19 Great Writing Conferences in April 2021 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Panzer decided to make a stop at Erica Verrillo's Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site today. With a little digging in the posts he found one about upcoming online writing conferences in April.

 

According to Erica Verrillo, some of the conferences have scholarships available and some have reduced their rates since they're online this year. You'll need to go to each site and read the information to find out who has scholarships.

 

Will we ever get back to normal?

Panzer says, "You'll need to hurry. One of the conferences starts tomorrow."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a huge mug of cocoa and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links to find out about various conferences, you decide how much food and drink you need to bring based on your interests.

 

To read the list tootle over to Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity:

CMA launches merger investigation into PRH and S&S deal - The Bookseller

 Panzer was cleaning out the glove box in the Panzermobile when he found a wadded up post in there. Smoothing it out, he discovered it was a post from The Bookseller site about an investigation into the merger of book publishers PRH and S and S. A couple of months ago Panzer told you about the Authors Guild's requested investigation of the merger by the U.S. Department of Justice.

 

According to the post by Mark Chandler at The Bookseller site, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is looking into the Penguin Random House (PRH) merger with Simon and Schuster (SS). This investigation would be similar to the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) investigation. Both would be looking to see if the merger would in any way stifle competition in the book publishing industry.

 

I'm not getting down.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... It looks like there will be one really big pit bull and a bunch of teacup poodles left."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to merger investigation

To read Panzer's earlier post tootle over to Authors Guild 

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on Spring Love:

It's Spring time. When a boy kitty's thoughts turn to girl kitties.

There I was last night, sitting on the back fence ...

Singing that I was looking for love.

Then I saw her ...

An answer to my kitty serenade.

Long shiny gorgeous calico fur ...

Unbelievably cute ears.

I asked her for a date.

She looked at me with those golden eyes ...

Then shook her head.

I asked for her phone number so I could call her.

She gave it to me with no hesitation.

She'll be back. Girls can't resist me.*

But ...

When i called it today, some guy answered and said, "Animal Control Service, Cat Neutering Divivision."

Darn claws. I must have dialed wrong.

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

#Audiblegate: ALLi Campaign Update - Alliance of Independent Authors

Today as Panzer was sweeping the floor in the Panzermobile, he noticed something shoved under the mat on the passenger side. Pulling it out, our fastidious kitty boy discovered it was a post from the Alliance of Independent Authors Advice Blog site about Audiblegate. Panzer has posted about Audiblegate in the past with his most recent post being in December.

 

The section about no class action suits was news to me.

Orna Ross' post goes into great detail explaining what has been happening at Amazon's Audible which brought about the Audiblegate name. Audible accidentally posted information online pertaining to their practice of encouraging users to return audio books after listening to them. The company then took the money for the purchase from the author/narrator/publisher's account and the user was then allowed to get another audio book. As soon as authors learned of the tactic there was immediate protest. Audible made some changes to the program, however has refused to address author concerns. With the help of legal counsel the necessary steps to file legal action is being explored.

Panzer says, "Another court case involving Amazon?"

 

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring a thermos of tea, a thermos of cocoa, a thermos of coffee, 20 muffins, 10 creme-filled cupcakes, and 12 chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Audiblegate

To read Panzer's earlier post about Audiblegate go to Audible petition 

Amazon Will Stop Accepting Mobi Files in June - The Digital Reader

 Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to The Digital Reader site. With a little digging in the posts he found one about Amazon's new ebook file rule.

We only upload doc files anyway.

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder's post, Amazon sent an email to authors about changes to ebook file upload requirements. As of June 28 Amazon will no longer accept Mobi files. The company will only accept EPUB, KPF or DOC/DOCX files. The post includes part of the email Amazon sent to authors explaining the change and it also has a link to the Amazon site with file formats information.

 

Panzer says, "Umm ... We didn't get an email from Amazon."

 

Note: This is a short post. Bring half a cup of cocoa for today's reading selection. If you want to go down the rabbit hole and follow the link to Amazon, bring a thermos of tea and two muffins for your reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

HBO Considering Three Additional Game of Thrones Shows - Tor

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, the Panzermobile was suddenly shaken by clapping and cheering outside. Following all the hullabaloo took our fearless kitty pilot to the Tor site. Just a little digging in the posts unearthed one about the Game of Thrones.

 

It's been a long time coming.

According to the post by Andrew Liptak, HBO is looking at developing a new project around George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones world Westeros. The project closest to possible production is one based on the 9 Voyages (of the Sea Snake). The post has several links, including one to the original announcement about the projects at Deadline. The Deadline post has much more information about the project.

 

Panzer says, "More dragons please."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links in the post, bring a thermos of tea, a thermos of cocoa, eight muffins, three cupcakes, and five chocolate chip cookies.

 

To read the post tootle over to Game of Thrones

No Post Today

 

It's not easy being responsible.

Panzer here.

No post today because Mom needs to finish a project for work

 

We'll be back tomorrow..

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on puppy accidents:

Today is National Puppy Day in the U.S.

So here's an exercise for all you bright people who came up with the National Puppy Day idea:

Get a piece of paper.

Write the word 'pup' on it.

Rotate the paper 180 degrees ...

Didn't see that coming did you?

And ...

What does it spell?

'dud' 

Coincidence?

Windows 10 troubleshooting: How to fix the most common annoyances - CNet

This has nothing to do with cats or publishing, but Panzer found it interesting and thought you might too.

 

According to the post by Alison DeNisco Rayome, the last major Windows 10 update was October 2020. The post includes 10 Windows 10 problems and instructions to correct them yourself. Some of them have more than one set of correction instructions. Some of the problems covered are not enough disk space, Bluetooth not working, printer not working and seven more problems.

 

Maybe now she'll calm down.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Mom's got two of the problems. The cursor has a mind of its own and keeps dancing around the monitor screen and when Mom's trying to read a page it keeps scrolling down on the screen. Both problems and fixes are in the post."

 

Note: This is a huge post. Bring a thermos of cocoa and twelve muffins for today's software repairs.

 

To read the post tootle over to Windows 10

Leftys Get the Zoom Treatment - The Rap Sheet

 It's been a while since Panzer has visited The Rap Sheet site, so he decided to make a stop there today. With no digging at all he found a post about the Leftys Awards this year.

It's April 10.

According to site owner J. Kingston Pierce's post, this year's Leftys will be presented via Zoom. The Leftys are given out by Left Coast Crime. The presentation is free and the post includes a link to register.

 

Panzer says, "Looks like this will be another year of the Zoom conventions."

 

Note: This is a short post. You don't even need a cup of tea.

 

To read the post tootle over to Leftys

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on philosophy:

Here I am sitting at Mom's computer working on making brand new old sayings.

So ...

Here goes:

Ideas flow like a river; either swim with knowledge or drown in ignorance.

Humans wouldn't get it anyway.

No ...

It won't work.

It's too long for a bumper sticker.

B&N to Release New Nook Tablet in April - Publishers Weekly

 Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard clapping coming from outside the Panzermobile. Following all the noise took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. There with no digging at all he found a short summary of a press release from Barnes and Noble.

 

According to Publishers Weekly, the press release states the new Barnes and Noble Nook is set to hit the market in April. The $129.99 Nook isn't just an ereader. You can also play games and watch videos on it. The post includes a link to the Barnes and Noble press release.

 

It looks interesting.

Panzer says, "You really want to follow the link to the Barnes and Noble press release. It includes all the specs on the new Nook."

 

Note: This is a short post. You won't even need a cup of tea to read the Publishers Weekly post. If you plan to follow the link to the Barnes and Noble press release, bring a cup of tea and a muffin.

 

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble Nook

Bologna Confirms In-Person June Fair, New Programs - Publishers Weekly

 Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he decided to make a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging in the posts, our illustrious kitty boy found an interesting one about the Bologna Book Fair.

 

I'm not going. Are you?

According to Ed Nawotka's post, the Bologna Children's Book Fair has announced it will be in-person this year. The Book Fair will be held June 14-17. Registration is now open. If the in-person Book Fair is cancelled (as it was last year), fees will be refunded.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... What could go wrong here?"

 

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 Bologna in-person programs

Happy St. Patrick's Day

 

 

 

A New Panzerism

Today is National Napping Day in the U.S. In honor of this special day ...

*****

Panzer on naps:

I was ruminating on my favorite kinds of naps ...

And ...

I realized ...

I found a new type. Zzzzz

There are an infinite number of possibilities ...

That ...

Now includes naps initiated ...

by ruminations about the types of naps.

Daylight Saving Time

 

 

Did you remember to Spring Forward last night?

 

Welsh bookshops set to reopen in April as lockdown eases - The Bookseller

 Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The Bookseller site. There our intrepid kitty traveler found a post about Welsh bookshops.

 

According to Mark Chandler's post, Wales will start a step-by-step reopening beginning March 15. As long as COVID-19 cases continue to decrease during the beginning phases, Welsh bookshops will reopen on April 12.

Be safe out there.

Panzer says, "Everybody needs to be very careful so people can get back to buying books and reading them."

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

To read the post tootle over to Welsh bookshops

16 Gmail Hacks Every Writer Can Use - The Digital Reader

 Today when Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, he decided to make a stop at The Digital Reader. With a little digging in the posts our speedy kitty boy found one about Gmail.

 

Site owner Nate Hoffelder has put together sixteen ways to improve your Gmail use. According to the beginning of his post the hacks work with Gmail in the Chrome browser. Each of the sixteen hacks has instructions to use the feature, enable the feature, disable the feature, or add a Chrome extension. The features describe are scheduling an email, pause your email, stop senders from tracking if you open their email, tracking if a recipient opens your email, and twelve more hacks.

 

Do as I say, not as I do.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Stopping people from tracking you opening their email and you tracking people opening your email."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Gmail hacks

No Post Today

 

See you tomorrow.

Panzer here. 

 

There's no post today because Mom's working late on a project.

We'll be back tomorrow.

California eclipses Washington as Amazon's biggest state for jobs, with 153k employees and counting - GeekWire

 Panzer stopped in at GeekWire today. While digging in the posts, our inquisitive kitty found one about Amazon.

 

Maybe a new headquarters in California?

According to the post by Todd Bishop,  while Amazon's employment figures grew in Washington state, California's employment figures is growing even more significantly. The post attributes the increase to the larger number of inhabitants and shoppers in California. Employee numbers are also increasing in other states. Amazon's employment figures increase frequently, so the figures in the post are most likely already inaccurate. Included in the post are charts and graphs of Amazon's employment figures in different U.S. states and globally.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... The post compares Amazon's employee figures with Walmart's. Walmart is still larger."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon California employees

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on the importance of prioritizing naps:

Cats keep prioritizing naps simple.

We divide naps into ...

 

The three very best nap types:

 

I like simple ... Zzzzz

3) The last one ...

 

2) The next one ...

 

1) This one ...

NASA names Perseverance rover landing site on Mars after Seattle sci-fi pioneer Octavia E. Butler - GeekWire

On today's trip into the Catosphere Panzer made a quick stop at the GeekWire site. There our efficient kitty pilot found a post about the Perseverance Martian rover.

It's warm and sunny there.

According to the post by Alan Boyle, NASA has named the Perseverance Martian landing site after science fiction author Octavia E. Butler. The site's name now is Octavia E. Butler Landing. The post also lists other sites NASA has named after authors.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... If I start writing science fiction, would they name a landing site after me?"

To read the post tootle over to Octavia E. Butler Landing

PRH Audio Debuts Voiceover Casting Platform, Ahab - Publishers Weekly

 Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, he heard clapping and cheering coming from outside the Panzermobile. Following all the noise took our adventuresome kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. There with no digging at all he found a post about the new Ahab platform.

 

Worldwide jobs for you.

According to the post by John Maher, Penguin Random House (PRH) has made additions to their inhouse Audio platform to allow outside access. The new platform is called Ahab. Ahab allows voiceover actors to list their profiles, audition for projects and accept employment from content creators for projects outside PRH. Ahab allows voiceover actors worldwide to post their profiles and content creators worldwide to post their project needs. There is a link and a video included in the post to learn more about Ahab.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... I wonder if Ahab would let this little kitty post a profile to do translations into cat-speak projects."

 

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 another cup of tea, a muffin and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit).

 

To read the post tootle over to voiceover platform

Granite Noir 2021 - Aberdeen Performing Arts

 

I'll watch them again.

During his travels in the Catosphere today, Panzer discovered some good news for you. If you missed the Granite Noir 2021 Crime event February 19-21, the replays are now online. 

You can watch Ian Rankin, Val MacDermid, Jo Nesbo and other crime writers who appeared during the event.

Panzer says, "I don't know how long these replays will be available, so you better hurry and watch them now."

To watch the replays tootle over to Granite Noir

Star Trek Continues

 Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he found an interesting site.

 

It's a site dedicated to the Star Trek TV series called Star Trek Continues. (No surprise in the name.) Some fans of the show (and movies) put together new episodes and posted them on the site. There are also humorous outtakes from when they were making the episodes and interviews with the actors.

A fun binge watch.

Panzer says, "At the Star Trek Continues online site click the Enter Site button."

 

To watch the videos tootle over to Star Trek Continues - Online

 To watch the videos on YouTube tootle over to  Star Trek Continues - YouTube 

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on the lack of respect:

What's His Name is really a jerk.

He came in the house through the back door ...

and ...

Started laughing.

He accused me of falling asleep in my litter box.

Of course I denied it vigorously.

I want kitty litter that doesn't clump.*

But ...

He didn't believe me.

Maybe ...

 

It was the kitty litter on my chin.

 

 

 

 

* From Cat Wisdom for humans