J.K. Rowling Reveals the Original Name of Dean Thomas - Galleycat

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when his trip was interrupted by clapping and cheering. Following all the raucous noise, took our inquisitive kitty boy to the GalleyCAT site. There he found news about J.K. Rowling's latest plans for her wizarding world.

I can wait. It's only a week.

According to the post by Maryann Yin, J.K. Rowling has posted drawings of characters from her Harry Potter books at the Pottermore site. Ms. Rowling has also announced that on September 6 three short story collections will be available at the site as well. Included in the post are links to the drawings and the short story collections availability announcement.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... I didn't know she was an artist too."

Note: This is a short post; but, if you follow the links to the other two posts it becomes medium length. Bring a cup of tea if you only plan to read the original post; but, if you plan to read the two additional posts as well, bring two muffins with your tea for today's reading selection.

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

BBC One to Adapt Seven Agatha Christie Novels - Galleycat

I can't wait to see them.

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the GalleyCAT site. There our handsome kitty boy found a post about mystery writer Agatha Christie.

According to the post by Maryann Yin, BBC One will adapt for television seven Agatha Christie books. The announced time frame will be the next four years. Included in the post are links to a Deadline site post and a BBC News site post about the adaptions.

Panzer says, "I loved Miss Marple and Poirot."

Note: The GalleyCAT post is short; but, if you follow the two included links, it will be a shortist-medium post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection, if you only plan to read the GalleyCAT post. If you plan to read all three, also bring a muffin.

To read the post, tootle over to Agatha Christie

A New Panzerism

Panzer on cat real estate decorum:

When I climb to the top of the refrigerator, it might look like I'm sleeping.

Not true.

Not true at all.

The true story is that I, Mighty King Kitty, am surveying the realm of all that is mine.

And ...

that includes you, human.

So ...

Have my dinner ready ...

It's warm up there too.

when ...

I wake up.

Wait ...

I mean when I jump down from my throne.

Smashwords Alerts Notifies Readers of New Releases from Favorite Authors - Smashwords

Cleaning is tiring work.

Panzer was doing his weekly cleaning of the Panzermobile today and found some news about Smashwords he meant to post earlier this week.

A post at the Smashwords Blog explains about a new service they offer readers. There's a new button on the Author Profile Pages called Subscribe to Author Alerts. After a reader goes to an Author Profile Page and clicks the button, they will receive an email alert whenever the author releases a new ebook through Smashwords.

Panzer says, "Besides helping readers know about new ebooks by their favorite authors, it's a free marketing tool for authors."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Smashwords Alerts

Amazon Opening a Physical Bookstore in Chicago - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, when he heard ooohing and ahhhing. Following all the noise took our brave kitty pilot to the Publishers' Weekly site. There he found a post about Amazon.

Who will win?

According to the post by Judith Rosen, Amazon has announced the location of their fourth bricks and mortar bookstore will be Chicago, Illinois. Amazon's first bricks and mortar store opened in Seattle, Washington, last year, the second will open in San Diego, California, this summer, and the third will open in Portland, Oregon, later this year.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... It looks to this kitty like Amazon is planning to go head-to-head with the Barnes and Noble bricks and mortar stores. I know. I said yesterday no Barnes and Noble news for a while ... But, this sure looks like an attack on a wounded gazelle by a hungry lion."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon

Barnes and Noble Faces a Challenge that has Not Been Clearly Spelled Out - The Idea Logical Company

Panzer made a trip to The Idea Logical Company site today. With hardly any digging at all he found a post about Barnes and Noble.

The post by Mike Shatzkin addresses the question of what Barnes and Noble needs to do now to be a viable and healthy bookstore chain. According to Mr. Shatzkin, basically the answer seems to be that smaller is better. He suggests that instead of enlarging the stores to what ousted CEO Ron Boire called "concept stores," the stores should, instead, downsize. With examples from the history of bookstores up to the present, Mr. Shatzkin shows the current evolution is for smaller stores. There are other suggestions to ensure Barnes and Noble's ability to continue to function.

After all that, I need a nap.

Panzer says, "I promise, no more posts about Barnes and Noble for a while."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring two thermoses of tea and two dozen muffins for today's reading selection. You should probably also bring a sleeping bag for a nap halfway through the reading selection, too.

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

What's Next for Barnes and Noble? - Publishers' Weekly

Panzer stopped in at the Publishers' Weekly site today. There our curious kitty found a post about Barnes and Noble. The company seems to be everywhere in the Catosphere since the ouster of CEO Ron Boire.

I'm looking everywhere for answers.

In the post Jim Milliot examines both named and unnamed publishers' reactions to the announcement of Mr. Boire's unexpected firing. With a change in leadership coming this late in the year, it appears the publishers are all worried about Barnes and Noble's Christmas book promotions and sales plans and follow through. There are other publisher concerns covered in the post, but unease about the upcoming holiday book buying season seems to be the major question.

Panzer says, "This kitty wants to know if they'll put more effort into the bn.com site and the Nook now."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Barnes and Noble Introduces the New Samsung Galaxy Tab A NOOK - Barnes and Noble Press Release

Only $139.00?

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard strange noises. Following all the hullabaloo took our traveling kitty explorer to the Barnes and Noble site. With a little digging around he discovered information about Barnes and Noble and Samsung's newest Nook.

According to a press release at the site, the new Samsung Galaxy Tab A Nook is now on the market. It has a 7.0 inch screen and features a camera, FM radio capabilities, access to the Google Play Store and more. It's available for a cost of $139.00 new or $99.00 as an upgrade. The new Nook is for sale in the Barnes and Noble brick and mortar stores as well as online at bn.com.

Panzer says, "Hmmm. I want one. That's a very good price."

Note this is a medium post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Nook

A New Panzerism

Panzer on creative urges:

Cats don't get enough appreciation for our contributions to the human world.

I mean, sure, that Einstein guy came up with that theory of relativity thingy ...

But ...

Cats ...

We come up with important stuff.

We gave the world Twerking.

You know ...

There's a spider on the floor ...

I crouch down ...

Give us credit once in a while.

in my attack mode ready to jump

and ...

wiggle my behind ...

See ... Cat Twerking.

We started it,

You stole it.

HarperCollins Unveils Website Redesign - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the PW (Publishers' Weekly) site. There our kitty pilot discovered some interesting news about publisher HarperCollins.

In a short post by Rachel Deahl, Panzer learned HarperCollins has now opened their redesigned HarperCollins.com website. The redesign makes the site more mobile devise friendly. It also has several new features including the "Book Finder" which helps visitors find gift books. The site is for direct book sales to visitors.

Maybe I need glasses.

Panzer says, "I have a hard enough time reading my text messages on Mom's smartphone. I don't know if I can find a new book using those little, teeny, tiny thumbnail book covers."

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

To read the post, tootle over to HarperCollins

Wattpad Introduces Video Ads Within Stories - Book Business

Panzer stopped in at the Book Business site today. There our traveling kitty reporter found a post about Wattpad. Wattpad is the site that allows authors to post their writing for members to read and comment on.

According to the post by Ellen Harvey, Wattpad is offering a new service for their authors. The program is called Wattpad Futures. The program will place video ads in the chapter breaks of an author's novel. Each reader's viewing of an ad will generate a payment for the author. Thus the program allows authors to have an income stream from their writing at Wattpad. The post includes Wattpad's original press release about the program.

Think you'll be one of the chosen few?

Panzer says, "Wait a second kittens before you rush out to sign up for the program. It's a by-invitation-only program. So ... sign up for Wattpad ... but don't expect to jump right into the program."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Wattpad

Barnes and Noble Ousts CEO, Ron Boire - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard strange noises coming from the PW (Publishers' Weekly) site. Zipping over, he discovered some news about Barnes and Noble. Our inquisitive kitty does like to keep up to date on the goings on at Barnes and Noble. Their ebook selling site is the main outlet for his ebook sales.

According to a post by Rachel Deahl, Barnes and Noble announced the ousting (termination) of CEO Ron Boire. This comes on the heels of the disclosure that the company's June revenue showed a 3.1 percent decline with losses from the bn.com site and Nook sales. In the wake of Mr. Boire's departure, Barnes and Noble founder Len Riggio announced he will postpone his retirement until a replacement is found. Book publishers asked about the news were surprised and unhappy with the announcement.

I'll never understand humans.

Panzer says, "Let me see  ... Barnes and Noble announced a while back they were going to concentrate on building up their brick and mortar stores' restaurants and serve alcohol in them ... and ... cut back on the Nook. ... Hmmm ... Now Nook sales are down ... and ... the bn.com site (which sells ebooks for the Nook) sales are down. Coincidence? This kitty thinks not."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of iced tea and cookie (biscuit) for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Amazon's latest weapon in the e-commerce wars: Its own air force - The Washington Post

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he almost got side-swiped by a Boeing 767 jet. Following the big bully took our brave kitty boy to The Washington Post site. There he discovered the plane belongs to Amazon.

I am not a happy kitty.

A post at the site by Sarah Halzack explains it was Amazon One doing a test flight. Amazon has leased 40 planes as part of their delivery service to use between warehouses. They also own 4,000 truck trailers as part of the same delivery service. It turns out, Amazon has already been using 11 of the planes they leased before this official announcement, but this is the first plane to have the Amazon logo. The other planes will get the logos in the near future. There's a photo of the jet with the post so you can see the logo placement. The post also explains about the planes' uses in the delivery chain.

Panzer says, "Amazon better have good insurance ... That plane almost hit my Panzermobile."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Amazons air force

A New Panzerism

Panzer on love:

The opposite of love isn't hate. It's indifference.

You want love? Get a dog.

Feed me and I'll stop being indifferent

toward you ...

for a while ...

maybe.

Penguin Random House to Combine Offices in NYC, Saving $20M Annually - Book Business

Yesterday, Panzer told you about the latest sales and revenue figures reported by the the Big 5 in the traditional book publishing market. Today, in a post at the Book Business site our inquisitive kitty reporter found some interesting information about the cost saving measures that traditional publisher Penguin Random House is making.

He would share with me. Right?

In a post at the site by Ellen Harvey Panzer learned that after approval by the Board of Directors and shareholders Penguin Random House (PRH) CEO Marcus Dohle notified employees by memo of the consolidation of the company's two offices into one building. According to his memo the consolidation will save the company $20M. The post includes CEO Dohle's entire memo to employees.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... Mom ... Let's share space to save money. And while we're on this closer together thing ... How about What's His Name shares his food dish with me too?"

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

To read the post about PRH's consolidation, tootle over to Penguin Random House

To read yesterday's post, tootle over to financial reports

What the Big 5's Financial Reports Reveal About the State of Traditional Book Publishing - Book Business

Today, Panzer found some interesting information at the Book Business site about the big five traditional publishing companies' financial reports.

According to the post by Thad Mcilroy, three of the Big 5, (Hachett, HarperCollins, and Simon and Schuster) had losses in sales over the same period last year, one (Macmillan) did not report their sales figures, and only one (Penguin Random House) had an increase. The post is a little confusing because it compares figures from different reporting periods for the companies. The end of the post speculates on which publishing companies might be candidates for mergers/takeovers.

Me...OW ... OW. My head hurts.

Panzer says, "Make sure you have an aspirin (or headache tablet). You'll need it by the time you finish the post."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Big 5

Retail sales up despite Brexit - The Bookseller

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today when he decided to make a stop at The Bookseller site. There he found a post about how retail sales are doing in the UK after the Brexit vote.

Sales look pretty good.

According to the post by Lisa Campbell, retail sales are up by 1.1 percent across the board even after the Brexit vote. All the way at the very end of the post we learn that UK print book sales for July 2016 are also up by 4.3 percent over July of last year. There is no mention of ebook sales figures.

Panzer says, "I guess we know where the retail market places the importance of print book sales ... at the very bottom of the list. ... And ebook sales ... no where."

Note: This is a short post. You won't even need a muffin for today's reading selection, just bring a cup of tea.

To read the post, tootle over to book sales

George R.R. Martin's "Wild Cards" in Development at Universal Cable Productions - Variety

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Variety site. There are our happy kitty traveler found some news about one of his favorite fantasy authors George R.R. Martin.

According to the post by Laura Prudom, Universal Cable Productions has bought the rights to George R.R. Martin's "Wild Cards". UCP will develop a new television series based on the "Wild Cards" books and stories. The "Wild Cards" volumes have been running since 1986 and total twenty-three, including one being published this month. There are "Wild Cards" books, stories, comics/graphic novels, and games. The post includes a link to Mr. Martin's original announcement about the arrangement with UCP.

Panzer says, "Just about the time the "Game of Thrones" series ends the "Wild Cards" series will begin."

I need a nap after that long trip.

Note: The Variety post is long and George R.R. Martin's post is extra long. Bring two thermoses of tea and a dozen muffins and a dozen cookies (biscuits) if you plan to read both of today's reading selections.

To read the post, tootle over to George R.R. Martin's Wild Cards

A New Panzerism

Panzer on human indecisiveness:

Mom is always saying, "Be a good kitty."

I wish she'd make up her mind.

Hurry up. I've got things to do.

Which is it?

Good?

or

Kitty? *


From Cat Wisdom for Humans

3 Facebook Changes You Need to Know About - dbw (Digital Book World)

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today just enjoy the quiet day. Our traveling kitty boy decided to make a quick stop at the dbw (Digital Book World) site. There he found some news about Facebook.

Don't let them out of your sight.

According to the post by Chris Syme, Facebook has made three changes that authors need to pay attention to. First, Facebook has changed their 20 percent text ad rule. What this means for authors is the more text in your ads, the higher the cost, and the lower the distribution. Second, Facebook has changed the Friends and Family rules. Authors need to ask their fans to "designate your page as one they want to 'See First'." And finally, third, Facebook has changed your page layout. It's not your imagination. Your page is different.

Panzer says, "Facebook must have gotten tired of changing your privacy settings and decided to confuse you by changing other stuff."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Facebook

Amazon Japan starts all-you-can-read service - The Japan News

A cat doesn't need a passport.

Panzer's trip in the Catosphere today took him to a site he's never visited before called The Japan News. Our multi-talented kitty found a post there about Amazon Japan.

According to the post, Amazon Japan has introduced the Kindle Unlimited Service. Introducing the service will make Japan the 12th country to join Amazon's all-you-can-read smorgasbord service. The service will include not only ebooks but magazines and manga as well.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... Twelve countries ... Kindle Unlimited really is taking over the ebook world."

Note: This is a medium post. Bring a small thermos of tea and three muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Kindle Unlimited

Cursed Child Sales Top Two Million - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

On Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today he spent his time looking for news about J.K. Rowlings' new book, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Our traveling kitty told you about the country-wide bookstore parties for the book's launch and wanted any followup news he could find. Panzer found some good news and some bad news in his hunting.

In a post by Jim Milliot at the Publishers' Weekly site, our kitty reporter discovered the good news that the script for the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child turned book of the same name had enormous sales. Over the two days after the launch night the book sold two million copies in the U.S. alone. The book hit #1 on Amazon. The post includes links to reviews of the book.

It makes me very sad.

Panzer discovered the bad news in a post by Maryann Yin at GalleyCat titled J. K. Rowing Declares Cursed Child to be the Final Harry Potter Story. According to Ms. Rowling, Harry Potter is being supplanted by a new generation and so there will be no more books about him . The post includes a link to the original interview.

Note: The two posts are medium length when combined. Bring a thermos of tea and six muffins for today's reading selections.

To read the post about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child's sales, tootle over to Cursed Child sales

To read the post about J. K. Rowling's interview, tootle over to final Harry Potter

To read Panzer's original post about the launch parties, tootle over to Harry Potter is back

The Long Game ... of Thrones - George R.R. Martin

Don't wake me until tomorrow.

Panzer spent today's trip into the Catosphere collecting news about George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones. Our busy kitty reporter found three news posts for all Game of Thrones addicts like him.

Panzer's first stop was at George R.R. Martin's Not A Blog site. Yesterday, Monday, August 1, was the 20 year anniversary of the first publication of his Game of Thrones book. His publisher is putting out a new edition of the original Game of Thrones. The new edition will include illustrations.

Panzer's next stop was at The Hollywood Reporter site. There he found a post titled HBO Confirms "Game of Thrones" Will End With Season 8. The post by Lesley Goldberg says that HBO has not released any information except the end of the Game of Thrones series after season 8.

Panzer's final stop was at the GalleyCAT site. A little digging around and he found a post titled HBO's Game of Thrones Coloring Book. According to Dianna Dilworth, HBO has commissioned an adult coloring book containing 35 illustration from the television series.

Panzer says, "I'm going to take a long, long nap"

Note: These posts combined are very l-o-n-g. Bring a thermos of tea and a dozen muffins for today's reading selections.

To read the post about the 20 year anniversary edition of Game of Thrones, tootle over to Game of Thrones

To read the post about the end of the Game of Thrones series, tootle over to  Game of Thrones cancellation

To read the post about the new Game of Thrones coloring book, tootle over to coloring book

A New Panzerism

Panzer on keeping pets:

The three main reasons to keep pets:

1) Teaches responsibility;

One heartbeat away from the curb.

2) Teaches unselfishness;

3) Teaches cleanliness.

All true.

But mostly I just keep Mom around to feed me. Otherwise, I'd dump her in a heartbeat.*


*Reprint from Cat Wisdom for humans