Authors Guild, AAP Outraged by IA's 'National Emergency Library' - Publishers Weekly

Today as Panzer entered the Catosphere his poor kitty ears were assaulted by a cacophony of crying, shouting and teeth gnashing. Following all the chaos, took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging in the posts he discovered one about the Internet Archive.

I want to start my own library.

According to Andrew Albanese, the Internet Archive (IA) has declared itself a 'National Emergency Library.' Under this self-declared emergency the company has set up its Open Library as a repository of thousands of unauthorized copies of ebooks. IA is scanning paperback and hardback books and turning them into digital books. The company then makes the books available through their Open Library for download by anyone. The Authors Guild, the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and the National Writers' Union (NWU) have all protested the copying and dispensing of authors' and publishers' books without permission or payment as copyright infringement. Despite these protests the Internet Archive continues the practice. There are several links in the post, including one to a post by the Internet Archive explaining why they can say they are a library and why it's okay to digitize a book without permission or payment.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... I need to see if any of my books are there."

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

To read the post tootle over to Authors Guild

A New Panzerism

Panzer on accidents:

I accidentally spilled my water bowl ...

Next to the litter box ...

And ...

It sure was funny ...

When What's His Name ...

Walked in it in his bare feet ...

And ...

Mom couldn't stop laughing.

Started taking baby steps ...

But ...

A baby wouldn't want to hear ...

What he was yelling.

B&N Temporarily Closes 400 Outlets - Publishers Weekly

Mom. Can I come out now.

Panzer decided to make a quick trip to the Publishers Weekly site today. With no digging at all our resourceful kitty found a post about how Barnes and Noble bookstores are responding to the Coronavirus (Covid-19).

According to the post by Jim Milliot, due to the Coronavirus pandemic 400 Barnes and Noble bookstores have closed to foot traffic. This means shoppers are no longer allowed in the stores. Some Barnes and Noble bookstores, however, now have curbside pickup available. This allows shoppers who order their books online to then pick them up at a local Barnes and Noble bookstore.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... That means a lot of bookstore workers lost their jobs. ... Wait! ... Amazon is hiring warehouse people!"

Note: This is a short post. You'll only need a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble bookstores

Industry Resource Lists: Publishers' Response Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic - Publishing Perspectives

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the quiet of the Catosphere, he decided to make a stop at the Publishing Perspectives site. With a little digging in the posts he found one about publishers response to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

There's no place to get away.

According to Porter Anderson's post, to address the impact of Covid-19 on the publishing and bookselling industries the Publishers Association (PA) of British publishers and the Association of American Publishers (AAP) of American publishers have stepped forward. Both organizations have created pages on their site making information available to and about publishers and booksellers. The Publishers Association page even lists agencies and locations where publishers, booksellers and individuals can access funding for businesses impacted by Covid-19. The Association of American Publishers page lists the help publishers are making available to schools, teachers and students impacted by Covid-19. The post includes links to both organizations' pages.

Panzer says, "That virus thingy is really causing trouble everywhere."

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

To read the post tootle over to publishers resource pages

Book distributer Ingram continues to operate during coronavirus shutdowns ... but should it? - TeleRead

Panzer decided to make a quick stop at the TeleRead site today. With no digging at all out brave kitty boy found a post about Ingram Content Group continuing operations during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

Of course books are essential.

According to TeleRead's Chris Meadows, Ingram Content Group has been designated an essential business and allowed to remain in operation during the Covid-19 outbreak. Ingram is a major book distributor in the U.S. In the post Chris Meadows discusses the pros and cons of the essential business designation for book distribution. He quotes extensively from a Publishers Weekly post about Ingram Content Group and the designation. By the end of the post it appears he agrees with the decision book distribution is an essential part of the supply chain. There's a link to the Publishers Weekly site included in the post.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... The only humans who don't think books are essential are the ones who don't know how to read."

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

To read the post tootle over to Ingram

Free Audible Audiobooks During Covid-19 Outbreak

They can read a story to me.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard clapping and cheering outside the Panzermobile. It's been a while since he's heard anything happy so he decided to follow the jocularity. Our inquisitive kitty boy discovered it was at the Audible site.

Audible is making some children's, young adult and classic audio books available for free. The audio stories will be free as long as schools are closed due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. The audios are available in six languages, including English, French, German, Italian and two more. There's no signup needed. Just find an audio book you like, click on it and click to listen. So, if you're looking for entertainment for your children or yourself (if you like the classics), here's your chance.

To listen to the Audible audio books tootle over to Free Audible

A New Panzerism

Panzer on celebrating:

Mom and What's His Name have an anniversary in a few days.

Hint: Catnip cookies are best.

I've let What's His Name have the pleasure of taking care of all my needs for six anniversaries now.

I can't wait to see what he's bought me for a gift this year.

Strange Days - George R.R. Martin

Today Panzer decided to check in at fantasy author George R.R. Martin's site Not A Blog. If you're a fantasy fan you'll know he's the author behind the TV series Game of Thrones.

It's not allowed in my yard.

According to his post, fantasy author Martin has gone into self-isolation because of the coronavirus (Covid-19). He's doing fine, but is in the high risk group based on his age and preexisting health issues. He's spending his time writing. He has closed his theater and classes, but his bookstore is still open both physically and online. There's even a link to the bookstore included in the post.

Panzer says, "When What's His Name was whining about being bored, I heard Mom tell him, 'We all have to do what we have to do to stay safe.'"

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

To read the post tootle over to Strange Days

39 True Crime Podcasts that won't kill you - CT Mitchell

Yes, we're still in isolation.

Panzer found an interesting post at mystery writer C.T. Mitchell's site. Author Mitchell has put together a list of true crime podcasts. There are current murders and past murders and everything in-between. discussed in these podcasts.

Panzer says, "If you're looking for entertainment while you're in Covid-19 isolation or quarantine, here are some entertaining podcasts to pass the time."

To read the post and find a podcast or two or three to listen to, tootle over to 39 true crime podcasts

Macmillan Abandons Library E-book Embargo - Publishers Weekly

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he heard clapping and cheering coming from outside the Panzermobile. Following all the jocularity took our inquisitive kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about publisher Macmillan's library embargo. Panzer has been telling you about the embargo since it started.

What changed his mind?

According to Andrew Albanese's post, publisher Macmillan CEO John Sargent has announced the termination of the ebook embargo leveled against libraries on November 1, 2019. Under the embargo a library was only allowed to buy one copy of a Macmillan ebook for the first two months after the ebook's release. The policy was instituted because Macmillan believed library patrons were adversely affecting ebook sales. With the termination of the embargo libraries will now be able to purchase enough ebooks to fulfill library patrons requests. The post has several links to past information about the embargo and librarians efforts to stop it.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Interesting. ... He does it when all the libraries are closed because of Corvid-19."

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

To read the post tootle over to Macmillan and the library embargo
 To read Panzer's last post about the embargo tootle over to Macmillan embargo

All the Free Livestream Concerts to Watch While Stuck at Home - sheknows

The future does look brighter.

Panzer was in the Catosphere today and he found the sheknows site. There he discovered the concerts musicians livestreamed a couple of days ago for people who are stuck at home because of the cornoravirus (Covid-19)..

Concerts at the site are performed by Keith Urban, John Legend, Pink and others. Some are only one song, but others are half an hour long concerts.

Panzer says, "Here in Washington state where we live, the governor said to work from home and not go out unless necessary. So, Mom and What's His Name need stuff to do."

To watch and listen to the music tootle over to Keith Urban, John Legend and more livestream

Amazon will hire 100k warehouse workers amid pandemic-driven surge in online shopping - GeekWire

You can never be too careful.

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere* he made a stop at the GeekWire site. There our brave kitty boy found a post about Amazon.

According to the GeekWire post by Monica Nickelsburg, Amazon is on a hiring spree. The coronavirus has caused a lot of people worldwide to do their shopping online at Amazon. The company wasn't prepared for the influx of shoppers and is now hiring employees to catch up.The company plans to hire 100,000 workers worldwide. The company is also giving warehouse workers a $2.00 an hour raise while the buying frenzy continues. They've instituted a grant program for sick workers with Covid-19 too.

Panzer says, "Mom ordered some ear thingies for What's His Name's Bose headphones and they got here on time. Then she tried to order something from the Amazon Pantry store and finally gave up because they were out."

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 Amazon workers


*Don't worry about Panzer traveling outside and being exposed to Covid-19. There is no virus in the Catosphere, so travel there as much as you want.

A New Panzerism

Panzer on the creation of art:

I've taken up sculpting ...

But ...

My artwork keeps disappearing.

Mmm ... My favorite medium: Tuna.

Hmm ...

Maybe ...

The best medium for sculpting ...

Isn't wet cat food.

Coronavirus: Quick Pulblishing Events Updates - March 12 - Publishing Perspectives

This thingy is getting scary.

Today, Panzer made a quick trip to the Publishing Perspectives site. With no digging at all he found a post about how the coronavirus is affecting different book fairs and publishers.

The post by Porter Anderson gives an update on publishers, book fairs and a tech company (Twitter) plan changes because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Panzer says, "That virus thingy is causing a lot of trouble."

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

To read the post tootle over to Coronavirus and publishing events

No Post Today

We're taking the day off. Be back tomorrow.

Allessi to Head New Workman Audio Imprint - Publishers Weekly

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere just minding his own kitty business, the Panzermobile was shaken by clapping and cheering coming from outside. Following all the noise, took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. There he discovered a post about Workman Publishing's audio imprint.

I've heard of Findaway Voice before.

According to Jim Milliot, Workman Publishing now has an audio book division. Ana Maria Allessi has been named publisher of the new division. Workman Publishing will be using Findaway for distribution of the audio books. Findaway is also used by Smashwords authors for production and/or distribution of audio books.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Another publisher joins the audio book market."

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 Workman audio imprint

A New Panzerism

Panzer on showing appreciation:

I can't wait for Mom to get home from shopping.

I heard her tell What's His Name that his whiskers tickle her.

So ...

As a favor to her ...

When ...

What's His Name went to sleep for a nap today ...

And ...

I may have missed a patch or two.

started snoring like a stupid dog ...

I shaved off his face-fur.

And believe me ...

using a shaver is not easy with no thumbs.

Settlement Terms Revealed (Mostly) in Audible Captions Litigation - Publishers Weekly

Only thing hidden is the money.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he decided to make a quick stop at the Publishers Weekly site. He's really happy he did, because the big news is the settlement in the Audible Captions case.

According to Andrew Albanese, Judge Caproni has agreed to accept the lawsuit agreement between Audible and the seven original publishers and the Association of American Publishers (AAP). Judge Caproni wanted the two sides to agree on how much of the settlement would be unsealed. The unsealed portion of the document is how much the public gets to see. Now that the document is available, there doesn't appear to be anything in there which wasn't already known, except the amount Audible paid to the publishers and the AAP. There are several links included in the post.

Panzer says, "This little kitty was beginning to think the case would never be settled."

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

To read the post tootle over to Audible Captions

Coronavirus: Reed Exhibitions Cancels London Book Fair 'With Reluctance' - Publishing Perspectives

Panzer was shaken from his nap in his kitty bed by crying and moaning coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, our brave kitty followed all the noise to the Publishing Perspectives site. There he learned the sad news about the London Book Fair.

According to Porter Anderson's post, this month's London Book Fair has been cancelled due to the coronavirus (Covid-19). As publishers were withdrawing, travel restrictions were being imposed and more cases of the virus were being reported in the UK, Reed Exhibitions decided to cancel the Book Fair. The UK government declared coronavirus a 'notifiable disease' so the Book Fair's losses will be covered by insurance. There are several links in the post.

Don't worry. It won't be you. It'll be grandma.

Panzer says, "I heard Mom tell What's His Name she heard some guy on the television say 80 percent of the people who get that virus thingy hardly get sick at all. The other 20 percent get really, really sick and a lot of them die. The guy said not to worry about it though.  Because ... the 80 percent are 60 years and younger and the 20 percent are over 60 years old. ... Hmm ... Don't worry. ... Because ... It's just those grandmas and grandpas that will be gone."

Note: This is a humongous post. Bring a gallon of tea and twelve muffins for today's reading. If you plan to follow all the links, bring another gallon of tea, twelve more muffins and a sleeping bag for a nap in the middle of your reading.

To read the post tootle over to London Book Fair

Read An Ebook Week at Smashwords

Panzer is part of Smashword's Read An Ebook Week sale. Sale prices are good through March 7.


Laugh Don't Cry, Life Is A Joke is free through March 7. Use coupon code EW100 at checkout for your discount.

Get your free copy here Laugh Don't Cry


 Cat Wisdom for humans is half price, which means you can get it for 99 cents through March 7. Use coupon code EBW50 at checkout for your discount.

 

Get your half price copy here Cat Wisdom for humans

A Buoyant 2020 Audie Awards Celebrates 'The Only Plane in the Sky,' Stephen King - Publishers Weekly

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, the Panzermobile was shaken by clapping and cheering coming from outside. Following all the hullabaloo took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all he found a post about the Audie Awards.

Jim Maher reports in his post that the 2020 Audie Awards were presented on March 2. The awards are given annually by the Audio Publishers Association. 'The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11' was named the Audiobook of the Year. The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Stephen King. The entire list of all 24 winners is included at the end of the post.

Panzer says, "There are 24 winners because there is a winner for every genre, like one winner for mystery, one winner for fantasy, one winner for memoir, one winner for male narrator, one for female narrator, and one winner for each of the 19 remaining genres."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s length post because of the winners list. Bring a gallon of tea and two dozen muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Audie Award winners

A New Panzerism

Panzer on driving instructions:

Mom has a cold* today ...

So ...

What's His Name took me to the vet's office for my annual checkup.

I'm back home now ...

And the car horn is not your friend.

But ...

I think I only have eight lives left.

What's His Name needs to know that ...

the turn indicator is not a sign of weakness when you change lanes.



*Don't worry. It is only a cold.