"Harry Potter" is back - and so is the bookstore hoopla we haven't seen since 2007 - The Washington Post

Panzer's evening nap was interrupted by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Jumping into the Panzermobile and following all the racket took our kitty boy to The Washington Post site. With no digging at all he found a post about Harry Potter.

I'm already asleep by midnight.

According to a post by Susan Halzack, tomorrow (Saturday) night bookstores around the U.S. will be partying like it's 2007. That's the last time there was a Harry Potter party here in bookstores. There will be midnight Harry Potter parties with costume contests, games ... and ... the launch of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child book. The post explains it's not really a book, but a copy of the script for the new Harry Potter play put into a book format.

Panzer says, "I can't go. Mom doesn't let me go out that late at night."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a thermos of tea and three muffins for your reading.

To read the post, tootle over to Harry Potter

Coloring Books For Adults Stay Hot - Publishers' Weekly

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere this afternoon took him to the Publishers' Weekly site. There our free-roaming kitty found a post about adult coloring books.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, all of the print book sales were up by 12 percent from January 2016 through June 2016 over the same period in 2015. The increase in sales was due largely because of adult coloring book sales. The crafts and hobbies category was up by 133 percent because of adult coloring books. There is more information in the post about other categories of books with both increased and decreased sales figures for the time period.

Mom! Where are your colored pencils?

Panzer says, "Hmmm ,,, I'd buy a coloring book with adult girl kitties to color."

Note: This is a short-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for your reading today.

To read the post, tootle over to Coloring Books

Free Windows 10 upgrades end tomorrow (today) - The Verge

You're never happy with what you have.

When Panzer went into the Catosphere today, he found a post by Tom Warren he missed yesterday at The Verge site about Windows 10.

Since this is yesterday's post, it's actually today that is the last day to download and install Windows 10 for free.

Panzer says, "Why do humans have to fix stuff that isn't broken?"

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

To read the post, tootle over to Windows 10

Can Serialized Fiction Convert Binge Watchers Into Binge Readers? - NPR

Humans will buy anything.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he found an interesting post about serialized fiction at the NPR site.

The post by Lynn Neary is about a new publishing service called Serial Box. The service doesn't publish books, they publish "episodes" of books for subscribers. The company does not want the "episodes" called chapters. According to the post, the book is plotted out and then broken into sections. The sections are the "episodes." The post states the "episodes" are published over 10 to 16 weeks depending on the story's length.

Panzer says, "You humans have to read the Comments Section at the end to really understand the post."

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

To read the post, tootle over to serialized fiction

Trade Sales Mixed in February - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Where is publishing going?

Today, Panzer stopped in at the Publishers' Weekly site. After just a little digging he found a post about book sales in January and February of 2016.

The post by Jim Milliot is quoting from the latest release from the Association of American Publishers about the figures collected from book stores for the February sales figures. According to those figures children's and young adult book sales were up. Adult book sales (including ebooks), however, were down, except for audio books. The post includes the amount sales have increased or dropped for each category in January and February 2016 and has a comparison to the January and February 2015 sales.

Panzer says, "Like I said yesterday, I need to do an audio book."

Note: This is a short-medium post. A cup of tea and a muffin should do for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to book sales figures

The Fastest Growing Format in Publishing: Audiobooks - The Wall Street Journal

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to The Wall Street Journal site. There our adventuresome kitty reporter found a post about audiobooks.

According to the post by Jennifer Maloney, audiobook sales are skyrocketing in the United States and Canada. Combined their sales of audiobooks are up 21 percent in 2015 over 2014. Smartphone users are a big driver behind the sales, especially with the availability of cars with built-in Smartphone connection capabilities. The availability of audiobooks through subscription services like Scribd also help propel sales as well. The post includes a lot of information about audiobooks with quotes, statistics and numbers.

I can do that. I have a good voice.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... Maybe I need to do an audiobook of Cat Wisdom for Humans."

Note: This is a h-u-m-u-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring two thermoses of tea, two dozen muffins and a sleeping bag (for a nap in the middle).

To read the post, tootle over to audiobooks

A New Panzerism

Panzer on the male ego:

Mom told me it's that time of year again ...

When male cats are supposed to fight other cats ...

To show the girl cats what brave boys they are.

Well ...

Losing fights this week ...

Hey! They're tougher than they look.

To ...

Susie, Missy and Miss Fluff-Fluff

Has not improved my status with them one iota.

Google Play Books v 3.9 Tells You When There's a New Addition to the Series You're Reading - The Digital Reader

Panzer made a quick trip into the Catosphere today. While there our speedy kitty made a stop at The Digital Reader site. At the site he found a post about a Google app.

According to the post by Nate Hoffelder, The Google Android app alerts users to new ebooks in series they're reading. If you're interested in more about Google Play Books, there are links at the bottom of the post to two other posts about the app.

You learn something new every day.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... I knew Google had an ebook store, but I didn't know they had an app for your phone."

Note: This is a very short post. (In fact, the title is basically all that's in the post.) Bring half a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Google

How Amazon's team of old-school book reviewers influences what we read - The State

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to The State site. There our intrepid information hunting kitty reporter found a post by Angel Gonzalez about Amazon.

Who knew? They're actual humans.

According to the post Amazon has an editorial team of book reviewers. Don't confuse these book reviewers with the customer reviewers of purchased books. They are totally different. The Amazon editorial review team consists of Amazon employees. The team mostly focuses their reading an reviewing on traditionally published books. Each team member does 10 book reviews per month. The team is responsible for the Amazon Book Review and the monthly and annual best reads lists. There appears to be some disagreement over whether being picked by the editorial team is responsible for helping a book's sales or not. There is a lot more information about the editorial review team and how it works contained in the post.

Panzer says, "Did you know Amazon had an editorial book review team? And that they're humans? I sure didn't."

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 Amazon

George RR Martin's teenage fan letter to Stan Lee: "A masterpiece with one flaw" - The Guardian

I wouldn't do that.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard giggling and chortling. Following the laughter took our inquisitive kitty to The Guardian site.  There he found a post about George R. R. Martin, one of his favorite authors.

The post by Sian Cain is about a letter then 16-year-old George R.R. Martin sent to Stan Lee about a 1964 issue of the Fantastic Four Marvel Comics. The letter and the response were published in a subsequent issue. In his letter  Mr. Martin tells Mr. Lee how great the comic is, but then he points out a problem with the plot. Mr. Lee doesn't mince words. He tells the teenager that he is right. There is indeed a plot problem.

Panzer says, "Boy, he was one brave kid to do that."

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

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

One Free Book Every Month: Announcing the Tor.com eBook Club - Tor.com

Missed July. There's always August.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today when he made a stop at the Tor.com site. There our adventuresome exploring kitty boy found a post about their new free ebook club.

According to the post, the site will be giving away one free sci-fi/fantasy ebook per month. They will pick the new ebook for the free offer. At the beginning of each month an email will be sent listing the ebook and when it can be downloaded. The post does say there will be question and answer sessions with the ebook's author, too. You can signup for the club now, but July's download date has already passed. So, there won't be another free ebook until August 1.

Panzer says, "Sorry ... At the site it says U.S. and Canada residents only."

Note: This is a longish post. A cup of tea and three cookies (biscuits) should be enough for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to free book

Amazon launches Singles Classic to resell timeless essays from top writers and magazines - TC (Tech Crunch)

You agree I'm famous. Right?

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Tech Crunch site. It didn't take any digging at all to find a post about Amazon's new Singles Classic service.

According to the post by Sarah Perez, the new Singles Classic service will offer short stories, articles and essays by famous writers. Each will be available for 99 cents at the Kindle store or free with Kindle Unlimited. Near the end of the post are instructions for submitting your work for consideration for the service.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... I'm famous in the Catosphere. Maybe I should submit some of my work."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Singles Classics

A New Panzerism

You can have it back when I'm done.

Panzer on intergalactic travel:

Been there ...

Done that ...

Got Mom's VR googles to prove it.

An Invitation to BritCrime

Can I stay awake that long?

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he stumbled across news from an online crime writing author's festival. Today is the first day of the online festival BritCrime. It will run July 15 - 17. There will be interviews with writers, discussions about techniques and a contest. You will need to sign up (at the festival) for Blab for the live broadcasts; but, if you don't have it (or don't want it), you can read the interviews, watch some short videos, and some replays.

Panzer says, "No Blab for this kitty's Mom's Twitter account. "

Note: This will be a long three day event. Bring three thermoses of tea, two dozen muffins, a dozen cupcakes, your sleeping bag, and a pillow for the online festival.

To attend, tootle over to Britcrime

"Amazon without Amazon": one-hour book delivery service launched - The Guardian

It's an interesting concept.

Panzer stopped in at The Guardian site today. With no digging at all our big bad kitty found a post about a new Amazon rival service called NearSt.

The post by Alison Flood explains about the start-up NearSt's London book order and deliver service. About 40 London book stores are currently using the platform. The customer places a book order either at the NearSt online site or by Smartphone app. In minutes the order is processed and ready for pickup at the store or one-hour delivery to the customer which ever the customer wants.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... They don't have to stock inventory because the bookstores have the books. They just have to pay the delivery people. That means pretty low costs to the company. Let's watch this company and see what happens."

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

To read the post, tootle over to book delivery service

2015 U.S. Book Publishing Revenue Flat: Print Sales Rise as Ebook Sales Decline - Book Business

Panzer was just tootling around in the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was buffeted and shaken by the sounds of crying and wailing. Our big brave kitty boy followed all the moaning to the Book Business site. There he found the source was a post about declining ebook sales.

Don't worry. It's just a craze.

According to the post by Ellen Harvey quoting from the Association of American Publishers' annual report, ebook sales comparing 2014 and 2015 are down. While that was happening, print book sales increased for the same time span. So what happened? For one thing, adult coloring books happened. Between the 2014 and 2015 time span is when the adult coloring book craze took off. Adult coloring books have to be printed books, so a jump in print book sales. The post includes charts  covering sales revenue and volume as well as genre breakdowns.

Panzer says, "So ... Adult coloring books are responsible for the turn around in print book sales. Humans are such an interesting species."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a glass of milk and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to print sales

Amazon Extends Its Dominance with Audible Channels - Book Business

Panzer made a trip into the Catosphere today looking for news for you. Our kitty reporter stopped in at the Book Business site. After a little digging around, he found an interesting post about Amazon and their subsidiary Audible.

This definitely needs looking into.

Joe Wikert's post is about Audible's new Channels service. Panzer told you about Channels a few days ago. Mr. Wikert explains how useful the newspaper article feature can prove to be. It would be particularly beneficial for those who don't want to subscribe to a newspaper but still want the news articles. He also includes his evaluation of the original content feature and the podcast curation feature.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... Maybe Channels is more than just a YouTube competitor."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Audible Channels

To read Panzer's original post, tootle over to Audible

A New Panzerism

Panzer on a cat's perspective:

What's His Name told Mom I'm having a rough day.

He said, if you wake up late, the whole day is out of synch.

And ...

He said today is like that for me.

So ...

He keeps waking me up saying I overslept.

Don't wake me. I'm busy.

He told me humans have this saying, "You snooze, you lose."

Well ...

I know that's just a big pile of stupid.

I get a lot more done when I'm sleeping than when I'm awake.

Amazon set to rival NYC's bookstores with Hudson Yards spot - New York Post

Panzer was rudely awoken from his nap by "On nos" and "Not another ones" coming from from the Catosphere. Our sleepy kitty got his tired little body into the Panzermobile and headed out. Following all the caterwauling took him to the New York Post site. There Panzer found a post about Amazon.

Now ... To continue my nap.

Jennifer Gould says in her post that unnamed sources have told her Amazon plans to open a new bricks and mortar store. According to the rumors, this one will be in Manhattan's (New York) Hudson Yards.

Panzer says, "Remember kittens ... A rumor is just a rumor and nothing more until Amazon announces it."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon

Audible Unveils Short Form Audio Streaming Service - PW

Panzer did a quick trip into the Catosphere today and went to the Publishers' Weekly site. After a little digging around there he found a post about Audible.

Amazon is everywhere.

According to the post by Shannon Maughan, Amazon's Audible has launched a new service called Channels. The service will have short selected newspaper content, lectures, and entertainment. There will not be audio books. Audible subscribers will get the service free of charge. Non-subscribers will be charged a monthly fee.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Sounds a lot like YouTube with a fee to this kitty cat."

Note: This is a longish post. Bring a glass of lemonade and a muffin.

To read the post, tootle over to Audible

Amazon Is Quietly Elimiating List Prices - The New York Times

I'm still recovering from yesterday.

Panzer was just tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard oohing and aahing echoing around the Panzermobile. Following the sounds took our intrepid kitty hunter to The New York Times site. There he found a post about Amazon.

The post by David Streitfeld points out that for the past two months Amazon has been deleting the list price comparison from items sold on the site. According to the post, the list price is not and never has been the "true" price of the items. It's been a marketing ploy to make the items appear to be "on sale." Also, it's not just the Amazon products that are losing the list prices, but other sellers' items as well.

Panzer says, "It's about time they did away with that silly list price. You humans already knew that was a bogus price, right?"

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

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon

Litsy App Brings Bookish Conversation to Life Online - Book Business

I need a nap. It's been a long day.

When Panzer woke from his afternoon nap he decided to finish cleaning out the Panzermobile. It's a good thing he did because he found another post under his pilot's seat. The post is from the Book Business site and is a followup to the Litsy post our adventuresome kitty told you about earlier today.

This new post is by Todd Lawton. Mr. Lawton is the co-founder of Litsy. He uses a question and answer format to explain the iOS app.  As Panzer told you earlier Litsy is for readers to engage in 300 character conversations about books. Mr. Lawson's post is geared more toward reasons for publishers to join the "conversations" on Litsy.

Panzer says, "Remember kittens ... This is a post by the co-founder of the app. It's more of a press release about the good points of the app rather than a non-biased post."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a thermos of tea and a sandwich for this reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Litsy app

To read Panzer's earlier post about Litsy, tootle over to Litsy

The Fascinating Work Habits of 18 Famous Writers - Galleycat

I like it clean inside and out.

Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile this afternoon. Our fastidious kitty discovered a post he found last week at GalleyCAT about famous writers.

The post by Dianna Dilworth includes an infographic about the strange habits of 18 famous writers while they wrote. You can read who wrote without clothes, who liked rotten apples and sixteen more weird writing habits.

Panzer says, "After reading this I don't feel so weird that no matter what the weather I write in a fur coat."

Note: This is a medium longish infograhic. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate frosted muffin for today's selection.

To read the post, tootle over to work habits

New App,Litsy, Aims To Be The Instagram Of Books - PW

I'll be watching this one.

Panzer was enjoying tootling around in the Catosphere today when he decided to stop in at the Publishers' Weekly site. After doing a little digging around there, our inquisitive reporter kitty found a post about a new iOS app for book lovers.

According to the post by Ed Nawotka, the new app Litsy is for those who want to only talk about books. Posts must be 300 characters or less. Currently, there are 20,000 users including not just readers but writers and publishers as well .

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Well, 300 characters is better than a Twitter Tweet."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Litsy

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Independence Day
from   Mom, Panzer and What's His Name