapping. Following all the yelling and hurrahing took our kitty boy to the Publishers' Weekly site. There he found a post about Barnes and Noble.

I'll definitely be looking into this.

According to the post by Calvin Reid, Barnes and Noble made their anticipated announcement about their entry into the print publishing arena. Panzer told you about their planned announcement last week. Barnes and Noble has come up with a way to compete with Amazon's print publishing arm Create Space. Barnes and Noble's Nook Press qualifying ebook authors will now be able to print their ebooks as hardbacks and/or paperbacks. They will then be able to not only sell their books at Barnes and Noble stores, but also do author book signings and other events there as well.

Panzer says, "Barnes and Noble has a definite advantage over Amazon by allowing authors to have events at their stores in conjunction with their sales."

Note: This is a short post. You'll only need one cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Nook Press

To read Panzer's previous post about Barnes and Noble, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

A New Panzerism

Panzer on being agreeable:

I heard What's His Name telling Mom I'm not likeable.

Well ...

Eyes, ears, fur. Nope. Not like a bowl.

Guess what?

He's right.

I totally agree with him.

I don't

Look anything like a bowl.

J.K. Rowling On Newt Scamander: VIDEO - Galleycat

It'll be showing soon.

Panzer got woken from his Sunday afternoon nap by raucous laughter and cheers coming from the Catosphere. Our brave kitty hopped in the Panzermobile to find out what was going on. Following all the noise took him to the GalleyCAT site.

All the hub bub was caused by a post there by Maryann Yin about Newt Scamander. Newt Scamander is the hero in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie. Included in the post is a video teaser about the movie featuring author J.K. Rowling.

Panzer says, "I can't wait to see the movie!"

Note: This is a very short post with a two (plus) minute video. Bring a cup of soda and some popcorn.

To read the post, tootle over to Newt Scamander

Looking to Future, B & N Puts Its Faith In Bricks and Mortar - PW

Interesting idea ... I guess.

Panzer's search in the Catoshere looking for news took him to the Publishers' Weekly site today. There our kitty pilot discovered the latest news about Barnes and Noble.

According to a post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble executives held a conference on Thursday to let their investors know the company's plans for the future. It was announced B and N is opening new stores with "cafes" that serve alcohol. The new cafes will be larger than the previous in-store cafes and will feature chef prepared meals. Also announced wwere cuts to the Nook side of the business. Buried near the end of the announcement is the fact the company will be making another announcement about a new print on demand portion of business.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Do they think human who drink a lot of alcohol will buy more books?"

Note: This is a very l-o-n-g post with a lot of information. Bring a thermos of tea and a half dozen muffins for today's reading selections.

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

How Will "The Brexit" Impact Book Publishing? - Book Business

Panzer decided to do a little exploring in the Catosphere today. Our inquisitive kitty wanted to see what he could find out about Brexit's impact on publishing. His searches took him to the Book Business site.

Now ... What is VAT? EU?

There Panzer found an interesting post by Ellen Harvey loaded with the same questions he has. Like: "What about the VAT?" "New taxes?" "Sales where?" While the post doesn't answer any of the questions, it does include links to other posts that although not definitive do prove helpful. Oh ... The post includes a few quoted tweets from authors too.

Panzer says, "It's all so confusing to this little kitty."

Note: This is a short post, but there are linked posts that make this a l-o-n-g post. You'll need two cups of tea and two muffins for today's whole reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Brexit and book publishing

As E-book Sales Decline, Digital Fatigue Grows - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Panzer's trip in the Catosphere took him to the Publishers' Weekly site today. There our adventuresome kitty boy found a post about the state of ebook sales.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, two interesting surveys have recently been done about ebook sales. The Association of American Publishers research study says ebook sales by trade publishers was down 14 percent. in 2015. In a research study by  Codex Group it was found readers are tiring of their e-readers, tablets and smartphones and are returning to physical (dead tree) books. There are graphics and charts included in the post to demonstrate the survey results.

They're always ahead of everybody else.

Panzer says, "I told you yesterday there was a reason why Amazon was opening more bricks and mortar bookstores. They already knew readers were going back to dead tree books."

Note: This is a long post. You will need a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to sales decline

Amazon's Third Bookstore Will Be In Portland - Fortune

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere just enjoying himself when he heard sighing and soft "Oh! No-ing!" Our brave kitty boy followed the noise to the Fortune site. There he discovered the worrisome sounds were about a post describing Amazon's latest moves.

It's hard to keep up with Amazon.

According to Leena  Rao's post there, Amazon is still on its foray into opening bricks and mortar bookstores. Panzer told you in November of last year about their first store in Seattle (Washington) and in March of this year about their second store in San Diego (California). The Fortune post states they'll be opening their third store in Portland, Oregon. They're definitely on an expansion move into the traditional bricks and mortar bookstore market.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... Amazon must see a returning market for dead tree books or they wouldn't be jumping in now."

Note: This is a shortish post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for your reading today. If you plan to read all of Panzer's posts too, bring an extra cup of tea and another muffin.

To read the post about the newest store, tootle over to Amazon

To read Panzer's post about the first Amazon store, tootle over to Amazon Seattle store

To read Panzer's post about the second Amazon store, tootle over to Amazon San Diego store 

Apple E-book Refunds to begin June 21 - PW

Panzer barely got to sleep for his after dinner nap when he got shaken out of his kitty bed by shouting and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Our sleepy little kitty pilot headed the Panzermobile out. Following all the noise took him to the Publishers' Weekly site. Panzer found the source of all the excitement was a post about Apple.

Okay. Back to sleep now.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, Apple began giving out the ebook refunds from the court case they lost. Apple lost the price-fixing case and their appeal and were ordered to give refunds to purchasers of ebooks. The Apple refunds will be sent directly to buyers' accounts no matter where they purchased the ebooks.The credits will be paid to your account if you bought an ebook between April 1, 2010 and May 21, 2012.

Panzer says, "It's about time. That case went on for years."

Note: This is a shortish post. A cup of tea should be enough for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Apple refunds

Behind-the-Scenes Video Examines a Game of Thrones Battle Between Bastxxds - GalleyCAT

Panzer made a short trip into the Catosphere today. Our kitty boy found a post at GalleyCAT about one of his favorite TV shows, Game of Thrones.

Maryann Yin's post has an embedded video of the "Battle Between Bastxxds" (Panzer doesn't do bad words here) episode from Game of Thrones. Also included at the end of the post are two links to other Game of Thrones videos.

I've got a lot of work to do this week.

Panzer says, "Whew! Mom is feeling a little better now. I'll be catching up on my Catosphere news this week."

Note: This is a very short post, but with the video it becomes a medium post. You'll need a glass of iced tea and a muffin to read and watch today's selection. But if you follow the two links at the end of the post, you'll need to add another glass of iced tea and muffin.

To read the post, tootle over to Game of Thrones

No Panzerism Today

Panzer here. Short post today.

There haven't been any posts since last Wednesday because Mom has been very sick. In between doctor visits, hospital emergency room visits, IVs, two days in bed, and another doctor visit today, there's been no time for posting.

If everything goes as planned at the doctor's today, we'll be catching up on posts this week.

Sick Day

I've got a headache.

No post today. Mom and I are not feeling well.

HarperCollins Launches Programming for Facebook Live - Book Business

I'll be watching this.

Panzer stopped in at the Book Business site today. There our exploring kitty boy found a post about HarperCollins Book Studio 16 continuing marketing campaign.

Back on June 4 Panzer told you about HarperCollins Book Studio 16 YouTube launch. Now, according to a post by Ellen Harvey, HarperCollins expanded their Book Studio 16 and on June 12 launched on Facebook Live. Each day Monday through Friday will have a different theme. Fiction and nonfiction authors will be interviewed, authors will cook, and writing will be discussed as well as other features. The post includes the full HarperCollins press release at the end.

Panzer says, "This sounds like it will be interesting."

Note: This is a shortish medium post. You'll need a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to HarperCollins

To read Panzer's post about the YouTube launch, tootle over to HarperCollins video

A New Panzerism

Panzer on the serious topic of love:

Cats are not fickle with their love the way humans are.

This makes our love superior.

Cats examine the world as young kittens

And ...

Decide who their true love for life will be.

You are a distant second though.

Stop smiling Mom ...

It's not you,

You silly human.

It's me.

A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Chasing Publishing Trends

Panzer was woken up from his after dinner nap by laughing and guffawing coming from the Catosphere. Hopping into the Panzermobile our kitty boy followed all the noise to J.A. Konrath's blog.

There he found a post about adult coloring books. Reading the post, it didn't take long and he fell out of the pilot's seat and was rolling on the floor laughing.

Panzer says, "Tee hee hee!"

Note: This is a short post. DO NOT drink tea while you are reading today's selection. You don't want to get your keyboard wet.

To read the post, tootle over to A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Chasing Publishing Trends:

TaleHunt Taps Flash Fiction Trend, Publishing Stories 250 Characters Long - Book Business

Panzer stopped in at the Book Business site today. There our intrepid traveling kitty found a post about TaleHunt.

The post explains TaleHunt is an app for mobile devices. Writers can post their 250 character stories there for users of the app to read. Currently, there are 10,000 users of the service. If the writer of the 250 character story has a book available on Amazon and readers are interested in purchasing it, the post says they can use the app to do it.

Remember: Read the fine print.

Panzer says, "The post was written by Aby Mathew who is CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) and a co-founder of the company ... So ... If you plan to become a user of the app and/or post your work there, read the contract."

Note: This is a medium short post. You'll need a cup of tea and a doughnut for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Talehunt

Rakuten Shuttering Its U.K. Marketplace - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard crying and wailing. Following all the noise took him to the PW site. There our kitty adventurer found the source of all the angst was a post about Play.com closing.

Let's see what's happening here.

The post by Neill Denny covers the announcement by Rakuten of the closure of their United Kingdom Play.com site in August. Although the Japanese company has owned Play.com since 2011, a change in the VAT system in 2012 necessitated changes to the platform. Even with those changes it still was not enough to make the platform viable. Rakuten has decided instead to concentrate their efforts in the French and German markets.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Did the VAT really make them leave the U.K.?"

Note: This is a shortish post. You'll only need a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Rakuten

Indie Authors Left in Limbo after Booktrope Closing - Booklife

Panzer made a trip to the Booklife site today. There he found a post about the end of May closing of Booktrope.

Always read the contract, kittens.

According to the post by Nicole Audrey Spector, authors who used Booktrope to publish their books have discovered problems they didn't anticipate. Booktrope's business model was to put together a book team (cover designer, book editor, book manager, etc.) and match them with an author. Now that Booktrope has closed their doors, authors find themselves contractually responsible to pay their teams a portion of their royalties for the lifetime of their book. The authors will be obligated no matter what form the book takes now, whether it is a new paperback, ebook, or whatever.

Panzer says, "Nobody was prepared for the closing."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Booktrope

A New Panzerism

Panzer on hunting prowess:

I approach my quarry with stealth.

I slink forward on silent paws.

I sniff the wind quickly, measuring its strength and direction.

Moving with the sun at my back,

I dive ruthlessly forward ...

I pounce.

I am the world's greatest hunter

And ...

Once again ...

The hunt is successful

The food dish is mine.

Housekeeping Day

You do what you have to do.

Panzer here. No trip into the Catosphere today. Mom wants me to tell you about a little housecleaning stuff around here we need to make you aware of.

Over the last few weeks you might have noticed Spam being posted to the Comments section here. Mom was spending time deleting the junk. So she decided to make the section Moderated (at least for awhile). That means all posts to the section must be okayed by her before they get posted. You'll also need to answer a question now to prove you're not a bot.

And, finally, once or twice a year we like to remind you the Cats and Crime blog is a copyrighted periodical publication. That number you see across my nose on the masthead above is the Cats and Crime periodical number registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. That means all material that appears here is copyrighted.

That's it for now. See you Monday for A New Panzerism.

HarperCollins Doubles Down on Video: New Youtube Channel Aims to Reach Readers Wherever They Are - Book Business

I'm always looking for new ideas.

Panzer's trip today took him to the Book Business site. There our kitty reporter found a post about HarperCollins new YouTube channel.

The post by Ellen Harvey explains about HarperCollins addition of a second YouTube channel to their book marketing program. Their first channel, Epic Reads, has done so well with YA readers that they've now added a second channel, Book Studio 16, for adult readers. Like Epic Reads, Book Studio 16 will feature interviews with authors about their books, their writing process, and their interests outside writing. The post also includes an interview with Marisa Benedetto and Lisa Sharkey the two working behind the channel.

Panzer says, "So ... it's like an online book club that meets on YouTube."

Note: This is a very l-o-n-g post. Bring a thermos of tea and a half dozen doughnuts for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Harper Collins YouTube channel

May 2016 Author Earnings Report: the definitive million-title study of US author earnings - Author Earnings

The Panzermobile ran out of fuel today in the Catosphere. Our excellent kitty pilot managed to land his craft safely at the Author Earnings site. While he was waiting for the fuel delivery he did a little digging around there and found a report about author earnings.

After all that I need a nap.

According to the post by Data Guy, the site used a "spider" to search  tremendous amounts of data at Amazon to put the earnings report together. The report contains information about the number of authors making six and seven figure incomes all the way to the number of authors making three figure incomes. This is a comprehensive report covering everything from single titles to series.

Panzer says, "It has information on one million writers!"

Note: This is a h-u-g-e report. You'll need a thermos of tea and a dozen muffins with a sleeping bag to take a nap in the middle of your reading.

To read the post, tootle over to May 2016

The Sound of Subscriptions Succeeding: Storytel Original Is Coming in Sweden - Publishing Perspctives

Interesting.

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Publishing Perspectives site. There our traveling kitty found a post about Storytel.

According to the post by Marie Bilde, Storytel has acquired Mofibo. Both companies are digital subscriptions services apps for ebooks and audiobooks. With Storytel's acquisition it has been announced that Mofibo will no longer serve The Netherlands market. No other immediate plans for Mofibo have been announced; although, on June 14 Storytel will be launching Storytel Original, an exclusive audio content service.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Ebooks ... Audiobooks ... Sounds a lot like Amazon's subscription services to me."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Storytel

Sherlock's Guide to Deduction - An Infographic | Quirk Books : Publishers

Panzer was doing a little research in the Catosphere today. Our inquisitive kitty found a blog post at the Quirk Books site with an infographic about Sherlock Holmes.

He's smart for a human.

Panzer is a lover of Mr. Holmes' mystery solving intellect. Our mysterious kitty even owns a copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle which includes all four novels and fifty-six short stories chronicling Sherlock's adventures. So finding this infographic about Sherlock's deductive skills is like finding a bag of kitty treats for him.

Note: This is a short, but interesting post. You'll want to bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read how Sherlock solved his cases, tootle over to Sherlock's Guide to Deduction - An Infographic | Quirk Books : Publishers