No Post Today

No post today.

Mom had to go to the human vet today and get a tetanus booster shot. Her arm really hurts and she doesn't feel well.

Amazon Opens Latest NYC Store at 34th Street - Publishers Weekly

A cafe? At least there's no alcohol.

Today, Panzer made a quick trip to the Publishers Weekly site. With just a little digging our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about Amazon.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Amazon has opened their newest Amazon Books bricks and mortar store in New York City. This is the second Amazon bookstore in New York City. It's also the third bricks and mortar store Amazon has opened in the last two weeks. This newest store, however, is different from the others. It includes a cafe. Be sure to read all the way to the end.

Panzer says, "Bricks and mortar bookstores must be successful for Amazon. They just keep opening more stores."

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon stores

The Arrival Of Amazon And The Future Of Australian Publishing - Dr. Beth Driscoll, University of Melbourne

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard wailing and gnashing of teeth. Following all the hullabaloo took our adventuresome kitty to the University of Melbourne site. There he found a post about Amazon's expansion into the Australian marketplace.

This needs looking into.

According to Dr. Beth Driscoll, Amazon has opened their first warehouse in Australia and will now change the Australian publishing environment. With this new fulfillment center, Amazon will be able to cut their delivery times on Australian orders. With the Amazon Prime service members will be able to get free shipping on their purchases. Because of its book ranking system Dr. Driscoll suggests Amazon will be able to negotiate discounted prices from Australian publishers. Dr. Driscoll also speculates there will be an increase in self-publishing as well. There is much more information about Amazon's possible impact on Australia's publishing industry included in this post.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Is Amazon really invading Australia's publishing landscape? This little kitty thinks Australians are a pretty independent group and won't be swayed by Amazon."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring a thermos of tea, a sandwich and six chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for dessert.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon in Australia

A New Panzerism

Panzer on choosing your friends carefully:

What's His Name sure worries a lot about his friends.

They're getting ready for work ...

And ... What's His Name is ranting to Mom about his friend 'Lectric Bill.

He's really mad about how bad his friend 'Lectric Bill is.

Now ... He just told Mom they have to cut back on 'Lectric Bill's expenses.

They'll never figure it out.

Mom told him she already stopped using the air conditioner and doesn't know what else to cut out.

I wish they'd hurry up and leave for work.

It's starting to get warm in here.

Amazon and Whole Foods Market Announces Acquisition to Close This Monday, Will Work Together to Make High-Quality, Natural and Organic Food Affordable for Everyone - Press Release

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Amazon press site. There our adventuresome kitty found a press release about Amazon and Whole Foods.

According to the press release, Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods Market will be completed on Monday, August 28. In keeping with Amazon and Whole Foods wish to make high-quality food affordable, in conjunction with the acquisition on Monday some Whole Foods food prices will be lowered. Also, after the technology is integrated into the stores Amazon Prime will be Whole Foods rewards program to give customers lower prices. There's much more information about the acquisition contained in the press release.

I need a nap after all that.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Guess everybody has to buy Amazon Prime if you plan to shop at Whole Foods. If you have to do that it doesn't sound like they're lowering the cost of food to this little kitty."

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

To read the press release tootle over to Amazon and Whole Foods

Nook Terminating Accounts of Erotica Authors - PW (Publishers Weekly)

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today when he heard crying and shouting. Following all the noise took our brave kitty boy to the PW (Publishers Weekly) site. There he found a post about Nook Press and erotica authors.

According to a post by PW's Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble's Nook Press has a new content policy. Under the new content policy some erotica authors' ebooks have been removed from the retail site and authors' accounts closed. The post states that the new policy states unacceptable material is "works portraying or encouraging incest, rape, bestiality, necrophilia, paedophilia, or content that encourages hate or violence." Many of the erotica authors say they were unaware of the changes until after their ebooks were dropped and their accounts closed.

Bestiality? I vote with Nook Press.

Panzer says, "Umm ... Who knew Nook Press would have to put together a list with stuff like necrophilia and paedophilia, etc. that they won't publish/sell?"

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

To read the post tootle over to Nook Press

EFun and Nook now offer free reading material on Nextbook tablets - AG

Today's trip took Panzer to the AG (Android Guys) site. There our traveling kitty pilot found a post about the Nook Reading app and E FUN's Nextbook tablets.

Hmm ... Nextbook tablet?

According to the post by Alexandra Arici, E Fun, maker of Nextbook tablets, and Barnes and Noble, ebook retailer, have entered into an agreement. With Barnes and Noble's Nook Reading app loaded on their E FUN Nextbook tablets owners will have access to a variety of magazine publications for free. Tablet owners will need to set up a Nook account before using the feature. The post includes a list of some of the available publications.

Panzer says, "You only have until September 30 to sign up, so you better hurry."

Note: This post is divided into two parts. The first part is short and is about the actual offer. The second part is medium length and is about the different Nextbook tablets. Together the two parts make a long post. To read the first part of the post about the E FUN and Barnes and Noble offer bring half a cup of tea. To add the second part of the post about the Nextbook tablet specifications bring another full cup of tea and a muffin.

To read the post tootle over to EFun and Nook

A New Panzerism

Panzer on cosmic events:

It happened ...

What's His Name has been running around for days getting ready.

And ...

Yes! ... It finally happened ...

The eclipse!

And living where I do, I had the very best viewing place to watch.

So I put a hole in a box ...

Yes! It was awesome!

Crawled in ...

And ...

Fell asleep.

A whole extra nap today!

B&N Now Pitching "Nook First Look" Promo Service to Indie Authors - The Digital Reader

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The Digital Reader site. There our kitty explorer found a post about Barnes and Noble.

Hmm ... A new marketing opportunity?

According to site owner Nate Hoffelder, Barnes and Noble has started a marketing service called Nook First Look. There are several criteria for books to be considered for the service including that the book must be a new release and uploaded and released through the Nook Press platform. Another important requirement is that Barnes and Noble gets two weeks exclusivity before the book can be distributed elsewhere. The post included links to the Nook First Look site and a copy of an email sent to authors about the service.

Panzer says, "Guess this little kitty better learn to use the Nook Press platform, instead of using Smashwords for distribution to Barnes and Noble."

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

To read the post tootle over to Nook First Look

New ABA Partnership to Bring British Titles to U.S. Stores - Bookselling This Week

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard cheering and clapping. Following all the noise took our intrepid kitty boy to the American Booksellers Association's site. There in a Bookselling This Week column he found a post about a new distribution outlet in the U.S. for British authors.

I have some book suggestions.

According to the post by Sydney Jarrard, a new distribution partnership has been formed by the U.K. company Gardner's and the U.S. companies Ingram Content Group and the American Booksellers Association. British published books will be distributed in the U.S. through independent bookstores. The post says books will be delivered to bookstores as ordered.

Panzer says, "Umm ... This little kitty wonders ... Who decides which books will be chosen for distribution? ... The booksellers or the readers?"

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

NAFTA's cultural exception top priority for Canada heading into negotiations - Quill & Quire

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Quill and Quire site. There our inquisitive kitty found a post about Canada's plans for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation with the United States and Mexico.

According to Sue Carter's post, renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada, the United States and Mexico will begin on August 16, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Among other issues Canada will be addressing their cultural exemption in the agreement. As explained in the post, the cultural exemption protects Canada's publishing and broadcasting industries. The Canadian publishing industry earns $53 million from sales to the U.S. which the industry would like to protect. Since there is no trade deficit with the U.S. concerning books, it's believed the cultural exemption will be allowed to remain unchanged. There's more information about Canada's plans for the renegotiation and links included in the post.

NAFTA? That's a funny words.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty didn't know there was a cultural exemption in NAFTA for Canadian books."

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

To read the post tootle over to North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

HarperCollins Gets Global and Physical - Publishers Weekly

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he decided to make a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging around our kitty pilot found a post about HarperCollins' financial reports.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, HarperCollins' (HC) fiscal year ended on June 30, 2017. HC reported a $10 million decline in sales. Although the company reported a decline in ebook sales, there were gains in both print book sales and audio book sales. These were enough for the company to show a 7.5 percent increase over the 2016 fiscal year. HC reports it plans to expand the company's global book sales in the coming year.

I've got a lot to think about after my nap.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Ebook sales down ... Audio book sales up ... Maybe this little kitty needs to look into that market."

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

To read the post tootle over to HarperCollins

A New Panzerism

Panzer on listening and learning:

I think What's His Name must be part cat ...

Because ...

This morning I saw him looking in the bathroom mirror ...

But ... My ear fuzz is cuter than his.

And ...

Then I heard him tell Mom ...

He's got hair growing out of his ears.

Speaking Up to Windows 10 - The New York Times

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to The New York Times site. With a little digging around in the Personal Tech section posts there, our adventuresome kitty found a post about Windows 10.

According to a post in the Tech Tip column by J.D. Biersdorfer, Windows 10 has a speech recognition feature included in it. Speech recognition allows you to dictate your manuscript to your word processing program. Training on how to setup and use the feature is also included. The post has instructions about how to access the speech recognition feature and train it to recognize your voice. There are links to other information included in the post.

Listen to me ... Me-ow ... Me-ow.

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders how long it will take to teach it to recognize cat speech."

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

To read the post tootle over to Windows 10

World's Highest-Paid Authors 2017: J.K. Rowling Leads With $95 Million - Forbes

Panzer was shaken awake from his nap by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Jumping into the Panzermobile our speedy little kitty boy headed out to see what all the noise was about. He soon discovered a post at the Forbes site about Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.

According to Hayley C. Cuccinello, it's official. With $95 million in author earnings over the past 12 months J.K. Rowling is the highest paid author in the entire world. Ms. Rowling even bested James Patterson and Stephen King for the title. About halfway through the post is a gallery of photos with descriptions of the highest paid authors. Included in the descriptions is the amount each author tallied for the year. When you first arrive at the Forbes site there is an advertisement. After the ad is finished click the > button to go to the post.

Now back to what's important. My naps.

Panzer says, "$95 million in one year? All I can say is meWOW! That will buy a lot of kitty treats."

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

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

Bought a PDF From Kobo? It's Going Away After 1 November - The Digital Reader

Panzer is still recovering from yesterday's catnip partying to celebrate International Cat Day. He was just tootling around in the Catosphere nursing his kitty headache, when his poor kitty ears were assailed by growling and hissing.  To quiet the noise he followed it to The Digital Reader site. There he discovered a post about Kobo was the cause of all the hullabaloo.

Did you know?

According to the post by The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, Kobo will no longer support PDF books effective November 1. Kobo posted on their site that they will try to provide past PDF purchasers with EPUB versions of their PDFs. If that's not possible, the purchasers downloading of the PDFs will be necessary.

Panzer says, "Umm ... This little kitty didn't even know he could get PDFs from Kobo."

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

To read the post tootle over to  Kobo PDFs

International Cat Day

Happy International Cat Day! From Me and Mom Oh, yeah ... and What's His Name

Okay. I'm happy. Can't you tell?

A New Panzerism

Panzer on cat decorum:

Humans spend entirely too much time disciplining cats.

What's His Name is always ordering me around

Well ... I decided he should have the same rules as me:

Like ...

"Get off the chair..."

"Get off the keyboard ..."

Same rules. Seems fair to me.

"Get off the couch ..."

Oh, yeah ...

And ...

"Get off Mom's bed."

Amazon.com Announces Second Quarter Sales Up 25% to $38.0 Billion - Press Release

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Amazon news room site. There our traveling kitty boy found a post with interesting information about Amazon.

According to the press release, Amazon's 2017 second quarter net sales were up 25 percent to $38 billion over 2016 second quarter net sales of $30.4 billion. Also included in the beginning of the post are income figures, cash flow figures and stock figures. Below that is the Highlights section which includes what Amazon (and this little kitty) considers it's most important activities for the period. Included in this section are Amazon Video's 16 Emmy award nominations, Prime Day sales, Prime membership increase numbers, Amazon's charitable contributions, Echo news, Alexa news, and much more.

Just reading about it makes me tired.

Panzer says, "There's also news about Amazon's completed expansions and proposed expansions."

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon sales

Draft2Digital Now Distributes to Overdrive - The Digital Reader

Today, Panzer needed to get the Panzermobile into the repair shop to get the oil changed. So our kitty pilot made a quick trip to The Digital Reader site. There he found a post about Draft2Digital.

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, Draft2Digital has announced a new distribution agreement with Overdrive. Draft2Digital is a distribution service similar to Smashwords. Indie authors can use Draft2Digital (D2D) to distribute their ebooks and audio books to various online retailers. Overdrive distributes ebooks to libraries and schools. With D2D's new agreement indie authors will now have access to the 38,000 libraries and schools in Overdrive's distribution channels. There's a link included in the post to D2D's announcement about Overdrive.

D2D just keeps expanding services.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... Maybe, this little kitty needs to check out all of Draft2Digital's distribution channels."

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

To read the post tootle over to Draft2Digital Overdrive distribution

10 kinds of Barnes and Noble cafe customers: Read and laugh - or weep - TeleRead

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard guffawing and weeping.  Following all the confusing noises took our brave kitty boy to the ReTelead site. There he found a post about Barnes and Noble bookstores and cafes.

Don't forget they've added restaurants too.

According to the post by Chris Kubica, after on-site research he has decided there are ten kinds of customers who frequent Barnes and Noble's cafes. Depending on your level of support for Barnes and Noble bookstores, these cafe customers will either make you laugh or cry. None of these cafe customers from The Never Buy to The WiFi to The Divorced Dad to the seven other kinds will ever buy anything in the Barnes and Noble retail bookstores. So, laugh or cry about them, these are the Barnes and Noble cafe patrons.

Panzer says, " Ummm ... This little kitty can't decide whether his eyes are leaking because he's laughing so hard or because he's so sad."

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

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble cafe customers