Audible Will Exclude Publishers Works from Captions Program - For Now - Publishers Weekly

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard clapping and cheering outside. Following all the hoopla took our brave kitty to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all he found a post about Audible's new Captions feature.

Did somebody finally read the contract?

The post by Andrew Albanese states, that because of the recent publishers' lawsuit against Audible the company has agreed to make certain changes to the implementation of the Captions feature. Audible will exclude the audio books of the publishers involved in the lawsuit until the court decides on certain issues in the case. The date of the case has been changed and Audible will offer additional information before the new date. Panzer told you about the lawsuit a few days ago.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks Audible will offer a new contract to publishers for the right for Captions to type out the words. It's like typing the words for a deaf human to read."

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea.

To read the post tootle over to Audible Captions

To read Panzer's previous post about the Captions lawsuit, tootle over to Amazon's Audible

How to Erase Your Google History (Yes, All of it) - The Digital Reader

It looks easy.

Panzer was sitting in the pilot's seat of the Panzermobile when he noticed something stuck under the windshield wiper. Checking outside, our fastidious kitty discovered it was a post from The Digital Reader site about your Google history.

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, there's a way to erase your Google history. You can delete your YouTube viewing history, your Google search history, all of it. And the instructions are relatively simple.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... The post says there's a way to keep Google from tracking you too."

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

To read the post tootle over to Google history

Bibliotheca Calls Out Amazon for Meddling in the Library E-Book Market - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer made a trip to the Publishers Weekly site. There with a little digging in the posts our adventuresome kitty pilot found a post about Amazon's perceived influence on libraries.

Mom and I like libraries.

According to the Publishers Weekly post by Andrew Albanese, Bibliotheca SVP of Digital Products Tom Mercer is blaming Amazon for publisher Macmillan's recent embargo on libraries and other publishers' changes to library terms. Panzer told you about the embargo earlier this month. Tom Mercer says Amazon has access to the company's customers' library usage information and is giving that information to publishers and authors.  He believes Amazon collected the library usage information through vendors such as OverDrive. OverDrive offers online library patrons the ability to read their checked-out ebooks using the OverDrive Libby app or patrons can choose the Kindle app. He wants libraries to pressure OverDrive to stop allowing patrons to use the Kindle app. There are links in the post to a copy of Tom Mercer's letter to librarians and to other information about Amazon.

Panzer says, "This little kitty knows Mom uses the Libby app for library ebooks."

Note: This is a h-u-m-u-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring a gallon of lemonade and a dozen muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring another gallon of lemonade and a dozen muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

To read Panzer's earlier post about Macmillan's embargo tootle over to Macmillan

How To Build Your Own Home Sound Booth For Audiobooks And Podcasting - The Creative Penn

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, he made a stop at The Creative Penn site. There our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about how to build an audio sound booth in your home.

According to The Creative Penn site owner Joanna Penn, she has constructed her own in-home sound booth. Panzer has listened to The Creative Penn podcast for a couple of years now. Joanna Penn has already recorded some of her own audiobooks. Since she plans to do more, she decided to do a "proper" sound booth. She used the instructions from an online post to do it. The cost is given in U.S. dollars in a list near the end of the post. The only thing she outsourced was the building of the wooden frame. There are several links in the post including the one with the original instructions.

I can't use a hammer. I don't have thumbs.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... My way of recording is a lot easier. I just get under the quilt on the bed and meow right into Mom's microphone."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring half a thermos of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring a gallon of tea and a dozen muffins.

To read the post tootle over to audio sound booth

A New Panzerism

Panzer on tools:

Mom, what do you mean cats can't use tools?

Not true.

A little back scratch would be nice. too.

I think of you as my P.T.U.

That's Personal Transportation Unit.

Now ...

Pick me up and carry me to the window while you're petting my head, you silly tool.



*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Amazon-owned Audible sued by major book publishers over controversial text-to-speech feaure - GeekWire

Panzer was fueling up the Panzermobile when the radio started crackling and squealing. Adjusting the channel, our careful kitty pilot discovered the GeekWire site was causing all the noise. Traveling over to the site, he found a post about Audible's new Captions feature. Panzer has posted about the Captions feature several times over the last few days.

Is Captions worth the hype?

According to the post by Nat Levy, Amazon's Audible is being sued by seven major book publishers. The publishers are suing for copyright infringement. The lawsuit claims Audible's new Captions feature is not part of Audible's licensing agreement with the publishers.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty wonders if anybody at Audible did read the license agreement."

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection. If you plan to read Panzer's most recent previous post about Captions (which contains links to four other posts), bring two gallons of tea and three dozen muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Audible sued

To read the previous post tootle over to Audible Captions

Amazon Expands Portland Tech Hub and Announces Plans to Create 400 New High Tech Jobs - Press Release

Today Panzer was rudely shaken awake from his afternoon nap by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, he followed all the noise to the Amazon Press Release Room.  There he found a post about Amazon's expansion in Portland, Oregon.

Amazon has 650,000 workers world-wide.

In the press release Amazon announced the company is adding 400 employees to the Portland, Oregon, Tech Hub. The company already employs 3,500 employees in Oregon. To facilitate the expansion the company will open 84,000 square feet of office space in Portland. The post also includes information about Amazon's financial contributions to Oregon's economy and information about the company in general.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... When Amazon isn't opening new stores, it's hiring new employees."

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Portland, Ore., Tech Hub

George R.R. Martin: the end fo Game of Thrones on TV was a liberation - The Guardian

A little hint would be appreciated.

Today Panzer decided to make a stop at The Guardian site. With a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty found one about George R.R. Martin.

According to the post by Sarah Hughes and Nosheen Iqba, now that the TV series Game of Thrones is finished George R.R. Martin is able to return to work on the fantasy novels the series was based on. Since he's 70 years old, there's been some speculation he may not be able to finish the remaining two novels. Although a lot of fans didn't like the end of the series, Mr. Martin said that will have no impact on how he writes the end of his books. The post is a condensed version of a much longer interview with the author. There's a link included in the post to the full interview.

Panzer says, "This little kitty does wonder if the end of the book series will be the same as the TV series."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the link to the full interview, bring a gallon of tea and one dozen muffins.

To read the post tootle over to George R.R. Martin

Amazon continues physical retail expansion with plans for new bookstore in Nashville and 4-star store in Boston - GeekWire

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere the Panzermobile was suddenly buffeted by clapping and cheering. Following all the hullabaloo took our busy kitty boy to the GeekWire site. There with no digging at all, he found a post about Amazon's new retail plans.

They keep popping up everywhere.

According to the Geekwire post by Nat Levy, Amazon has announced the opening of a new bricks and mortar Amazon Books store in Nashville, Tennessee. The company also plans to open an Amazon 4-star store in Boston, Massachusetts. (In addition to books, a 4-star store sells other products.) The post contains links to other information about Amazon stores.

Panzer says, "Amazon keeps making a bigger footprint in brick and mortar stores."

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

To read today's post tootle over to Amazon

A New Panzerism

Panzer on giving to charity for the greater good:

Mom told me she and What's His Name are going to a charity auction tonight.

She said all the money raised will go to take care of retired greyhounds.

She said it's a good cause ...

And ...

That humans always support good causes.

So ...

After thinking about it a while ...

I want to start a charity for retired cats.

I'll be waiting by the mailbox.

You humans won't even have to leave home.

Just mail me your check, cash or catnip.

On second thought ...

Just send the catnip.



*From Cat Wisdom for humans

PRH to Publish Wattpad Books in UK - Publishers Weekly

They're all children's books.

Panzer was cleaning the windshield (windscreen) of the Panzermobile when he found a post stuck under the wiper. Pulling it out, our fastidious kitty discovered it was a post about Wattpad Books.

According to the Publishers Weekly post by Ed Nawotka, Wattpad Books is Canadian company Wattpad's new young adult press division. US book distribution for Wattpad Books will be by Macmillan and UK publishing and distribution will be by Penguin Random House Children's Books. Three books are already scheduled for August and September and three more in October.

Panzer says, "They sure are off to a quick start with six books in the first three months."

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

To read the post tootle over to Wattpad Books

Black Cat Appreciation Day

Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day!

August 17     

 
Here Every Day Is Black Cat Appreciation Day

J.D. Salinger estate agrees to ebook editions - The Guardian

Mom read that book.

Today as Panzer was relaxing in the sun on the back porch he heard clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Leaving his favorite sunny spot, our traveling kitty hopped in the Panzermobile and headed out. Following all the jocularity took him to The Guardian site. There with a little digging in the posts he discovered one about J.D. Salinger's books.

According to The Guardian post by Sian Cain, J.D. Salinger's estate has agreed to allow his books to be turned into ebooks. J.D. Salinger was the author of Catcher in the Rye among other such famous works. He was also against the internet and digital media. Four of J.D. Salinger's books will be released in the U.S. and U.K. immediately, while others of his works will be scheduled as they are assembled. Apparently, he wrote some works which were never released for publication before. There's a link included to an interview with Salinger's son in a previous post.

Panzer says, "A writer never knows what will happen to their work after they're gone."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the link to read the interview, bring another cup of tea and a muffin.

To read the post tootle over to J.D. Salinger estate

Bibles, Kids' Books Win Tariff Reprieve - Publishers Weekly

Panzer was shaken from his kitty bed by yelling and shouting coming from the Catosphere. Dragging himself into the Panzermobile, our poor tired kitty followed all the noise to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all he discovered a post about U.S. President Trump's tariffs on China.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, President Trump has postponed until December 15 the implementation of his Chinese import tariffs on Bibles, children's picture books and coloring books, sneakers/shoes, phones and other important Christmas gifts. The proposed tariffs on Trump's other specified Chinese imports will still go into effect on September 1. The September 1 imports include paperback and hardback books, dictionaries, and other materials printed in China for U.S. publishers and imported for sale in the U.S. There are several links to information about Trump's tariffs included in the post.

Now for a much need nap.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Even this little kitty knows some U.S. publishers have their books printed in China and then shipped to the U.S. for sale here."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading. If you plan to follow the links, bring a thermos of tea and six muffins.

To read the post tootle over to tariff reprieve

UK's Publishers Association leads 'Axe the Reading Tax' Campaign - Publishing Perspectives

Why tax an ebook?

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, he heard shouting coming from outside the Panzermobile. Following all the hullabaloo took our brave kitty pilot to the Publishing Perspectives site. With hardly any digging at all in the posts, he found one about the UK's VAT (Value Added Tax) on digital reading material.

According to Publishing Perspectives Editor-in-Chief Porter Anderson, the UK's Publishers Association has launched a campaign to get the UK's VAT removed from digital material. The UK has a 20 percent VAT on ebooks, audio books and other digital reading materials. The campaign is called 'Axe the Reading Tax' and would make the digital reading material VAT the same as the print reading material VAT which is zero.  The Publishers Association has sent a letter to the chancellor of the exchequer demanding the removal of the VAT.  Included in the post is a list of all the representatives of the different groups who signed the letter. There are several links included in the post to other information.

Panzer says, "This little kitty never did understand why there is a tax on ebooks and audio books, but not on printed books."

Note: This is a long post. Bring half a thermos of tea and three muffins for today's reading. If you plan to follow all the links in the post, bring a gallon of tea, a dozen muffins and a sleeping bag for a nap in the middle of your reading.

To read the post tootle over to UK Publishers' Association

A New Panzerism

Panzer on learning new skills:

I heard What's His Name telling Mom he's going to teach me how to clean my own litter box. ...

Well ...

I've got some breaking news for him ...

We cats already know how to clean our litter boxes.

It's simple. I just don't want to.*

But ...

Why should we ...

When we've taught our humans to do it for us?




* From Cat Wisdom for humans

Audible Captions, Copyright Lawsuits, and Other News from the World of Writing - Indies Unlimited

My work is never done.

Panzer was sweeping the floor in the Panzermobile when he discovered a post under the mat on the passenger side. Pulling it out, our fastidious kitty discovered it was a post from the Indies Unlimited site about news in the publishing world.

Melinda Clayton's post begins with an examination of Audible's soon to be introduced Captions feature. Panzer told you about Captions a few days ago in two posts. Audible still isn't giving out any concrete information about what the new feature will do. The second section is about new legislation which would make it easier and less expensive to go after copyright infringers. The last section of the post is about book marketing. There are several links included in the post to further information about each section.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty thinks ... By not giving out any information, Audible seems to be deliberately causing a lot of speculation about the Captions feature just to build up the hype."

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring a thermos of tea and four muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Audible Captions and more

To read Panzer's first post about Audible's Captions feature tootle over to Audible text Captions feature

To read Panzer's second post about Audible's Captions tootle over toAudible's Captions program

China's Book Market in the First Half of 2019: Up 10.82 Percent - Publishing Perspectives

Now ... Back to my lunch.

Today as Panzer was eating his lunch he heard clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Throwing some kitty treats into a bag, our famished kitty hopped into the Panermobile. Following all the noise took him to the Publishing Perspectives site. There with no digging at all he found a post about China's book market.

In his post Porter Anderson does an in depth analysis of China's book market in the first six months of this year. The analysis is based on information taken from Beijing's OpenBook report. The post includes graphics depicting online and offline (bookstore) sales comparisons, online sales and book category sales breakdowns. According to the report information the book market is up 10.82 percent over last year's first six month's.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... China's bricks and mortar bookstores appear to have the same declining sales problem as bookstores in some other countries." 

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

To read the post tootle over to China book market

Macmillan publishes a work of fiction - Steve Potash of OverDrive

Today, Panzer decided to make a stop at OverDrive's Steve Potash's blog. OverDrive is the service which lets patrons check out ebooks from the library. The post our traveling kitty boy found is about publisher Macmillan's library embargo. Panzer told you about the library embargo a few days ago.

I don't think this will last very long.

According to founder and CEO of OverDrive Steve Potash, publisher Macmillan's recent statement of the company's reasons for placing an embargo on libraries is total fiction. In the embargo Macmillan won't allow libraries to loan the company's new ebooks until eight weeks after they've been published. In the post each of Macmillan's reasons for the embargo are discussed and shown to be unjustified.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks this embargo thingy is pretty silly even for humans."

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

To read the post tootle over to Macmillan

To read Panzer's previous post about Macmillan tootle over to Macmillan library embargo

Elliott Completes Purchase of B&N - Publishers Weekly

We knew it was coming.

Today, as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he decided to make a short trip to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging in the posts at all our adventuresome kitty found one about Barnes and Noble.

According to the post by Publishers Weekly's Jim Milliot, the Barnes and Noble sale to Elliott Advisors is now final. In a $683 million deal Elliott Advisors is now the sole owner of Barnes and Noble. Elliott paid $6.50 per share to stock holders to procure ownership. The bookstore chain is now a privately held/owned company.

Elliott Advisors does admit they plan to sell Barnes and Noble after making some changes and updates to the bookstores.

There are several links to previous posts about the sale and interviews included in the post.

Panzer says, "This little kitty wants to know what's going to happen to Barnes and Noble's Nook and the ebook publishing and sales online sites."

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of lemonade and a big bowl of ice cream for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links, bring a thermos of lemonade, an even bigger bowl of ice cream and a muffin.

To read the post tootle over to Elliott Advisors

Washington Post Revises a Year's Worth of Best-Seller Lists, Assures Us the Problem Will Not Recur- The Digital Reader

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was suddenly buffeted by crying and screaming outside. Following all the noise took our brave kitty boy to The Digital Reader site. There with a little digging he found a post about the Washington Post's bestseller lists.

Believe me. This is not good.

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, the Washington Post discovered a problem with their bestseller lists. The company's software was supposed to combine data from BookScan and Amazon to determine their bestseller lists. Turns out the software's computations and, therefore, their book placements and rankings were wrong. The Washington Post has redone all the bestseller lists from May 2018 forward and posted them on their website. There are links included in the post to the Washington Post site.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty thinks there are some unhappy former number one bestselling authors out there."

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

To read the post tootle over to Washington Post

A New Panzerism

Panzer on the Oops Factor:

Mom and I are having a disagreement.

She says my middle name should be Oops.

I'm definitely not happy about that.

It's not my fault her knickknacks keep smashing themselves by jumping off the shelf in the living room.

They jumped off by themselves. *

I say they have a mind of their own.

They're like lemmings.

Where one goes ...

they all follow.



*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Macmillan Expands Embargo on Library New Ebooks - Various Sources

Panzer was polishing the outside of the Panzermobile when he heard crying and screaming and moaning coming from the Catosphere. Jumping into the Panzermobile, our brave kitty headed into the Catosphere. There he discovered three sites (Publishers Weekly, Panorama Project, and Library Journal) where librarians were lamenting the actions of publisher Macmillan.

According to the sites Panzer visited, publisher Macmillan has announced a plan for new ebooks distribution to libraries. The company will impose a two month embargo on libraries before libraries will be allowed to purchase more than one "copy" of a new ebook. The one copy the library can purchase will be an "in perpetuity" copy. This means the library can own the copy forever and it can be loaned (checked) out by library patrons. After two months other copies can be purchased (rented) by libraries, but will cost more and won't be "in perpetuity" copies. Nearly all librarians are against the policy and say it limits library patrons access to books.

Trust me. You'll need a sleeping bag.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks Macmillan really stepped into a big pile of do-do."

Note: These three posts and links are a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s length. Bring two gallons of tea, three dozen muffins and your dinner for today's reading selection. Oh, and bring a sleeping bag for a nap in the middle of your reading.

To read the Publishers Weekly post by Andrew Albanese, tootle over to Macmillan expands embargo

To read the Panorama Project post tootle over to Macmillan library embargo

To read the Library Journal post by Matt Enis, tootle over to Macmillan embargo on library ebooks