Happy New Year!

 

 

 

 

 From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

Happy New Year's Eve

 

Happy New Year's Eve

 

 From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

55 Writing Contests in January: No fee - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our adventuresome kitty boy found a post about writing contests in January.

 

There's no time to waste.

According to the post by site owner Erica Verrillo, she found 55 writing contests in January. The list includes fiction, nonfiction, plays, and poetry contests. Some have specific rules for entry. All are free to enter.

 

Panzer says, "You might need to hurry and dust off something in your computer files because some of the contests have a January 1 entry deadline."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a big mug of cocoa and two muffins for today's readings.

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Contests

No Post

My important project? Sleeping.

Panzer here.

No post today.

Mom has an important project to finish.

Andrew Vachss: R.I.P. - Mystery Fanfare

Today, Panzer made a quick trip to the Mystery Fanfare site. There he read a post by Janet Rudolph about the death of mystery author Andrew Vachss.

To read the post tootle over to Andrew Vachss: R.I.P.

Traditional After Christmas Panzerism

 

The dent? The big guy with the reindeer.*

Panzer on the Christmas holiday:

Do I think those look like my paw prints on the hood of the car?

 

Noooo ...

From here I'd say they're reindeer prints.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

It's Christmas!

 

 

 

 

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

Christmas is Tomorrow!

 Happy Christmas Eve!

Christmas Is Coming!

 

 

Happy Holidays

 

 From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

Winter Solstice

 

 

Happy Winter Solstice

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Is Coming (1)

Just 5 days until Christmas.

Panzer here.

It snowed here a few minutes ago ...

and ...

What's His Name is running around looking for his coat and hat and gloves and scarf and snow shovel ...

and ...

now ...

Mom is just looking out the window watching the rain fall.

A Panzerism

 Panzer on cleanliness:

Mom's toothbrush floats very well.

Five flushes ...

Round and round it goes.

and it still didn't go down in the whirlpool.

I don't know why she's so upset.

I washed it ...

and put it back where I found it.

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

August 1 Trial Date Set for DoJ Case Against PRH - Publishers Weekly

Only 7 Days until Christmas.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. With just a little digging in the posts there our little kitty boy found one about the Penguin Random House (PRH) blocked acquisition of Simon and Schuster.

 

According to the post by Jim Milliot, the Department of Justice (DoJ) and Penguin Random House (PRH) have agreed to an August 1 trial date for the DoJ blocked PRH  acquisition of Simon and Schuster. The DoJ says the acquisition will be harmful to authors as well as consumers (book purchasers). PRH says this is false.

 

Panzer says, "At least this one doesn't look like it's going to go on forever like some of these court cases do."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to DoJ case against PRH

Mystery Fanfare Cartoon of the Day: Cats and Dogs

Not funny.

Today, Panzer made a stop at the Mystery Fanfare site. With a little digging in the posts he found a cartoon. Unfortunately, it's not a funny cartoon.  

 

As unlikely as it seems, some of you might not agree with him.

So ...

 

To view the carton tootle over to Cats and Dogs

No Post

 

Ready for Christmas?

Panzer here.

 

No post today.

Mom is busy getting our Christmas cards ready to mail.

We'll be back tomorrow.

Send A Name to Mars - NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

 Today, Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere hunting for Christmas gifts when he stopped in at the NASA site. 

 

There he came up with an interesting Christmas gift idea.

NASA is collecting names to include on its July 2026 launch to Mars.  When you enter a name and email address, you can download and print a Boarding Pass for the Mars mission.

 

Don't tell her, but here's the one he got for Mom:

 

 

(It looks and reads much better when it's printed larger and on nice paper.)

 

To add a name and get a Boarding Pass to the Mars trip go to Mars Mission

50 Flash Markets - Eric Scot Tryon Blog

 Today Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he made a stop at the Eric Scot Tryon Blog site.

Flash. Short and to the point.

There our traveling kitty boy discovered a post with a list of 50 flash fiction markets for writers of that short form. Some of the markets are closed to submission now, but most are open.

 

 Panzer says, "Be sure to read the markets guidelines before you submit, because there are different definitions of the length of flash fiction."

 

To read the post tootle over to 50 Flash Markets

A New Panzerism

 

Missed it again. *

Panzer on the virtue of cat naps:

 

Don't you just hate it when you're late for a nap because you overslept?

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

Judge Extends Discovery Deadline in Internet Archive Book Scanning Suit - Publishers Weekly

 Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There with a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty boy found one about the lawsuit against the Internet Archive. Panzer has been telling you about this ongoing court case since it began.

 

10 years?

According to Andrew Albanese's post, the judge in the lawsuit against Internet Archive (IA) has extended the discovery process until January 31, 2022. The lawsuit involves publishers Hachett, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins and Wiley suing the Internet Archive for its practice of scanning and lending the publishers' books without their permission and without payment. The discovery extension comes because the Internet Archive and the publishers have been unable to come to an agreement about IA's demand for the publishers' sales records for all of their print books from 2011 forward. Attorneys for the publishers say this would take months of work to provide this information and has nothing to do with the case. There are several links to other information included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "Ten years worth of books sales information for four major publishers? It gives this little kitty a headache just hearing about it."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a muffin. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring a thermos of cocoa and four muffins.

 

To read the post tootle over to Internet Archive

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to IA stonewalling 

No Post

 

Panzer here.

No post today. Mom and What's His Name are doing Christmas decorating.

We'll be back tomorrow.

B&N NOOK Glowlight 4 eReader coming December 8 for $150 - lilyputing

 Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the lilyputing site. With a little digging in the posts our intrepid kitty traveler found one about Barnes and Noble's new NOOK Glowlight 4.

 

This is worth looking into.

According to the post by Brad Linder, the new NOOK Glowlight 4 is available today. The Glowlight 4 comes with page-turner buttons, a USB-C charger and 32 GB of storage among other features. The post includes a link to Barnes and Noble's original press release about the ereader and also has links to other posts containing information about previous Glowlight versions.

  .

Panzer says, "The post has lots of screen shots of the new Glowlight."

 

Note: Because of the screen shots 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 muffin too.

 

To read the post tootle over to Nook Glowlight 4

December 7 - Pearl Harbor Day

 

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on a canine's true value:

You expected something different?

Let sleeping dogs lie ...

After all, they're dogs ...

That's all they're good for.

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

Top 7 Book Cover Creators - Make Your Book Cover for Free - DiggiNet

On Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today he went to the DiggiNet site. With some digging in the posts, our fabulous kitty hunter found one about free book cover creators. 

 

Free is good.

In a post by Anita Nipane she describes each of the seven cover creators on her list. Each of the cover creators is either free or has a free version to make your own book cover. There are links included to each cover creator.

Panzer says, "Some of these this little kitty already knew about (Who doesn't know Canva and KDP Cover Creator?), but the others he didn't."

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 thermos of tea, three muffins, and a pen and paper to take notes.

To read the post tootle over to free cover creators

71 Writing Contests in December 2021 - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Panzer stopped in at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site today. There our traveling kitty boy found a post about writing contests.

 

You decide which to enter.

Erica Verrillo's post lists 71 writing contests accepting submissions in December. There are contests for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short stories, and novels. The post lists all the contest submission deadlines, but, unfortunately some of the deadlines have already passed.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the rules before submitting!"

 

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. You decide what refreshments to bring for your reading today.

 

To read the post tootle over to writing contests

The Big Thrill Magazine

On today's trip into the Catosphere Panzer discovered the December edition of The Big Thrill is online. The Big Thrill is the International Thriller Writer's publication.

 

This edition features book reviews and interviews with authors.

 

Bring your slippers and a blanket.

Panzer says, "There's a lot of interesting information about the authors in this issue."

Note: This is a huge issue. You decide what to bring for refreshments for today's reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to The Big Thri

No Post

 Panzer here.

Every day is a holiday for cats.

No post today.

Mom is still trying to catch up on work after her four day holiday weekend.

She'll be back tomorrow.

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on the purpose of naps:

Why worry? It's already over.

I never worry about the future.

Never.

By the time I wake up from my nap the future has already come and gone.

From: Cat Wisdom for humans

Happy Day-After-Thanksgiving

Mom sure is a good cook.

 

U.S. Thanksgiving Day

 

No Post

 Panzer here.

Cats don't know how to cook.

No post today.

Mom is busy baking for tomorrow.

 

She's making pumpkin pie and dessert bread and biscuits today.

In New Filing, Publishers Accuse Internet Archive of 'Stonewalling' Discovery in Scanning Lawsuit - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer made a quick stop at the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about the copyright infringement suit against the Internet Archive. Panzer has been telling you about this case since it started in June, 2020.

 

What is IA hiding?

According to Andrew Albanese's post, attorneys for the publishers' lawsuit against Internet Archive (IA) have presented a filing to the court that IA is not providing requested discovery paperwork to the attorneys. IA is the subject of a lawsuit by publishers Hachette, HarperCollins, John Wiley and Sons, and Penguin Random House. AI is accused of copyright infringement for scanning the publishers' books and loaning the books without the publishers or authors' permission and without payment. The post includes links to other information about the lawsuit.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders if one of the things requested in discovery was the names of the people who "borrowed" the scanned books?"

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Publishers vs Internet Archive

To read Panzer's previous post about the IA lawsuit tootle over to Internet Archive 

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on cat philosophy:

The truth is obvious ...

Once it is known.

Mom says I should act with good intentions.

Well ...

That's it for my good intentions.

I'll tell you this ...

The road to the veterinarian's is paved with Mom's good intentions.

And that's the truth.

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

The Publisher Perspective: October 2021 (Getting Your Book Into Libraries With OverDrive) - Writers and Publishers Network

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today, he discovered a site named Writers and Publishers Network (WPN). Digging in the posts, he found one about getting your ebooks into libraries.

 

According to the post by Jay Hartman, authors getting their ebooks into libraries is relatively easy. First, the library needs access to OverDrive. Second, the author needs online access to their local library. Third, the author needs to see if their book is already in the system and, if not, then request the library purchase it. The post includes instructions for the library request process.

 

I just need a few friends' help.

Panzer says, "Looks easy to this little kitty. Now, I just need to find all my brothers and sisters and cousins and nephews and nieces and aunts and uncles to get them to request my books Cats and Crime and Cat Wisdom for humans. Then, I'll be in every library in the world!" 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of hot cocoa and a scone for today's learning experience.

 

To read the post for the steps to follow tootle over to Libraries

Amazon Publishing's Eoin Purcell: 'Surprise Books' and Other Pandemic Effects - Publishing Perspectives

Today Panzer made a stop at the Publishing Perspective site. There with a little digging in the posts he found one about Amazon Publishing.

 

The post by Porter Anderson is a long interview with Amazon Publishing's Eoin Purcell. The post is divided into five sections. Each section discusses a separate part of publishing. The first section addresses how authors have adapted to the pandemic. The second section addresses the intensity of readers and listeners during the pandemic. The third section addresses  publishing books for global and local readers. The fourth section addresses giving book translators credit. The fifth and final section addresses the cultural nuances necessary in books. The post includes information about Amazon Publishing's markets in the U.K. and Germany. There are several links included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "There's a lot of interesting information in the post."

 

I can sleep anywhere.

Note: This is a humongous post. Bring a thermos of tea and six muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you will need to decided what refreshments and sleeping accommodations you will need to bring with you.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon's Eoin Purcell

 

Sweden's Storytel Buys Audiobooks.com - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There with just a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty traveler found one about Sweden's Storytel.

 

What will Amazon do?

According to the post by Ed Nawotka, Sweden's Storytel is acquiring Audiobooks.com Storytel's acquisition of Audiobooks.com allows the company access to the U.S., U.K. and Australian audio book markets. Storytel already has audio book markets in 25 countries globally.

Panzer says, "I never heard of audiobooks.com. Of course, that's not surprising because Mom won't let me drive the car."

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

To red the post tootle over to Storytel and Audiobooks.com

No post

 Panzer here.

We lost our electricity in yesterday's big wind storm here.

It's been a long day.

Today, Mom and What's His Name have been cleaning up the mess from the branches and stuff that fell down from the wind.

We'll be back tomorrow.

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on kitty emotions:

As a cat ...

 

I don't usually say anything about love.

But ...

 

Mom, do you know how much I love you?

It's just a coincidence. Really.

A lot.

And ...

 

The fact I just saw you putting kitty treats in the pantry ...

Doesn't have anything to do with it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spotify Gets Into the Audiobook Business - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all our intrepid kitty traveler found a post about Spotify and Findaway.

 

I have some questions about this.

According to Jim Milliot's post, Spotify is acquiring audio book distributor Findaway. The acquisition is expected to be finished by the end of the year. There's no announcement about the cost of the acquisition.

 

Panzer says, "Findaway Voices is part of the acquisition too."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for your reading today.

 

To read the post tootle over to Spotify and Findaway

Veterans Day

 

Veterans Day

Lawyers Argue that E-book Price-Fixing Case Against Amazon, Big Five Publishers Should Proceed - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer found something floating in his water dish in the Panzermobile.  Pulling it out, he discovered it was a post about the price-fixing case involving Amazon and the Big 5 publishers. Panzer has been telling you about this court case since it started.

 

I don't understand any of it. Do you?

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, lawyers for the plaintiffs suing Amazon and the Big 5 publishers for price-fixing have filed a rebuttal to Amazon's and the Big 5's motion to dismiss the case. The plaintiffs' lawyers' submitted a 56 page filing alleging Amazon's contract wording is the basis for their case. The lawyers say the contract contains the same wording as the price-fixing case they (the lawyers) won against Apple and the publishers a few years ago.

 

Panzer says, "The whole case is giving this little kitty a headache."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a huge cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring a thermos of tea, six muffins, three brownies, three chocolate chip cookies (biscuits), and a blanket for a nap in the middle.

 

To read the post tootle over to Ebook Price-fixing Case

To read Panzer's previous post about the case tootle over to Publishers and Amazon 

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on the meaning of life:

Mom said something to me a few minutes ago and I wanted to give her a snappy cat response.

Nothing.

I could not think of anything to say that was quick and edifying.

Nothing.

I drew a complete blank.

And now I'm examining my complete existence.

If I'm not a smart-mouthed kitty, what am I?

I can't go on like this ...

Nap. Food. Then watch out Mom.

Okay ...

Okay ...

I know what will fix me ...

Nap time.

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

 

 

Tasmania's International Crime and Mystery Festival

Today as Panzer was sweeping the floor in the Panzermobile, he found something wedged under the accelerator pedal. Flattening it out, our fastidious kitty discovered it was a post about Tasmania's International Crime and Mystery Festival.

It looks like fun.

According to the post, the Festival, named CSI:Tasmania, is scheduled for the weekend of November 27 and 28. The weekend is packed with Author Interviews, Book Parties, Book Clubs, Writing Mini Masterclasses, and Crime and Mystery Authors. Due to Covid-19 restrictions in Tasmania, the event will be held online. There is a fee to attend, but it's based on your location.

Panzer says, "The Early Bird Registration Discount ends soon so, if you plan to attend you need to register now. And ... As ... Always ... Read all the information before you register."

Note: This is a very long post. Bring a big cup of tea and big muffin for today's reading.

To read about the Festival tootle over to Terror Australis Festival

No Post

See you tomorrow.

Panzer here.

 

No post today.

Mom has a project to finish.

We'll be back tomorrow.

Protecting Fictional Characters Under U.S. Copyright Law - NOLO

 Today, Panzer made a trip to the NOLO site. There with a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one about copyrighting fictional characters.

 

According to the post by Richard Stim, Attorney, it is possible for writers to copyright the characters in their work.  There are, however, certain things the writer must do. The most important thing a writer must do is make sure the character is different and distinct from other characters. How? Something like a five-foot-tall cat who can change his color to blend in with his surroundings and who is telepathic. That would make the cat different and distinct from other cat characters. The post covers other necessary criteria and includes court decisions on the issue too.

I'm one of a kind.

Panzer says, "Or how about a dog who runs around in circles and barks at his tail? No you couldn't copyright that character. That's just what every dog does."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's educational reading session. 

To read the post tootle over to fictional characters

Justice Department Sues to Block Penguin Random House Aquisition of S&S - Publishers Weekly

 Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was shaken by clapping and cheering coming from outside. Following all the noise took our adventuresome kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about the Penguin Random House acquisition of Simon and Simon was causing all the noise. Panzer has been telling you about the proposed acquisition and the opposition to it since it was announced last year.

According to the post by John Maher and Andrew Albanese with reporting by Jim Milliot, the United States Department of Justice has filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to stop the acquisition of book publisher Simon and Schuster by Germany's Bartelsmann's book publisher Penguin Random House. In the suit the DOJ says if the acquisition were allowed to go through PRH could use its market dominance to control author incomes and books published. The post includes links to other posts with addition information about the acquisition.

This post was a lot of work.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thought since there was so much opposition to the acquisition that the Department of Justice would step in."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a thermos of tea and three muffins for your reading. If you plan to follow the links in the Publishers Weekly post, bring another thermos of tea, eight more muffins and your sleeping bag for a nap in the middle.

To read the post tootle over to Dept. of Justice and PRH

To read Panzer's original post about the acquisition tootle over to Germany's Bertelsmann

To read Panzer's post about the Authors Guild's stand on the acquisition tootle over to Authors Guild 

The Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story Competition

 Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he decided to make a stop at The Glencairn Glass site. There he discovered a post about a crime writing competition.

 

According to the post, The Glencairn Glass is made by the Glencairn Crystal company. The Glencairn Crystal company is the McIlvanney Prize and the Bloody Scotland Debut prize sponsor. Both prizes are presented at Bloody Scotland each year.

Read all the rules.

Now, Glencairn Crystal, Bloody Scotland and Scottish Field Magazine have joined together to sponsor The Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story Competition. The contest is now open for submissions and will close on December 31. The competition is open to writers worldwide. The post includes a link to the complete rules for the competition.

Panzer says, "The prize is in pounds. Inquiring kitties want to know pounds of what? Fish? Kitty Treats? Catnip?"

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to crime short story

A New Panzerism

 

I'm ready. *

 

Panzer on your vintage years:

Mom told me old cats sleep 20 percent more than kittens.

Getting old sounds pretty good to me.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

77 Calls For Submissions in November 2021 - Paying Markets - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

When Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile today, he found something wadded up in the cupholder on the console. Pulling it out, our fastidious kitty boy discovered it was a post about publication sites accepted material in November.

Erica Verrillo's post lists 77 paying markets for fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Some do have submission restrictions.

My work is finished for today.

Panzer says, "Always, always read the guidelines before you submit."

Note: This is a huge post. Bring a large thermos of tea, three muffins, three brownies, and three chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring your dinner and a sleeping bag for a nap in the middle of your trek.

To read the post tootle over to Calls For Submissions