What is a Yogiism? - SleuthSayers

It's worth being late for my nap.

Panzer was shaken from his nap in his little kitty bed by laughing and chuckling coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, he followed all the jocularity to the SleuthSayers site. There he found a post by O'Neil De Noux about Yogi Berra was causing all the fun.

 

He thought you might enjoy it too.

 

To read the post tootle over to What is a Yogiism

35 Writing Contests in October - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Today's trip took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. With just a little digging in the posts our intrepid kitty found one about writing contests in October.

 

Read the rules very carefully.

The post by Erica Verrillo contains a list of 35 writing contests with deadlines in October. These contests are for fiction, nonfiction and poetry. It's important to read the submission rules. Some of the contests cannot be entered by the author but, instead, must be entered by the publisher. Some also have age and location requirements. All the contests on the list are free to enter.

 

Panzer says, "Some of the contests have a submission deadline of October 1, so you'll need to hurry."

 

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

To read the post tootle over to October writing contests

Cartoon of the Day: The Rescue Cat Gets Rehomed - Mystery Fanfare

What did you expect from me?

Panzer says, "Just a little something to enlighten you about cats and who owns who."

To read the cartoon tootle over to rescue cat

Onyx BOOX Mira 13.3 inch portable E Ink monitor now available for $800 - liliputing

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the liliputing site. There with a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one about the Onyx BOOX Mira monitor.

 

According to Brad Linder's post, the monitor is now available for $800. It features a 13.3 inch E Ink screen. It's a portable touchscreen which leans on a stand. The post includes several photos of the monitor. There's also a YouTube video at the end of the post. The post also includes a link to information about the monitor and another link to a competitor's monitor and a third link to purchase the Mira monitor.

 

$800 buys a lot of kitty food.

Panzer says, "With a price like that this little kitty doesn't think Mom will be getting one for her birthday this year."

 

Note: This is a l-o-n-g, l-o-n-g post. Bring a large cup of tea, a muffin and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links and watch the video, bring a small thermos of tea and three muffins.

 

To read the post tootle over to Onyx Boox

Hardcover is available on KDP! - KDP Announcement

 Today as Panzer was napping, he was rudely shaken from his kitty bed by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, he followed all the noise to the KDP Community page. There he found an announcement about Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and hardcover books.

 

According to the post KDP has announced hardcover books will now be available as an option for authors' books. The hardcover books will have a 60 percent royalty. Submission information and links are included in the post.

 

Now back to that nap.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty wonders how this will work because of all the paper shortages everybody is talking about right now."

 

Note: This is a short post. You wont need to bring anything to read the post. If, however, you plan to follow all the links in the post, bring two cups of tea and three muffins.

 

To read the post tootle over to Hardcover on KDP

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on book reviews:

I read a book review today that said

 

Puppy-love? Who would read that?

the storyline was about ...

 

puppy-love.

 

Dumbest plot I've ever heard of.

 

 

 

 

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

Frank Wheeler Jr. RIP

The Hardboiled Wonderland site reports that author Frank Wheeler Jr. died last week from cancer.

You can read the tribute to him there at Frank Wheeler Jr.

Amazon gives Kindle ereaders a rare user interface overhaul - arsTechnica

Today Panzer made a trip to the arsTechnica site. There our traveling kitty boy found a post about a new update to the Amazon ereaders.

 

In Andrew Cunningham's post he reports that the update to Amazon ereaders is for those released in 2015 and later. The update is loaded automatically to the Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis and the Kindle. The post includes graphics you can click through to see the new screens. It also includes links to information about the update.

 

Always ready to help.

Panzer says, "Mom's Paperwhite got the update. She said the update is kind of clunky to use. She keeps getting sent to Home when she wants the Library. It might be easier for me to use. My claws are smaller than her fat fingers."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea for reading the selection. If you plan to click through the graphics and follow the links, bring a thermos of tea and three muffins.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Kindle eReaders

No Post

Wake me tomorrow morning.

 Panzer here.

No post today.

Mom has work to finish.

We'll be back tomorrow.

Publishers, Amazon Ask Court to Dismiss 'Illogical' E-book Price-Fixing Suit - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer made a trip to the Publishers Weekly site. There with a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one about the lawsuit against Amazon and the Big 5 publishers for price-fixing.

 

When the case is explained that way, it makes no sense.

In his post Andrew Albanese reports Amazon and the Big 5 publishers' lawyers have asked the court to dismiss the 'illogical' case. The Big 5 publishers are Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House and Simon and Schuster. Their lawyers say the case is 'illogical' because the case says Amazon and the publishers conspired through e-book price-fixing to make Amazon a monopoly. The lawyers say obviously the publishers wouldn't gain anything "from helping Amazon gain market power."

 

Panzer says, "If the case was held in my Kitty Court, I'd dismiss it."

 

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 Publishers and Amazon

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on thoughts of Autumn:

Mom's asters are blooming. She said they bring another Summer to a beautiful conclusion.

Hey ...

Wait a minute ...

That means Autumn is coming.

Cold weather. Rain. Sleet. Snow.

COLD!

She better appreciate my work.*

I have to get outside!

I have to rip out all those asters.

NOW!

It's up to ME to stop Autumn from coming!

* Cat Wisdom for humans

Bloody Scotland Announces Prize Winners

You know it's hybrid this year.

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Bloody Scotland site. Bloody Scotland is the name given to the Scotland International Crime Writing Festival. At the site he discovered the McIlvanney Prize and the Debut Prize winners were announced.

 

The news release announces Craig Russell's novel Hyde won the McIlvanney Prize and Robbie Morrison's novel Edge of the Grave won the Debut Prize.

 

To read the announcement tootle over to 2021 prize winners

Good News by Warren Bull - Writers Who Kill

Panzer was shaken from his nap by laughing and giggling coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, he followed all the jocularity to the Writers Who Kill site.

There our kitty treasure-hunter found a post by Warren Bull about all kinds of good things humans have been doing for each other.

To brighten up you day/night (whichever it is for you) tootle over to good news

New books will be hard to come by for the rest of the year - Quartz

Today's trip into the Catosphere took our traveling kitty pilot to the Quartz site. There with no digging at all he found a post about the publishing supply chain.

Did you read yesterday?

According to the post by Hope Corrigan, publishers are telling consumers and booksellers there will be problems with book printing and book deliveries from now through the end of the year. This is due to the supply chain issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Panzer told you about the supply chain problems yesterday, so this information shouldn't come as a surprise.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty thinks you better start buying your Christmas present books now."

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

To read the post tootle over to supply chain delays

To read yesterday's post tootle over to supply chain problems

Supply Chain Problems for Publishers and Authors - Various

 Back in August Panzer told you about the upcoming supply chain problems Ingram was warning publishers to prepare for in the coming months. 

 

Other sources are now experiencing supply problems as well. Some authors' are reporting bookstores are unable to get their book orders filled by their publishers. Other authors aren't getting their books delivered to their book signings.

It's a mess and getting worse.

These problems are attributable to publishers' printers not being able to get the paper necessary to print the books and/or not being able to get the printed books delivered to the publishers. This is due to paper manufacturing problems and delivery problems caused by the pandemic.

If you plan to publish any books (paperback or hardback) before the end of the end of the year, you should read these posts to help plan your strategy.

Panzer says, "Every time humans think they have this Covid thingy under control, its cousin just comes right back."

 

To read the post at Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog tootle over to supply chain woes

To read the post at Publishers Weekly tootle over to supply chain disruptions

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to Ingram supply chain troubles 

No Post

Panzer here.

 

I'll just keep the couch warm.

No post today. 

Mom has a project to finish.

Back tomorrow.

Amazon Announces Plans to Hire 125,000 Employees in Hundreds of Cities and Towns Across America - Press Release

Today, Panzer has a quick post for you from Amazon.

 

According to the Press Release on the Amazon News site, the company will be hiring 125,000 new employees in various states. The post includes a link with information about how to apply. Pay is $18 an hour. Depending on the job there may be a signing bonus too. 

 

Also included in the post just before the About Amazon section is a link to register for Amazon's Career Day - America on September 15. This is Amazon's recruiter coaching day to help you get a job. It's free to register and attend the sessions. It's virtual, but has limited attendance.

 

Sorry! It was just announced today.

Panzer says, "Yes, September 15 is tomorrow. So hurry up and register now, if you want coaching help."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading. If you plan to apply for a job at Amazon, dust off your resume and get ready.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon new employees

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on human indecisiveness:

Mom is always saying to be a good kitty.

 

I wish she'd make up her mind.

Which do you want?

Which is it:

Good ...

or ...

Kitty?

From Cat Wisdom for humans

Patriot Day USA

 

 

Amazon expands education perk for workers to cover full college tuition - CNet

Today as Panzer was tootling around the Catosphere he decided to make a stop at the CNet site. There our adventuresome kitty discovered a post about a new addition to an Amazon employee perk.

 

According to the post by Carrie Mihalcik, Amazon has added a new employee perk to their Career Choice employee program. Amazon will now pay the full tuition and fees for associate and bachelor's degrees for eligible employees. The new add-on to the program will begin next January and will be available to 75,000 operations employees in the U.S.

 

Looking for a job?

Panzer says, "Pay for my college tuition? Makes me want ot go join their workforce."

 

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of tea.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon education perk

Tall Tails The Writer's Cat by Kait Carson - Writers Who Kill

 Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he decided to make a stop at the Writers Who Kill site. With a little digging in the posts he found one about writers and the cat that own them.

 

Just ask Mom.

Kait Carson's post is about writers (herself included) and cats who keep their (the writers) writing, plotting and stories progressing whether the cats are there or on the page.

Panzer says, "Of course we do."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of iced tea for today's reading.

To read the post tootle over to cats and writers

 

Japan Fair Trade Commission closes App Store investigation - Apple Newsroom

 Today Panzer was shaken from his nap by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Jumping into the Panzermobile, he followed all the jocularity to the Apple Newsroom. There he found a press release about a change to the Apple App Store.

 

According to the press release, Apple announced changes for developers of reader apps available in the App Store. Those reader apps can now link to the developer's site outside the App Store. This change will be available to developers around the world.

 

Reader apps only.

Panzer says, "Who else will follow?"

 

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate brownie to celebrate.

 

To read the post tootle over to App Store

Discovery Extension Requested in Internet Archive Book Scanning Suit - Publishers Weekly

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere the Panzermobile was violently shaken by booing and hissing coming from outside. Following all the chaos took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about the Internet Archive was causing all the noise.  For the past year Panzer has been telling you about the publishers who have sued the Internet Archive for copyright infringement.

 

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, last year the four publishers Hachette, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins and Wiley filed a copyright infringement suit against the Internet Archive. The publishers' attorneys have now asked for an extension in the case. The case is set to be heard in court on September 24, but the attorneys have asked to have an extension until December 17. This is based in part on the Internet Archive's (IA) attorneys demand for ten years of monthly book sales reports for all the books published by all four of the publishers involved. The publishers' petition to have IA's discovery motion not granted is filed in another court and no decision has been made on the motion yet. IA isn't contesting the extension as there are several witnesses both sides of the case wish to question before the case is heard in court. The post contains links to other information about the copyright infringement case.

 

It's information on 500,000 books.

Panzer says, "This little kitty wants to know where the Internet Archive is getting all the money to pay for the attorneys."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Internet Archive

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to IA discovery motion 

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on empathy:

It takes practice.*

You must open your heart to feel

As you must open your eyes to see.

Usually, I just jump on anything that moves and rip it apart.

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

Labor Day

 

 

Cartoon of the Day - Mystery Fanfare

Did you get it?

This afternoon Panzer was shaken from his nap in his kitty bed by laughing and clapping coming from the Catosphere. Hopping into the Panzermobile, our adventuresome kitty boy followed all the jocularity to the Mystery Fanfare site. 

 

There he found a cartoon about Covid-19.

To read the cartoon tootle over to Cartoon of the Day

 

Five Things You Need in Writing a Mystery Novel - Anne R. Allen's Blog ... with Ruth Harris

Panzer decided to clean the windshield on the Panzermobile today. While he was washing it, he discovered something stuck under the windshield wipers. Pulling it out, our fastidious kitty boy discovered it was a wadded up post from Anne R. Allen's Blog about mystery writing..

 

Ready to write one?

According to the guest post by author Melodie Campbell, there are five things that make up a mystery novel. The first three sections of her post explain what a mystery is and isn't. She then moves on to the five actual parts of a mystery. These parts involve the characters (both good and bad) and their motivations.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... She makes it sound easy to write a mystery novel."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to mystery novels

Short Mystery Fiction Society Derringers Awards - Bouchercon

 On Saturday Panzer told you about the free Bouchercon videos posted on YouTube. 

 

I read all the stories so I could vote.

Here's the newly added video of the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Derringer Award announcements on the Bouchercon site.

 

The video is only a little over a minute long.

 

To watch the awards announcement tootle over to Derringer Awards

If you missed Saturday's post, to read it tootle over to  Bouchercon 2021