OpenAI will let you turn off your chat history in ChatGPT - The Verge

It's been a busy weekend.

Here's some important information Panzer found for you at The Verge site.

 

According to Emma Roth's post, OpenAI announced you now have the option to opt out of letting them use your chat history. The post includes instructions for how to opt out.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the post carefully."

 

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

To read the post tootle over to Chat-GPT

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Mom!

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 Mom!

Free Romance Audio book:The Island Retreat

My work is finished.

For those of you who like romance audio books Panzer found one on YouTube.

The audio book The Island Retreat by Elana Johnson is 5 hours long.

As always, it's free for your listening on YouTube.

To listen to the audio book tootle over to The Island Retreat

Your Free Saturday YouTube Mystery Movie: Porches and Private Eyes

Where's the popcorn?

Panzer thought you might like to watch a mystery movie with a little humor tonight. 

The movie he picked is Porches and Private Eyes. This is not a classic mystery movie and is in color. It's 1 hour and 34 minutes long.

If you're looking to watch a movie that's not your standard mystery, here's your chance.

 

As always, the movie is free on YouTube.

To watch the movie tootle over to Porches and Private Eyes

Perseverance Views Drifting Clouds - NASA Science

As Panzer likes to do, our inquisitive kitty boy stopped in at the NASA Science site to see what is happening in space.

 

How?

There he found some images taken in March by the rover Perserverance of clouds in the Martian sky.

 

Panzer says, "Clouds on Mars?"

 

Note: The images can be downloaded.

 

To read the post tootle over to drifting clouds on Mars

Let's Hear It for the Edgars! - The Rap Sheet

No. I was not nominated again.

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, he heard clapping and cheering outside the Panzermobile. Following all the hoopla, took our inquisitive kitty boy to The Rap Sheet site. There he found a post about the Edgar Awards. The Edgars are given each year by the Mystery Writers of America (MWA).

 

J. Kingston Pierce's post lists all 13 of the award winners and the nominees. To save you time we won't repeat them here, because there's also a link included in the post to watch the ceremony on YouTube.

 

Panzer says, "Be prepared. The ceremony is two hours long. Bring something to eat and drink while you watch it."

 

To read the post tootle over to Edgar Awards

No News Today

A day of rest for me.

Panzer here.

Quick note.

Due to a computer problem, no news post today.

Back tomorrow.

44 Writing Contests in May 2023 - No Fees- Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

While he was tootling around in the Catosphere, Panzer decide to stop at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he found a post about writing contests in May.

 

Wow! A story in 25 words!

According to Erica Verrillo's post, there are 44 writing contests accepting submissions in May. Can you write a story in 25 words? There's a contest for you. Are you Canadian? There's one for you. Are you unpublished? There's one for you, too. And there are even more contests listed.

 

Panzer says. "Be sure to read the submissions guidelines because some of the contests have restrictions."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Contests

Admiring Five of Fantasy's Best Cats - Tor.com

Today we'll take care of the important cat business first. Panzer was digging around in the posts at the Tor.com site, when he discovered one about amazing felines found in fantasy books.

 

Not finished yet. Still looking.

The post by Cole Rush lists five (plus one bonus) cats in fantasy novels which the author admires for various reasons. There aren't any plot spoilers here, just descriptions of the cats' interactions with the other characters in the books.

 

Panzer says, "All cats should be admired by humans, but humans are hard to educate about universal facts."

Note: This is a long post. You'll need to decide what you want to snack on while you're reading this selection.

To read the post tootle over to fantasy cats

36 Marvelous Writing Workshops and Conferences in May 2023 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Something for everyone.

Today, Panzer made a stop at the Publishing ... and Other Form of Insanity site. There your illustrious hunter kitty found a post about writing workshops and conferences in May.

 

Erica Verrillo's post includes 36 workshops and conferences which are either online, in person or both. There are fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children's books, and illustrators conferences and workshops. Some of the events do have restrictions.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to go to the site and read all the information before registering."

 

Note:This is a very long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Workshops

Your Monday Panzerism

Panzer on technology:

Mom and What's His Name were talking about the World Wide Spider Web.

 

What's His Name got lost in it and Mom was trying to help him find his way out.

Well, I can help them because I have that thing all figured out.

It's like those dark and gloomy spaces under Mom's furniture.

If you keep digging around ... 

 

Oh, look. What's His Name's wallet.*

Eventually ...

After you get all the dust bunnies out of the cobwebs ...

You'll find the good stuff ...

like my feather, my string, my catnip-filled toy mouse ...

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Sometimes you can't say No.

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 Free Kitten Jigsaw Puzzle

 

Your Free Saturday Romance Audiobook: Just a Cowboy's Shotgun Wedding

See you tomorrow.

For those of you who prefer romance audiobooks, Panzer found one for you on YouTube.

 

The audiobook Just a Cowboy's Shotgun Wedding by Jessie Gussman is narrated by Jay Dyess. It's 6 hours and 38 minutes long.

 

As always, it's free for your listening.

 

Enjoy.

 

To listen to the audio book tootle over to Sweet Romance Audiobook

Your Free Saturday YouTube Mystery Movie: Dressed to Kill

I'm not finished yet.

Panzer thought you might like to watch a classic mystery movie tonight.

 

The movie he picked is Sherlock Holmes in Dressed to Kill. Basil Rathbone stars as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Doctor Watson. It is in black and white and was made in 1946. It's 1 hour 11 minutes long.

 

 The movie is free on YouTube.

Enjoy.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Sherlock Holmes

Today Is Earth Day

 

Anatomy of a Fake Literary Agency Scam - Writer Beware(R)

Today, Panzer's first stop in the Catosphere was at the Writer Beware(R) site. There he found a post about fake literary agency scammers.

 

This is very important.

In her post Victoria Strass explains the steps the scammers go through to get writers to pay for their "services": Starting with contacting the writer, progressing to appealing to the writer's dreams of fame, wealth and success, followed by recommending the agency's services to make all those happen. The post has examples from a fake literary agency's direct contact with writers, advertising through letters and brochures and social media platforms.

 

Panzer says, "Always listen to your Mom and don't talk to strangers."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea, a muffin and a chocolate chip cookie for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to fake literary agency scam

CEO Jassy's Letter to Shareholders - About Amazon News

Now for a little nap.

Panzer's last stop for today is at the Amazon News site. There he found CEO Andy Jassy annual letter to company shareholder.

 

The letter explains how the company has managed other economic downturns and how it is managing the current one. It describes the necessity for employee layoffs and division closures.

 

Note: This is a long, long post. Bring a large mug of tea, a muffin, two brownies, and three chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to CEO Andy Jassy

At London Book Fair: The International Booker Prize 2023 Shortlist - Publishing Perspectives

The places I go for you.

In his continuing travels Panzer stopped in at the Publishing Perspectives site. There he found a post about the International Booker Prize.

Porter Anderson's post explains this is the International Booker Prize for translations.There are six books on the shortlist. The winning book's prize will be split between the author and translator(s).

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know there were so many different International Booker Prizes."

 

Note: This is a medium length post because it includes the long list too. If you just want to read the shortlist information, bring half a cup of tea. If you want to read about the long list and other information, you'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to International Booker Prize

Spotify Launches Audiobook Sales in Canada - Publishers Weekly

Sorry I missed it when it first posted.

Today, Panzer made a quick stop at the Publishers Weekly site. There with a little digging in the posts, our illustrious kitty boy found one about Spotify.

 

According to Ed Nawotka's post, Spotify is now selling audiobooks in Canada. Spotify has 350,000 audiobooks available in English and French there.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty wonders if they need a kitty translator."

 

Note: This is a short post. You don't need to bring anything to eat or drink for this post.

 

To read the post tootle over to Spotify

2023 Emerging Writer Prize shortlist announced! - Rakutenkobo Blog

I deserve a nap after all this.

Panzer found an interesting post at the Rakutenkobo Blog. The Emerging Writer Prize shortlist has been announced. The Prize is for first-time Canadian authors. There are three divisions one of which in the fiction category rotates each year.

 

Follow the link below to see this year's shortlist. When you get to the site, scroll down the page to each genre listing. Use the arrow keys on the right and left side of the page to view more books in the genre.

 

To view the shortlist tootle over to Emerging Writer Prize

OpenAI's CEO confirms the company isn't training GPT- and 'won't for some time' - The Verge

Interesting information.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he decided to make a stop at The Verge site. With a little digging in the posts there he found one about OpenAI's GPT-5.

 

According to James Vincent's post, CEO Sam Altman says OpenAI isn't working on training GPT-5. The post includes a 3 minute YouTube video of CEO Altman. After the video James Vincent explains what a version number is (GPT-4 vs. GPT-5) and what it isn't.

 

Panzer says, "You really need to read the section about version numbers."

 

Note: This is a very long post. Bring a large cup of tea and big muffin for your snack while you read the post.

 

To read the post tootle over to OpenAI-GPT 5 rumors

At London Book Fair Tuesday: Copyright Under Attack - Publishing Perspectives

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing Perspectives site. There with no digging at all our inquisitive kitty found a post about copyright issues.

IA said they'll appeal.

Porter Anderson's post covers the global, international discussion of copyright problems by the speakers at the Tuesday program of the London Book Fair. The second half of the post is a deep dive into the Internet Archive (IA) copyright infringement case and the final judgement.

Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know the International Publishers Association sent paperwork to the case until he read it in the post."

Note: This is a long, long post. Bring a huge cup of cocoa, a muffin, a chocolate brownie, and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading.

To read the post tootle over to London Book Fair

20 Publishers Accepting Novels, Poetry and Nonfiction Manscripts NOW - No agent required - Publishing ...and Other Forms of Insanity

That's it for today.

Today at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site Panzer found a post about publishers that are currently accepting manuscripts. No agent is needed for your manuscript submission.

 

Erica Verrillo's title includes the information about the markets contained in the post, so we won't repeat it.

Panzer says, "As always, read the guidelines before you submit."

 

Note: Because the post contains information about each of the markets, this is a long piece. You will need to decide what you want to bring to eat and drink while you read the post.

 

To read the post tootle over to publishing markets

Your Monday Panzerism

Panzer on the Creator's creations:

The Creator only made a certain number of perfect creatures.

Ones ...

with fur ...

See ... No thumbs.

with tails ...

with pointy ears ...

and the extraordinary ability to purr.

The rest he gave opposable thumbs.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Free Cozy Mystery Audio Book: Cherry Chocolate Murder

See you tomorrow.

To finish your evening Panzer found a cozy mystery audio book on YouTube.

The audio book, "Cherry Chocolate Murder," by Abby Byne is AI narrated. It's 2 hours 22 minutes long. 

As always it's free for your listening.

 

To listen to the audio book tootle over to cozy mystery audio book

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Anybody got a ladder? #2

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 puzzle tootle over to  Anybody got a ladder? #2

Free YouTube Mystery Movie Classic: And Then There Were None

That's it for tonight. Have fun.

Panzer found a free classic mystery movie on YouTube for you to watch tonight.

It's Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. This is an adaption of her play not from a novel.

The movie was made in 1945 and is in black and white. It's 1 hour 36 minutes long.

To watch the movie tootle over to Agatha Christie

Free on YouTube: Writing Short Fiction That Sells with Linda Landrigan - Jane Cleland

A lot of good information here.

Panzer found an interview with Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine editor-in-chief Linda Landrigan on Jane K. Cleland's YouTube channel.

 

Jane Cleland and Linda Landrigan discuss what sells and what doesn't sell short fiction. Since Linda Landrigan is the editor-in-chief at Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, she knows first hand what makes a good short story and what ruins it.

 

The interview is 1 hour 14 minutes long and is free to listen to.

 

To watch the YouTube channel tootle over to Jane Cleland

Free Mystery Podcast: Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine's - Five Bullet Friday

Wonder if I can find something else.

Today, Panzer found a mystery episode at the Alfred Hitchcok's Mystery Magazine's Podcast site.

The podcast episode, "Five Bullet Friday," is narrated by author Mary Angela Honerman. The episode is 28 minutes long including the intro.

As always the episode is free for your listening.

To listen to the episode tootle over to Mary Angela Honerman

Rights vs. Copyright: Untangling the Confusion - Writer Beware(R)

Guard your rights.

Today, Panzer stopped in at the Writer Beware (R) site. There he found a post about copyrights and rights.

 

Victoria Strauss' post is an excellent explanation of copyright, rights and publishing contracts. The post also explains what rights and terms a writer needs to look for in a publishing contract.

 

Panzer says, "Every writer should read this post."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin. Also bring a paper and pen for taking notes of important points to remember.

 

To read the post tootle over to Rights vs Copyright

22 Literary Magazines Open NOW for Poetry, Short Fiction, Essays, CNF, Speculative Fiction, and more - Paying Markets - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

My work is finished for the day.

Today at the Publishing ...and Other Forms of Insanity site Panzer found a post about literary magazines open for submissions.

 

Erica Verrillo's title includes the information about the markets contained in the post, so we won't repeat it.

 

Panzer says, "Always read the guidelines before you submit."

 

Note: Since the post includes descriptions and guidelines for each publication, this is a long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink while you read the post.

 

To read the post tootle over to literary magazines

'Harry Potter' Series A Go With J.K. Rowling Executive Producing, Set For 10-Year Run On Max - Deadline

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere the Panzermobile was suddenly buffeted by clapping and cheering outside. Following all the hullabaloo took our brave kitty boy to the Deadline site. There he discovered an announcement about a Harry Potter series.

 

I can't wait.

According to the post by Anthony D'Alessandro, the series will run for 10 years. Each year of the series will be based on one Harry Potter book. This will give an opportunity to learn more about the characters in each book as they travel through the series.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty loves Harry Potter books and J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World."

 

Note: This is a short medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Harry Potter series

Free Mystery Podcast:Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast - Easter Spam

How could I forget?

Panzer was going to post this Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast episode on Easter, but we had so much to do that day he forgot. So, today you get an Easter mystery podcast.

 

 The podcast episode, "Easter Spam," by John Weagly is narrated by Sean Hopper.

 

The episode is 7 minutes long including the intro.

As always the episode is free for your listening.

 

To listen to the podcast tootle over to Easter Spam

How Working with Libraries Can Help Sell Your Books - Catapult

While Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, he found another post about libraries and selling your books. This post is at the Catapult site. It's written by author and librarian Kerri Sullivan.

 

My work is finished for the day.

Kerri Sullivan's post is about doing programs for the library. These programs are not author signings. The author should put together information on a topic related to their book that an audience would find interesting. The post has a section on putting your program together and another on approaching libraries about library presentation opportunities.

Panzer says, "This is a post from last year, but all the information is still useful. It takes a deep look into what libraries really want and need from an author."

 

Note: This is a very long post. Bring a cup of tea, an apple and brownie for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to libraries

How to Connect with Your Local Public Library - Writers Who Kill

Today, Panzer decided to spend some time searching the Catosphere to find ways to get his books into libraries. His first stop was the Writers Who Kill site. There he found Shari Randall invited two writers associated with libraries to do a post for the blog.The two writers are members of Sisters in Crime with Shari Randall.

Libraries are good places to visit.

In the post Susan Hammerman interviews Cari Dubiel about how authors can get their books in libraries. One of the primary ways is to approach your local library. As is pointed out in the interview, it's a waste of time to email or send information to libraries that have no idea who you are since you have no connection to them.

 

Panzer says, "There's some good information in the post."

 

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for your reading time.

 

To read the post tootle over to public libraries

Your Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on statistical analysis:

It's pretty easy to tell when information supplied as fact is incorrect.

Now take for example, Mom's statement, "The average cat sheds his body weight in loose hair each month."

Average? You maybe. Not me.*

Obviously ...

This is not true.

There is no such thing as an average cat ...

All cats are way, way above average.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Free YouTube Mystery Move:The House of Fear

 

Mom is a great cook.

Now that you've finished your Easter dinner Panzer thought you might like to watch a mystery movie.

The movie he picked is Sherlock Homes in The House of Fear. Basil Rathbone stars as Sherlock Homes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. It's in black and white and was made in 1945. It's 1 hour and 9 minutes long.

The movie is free on YouTube.

To watch the movie tootle over to Sherlock Holmes

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Easter Eggs

Hint

Here's your Sunday jigsaw puzzle.

 

Today's puzzle is a little harder than usual.

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

Happy Easter!

To do the jigsaw puzzle tootle over to Easter Eggs

Happy Easter

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

 

Free Mystery Podcast: Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine's Podcast - Lizzie Noel

If you'd rather listen than read.

Earlier Panzer took you to Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine's blog. Now, he's taking you to EQMM's podcast site.

 

The podcast episode, "Lizzie Noel," narrated by author Charlotte Hinger is 40 minutes long including the intro.

As always the episode is free for your listening.

 

To listen to the podcast tootle over to Lizzie Noel

Expecting the (Un)expected - by Janet Hutchings -Something Is Going To Happen

Are you ready for bunny rabbit day?

Since this is the weekend, Panzer decided to find a post for your reading enjoyment.

 

At Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine Something Is Going to Happen site he found a post by EQMM's editor, Janet Hutchings. 

In her post she explains about all the manuscripts she reads for the magazine. She also explains how a writer might want to change their submission routine to the magazine.

 

 Panzer says, "This is an interesting post from an editor's perspective of reading for a magazine."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea, a muffin, a brownie and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading selection.

 

To read the blog post tootle over to Janet Hutchings

Gwyl Crime Cymru Festival 2023

It's that time of year again. Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Gwyl Crime Cymru Festival site.

The festival will be held April 21- 23 in Aberystwyth, Wales. There will be panels with authors, agents, and publishers. This year's lead in speaker is David Baldacci. The panels will be in-person, streamed online and one pre-recorded. Some panels are in Welsh only. Ticket prices vary.

I'd go just to see the dragons.

Panzer says, "Tickets for the Dragon Parade are already sold out."

Note: Because the first link below contains the panels and times for them, it is a medium length post. Because the second link below contains a description of each panel and who the panelists are, it is a long post. You'll need to decide what you want to bring to eat and drink while you read.

To see the program times and locations tootle over to Program

To see panel information tootle over to Gwyl Crime Cymru Festival

Exit Interview: "I Had the Best Job in Publishing for 20 Years, and I Was Ready for More" - The Rap Sheet

There is a newsletter and website.

Earlier tonight Panzer told you about the closure of the international book retailer Book Depository. Now in his most recent travels in the Catosphere he stopped at The Rap Sheet site. There he discovered Mystery Scene magazine is closing down.

J. Kingston Pierce's post begins with a history of Mystery Scene and progresses into an interview with editor-in-chief Kate Stine. The magazine published it's last issue in 2022.

 

 Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin to eat while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Mystery Scene

Book Depository Is Closing - Book Depository

Part of Amazon's cost cutting plan.

Today Panzer learned Amazon is closing international book retailer Book Depository.

According to the notice at the Book Depository site, they will close on April 26. 

Panzer says, "The Q&A at the site answers questions about both current and past book orders and the closing."

Note: Because its in the Q&A format, this is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to Book Depository Closure

How to use AI in your writing - Sherri Easley - Smart Girls Read Romance

Nothing can replace me.

Panzer found an interesting post about ChatGPT at the Smart Girls Read Romance site. 

Sherri Easley had ChatGPT write her post for the site.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... I'm not sure what I think about using it to write a post. I don't think it could capture my kitty voice."

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

 To read the post tootle over to Sherri Easley

Library e-book app Overdrive to shut down on May 1, readers directed to Libby instead - TechCrunch*

The plumbers are here.**

Today Panzer has news from the TechCrunch site. The OverDrive app is being shut down. Although it has other uses, most of us are familiar with it through our local libraries.

Sarah Perez's post includes links to information about OverDrive's shut down and information about OverDrive's replacement Libby.

 

 Panzer says, "Our library made the announcement too." 

To read the post tootle over to OverDrive

 

 

 

 *A tip of the kitty fedora to Nate Hoffelder's Morning Coffee - 3 April 2023 for the original link to this news.

 

** Yay! They say the water pipe will be replaced by this afternoon.

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 human

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: What is that?

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.

This one is a little harder than usual.

Have fun!

To do the puzzle tootle over to What is that?

Free April Issue of The Big Thrill - International Thriller Writers

Just keep saying: Plumber on Tuesday.

Today, Panzer discovered the newest issue of the International Thriller Writers The Big Thrill is online.

On the landing page you can scroll down to find the different articles, author interviews and book reviews. You can also click the links in the right sidebar to go to individual as well.

Panzer says, " Be sure to read the interview with Rita Mae Brown about the Sneaky Pie Brown books."

Note: Since this is the entire April issue, you will need to decide what to bring to eat and drink while you're reading.

 

To read the new issue tootle over to April The Big Thrill