A Panzerism

Yuk!

Panzer on color coding:

Note to self: Remember, white paint does not taste like milk.

Amazon's Closure of India's Westland Books: Consternation and Confusion - Publishing Perspectives

Today, Panzer made a trip to the Publishing Perspectives site. With a little digging in the posts there our inquisitive kitty boy found one about India's Westland Books.

Why? What happened?

According to the post by Porter Anderson, Amazon announced February 1 the company will close India's Westland Books publishing. Amazon gave bookstores dates in February and March to order books, but after March 31 Westland will not be fulfilling any orders. Amazon bought the 60-year-old Westland Books in 2017.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders what caused Amazon to close it now."

Note: This is a very, very, very long post. Bring a thermos of cocoa, three muffins, three chocolate chip cookies (biscuits), and a brownie for today's reading.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon and Westland Books

Obituary: Duvall Hecht, 91- Publishers Weekly

He started Books on Tape?

According to a post at the Publishers Weekly site by Shannon Maughan, Duvall Hecht passed away on February 10.

 

In 1975 he became a pioneer in the audio book field when he started Books on Tape. The company recorded books on cassette tapes and rented them to be played on cassette players in cars.

To read the full obituary tootle over to Duvall Hecht

Publishing paperback and hardcover in the Netherlands is now available!

 Panzer had just started eating his dinner, when he heard clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, our brave kitty boy followed all the joyful noise to the KDP site. There he found an announcement about publishing in the Netherlands.

Another market?

According to the post, effective January 31 KDP began distribution of paperback and hardcover books in the Netherlands. You must have worldwide, EU or UK distribution selected for your books to be eligible for the program. The end of the post includes links to instructions for changing your distribution if you need to.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Guess I better have Mom go check our books."

 

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of cocoa for your reading. If you plan to follow the links, you probably don't want to bring anything else to eat or drink so you can concentrate on learning what to do.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon POD in Netherlands 

Writing about Writing - 10 Paying Markets - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he found a post about markets for writing about writing.

 

Interesting.

According to Erica Verrillo's post, these ten markets are looking for articles, essays, posts, and/or poems about writing and/or the writing experiences of writers. Some of these markets have writer location and/or gender restrictions included in the submission guidelines. All of them are paying markets, although some require a Paypal account for payment.

 

Panzer says, "Mom has been published in Writers Weekly. She says they're very good to work with and pay promptly.

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a muffin for today's reading. If you plan to follow any of the links in the post, you'll have to decide what to bring to eat and drink.

 

To read the post tootle over to paying markets

Cartoon of the Day: Google Search - Mystery Fanfare

Now about that interrupted nap.

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

There he found a cartoon about Google searches was causing all the fun for mystery writers.

To read the cartoon tootle over to Google Search ..

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on cat wisdom:

Always be sure to have a second cat in your household.

That way ...

You can always ...

Blame ...

the hairball on someone else.

Note to self:

Never take credit for a hairball.

Even the really good ones.

Just speaking from experience.

Did you guess?

 Panzer here.

Just checking.

Just wondered if you figured out today's Presidents' Day photo?

 

The hats are the clue.

My friend on the left is dressed as President Abraham Lincoln and my friend on the right is dressed as President George Washington.

Presidents' Day (U.S.A)

Happy Presidents' Day

 

 

 

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

Pride and Prejudice - Audiofile Audiobook Break

I'm finished for the day.

If you're a Jane Austin fan, Panzer found a treat for you. Our traveling kitty boy found a site called Audiofile that is posting their audio book narration of Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice for free. Twice a week the site will post new chapters.

To access, follow the link below, then scroll down until you see the the audio files. Click on each file to listen. You can also follow the outside site links there to subscribe to their podcast.

 

To listen to the Pride and Prejudice audio files tootle over to audio narration

Court Blocks Maryland's Library E-book Law - Publlishers Weekly

Today Panzer made a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. With hardly any digging at all in the posts there, our inquisitive kitty boy found one about Maryland's Library E-book law.

 

Interesting decision.

According to Andrew Albanese's post, a federal judge has ruled in favor of the Association of American Publishers' (AAP) argument that a new Maryland library e-book law infringes on U.S. copyright law. The judge granted an injunction stopping enforcement of the law. The law was passed by the Maryland General Assembly and scheduled to go into effect on January 1. It was written to help libraries be able to offer e-books to their patrons. The basic premise of the law was, if a publisher offered their e-books to customers in Maryland, the publishers would have to offer/license the e-book to libraries "on reasonable terms." The post includes links to other posts with additional information.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty is confused. How does this infringe on copyright?"

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a big cup of cocoa, a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit), and a muffin. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you'll need to decide what other refreshments to bring.

 

To read the post tootle over to Maryland's e-book law

No Post

Cats can nap anywhere, any time.

Panzer here.

No post today.

Mom is finishing a project.

We'll be back tomorrow.

Have you discover Wordle? - Writers Who Kill

Panzer was just getting ready for his afternoon nap, when he heard laughing and clapping coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, our illustrious kitty boy followed all the jocularity to the Writers Who Kill site. There he found a post about a word game called Wordle.

 

According to the post by Paula Gail Benson, it's a fun and addictive word puzzle game. Wordle was created in October 2021 and millions of people are now playing it. The post explains the history of the game and the rules.

 

Now ... About that nap.

Panzer says, "Shhh. I have a link at the end of this post to the free version."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Wordle

To play the free version tootle over to Play Wordle

Free Fiction Monday: Dark Corners

Hurry and read it before it's gone.

Today, Panzer found a free short story at Kristine Kathryn Rusch's site. The story, Dark Corners, has a short introduction explaining what happened before the story begins. This story is part of the Faerie Justice series. The story is only free this week.

 

To read the short story tootle over to Free Fiction Monday

 

A Sudden Reversal: Leipzig Book Fair Is Cancelled - Publishing Perspectives

Today as Panzer entered the Catosphere he heard crying and the gnashing of teeth. Following all the angst, took our brave kitty boy to the Publishing Perspectives site. There he discovered a post about the Leipzig Book Fair in Germany was causing all the upset.

 

I'm tired of it. Are you?

According to Porter Anderson's post, the Leipzig Book Fair is cancelled. The Book Fair was scheduled to run from March 17 to 20. Information about the cancellation lists exhibitors' staff shortages due to the pandemic as the major cause. This is the third time the Fair has been cancelled.

Panzer says, "That Covid-19 thingy is still causing problems."

 

Note: This is a h-u-g-e post with several links to other information. Bring a thermos of cocoa and at least six muffins for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Leipzig Book Fair

Valentine's Day

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

Killer Nashville Magazine

Enjoy. There's some good stuff there.

If you're looking for something to read this weekend,  Panzer discovered the new issue of Killer Nashville Magazine is available free online.

When you follow the link below to the magazine post, scroll down below the magazine cover and you'll find the Table of Contents. Clicking on a title will take you there to read the article.

 

To read the February 2022 issue tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine

Draft2Digital vs PublishDrive Review - Kindlepreneur

It's been a long time since Panzer visited the Kindlepreneur site, so our little traveling kitty boy decided to make a stop there today. With no digging at all he found a post comparing Draft2Digital to PublishDrive. The post he found includes the additions to Draft2Digital's platform caused by the acquisition of Smashwords. Panzer told you about that acquisition/merger/sale (you pick what to call it) a couple of days ago.

D2D looks good on the chart.

In his post site owner Dave Chesson does an extensive review of both the Draft2Digital (D2D) and PublishDrive platforms. The post includes a comparison chart of the publishing and distribution services offered, the costs, and pros and cons sections for both platforms. The post includes links to both platforms. At the end of the post he chose D2D as the winner of the comparison review.

Panzer says, "This little kitty has never used D2D and has no opinion."

Note: This is a humongous post. Bring a thermos of cocoa, three muffins and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's adventure in learning.

To read the post tootle over to Draft2Digital vs PublishDrive

To read about the Smashwords acquisition tootle over to Smashwords

Sounding Off About Audiobooks - The Rap Sheet

On today's trip into the Catosphere Panzer made a quick stop at The Rap Sheet site. There he found a post about the Audie Awards finalists.

 

Interesting finalists list.

According to J. Kingston Pierce's post the 2022 Audio Awards finalists have been announced. The Audie Awards are presented by the Audio Publishers Association. There are 25 categories in the awards; however, only the mystery contenders are listed in the post. The post includes a link to the full list of finalists.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty wishes they had an award for audio books narrated by a feline."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa for your reading pleasure. If you follow the link to the full list, you'll need to decide what refreshments to bring.

 

To read the post tootle over to Audie Awards Nominees

No Post

 

She works so I don't have to.

Panzer here.

No post today.

Mom is catching up on work.

We'll be back tomorrow.

Draft2Digital Acquires Smashwords - Smashwords Blog

Good or Bad? Not sure yet.

When Panzer checked his email this morning he found one from Smashwords.

 
According to the email, Smashwords is being acquired by Draft2Digital. Following the link in the email, Panzer read all the available information about the sale. The sale will be complete on March 1. The Smashwords name/brand will no longer be used. Although the link included in the post isn't clickable, it says there will be an online Q and A tomorrow about the acquisition.

To read the full announcement tootle over to Draft2Digital

A Panzerism

 

Yuk! *

Panzer on color coding:

Note to self: 

 

Remember ...

 

White paint does not taste like milk.

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

The BigThrill Online Magazine - February Issue

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he made a stop at The Big Thill site. There he discovered the February issue of the International Thriller Writers online magazine is posted.

I love that J.P. Beaumont hunan.

The new issue of The Big Chill has interviews with several authors, including one of Panzer's favorite authors J.A. Jance. Our kitty boy loves listening to Mom read J.P. Beaumont books to him. The online issue is free and will remain posted until the next issue is ready.

 

To read the new issue tootle over to The Big Thrill

73 Writing Contests in February 2022- No entry 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 he discovered a post about writing contests in February.

 

There's something for everyone.

Erica Verrillo's post includes 73 writing contests with February entry deadlines. There are competitions for flash fiction, short stories, novels, poetry, and nonfiction. None of the competitions has an entry fee. There are restrictions for some of the competitions.

Panzer says, "To make sure your entry isn't disqualified always read the submission rules."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a large muffin for today's reading selection. Depending on which competitions you're interested in reading about, you'll need to decide what else to bring to eat and drink.

 

To read the post tootle over to writing contests

Publishers, Agencies Start Receiving Subpoenas as DOJ-PRH Case Ramps - Publishers Weekly

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he decided to make a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all in the posts there our illustrious kitty boy found one about the Department of Justice and the Penguin Random House court case. Panzer told you about the court case back in December.

Why 10 years?

According to the post by Rachel Deahl and Jim Milliot, subpoenas are being issued in the Department of Justice's (DOJ) court case to block Penguin Random House's (PRH) acquisition of publisher Simon and Schuster (SS). Publishers and literary agencies are receiving subpoenas from the DOJ, PRH and SS. While the DOJ is only asking for information from 2019 and forward, PRH and SS are in some instances asking for 10 years of information. Gathering the information is part of the Discovery Process to determine how much, if any, damage publishers and literary agents (authors) would suffer if the acquisition is allowed to proceed. Publishers who have received the subpoenas state it will be time consuming and expensive to comply.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Let's see. ... PRH and SS want 10 years of their publisher competitors' publishing information. Of course, they say they won't look at it only their attorneys will."

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

To read the post tootle over to DOJ case against PRH

To read the previous post about the case tootle over to trial date"