How to kill a New York Times Bestseller - Book Business

Today, Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile when he saw something crumpled up under the passenger seat. Spreading it out flat our ingenious kitty discovered it was a post from the Book Business site about marketing books.

I really need a rest after all that work.

According to the post by Rob Eagar, some book publishers aren't taking advantage of the "New York Times Bestseller" factor. Mr. Eagar points out book buyers want New York Times (NYT) bestsellers. Quoting from The Shatzkin Files blog he says, 69 percent of all books (print, ebook and audio) are sold online. Therefore, publishers should include the NYT bestseller designation in a book description. However, many publishers don't and this results in lost sales to readers looking for them. Mr. Eagar demonstrates how publishers can follow the example of their competition and easily use the NYT bestseller designation at online retail sites.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Maybe this is where indie authors have an advantage. There are several indies I've seen who use their mailing list to reach NYT bestseller status."

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

To read the post, tootle over to New York Times bestseller

EU Lawmakers Add Spotify and iTunes to Ban on Geo-Blocking - The Digital Reader

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard booing and hissing coming from ahead of the Panzermobile. Following all the noise took him to The Digital Reader site. There our big brave kitty found a post about geo-blocking and the European Union.

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, the European Union (EU) Commission voted to ban geo-blocking. Our traveling kitty wanted to what geo-blocking is. Reading the post he believes it's when an online retailer redirects you to one of their shopping sites in your own country, instead of the cheaper site in a different country you wanted to go to. The EU also added retailers who sell copyrighted materials to the ban. This means sites such as Spotify and iTunes can no longer redirect you to purchase your membership/service in your own country. Needless to say, this does not bode well for online retailers.

I'll never understand humans.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Almost at the bottom of the post is the example that you could buy a product from an online retailer in another country even if there's no delivery to your country. Umm ... Why would you do that? It would cost you a small fortune to get it to you ... If you could even get it from the other country."

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

To read the post, tootle over to European Union lawmakers

B&N Names Demos Parneros CEO - Publishers Weekly

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Publishers Weekly (PW) site. There our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about Barnes and Noble.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble has a new CEO. Demos Parneros has been named to take over the position from Len Riggio. Mr. Parneros has been functioning in the Chief Operating Officer position since he was hired in November 2016. Mr. Parneros came to Barnes and Noble after leaving his position as President of Staples. In addition to the announcement of Mr. Parneros' appointment to the CEO position, there's information on Barnes and Noble's most recent sales figures included in the post.

I'll be watching what happens.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... At the end of the post there are some interesting hints about the possiblity of coming closings of some Barnes and Noble bricks and mortar stores."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble CEO

BISG's Making Information Pay Highlights Print, Audiobooks Resurgence - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly (PW) site. There our traveling kitty reporter found a post about the Book Industry Study Group (BISG).

According to the post by Ed Nawotka, the Book Industry Study Group (BISG) reported on the increases in print book and audiobook sales. In 2016 hardcover book sales were higher than ebook sales. This hasn't happened in five years. The decline in ebook sales is attributed to readers switching from ereaders to smartphones. In 2015 (latest available information) audiobook sales increased by 27 percent. The increase is attributed to indie authors now being able to go to Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) and do their own audiobooks. Other information is included in the post.

I'll practice my voice exercises.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Smartphones? Time for Amazon Short Reads? ... And audiobooks? ... Mom. Where's the microphone? This kitty is ready to record his book."

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 print and audiobook

A New Panzerism

Panzer on gifts:

Mom and What's His Name had an anniversary a few days ago.
 
I keep trying to forget how long he's been here. Poor Mom.

But ... at least What's His Name came home with a big bunch of gladiolas.

They smelled great but ...

the taste made my mouth pucker but ...

Hey, I thought he got them for me.

I was a good kitty and ...

tasted each one hoping to find a good one.

What's His Name sure looks funny when his face gets all red.

Amazon Opens Second Bookstore In Massachusetts - Publishers Weekly (PW)

I'll feel better after my nap.

Panzer had to make his annual visit to the veterinarian today, so his trip into the Catosphere was a quick one. Our speedy kitty boy made a stop at the Publishers Weekly site where he found a post about Amazon.

According to the post by Alex Green, all the rumors and speculation were true. Amazon opened their second Massachusetts Amazon Books bookstore on April 18. This one is in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Like other Amazon Books bookstores Amazon Prime members get a discount on books and devices, but other customers pay full price.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Amazon opened a second store in Massachusetts ... and ... they already have a big warehouse there ... and ... there's rumors they're looking for office space there. This kitty wonders if there will be an east coast Amazon headquarters in Massachusetts?"

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 Amazon

Amazon expands its literary horizons, making big imprint in translation niche - The Seattle Times

I didn't know Amazon did that.

Today, Panzer made a trip to The Seattle Times newspaper site. There our kitty reporter found a post about Amazon. The post appeared first in the newspaper's print edition.

According to the post by Angel Gonzalez, Amazon has made a large impact in the literary translation market. In 2010 the AmazonCrossing division of Amazon began publishing English translations of foreign fiction titles. By the end of 2016 AmazonCrossing had 10 percent of the U.S. translation publishing market. The post includes a chart illustrating statics showing AmazonCrossing translated books from 15 languages in 2016.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty can translate from cat speak to human speak for Amazon."

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

To read the post, tootle over to AmazonCrossingass

Oh Lord, please don't let Google Book Search be Misunderstood - Teleread

Be like a cat. Don't fight. Take a nap.

Panzer was just tootling around in the Catosphere minding his own kitty business when the Panzermobile got buffeted by all kinds of noise. Following the cacophony took our brave traveling kitty boy to the Teleread site. There he found a post about Google Book Search.

According to the post by Chris Meadows, the brouhaha about Google Book Search is heating up again. Panzer told you about a post at Backchannel by Scott Rosenberg about Google Book Search having gotten "lost" in the decade it was embroiled in a court action, but that it's still scanning books. It appears Mr. Rosenberg's post got bloggers posting their rebuttals and opinions to his post. Mr. Meadows posts that all Google Book Search is is an "indexing tool for a search engine." The post contains links to other posts involved in the back and forth postings.

Panzer says, "This kitty will never understand humans. The court decided over a year ago ... So ... Non of it doesn't matters anymore."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post with links to other posts. Bring a thermos of tea and a half dozen muffins. If you plan to follow the links to other posts, bring a second thermos of tea and another half dozen muffins and a sleeping bag for a nap.

To read the Teleread post, tootle over to Google Book Search

To read Panzer's post about Scott Rosenberg's Backchannel post, tootle over to How Google Book Search Got Lost

A New Panzerism

Panzer on his Kitty Bucket List:

Just thinking about it tastes good.

What's His Name is yelling in his bad voice and shaking his finger at Mom's sweet kitty boy.

Blah! Blah! Blah!

I'd pay more attention to him if he was yelling about cat food or a trip to Disneyland where that big mouse lives.

Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial Is Acquiring Ediciones B - Publishing Perspective

Today's trip took Panzer to the Publishing Perspective site. With only a little digging around he found a post about Penguin Random House.

According to a post by Porter Anderson, Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial (PRHGE) is acquiring Ediciones B from Grupo Zeta. Ediciones B will add to PRHGE's expansion in the Spanish speaking marketplace begun with the earlier acquisition of Santillana Ediciones Generales. All Ediciones B's imprints will remain intact and continue publishing digital and print books.

It's a simple question.

Panzer says, "Umm ... This little kitty wants to know why Penguin Random House is buying all these Spanish language publishing imprints."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial

Trending Up: What's Fueling and Feeding the Audiobook Boom? - Digital Book World (DBW)

Today, Panzer stopped in at the Digital Book World (DBW) site. He hasn't been there for a while. After some digging our traveling kitty reporter found a post about the growth of audiobooks.

A kitty nap-time audiobook, please.

According to the post by Beth Bacon, audiobooks have been generating increasing sales and readership. The post attributes the increases to four things. The first is the proliferation of smartphones, tablets, apps for cars, and in-home audio equipment. The second is the addition of younger listeners (20s) to the already established listeners (30s through 50s). The third is the ease with which authors, publishers and agents can produce audiobooks. And, finally, the fourth is the expanded availability of audiobooks in libraries and multiple online retail locations.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... In-home audio equipment? ... Apps for cars? ... Those are new ones to this little kitty."

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

To read the post, tootle over to audiobooks

How Google Book Search Got Lost - BackChannel

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to a site he's never visited before called BackChannel. There our curious kitty boy found a post about Google Books.*

After all that I really need a nap.

According to the post by Scott Rosenberg, Google Books is still alive and scanning. Over a decade ago Google began scanning the contents of books. When authors and publishers learned about what Google was doing a court battle was begun over the copyright holders legal right to stop Google. After the decade long court battle was finally decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in Google's favor, Mr. Rosenberg went searching to find out what Google Books was doing now. Turns out more than 25 million books have been scanned into the Google Books database and more are added every day. A lot of history and explanation about Google and Google Books is also included in this post.

Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know they spent that whole decade scanning books.  What would they have done with all those scanned book files if they lost in court?"

Note: This is a t-r-e-m-e-n-d-o-u-s-l-y h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring three thermoses of tea and three dozen donuts and a sleeping bag for two naps for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Google Book Search


*Panzer gives a tip of the fedora to The Digital Reader  site for the link to this BackChannel post.

A New Panzerism

Panzer on the news:

Tonight's news is really confusing to me.

The TV guy is whining about traffic jams on the streets.

I don't understand

What's the problem?

I'm not picky about my jam.

I mean ...

I like jam ... all kinds of jams.

Maybe ...

If you make it the flavor of the month, you'll like it.

Kobo Acquires Shelfie Technology Platform - Publishers' Weekly (PW)

She always hides it.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers' Weekly site. There our traveling kitty boy found a post about Kobo and Shelfie.

According to the post by Calvin Reid, Shelfie has been resurrected from its late January demise by Kobo. Shelfie has been reincarnated as a part of Kobo. Kobo now owns all of Shelfie's assets, including the staff and platform. The Shelfie service allowed readers who purchased print books to send photos of their purchase to receive digital copies of those books.

Panzer says, "Now where did Mom put her cellphone with the camera in it?"

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

To read the post, tootle over to Kobo

2017 Hugo Award Finalists Announced - Tor.com

Today, Panzer made a quick trip into the Catosphere. Within seconds of starting his journey, the Panzermobile was knocked off course by yelling and cheering and clapping. Following all the noise took our intrepid kitty to the Tor.com site. There he discovered the finalists for the 2017 Hugo Awards.

The post on the Tor.com site lists all 108 finalists on the ballot for this year's Hugo Awards. There are 18 different categories ranging from Best Novel to Best Fanzine and Best Novella to Best Fan Artist. Voting ends on July 15. The 75th World Science Fiction Convention will be held August 9 - 13. The Awards will be presented August 11, 2017 at the Convention.

Umm ... Is Finland cold?

Panzer says, "Hmm ... The Convention is being held in Helsinki, Finland ... I wonder if they have a landing pad for the Panzermobile?"

Note: With 18 categories and 108 finalists this is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring a thermos of tea, a dozen muffins and a sleeping bag for a nap.

To read the post, tootle over to Hugo Award finalists

Nook for Android Updated with Voice Search - The Digital Reader

Does it understand what meow means?

Today, Panzer made a quick stop at The Digital Reader site. There our speedy kitty traveler found a post about Barnes and Noble.

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, Barnes and Noble has updated the Nook Android app. Now, you have the ability to search for your next reading selection by voice. There are also several other new and updated features for the app. For example you can now share your favorite highlights.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This kitty wants to know if they will be updating the computer app for Mom's laptop, too."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Nook Android Updated

Amazon Opening Second NYC Bookstore - Publishers' Weekly

So much noise I've got a headache.

Panzer was just tootling around in the Catosphere enjoying the solitude, when the Panzermobile was buffeted by cheering and clapping. Following the brouhaha took our fearless kitty traveler to the Publishers' Weekly site. There he found a post about Amazon.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, it's now official. Amazon is opening a second Amazon Books bricks and mortar bookstore in New York City (NYC). Plans are to open the new store this summer. This will be Amazon's eleventh bricks and mortar store. Amazon is already hiring employees for the store.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... The other Amazon Books bookstores must be doing well with their sales to get Amazon to keep opening new stores this fast."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon Books

A New Panzerism

Panzer on the purpose of naps:

Why worry? It's already over.*

I never worry about the future.

Never.

By the time I wake up from my nap, the future has already come and gone.


* From Cat Wisdom for Humans