Get an exclusive first look inside Metropolitan Park, the first phase of Amazon's HQ2 - About Amazon

Today Panzer made a trip to the About Amazon site. With a little digging he found a post about Amazon's HQ2.

 

It really is a nice park.

John Schoettler, Vice President of Amazon's Global Real Estate and Facilities, post uses photos, quotes and descriptions to give a tour of Amazon's new Metropolitan Park in Arlington, Virginia. There's also a 45 second YouTube video about constructing the buildings. This is the first phase of Amazon's new HQ2.

Panzer says, "That's a nice park right in the middle of things."

Note: Because of all the photos this is a huge post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you tour the new buildings.

To read the post about Amazon HQ2 tootle over to Amazon Headquarters

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 89 Calls for Submissions in June 2023 - Paying mar...

 

They're looking for everything.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took our intrepid traveling kitty pilot to the Publishing ...and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he found a post about calls for submissions in June.

Erica Verrillo's post lists 89 publications open for submissions in June. There are calls for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translations, and short stories. Some publications have restrictions for submissions.

 

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

Note: Because each entry includes a short description of the publication, this is a long post.You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on as you read the post.

To read the post tootle over to Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

U.S. Memorial Day

 

 

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.

Have fun!

To do the jigsaw puzzle tootle over to What is that?

2023 ThrillerFest Audio Recordings

 

We can't go this year.

Tonight Panzer  made a quick stop at the Thrillerfest site.

 

 Thrillerfest runs June 1-3. If you can't attend in person, audio recordings of the sessions will be available after the conference.

 

 A price list and order form are available at the Thrillerfest site.

 

To read the post about the audio recordings tootle over to ThrillerFest Audio

Your Free Saturday YouTube Mystery Movie: Dishonored Lady

It's a 3 day holiday weekend here.

Here's the mystery movie Panzer found for you to watch tonight.

The movie he picked is Dishonored Lady. Made in 1947 it stars Hedy Lemar.

It's in black and white. It's 1 hour 24 minutes long.

The movie is free on YouTube.

Enjoy.

To watch the movie tootle over to Dishonored Lady

Free RomCom Audiobook: A Cat Called Cupid

It's a holiday weekend in the U.S.

For those of you who like romance audiobooks with a little humor Panzer found one on YouTube for you.

 

The audiobook, A Cat Called Cupid, written by Mazy Morris is AI narrated. It's 2 hours and 41 minutes long.

 

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

Enjoy.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to A Cat Called Cupid

Bing is now the default search for ChatGPT - The Verge

It's going to be a long weekend.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The Verge site. There he found a post about ChatGPT and Microsoft.

 

The post by Tom Warren says effective May 23 Microsoft Bing became ChatGPT Plus' default search engine. Plus is the paid version of ChatGPT. The free version will get a plug-in "soon" to allow the same Bing functionality.

Panzer says, "Like nobody saw that coming after all the bazillion kitty treats Microsoft gave OpenAI."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Chat GPT and Bing

U.S. Book Show: B&N CEO Says Chain Is in Midst of Significant Change - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer was just tootling around in the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was buffeted by clapping and cheering outside. Following all the hullabaloo took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. There he discovered a post about Barnes and Noble was causing all the noise.

Change is good.

According to a post by Ed Nawotka, Barnes and Noble's CEO James Daunt discussed his changes to the chain's bookstores at the U.S. Book Show. These included store managers have more autonomy, books' shelving location changes and online bookstore changes. The post includes other changes as well.

 

Panzer says, "A lot of this little kitty's ebook sales come from the B&N online store."

 

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

 

 To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble changes

Earth Will Receive an 'Alien' Transmission From Mars This Week - Gizmodo

Run don't walk to help.

Sorry this information is late, but Panzer just found it. You'll need to hurry. Today is the day the message will be transmitted. The project is called Sign in Space.

According to George Dvorsky's post, a coded message is being sent to earth from the European Space Agency's TGO at 3:00 ET. You can participate in helping decode it. 

Go to the link below and watch the video about the experiment.

To read the post tootle over to Sign in Space

A Live True-Crime Experience by Sarah E. Burr - Writers Who Kill

Panzer made a quick trip to the Writers Who Kill site today. With some digging in the posts he found one about about a true-crime podcast.

 

You can help solve it.

The post by Sarah E. Burr is about Ashley Flowers' The Deck Investigates. She explains about the Darlene Hulse cold case murder and the investigation. There's a link to The Desk Investigates site where you can listen to all 15 episodes of the murder investigation. The episodes contain ads at the beginning, part way through and at the end.

 

Panzer says, "You can listen to the episodes and then sign the petition."

 

Note: Because there are 15 episodes to listen to this is a long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink while you listen.

 

To read the post tootle over to true crime experience

67 Writing Conferences and Workshops in June 2023 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our intrepid kitty pilot found a post about June's writing conferences and workshops.

Better start early.

Erica Verrillo's post includes 67 conferences and workshops. You can attend workshops and conferences for fiction and/or nonfiction writers. Some do have attendance restrictions. There are both online and in-person conferences.

Panzer says, "Always read the guidelines."

Note: Because this is information about 67 conferences and workshops, it's 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 conferences and workshops

A Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on human correctness:

Even Mom's right once in a while.*

Good news, Mom.

You were absolutely right!

You really can't put toothpaste back in the tube.

No matter how much you squeeze out, it just can't be pushed back in.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Gotcha!

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 Gotcha!

Your Free Saturday Mystery Movie: Porches and Private Eyes Two

My work is finished for the day.

Panzer thought you might like to watch a mystery movie with a little humor in it. Today's movie is the sequel to the Porches and Private Eyes movie he had for you on April 29.

This movie is called Porches and Private Eyes Two. It's 1 hour 15 minutes long.

As always, the movie is free on YouTube.

 

Enjoy.

To watch the movie tootle over to Porches and Private Eyes Two

 

To go to the April 29 movie post tootle over to Porches and Private Eyes

Free Cozy Mystery Audiobook: Chocolate Grudge

Now to find a movie.

For those of you who like cozy mystery audiobooks, Panzer found one on YouTube.

The audiobook, Chocolate Grudge, by Wendy Meadows is narrated by Lily Jane. It's 3 hours 54 minutes long.

As always, it's free for your listening.

 

Enjoy.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Chocolate Grudge

Free Romance Audiobook: The Secret Billionaire

Something with a mystery is next.

For those of you who like clean and wholesome romance audiobooks, Panzer found one on YouTube for you.

The audiobook, The Secret Billionaire, is written and narrated by Christine Kersey. It's 5 hours 26 minutes long.

As always, it's free for your listening.

 

Enjoy.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to The Secret Billionaire

Editing Clauses in Publishing Contracts: What to Watch For - Writer Beware (R)

Today Panzer made a quick trip to the Writer Beware (R) site. With no digging at all in the posts he found one about editing clauses in publishing contracts.

 

Watch out.

Victoria Strauss's post includes samples of red-flag editing clauses. For example: these would be clauses which don't allow the author to see the editing changes made to the manuscript before publication or the publisher has the right to make complete re-writes without author input. There's also a section about what to do if you find one of these editing clauses in your publishing contract.

 

Panzer says, "There sure is a lot to watch out for if you deal with a traditional publisher."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea, a muffin and three chocolate chip cookies.

 

To read the post tootle over to editing clauses

At Canada's Wattpad Publishing Chief Ashleigh Gardner Steps Down - Publishing Perspectives

Today Panzer went to the Publishing Perspectives site. There our busy traveling pilot kitty found a post about Wattpad.

It will be interesting.

According to Porter Anderson's post, Ashleigh Gardner is leaving her position at Wattpad. The post details her impact on Wattpad over the past decade. Also included is how she helped Wattpad and Wattpad authors grow during that same time period.

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders what changes will be made at Wattpad now."

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

To read the post tootle over to Wattpad

No News Today

I really, really need a nap.

No news today.

 

Your favorite kitty boy had to go to the vet today for a vaccination.

 

That means Mom has to catch up on the work she missed.

See you tomorrow.

Amazon raises price on Kindle Unlimited subscription - The eBook Evangelist

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The eBook Evangelist* site.

 

The cost of everything is going up.

According to Glinda Harrison's post, Amazon is raising the Kindle Unlimited monthly subscription fee unless you buy a six months or twelve months subscription. The post includes links to the KU site.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... How many ebooks would you need to read each month to justify paying the increase?"

 

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 Kindle Unlimited subscription

 

*The eBook Evangelist link appeared first at Nate Hoffelder's Monday Morning Coffee 15 May 2023

A Monday Panzerism

Why worry? It's already over.

Panzer on the purpose of naps:

I never worry about the future.

Never.

By the time I wake up from my nap the future has already come and gone.

:*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Happy Mother's Day

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 Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

 

 

Free RomCom Audiobook: How I Met Your Brother

 

Can't find a mystery today.

Just so you know Panzer hasn't forgotten about today's audio book, here's a romcom audio book for you.

 

 The audio book, How I Met Your Brother, by Janette Rallison is narrated by Madeleine Rozek. It's 6+ hours long.

 

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

 

To listen to the audio book tootle over to RomCom Audiobook

You can now buy physical products in games and apps with Amazon Anywhere - About Amazon

Had to tell you about it now.

Today at the Amazon site Panzer found a post about the new Amazon Anywhere function.

 

According to Steve Downer, VP of Consumer Electronics, Amazon Anywhere is currently available in the new Peridot game. You can purchase Peridot merchandise through the in-game store. The post includes a description of Amazon Anywhere, instructions for its use and instructions for creators and developers.

 

Panzer says, "Sounds interesting."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Anywhere

Free Fantasy Audiobook: The Redeemed

I warned you.

Today to help get you started on your weekend, Panzer found a fantasy audio book on YouTube for you.

 

The audio book The Redeemed by Catrin Russell is narrated by Jez Jameson. It's 3 hours and 50+ minutes long.

 

As always, the audio book is free for your listening.

 

Note: The author does say below the audio book that it is for mature audiences, so read the author caution first. You might decide not to listen to the audio book.

 

To listen to the audio book tootle over to Free Fantasy Audiobook

Free Webinar: Characters who aren't people - When Place Plays A Role - MWA Nor Cal Chapter

Did I mention it's free?

Panzer found a free webinar for writers this weekend. He wants to make sure you know the details so you don't miss it.

 

Saturday at 1:00 pm (Pacific Time) mystery author Glenda Carroll will present Characters who aren't people - When Place Plays A Role. 

The webinar will be live at the Mystery Writers of  America Northern California (MWANorCal) Chapter Facebook site. It's open to the public and registration is not required.

To attend on Saturday tootle over to MWA Nor Cal Chapter

Spotify tries to win indie authors by cutting audiobook fees - The Verge

Today, Panzer made a trip to The Verge site. There our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about Spotify and Findaway Voices. You may remember Panzer told you when Spotify bought Findaway last year.

 

Just wondering.

According to the post by Amrita Khalid, Findaway has announced it will no longer charge a distribution fee to indie authors who use Finaway Voices to upload their audiobooks to Spotify and make sales there. The post includes a link to the original Findaway announcement.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty never did understand why Findaway Voices charged to upload to its parent company."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a big cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.ies

 

To read the post tootle over to Findaway Voices

Reactions to 'Artificial Intelligence': Scribd Alters Its Terms - Publishing Perspectives

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing Perspectives site. There he found a post about artificial intelligence (AI) and Scribd.

Wake me in the morning.

According to Porter Anderson's post, subscription service Scribd has made changes to their Terms. The company now explains Scribd has not and will not let any of the material on the platform be used to train AI without the company's permission. There are also quotes from the Association of American Publishers, information about the EU's new rules for AI and other information. The post includes several links to other sources.

Panzer says, "It will be interesting to see the EU's rules for AI."

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

To read the post tootle over to Scribd

A Monday Panzerism

What makes you think I did it? *

Panzer on plausible deniability:

Never step in white paint.

It makes it really, really hard to deny ...

You're the one who put that in What's His Name's shoe.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: What? Haven't seen cat yoga before?

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 What? Haven't seen cat yoga before?

Free Romance Audiobook: The Protective Billionaire

My work is finished for the day.

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

 

The audiobook, The Protective Billionaire, by Christine Kersey is a clean and wholesome romance. It's 6 hours long.

 

As always, it's free for your listening.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Christine Kersey

Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine:Trace Evidence - Writing Your Past

Interesting information.

Earlier Panzer took you to the Mysteryrat's Podcast site. Now, for those of you who prefer reading to listening, he's taking you to Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine's blog Trace Element site.

 

There you can read the post, Writing Your Past, by writer Jeffrey Marks. In the post he explains how to use experiences from your life in your fiction.

As always, the post is free to read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Jeffrey Marks

Free Mystery Podcast: Mysteryrat's Podcast - The Rabbi's Wife Stayed Home

Didn't see that coming.

Today, Panzer has a podcast episode from the Mysteryrat's Podcast site.

The podcast episode, The Rabbi's Wife Stayed Home, by Debra H. Goldstein is narrated by Donna Beavers. The episode is 10 minutes long including the intro.

 

As always the podcast episode is free for your listening.

 

To listen to the episode tootle over to Debra H. Goldstein

Free Mystery Podcast: Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine Fiction Podcast: Rise

Busy weekend so I need my rest.

Panzer is giving you an early start on the weekend with a podcast he found at the Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine Fiction Podcast site.

 

The podcast episode, Rise, by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier is 44 minutes long including the intro.

 

As always the episode is free for your listening.

 

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

Free May Issue of The Big Thrill - International Thriller Writers

Thrillerfest XVIII.

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 articles and reviews as well.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read about the upcoming Thrillerfest."

 

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

 

To read the issue tootle over to May The Big Thrill

 

Bullet Points: Busy Thursday Edition - The Rap Sheet

Panzer made a quick stop at The Rap Sheet site. There with a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one with a collection of mystery information.

 

A lot of useful information here.

J. Kingston Pierce's post contains TV show trailers, movie and TV series descriptions, conference information, and book descriptions. There are also links to get more information on each entry.

 

Panzer says, "The post will answer several of your mystery questions."

 

Note: This is a very, very long post. Bring a big cup of tea, a muffin and a large chocolate chip cookie.

 

To read the post tootle over to Bullet Points

Interview: Anne Perry on Coming to Terms with Her Past - FreshAir Archives

Interesting listening.

While Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, he stopped in at the FreshAir Archives site. There he found an interview with mystery author Anne Perry. The crime fiction writer died April 10.

In the interview Anne Perry discusses her reaction to the release of information about her conviction for murder when she was 15 years old.

 

The interview by Terry Gross was conducted on September 21, 1994. It's 22 minutes long.

 

To listen to the interview tootle over to Anne Perry

OpenAI closes $300M share sale at $27B-$29B valuation - Tech Crunch

Today, Panzer made a quick stop at the Tech Crunch site. There our favorite traveling kitty found a post about OpenAI's fund raising efforts.

 

See you tomorrow.

According to Jagmeet Singh and Ingrid Lunden's post, OpenAI has received financial backing from outside VCs for $300M. This will bring outside share ownership in the company to 30 percent.

 

Panzer says, "My birthday is in a few weeks. Think of all the kitty treats that would buy for a birthday present."

 

Note:This is a very, very long, long post. You'll need to decide what you want to bring to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to OpenAI funding

Your Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on fun outdoor activities:

Today, I was trying to play with one of the Koi fish in the pond.

When What's His Name saw what I was doing, he came running and yelling and waving his arms at me.

Those rocks at the edge of the pond sure are slippery.

And ...

One of those slippery rocks just reached right up and tripped What's His Name.

He sort of ...

Well ...

Kind of ...

He was flapping his arms like he could fly.*

You know ...

 

Fell into the water.

 

But not all the way ...

 

Just up to his ears. 

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

111 Calls for Submissions in May 2023 - Paying Markets - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

This is going to be a long day.

Today, Panzer stopped in at the Publishing ...and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our happy little kitty boy found a post about writing markets looking for submissions.

 

Erica Verrillo's post contains 111 market listings. There are markets for fiction, nonfiction, novels, novellas, short stories,poetry, and more. There's a market for everything here and they're all paying markets.

 

Panzer says, "As always, be sure to read the submission guidelines before submitting."

 

Note:This is a very, very long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to May Markets

Happy May Day

 Beltane 

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name