26 Glorious Writing Conferences and Workshops in July 2024 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Something for everyone.

 by Fiona L. Woods with reporting by Panzer the cat

 

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our intrepid traveling kitty boy found a post about next month's writing conferences and workshops.

 

Erica Verrillo's list of July conferences and workshops include fiction, nonfiction, novels, memoir, short stories, and more events. Some of these are in-person, some online and some both.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the guidelines. Some of these have restrictions."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferences and Workshops

June Issue of Killer Nashville Magazine Free

Interesting reading here.

Today, Panzer found the June issue of Killer Nashville Magazine is available online.

 

The magazine site is set up as if it's a Table of Contents. Each title in the list is a link to the article or short fiction.

 

To read the issue tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine

A Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on cats mathematical ability:

 

Humans decided a long time ago that cats have limited intellectual potential.

They believe it because we can't count beyond one.

But ...

I can count to one a lot of times.

Guard the computers ... I am Binary Cat.*

And ...

 It's a miracle!

Humans have a name for this condition ...

It's called Binary.

Turns out cats have excellent math skills.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: If it fits, it's mine. - Sunday June 23

Hint

Here's your Sunday jigsaw puzzle.

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

Have fun!

To do the puzzle tootle over to If it fits, it's mine.

Free Classic Mystery Movie: The Chase

Save me some popcorn.

Panzer found tonight's mystery movie at the Sallis65 channel on YouTube.

 

The movie The Chase is a classic thriller. It's a 1946 black and white movie. It's 1 hour 24 minutes long.

 

Grab your beverage of choice, make some popcorn and enjoy the thriller.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie

Free Clean Regency Romance Audiobook: For the Lady of Lowena

Now I'll go find tonight's movie.

If you like clean regency romance, Panzer found this one for you.

 

The Cornish romance For The Lady of Lowena is written by Deborah M. Hathaway. It's 8 hours 55 minutes long.

 

Make a cup of tea, wrap up in a blanket and enjoy this romance.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Clean Regency Romance

Free Hercule Poirot Mystery Audiobook: Evil Under the Sun

See you tomorrow.

For the Hercule Poirot fans out there Panzer found this mystery at the Audio Oasis on YouTube.

 

The audiobook Evil Under the Sun is written by Agatha Christie. It's 6 hours 34 minutes long.

You can't listen to a Hercule Poirot mystery without a cup of tea, so brew one (or two) up now.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Agatha Christie

 

Free Enemies to Lovers Romance Audiobook: My Billionaire Grump

I'll go find your mystery now.

If you like your romances clean with a little humor, Panzer found this one for you.

The sweet rom-com My Billionaire Grump is written by Camilla Isley. It's 3 hours 22 minutes long.

Grab a cup of tea, a pillow, lay back and enjoy this romance.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Camilla Isley

Taylor & Francis Issues Expanded AI Guidance for Authors, Editors - Publishers Weekly

It's interesting reading the full statement.

Panzer found an interesting press release at the Publishers Weekly site today.

The press release includes a link to the full AI Policy statement. The statement is long and goes into details about the Policy statement expansion.

The press release is very short so you won't need to bring anything to snack on while you read. (This is actually longer than the press release.) If you follow the link to read the full AI Policy statement, you'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.

To read the press release tootle over to Taylor and Francis

Summer

 Hello Summer

 

 

9 New Agents Seeking Memoirs, Kidlit, Romance, SFF, Nonfiction, and more - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Ahhh ... A well deserved nap.

Tooting around in the Catosphere, Panzer found a post at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site about agents looking for clients.

In addition to the categories on Erica Verrillo's list, the post also includes which agency the agent works for and the submission guidelines for your work.

Panzer says, "With a list of categories like that you must have something one of the agents will be interested in."

Note: This is a medium length list. Being a cup of tea and three chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to New Agents

Circana: US Print Book Sales Up 3 Million Units in May 2024 - Publishing Perspectives

I can write kitty romances.

Today, Panzer made a trip to the Publishing Perspectives site. There with no digging at all our traveling kitty boy found a post about US print book sales.

Porter Anderson's post explains Circana BookSpan's US book sales report. The post includes charts and graphs illustrating the category bestsellers of the month. Adult fiction seems to be the main upward driver of book sales. Links to other information are also included in the post.

Panzer says, "The post said thrillers and romances were tops."

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

To read the post tootle over to US Print Books

Barnes & Noble Buys Denver'sTattered Cover Bookstores for $1.83 Million - Publishers Weekly

I got a headache just reading it.

Today at the Publishers Weekly site Panzer found news that Barnes and Noble has purchased the Tattered Cover bookstore chain. He told you a few days ago this was rumored to be happening.

 

According to the post by Ed Nawotka and Jim Milliot, through a rabbit warren of companies Barnes and Noble will be paying $1.83 Million for the four bookstore chain. Most of the current employees will be kept on.

 

Panzer says, "You'll need to read the post to see all the companies involved in the sale. Tie a piece of string to the title so you can find your back through all the different companies."

 

Note: This is a very long post. Bring a cup of tea, a muffin and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

 To read our previous post about the sale tootle over to Top Bidder for Tattered Cover 

A Monday Panzerism

Missed it again.

Panzer on the virtue of cat naps:

Don't you just hate it when you're late for a nap because you overslept?

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Happy Father's Day

 

Hint

Here's your Sunday jigsaw puzzle. No kittens this time.

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 Happy Father's Day

Happy Fathers Day

 

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

 

Free Classic Mystery Movie: Topper Returns

A ghost?

Today's movie comes from the PizzaFlix channel on YouTube.

 

The movie Topper Returns sounds like fun. It's a murder mystery movie where the victim comes back as a ghost.

It's a black and white 1941 movie. It's 1 hour 28 minutes long.

Grab your favorite beverage, make some popcorn and enjoy the murder mystery.

To watch the movie tootle over to Topper Returns

Free Christian Sweet Romance Audiobook:Under the Rising Moon

Audiobook now. Movie next.

If you like Christian romance here's one from the Say With Jay channel.

The sweet romance Under the Rising Moon is written by Jessie Gussman. It's narrated by Jay Dyess and is 7 hours 44 minutes long.

Get a blanket, find a comfortable place and enjoy this romance.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Jessie Gussman

Free British Radio Mystery Drama: Agatha Raisin: The Moment of Truth

Thought  you might enjoy this mystery.

For those of you who like your mystery in a little British village Panzer found this one at the RadioBoxBBC channel on YouTube.

The murder mystery audiobook Agatha Raisin: The Moment of Truth is written by M. C. Beaton. It's 27 minutes long and performed as part of the Agatha Raisin BBC Radio Collection.

Make a cup of tea and enjoy this British murder mystery.

To listen to the story tootle over to Agatha Raisin

Free Sweet Romance Audiobook: Falling for My Sister's Ex

See you tomorrow.

For those of you who like second chance romances Panzer found one on YouTube for you.

The sweet romance Falling for My Sister's Ex is written by Catelyn Meadows. It's narrated by Georgia Lee King and is 5 hours long.

Grab your beverage of choice, lean back and enjoy the romance.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Second Chance Romance

Free Cozy Mystery Audiobook: Murder by Chocolate

Here's your murder mystery for today.

If you like your mysteries clean and cozy, Panzer found one for you at Mystery Author Rosie A. Point's channel on YouTube.

Cozy murder mystery Murder by Chocolate is written by Rosie A. Point. It's 2 hours 21 minutes long.

Make a cup of tea, grab a warm blanket and see if you can solve the mystery before the end of the story.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Murder by Chocolate

Barnes & Noble is top bidder for Tattered Cover, Source says - BiusinessDen

What would they do with it?

Today, Panzer stopped in at the BusinessDen site* where he found a post about the Tattered Cover bookstore.

 

Justin Wingerter's post explains the bidding, the process and the bankruptcy of the Tattered Cover bookstore. The Tattered Cover is a long-time independent bookstore in Denver, Colorado. It appears one of the bidders is Barnes and Noble bookstores.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty wants to know why a big company like Barnes and Noble is interested in one independent bookstore in Denver, Colorado?"

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

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

 

 

*A tip of the kitty fedora to Publishers Weekly for the original link to this post

Dragon Con 3024 Tickets Available Now

by Fiona L. Woods with assistance from Panzer

 

It's a huge convention.

Panzer wants you to know, if you plan to attend Dragon Con this year, the list of the special guest attendees is now available online.

 

Dragon Con will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, August 29 - September 2. Ticket prices are currently $160, but will increase to $175 on June 14.

The first link below will take you to the Event Guests page. The list includes actors, illustrators, writers and many more.

The second link below will take you to the Ticket Purchase page, but on the left side of the page are links to the Apparel and Merchandise Vendor and Workshop pages. In the Workshop section you'll find several for writers.

To visit the Event Guests page tootle over to People to See

To visit the Ticket Purchase page tootle over to Dragon Con Tickets

BookNet Canada: Free sources for Reading Surpass Paid - Publishing Perspectives

Why ask? Free of course.

At the Publishing Perspectives site Panzer found a post about Canadian readers' preferences for obtaining reading material.

Porter Anderson's post includes information from BookNet Canada's report about the almost 1500 readers questioned about obtaining their reading materials. No matter which format, ebook,  audiobook, or print, all users reported getting at least some of their materials for free.The post includes charts and graphs to illustrate the readers answers.

Panzer says, "Let's see: Free or paid. Which would you choose?"

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's snack while you read.

To read the post tootle over to BookNet Canada

Ursula K. Le Guin's home will ... - AP

How can they forget about cat writers?

Today, Panzer found an interesting news post on the AP site.

 

According to a post by Hillel Italie, author Ursula K. Le Guin's Portland, Oregon, home will soon be available for writers residency. The post includes links to other information.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... I didn't see anything about it being available for cat writers residency."

 

Note: This is a short post. You won't need anything to snack on while you read, unless you follow the links.

 

To read the post tootle over to Ursula K. Le Guin

A Monday Panzerism

Panzer on the Oops Factor:

Mom and I are having a disagreement.

She says my middle name should be Oops.

I'm definitely not happy about that.

They jumped off by themselves.*

 

It's not my fault her knick knacks keep smashing themselves by jumping off the shelf in the living room. 

I say they have a mind of their own.

They're like lemmings. Where one goes they all follow.

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: How many kittens do you see?

Hint

Here's your Sunday jigsaw puzzle.

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

This one is a little harder than usual.

Have fun!

To do the puzzle tootle over to How many kittens do you see?

Free Classic Mystery Movie: The Lone Wolf Meets A Lady

Save some popcorn for me.

If you've been waiting for your mystery movie, Panzer found this one on the OnesMedia channel on YouTube.

The Lone Wolf Meets A Lady is a black and white 1940 murder mystery. It's 1 hour 10 minutes long.

Grab your beverage of choice, make some popcorn and enjoy the mystery.

To watch the movie tootle over to The Lone Wolf Meets A Lady

Free Cowboy Clean Romance Audiobook: A Cowboy's Heart of Gold

Next up is your movie.

Panzer found today's sweet romance audiobook for you on YouTube.

A Cowboy's Heart of Gold is written by Jessie Gussman. It's narrated by Jay Dyess and 7 hours 22 minutes long.

Make a cup of tea, grab a blanket and enjoy this clean romance.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to A Cowboy's Heart of Gold

Free Vintage Radio Drama: The Man Who Died Twice

Now I can get my nap.

Panzer is still recovering from being sick from his vaccination yesterday. He forgot to post about this short old time radio drama from The Mysterious Traveler series.

The Man Who Died Twice is a 1948 episode. It's 29 minutes long.

Do NOT read the description. It gives the whole plot away.

Make a cup of tea and enjoy the chills from this vintage radio show.

To listen to the episode tootle over to The Man Who Died Twice

Free Cozy Mystery Audiobook: A Nice Class of Corpse

I always like the ones the author reads.

For those of you who like your mystery cozy Panzer found one on the Cozy Mystery Books channel on YouTube.

The audiobook A Nice Class of Corpse is written and narrated by Simon Brett. It's 5 hours long.

Make a cup of tea, lean back and enjoy this cozy mystery.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to A Nice Class of Corpse

Free Steamy Romance Audiobook: Arizona Artist

I'll find a mystery for you next.

For your romance listening tonight Panzer found a steamy romance audiobook on YouTube.

The forced-proximity romance Arizona Artist is written by Ann Omasta and Callie Love. It's 1 hour and 51 minutes long.

The author says all the "bedroom scenes" have been removed from this version, but it's still spicy/steamy.

Get the beverage of your choice, lean back and enjoy this short romance.

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Arizona Artist

No News Today

 

My head hurts. My body hurts. I hurt all over.

No news report today.

Our favorite traveling reporter had to go to the clinic for his rabies vaccination and is feeling a little ill.

We'll be back tomorrow.

2025 Audie Awards Submissions Now Open - Publishers Weekly

Really? No awards for cat? Unbelievable.

Panzer found this press release at the Publishers Weekly site.

According to the press release, the Audie Awards submissions are now being accepted and judge applications are also being accepted. A link to more information is included in the press release.

Panzer says, "They don't have an award for cat narrators."

Note: This is short. You won't need any snack when you read the press release. If you follow the link, you'll need a cup of tea and, if you follow the links on the second post, you'll need a muffin to go with the tea.

To read the press release tootle over to Audie Awards Submissions

Major Publishers Sue Google Over Ads for Pirated Ebooks - Publishing Perspectives

Hmm ... When you get notified, take it down.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing Perspectives site. There he found a post about a lawsuit against Google.

Porter Anderson's post is about four textbook publishers who sued Google. The publishers sued over ads Google is allowing textbook pirates to place on the platform, even though they've been notified of the situation.

Panzer says, "The post has links to other information."

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

To read the post tootle over to Google Sued

Want to Moderate a Panel at Killer Nashville?

Moderate a panel? Okay. How to worship a cat.

Panzer got an email from the organizers at the Killer Nashville Conference.

 

The organization is looking for panel moderators. There's a list of panels they need moderators for. Read the list and see if there's something you'd like to moderate.

 

The conference runs August 22 - 25. If you plan to attend, here's your chance to moderate a panel, meet a lot of writers, and get known by a lot of people.

To read over the list and apply tootle over to Killer Nashville Panel Application

 

To read about the conference tootle over to Killer Nashville Conference

 

2024 Thriller Award Winners Announced - Publishers Weekly

Your lose, not ours.

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, the Panzermobile was suddenly shaken by clapping and cheering outside. Following all the happy noises took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about the Thriller Award winners was causing all the uproar.

 

Lenny Picker's post includes a list of the winners and has photos of some of the winners with their awards.

Panzer says, "Unfortunately, no cats were named among the winners."

 

Note: The post is a long-medium length. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie to snack on today while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Thriller Award Winners

A Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on the purpose of naps:

Why worry? It's already over.*

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 human

Your Free Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: What?

Hint

Here's your Sunday jigsaw puzzle.

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

Have fun!

To do the puzzle tootle over to What?

Free Clean Second-Chance Romance Audiobook: The Heartwood Sea

Now it's nap time for me.

Here's your clean romance Panzer found at the Feel Good Fiction channel on YouTube.

The second chance romance The Heartwood Sea is written by Elana Johnson. It's 4 hours 19 minutes long.

Make a cup of tea, lean back and relax while you enjoy this clean romance.

To listen to the romance tootle over to The Heartwood Sea

Free Classic Mystery Movie: Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday

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

Here's today's classic mystery movie from the Sallis65 channel on YouTube.

Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday is a 1939 black and white comedy mystery movie. It's 1 hour 22 minutes long.

Make a bowl of popcorn, grab your beverage of choice and enjoy the movie.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday