Court Hears Amazon, Publisher Motions to Toss Price Fixing Conspiracy Lawsuits - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into  the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about the lawsuit against Amazon and the Big Five Publishers for price-fixing..

 
According to Andrew Albanese's post, Amazon and the publishers are asking to have the lawsuits tossed out. The lawsuit says publishers are trying to set up a monopoly for Amazon. Amazon and the publishers' attorneys say it's ridiculous to say publishers would want to set up a monopoly for Amazon. In a second lawsuit, bookstore owners say publishers and Amazon are in a conspiracy to price-fix books. Amazon and publishers' attorneys say there is no evidence to support the claim as Amazon has had absolutely no contact with publishers. There are links included in the post to other information about the lawsuits.

 

Did you know cats can chortle?

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders why they would think publishers would want to help their biggest enemy become a monopoly."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a large glass of iced tea and some chocolate-covered cherries for today's reading. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you will need to decide what to bring to eat and drink.

 

To read the post tootle over to Price-fixing Conspiracy Lawsuits

MAGPIE MURDERS: Air Date and Trailer! - Mystery Fanfare

Today Panzer made a quick trip to the Mystery Fanfare site. There with a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty boy found one about the novel Magpie Murders.

 

Here birdie birdie. Where are you?

According to Janet Rudolph's post, Anthony Horowitz's novel Magpie Murders is scheduled for Sundays October 16 - November 20 on Masterpiece. The post includes a Program Description and a link to a show trailer.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty likes magpies."

 

To read the post and watch the trailer tootle over to Magpie Murders:

Getting in on the Barrys - The Rap Sheet

 Panzer was just getting ready for a nap when he heard strange noises coming from the Catosphere. Our inquisitive kitty boy hopped in the Panzermobile to see what was so exciting. Following all the noise, took him to The Rap Sheet site. There he discovered its time to vote for the Barry Awards.

 

Now. About that nap.

According to J. Kingston Pierce's post, the voting is now open for the Barry Awards. The Barrys are given annually by Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine. Surprisingly, although just announced yesterday, votes must be submitted by Monday August 1. The post has a link to the finalist list and voting instructions.

 

Panzer says, "Hurry human! Hurry!"

 

Note: This is a short post. No need for anything to eat or drink. Just hurry and vote.

 

To read the post tootle over to The Barry Awards

40 Writing Contests in August 2022 - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There with a little digging he found a post about writing contests in August.

 

Erica Verrillo's post lists 40 contests accepting entries in August. There are contests for short stories, novels and nonfiction. None of the contests charge an entry fee. Be sure to read the rules as some have restrictions.

 

Cats don't hurry. Ever.

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the submission deadlines. Some dates are August 1 or 2, so you'll need to hurry."

 

Note: With 40 contests on the list this is a very long post. Bring a thermos of iced tea, a muffins and an orange for your reading today. If you follow the links to the contest sites, you'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to August Writing Contests

Shortlist announced for Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize - The Guardian

 When Panzer was sweeping the floor in the Panzermobile he found a folded up post under the carpet. Smoothing it out our fastidious kitty boy discovered it was a post from The Guardian site about Waterstones.

 

Another debut book prize?

According to Sarah Shaffi's post, Waterstones announced six finalists for their debut fiction prize. The books cover a wide range of genres, locations and times. Waterstones booksellers select the books to be considered for the prize. The post includes a synopsis of each book's plot and has author quotes.

 

Panzer says, "They look like interesting books."

 

Note: This is a very long post. Bring a big glass of iced tea, a sugar cookie (biscuit) and a brownie for this reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Waterstones Debut Fiction

Crime in the Spotlight - Bloody Scotland

Today, Panzer made a quick stop at the Bloody Scotland site. There he found an interesting post.

 

Market your book?

The crime writing conference Bloody Scotland will be held September 15-18 in Stirling Scotland. If you are based in the U.K., Bloody Scotland has openings for authors to read excerpts from their crime fiction at the event. The reading can be in person or via online.

 

Panzer says, "You'll need to hurry. The application deadline is August 5."

 

To read the post and the application tootle over to Crime in the Spotlight

A Panzerism

 Panzer on kitty treats:

Me-OW, OW, OW.

Today I went to the vet to get my annual vaccinations.

I'd like her better, if she handed out catnip-flavored lollipops to whoever has been a big brave kitty.

From Cat Wisdom for humans

Opportunities for Writers: August 2022 calls for submissions - The Writer

Now for a little nap.

Panzer found an interesting post at The Writer site.

 

The Writer post contains a list of 10 opportunities for writers to submit to contests/markets in August. The submission deadlines are throughout the month of August with some as early as August 1.

Be sure to read the submission rules. The list only shows one with a submission fee.

To check out the list tootle over to August Submissions List

Google fires software engineer who claimed its AI chatbot is sentient - Reuters (R)

 Panzer made a quick trip to the Reuters site today. There he found a post about a Google AI (artificial intelligent) chatbot.

Can it really think?

According to the Reuters (R) post, Google fired Blake Lemoine, one of their software engineers, because he publicly said Google's LaMDA AI chatbot was sentient (a self-aware person). He made his statement based on his interactions with the chatbot. The post includes a portion of an interaction between them which he believes is an example of the chatbot's sentience. The post includes links to information about chatbots and human reactions to them.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks that's an interesting conversation they had."

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a glass of iced tea for your reading. If you plan to follow the links in the post, also bring a muffin.

To read the post tootle over to AI Chatbot

No Post

 

My work is finished for today.

Panzer here.

No post today.

Mom is working on a project.

We'll be back tomorrow.

26 Awesome Writing Conferences in August 2022 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Today's little trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he found a post about writing conferences and workshops in August.

Erica Verrillo's post lists twenty-six conferences and workshops which are scheduled for August. They are of varying lengths from as short as one day to over a month. The conferences cover fiction, nonfiction, poetry, novels, short stories, and essays. Some of them are online, some in-person, and some both.

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the registration dates as some have already p

Mom. Turn on the air conditioner.

assed."

Note: With twenty-six conferences listed this is a long post. Bring a pitcher of iced tea and a large bowl of ice cream. If you plan to go to any of the sites to read about the conferences, you will need to decide what to bring to eat and drink.

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferences

Markets and Jobs for Writers - Erika Dreifus

Panzer made a quick trip into the Catosphere to Erika Dreifus' blog today. There our speedy kitty boy found a post about markets and jobs for writers. 

Wake me for Thanksgiving.

There are no fees for submission to the writing markets or for applications for the jobs. All are paying markets and jobs.

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a glass of iced tea and a bowl of ice cream to cool off while you read today's selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Markets and Jobs

A Panzerism

Panzer on human indecisiveness:

Mom is always saying 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

New Trailer for Amazon's 'Lord of the Rings' series offers epic views of the return to Middle Earth - GeekWire

Today, Panzer was shaken from his nap in his kitty bed by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, our traveling kitty boy followed all the noise to the GeekWire site. There he found a post about Amazon's just released trailer for their new "Lord of the Rings" series.

 

It looks exciting.

According to the post by Kurt Schlosser, the series is titled "Lord of the Rings:The Rings of Power." The new series happens in the centuries before J.R.R. Tolkien's books. The post contains a link to the trailer. The end of the trailer announces the series begins September 2 on Amazon Prime Video.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty is ready to watch the series. Are you?"

 

Note: This a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of iced tea for your reading and a chocolate brownie for your watching pleasure.

 

To read the post tootle over to Lord of the Rings series trailer

Standing Up for Copyright - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer made a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. There our illustrious kitty traveler found a post about the copyright infringement lawsuit against Internet Archive (IA). Panzer posted about the lawsuit a few days ago.

 

You need to read the post.

The post is an opinion piece by the Copyright Alliance's CEO Keith Kupferschmid.  In it he explains why in his opinion Internet Archive's (IA) court arguments about scanning whole books is not fair use under copyright law and why "loaning" those stolen digital scans does not make IA a library.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty totally agrees with everything this human says."

 

Note: This is very long. Bring a glass of iced tea and a chocolate chip cookie for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to copyright infringement 

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to lawsuit against Internet Archive

Amazon Faces Fresh Clampdown With Germany and UK Security - Bloomberg

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Bloomberg site. With a little digging in the posts there our inquisitive kitty boy found one about Amazon.

 

Let's see what they do.

According to the post by Stephanie Bodoni and Katharine Gemmell, Amazon is now being scrutinized by Germany and the UK for signs of anti-competitive behavior. Germany's Federal Cartel Office and the UK's Competition and Markets Authority join the EU's European Commission in investigating Amazon.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This should be interesting to watch what happens."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon and German Regulator

Breaking Down NASA Webb Space Telescope's First Images of the Invisible Universe - Cnet

Panzer has been listening to all the news about the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). When our curious kitty boy heard the first photos from the JWST were available, he hurried our to the Cnet site to see them.

MeWoW! Unbelievable.

There he found a post by Monisha Raviseth and Jackson Ryan with the photos. Included in the post is a description for each photo.

Panzer says, "Enjoy."

To read the post tootle over to NASA Webb Space Telescope

A Panzerism

 Panzer on love:

The opposite of love isn't hate. It's indifference.

You want love? Get a dog.

Feed me and Ill stop being indifferent ...

towards you ...

 

for a while ...

 

maybe.

 

 

 

 

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Publishers, Internet Archive File Dueling Summary Motions in Scan Suit - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to the Publishers Weekly site. There he discovered a post about the lawsuit brought by publishers Hachette, HarperCollins, Wiley, and Penguin Random House against the Internet Archive. The lawsuit has been ongoing for two years now. Back in December Panzer told you about the Internet Archive wanting ten years worth of book sales data from each of the publishers.

 

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, the attorneys for the publishers' lawsuit for copyright infringement against the Internet Archive have filed for a summary judgement. In the motion the attorneys say the Internet Archive (IA) is scanning books without permission and without payment to copyright holders and this constitutes copyright infringement and piracy. The attorneys for the Internet Archive (IA) have filed for a summary judgement. In the motion the attorneys say the Internet Archive (IA) is a library and is exercising fair use of the books the company is scanning. The post contains links to previous posts with information about the lawsuit.

 

I am really tired of this case.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks maybe the judge will rule for one motion or the other. Or, maybe the judge will decide the case needs to move into the court."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Publishers and Internet Archive

To read Panzer;s earlier post tootle over to sales data information 

Publishers, Booksellers Cheer Europes Digital Markets Act - Publishing Perspectives

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, he decided to make a stop at the Publishing Perspectives site. With a little digging in the posts, he found one about the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA).

 

I don't understand.

According to Porter Anderson's post, the European Parliament has passed the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act. Both Acts are against practices which European publishers and booksellers accuse Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft of doing. Both Acts go into effect in 2023.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty doesn't understand how these Acts work. Does it mean, if your company does business in the EU, you have to give preferential treatment to EU publishers and booksellers to the detriment of outside the EU publishers and booksellers? I thought they didn't want the companies to give preferential treatment anymore."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Europe's Digital Markets Actal

2022 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award Finalists - Killer Nashville site

August 20 is a long time away.

Panzer was awakened from his afternoon nap by clapping coming from the Catosphere. Hopping into the Panzermobile, our curious kitty boy followed all the noise to the Killer Nashville site.

 

There he discovered the announcement of the Silver Falchion Award finalists list. The winners will be announced at a banquet on August 20.

 

To read the list of finalists tootle over to Silver Falchion Award finalists

Introducing the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association - SFWA Site

Good move.

If you've followed your favorite kitty boy for a while now, you know he likes dragons and unicorns and sf/f conventions. So it's no surprise he made a stop at the SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America) site today.

 

According to the SFWA's landing page, the organization changed it's name to Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association. Since the organization also has members in countries other than the U.S., the name change is appropriate.The membership guidelines have also been changed.

 

To read the post tootle over to Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association

Authors are protesting Amazon's e-book policy that allows users to read and return - NPR

Today, Panzer made a trip to the NPR site. There our illustrious kitty traveler found a post about Amazon's ebook return policy.

 

Why are you stealing from authors?

According to the post by Deanna Schwartz, authors are upset by Amazon's ebook return policy. The policy allows readers to purchase an ebook, keep it for a week, return it, and get a refund. The policy allows readers to legally (by Amazon's standards) steal an author's work and royalty payments, by reading the ebook in the seven days, returning it and getting the reader's money (the author's royalty payment) back. Several authors are quoted describing their experiences with lost royalties, including one author who owed Amazon money because of the reader refunds. The post contains several links, one of which goes to a petition to have Amazon change the return policy for ebooks.

Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know people were just treating Amazon like a library."

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea, a muffin and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading. If you follow the links in the post, you'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon ebook returns

A Trunk Full of Illegal Fireworks - Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine Fiction Podcast

I liked it.

Just tootling around in the Catosphere, Panzer stopped in at the Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine's Fiction Podcast* site. There he found a Fourth of July podcast episode for you.

 

The episode is titled "A Trunk Full of Illegal Fireworks" and is read by author Michael Grimala.

The episode is a little over eleven minutes long and free to listen to.

 

To listen to the podcast tootle over to Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine

 

 

 

* With a paw wave to Kevin's Corner for the original info

A Panzerism for July 4

 Panzer on human narcissism:

I have joined Mom and What's His Name at backyard barbecues for the Fourth of July with neighbors, for coffee and tea on the deck for New Year's morning, and holiday season dinners with their families.

You can't change what is.

One thing stands out to me at these gathers:

Mom is always the second most attractive creature there.

Too bad she has such an attractive cat over-shadowing her.

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

July 4th

 

 

 

Bagging Daggers - The Rap Sheet

Today, Panzer went to The Rap Sheet site. There he found a post about the UK's Crime Writers' Association's (CWA) Dagger Awards.

How many of them have you read?

According to the post by J. Kingston Pierce, the Crime Writers' Association has announced the 2022 CWA Dagger Awards. There are ten Dagger categories which include nonfiction books, novels, debut novels, and short stories. The Rap Sheet post lists all the winners and the also nominated contenders. The post includes a link to a longer post at the Shots site which has more information about the awards.

 

Panzer says, "The CWA is really, really old. It was started in the mid-1950s!"

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Dagger Awards