Announcing 2017's Agatha Awards Nominees - Criminal Element.com

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Criminal Element.com site. There our big kitty boy found the 2017 Agatha Awards Nominees.

According to the post there, the Agatha Awards will be presented on April 29, 2017 at the Malice Domestic Convention annual banquet in Bethesda, Maryland. The Agatha Awards are named for mystery author Agatha Christie.

The nominees for this year's awards were announced in the following categories:

Best Contemporary Novel
Best Historical Novel
Best First Novel
Best Nonfiction
Best Short Story
Best Child/Young Adult

Many of the nominees listed at the Criminal Element.com site in the different novel categories have excerpts available to read. All of the short stories except one are available in their entirety to read.

Bring a sleeping bag too.

Panzer says, "There's a lot of good reading there."

Note: The post is shortish-medium length. Bring a cup of tea to read today's selection; but, if you plan to read the excerpts and/or the short stories, bring two thermos of tea and two dozen muffins.

To read the post, tootle over to Agatha Award Nominees

A New Panzerism

Panzer on winter fun:

Winter has a special place in my heart.

Every year to protect his Koi, What's His Name goes outside to check the ice thickness on the fish pond.

He's always worried about those expensive fish.

He gets so impatient ...

Checks it at least twice a day ...

And ...

Those fish don't even taste good. *

Next thing he knows ...

Ice breaks ...

And ... he's knee-deep in water.

That's just good wholesome family entertainment.


* From Cat Wisdom for Humans

Tate Publishing Closing Its Doors - Publishers Weekly

Be careful what you sign!

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers' Weekly site. It didn't take any digging at all for our inquisitive kitty to find a post about Tate Publishing.

According to a post by Ann Byle, Tate Publishing and Enterprises has shut down. Authors were notified by mail with instructions on how to regain control of their books. The instruction include a contract for the author to sign and return. The contract stipulates that by signing and accepting their book files back authors agree not to try to get their money refunded. Authors paid the company (sometimes thousands of dollars) to publish their books. Tate Publishing is already being sued in court for non-payment by the companies which provided their publishing services.

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the Comments section too. You'll find some interesting and helpful information there."

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 Tate Publishing

New York Times Cuts a Range of Bestseller Lists - Publishers Weekly

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard yelling and screaming and gnashing of teeth ahead of the Panzermobile. Following all the noise took our brave kitty to the Publishers' Weekly site. There he found a post about the New York Times' Bestsellers List.

According to the post by Calvin Reid, the New York Times (NYT) is cutting the mass market paperback, middle grade ebooks, young adult ebooks, graphic novels and manga lists. The New York Times (NYT) states the changes will allow them more space for coverage other than bestseller lists. The NYT will announce the specific bestseller lists as they are eliminated.

How did they choose?

Panzer says, "This little kitty is confused ... How did they decide which lists to cut? Did they see the ebook authors having all their email list subscribers pre-order their books so they could claim NYT Bestseller status? Just asking."

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

To read the post, tootle over to New York Times

Authors Guild to Award Morrison, Patterson, IngramSpark - Publishers' Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers' Weekly (PW) site. There our speedy kitty found a news release about the Authors Guild.

Maybe I will use them.

According to the release, on May 24 the Authors Guild will present authors Toni Morrison and James Patterson and self-publisher IngramSpark with awards for their contributions to American literature.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... I've been looking at IngramSpark for my paperback books."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Authors Guild Award

Amazon Disguises Kindle Unlimited Recruiting Push as Writing Contest - The Digital Reader

Panzer made a trip to The Digital Reader site today. With no digging at all our smart kitty traveler found a post about Amazon's newest Kindle writing contest.

It is a lot of money.

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, Amazon is running a writing contest in the UK for the Kindle Storyteller Award. Submission rules include the submission must be at least 5,000 words in length and uploaded through Amazon.co.uk to Kindle Unlimited (KU) between February 20 and May 19. In this post Mr. Hoffelder takes issue with the KU requirement. Read Mr. Hoffelder's full post for all the rules.

Panzer says, "Umm ... This kitty always says, read all the rules before you make a decision. Is what you're selling worth the amount of money you get?"

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

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon writing contest

A New Panzerism

Panzer on choices:

Mom figured she could have a kitty

Even Mom is right once in a while. *

OR

a nice couch.

She made the right choice.



* From Cat Wisdom for Humans

Books World alarmed by Pearson's sale of stake in Penguin Random House - The Guardian

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere just minding his own cat business when he heard crying and gnashing of teeth coming from up ahead. Following all the noise took our kitty boy to The Guardian site. It didn't take any digging at all to find the news about Pearson's PRH sale is what everyone was so nervous about. Yesterday Panzer told you about Pearson's announcement.

Let's see what happens.

According to the post by Danuta Kean, many authors and agents are unsure about the consequences of Pearson's sale of their partial ownership in publisher Penguin Random House. The post speculates partner Bartelsmann will acquire 22 percent of Pearson's 47 percent and the remainder will be acquired by private equity. Bartelsmann will then be the majority stakeholder with 75 percent. Some authors and agents are worried Bartelsmann may be more interested in profit margins now than previously.

Panzer says, "Inquiring kitties want to know: What private equity will acquire that remaining 25 percent?"

Note: This is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post. Bring a thermos of tea and half a dozen muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to read Panzer's earlier post about the Pearson sale as well, you'll need an extra muffin or two.

To read the post, tootle over to Pearson Penguin Random House sale

To read Panzer's post from yesterday about Pearson's PRH sale, tootle over to Penguin Random House

Pearson to Sell Stake in Penguin Random House - Publishers' Weekly (PW)

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Publishers' Weekly (PW) site. There our traveling kitty boy found a post about publisher Penguin Random House.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Pearson plans to sell their partial ownership in Penguin Random House (PRH). Penguin Random House was formed in 2013 with the merger of Pearson's Penguin and Bertelsmann's Random House. Currently, Pearson holds 47 percent and Bartelsmann holds 53 percent of Penguin Random House. Bartelsmann has the right of first refusal in a proposed sale and has indicated they would be interested in purchasing Pearson's stake if the terms were acceptable. (This information was also reported in a longer post at The New York Times site by Michael J. de la Merced.)

What will the terms be?

Panzer says, "This will be interesting to see what happens if "the terms" aren't acceptable."

This is a short-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to read The New York Times post as well, bring a second cup of tea and muffin.

To read the post, tootle over to Pearson

To read The New York Times post, tootle over to Penguin Random House

Microsoft to Sell eBooks? - The Digital Reader

I'll feel better tomorrow.

Today, Panzer is still recuperating from the vaccination he got at the veterinarian yesterday.  He only made a short trip into the Catosphere to The Digital Reader site. After a little digging around our poor kitty discovered a post about Microsoft and ebooks.

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, Microsoft is planning to get into the ebook market. The Windows 10 Edge browser has the ability to read epub files. Microsoft plans to add a new ebook store to their Windows 10 retail store. Users will be able to buy epub ebooks there. An update will be available in April,

Panzer says, "The post has links to other posts about Microscoft's plans."

Note: This is a medium post. To read the original post bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to read the links in the original post as well, bring an extra cup of tea and another muffin.

To read the post, tootle over to Microsoft

A New Panzerism

Panzer on democracy:

She's so funny. *

Mom and I get to vote on stuff around here.

What I'll do.

Where I'll go.

Isn't it cute how she thinks her vote counts?



* From Cat Wisdom for Humans

Seattle's New Favorite Place to Drink: In the Bookstore - The Stranger

Chicken and tacos. Good idea.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he stopped in at The Stranger site. This was our traveling kitty's first visit to the site so it took a little digging to find something for today's post. Finally, he found an interesting post about bookstores and restaurants. For several months Panzer has been telling you about Barnes and Noble CEO Len Riggio's plans for his new concept stores with their inside restaurants.

According to the post by Naomi Tomky, Barnes and Noble's new concept stores aren't the only ones serving food and alcohol in the bookstores. It turns out non Barnes and Noble affiliated bookstores in Seattle, Washington, have had restaurants with alcohol for a decade. In some you can order fried chicken or tacos with your alcoholic drinks before you go look for a new book.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Okay ... lots of people in Seattle like to go to bookstores to eat and drink. ... So ... Why even bother to sell books there?"

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

To read the post, tootle over to alcohol in bookstores

Amazon to Create More Than 100,000 New, Full-Time, Full-Benefit Jobs across the U.S. over the Next 18 months - Press Release at Business Wire

Panzer was shaken out of his noon nap today by all the hullabaloo coming from the Catosphere. Hopping into the Panzermobile he followed all the clapping and cheering to the Business Wire site. There our inquisitive kitty discovered a post about Amazon.

Hmm ... They are spread over 7 states.

According to the Business Wire post, Amazon announced plans to add 100,000 new jobs in the U.S. by mid-2018. These jobs will cover everything from entry-level positions in new fulfillment centers already under construction to specialized positions such as engineers. The jobs will be available in Washington (state), Texas, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Florida, and New Jersey. All jobs are full-time.

Panzer says, "One-hundred thousand is a lot of jobs"

Note: This is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post. Bring a cup of cocoa and three muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon hiring

OverDrive Reports Library Borrowing of eBooks Up 16%, Audiobooks Up 34% in 2016 - The Digital Reader

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The Digital Reader site. There our adventuresome kitty found a post about ebooks and libraries.

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, library platform provider OverDrive announced in a press release about ebook and audiobook use in libraries. Although ebook sales were down in 2016 in stores, readers' library borrowing habits were a totally different story. Readers' borrows of ebooks were up 16 percent and audiobooks were up 34 percent over 2015. The statistics are a combination of local public libraries and school libraries figures.

If there's a way, I'll find it.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... How can I get people to request my ebooks so libraries will buy them?"

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 OverDrive

Riggio Reaffirms Commitment to Bricks-and-Mortar - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

I don't understand.

Panzer's trip today took him to the Publishers' Weekly (PW) site. There our traveling kitty boy found a post about Barnes and Noble's holiday sales report. Last week Panzer told you about Barnes and Noble's 2016 bricks and mortar store holiday sales decline compared to 2015.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble CEO Len Riggio isn't worried about the in store sales decline. Although, bricks and mortar stores sales were down 9.1 percent and online sales at BN.com were up 2 percent, Mr. Riggio says he intends to stay with bricks and mortar stores. This year Barnes and Noble will close twelve under performing stores and open four new concept stores.

Panzer says, "Umm ... I'm just a little kitty and I don't understand human arithmetic. Please explain to me how if you close more stores than you open new ones that equals confidence?"

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

To read the post, tootle over to bricks and mortar stores

To read Panzer's earlier post about Barnes and Noble's holiday sales report , tootle over to holiday sales

A New Panzerism

Panzer on cat habits:

Today, I heard What's His Name telling Mom he learned something new about cats.

A friend told him cats lick the hair of people they love.

Did you get it?

Well ...

That friend of his got part of it right.

But ...

Cats only love themselves.

2017 Book Industry Predictions: Intrigue and Angst amid Boundless Opportunity - Smashwords

Panzer was shaken from his nap by loud noises coming from the Catosphere. Stumbling to the Panzermobile, our sleepy kitty followed all the crying and yowling to the Smashwords blog site. There he found Mark Coker's predictions for indie publishing for the coming year.

Back to my nap.

Mark Coker's post begins with a 10 year retrospective of indie publishing. This is followed by Mr. Coker's 10 predictions for indie publishing in 2017. The predictions range from indie authors developing a greater market share, an even bigger growth of the glut of ebooks in the market, and an Amazon anti-trust investigation. The final section is a wrap-up of the other two. A lot of the post is an indictment of Amazon's business practices and Kindle Unlimited and Select.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Most of the predictions don't paint a very good picture for indie authors. ... But ... Cats never pay any attention to what our humans say anyway."

Note: This is a v-e-r-y 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 Smashwords: 2017 Book Industry Predictions: Intrigue and Angs...

Amazon Books Opening in Manhattan, Second Store Slated for Boston - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Wow! Three new stores in one year.

Today, Panzer made a trip to the PW (Publishers' Weekly) site to see what he could find. A little digging around and our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about Amazon's bricks and mortar stores.

According to the post by Judith Rosen, Amazon has officially announced plans to open three new bricks and mortar stores in 2017. One store will be at the Manhattan (New York) Time Warner Center, not the New York City Hudson Yards location as speculated last year. Two stores will be opened in Massachusetts: one in Dedham and one in Lynnfield. The opening of these three will bring Amazon's total bricks and mortar stores to six.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... I wonder if they plan to serve food and alcoholic drinks like Barnes and Noble does in their new stores? Or ... Will Amazon's really be book stores?"

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 Amazon Books

Holiday Comp Sales Fell 9% at B&N - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the PW (Publishers' Weekly) site. There our busy kitty boy found a post about Barnes and Noble's retail sales figures.

Maybe I can find more news now.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, compared to 2015 Barnes and Noble reported a 9.1 percent drop in Christmas sales in 2016. The lower sales were attributed to three factors: 1) the decline in adult coloring book sales, 2) no match for last last year's phenomenal Adele album sales, and 3) less in-store customer foot traffic. It was reported, however, that BN.com online sales were up 2 percent.

Panzer says, "Now that the holidays are over, it looks like more publishing news is available and I can back to a regular posting schedule."

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 Barnes and Noble

The risks of avoiding Amazon: The All Romance E-Books bankruptcy - TeleRead

I really enjoyed the holidays.

Today, Panzer was planning on taking another vacation day, but he couldn't sleep through all the noise coming from the Catosphere. Following the sounds took our big bad kitty boy to the TeleRead site. There he found a post about the recent closing of All Romance E-Books.

According to the post by Chris Mathews, All Romance E-Books closure is leaving behind unpaid bills with authors and publishers who worked with them. The beginning of the post deals with the ARe closure with links to other posts about the closure and a bankruptcy. The second half of the post explores Amazon's impact on indie authors, publishers and All Romance E-Books and similar sites.

Panzer says, "This kitty is very happy he didn't have anything to do with All Romance E-Books."

Note: This is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post and even l-o-n-g-e-r if you follow all the links. Bring a thermos of hot cocoa, a dozen muffins and a sleeping bag for a nap half way through your reading today.

To read the post, tootle over to All Romance E-Books bankruptcy