Christmas

 

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

 

Christmas Eve

 

 

12 (Warm) Writing Conferences and Workshops in January 2026 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Everything is closing for Christmas.

Panzer's second stop in the Catosphere today was at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site.

 

Erica Verrillo's list has 12 in-person and online poetry and/or fiction writing conferences and workshops in January.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the guidelines as some application deadlines have already passed."

 

Note: This is a short list. Bring a cup of tea to drink while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Conferences and Workshops 

SFWA Launches, Aborts LLM Tools Nebula Rule Change on Same Day - File 770

What a mess that is.

Today, Panzer found an interesting post at the File 770 site. The post is about writers using LLMs in their writing process.

 

According to Mike Glyer's post, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) made a new rules announcement, got some writers push-back and re-wrote the rules.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the "Comments" section also."

 

Note:This is a medium length post; but, if you read the "Comments" too, it becomes a long post. You decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to SFW.A Nebula 

A Panzerism

Don't touch that!

Panzer on ownership:

 

There are only two things to remember:

 

1) Not yours

 

... and ...

 

2) Mine 

 

 

 

 

 

* From Cat Wisdom for humans 

New Puzzle: What?

What?

Here's today's jigsaw puzzle.

 

At the puzzle site to see the completed puzzle click the square in the lower left corner.

 

Have fun with this one. It's a challenge!

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to Jigsaw Puzzle 

Free to Watch Classic Noir Drama Movie: Leave Her To Heaven

Only four days left.

Panzer found this film noir movie on the Donald P. Borchers channel on Youtube. 

 

Leave Her To Heaven is a 1945 black and white melodrama movie. It's 1 hour and 50 minutes long.

 

Make a pizza, get your beverage of choice and enjoy the movie.

  

Note: Do not click the "More" button and read the description of the movie, because he tells the entire plot.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie 

Free to Listen Small Town Romance Audiobook: The Love Bug

 It's a quick listen.

For those of you who like your romance audiobooks short Panzer found this one on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

The novella The Love Bug is written by Lili Valente. It's narrated by Connor Crais and Lili Valente. It's 1 hour 18 minutes long.

 

Find a comfy place to relax and enjoy this short romance.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Small Town Romance Audiobook 

Free to Listen Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast: Peppermint Barking

Are you ready for Christmas?

Here's a Christmas mystery short story Panzer found at the Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast.

 

The episode Peppermint Barking was written by Jane Limprecht. It's read by Sean Hopper and 18 minutes long, including the intro.

 

To listen to the episode tootle over to Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast 

Free to Listen Mystery Audiobook: Murder at Redwood Cove

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

Here's today's mystery audiobook Panzer found on the Audiobook Central channel on Youtube.

 

 Murder at Redwood Cove was written by Janet Thins. It's narrated by Reba Burr and 6 hours 57 minutes long.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Mystery Audiobook

Free to Listen Sci Fi Alien Romance Audiobook: Heart Fire

I never heard of this genre before.

If you like a little Sci Fi in your romance, Panzer found this Alien romance audiobook on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

Heart Fire was written by Rose Mackie. It's 7 hours 18 minutes long. 

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Alien Romance Audiobook   

Books Escape EUDR Enforcement - Publishers Weekly

Imagine a world without paper books to read.

On his way home Panzer stopped at the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about the European Union Parliament..

 

According to Jim Milliot's post, the EU Parliament exempt books from the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

 

Panzer says, "You'll want to read the post to see what else is exempt."

 

Note: This is a short post. You won't need any snacks.

 

To read the post tootle over to EUDR Enforcement 

China Bestsellers: Nobel Prize Boost, Aspiratioinal Nonfictiion, and Children's Classics - Publishing Perspectives

Do you recognize some of them?

Panzer's next stop in the Catosphere was at the Publishing Perspectives site.

 

Erin L. Cox's feature post is based on information supplied by OpenBook about China's book bestsellers and popular categories.The post contains charts to illustrate the book sales in the different categories.

  

Panzer says, "There are some interesting bestsellers in the charts."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to China Bestsellers 

5 New Literary Agents and a New Agency Seeking Nonfiction, Genre Fiction, Kidlit, YA, LGBT and more

Something for every writer.

Panzer's first stop in the Catosphere today was at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site.

 

Erica Verrillo's post is a list of five agents and a agency looking for clients. There's an agent bio and information about what genre each wants to represent included.

 

Panzer says, "Make sure you read what each agent wants so you apply to the right one."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to 5 New Agents and a New Agency

Diamond Bankruptcy Moves to Chapter 7- Publishers Weekly

Mom said be good. That means take a nap. 

Before leaving the Publishers Weekly site Panzer found this post about the Diamond Comic Distribution bankruptcy.

 

According to Jim Milliot's post, Diamond is changing from a Chapter 11 to Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The post includes links to other information about the Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty thought they would change it."

 

Note:This is a short post. You won't need a snack.

 

To read the post tootle over to Diamond Bankruptcy 

Hoopla Digital Shares 2025 Trends, Growth Categories - Publishers Weekly

Information about indies in libraries too,

Today's trip in the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all, our intrepid traveling kitty found a post about library reader trends.

 

Nathalie op de Beeck's post covers the report Hoopla Digital put together for 2025 about the trends and growth 0f ebooks and audio books in the libraries it serves. The post also includes links to other information about the report.

 

Panzer says, "There's that romantasy category again."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a large muffin.

 

To read the post tootle over to Hoopla 

Killer Nashville Magazine December Issue Updates

Only 9 days until Santa Claws comes.

At the Killer Nashville Magazine site Panzer found new additions to the online issue.

 

Two short stories, one poem and one writer's craft article.have been added.

 

Panzer says, "That's an interesting writer's craft article for mystery writers."

 

To read the post tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine 

New eBook Download Options Coming For Readers Coming in 2026 - KDP Community

It doesn't look hard to do.

Today, Panzer made a stop at the KDP Community site. There he discovered an important post for Amazon authors.

 

Beginning in January readers can download newly published ebooks in PDF and EPUB formats. If your book was previously published at KDP, there are instructions to add your ebook to the program. The post also includes a link to more information.

 

Panzer says, "I guess this little kitty better get his ebooks ready for the new option now." 

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to New eBook Download Options 

Monday Panzerism

Because of stormy weather today we lost power, so we're late posting. Hopefully, we'll be back to our regular schedule tomorrow.

 

*** 

 

 Panzer on sobriety:

 

The thing about catnip is,

 

If there's enough, I can start now.

well ...

 

Mom thinks I should go on the wagon for a little while.

 

Okay.

 

Exactly how much catnip is in the wagon anyway?

 

 

 

*From Cat Wisdom for humans 

New Puzzle: When will you be home?

Hint

Here's your new Sunday jigsaw puzzle.

 

At the puzzle site you can see the finished puzzle any time by clicking the square in the lower left corner.

 

Have fun with this one.

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to Jigsaw Puzzle 

Free to Watch Classic Murder Mystery Movie: The Studio Murder

I never get any of the popcorn.

If you've been waiting for today's murder mystery movie,  Panzer found one on the Wm. Thomas Sherman channel on Youtube.

 

 The Studio Murder is a 1929 black and white murder mystery. It's 1 hour 3 minutes long.

 

Make some popcorn, grab your favorite beverage and enjoy the movie.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Murder Mystery Movie 

Free to Listen to Contemporary Romance Audiobook: My Brother's Grumpy Best Friend

Not finished for the day yet.

If you like contemporary sweet romances, Panzer found this one on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

The clean romance My Brother's Grumpy Best Friend is written by Abby Greyson. It's 4 hours 13 minutes long.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle overe to Clean Contemporary Romance

Free to Listen to Mystery Audiobook:Agatha Raisin and the Cantankerous Choir

Off to find something else for you.

Panzer found this mystery audiobook on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

Agatha Raisin and the Cantankerous Choir is written by M.C. Beaton. It's 2 hours 17 minute long.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Mystery Audiobook 

Kindle's New Gen AI Powered "Ask The Book" Feature Raises Rights Concerns - Writer Beware (R)

Amazon is always doing something.

Panzer found this post about a new Kindle AI feature. 

 

If you're an author you should read Victoria Strauss' post so you're updated.

 

To read the post tootle over to Kindle's AI Powered Feature 

Free to Listen Mysteryrat"s Maze Podcast Episode: All Is Bright:

I'm sure I can find more.

For the short mystery fans here Panzer went to the Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast for this episode

 

All is Bright is written by Merrilee Robson. It's read by Larry Mattoz and 17 minutes long including the intro.

 

To listen to the episode tootle over to Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast

Free to Listen to Historical Romance Audiobook: A Spinster at the Court

I'm a cat. I get bored sometimes.

Panzer wanted a change of pace today, so he found this romance on the Literary Sound channel.

 

The medieval romance A Spinster at the Highland Court is set in Scotland. It's written by Celeste Barclay and 7 hours 10 minutes long.

 

Note: The description says it's a steamy romance.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Romance Audiobook 

Storytel Adds English Audiobook Sales to Streaming Platform - Publishers Weekly

That's an interesting announcement.

Panzer's next stop was at the Publishers Weekly site. There with no digging at all in the posts he found one about Storytel.

 

According to Ed Nawotka's post, Storytel is adding individual English language audiobooks for sale on the streaming platform. The post includes links, one of which goes to the Storytel site and the announcement.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Does this mean no translations needed?"

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Storytel 

Nominations Open for the PublisHer Excellence Awards - Publishing Perspectives

There's not that much time so you better hurry.

Panzer stopped in at the Publishing Perspectives site today. There our traveling kitty boy found a post for women publishers.

 

According to Erin L. Cox's post, nominations are now open for the PublisHer Excellence Awards for women publishers. There are three categories and all nominations must be submitted by January 12.

 

Panzer says,"Women can nominate themselves for the awards."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Nominations 

India proposes charging OpenAI, Google for training AI on copyrighted content - TechCrunch

 

How much content did they take from India?

Panzer found an interesting post about OpenAI and Google at the TechCrunch site today.

 

According Jagmeet Singh's post, India wants to collect royalties from AI companies that do business in the country. The money would then be given to the creators of the content used by AI companies. There is however already pushback in the country.

 

Panzer says, "It looks like a good idea to this little kitty."

 

Note: This is a long post. You'll need to decide what you want to snack oin.

 

To read the post tootle over to India 

More Killer Nashville Magazine Online

Fifteen days until Christmas Eve

Traveling around in the Catosphere today, Panzer discovered the December issue of Killer Nashville Magazine has added more features to the online edition.

 

Additions to the issue include a writing craft article, two short stories and a poem. 

 

To read the post tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine 

 

**** 

 

Note: As we get closer to the end of the year publishing news slows down. The week after Christmas everything is closed and the week after New Years is a slow week too.

Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on imparting information:

 

Here's a riddle:

Do you know why cats don't talk?

 

Answer:

You wouldn't like what we'd say.

Expect something different, did you?*

 

You'd expect us to say things like:

"Dinner please" and "Thank you for dinner."

 

Cats don't think like that.

Come on. "Give it to me. It's MINE!"

 

 

 

 

*From Cat Wisdom for humans 

New Puzzle - It's been a long day.

Hint

Here's your Sunday jigsaw puzzle.

 

Remember, at the puzzle site you can 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 long day. 

Free to Watch Classic Mystery Movie: The Crimson Key

Look at her shoulders.

For those of you who like old time movies Panzer found this one on the  E.J. O Doornbos channel on YouTube.

 

The Crimson Key is a black and white whodunit mystery. It's 1 hour 16 minutes long.

 

Make some popcorn, grab something to drink and enjoy the movie.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie 

Free to Listen Paranormal Romance Audiobook: Dark Wings

Take a look at the cover on that.

Here's a romance with something a little different added Panzer found on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

The urban fantasy Dark Wings is written by Juliana Haygert. It's 6 hours long. 

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Paranormal Romance 

Free to Listen Clean Romance Audiobook: The Island Inn: Amberjack Shores

Off to find another one for you.

Here's today's romance Panzer found on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

The Island Inn: Amberjack Shores is written by Laura Abbott. It's 7 hours 10 minutes long. 

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Clean Sweet Romance 

Free to Listen Romance Audiobook: Falling Like Leaves

Twenty days until you know who visits.

Here's your romance audiobook Panzer found on the Dan Amelier channel on Youtube.

 

Falling Like Leaves is written by Misty Wilson. It's narrated by Rebecca Ross and 8 hours 43 minutes long.

 

Note: This has ads. 

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Romance Audiobook 

Free to Listen BBC Radio Mystery; A Murder in Hilary Term

I'll be back with another.

For those of you who like British mystery Panzer found this on the Shadow Evidence channel on Youtube.

 

A Murder in Hilary Term is an Inspector Morse Mystery on BBC Radio. It's 53 minutes long.

 

Enjoy!

 

Note: As usual it has ads. 

 

To listen to the radio episode tootle over to BBC Radio 

 

 

Free to Listen Mystery Audiobook: Murder at the Brightwell

Off to find something else for you.

Here's you mystery audiobook Panzer found on the Shadow Chapter Audio channel on Youtube.

 

Murder at the Brightwell is written by Ashley Weaver. It's narrate by Karen Cass and 9 hours 32 minutes long.

 

Enjoy this cozy mystery with more twists and turns than a roller coaster. 

 

Note: Has ads. 

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Mystery Audiobook 

Spotify Releases 2025 Audiobook Listening Data - Publishers Weekly

Mom's got a cold, so we're going to take a nap.

While Panzer was at the Publishers Weekly site, he found a post about Spotify's end of the year results for listeners.

 

Ed Nawotka's post includes information on listeners' favorite genres and individual authors. The post includes thumbnails of the described audiobooks at the end.

 

Panzer says, "Romantasy?"

 

Note:This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and three chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Spotify 

The 2025 PW Salary & Jobs Report - Publishers Weekly

The AI part is interesting too.

Today, Panzer found Publishers Weekly's annual publishing employees report online at the site.

 

The report uses charts and graphs to show publishing professionals demographics, how they feel about their jobs, and other information.

  

Panzer says, "Interesting information. Who knew how low their salary is?"

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and muffin to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Salary and Jobs Report  " 

New Killer Nashville Magazine

Enjoy your reading.

Panzer found the first week of December issue of Killer Nashville Magazine is now online.

 

This issue has writing craft articles and a short story.

 

To read the issue tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine 

Edelweiss Price Hike Roils Industry - Publishers Weekly

Speechless.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There our inquisitive kitty pilot found a post about Edelweiss platform.

 

According to the post by Claire Kirch with Jim Milliot and Nathalie op de Beeck, Edelweiss has increased the prices for it's services for publishers between two and four percent in the past year. This is affecting the budgets of many publishers, particularly the smaller and university ones.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty is speechless about the huge increases."

 

Note: This a long, long, long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Edelweiss 

82 Calls for Submissions in December 2025 - Paying - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

That's a lot of markets.

Panzer, our traveling kitty magician, conjured up the December Calls for Submissions list at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site.

 

For this month Erica Verrillo's list has eighty-two markets open for submissions. These markets accept fiction, nonfiction and poetry submission.

 

Panzer says, "You know what this little kitty always says: Read the guidelines before you submit anything." 

 

Note: This is a long list. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you're there. 

 

To study the list tootle over to December Calls for Submissions

 

 

 

OpenAI desperate to avoid explaining why it deleted pirated book datasets - ars Technica

Maybe I don't understand the rules.

Panzer found an interesting post at the ars Technica site about the authors' lawsuit against OpenAI..

 

Ashley Belanger's post reports the judge in the case's ruling about what is not protected in OpenAI's attorney-client privileged information.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty is confused, because he thought anything between an attorney and client was privileged information."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to OpenAI

 

 

 

©  2025 - Fiona L. Woods.  All Rights Reserved

Monday Panzerism

 

Wasted ... wasted ... time.*

Panzer on human misuse of language:

 

Mom is always telling me to be a good kitty.

 

I did that once.

 

 That was a wasted three minutes.

 

 

 

  

 *From Cat Wisdom for humans

New Puzzle: Have you seen my snow boots?

Hint

Here's today's jigsaw puzzle.

 

Remember at the puzzle site you can click the box in the lower left corner to see the finished puzzle.

 

Have fun.

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to Jigsaw puzzle 

Free to Watch Classic Mystery Movie: Michael Shayne Private Detective

See you tomorrow.

Panzer found this classic murder mystery movie on the Nostalgic Art Studio channel on Youtube.

 

Michael Shayne Private Detective is a 1940 black and white murder mystery. It's 1 hour 16 minutes. long.

 

Make some popcorn or a pizza, grab your beverage of choice and have fun.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie

Free to Listen Regency Clean Romance: Properly Kissed

Next I'll look for today's movie.

Here's a Regency romance Panzer found for you on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

The sweet romance Properly Kissed is written by Kasey Stockton. It's read by Vivki-Jo Eva and 3 hours 45 minutes long.

 

Find a comfy place to relax and enjoy the romance..

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Clean Regency Romance 

Free to Listen Regency Romance Audiobook: Wyndcross

 

Finished for the day.

Panzer found this Regency audiobook on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

Wyncross is written by Martha Keyes. It's narrated by Eleanor Caudill and 7 hours 8 minutes long.

 

Note: The audiobook has ads (several). 

 

 To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Regency Romance Audiobook

Free to Listen Fantasy Audiobook: A Forest of Vanity and Valour

Thought you might like this.

For something a little different Panzer found this fantasy audiobook on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

A Forest Of Vanity And Valour is written by A.P. Beswick. It's narrated by Aaron Smith and 5 hours 56 minutes long.

 

Note: Just like everything else this has ads. 

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Fantasy Audiobook