Missouri could jail librarians for lending 'age-appropriate' books - The Guardian

Today as Panzer was napping, he was tossed from his bed by yelling and booing coming from the Catosphere. Our poor discombobulated kitty boy could hardly stand on the shaking floor. Staggering into the Panzermobile, Panzer attempted to find the source of all the noise. He discovered it was coming from two places.  One was a post from The Guardian site and the second was a post from the BookRiot site. Both posts were about the attempt by the state of Missouri to pass what many see as a book banning law.

I don't like puppy books. Let's ban them.

According to The Guardian's post by Alison Flood, the Missouri House Bill No 2044 would allow a panel of Missouri parents to determine what books a library could allow children to check out. If a librarian doesn't obey the panel's orders, the librarian is subject to a fine or time in jail. Every library in Missouri would be required to have a panel, but not have any say in the panel's work.

The BookRiot post by Kelly Jensen, delves into the de-funding of libraries who don't comply with the proposed law. The post also quotes extensively from the proposed law. While the proposal does speak to material of a sexual nature, it could be applied to any book the special panel deems unacceptable for children. In this way any book could be banned by the panel.

Panzer says, "Umm ... A human is a child until they are 18 years old. ... So ... The panel decides what they can  read until then?"

Note: Each of these posts is medium length. Bring two cups of warm cocoa and two muffins for today's reading selections.

To read The Guardian post tootle over to Missouri
To read the BookRiot post tootle over to Missouri public libraries

ALA Midwinter 2020: Macmillan CEO John Sargent, Librarians Spar Over E-book Embargo - Publishers Weekly

Today when Panzer entered the Catosphere he was greeted by screaming and crying and gnashing of teeth. Following all the chaos took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. Digging in the posts produced one about publisher Macmillan and the company's library embargo. Panzer has been telling you about this ebooks to libraries slowdown since before it was started.

He's joking right?

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, publishing company Macmillan CEO John Sargent says there's no end in sight for Macmillan's library embargo. CEO Sargent was speaking at the American Library Association midwinter meeting when he reiterated he had no intentions of changing the company's library embargo. He continues to blame library patrons for Macmillan's lagging book sales. To fix the problem with library patrons checking Macmillan's books out of the library and reading them for free, now Macmillan only allows a library to license one copy of an ebook for the first two months after its publication. This causes long wait times for library patrons who want to read the book. CEO Sargent believes this will force library patrons to instead buy a copy of the book to read it. The post includes several links to previous posts about Macmillan's ongoing embargo against libraries.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty is confused. ... When did libraries start to control a publisher's book pricing, book marketing and book store placement? ... Aren't those some of the real controlling factors for book sales? ... Aren't those the things the publisher controls?"

Note: This post is h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s-l-y long. Bring two gallons of tea, three dozen muffins, a sleeping bag for a nap in the middle and a cook stove for dinner for today's reading selection and all the included links in the post.

To read the post tootle over to Libraries and Macmillan embargo continues
To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to Macmillan

No Post Today

Mom broke a tooth today and is going to the dentist.

We'll be back online tomorrow.

Plot Twist: Romance Writers of America - Indies Unlimited

Today Panzer made a stop at the Indies Unlimited site. With no digging at all in the posts our inquisitive kitty found one about the on-going battle at the Romance Writers of America group. Panzer told you about the suspension and banning of author Courtney Milan a few weeks ago.

According to Lynn Cantwell's post, the investigation that led up to the membership suspension and ban from ever holding an office in the Romance Writers of America (RWA) by Courtney Milan is still roiling the group. Chinese-American author Courtney Milan wrote twitter posts about a book by Kathryn Lynn Davis which Ms. Milan felt was an unfair representation of Chinese women. Ms. Davis filed a complaint with the RWA against Milan. (Davis's publisher filed a second complaint.) The RWA set up a secret ethics committee, did a secret investigation of the situation and then the Board suspended and banned Milan. The post contains links to other information about the suspension and ban which will help you get a full understanding of the situation.

So ... No free speech allowed in RWA?

Panzer says, "This was the first time this little kitty read it was a secret ethics committee."

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 links in the post, bring a gallon of tea and two dozen muffins. If you plan to read Panzer's previous post (and follow his links), bring a quart of tea and six more muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Romance Writers of America
To read Panzer's previous post about the RWA tootle over to leadership resigns

A New Panzerism

Panzer on the mysterious power of cats:

Cats are magical beings.

We spread a warm sense of well-being to those who pet us.

Humans are transformed by us.

When we purr they have to touch us.

They're humans. What do you expect?

It's like pixie dust on them.

Pixie dust ...

Cat dandruff ...

They don't know the difference.

Celebrating Christopher Tolkien's Cartography - Tor.com

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he heard oohing and aahing coming from outside the Panzermobile. Following all the noise took our adventuresome kitty to the Tor.com site. With a little digging in the posts, he found one about J.R.R. Tolkien's estate executor Christopher Tolkien's middle-earth maps.

That is one l-o-n-g post.

According to Jonathan Crowe, J.R.R. Tolkien's son Christopher Tolkien was the cartographer for all the middle-earth novels.  Each Lord of the Rings novel featured a map at the beginning showing where the action in the story took place. The inclusion of maps became an influence on the fantasy genre. The post explains Christopher Tolkien's work on the maps, his father's need and use of the maps, and the need for recognition of the maps contributions to genre. There are links to other posts about Christopher Tolkien's recent death.

Panzer says, "This little kitty always liked referring to the maps to see where everybody was going and what was in between the start and the finish."

Note: This post is way past h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s length. You'll need three gallons of tea, three dozen muffins, a sleeping bag, and a travel trailer (caravan) with a camp stove to cook your meals for today's reading selection and the links to other posts.

To read the post tootle over to Christopher Tolkien

PRH Exits International Unlimited Subscriptions, Fueling Speculation - Publishing Perspectives

Today, Panzer decided to make a trip to the Publishing Perspectives site. With no digging at all our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about Penguin Random House's audio books.

According to the post by Porter Anderson, Penguin Random House (PRH) has removed all their audio books from the international unlimited access subscription services. This removal has led to speculation about PRH's motives and plans for the company's  audio books. One rumor circulating concerns PRH starting their own audio subscription/sales service for their audio books. The post delves into other aspects of the audio book market, such as subscription numbers, the revenue from those subscriptions and the number of audio books.

Interesting.

Panzer says, "If PRH started their own audio book subscription site, they'd be in direct competition with Amazon's Audible ... And ... PRH is part of that lawsuit against Audible's Captions."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring a quart of tea and six muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring another 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 Penguin Random House

OverDrive's New Owners: What It Means - American Libraries Magazine

Panzer was cleaning the floor of the Panzermobile, when he found a post crumpled up under the carpet under the passenger seat. Smoothing out the post, our fastidious kitty found it was from the American Libraries Magazine site. Reading the post, he discovered it was about the sale of OverDrive. Pa whennzer told you about OverDrive's acquisition when it was first announced.

What do you think will happen?

According to Marshall Breeding, on Christmas Eve OverDrive announced the company was being acquired by investment firm KKR.  OverDrive provides ebooks to libraries. The acquisition will occur in the first quarter of 2020. Japanese firm Rakuten has owned OverDrive since 2015. The post contains different possible scenarios the acquisition would make possible in the ebooks and digital content to libraries market. An example would be the merger of KKR's RBmedia with OverDrive. RBmedia supplies audiobooks to libraries which would augment OverDrive's ebooks to library supply chain.

Panzer says, "It will be interesting to see what happens."

Note: This is a humongous post. Bring a quart of tea and six muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan read Panzer's previous post, bring another cup of tea and a muffin.

To read the post tootle over to Overdrive
To read Panzer's previous post about the OverDrive sale, tootle over to OverDrive sale

Child Keeps It in the Family - The Rap Sheet

Really?

Today, Panzer decided to make a trip to The Rap Sheet site. It's been a while since our traveling kitty has visited there, but boy is he happy he did it. Digging in the posts, he found one about author Lee Child.

According to to J. Kingston Pierce, author Lee Child announced he's giving the character Jack Reacher continuing writing duties to his brother, author Andrew Grant. Child has written several Jack Reacher novels and the character has a devoted reader following. As part of the arrangement with his brother Andrew Grant will have to change his last name to Child. There's a link included in the post to the original post at The Guardian site about this.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Change your last name? This little kitty wants to know if this is a serious agreement."

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 Lee Child

A New Panzerism

Panzer on origins:

I heard Mom and What's His Name talking.

Mom said she wanted to go shopping.

Then ...

What's His Name said he was pooped and didn't want to go.

That explains a lot.

I was shocked!

I thought she got him at the Husband Store ...

Not ...

My litter box.

Amazon to open new 'themed' pop-up store at Seattle HQ in latest physical retail expansion - GeekWire

Today as Panzer was eating his breakfast his food dish began to dance across the floor. Listening to the vibrating coming through the floor, our kitty boy discovered it was clapping coming from the Catosphere. Jumping in the Panzermobile, he followed all the noise to the the GeekWire site. With just a tiny bit of digging in the posts, he found one about Amazon's newest store was causing all the hoopla.

Interesting.

According to Nat Levy, Amazon is quietly planning to open a new pop-up store in Seattle, Washington. A photo in the post shows the vacant shop next to the Seattle Amazon 4-star store has window covering that reads, "Opening Soon Amazon pop-up." When queried by GeekWire Amazon gave no opening date. Amazon does say, however, that the company is hiring for the store. The post has numbers for Amazon's different types of retail outlets, too. There are links included in the post for more information about Amazon's different bricks and mortar stores and retailing.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty thinks, if Amazon is hiring for the store now, they'll be opening pretty soon."

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 links, bring an extra muffin or two.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Pop-Up Store

What You Need To Know About California's New Law AB-5 Affects on Writers - Writer Beware

Today as our fastidious Panzer was washing the outside of the Panzermobile, he heard crying and shouting coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, he followed all the noise to the Writer Beware site. With no digging at all he found the source of all the angst. A new law in California has major problems for freelance writers in the state.

It's hard enough being a writer. Now this.

According to site owner Victoria Strauss, California has passed a new law aimed at helping 'freelance' workers. The AB-5 law gives freelance workers the benefits of regular employees after certain criteria are met. Because the law includes a limit of 35 'sales' to one company after that limit the freelancer becomes an employee under the law. This is one of the criteria of the law causing freelance writers a problem. Some freelance writers (and illustrators) can satisfy this criteria in six months, if not weeks. The post includes an article published by the Authors Guild explaining the law and its effects on writers.

Panzer says, "If you read all the way to the end of the post in the Update section, you'll see they want to do the same law here where I live in Washington state."

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

To read the post tootle over to California AB5 Law

Christopher Tolkien, Keeper of His Father's Legacy, Dies at 95 - The New York Times

Today at The New York Times site Panzer learned Christopher Tolkien has died. Christopher Tolkien was the son of J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

According to the post by Katharine Q. Seelye and Alan Yuhas, Mr. Tolkien died on January 15 in Provence, France.

To read the post about Christopher Tolkien's passing tootle over to Christopher Tolkien

In Filing, Former B&N CEO Claims Malicious Firing Destroyed His Career - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer decided to visit the Publishers Weekly site to look for any news on the Barnes and Noble dueling lawsuits in the firing of former CEO Demos Parneros. It didn't take any digging at all to find the latest court filings. Panzer has been following this story since the beginning.

Maybe we should all study law.

According to the post at Publishers Weekly by Andrew Albanese, former CEO Demos Parneros' attorneys have now filed an opposition brief (or a memorandum in opposition) in response to Barnes and Noble's request for a summary judgement. The summary judgement was requested for the defamation of character portion and the breach of good faith and fair dealing portion of Demos Parnero's lawsuit. Mr. Parnero's attorneys filed "hundreds of pages" of information, exhibits etc. with the court. A settlement conference is already scheduled for January 27. There are several links in post to other information about the two lawsuits..

Panzer says, "Hundreds of pages of documents ... The memorandum in opposition alone is 40 pages long ... Hmm ... How are attorneys paid? By the page?"

Note: This is a long post. Bring a quart of tea and six muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links, bring two gallons of tea, two dozen muffins and sleeping bag for a nap in the middle of your reading.

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble
To read Panzer's most recent previous post about this lawsuit, tootle over to Barnes and Noble litigation

Library Extension Turns Amazon.com Into a Branch of Your Local Library- The Digital Reader

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he decided to make a stop at The Digital Reader site.There with a little digging in the posts he found one about a browser add-on that works with Amazon and libraries.

You can just check it out right at home.

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, there's a browser add-on that allows you to use Amazon as a search engine for your local library. The post includes a screen shot to help you use the add-on. It's as easy as going to Amazon and looking at an ebook, then seeing if your library has the book and check the book out from the library.

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the Comments section."

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 library extension

RIP, Windows 7: Microsoft ending update and security for popular operating system - GeekWire

Panzer was taking his late morning nap when he was rudely shaken from his kitty bed by crying and yelling coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile and following all the noise took him to the Geek Wire site. There he found a post about Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system.

According to Geek Wire's Nat Levy, Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system is officially dead. The life support was turned off on January 14. Microsoft will no longer provide system updates, security updates or technical support. You are officially no longer a Microsoft customer. But wait ... Microsoft says all we need to do is buy a new computer and the Windows 10 operating system and they'll let you back in the family!

Why do humans put up with this?

Of course, there is an exception in Windows 7's demise. Businesses can pay $25 a year per computer for Windows 7 security updates (but nothing else) for another three years.

Panzer says, "Easy. Nothing to it ... but a big wad of cash. There goes my catnip budget for the rest of the year."

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

To read the post tootle over to Windows 7

Audible, Publishers Say They've Settled 'Captions' Lawsuit - Publishers Weekly

Details in a week? Can't wait.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was shaken by clapping and cheering. Following all the hullabaloo took our kitty pilot to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all he found a post about the Audible Captions copyright infringement lawsuit. Panzer told you a few days ago that the publishers and Audible involved in the lawsuit had petitioned the court for an extension in the case.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, the publishers copyright infringement lawsuit against Audible Captions has been settled. No further information is available now. Both parties to the lawsuit will submit settlement documents to the court on January 21 with the details about the settlement.

Panzer says, "Inquiring kitties want to know if any money will change paws."

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

To read the post tootle over to Audible lawsuit
To read Panzer's previous post on the lawsuit, tootle over to copyright infringement lawsuit

Romance Writers of America Leadership Resigns - The New York Times

Watch your step.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The New York Times site. There with a little digging in the posts our traveling kitty boy found one about the Romance Writers of America. A few days ago Panzer told your about the brouhaha going on with them.

As reported by Concepcion de Leon, the Romance Writers of America's (RWA) president, Damon Suede, and executive director, Carol Ritter, have resigned from their positions. Many in the RWA membership have been demanding their resignations. The problem began with the suspension and other punishments of Courtney Milan. There are links to more information about the RWA and it's current problems included in the post.

Panzer says, "Watch where you're walking because this is a big pile of poo."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you intend to follow the links in the post bring a quart of tea and six muffins. But, if you also plan to read the previous post as well, bring a gallon of tea and a dozen muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Romance Writers of America
To read Panzer's previous post about the RWA, tootle over to Rita Awards

A New Panzerism

Panzer on the fairness of things:

At first it didn't seem right.

You shouted and swatted me when I accidentally landed on your head in the middle of the night.

Then you said the punishment should equal the offense.

Equal is fair.*

Now ...

I agree, you're right.

So ...

You deserve what I left in your new slippers.



*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Drawn Out and Delightful - The Rap Sheet

As Panzer was taking his morning nap, he was shaken from his kitty bed by laughing and guffawing coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, he followed all the jocularity to The Rap Sheet site. There he found a post about the Winners and Dishonorable Mentions in the 2019 Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest.

Who was that guy?

According to site owner J. Kingston Pierce, the annual Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest has announced the 2019 winners and dishonorable mentions. The contest is in honor of the Edward Bulwer-Lytton who wrote the infamous line, "It was a dark and stormy night." Each participant tries to write the worst single sentence he or she can. There's a grand prize winner and one winner in each of twelve categories. Depending on the entries, there are also several dishonorable mentions as well. The post includes several of the contest's dishonorable mentions and winners. There is also a link to the contest winners' site included in the post.

Panzer says, "Humans are always funny to cats."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin. If you plan to follow the link to winners site, bring a quart of tea and half a dozen muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to contest

Why the Second-Hand Ebook Market May Never Take Off - Fortune

Panzer was cleaning out the console next to the pilot's seat when he found a wadded up post. Flattening it out he discovered it was a post from the Fortune site about selling your "used" ebooks.

According to David Meyer's post on the Fortune site, the European Union's (EU) highest court has put the "second-hand" "used" ebook market out of business. In a ruling against former used ebook store now used ebook book club Tom Kabinet, the court ruled ebooks cannot be treated the same as hardback/paperback books and re-sold. Whether the ruling will apply to streaming material such as games and music wasn't addressed in the ruling, but will probably be in future cases.

If it's illegal there, I guess it's illegal here.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... I didn't even know there was a market for used ebooks."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of hot cocoa, a muffin and two chocolate chip cookies for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to used ebooks

Publishers, Audible Say Settlement Is Close in Captions Case - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer decided to make a trip to the Publishers Weekly site. With some digging in the posts, our inquisitive kitty boy found one about the Audible Captions copyright lawsuit.

According to Andrew Albanese's post, there may soon be a settlement in the copyright infringement lawsuit between major publishers and Audible Captions. The Captions feature produces short snippets of text to accompany Audible's audio books which publishers believe constitutes copyright infringement. In a statement presented in court to Judge Valerie Caproni Audible attorneys requested an extension of time for more negotiations. According to the statement, negotiations are ongoing and may be nearing a settlement. The statement requested an extension until January 13. The post includes several links to previous Publishers Weekly posts about the lawsuit.

Inquiring kitties want to know.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks the settlement will include new contracts and larger payments to the publishers for audio books. But the question is: 'Will authors get more money too?'"

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

To read the post tootle over to Audible Captions

RWA Cancels 2020 RITA Awards - Publishers Weekly

This is a big mess.

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere the Panzermobile was sudden shaken by crying and screaming coming from outside. Following all the noise took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. There with no digging at all he found a post about the Romance Writers of America and the RITA Awards.

According to the post by John Maher, the Romance Writers of America (RWA) has announced the cancellation of the 2020 RITA Awards. The reason for the cancellation cited by the RWA was the ongoing turmoil surrounding the suspension of Courtney Milan's membership and other punishments against her. A recall of RWA President Damon Suede petition is being filed based on his involvement in Courtney Milan's punishments. For the prestige American romance writers want to become members of the RWA, so all the turmoil and arguing is taking a toll on the reputation of the organization. There are links included in the post to information about what has led up to the cancellation.

Panzer says, "The RITA Award in romance writing is like the Shamus Award in PI writing. It's like the top of the writing ladder."

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 Rita Awards

A New Panzerism

Panzer on testing:

You needed to know.

I wasn't really trying to trip you Mom.

I was just testing our reflexes.

Conclusion:

My reflexes are pretty good.

Yours, not so much.



*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Panzer the Cat 2020 Calendar

Panzer forgot to post in December that his 2020 calendar is available.

This is the USA version with USA holidays. The calendar is printed on glossy, heavy stock paper. This is the printer's store site. When you order a calendar it's printed and shipped directly to you. The price is $20 not including shipping which is extra.

Use the link below to get to the store site. Under the calendar cover on the left of the page, click the Next and Previous buttons to see the photos included for each month.

How can you say "No" to this face?

We plan to have an international version with no holidays ready by this weekend after it's okayed for inclusion in the store. If you're outside the USA, you can take a look at the USA version now to see what the international version will look like. We'll post again when it's okayed.

To check out the new calendar tootle over to  Panzer the Cat 2020 Calendar

2020 Publishing Predictions: House of Indie on Fire - Smashwords Blog

Today Panzer decided to make a quick trip to the Smashwords Blog site. Every year Smashwords founder Mark Coker begins the new year with a blog post of his publishing predictions for the coming year.

It's a new year. Are you ready?

This year's predictions for 2020 post by Mark Coker begins with a look back at what's been happening with indie authors in 2019. According to the post, a lot of indie authors saw their ebook sales and therefore their royalties decrease. Some authors income has even plummeted so low they have given up writing. The second section of the post details the predictions. These include government sanctions against Amazon, audio book sales, author mailing lists, and ebook pre-orders.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... The beginning of the predictions post doesn't look very good for indie authors."

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

To read the post tootle over to  2020 Predictions: