A Note About the Panzer the Cat 2018 Calendars

It's the end of January!   Don't miss out on 
Panzer's 2018 Calendars

Each month of the year has a photo of Panzer doing one of his favorite cat activities. All the details are available at the Calendar Store.

For those who want to know the U.S. holidays each month there is the Panzer the Cat 2018 Calendar with U.S. Holidays

For those who don't want/need to know the U.S. holidays each month there is the Panzer the Cat 2018 Calendar without U.S. Holidays

If you're interested in other cat calendars, scroll down the page for three other calendars, including kittens, baby kittens, and black cats.

The Spheres Blossom at Amazon's Urban HQ in Seattle - Press Release

Panzer made another trip into the Catosphere today and went to the Amazon News Room site. With just a little digging our inquisitive kitty found a post about Amazon's new addition The Spheres to the main headquarters (HQ).

According to the press release, The Sphere's have opened in Seattle, Washington. Amazon says the correct name for the newest addition to the headquarters (HQ) campus is The Spheres. There are three interconnected cement and glass spheres in the complex. The Spheres contain tree houses, walking paths, waterfalls, rivers, and 40,000 plants, flowers, and trees. To conserve energy they have radiant floor heating. The post is divided into sections about The Spheres, Amazon, the University of Washington, and Amazon's conservation efforts. There are links for more information included in the various sections.

Here birdie, birdie. I'm waiting.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Tree houses, rivers, waterfalls and paths? ... Umm ... Aren't you forgetting something?"

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring two thermoses of tea and two dozen muffins and you might even want to bring your sleeping bag for a nap in the middle for this reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon's The Spheres

Announcing 2018's Barry Award Nominees - CriminalElement.com

Panzer had just entered the Catosphere today when he heard clapping and cheering. Following all the noise took him to the CriminalElement.com site. There our adventuresome kitty found a post about the Barry Award nominees.

I never get nominated for anything.

According to the post at the CriminalElement.com site, the Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine has announced the nominees for the Barry Award. The Award is named for fan and critic Barry Gardner. Only readers of the Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine can vote for the awards and only fiction is considered for the awards. The awards will be presented September 6, 2018 at Bouchercon in St. Petersberg, Florida.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... The award nominee season just keeps on going."

Note: This is a medium post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring a sleeping bag and enough tea and muffins for a week.

To read the post tootle over to 2018 Barry Awards nominees

No Sex or Gory Violence, Please - The Rap Sheet

Wow! A lot has been happening.

Panzer's latest stop in the Catosphere today was at The Rap Sheet. There our cute kitty pilot found a post about the Malice Domestic nominees.

According to the post by site owner J. Kingston Pierce, the Malice Domestic Agatha Awards nominees have been announced. The Agatha Award is named for "cozy" mystery author Agatha Christie. The awards are presented in fiction and nonfiction, novels and short stories categories, in adult, children and juvenile divisions. There is no sex or rape and the murder is not blood-drenched in the Agatha nominees. The awards will be presented at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel in Bethesda, Maryland on April 29.

Panzer says, "Umm ... This little kitty doesn't see too much cross-over nominees between the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Awards and the Malice Domestic's Agatha Awards."

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

To read the post tootle over to The Rap Sheet

Apple's Getting Back Into the E-Books Fight Against Amazon - Bloomberg

Yet another stop in the Catosphere today by Panzer.  Our speedy little kitty boy made a quick layover at the Bloomberg site. There he found a post about Apple's return to the ebooks market.

According to the post by Mark Gurman, Apple is ramping up to take on Amazon in the ebook market. The company recently even scooped up Kashif Zafar an executive with Amazon's Audible. Apple is working on a new version for the ereader app for the iPhone and iPod. The company's digital bookstore is also being upgraded.

Panzer says, "It won't take long for Apple to be a viable ebook market for authors."

I'm still looking.

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

To read the post tootle over to Apple

Hear it Here First: Rakuten Kobo Launches Kobo Originals - Rakuten Kobo News

Here's Panzer's second post from the Catosphere today. Our traveling kitty boy went to the Rakuten Kobo site for a little visit. There with some digging in the news room he found a post about the new Kobo Originals program.

According to the Rakuten Kobo news release, Kobo began a new program called Kobo Originals. Through the program readers in France, the Netherlands and Canada have access to "exclusive original ebook and audiobook content." Zoe Whittall's The Best Kind of People is the first offering in audiobook format. More ebooks and audio books will be available throughout the year. The post contains a section about the Kobo Originals program, a section about The Best Kind of People and a section the audio book narrator.

Still looking.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Exclusive content through Kobo, just like exclusive content through Amazon?"

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

To read the post tootle over to Rakuten Kobo

Announcing 2018's Edgar Award Nominees - CriminalElement.com

Panzer is spending today in the Catosphere getting caught up on all the writing news. Our busy kitty's first stop today was at the Criminal Element. com site. With some digging he found a post about the Edgar Award nominations.

According to the post, the Mystery Writers of America (MWA) has announced the nominees for the Edgar Awards for 2018. The Edgar Award is named for Edgar Allen Poe. The Edgars are given annually for crime fiction and non-fiction in adult, young adult, juvenile, children, and television writing. The awards will be presented April 26 in New York City at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The post includes all the nominees with links to some of the nominated works.

On to my next stop.

Panzer says, "MeWow! There are a lot of nominees."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring a thermos of tea and a dozen muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links in the post, bring a week's worth of tea and muffins and a sleeping bag because you are going to need them for all the reading.

To read the post tootle over to 2018 Edgar Award nominees

A New Panzerism

Panzer on human idiosyncrasies:

Parents have a saying they teach their children: Once upon a time.

That is a really weird statement.

How exactly do you get up on a time?

Up on a new couch?

Okay.

Up on a dinner table?

Okay.

Up on a newly washed car?

Okay.

But ...

Once upon a time?

What does that mean? Is it ...

Up on a clock?

No.

Up on a watch?

Think about it. Makes no sense.

No.

Up on a time machine?

That one's another whole post.

So ... What is it?

New Walmart partnership Brings Retailer Into the E-Book Game - Publishers Weekly

My tummy hurts. That was a bad ride.

Panzer hardly entered the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was buffeted around like a feather in the wind by clapping and cheering. Following all the raucous noise took our adventuresome kitty to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about Kobo.

According to the post by John Maher, Walmart has agreed to a partnership with Rakuten. Through Rakuten's Kobo the partnership will give Walmart a foothold in the ebook and audiobook market and give Rakuten's Kobo a foothold in the United States ebook and audiobook market. The ebooks, audiobooks and the Kobo ereader will be sold in 4,000 brick and mortar Walmart stores and online at walmart.com.

Panzer says, "Umm ... My ebooks are available through Kobo. Does that mean they'll be sold at walmart.com?"

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

To read the post tootle over to Walmart - Rakuten Kobo partnership

StreetLib Releases eBook App for iOS, Android, and the Web - The Digital Reader

More distribution for my ebooks.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard oohing and aahhing. Following all the noise took him to The Digital Reader site. With a little digging around he found a post about StreetLib.

According to site owner Nate Hoffelder, ebook distributor StreetLib's new app is available for iOS and Android. The new StreetLib Read is cloud-based, so your ebooks can be read on multiple devices. The app is available through StreetLib, Google Play and iTunes. There's a link in the post to the StreetLib site.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Another ebook distributor for you to use."

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

To read the post tootle over to Streetlib

Amazon is raising the price of Prime monthly memsberships by nearly 20 percent - recode

Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile when he saw something sticking out from under the mat on the passenger side. Pulling it out he discovered it was a post from the recode site about Amazon Prime.

That's a big price increase.

According to Jason Del Rey, Amazon is raising the price of the monthly payment option fee for a Prime membership. The price since inception has been $10.99 per month, but is now jumping to $12.99 per month. The new payment amount will raise the monthly payment plan "annual membership fee" equivalent to $156.00, while the regular one time annual membership fee will remain at $99.00. Prime gives users free shipping on select products and select streaming programs.

Panzer says, "Umm ... So, if you can't afford the full annual membership fee at one time, Amazon will just increase the monthly charge to make it even harder to pay."

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Prime

Argh! Is Piracy a Problem for Novelists? - Travels with Kaye

Panzer was just settling down for a nice nap when he heard strange sounds coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile he followed all the noises to the Travels with Kaye site. There our adventuresome kitty discovered a post about copyright infringement and pirate book sites.

Something else to worry about.

According to author and site owner Kaye George, it just might not be worth the effort to go after book pirates. Maybe, getting the extra reader attention from the pirated book might be a bonus instead of a detriment. The post includes links to other sites with opinions on both sides of the issue.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty has never looked to see if his books have been pirated. Maybe he should?"

Note: This is a medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links and read the other posts, bring a thermos of tea and half a dozen muffins.

To read the post tootle over book piracy

Ursula K. Le Guin, Acclaimed for her Fantasy Fiction, Is Dead at 88 - The New York Times

Panzer is a sad kitty today. He learned at The New York Times site that one of his favorite fantasy authors, Ursula K. Le Guin,  has passed away.

According to the obituary by Gerald Jonas, Ursula K. Le Guin, author of The Lathe of Heaven and The Left Hand of Darkness, died on January 22 in her Portland, Oregon home at 88 years old.

Panzer says, "The Lathe of Heaven was one of this little kitty's favorite books when he was a kitten."

Note: This is a very l-o-n-g post.

To read the post tootle over to Ursula K. Le Guin

Boldface now in OverDrive's Libby ebook app for library patrons: How to use it - TeleRead

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the TeleRead site. With a little digging our traveling kitty boy found a post about OverDrive's Libby app.

According to TeleRead site founder David Rothman, library ebook provider OverDrive has added the boldface fonts option to its Libby app. Library users will now be able to choose to read an ebook in boldface fonts. Boldface makes it easier for those with visual contrast impairments to read their library ebooks. The boldface feature is available in iOS and Android. The post includes a sample of the boldface font and instructions about how to turn on the boldface feature in your Libby app.

My ebooks are in the library.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks it's about time OverDrive added this feature."

Note: This is a long post. Bring half a thermos of tea and half a dozen muffins for today's reading feature.

To read the post tootle over to OverDrive's Libby app

A New Panzerism

Panzer on choices:

Even Mom is right once in a while.

Mom figured she could have a kitty

OR

a nice couch.

She made the right choice.



From Cat Wisdom for humans

Mom Sick

Panzer here.

Sorry there haven't been any posts since Thursday. Mom has been sick with a nasty cold and everything has been all caterkittywampus (all messed up for you humans). She's feeling better and hopes to get back on schedule tomorrow (Monday).

Amazon Announces Candidates for HQ2

Panzer did't even make it back into the Panzermobile before he was knocked over by the oohing and aahing coming from Amazon's Press Room. Back inside our poor bruised kitty found a Press Release about Amazon's second headquarters.

According to the press release, Amazon has announced the list of the 20 candidates being considered for the location the Amazon second headquarters (HQ2) in North America. The candidates are (in alphabetic order):

Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX
Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
Columbus, OH
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Indianapolis, IN
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
Montgomery County, MD
Nashville, TN
Newark, NJ
New York City, NY
Northern Virginia, VA
Philadelphia, PA
Pittsburg, PA
Raeigh, NC
Toronto, ON
Washington DC

Amazon will make the final decision later this year.

Panzer says, "Let the games begin!"

Did you make the list? Did you want to?

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

To read the full Press Release tootle over to Amazon HQ2

Amazon.com to Webcast Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Results Conference Call - Press Release

Panzer was just entering the Catosphere today when he heard some interesting noises from ahead of the Panzermobile. Following the trail of sounds took our brave kitty to the Press Room at Amazon. There he found a press release about Amazon's upcoming fourth quarter financial results.

Now where did I put Mom's tablet?

According to the press release, the company's conference call will be webcast live on Amazon.com on February 1, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. PT.

Panzer says, "This little kitty will be watching to find out what's going on with Amazon's fourth quarter financial reports."

Note: This is a short press release. In fact the post title above and Panzer's reporting tell you just about everything that's in the press release. If you do decide to go to the Press Room, you won't even need any tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

Is Japan's Rakuten the second biggest player in the western ebook and audiobook market? - The New Publishing Standard

Panzer is still recovering from all of yesterday's publishing news reporting for you, so he only made a quick trip into the Catosphere today. Our speedy little kitty boy stopped in at The New Publishing Standard site. With just a little digging there he found a post about the Japanese company Rakuten.

Hmm ...Millions of library downloads.

According to Mark Williams, Rakuten is now the second largest dispenser of ebooks and audiobooks in Canada and the United States. Rakuten owns Canadian ebook publisher Kobo and United States library distributor OverDrive. Overdrive is a major supplier of ebooks and audiobooks to libraries for downloads by patrons. To illustrate this Mark Williams uses charts and data about the magnitude of reader ebook and audiobook downloads. The charts include numbers from not just sales downloads but downloads such as Kindle Unlimited as well. Included in the post are links to some of Mark Williams' previous posts about Rakuten and Overdrive.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... My ebooks are on OverDrive and Kobo."

Note: This is a huge post. Bring a thermos of tea and half a dozen muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Rakuten

Amazon laying off 58 workers at North Charleston self-publishing business - The Post and Courier

Panzer just can't get a nap today. He was just starting a little snooze when the news alarm started blaring in the Panzermobile. Heading into the Catosphere our poor kitty pilot was buffeted by crying and shouting. Following all the noise took him to the The Post and Courier site, where he discovered news about Amazon's Createspace business.

According to the post by Thad Moore, Amazon is laying off 58 workers at the North Charleston Createspace self-publishing business. Amazon is closing down the editing, marketing and design divisions of Createspace. Amazon said the company intends to continue printing books.

Please! No more news tonight!

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks Createspace is going the way of the dodo bird. Very soon Amazon is going to funnel paperback authors into the Amazon store only. No more sending your Createspace books to other bookstores and to libraries."

Note: This is a long-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and three muffins for this reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Create Space

Storytel goes the TV route to promote audiobooks in Spain - The New Publishing Standard

Panzer had hardly settled down for a nap when he was shaken out of his kitty bed by clapping and oohing. Hopping into the Panzermobile our speedy kitty was at The New Publishing Standard site in no time at all. There he found a post about Storytel's Spanish audio book marketing. Back in December Panzer told you about Storytel's marketing expansion in Italy.

According to site owner Mark Williams, to increase their audio book subscriber base Storytel is advertising on television in Spain. The post contains translated quotes from Storytel that the advertisements are working as expected with an increase in new subscribers.

Panzer says, "Umm ... Sounds like Storytel outflanked Audible again."

Now for a little sleep.

Note: This is a medium post. Bring a cup of tea and muffin for this reading selection.

To read the post about Storytel in Spain tootle over to Storytel Spain

To read the post about Storytel in Italy tootle over to Storytel Italy

Print is Doing So Great at Surviving eBooks That Print Sales Fell 3% in Canada in 2017 - The Digital Reader

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to The Digital Reader site. There our traveling kitty pilot found a post about Canadian print book sales in 2017.

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, BookNet Canada just released the 2017 print book sales report. Based on BookNet Canada's collected data print book sales are down by 3 percent compared to 2016. While non-fiction and fiction were both down, juvenile books were up. There's a link at the end of the post to the BookNet Canada site for more information on the sales report.

Hmm ... I can do children's books.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... If juvenile print book sales are up, maybe this little kitty needs to start working on some juvenile books."

Note: This is a short-medium post. Bring a cup of cocoa, a muffin and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to print books

A New Panzerism

He won't do that again. *

Panzer on return policies:

Mom ...

What's His Name bought the cheap cat food again.

Can we take him back to the Husband Store and get a better one?



* From Cat Wisdom for Humans

New Kindle Publishing Guidelines (2018) Allow For 50 MB Cover Images - The Digital Reader

Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile when he found a post wedged under the floor mat. Spreading it out on the passenger seat he discovered it was from The Digital Reader site and about Amazon's new Kindle publishing guidelines.

According to the post by The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, Amazon has come out with the 2018 publishing guidelines for Kindle. The post says the cover MB size and pixel size has changed among other things for ebooks. There's a link at the beginning of the post to download a copy of the new guidelines.

It's nap time.

Panzer says, "This little kitty downloaded his copy and is going to have Mom read it to him this weekend."

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

To read the post tootle over to Kindle publishing guidelines

U.S. Newspaper, Book Printers Buying Canadian Uncoated Groundwood Are Up In Arms - Printing Impressions

Panzer hardly had time to park the Panzermobile, before he heard crying and ranting coming from the Catosphere. Jumping back into the ship, our speedy kitty followed all the noise to the Printing Impressions site. With no digging at all he found a post about the proposed addition of a countervailing duty (CVD) to Canadian uncoated groundwood paper was causing all the hubbub.

The post by Mark Michelson says U.S. newspaper and book printers are upset over a recent decision from the U.S. Department of Commerce. After North Pacific Paper (a U.S. paper company) filed a complaint about the Canadian government subsidizing certain portions their wood industry, the Department of Commerce opened an investigation. After the investigation the Dept. of Commerce determined Canadian uncoated groundwood paper was subsidized. This means Canadian uncoated groundwood paper will now have a countervailing duty (a fee) imposed. This type of paper is what is used for newspapers and books. U.S. newspapers and book printers will take a hit to their bottom line with the increase in their Canadian paper costs. Readers may not be willing to pay more for newspapers and books and this may cause some businesses to close down.

Maybe I can go home now.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty thinks this new CVD speeds up the transfer from paper books and newspapers to ebooks and digital news."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring two thermoses of tea and a dozen muffins, six ginger snap cookies (biscuits) and a cinnamon roll for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to U.S. newspaper and book printers

Local governments won't say what they're offering Amazon - AP News

Today's trip took Panzer to the AP News (Associated Press) site. There with no digging at all he found a post about Amazon's second headquarters (HQ2).

According to the post by Josh Cornfield, Amazon has promised to choose the location for their second headquarters (HQ2) by the end of this year. By the 2017 deadline 238 proposals were received  from different states, cities and districts in North America. Each is hoping to get Amazon's promised 50,000 jobs. They're willing to give Amazon tax breaks, grants and incentives to get those jobs, but most are not willing to discuss they're individual offers. The post names three cities who were willing to disclose their offers. The other states,cities and districts either refused (for different reasons) to disclose anything or didn't bother to respond.

I've got an answer for any problem.

Panzer says, "Why do humans have all these big secrets from each other about what they're doing to woo Amazon? Everybody knows, nothing says I love you like a dead mouse on the pillow in the morning."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a thermos of tea and half a dozen muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

Barnes and Noble in Lahaina to move to Maui Marketplace in Kahului in March - mauitime

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he stopped in at the mauitime site. Our traveling kitty boy has never been there before so it took a lot of digging to find a post. Finally, he found a post about Barnes and Noble's bookstore in Lahaina (Hawaii).

We can all learn from this.

According to Anthony Pignataro, the rumors of Barnes and Noble's demise in Lahaina have been exaggerated. It's true that Barnes and Noble's lease at the Lahaina Gateway Center expired and a new one couldn't be negotiated. It's also true that at that point Barnes and Noble announced they would close the store. However, as the only store providing new books, the residents came together and convinced Barnes and Noble to stay. After more searching a "temporary" location was found at the Maui Marketplace. Barnes and Noble will stay in the Marketplace while the search continues for a permanent home.

Panzer says, "It makes this little kitty feel all warm and fuzzy to learn there are still humans who like books enough to keep a bookstore alive so they can shop there."

Note: This is a short-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and half a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Now Users Can Create Their Own Flipping Book from PDF with PubHTML5 - Digital Journal

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Digital Journal site. There with a little digging around our inquisitive kitty found a press release about making flipping books and magazines using PubHTML5.

I wondered how those pages turned.

According to the press release, PubHTML5 now has the Flipping Book PDF software available. The software can be used for publishing (e)books, magazines and catalogues. The (e)books, magazines etc. pages will "flip" giving the impression of "turning" the pages. The press release includes a link at the beginning to the Flipping Book PDF software site. There are samples and a chance to demonstrate the software. Near the end of the press release is a link to the PubHTML5 site. There are more samples and a page where the different price options are compared.

Panzer says, "Be careful before you download the software to your computer. To download you have to pay. There's also a free option if you want it, but you can't download the software."

Note: This is a long press release. Bring a cup of tea and three muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links, bring a thermos of tea and a dozen muffins.

To read the post tootle over to PubHTML5

Amazon shutters LoveFilm, Amazon Wine, Heera and Anime Strike. Kicks ebooks out of AbeBooks. Will AbeBooks be next to go? - The New Publishing Standard

Panzer hardly made it into the Catosphere before the Panzermobile began being buffeted by crying and gnashing of teeth. Following all the noise took our fearsome kitty pilot to The New Publishing Standard site. With no digging at all he discovered a post about Amazon was causing all the trouble.

Really, it's not that bad.

According to the post by Mark Williams, Amazon has been doing some reshuffling and closing of certain small divisions of the company. Heera and Anime Strike have been moved into the Amazon Prime package. LoveFilm and Amazon Wine have been closed down. The AbeBooks division will no longer carry ebooks. While Amazon has made no announcement about AbeBooks, the post speculates the removal of ebooks may be a harbinger of AbeBooks demise.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Pay attention to the details, not just the headline."

Note: This is medium post. Bring a cup of tea, one muffin and one peanut butter cookie (biscuit) for today's reading selections.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

A New Panzerism

Panzer on forgiveness:

What's His Name stepped on my food dish this morning. Knocked the whole thing upside down.

Food everywhere ... and ... now the food's covered in dirt and whatever else was on the bottom his shoe.

I couldn't believe it. He just scooped it up and put it back in my dish.

Yeah ... Like I'd eat it now.

Mom told me to settle down. She said it was just an accident and I need to forgive him.

Okay ... Okay. I'm all right now. *

So I'm using my new cat mantra to calm down.

To err is human.
To forgive is just plain stupid.
To err is human.
To forgive ...



* From Cat Wisdom for Humans

Hekayn - The Arab world's answer to Amazon KDP self publishing. In Sweden - The New Publishing Standard

Today Panzer spent his time sweeping and mopping the floor of the Panzermobile. As he was cleaning the upholstery, he discovered a rolled up wad of something under the cushion of the pilot's seat. Smoothing it out our fastidious kitty discovered it was a post from The New Publishing Standard site about the Hekayh publishing platform.

Nap time. I've had a busy day.

According to The New Publishing Standard site owner Mark Williams' post, Mikael Norrman has opened a new self-publishing and marketing online company named Hekayh. The company was opened in response to the need for these services in the Arabic language speaking countries. Currently, Hekayh has over 1,000 ebooks (with more added each month) available at the sales site. In an interview Mr. Norrman stated this seemed a perfect niche as there was very little competition in the Arab world. Mikael Norrman has experience in the publishing area as he is the CEO of Booqla of Sweden. There are links included in the post to the specific sites mentioned. (Each site/company is in their own language.)

Panzer says, "This little kitty finds it interesting that there are still places where Amazon hasn't taken over the marketplace.'

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

To read the post tootle over to Hekayh

Barnes & Noble Reports Holiday Revenues Down 6.4 % - The Digital Reader

Panzer made a short trip into the Catosphere today. Our speedy little kitty pilot stopped in at The Digital Reader site. With a little digging he found a post about Barnes and Noble's holiday sales figures.

How can we help them?

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, Barnes and Noble announced in a press release that holiday sales revenue was down compared to last year's holiday revenue. It appears lower bricks and mortar store shoppers contributed to the 6.4 percent decline. Online sales also declined, but by only 4.5 percent. The company projects the next quarter sales will also be down.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Obviously ...The restaurants with alcohol in the stores isn't working. Maybe ... Do a little work on the Nook? Or work on the Nook for PC app?"

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

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

New Year, Old Problem: Innocent Author Rank-Stripped For Third Time - Let's Get Digital

Panzer had intended to make a quick trip today; but, when he hit the Catosphere, the Panzermobile was buffeted by yelling and screaming. Our brave kitty knew he needed to find out what all the hubbub was about. Following the noise took him to the Let's Get Digital site. With no digging required he found a post about Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).

This is definitely not good news.

According to the post by site owner David Gaughran, Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) rank-stripping machine is at it again. The post documents the problems indie author Kristi Belcamino has had with KDP beginning in September 2017 when she listed one of her books to free status from paid. KDP immediately rank-stripped her book. This means the book lost its sales ranking, became "invisible" in reader searches and couldn't be linked to by affiliates. After emails back and forth the book was finally re-instated to its former sales position. She again listed the book free in December 2017 and the same rank-stripping occurred. More emails back and forth and the book was again re-instated. She listed the book free in January 2018 with the same result with the rank-stripping. According to the Let's Get Digital post, it appears KDP doesn't have a valid explanation for what's causing the problem. There is a link near the end of the post to get Kristi Belcamino's book for free, if you hurry. (It goes off free in a couple of days, so check the price before you buy it to make sure it's still free.)

Panzer says, "This is exactly why this little kitty has never listed any ebooks free on KDP. Free are on Smashwords and Barnes and Noble."

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon author

Juggernaut sets the pace for Indian publishing in 2018. Prepares to take on Kindle Unlimited

Today, Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to The New Publishing Standard site. There with a little digging around he found a post about Amazon's Kindle Unlimited.

Who can sleep with this going on.

According to Mark Williams of The New Publishing Standard, Indian publishing company Juggernaut is expanding into the ebook subscription service. Specifically, the company plans to market in India where Amazon's Kindle Unlimited already has a footprint. Juggernaut then plans to do a global expansion to Indian-language users in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Included in the post is an infographic illustrating Juggernaut's plans. There are also several links to posts at the Juggernaut site.

Panzer says, "Juggernaut vs Amazon ... This will be very interesting."

Note: This is a long post. Bring half a thermos of tea and six muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring the second half of the thermos of tea and another six muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Juggernaut sets the pace for Indian publishing in 2018. Prepares to take on Kindle Unlimited:

Smashwords 2017 Year in Review and 2018 Preview - Smashwords Blog

I am so tired.

Our poor little kitty boy just can't seem to get a nap today. He was just dropping off to sleep when cheering and clapping noises jarred him out of his kitty bed. Dragging himself to the Panzermobile, he followed all the noise to the Smashwords site. Digging around in the blog posts he discovered a post about Smashwords' indie author sales in 2017.

According to Smashwords founder Mark Coker, Smashwords sales were up in 2017 even as the rest of the book market saw a slowdown. A few of the other topics covered in the post are Smashwords' new Special Deal and Global Pricing features and the Smart Author Podcast. There is a lot more 2017 information included, plus a look ahead to new projects planned for 2018.

Panzer says, "Some of those new projects for 2018 look interesting."

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

To read the post tootle over to Smashwords 2017 Year in Review and 2018 Preview:

Microsoft Quietly Rolls Out Its E-Bookstore - Publishers Weekly

That was a fun holiday weekend!

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There our traveling kitty boy found a post about Microsoft's e-bookstore.

According to the post by Calvin Reid, Windows 10 users have access to Microsoft's new e-bookstore. In April of last year Microsoft and Ingram Content Group launched the e-bookstore. The e-bookstore currently only offers traditional publishers ebooks. Readers can read online or download the ebooks.

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders when they'll open their doors to indie authors."

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

To read the post tootle over to Microsoft e-Bookstore

A New Year's Panzerism

Panzer on celebrating New Year's Eve:

Same thing every year.

Skip my late, late nap.

Munch some catnip,

But getting there is fun.*

pass out,

and ...

spend the rest of the night snorting carpet dust.

Bletch!



* From Cat Wisdom for humans

Happy New Year Everyone!

Happy New Year

from

Panzer, Mom and What's His Name