Barnes and Noble Bookstore Opens Store in Kalispell - Flathead Beacon

That's a big turn-around.

Today at the Flathead Beacon site Panzer found a post about Barnes and Noble Bookstore.

 

 According to the post by the Flathead Beacon staff, Barnes and Noble opened a new bookstore today (January 31) in Kalispell, Montana. The post quotes from a press release about CEO James Daunt's pleasure in opening a new bookstore in the area. It also says Barnes and Noble intends to open 50 more stores this year.

Panzer says, "It wasn't that long ago Barnes and Noble didn't look like it would survive. Now, they're talking about opening 50 new stores."

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

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble Bookstore

67 Calls for Submissions in February 2024 - Paying Markets - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Be sure and read the deadline dates.

Today, Panzer made a trip to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our traveling kitty boy found a post about paying markets for writers.

 

Erica Verrillo's post lists 67 open markets for submissions. There are markets for fiction, nonfiction, flash fiction, short stories, novellas, essays, and poetry.

Panzer says, "Some of these markets have beginning of February deadlines, so you better hurry with your submissions."

 

Note: This is a long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you read over the submission guidelines.

To read the post tootle over to Calls for Submissions

Your Monday Panzerism

 

And ... the food dish.*

Panzer on cat philosophy:

A journey of a thousand miles ...

begins ...

with a single trip to the litter box.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: What a day I've Had.

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 a day I've had.

Stairway to Heaven Cat Parody Song

See you tomorrow.

Panzer thought you might find this song ... 

 

enlightening ...

 

or ... 

 

maybe ... 

 

just funny.

It's on Shirley Serban's channel on YouTube.

To watch the video tootle over to Cat Parody Song

Free Thriller Mystery Audiobook: A Killer's Heart

Movie last night. Audiobook today.

If you like thriller mystery audiobooks, here's one Panzer found for you.

 

The FBI mystery A Killer's Heart is written by Thomas Fincham. It's AI narrated and 8 hours 26 minutes long.

Get a cup of coffee, but you're not going to get comfortable while you're listening to this mystery.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to A Killer's Heart

 

Free Sweet Romance Audiobook: Second Chance in Hawk Ridge Hollow

Let's see what kind of mystery I can find for you.

Today for all the lovers looking for a romance audiobook Panzer found one for you on YouTube.

 

The sweet and wholesome romance Second Chance in Hawk Ridge Hollow is written by Ellie Hall. The audiobook is narrated by Lorana Hoopes and it's 2 hours 53 minutes long.

Make a cup of tea, wrap up in a blanket, lean back on the couch, and enjoy the romance.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Second Chance in Hawk Ridge Hollow

Free Classic Mystery Movie: The Kennel Murder Case

It's 91 years old. Let's see what it looks like.

For those of you who like classic mystery movies Panzer found one on the Cult Cinema Classics channel on YouTube.

 

The movie is a Philo Vance murder mystery called The Kennel Murder Case. The movie was made in 1933. It's 1 hour 13 minutes long.

Make some popcorn, grab your favorite drink, wrap up in a blanket, and enjoy the movie.

To watch the movie tootle over to The Kennel Murder Case

Free Clean Romance Audiobook: Stranded Poolside With the Billionaire's Son

I'll be back in a few minutes.

For those of you who like your audiobook romances clean Panzer has found one for you.

 

The clean romance Stranded Poolside With the Billionaire's Son is written by Susanne Ash. It's 1 hour 56 minutes long.

Make a cup of tea, curl up on the couch and enjoy the romance.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Susanne Ash

OpenAI partners with Arizona State University to use ChatGPT in classrooms - The Verge

Rules change whenever you want.

On today's trip into the Catosphere Panzer stopped in at The Verge site. There with a little digging in the posts he found one about ChatGPT.

According to Emilia David's post, Arizona State University (ASU) will now use ChatGPT Enterprise for student and faculty projects.  There's a link in the post to the original press release about ASU and OpenAI's agreement.

Panzer says, "Hey wait a minute! This little kitty thought schools were saying students could not use ChatGPT. When did that change?"

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

To read the post tootle over to OpenAI and Arizona State University

Canada Calls for AI Input With Copyright Needs Still Unmet - Publishing Perspectives

Today Panzer found a post about another country gathering information about AI and copyright issues.

 

No it can't think and create new stories.

According to the post by Porter Anderson, Canada's government is collecting input on AI and copyright and their impact on artists, writers and publishers. One issue already brought up addresses the fact humans as the creators of new ideas and material should be granted copyright protection; but, since AI cannot create new ideas and material. it should not be granted copyrights. Links to other information about the subjects in the post are included.

 

Panzer says, "Let's hope deciding what to do about AI and copyright doesn't take as long as fixing the Copyright Modernization Act is taking."

 

Note: This is a very long post. You will need to decide what you want to eat and drink as your snack while you read today's selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Canada AI Input

15 Fabulous Writing Conferences and Workshops in February 2024 - Publishing ...and Other Forms of Insanity

Five weeks?

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

 

Erica Verrillo's post lists 15 writing conferences and workshops. They cover fiction, nonfiction, poetry, short stories, novels, publishing, and editor and agent pitches. Some are online and some are in-person. They range in length from one day to one day per week for five weeks.

Panzer says, "Be sure to check the attendance guidelines. Some have restrictions."

 

Note: This is a long post. You will need to decide what to bring to snack on while you read today's selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferen.ces

A Monday Panzerism

 

I'm still not listening.*

Panzer on the human misconception of their importance:

I went to the vet today.

She cleaned out my ears.

I can hear much better now.

But that doesn't mean I'll do what you say.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: It has been a hard 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 puzzle tootle over to It's been a hard day.

Free British Crime Mystery Movie: Jigsaw

 

When I wake up there better be some popcorn left.

Here's today's mystery movie Panzer found for you on the GEM Film Library channel on YouTube.

 

The movie Jigsaw is a black and white British murder mystery. It's 1 hour 47 minutes long.

Grab a big bowl of popcorn and enjoy the mystery.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Jigsaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Dystopian/Thriller/Romance Audiobook: From the Dust

If you don't like dystopian, don't listen to this.

For those of you who like stories with subplots, here's a dystopian, thriller audiobook with a little romance thrown into the mix.

The audiobook From the Dust is written by AR Colbert and narrated by Jennifer Groberg. It's 6 hours 44 minutes long.

Make a cup of tea, curl up on the couch with a blanket and enjoy this dystopian story.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to From the Dust

Free Sweet Romance Audiobook: The Christmas Pact

Now to get warm.

In keeping with today's freezing theme Panzer found a Christmas romance audiobook for you.

 

The audiobook The Christmas Pact is written by Meg Easton. It's 4 hours 21 minutes long.

 

Make a cup of tea, get a warm blanket and enjoy the romance.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to The Christmas Pact

Free Mystery Thriller Audiobook: The Enigma Strain

You owe me a lot for finding this for you.

For those of you who like a little chilling tension in your mystery, Panzer found a mystery thriller audiobook for you.

 

The audiobook The Enigma Strain is written by Nick Thacker and narrated by MP McDougall. It's 8 hours 28 minutes long.

 

Make a cup of hot chocolate and grab a warm blanket to fight of the chill while you enjoy today's mystery.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to The Enigma Strain

Leftys Coming in the Spring - The Rap Sheet

Today Panzer made a long overdue trip to The Rap Sheet site. There with just a little digging in the posts he found one about the Lefty awards.

 

Not on the list this time. They don't want the competition.

According to J. Kingston Pierce's post, the Left Coast Crime convention has announced the nominees for the Lefty awards. The nominees are in four categories: Best Humorous Mystery Novel, Best Historical Mystery Novel, Best Debut Mystery Novel, and Best Mystery Novel (not in other categories). The post includes a link the original press release.

 

 Panzer says, "There are too many nominees to list here, but you can see them at The Rap Sheet site."

Note: Because of the nominee lists this is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) to snack on while you read.

To read the post tootle over to Leftys

US: AAP Announces Support for AI-Certification Nonprofit - Publishing Perspectives

How many AI providers will apply for certification?

Today, Panzer decided it was time for a quick trip to the Publishing Perspectives site. He's really glad he stopped in there because he found a post about certification for AI companies.

Porter Anderson's post explains about the company Fairly Trained's certification program for AI providers. On a basic level the providers must have obtained a license for the material used to train the AI. In that way there is no copyright infringement involved. The post includes links to other information.

Panzer says, "The post does say none of the big AI providers have applied for certification yet."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of hot chocolate and a blueberry muffin for today's reading.

To read the post tootle over to AI-Certification

Audible Cuts 5% of It's Staff - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There our illustrious kitty boy found a post about Audible.

 

They're already slow getting the audiobooks uploaded.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Audible is laying off approximately 100 employees. CEO Bob Carrigan said in a memo to employees the company needs to be more efficient to compete in the audiobook world.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... That sounds like less employees doing the work of more employees and doing it faster.".

 

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 Audible

Momday Panzerism

 Panzer on alternative uses for forest products:

Who would know?*

If a tree fell in the forest ...

and ...

 

there was no one there to hear it,

 

could I have it for a scratching post?

 

 

 

 

* From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: It's called the Cat Strut. Learn it.

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 It's called the Cat Strut. Learn it.

Free Classic Mystery Movie: Eyes In The Night

Nap time.

Here's the mystery movie Panzer found on the DK Classics III channel on YouTube.

The movie Eyes In The Night was made in 1942 and is in black and white. It's 1 hour 19 minutes long.

 

Make a big bowl of popcorn and enjoy the movie.

To watch the movie tootle over to Eyes In The Night

Free Cozy Mystery Audiobook: A Hopeless Heist

I'm going to look for tonight's movie now.

For your audiobook listening tonight Panzer found a cozy mystery audiobook.

 

It's titled A Hopeless Heist and written by Daniel Carson. It's narrated by Tavia Gilbert and is 6 hours 39 minutes long.

 

Make a cup of tea, grab a blanket and enjoy the mystery.

To listen to the audio mystery tootle over to A Hopeless Heist

 

Free Classic Mystery Short Story Audio: The Regent's Park Murder

My work is finished for the day.

For those of you who prefer classic short mysteries Panzer found one on the Bitesized Audio Classics channel on YouTube.

 

The classic mystery short story The Regent's Park Murder was written by Emma Orczy. It's narrated by Simon Stanhope and 35 minutes long.

 

Get a cup of tea and enjoy this short mystery.

 

To listen to the audio tootle over to The Regent's Park Murder

Free Fake Relationship Romance Audiobook: Love, Austin

I'm going to find something else for you.

For your romance listening tonight Panzer found a fake relationship romance audiobook.

 

The audiobook Love, Austin is written by Britney M. Mills. It's 5 hours long.

Make a cup of hot cocoa, grab a blanket and lean back and enjoy the romance.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to  Love, Austin

OverDrive: Record Number of Libraries Hit One Million Digital Lends in 2023 - Publishers Weekly

Did you miss me yesterday?

Yesterday, due to a windstorm we lost internet access. It's back today; so, Panzer made a little trip to the Publishers Weekly site. There with no digging at all in the posts, he found one about OverDrive and the libraries it serves.

 

According to Andrew Albanese's post, 152 libraries globally had one million or more digital lends to library patrons last year. The post includes a list of the top 10 lending libraries, a list of the top lending consortiums, and a list of the 25 first time on the one million lends list libraries. Also included is a link to all the million and more lends library list.

Panzer says, "Hmm. Maybe this little kitty should try to get his ebooks into the library systems."

Note: Because of the lists included in the post, this is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of hot cocoa to drink while you read today.

To read the post tootle over to OverDrive

'Impossible' to creatAi tools like ChatGPT without copyrighted material, Open AI says - The Guardian

Do humans think about what they say before they say it?

Today, Panzer made a trip to The Guardian site. There with a little digging in the posts, our intrepid kitty hunter found one about OpenAI and ChatGPT.

According to Dan Milmo's post, OpenAI is claiming that without the ability to "train" it's chatbot using copyrighted material without the copyright holders permission, the bot wouldn't be as smart or functional as it is now or in the future.

 

Panzer says, "It's an interesting argument: If I can't use people's work without their permission or knowledge, then my machine won't work right. That means, instead of me asking for permission to use the copyrighted material, you need to let me train my machine its okay to steal. Right?"

Note: This is a medium post. Bring a cup of tea and two cookies (biscuits) for today's snack while you read.

To read the post tootle over to AI ChatGPT

New Publishers and Agents in 2023 from The Hot Sheet*

The Hot Sheet is a good source of information.

Looking for a new publisher (or imprint) or agent for your work?

 

Here's a list of 2023 new publishers (and  imprints) and agents compiled by Jane Friedman, publisher of The Hot Sheet. There's fiction and nonfiction included. (Some of the publishers you will/may need an agent to submit your work.)

 

To read the list tootle over to New Publishers and Agents

 

 

(*A tip of the kitty fedora to Write|Publish|Sell for the link to the post in the end of the year resources email.)

Your Monday Panzerism

Really. Whatever I want.*

Panzer on the art of misdirection:

I do whatever I want, whenever I want.

As long as Mom doesn't know it was me.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Checkmate

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 Checkmate

Free Mystery Audio Short Story: The Marzarin Stone

My work is finished for today.

For those of you who like mystery short stories Panzer found one at the Magpie Audio channel on YouTube.

The audio mystery The Marzarin Stone was written by Arthur Conan Doyle. It's a Sherlock Holmes short story read by Greg Wagland. It's 35 minutes long.

Make a cup of tea, grab a warm blanket and enjoy the mystery.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to The Marzarin Stone

Free Romantic Comedy Crime Movie: Rings on Her Fingers

A different kind of movie than usual.

For tonight's movie Panzer found a crime movie at the GEM Film Library channel on YouTube.

 

The black and white Rings on Her Fingers is a romantic comedy crime movie. The movie is 1 hour 24 minutes long.

 

It does have ads so, if that annoys you, skip this one.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Rings on Her Fingers

 

Free Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine's Fiction Podcast: City of Lights

See you tomorrow.

For all the mystery fans visiting here Panzer found a short story episode at the Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine's Fiction Podcast site..

 

The episode City of Lights is written by Josh Pachter. It's 35 minutes long.

 

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

To listen to the episode tootle over to City of Lights

Free Sweet Romance Audiobook: Cowboy Walking Away

Going off to find something else for you.

For today's audiobook Panzer thought you might like a sweet romance.

 

The audiobook Cowboy Walking Away is written by Jessie Gussman and narrated by Jay Dyess. It's 5 hours 26 minutes long.

Get a cup of hot chocolate, grab a warm blanket and lay back and enjoy the romance.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Cowboy Walking Away

AI: Copyright Challenges Now Includes a New York Times Lawsuit - Publishing Perspectives

There are a lot of links included in the post.

Panzer was out tootling around in the Catosphere when he decided to make a stop at the Publishing Perspectives site. There he discovered a post about a new lawsuit against OpenAI.

According to Porter Anderson's post, the New York Times has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microscoft. The lawsuit accuses them of using the New York Times articles "to train chatbots." The lawsuit also brings up the issue of copyright infringement since the articles were used without permission or payment. The post also contains information about other lawsuits and links to other posts with more information about the lawsuits.

Panzer says, "This could get very interesting."

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

To read the post tootle over to New York Times lawsuit

Free News From The Big Thrill - International Thriller Writers

It's a long, long, long post. Take a blanket for a nap.

Today, Panzer made a trip to the International Thriller Writers' The  Big Thrill site. There our resourceful kitty boy discovered a new The Big Thrill News issue is online. 

 

The site is divided into sections. Each section has samples and, if you're interested, below the samples you can click to read more. When you click the button for more, if you go to the bottom of the page, there's another button to go to the next page. Each section is set up the same.

Panzer says, "There's no Table of Contents, so you might get lost."

Note:This is a huge site, so you'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to The Big Thrill

Your Monday Panzerism

(Since Christmas and New Year's Day both were on Mondays, there hasn't been a Panzerism for a while. So, we'll pretend today is Monday. That means it's time for a Panzerism.) 

Panzer on sportsmanship:

(Oops. That should be sports-kitty-ship.)

You know, cats believe in fair play.

I'm not sure humans understand this.

 

But ...

It's true.

For example ...

I race him a lot.**

When in a foot race, it's fair to trip an opponent.

What's His Name may not realize it's actually a race

But ...

I wouldn't trip him* if it wasn't.

* You know, I don't know why Mom brought What's His Name home. All he does is whine about me.

** From Cat Wisdom for humans.

Happy New Year 2024

 Happy New Year!

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name