Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Happy New Year's Eve

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 Happy New Year's Eve

Free Mystertyrat's Maze Podcast: Santa's Helper

I'll see you tomorrow.

For those of you who prefer audio to movies and radio Panzer found an audio short story for you at the Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast.

The short story audio Santa's Helper is written by John M. Floyd and narrated by Ren Burley. It's 7+ minutes long including the intro.

 

Grab a leftover Christmas cookie (biscuit), sit back and enjoy the story.

 

To listen to the podcast tootle over to Santa's Helper

Free BBC Radio Drama: The Missing Wife

I'll look for one more.

If you like British radio dramas, Panzer found one on the Arch Phoenix Stanton channel on YouTube.

The radio drama The Missing Wife is written by Peter Whalley. It's 53 minutes long.

Make a cup of tea, curl up under a blanket and see if you can find the missing wife before the end of the radio drama.

To listen to the episode tootle over to The Missing Wife

Free Classic Noir Mystery Movie: Lady in the Fog

I'll see what else I can find for you.

For your Saturday mystery movie Panzer found this classic noir movie at the Cult Cinema Classics channel on YouTube.

The black and white movie Lady in the Fog was made in 1952. It's 1 hour 15 minutes long.

Get a cup of tea, a blanket and enjoy the mystery.

Have fun!

To watch the movie tootle over to Lady in the Fog

Free Holiday RomCom Audiobook: -The Make Believe Marriage

Have fun while I look for more.

The Christmas may be over, but Panzer wants to continue the holiday spirit for you.

 

The Christmas romance The Make Believe Marriage is written by Susanne Ash. It's 1 hour 20 minutes long.

 

Get a cup of cocoa, curl up on the couch in front of the fireplace and enjoy this sweet romance.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Make Believe Marriage

Free Steampunk Audiobook: Lord Sidebottom and the Christmas Caper

Ready for New Year's Eve?

Panzer found another Christmas audiobook to keep the holiday spirit going.

 

The audio short story Lord Sidebottom and the Christmas Caper is written by Jon Cronshaw. It's 40 minutes long.

 

Get a cup of your favorite drink and enjoy this holiday adventure.

To listen to the audio tootle over to Lord Sidebottom and the Christmas Caper

43 Writing Contests in January 2024 - No fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Always read the guidelines.

As we edge closer to the end of December and a new year, Panzer found a post at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site about writing contests in January.

 

Erica Verrillo's post contains 43 writing contests with submission deadlines in January. There are contests for fiction. flash fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and more. Some have submission restrictions. All are free to enter.

Panzer says, "Some have a January 1 submission deadline so you'll need to hurry with your entries."

Note: This is a 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 Contests

Free Publishing Perspectives Forum at Frankfurt Book Fair 2023 Videos

I looked everywhere. There's just nothing here today.

There's not much going on in the Catosphere today, so Panzer is giving you the link to the Publishing Perspective's Forum at the the Frankfurt Book Fair.

 

There are 17 videos from the three day program in November on the YouTube channel. The videos include talks on rights, translations, comics, graphic novels, and much more.

To watch the videos tootle over to Publishing Perspectives Forum

11 (Warm) Writing Conferences and Workshops in Januarry 2024 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Doesn't matter what holiday, Mom is a great cook.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our adventuresome kitty boy found a post about workshops and conferences in January.

 

Erica Verrillo's post lists 11 conferences and workshops through out the month of January. They are all lengths from one day to one week. The conference and workshop subjects covered range from writing to publishing and marketing.

Panzer says, "Be sure to check the guidelines before you signup."

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

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferences

Celtic Christmas Music

Now that Christmas is here, Panzer thought you might enjoy some Christmas music.

 

On Ye Olde Scot Channel on YouTube he found this 1 hour 24 minutes long episode of Celtic Christmas music.

 

To listen to the music tootle over to Celtic Christmas Music

Merry Christmas

 

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Oh! Christmas Break!

Hint

Here's your Sunday Christmas Eve 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 Oh! Christmas Break!

Free Audio Short Story: Honeysuckle Cottage

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

Panzer found a little ghost story to liven things up for you tonight.

The short story Honeysuckle Cottage is written by P.G. Wodehouse and read by Nick Martin. It's 1 hour 6 minutes long.

Some cocoa will be good while you're listening to the ghost story.

To listem tootle over to Honeysuckle Cottage

Free Saturday Noir Mystery Movie: Appointment With a Shadow

I'll see what else I can find for you.

Tonight Panzer found a noir mystery movie for you.

The movie Appointment With a Shadow is a 1957 black and white movie. It's 1 hour 12 minutes long.

Grab your favorite drink, a warm blanket and get ready for a suspense-filled thriller movie.

Enjoy!

To watch the movie tootle over to Appointment With a Shadow

Free Cozy Mystery Audiobook: Live and Let Chai

One less night until Christmas.

For those of you who like mystery audiobooks Panzer found a cozy mystery for you.

 

The audiobook Live and Let Chai is written by Bree Baker. It's 8 hours 41 minutes long.

Get a cup of tea, your favorite blanket, lean back and listen for the mystery clues.

 

To listen to the mystery tootle over to Live and Let Chai

Free Friends to Lovers Romance Audiobook: One Last Christmas

Got all your presents bought and wrapped?

Christmas is getting closer so Panzer decided it's time for a Christmas romance.

 

The clean romance One Last Christmas is written and narrated by Cindy Gunderdon. It's 7 hours 10 minutes long.

 

Grab a cup of cocoa and some Christmas cookies and enjoy the romance.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to One Last Christmas

5 New Agents and a New Agency Seeking Literary and Commercial Fiction, Poetry, Short Stories, Nonfiction, Memoirs, and more - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Looking for an agent? Now's your chance.

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site.  There he found a post about agents seeking writers.

 

Erica Verrillo's post lists 5 agents and the descriptions of the types of material they are accepting. The post also lists one new agency and the types of material they are accepting.

Panzer says, "Now is the time to approach them. When they're new and have more time to work with you."

Note:This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin to snack on while you read.

To read the post tootle over to New Agents

Internet Archive Seeks Reversal in Book Scanning Suit - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer made a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging in the posts there he found one about the Internet Archive.

 

What's the point of copyright if they steal it anyway/

According to Andrew Albanese's post, the Internet Archive (IA) is appealing the decision against IA in the copyright infringement lawsuit brought by publishers. The lawyers for IA argue the judge in the case didn't understand IA's "controlled digital lending" defense. The post contains the four points the IA lawyers say prove their argument. Also included in the post are links to other information about IA and the case.

 

Panzer says, "You need to read the post yourself. The appeal is too convoluted for this little kitty to try to explain it all to you."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Internet Archive

Audible's Virtual Voice is Flooding the Market - Brian's Book Blog *

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Brian's Book Blog site. There our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about the Beta Audible/Amazon Virtual Voice feature.

It's free to do; so, of course, writers are doing it.

The post covers the huge number of AI narrated books being uploaded to Audible in the different genres. The post doesn't address the quality of the narration but, instead, the sheer number of books uploaded. It also points out that there is no way to filter the AI narrated books from a reader's book searches. For example, if you're looking for a cozy mystery audiobook, you'll get AI narrated books included with human narrated books and may find your search inundated with the AI books. The post also includes a Comment Section at the end worth reading as well. (In that section a poster says you must be in KDP Select to use the Virtual Voice feature.)

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty learned about the feature a few days ago on YouTube. Some videos are posted there explaining how to do the AI narration and upload your book to Audible."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Audible's Virtual Voice

 

 

 

* A tip of the kitty fedora to Nate Hoffelder's blog Monday Morning Coffee for the original link to the post.

Your Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on the use of the proper word:

I was looking at the Kitten Book Mom made when I was born.

It said: Name, Breed, Age, and Microchip number.

All filled out correctly.

Then ...

It said: Owner ... And had Mom's name.

Owner? Owner!

Owner? Ha! Not of this cat.*

I was shocked! What an outrage!

You all know Nobody owns a cat, right?

I might be willing to accept Mom is my Feeder.

Sounds regal and appropriate, doesn't it.

That would be okay ...

But Owner? No!

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Look out below!

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 Look out below!

Free Cozy Mystery Audiobook: Broadcast 4 Murder

 

See you tomorrow.

For your enjoyment tonight Panzer found a cozy mystery audiobook for you.

The audiobook Broadcast 4 Murder is written by J.C. Eaton and narrated by Julia Gibson. It's 9 hours long.

Get a cup of tea, sit back and enjoy the mystery.

Have fun.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Broadcast 4 Murder

Free Fantasy Mystery Short Story: The Apple

Let's see what else I can find for you.

For those of you who like your mystery short and with a little fantasy thrown in, Panzer found a short story on the Classic Audiobooks with Elliot channel on YouTube.

The audiobook The Apple is written by H.G. Wells and read by Elliot Fitzpatrick. It's 22 minutes long.

Get your favorite drink and listen to this short story.

Enjoy!

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to The Apple

Your Free Saturday Classic Crime Noir Movie: Secret Service Investigator

 

Make the popcorn with lots of butter.

For those of you who like noir movies Panzer found one on the Broken Trout channel on YouTube.

The Secret Service Investigator is a crime noir.movie. It was made in 1948 and is in black and white.

Make some popcorn and cocoa. Grab your blanket, curl up and watch the movie.

Enjoy!

To watch the movie tootle over to Secret Service Investigator

Free Cozy Mystery Audiobook: Last Pen Standing

 

Santa Claws knows I've been good.

For those of you who like cozy mystery audiobooks, Panzer found the Cozy Mystery Audiobooks channel on YouTube.

The audiobook he found there is Last Pen Standing written by Vivian Conroy and narrated by Molly Griggs. It's 8 hours long.

Grab a cup of tea, sit back and try to solve the mystery before the end of the story.

Have fun!

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Last Pen Standing

Free Sweet Holiday Romance Audiobook: All He Wants For Christmas

Only 10 days until Christmas.

It's getting close to Christmas so Panzer found a clean Christmas romance audiobook for you.

 

The audiobook All He Wants For Christmas is written by Susanne Ash. It's 4 hours long.

 

Make some warm cocoa, wrap up in a blanket and enjoy this Christmas romance.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to All He Wants For Christmas

Cat Wisdom for Humans on Sale at Smashwords December 15 - January 1

 Cat Wisdom for Humans on Sale December 15 - January 1

 

 

I don't usually put Cat Wisdom for Humans on sale, but I did for Christmas this year. It's available at Smashwords only for this sale price. Be sure to check the price when you put it in your cart. Click HERE to buy.

Europe's AI Act Is Agreed; Final Vote Early in 2024 - Publishing Perspectives

 A lot to read and understand here.

Panzer took a quick trip to the Publishing Perspectives site and he's glad he did. Our inquisitive kitty found a post there about the European AI Act.

According to Porter Anderson's post, European countries have come to an agreement on terms to control AI expansion in Europe.The post includes a list of six prohibited AI activities as well as other prohibited activities by "high risk" AI systems. The post includes descriptions of the prohibited activities and what constitutes "high risk" systems.

Panzer says, "You need to read the post to get the full meaning of the European AI Act."

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

To read the post tootle over to Europe's AI Act

Amazon Seeks to Dismiss FTC Antitrust Lawsuit - Publishers Weekly

A wise kitty knows when to keep his mouth shut.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging in the posts there, our illustrious kitty boy found one about Amazon and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

 

According to Andrew Albanese's post, on December 8 Amazon's lawyers filed to have the FTC's antitrust lawsuit dismissed. The lawyers contend the FTC's case hinges on Amazon discounting prices for consumers and they argue it's not illegal to give consumers lower prices. The post includes links to other information about the lawsuit.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty doesn't understand what the case is about, so he's not going to say anything yet."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin to munch on while you read.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Seeks Dismissal

Your Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on persistence:

Greatness is never easy.

It requires focus, intense effort, and endurance.

But after much struggle I have made it.

I am at the top of the world.

I am the greatest!

I am the King of all I survey!

Your King has spoken*

 

What ...?

What do you mean get off the curtains?

 

No!

 

You can't make me.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Follow me.

 

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 Follow me.

Free Classic British Mystery Movie: Calling Paul Temple

Finish for today.

If you like British mystery movies, Panzer found one for you on the Artflix Movie Classics channel.

 

The movie Calling Paul Temple is 1 hour 28 minutes long. It's a 1948 black and white movie.

It's a British movie, so make a cup of tea and try to figure out who the murderer is before the hero does.

Have fun!

 

 To watch the movie tootle over to Calling Paul Temple

Free Classic Detective Audiobook: The Seven of Hearts

I'm looking low.

For those of you who like classic mystery audiobooks Panzer found one on the Detective Chronicles channel.

 

The audiobook The Seven of Hearts is written by Maurice Lablanc. It's 1 hour long,

This audiobook has ads; so, if you find ads annoying, you many not want to listen to it.

 

Get whatever your favorite drink is when you're reading and sit back and enjoy a little mystery.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to The Seven of Hearts

Free Audiobook Ghost Story:The Water Ghost of Harrowby Hall

I'm looking high.

As we get closer to Christmas Panzer thought you might like a ghost story set on Christmas Eve.

 

At the Bitesized Audiobooks channel on YouTube he found The Water Ghost of Harrowby Hall writtern by John Kendrick Bangs. It's narrated by Simon Stanhope and 25 minutes long including the intro.

 

Make a cup of hot cocoa, grab a blanket and settle in to hear a ghost story. 

 

Have fun!

To listen to the story tootle over to The Water Ghost of Harrowby Hall

Free Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine's Fiction Podcast: Home for the Holidays

See you tomorrow.

For those of you who like your mysteries shorter today Panzer found a new episode at the Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine's (EQMM) Fiction Podcast site.

 

The podcast episode Home for the Holidays is written by Andrew Welsh-Huggins. It's 37 minutes.

 

 Get your favorite Christmas drink, grab a warm blanket and enjoy the mystery.

To listen to the episode tootle over to EQMM Fiction Podcast

Free Paranormal Cozy Mystery Audiobook: Frosted

 

I'll keep looking.

For those of you who like the paranormal, Panzer found a paranormal cozy mystery audiobook for you.

 

The paranormal cozy Frosted is written by Sarah Hualde. It's 1 hour 16 minutes long including the author video intro. It does have paid advertising in it.

 

Make a cup of tea to drink as you listen. Have fun!

 

To listen to the audio tootle over to Frosted

Free RomCom Audiobook: Holly's Fake Date for Christmas

Now I'll find something else for you.

Now that it's getting closer to Christmas, Panzer thought you might like a Christmas romance audiobook to listen to.

 

The RomCom audiobook Holly's Fake Date for Christmas is written by Ann Omasta and Callie Love. It's 1 hour 33 minutes long. The Intro says this audiobook is the clean version of the ebook.

 

Get a cup of cocoa, a warm blanket and snuggle up to listen to a little romance.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Holly's Fake Date for Christmas

Amazon aims to provide free AI skills training to 2 million people by 2025 with new 'AI Ready' commitment - About Amazon

Bookmark to find your way beck to what you want.

Today, Panzer made a long trip to the Amazon news site About Amazon. With a little digging in the posts, he found one about Amazon training people aboutaAbo AI (Artificial Intelligence).

 

 VP of Data and AI at AWS Swami Sivasubramanian's post explains Amazon's training program for those interested in learning about AI. Also included in the post are links to the class section, information about other available classes and the company's global push to educate people.

Panzer says, "There are hundreds of classes linked to in the post."

 

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

To read the post tootle over to Free AI Skills Training

110 Calls for Submissions in December 2023 - No submission fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

A market for everybody's manuscript?

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. With a little digging in the posts, he found one about open submissions in December.

 

Erica Verrillo's list has 110 publications accepting submissions. Included in the list are calls for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, and more.

Panzer says, "Some of them have restrictions, so always read the guidelines before you submit."

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

 

To read the post tootle over to December Submissions

AI Research by Meta: Seamless Communication

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today when the Panzermobile was shaken by clapping and ooohing and ahhing outside. Following all the noise, our brave kitty boy discovered it was coming from the Meta site.

It looks like a big step forward.

There he found Meta has developed AI research models which can translate across several languages. The translations also include "expressive" language to make it sound more natural. The post includes translation samples, downloads and links.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks these translations would work for audiobooks too."

Note: This is a humongous post. You'll need to bring your lunch and a sleeping bag for a nap in the middle to read all the information in this post.

To read the post tootle over to Seamless Communication

Your Monday Panzerism

You expected something different?*

Panzer on a canine's true value:

Let sleeping dog's lie ...

After all, they're dogs ...

That's all they're good for.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle:Human, you will obey me.

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 Human, you will obey me.

Free The Great British Radio Play presents ... Miss Marple, Sleeping Murder

Now I can rest and listen with you.

If you're a lover of British radio plays, Panzer found an Agatha Christie mystery play for you.

The Great British Radio Play presents ... Miss Marple, Sleeping Murder is 1 hour 25 minutes long.

 

 Make a cup of tea, lean back in your recliner and enjoy the play.

 

To listen to the play tootle over to Miss Marple

Your Free Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine's Podcast: The Green Man

Hmm ... Dr. Watson is on the case this time?

For those of you who prefer your mystery short Panzer found an audio short story at the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine's Podcast site.

The episode The Green Man is written and narrated by author James G. Tipton. It's 46 minutes long including the intro.

Get some hot cocoa, a warm blanket and snuggle up to enjoy the episode.

To listen to the podcast tootle over to The Green Man

Your Free Saturday Mystery Movie: The Saint Takes Over

 

There's more stuff out there for you.

Panzer found tonight's mystery movie at the Hastings Mystery Theater on YouTube.

 

The movie The Saint Takes Over is a black and white 1940 movie. It's 1 hour 14 minutes long including the introduction.

 

Grab a cup of tea, make a big bowl of popcorn and enjoy the movie.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to The Saint

Free Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast:Christmas Cookie Caper

I'm sleeping in front of the fireplace tonight.

Here's your mystery podcast Panzer found for you.

 

The episode Christmas Cookie Caper is written by Margaret S. Hamilton and narrated by Donna Beavers. It's 21 minutes long, including the intro.

 

To begin the podcast click the orange start button next to the episode title. Enjoy!

 

To listen to the podcast episode tootle over to Margaret S. Hamilton

Your Free RomCom Audiobook: What the Doctor Ordered

You better appreciate what I do for you.

For the romance lovers out in the Catosphere Panzer found a romantic comedy for you.

 

The sweet romance What the Doctor Ordered is written by Janette Rallison. It's narrated by Katie Caruso and 8 hours 41 minutes long.

As always, it's free for your listening, so fix a cup of tea, find a cozy spot and enjoy.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to What the Doctor Ordered