S&S and Ingram Cancel: COVID-19 Concerns Mount for London Book Fair - Publishing Perspectives

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Publishing Perspectives site. It didn't take any digging at all to find a post about the London Book Fair.

I wouldn't go if I might get stuck there.

According to Porter Anderson, the coronavirus (COVID-19) is behind the withdrawl of publishers Simon and Schuster and the Ingram Content Group from the London Book Fair. Aside from the possibility of contracting COVID-19, attendees have other worries. If an attendee is exposed to an infected person, there is the14 days of isolation either in London or upon returning to their home country.  Also, if there are new travel restrictions, an attendee may not even be allowed to travel home. The Book Fair is scheduled for March 10 to 12.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This virus thingy is starting to cause a lot of trouble for the publishing industry."

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

To read the post tootle over to Simon and Schuster

eBook Piracy - How to Respond If Someone Steals Your eBook Online - The Digital Reader

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he decided to make a stop at The Digital Reader site. With a little digging in the posts our kitty boy found one about what to do when you find someone has pirated your ebook.

Why do humans steal?

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder's post, he recently discovered someone had pirated one of his ebooks. Since this necessitated the filing of a DMCA take down notice, he decided to describe the process. The three possible types of locations of the pirated material are described. It's then explained how to determine where to send the take down notice. The last section of the post contains links to companies or people who will do the work for you, if you don't want to.

Panzer says, "This is the kind of information all authors need to know."

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

To read the post tootle over to eBook Piracy Online:

Coronavirus: The Latest Challenge for Toy Makers-and Publishers - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer made a trip to the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging in the posts our traveling kitty pilot found one about the Toy Fair New York.

There's no where to hide.

According to the post by Karen Raugust, another U.S. event has had problems connect to the outbreak of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in China. The Toy Fair New York canceled the China Pavilion at the event. The Pavilion is where Chinese manufacturers are located during the Fair. Part of the reason for the cancellation is because of the U.S. travel restrictions barring those who are coming into the US directly from China. Many U.S. toy companies have their products manufactured in China. Several U.S. children's book publishers at the Fair also have their books manufactured in China as well.

Panzer says, "That virus thingy is causing more problems every day."

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 challenge for toy makers and publishers

COVID-19: Bologna Children's Book Fair Postponed to May - Publishing Perspectives

As Panzer was taking his much deserved afternoon nap he was tossed from his kitty bed by crying and shrieking. Following all the noise took our brave kitty boy to the Publishing Perspectives site. There he found a post about the Bologna Children's Books Fair.

Cats don't get, right?

According to the post by Porter Anderson, due to an outbreak of COVID -19 (coronavirus) the Bologna Children's Book Fair has been postponed until May. Organizers of the Book Fair announced on February 24 the new dates would be May 4 - 7. The move to the new date was prompted by an outbreak of COVID-19 near Milan, Italy. Milan is near Bologna. Organizers promised an update later with more information about plans.

Panzer says, "This virus bug thingy is causing a lot of trouble everywhere."

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 Bologna Children's Book Fair

A New Panzerism

Panzer on opinions

I heard What's His Name talking to Mom.

He told her there are three kinds of cats ...

1) Leapers - They're energetic and jumping from place to place.

And ...

2) Creepers - They're sneaky and stealthy by nature.

And ...

Expect something else, did you?

3) Sleepers - They're sleeping all the time.

He said that's my type.

Finally ...

Something we agree on.

'Bookseller to the Stars': Chapters Bookstore Dublin inadvertently launch parody sketch series - Irish Examiner

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard laughing and chortling outside the Panzermobile. Following all the clapping took our inquisitive kitty boy to the Irish Examiner site. There he discovered a post about a "joke" video demonstrating how to shelve books in a bookstore.

I just can't quit watching it.

The post by Ciaran Sunderland describes how the video became a viral sensation online. The video was done by staff members at the Chapters Bookstore Dublin (Ireland). It was recorded by cellphone, edited and posted online. The video is included and clickable in the post.

Panzer says, "That guy in the video acts a lot like What's His Name when he's telling Mom how to do something."

This is a short post and a two minute video. Don't bring any tea for today's selection because, if you spit tea all over the keyboard when you start laughing, you'll have to replace your computer. You have been warned.

To read the post and watch the video, tootle over to Dublin Chapters Bookstore

Bertelsmann and Penguin Random House: Climate Neutrality by 2030 - Publishing Perspectives

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, our adventuresome kitty decided to make a stop at the Publishing Perspectives site. There he found an interesting post. While not exactly about publishing, it is about the international publishing/media giant Bertelsmann.

Let's leave something good for our kittens.

According to the post by Publishing Perspectives Editor in Chief Porter Anderson, on Monday Thomas Rabe, chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, announced the company will be climate-neutral by 2030. On Tuesday Markus Dohle, global CEO of Penguin Random House (PRH), announced to employees that PRH has already switched 98 percent of the company's paper purchases to certified (sustainable forests) mills. PRH will also be using 100 percent green energy by 2022. Penguin Random House is part of Bertelsmann. The post includes information on exactly how Bertelsmann plans to reach its goal by 2030. There's also a short video at the end of the post.

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders when other publishers will follow Bertelsmann lead?"

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 Bertelsmann and Penguin Random House

Tariffs On Most Books from China Now 7.5% - Publishers Weekly

As Panzer was napping today he was rudely woken up by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Jumping in the Panzermobile, our kitty pilot followed all the jocularity to the Publishers Weekly site. There he discovered a post about the U.S. tariff on books from China was the cause of all the noise.

Makes no sense to this little kitty.

The post by Jim Milliot says the U.S. has lowered the tariff (tax) on books from China coming into the country to 7.5 percent from 15 percent. The new lower rate went into effect on February 14. Many U.S. publishers manufacture their books in China and then have them shipped to the U.S.

Panzer says, "The tariff on children's coloring books won't go into effect either."

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

To read the post tootle over to book tariffs

Eight Default Amazon Security Settings You Can Change for More Privacy - The Digital Reader

Today Panzer decided to make a stop at The Digital Reader site. There with a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty found one about making some changes to your Amazon account to gain more privacy.

It's scary what Amazon knows.

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, there are some Amazon default settings that users and shoppers should consider changing in order to better manage their privacy. The post covers several default settings to change ranging from your Public Profile to your Wish List and Shopping List to Goodreads to Alexa and more. There are screenshots included with some of the instructions for changing the settings as well as links to specific location sites in some of the other instructions.

Panzer says, "This is an update to a July 2018 post, so don't be confused by the dates in the Comments section."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a half a thermos of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to make the changes to your Amazon account security settings and follow the links, bring another thermos of tea and six more muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon privacy

A New Panzerism

Panzer on friendship:

Mom told me she wants me to be What's His Name's friend.

She said being his friend lets me help him.

So ...

Well ... I started a list ...

of his character flaws.

I hope Mom understands ...

It's to help him.

Remember ... It was Mom's idea.

But ... I ran out of paper before I finished.

So ... Either he has to fix some of those character flaws now ...

Or ... Mom needs to buy me more paper.

Judge Denies Bid to Seal Settlement in Audible Captions Case - Publishers Weekly

Today as Panzer was washing the the windows of the Panzermobile he found a post stuck under the wiper blade of the windshield (windscreen). Smoothing it out, our fastidious kitty discovered it was a post about the Audible Captions copyright case. A few days ago Panzer told you about the settlement of the lawsuit, when Audible agreed not to use books without the copyright holder's permission.

So, we still don't get to see it.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, Judge Valerie Caproni, the presiding judge in the settlement of the copyright lawsuit case against Audible Captions, has denied the parties' request to seal the settlement agreement. If the judge did let the agreement be sealed, then no one would be able to read it and find out what the actual agreement said. The judge did give the parties the opportunity to file a sealed copy with the court with redactions (parts marked out) and the reasons why those redactions shouldn't be included in the unsealed agreement.The redacted copies must be filed by February 21.

Panzer says, "So ... Don't anybody start doing the Happy Cat Dance yet. ... Nobody knows what the final agreement will look like after all the redactions."

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

To read the post tootle over to Audible Captions case
To read Panzer's previous post, tootle over to Captions Settlement

Valentine's Day

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

Seattle's Socialist City Councilmember introduces new 'Amazon Tax' to raise $300M/year for affordable public housing - GeekWire

Panzer made a quick stop at the GeekWire site today. There he found a post about a Seattle (Washington) City Council member who wants to put an employee tax on Amazon.

Amazon HQ could move.

According to Monica Nickelsburg's post, a Seattle, Washington, socialist city Councilmember Kshama Sawant is gathering support for her proposed 'Tax Amazon' campaign. Councilmember Kshama Sawant proposes a 1.7 percent tax on the payrolls of 'big business' companies located in Seattle. Since Amazon is headquartered in Seattle, she calls it the 'Tax Amazon' campaign. Councilmember Sawant estimates her plan would collect $300 Million per year. Of that money, 75 percent would go to build 8,000 homes over ten years.The other 25 percent would go to change 47,000 homes from natural gas to electric heat. Sawant's plan conflicts with a tax plan King County (where Seattle is located), city of Seattle's mayor and Amazon (as well as other big businesses) are working on. There are several links to other posts included in the post.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... She plans to collect $300 million a year ... She plans 8,000 homes over 10 years. ...  How about some apartment buildings instead? ... Go up faster. ... People get homes faster. ... Bet they're cheaper than a bunch of individual homes."

Note: This is a huge post. Bring a quart of tea and six muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links in the post, bring another gallon of tea and another dozen muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon tax

Waterstones Shows Profit, But B&N Is a 'Big Mess' - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer decided to make a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. With some digging in the posts pile, our traveling kitty discovered one about Barnes and Noble.

According to the post by Ed Nawotka, in Waterstones' recently released financial reports the company posts a profit. The figures cover Waterstones' sales from the time of Elliott Advisors' purchase of the company in April 2018 to April 2019.  However, Waterstones' CEO James Daunt reports Barnes and Noble is a 'big mess.' CEO Daunt took over running Barnes and Noble after Elliott Advisors' June 2019 purchase of the company. Barnes and Noble's Christmas retail sales were down. Daunt attributed this to the company's exit from some sales models and the return to its core bookselling business.

Alcohol and books?

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders if the Barnes and Noble restaurants will go away."

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

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Kindle on Sale for Valentine's Day - The Digital Reader

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard clapping and cheering coming from outside the Panzermobile. Following all the jocularity took our inquisitive kitty boy to The Digital Reader site. With a little digging in the posts, he found one about a Kindle sale at Amazon.

Short and to the point.

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, Amazon is having a Valentine's Day sale on the Kindle ereader and the Kindle Paperwhite. The post includes links to the individual sale items and one to sale site.

Panzer says, "You need to hurry before the sale ends."

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring a muffin with your cup of tea.

To read the post, tootle over to Valentine's Day Kindle Sale

A New Panzerism

Panzer on re-gifting:

What's His Name bought Mom an electric can opener for Valentine's Day.

Mom said what a romantic gift it was ...

And ...

Put it in the bottom cupboard ...

Then ...

They went out for dinner.

Thanks Mom! I love my gift!

And ... Now ...

My dinner is ready too.

Because ...

I opened all my cat food cans.

In Captions Settlement, Audible Will Not Use AAP Member Content Without Permission - Publishers Weekly

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard clapping and cheering outside the Panzermobile. Following all the hullabaloo took our inquisitive kitty to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all he found the post about the Audible Captions lawsuit that was causing all the noise. Panzer has been telling you about this lawsuit since it started.

It had to end that way.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, the lawsuit by the American Association (AAP) against Amazon's Audible's Captions feature has been settle. Audible has requested the settlement agreement be sealed by the court. This means nobody can see the settlement except Audible and the American Association of Publishers members involved in the lawsuit. However, the Publishers Weekly post contains information from the proposed permanent injunction filed with the court which isn't under seal. According to that information Audible won't be using their Captions feature on any AAP members material without the copyright holders permission. There are several links included in the post to other information and to previous posts about the lawsuits. One of the links goes to the proposed settlement from which the post gets some of its information.

Panzer says, "The Publishers Weekly post has some other interesting information toward the end too."

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 eight muffins.

To read the post, tootle over to Audible

To read Panzer's last post about the lawsuit, tootle over to Captions

Publishing Scotland's New Author International Travel Fund Hits the Road - Publishing Perspectives

Today, Panzer made a stop at the Publishing Perspectives site. With no digging at all our speedy little kitty boy found a post about Scottish Books International's new Author International Travel Fund.

According to Porter Anderson's post at Publishing Perspectives, one year old Scottish Books International has begun dispensing grants from the Author International Travel Fund. The fund gives Scottish authors grants to travel  internationally to festivals and events. This year 18 authors received grants to travel and promote their work. All the grant recipients, the amounts of the grants, and the festivals/events they attended are included in the post.

I guess I could just walk across a border.

Panzer says, "This little kitty wishes he could get a grant to travel internationally to promote his work. ... Oh. Wait. ... I hate flying. So no travel by airplane. ... I hate water. So no travel by ship. ... And ... I'm a cat. So I can't get a passport. ... So ... No international traveling for me."

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

To read the post tootle over to Author International Travel Fund

Let Us Pay Our Condolences - The Rap Sheet

Panzer made a trip to The Rap Sheet site today. There he found a post about the recent deaths of five authors, actors and a television producer.

RIP

According to the post by The Rap Sheet site owner J. Kingston Pierce, five well-known mystery authors, actors and a television producer have died recently. Topping the list is Mary Higgins Clark, author of 50 mystery novels. The post includes quotes from each of the five obituaries, plus links to the actors' shows and the television producer's shows.

Panzer says, "Mary Higgins Clark wrote some pretty scary thrillers."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin plus a box of tissues to dab your leaking eyes for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the lengths in the post, bring a quart of tea and six muffins.

To read the post tootle over to condolences

Amazon reveals new details about its federal tax bill in shot across the bow at critics - GeekWire

Today Panzer decided to make a quick trip to the GeekWire site. Digging around in the posts, our traveling kitty boy found one about Amazon and the company's U.S. federal income taxes. While the post doesn't really have anything to do with publishing, it is about Amazon.

$1 billion? That's a lot of kitty treats.

According to the GeekWire post by Monica Nickelsburg, Amazon has released information about its 2019 U.S. federal income taxes at the company's blog last week. The company said it had a $1 billion tax expense in addition to other taxes. Monica Nickelsburg speculates Amazon is releasing the information because some of the presidential candidates have taken aim at Amazon saying the company doesn't pay any federal taxes. There's a link to Amazon's information post included in the GeekWire post. In Amazon's post the company also explains other taxes and how much the company pays, as well as its involvement in fighting homelessness, and other issues like solar power.

Panzer says,  "Hmm ... Do you think now they'll stop saying Amazon doesn't pay any taxes?"

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon federal tax bill

A New Panzerism

Panzer on true love:

Mom said she loves me more than anything else in the world.

Well ...

Hey Mr. What's His Name. It's me not you.

That tells me ...

I must look like a bowl of cat food to her.

Because ...

That's what I love more than anything else in the world.