HarperCollins Is Cutting 5% of It's North American Workforce - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer made a quick stop at the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about HarperCollins expense cutting measures. Last week Panzer told you about HarperCollins employee union negotiations.

 

Not a good time to be a publishers.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, HarperCollins has begun another round of employee layoffs. Citing the lack of sales and the increase in expenses as the reasons, the company will reduce its employee workforce by 5 percent by June 30.

 

 Panzer says, "Hmm ... 5 percent is actually a lot."

Note: This is a long-short post or a short-medium post. You decide. Bring a cup of cocoa and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading.

To read the post tootle over to HarperCollins

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to Harper Collins and Harper Union

A Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on butterflies:

Mom likes butterflies and so do I.

She likes their bright colors and so do I.

Yuk!*

She likes the way they flutter around and so do I.

But ...

It sure seems something that pretty should taste better.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Do you see what I see?

Hint

Here's your Sunday jigsaw puzzle.

As always remember at the puzzle site to click the square in the lower left corner to see the finished puzzle.

Have fun!

To do the jigsaw puzzle tootle over to Panzer's Puzzles

63 Calls for Submissions in February 2023 - 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 our traveling kitty pilot found a post about markets.

 

Hmm ... Mystery markets.

Erica Verrillo lists 63 paying markets all accepting submissions in February. There are markets for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art. The genres include mystery, horror, fantasy, and more. These are all paying markets that don't charge a reading fees.

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the submission guidelines."

Note:This is a long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink while you explore all the possibilities.

 

To read the post tootle over to calls for submissions

Barnes & Noble to Return to Jonesboro - TB&P

As Panzer was settling down for a little nap, he was shaken from his kitty bed by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, he followed all the joyous noise to the TB&P site. There he found a post about Barnes and Noble was causing all the hubbub.

 

George Jared's post says Barnes and Noble will be opening a bookstore in Jonesboro Arkansas. This is not really a new Barnes and Noble bookstore in Jonesboro. Barnes and Noble had a bookstore in town until March 2020 when a hurricane destroyed the mall where the bookstore was located. The mall will be rebuilt and Barnes and Noble will return.

Now about that nap.

Panzer says, "No timeline for the return is given in the post."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a brownie for this reading session.

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Harper Collins, Harper Union Move to Solve Labor Dispute with Independent Mediator - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer  went to the Publishers Weekly site. There with a little digging in the posts he found one about the strike at publisher Harper Collins.

 

How much do they want?

According to the post by Emell Derra Adolphus, publisher Harper Collins unionized workers have been on strike since November 2022. With hopes of bringing the strike to an end, the publisher and Harper Union have agreed to have a mediator help with their negotiations. The workers will continue with their picketing and strike activities until a contract agreement is reached.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty doesn't say anything about workers' strikes. Well ... Usually I don't."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Harper Union strike

Free Podcast episode: ChatGPT and Creating Fiction · Writer's Fun Zone

Today Panzer went to the Writer's Fun Zone. There he visited fantasy and science fiction novelist Beth Barany's  How To Write The Future podcast. Last week Panzer told you about AI uses for narrating novels, but this podcast is about using it for writing.

 

Episode 29 of the podcast, ChatGPT and Creating Fiction, consists of a lesson demonstrating how she uses ChatGPT in her writing. She uses it to create a story summary, to create a shorter story summary. to create a character arc, and more character enhancements. She explains the instructions as she gives them to ChatGPT. Show Notes and a Transcript of the episode are included below the audio broadcast. The podcast is free.

 

Will AI take over the world?

Panzer says, "It's an informative episode, but you do need to read the Transcript to understand what she's talking about."

 

Note:The episode is 16 minutes long. Bring a cup of cocoa for today's podcast.

 

To read the post tootle over to  ChatGPT

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to  AI writing

No Post

Panzer here.

 

No post today. Though not for the usual reason.

What's His Name got a big package from Amazon today.

When he opened it, he showed Mom two new living room drapes and a bag filled with a big ball of cord. He told Mom he was tired of looking at the drapes in the living room that He Who Shall Remain Nameless shredded.

Now, I've never seen this He Who Shall Remain Nameless guy so he must come while I'm napping.

Anyway, What's His Name and Mom took down the old drapes. Then, What's His Name said he wanted to replace the cord in the traverse drapery rod because the end of the cord was shredded too. He cut up the old cord so he could get it out of the rod.

He'll find it in the morning when he showers.

Now, he's running around the house looking for that bag with the new cord in it and Mom is just sitting there looking out the window at the neighbors across the street.

We'll be back tomorrow.

21 Fabulous Writing Conferences in February 2023 - 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 writers' conferences in February.

 

They look interesting.

Erica Verrillo's post includes both online and in-person conferences/workshops. Some are short and some are longer and more intensive. There are  conferences for fiction, nonfiction, poetry and memoir. Be sure to read all the information as some have a limit on the number of participants allowed to attend.

 

Panzer says, "Hurry! February is almost here."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferences

Free Cat Video - You Don't Own Me - Parody Song

What?

Hmm ...

Does this sound like anybody we know?

 

To watch and listen to the video tootle over to You Don't Own Me - Parody Song

Your Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on the look of innocence:

Did you pay that bill yet?*

Oh, your credit card bill came today?

Who joined the Catnip of the Month Club?

Hmm ...

How would I know?

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Cat in the Woods

Hint.

Here's your Sunday jigsaw puzzle.

As always remember at the jigsaw site to click the square in the lower left corner to see the finished puzzle.

Have fun!

To do the jigsaw puzzle tootle over to Black in the Woods

England's Booker Prize Asks Public To Name Its Trophy - Publishing Perspectives

Today, Panzer was shaken from his kitty bed by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Jumping in the Panzermobile, our adventuresome kitty boy followed all the hubbub to the Publishing Perspectives site. There he discovered a post about the Booker Prize was causing all the excitement.

It sounds like fun.

According to Porter Anderson's post, the Booker Prize organization is asking the public to submit names for the award trophy. Entrants will be asked to submit a name for consideration. All the names will be narrowed down to six. Those six names will then be voted on by a jury of five. The submitter of the winning entry will receive a prize. The post contains a link to the rules and a submission form.

Panzer says, "You better hurry.The submission deadline is January 27."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a large chocolate muffin for today's reading. If you plan to follow the link in the post, you'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink.

To read the post tootle over to Booker Prize

The Future of AI Writing and Audio - The Passive Voice

Today Panzer made a trip to The Passive Voice site. With just a little digging in the posts there your favorite kitty boy found a post about AI generated material. The post contains a long quote from a Publishers Weekly post about publishers' opinions of AI generated novels and audio books in the future.

A lot of arguing about the artwork.

The post makes no mention of AI generated artwork or graphics like the cat Panzer showed you a few weeks ago. Instead, the post addresses AI written novels and AI narrated audio books. Since Google and Apple are both offering AI narrated audio books for sale, a few weeks ago Panzer gave you a link to an AI narrated cozy mystery to judge the sound quality for yourself.

Panzer says, "This little kitty has been playing with ChatGPT . When he has an opinion, he'll post a sample of what the AI has written."

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

 

To read the post tootle over to  AI Writing and Audio

To read Panzer's previous post about AI generated artwork tootle over to AI Fun

To read Panzer's previous post with the link to AI narrated audio book tootle over to free audio book

 

How Barnes&Noble transformed its brand from corporate bully to lovable neighborhood bookstore - Fast Company*

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Fast Company site. There with a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one about Barnes and Noble.

 

I think the changes are good.

Rob Walker's post follows the changes made to the Barnes and Noble brand since the company's purchase by Eilliott Advisors. Under previous leadership the company's brand was "big box store" bookstore. The stores were large and carried more retail merchandise than books. Now, under Elliott the stores have smaller footprints and concentrate more on books. The post contains links to posts at other sites with more information about Barnes and Noble.

 

Panzer says,"Small is good."

 

Note:This is a long post. Bring a large mug of cocoa, two brownies and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits)for your reading. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you should probably bring your lunch too; but, you decide what else to bring.

 

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

 

 

*A tip of the kitty fedora to Nate Hoffelder for the original link in his blog post. 

No Post

My work is taking care of me.

Panzer here.

No post yesterday or today.

Monday was a holiday and Mom is catching up on the work that didn't get done.

Back tomorrow.

Free Mystery Podcast: Owl Be Dambed - Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast

Now, about that noon nap.

Panzer's last post was for romance lovers. For those of you who are more interested in mystery than romance, Panzer found this Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast for you.

The podcast episode, Owl Be Dambed* by Nikki Knight, is 22 minutes long including the intro. As always the episode is free for your listening.

 

To listen to the podcast tootle over to Owl Be Dambed

 

 

 

 

*You know don't do naughty words here, so yes the title is misspelled on purpose.

Free Romance Audiobook: Show Me A Family Saga

Time for my noon nap.

Today is a holiday in the U.S.  To help fill the time of today's extra day off work, Panzer found a romance audiobook for your listening pleasure. This is not your usual romance.

 

The audiobook, Show Me A Family Saga by Alexa Verde is 7 hours and 22 minutes long. It's free to listen to on YouTube.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to A Family Saga

Your Monday Panzerism

Why didn't I think of that?*

Panzer on hunting dogs:

Sounds like a good idea to me ...

but ...

Is it legal?

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Writing Conferences and Workshops January - March - 2023 - The Red Pencil

My work is finished for the day.

Today Panzer went to The Red Pencil site. With a little digging in the posts, he found one by Diana Hurwitz about writing conferences and workshops in January through March.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty found the post late, so, unfortunately, some of the events listed in early January are already over. There are, however, still plenty left."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a small muffin for your reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferences and Workshops

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Cat in the Snow

Hint.

Here's your Sunday jigsaw puzzle.

As always remember at the puzzle site to click the square in the lower left corner to see the finished puzzle.

Have fun!

 

To do the jigsaw puzzle tootle over to  Cat in the Snow

Michael Connelly and Joanne Fluke Selected as 2023 "Mystery" Grand Masters - Mystery Tribune

I like their books.

It's reported at the Mystery Tribune site, Mystery Writers of America (MWA) have named Michael Connelly and Joanne Fluke the 2023 "Mystery" Grand Masters. This is an annual award which will be presented at the Edgar Awards ceremony in April.

 

Note:This is a short medium post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a brownie for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Michae2023 Mystery Grand Masters

Copyright Claims Board:Mid-January Update - from Writer Beware (R)

Today Panzer went to the Writer Beware (R) site. There he found a post about the Copyright Claims Board.

 

It looks complicated to me.

Victoria Strauss' post is an update on some author copyright infringement cases authors have filed with the Copyright Claims Board (CCB) she has reported on before. The updates include the names of the publishers in the cases, what the authors claim has happened, and the steps necessary to keep the cases within the system.

 

Panzer says, "Amazon is one of the cases named."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of cocoa, a chocolate brownie, a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit), and a raspberry muffin with chocolate frosting. (Yeah. Mom gave up on her New Year's resolution to cut back on the chocolate.)

 

To read the post tootle over to Copyright Claims Board

Barnes&Noble to Host Inaugural Book Tok Festival - Publishers Weekly

It's been a while since Panzer has been to the Publishers Weekly site, so he decided to make a stop there today. With a little digging in the posts, he found one about Barnes and Noble and Book Tok.

 

Didn't take long for tickets to sell out.

According to Sophia Stewart's post, the first Book Tok Festival is scheduled at the Barnes and Noble Union Square, NYC store. Called B&N Toks Books, it's on February 4. Plans include publishers' booths and author talks.

 

Panzer says, " There's a link for tickets, but don't bother. They're sold out.

 

Note: This is a long-short post. Bring half a cup of cocoa for your reading pleasure.

 

To read the post tootle over to Book Tok Festival

No Post

 

My job is to be a cat. I'm good at it.

Panzer here.

No post today.

Mom has a project to finish for work.

Be back tomorrow.

Free video: Making Money From Google's AI Feature - 20Books Las Vegas 2022

Since earlier today Panzer posted about Apple's new AI-narrated audiobooks, he decided to give you a look at Google's AI-narrator too.

My work is finished for the day.

This video is from the 20Books To 50K Las Vegas 2022 convention. It discusses whether or not you can make money with the Google AI-narrated audiobooks. The video is 45 minutes long and it's free to watch on YouTube.

To watch the video tootle over to Google AI Narrator

Apple rolls out AI-narrated audiobooks, and it's probably the start of a trend - ars Technica

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the ars Technica site.. There our inquisitive little kitty boy discovered a post about Apple Books and AI narrated audiobooks.

There are a lot of changes coming.

According to Samuel Axon's post, Apple is now in the AI narrated audiobook market. Like Google Play Books Apple has its own AI narrators for publishers to use.  When Panzer heard about the AI-narrated audiobooks a few weeks ago, he posted a sample Google Play Store AI-narrated audiobook for you to listen to.

Panzer says, "This little kitty things Apple will soon be charging for publishers/authors' use of the company's AI narrators."

Note:This is a long medium post, Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for your reading today. If you plan to listen to the audiobook, you'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink.

To read the post tootle over  to Apple AI Narrated Audiobooks

To listen to the AI-narrated audiobook Panzer posted earlier, tootle over to AI narrated audiobook

 

 

 

Free Mysteries To Die For Podcast - Season 5: Move It or Lose It

Today Panzer found you a free mystery podcast at the Mysteries To Die For site.

 

The music is not easy to nap to.

The site features stories based on a theme. This season's theme is Move It or Lose It.  The first story of the season is, Party Boat by Ed Teja. The episode is 1 hour+ long. There is an episode intro and then a music background throughout the story which adds to the episode's length.

 

Panzer says, "It's an interesting way to put a mystery podcast together. It's a little hard to figure out who the killer is with so much going on."

 

To listen to the podcast tootle over to Mystery Podcast

Your Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on recorded history:

I really need a kitty-sized online collar camera.

Then ...

I could capture wonderful leaps, acts of amazing balance,

It's magic!*

and ...

sudden feats of startling magic,

when ...

hairballs appear without warning.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Eye Spy

 Here's your Sunday jigsaw puzzle.

Hint.

As always, remember at the puzzle site to click the square in the lower left corner to see the finished puzzle.

 

Just to keep you from getting bored, this one is a little harder than last week's puzzle.

Have fun!

To do the puzzle tootle over to Eye Spy

Why You Might Want to Blur Your House on Google Maps - CNet

Today Panzer made a stop at the CNet site. With a little digging in the posts our traveling kitty boy discovered one about Google Maps.

 

Expect it to be easy? Silly human.

The post by Nelson Aguilar explains why and how you should blur the photo of your home on Google Maps. According to the post, it's not as easy or intuitive as it should be to do.

 

Panzer says, "Mom learned about Google Maps two years ago. She got a snail mail letter from some guy who wanted to buy the house. The letter had a photo of the house and said he got it from Google Maps."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a muffin for while you read. If you plan to blur your house, you'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink.

 

To read the post tootle over to Blur Google Maps

Free Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Podcast Episode: What Kind of Criminal

I love the weekend.

Today for you weekend entertainment Panzer found a new mystery episode at the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine (EQMM) podcast.

The episode, titled What Kind of Criminal, is read by the author, LaToya Jovena. Including the intro, the episode is 23 minutes long.

 

As with all EQMM podcast episodes, it's free for listening.

To listen to the episode tootle over to EQMM Mystery Podcast

Amazon CEO says company will lay off more than 18,000 workers - NPR

Today Panzer made a trip to the NPR site. There he found a post about Amazon employees.

 

That's a lot of people.

According to Bobby Allyn's post, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced the company will be laying off over 18,000 employees. The layoffs will be centered on corporate workers. The post includes a link to Jassy's announcement about the layoffs at Amazon.

 

Panzer says, "18,000? Employees in what cities? What countries?"

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa for your reading. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you'll need to decided what else to bring to eat and drink while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon layoffs

Sherlock Loses His Protections - The Rap Sheet

Panzer was on his way to kitty bed when he heard crying and gnashing of teeth coming from the Catosphere. Jumping  in the Panzermobile, he followed all the chaos to The Rap Sheet site. There he discovered Sherlock Holmes was causing all the trouble.

 

Now about that nap.

J. Kingston Pierce explains in his post that Sherlock Holmes stories are now in the public domain. Links are included to post with more information about the lose of copyright protection.

Panzer says, "Oh no! Now Sherlock Holmes stories will be everywhere, just like Agatha Christie stories are already."

Note: This is a long-short length post or a short-medium length post. (Your choice what you call it.) Bring a cup of cocoa for tonight's reading. If you plan to follow the links, you decide what else to bring to eat and drink.

To read the post tootle over to Sherlock Holmes

France's Hachette Livre: A 30-Percent Carbon Reduction by 2030 - Publishing Perspectives

Today Panzer made a short trip to the Publishing Perspectives site. With no digging at all in the posts, our inquisitive kitty boy found one about Hachette Livre.

30-percent? That's a lot.

According to Porter Anderson's post, Hachette Livre intends to cut their carbon footprint/emissions by 30-percent in the next seven years. The company plans to do it with reductions in four areas: 1) Overproduction, 2) Paper, 3) Manufacturing, and 4) Freight.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks the company is putting too much emphasis on its venders and suppliers."

Note: This is a very long post. Bring a big cup of cocoa, a large muffin and a brownie for today's reading selection.

To read the entire post tootle over to Hachette Livre

Free January Issure of The Big Thrill - International Thriller Writers

Today, Panzer discovered the January issue of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) The Big Thrill is online.

On the landing page you can scroll down to find the different sections or you can click the links on the right sidebar. You'll need to pay particular attention to the instructions when you're scrolling before you click to follow a link. The layout of the online edition has changed; however, all the features are still there including the interviews with authors and discussions about their current books.

 

Cats never get lost. Never.

Panzer says, "This little kitty did almost click the wrong link, so please read before you click."

Note: Since this is the entire January issue, you'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink while you read.

 

To read the new issue tootle over to January edition 

Free Cozy Mystery Audio Book: A Quirky Mystery With A Pug

AI? Doesn't sound different to me.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he decided to make a stop at YouTube. There he found a free cozy mystery audio book.

 

Celia Kinsey's audio book, Something Borrowed, Something Chewed, is 1 hour and 17 minutes long. It's AI narrated and free on YouTube.

Panzer says, "It's a short novel."

 

To listen to the audio book tootle over to Cozy Mystery Audio Book

Smashwords 2022 Year in Review and 2023 Preview - Smashwords Blog

Today, Panzer made a trip over to the Smashwords Blog. There our intrepid kitty traveler found a new post about Smashwords' past and the company's future.

It's like losing a friend.

In the post Mark Coker explains the steps Draft2Digital (D2D) has accomplished in the takeover of Smashwords since the March 2022 purchase of Smashwords. He also explains the steps which remain to be finished in 2023. Once the takeover is complete Smashwords will no longer be an ebook publisher, but, instead, a bookstore.

Panzer says, "This little kitty will be sorry to see Smashwords publishing gone."

This is a long post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to 2022 Year in Review and 2023 Preview

A Monday Panzerism

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 all these gatherings:

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

Your Free Sunday New Year's Day Jigsaw Puzzle

 

Hint

Here's your Sunday jigsaw puzzle.

As always, remember to click the square in the left bottom corner to see the finished jigsaw puzzle.

To do the puzzle tootle over to Happy New Year

New Year's Eve, Midnight, New Year's Day

 Panzer on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day and Kitty Zen:

This is an amazing point in time.

We are at that precise intersection of history and the future.

And ...

We can embrace it and create a wonderful tomorrow.

Sequential kitty napzzzz,*

Or ...

Some I suppose might want to sit back and watch.

Or ...

A few may be disposed toward sleeping through it all until next year.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

The New Year 2023

 

 

Happy New Year!
 

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name