AI translation service launched for fiction writers and publishers prompts dismay among translators - The Guardian

$100 a book?

On today's trip into the Catosphere Panzer stopped in at The Guardian. There our intrepid traveler discovered a post about AI translators.

 

 According to a post by Ella Creamer an AI translation company has opened in the UK.Writers and publishers can have their fiction books translated by the company GlobeScribe for $100 per book per language.

 

Panzer says, "Who checks the translations to make sure they're correct?"

 

Note: This is a 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 AI Translation Service 

Griffiths Receiving Her Due - The Rap Sheet

It's been a busy day for me.

At The Rap Sheet today Panzer found some information about the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.

 

According to J. Kingston Pierce's post, Elly Griffiths was named the Theakston Old Peculier Outstanding Contribution Award winner. The post includes links to other information about Griffiths and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.

 

Panzer says, "The post's list of past winners is a Who's Who of crime writers."

 

Note: This is a long-short length post. You won't need anything to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to The Rap Sheet 

2025 Killer Nashville Call for Moderators - Killer Nashville Blog

Are you going there?

If you're planning to attend the Killer Nashville Writer's Conference this year, Panzer found this announcement on the KN Blog.

 

They're looking for moderators for the writers' panels at the conference.

 

You must be registered to attend to be a moderator.

 

To begin the application process tootle over to Killer Nashville Moderator Application 

 

 

Moral Rights: What Writers Need to Know - Planetside

Do you know what they are?

Today, Panzer stopped in at Planetside the online magazine of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA).

 

There he found a post by Victoria Strauss ((of Writer Beware (R))about moral rights in relationship to copyright. This is an exhaustive look at moral rights and what they cover and don't cover in the U.S.A. in comparison to other countries.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty had never heard about moral rights before."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Moral Rights  

 

DPR's Digital Publishing Award Goes International This Year - Publishing Perspectives

Entry is international now.

Today, our inquisitive kitty boy found information at the Publishing Perspectives site about the Digital Publishing Report (DPR)  Award.

 

According to Erin L. Cox's post, the award will now be open internationally. The post contains a list of the judges, the categories and a link to the submission guidelines.

 

Panzer says, "Entry deadline is August 22."

 

Note: This is a long-short length or a short-medium length (whichever you choose) post. Bring a glass of lemonade to drink while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Digital Publishing Award

Audiobook Pros Confirm the Customer is Always Right - Publishers Weekly

A lot of changes since AI came on the scene.

Panzer found this post about audiobooks on the Publishers Weekly site. The post is about the Parix Audio Day held in February.

 

Christopher Kenneally's post contains quotes from several of the attendees. Subjects cover the future of subscription services, transparency in the AI narration arena, and the acceptance by different age and gender groups of audiobooks delivery systems. Included in the post are links to other information.

 

 Panzer says, "Audiobooks are really getting complicated."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Audiobooks 

Collecting Their Daggers - The Rap Sheet

I wonder what they served for dinner. Pizza?

Panzer made a quick trip to The Rap Sheet site today. There our traveling kitty pilot found a post about the British Crime Writers Association (CWA) and the Dagger Awards.

 

J. Kingston Pierce's post lists the winners of the Dagger Awards which were present on July 3. In addition to the winners those also nominated are included.

 

Panzer says, "It must have been an entertaining dinner presenting the awards."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Dagger Awards 

A Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on theology:

 

I usually avoid controversy ...

 

but ...

 

I will say this: 

 

Only good dogs go to heaven ...

 

I can just see it right now.

All cats go to heaven ...

 

and ...

 

Pizza will be on the menu in heaven

 

Served by good dogs on roller skates. 

Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: What are you doing up there?

Hint

Here's your new 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 fun challenge.

 

Enjoy!

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to Kitten 

Free to Watch Classic Mystery Movie:Mike Shane, Private Detective

Save me some pizza.

If you like the old time Private Investigators (PI), Panzer found this classic movie on the AZIZA Original channel on Youtube.

 

The 1940 movie Mike Shane, Private Detective is based on the Mike Shane PI stories. The black and white movie is 1 hour 16 minutes long. 

 

Grab your beverage of choice, make some popcorn or a pizza and enjoy the movie. 

 

Note: It does have ads.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie 

Free to Listen Short Mystery Audio: The Actor and the Alibi

I'll find your movie next.

For those of you who like your mystery short Panzer found this one on the Bitesized Audio Classics channel on Youtube. 

 

The Father Brown mystery The Actor and the Alibi was written by G. K. Chesterton. It's performed by Simon Stanhope and 49 minutes long.

 

Find a comfy place to sit and see if you can solve the mystery before Father Brown does.

 

To listen to the short audio tootle over to Father Brown Mystery 

Free to Listen Mail-order Bride Romance Audiobook: A Bride to Save the Rancher

Here's tonight's romance audiobook for you.

Panzer found this historical romance on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

The clean romance audiobook A Bride to Save the Rancher is written by Martha Gillcrest. It's 2 hours 52 minutes long.

 

Find a comfy place to relax and enjoy the romance.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Clean Romance Audiobook 

Free to Listen Cozy Mystery: Murder at Maplewood Market

It's a long holiday weekend here.

If you like you mysteries cozy and short, here's one Panzer found on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

The amateur sleuth mystery Murder at Maplewood Market is written by Catherine Waltan. It's 1 hour 54 minutes long.

 

Find a place to relax and enjoy this cozy mystery.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Cozy Mystery Audiobook 

Free to Listen Romantic Comedy Romance Audiobook: The Bodyguard

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

For those of you who like slow burn romance Panzer found this one on the Heartbound Audio channel on Youtube.

 

The fake relationship romance audiobook The Bodyguard is written by Katherine Center. It's 10 hours 21 minutes long.

 

This one is long enough you might to plan two days worth of listening time to finish it.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to RomCom Audiobook 

July 4th

 

 

Happy 4th of July

 

From Panzer, Mom and What's His Name

'AI doesn't know what an organism sounds like': audiobook actors grapple with rise of robot narrators - The Guardian

Now I'm finished for the day.

Panzer found an interesting post about AI narrators at The Guardian site.

 

The post by Elsie Lange concentrates on Australian audiobook actors/narrators and the impact AI narrators will have on them.

 

Panzer says, "It makes sense that there are some emotions an AI narrator wouldn't know how to portray in an audiobook."

 

Note: Because of all the photos and quotes, this is a very long post. You might want to consider bringing your lunch instead of a snack for while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to AI Robot Narrators 

Claymore Award Finalists 2025 - Killer Nashville

That's a lot of categories.

Panzer made a stop at the Killer Nashville site today. There he found the announcement of the finalists for the Claymore Award.

 

The Claymore Award is given to the best first fifty pages in an unpublished manuscript in each of 19 categories.

 

Panzer says, "The winners in each category will be announced August 23 at the Killer Nashville Conference.

 

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

 

To read the lists tootle over to Claymore Award Finalists 

Glass Bell Award Long List 2025 - Mystery Fanfare

Two of the twelve.

On his way back home Panzer made a stop at the Mystery Fanfare site. There with a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty boy found a post about the Glass Bell Award.

 

Janet Rudolph's post has the long list nominees for the Glass Bell Award. The award is for excellence in storytelling.

 

Panzer says, "Of the twelve books nominated two are crime fiction."

 

Note: This is a very short post. You won't need to bring anything to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to  Glass Bell Award Long List

An Initial Cut of Falchions - The Rap Sheet

That's a lot of categories.

Panzer made a trip to The Rap Sheet site today. There he found a post about the Killer Nashville Silver Falcion Awards.

 

According to J. Kingston Pierce's post Killer Nashville has announced the short lists for each of the categories for the awards. Two of the categories are listed in the post and a link to the others is included at the end.

 

Panzer says, "There are 17 categories, so you'll need to follow the link to see them all."

 

Note: This is a short post. Bring a glass of lemonade to drink while you read the post. If you plan to follow the link also bring three chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Killer Nashville 

Killer Nashville Magazine July Issue Online

There is some interesting reading in there.

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

 

The July issue includes an author interview, a new short story, poetry, and a writing craft article.

 

Note: You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the new issue tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine 

Announcing our Mclivanney Longlist - Bloody Scotland

This is their newsletter announcement.

The longlist, which is selected by an Academy composed of booksellers, librarians, bloggers and broadcasters, includes: 

Whispers of the Dead by Lin Anderson (Macmillan)
The Midnight King by Tariq Ashkanani (Viper)
The Dying Light by Daniel Aubrey (HarperNorth)
Carnival of Lies by D V Bishop (Macmillan)
Unsound by Heather Critchlow (Canelo)
The Moon's More Feeble Fire by Allan Gaw (Polygon)
The Good Father by Liam McIlvanney (Bonnier)
Paperboy by Callum McSorley (Pushkin Press)
The Good Liar by Denise Mina (Vintage)
Gunner by Alan Parks (John Murray)
The Death of Shame by Ambrose Parry (Canongate)
Midnight and Blue by Ian Rankin (Orion)
A Thief's Blood by Douglas Skelton (Canelo).

This year the prize will be judged by BBC Radio Scotland presenter, Nicola Meighan; Journalist, Arusa Qureshi and Crime Blogger, Gordon McGhie. 

The winner will be announced at our Prizes and Drinks Reception on Friday the 12th of September from 5.15pm, and will lead a ‘Day of the Deid’ procession to the Albert Halls, afterwards. 

83 Calls for Submissions in July 2025 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

There must be something here for you.

Today, Panzer found this post at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site.

 

In her post Erica Verrillo lists 83 markets open to submissions during July, There are markets for fiction, nonfiction, short stories, flash fiction, and poetry.

 

Panzer says, "You know the drill: always read the guidelines before you submit. Some at the beginning of the list have July 1 and July 2 deadlines."

 

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

 

To read about the markets tootle over to 83 Calls for Submissions 

 

A Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on anger management:

 

The armchair is fair game!

I will not claw the couch.

I will not claw the couch.

I will not claw the couch.

 

But Mom didn't say anything about the armchair! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Cat Wisdom for humans 

Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: What was that?

Hint

Here's today's jigsaw puzzle.

 

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

 

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

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to What was that?

Free to Watch Classic Mystery Movie: The Secret of the Loch

Don't ask. I won't tell you anything about it.

Panzer found this interesting mystery movie on the Melanie Swift channel on Youtube.

 

The Secret of the Loch is a 1934 black and white classic movie. It's 1 hour 11 minutes long.

 

Grab your beverage of choice make some popcorn or a pizza and have fun.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Movie 

Free to Listen Romance Audiobook: The Bequest

I'll see what else I can find now.

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

 

The Bequest is written by Bridget E. Baker. The narrator is Jennifer Jill Araya and it's 12 hours 9 minutes long.

 

Note: There were ads when I listened to it.

 

To listen to the romance tootle over to Clean Romance Audiobook

 

Free to Listen Cozy Mystery Audiobook: The Marlow Murder Club

I'm finished for the day. See you tomorrow.

If you like British mystery audiobooks, here's one Panzer found on the Shadow Chapter Audio channel on Youtube.

 

The cozy mystery The Marlow Murder Club is written by Robert Thorogood. It's narrated by Nicolette Mckenzie and 10 hours 2 minutes long.

 

This is a clean cozy mystery.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Cozy Mystery 

Free to Listen Classic Fantasy Audiobook: The Gods of Mars

This one should be fun for you

For those of you who like classic fantasy Panzer found this one on the Gates of Imagination channel on Youtube. 

 

The Gods of Mars was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It's read by Josh Greenwood and 8 hours 32 minutes long.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Edgar Rice Burroughs 

Free to Listen Regency Romance: The Sum Of All Kisses

Let's see what else I can find.

Here's a regency romance Panzer found on the Listen Your Life channel on Youtube. 

 

The historical romance The Sum Of All Kisses is written by Julia Quinn. It's 9 hours 38 minutes long.

 

This a long audiobook.

 

To listen to the romance tootle over to Regency Romance

Independent Publishers Are Fed Up with Barnes & Noble - Publishers Daily

There's more stores than them.

Panzer stopped at the Publishers Weekly site today. There he discovered an interesting post about Barnes and Noble's buying practices.

 

Jim Milliot's post quotes extensively from Barnes and Noble CEO James Daunt about his book inventory buying practices. 

 

Panzer says, "It explains why this little kitty's Barnes and Noble sales went to zero."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Independent Publishers 

Anthropic destroyed millions of print books to build its AI models - arsTechnica

Who else will do this now?

Panzer found this post about Anthropic's AI LLM at the arsTechnica site.

 

In his post Benj Edwards reports how, according to court documents, Anthropic input millions of books into its AI Claude. The post includes links to other information about Anthropic, Claude, LLMs, and the court case.

  

Panzer say, "It's interesting how they managed to dance around the law."

 

Note:This is a long post. Bring a big snack for while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Anthropic

44 Writing Contests in July 2025 - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

There are two I'll enter for sure.

Today for all the writers who visit here Panzer made a stop at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. He found a post there of July writing contests.

 

Erica Verrillo's list includes fiction, nonfiction, novels and poetry contests with July deadlines.  Some of them have July 1 deadlines!

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the guidelines before you submit."

 

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  44 Writing Contests

Sarah J. Maas Inks Multiyear, Worldwide Deal with IMG Licensing (Exclusive) - The Hollywood Reporter

Will she be as rich as J.K. Rowling?

Panzer stopped in at the The Hollywood Reporter site today. 

 

There our inquisitive kitty boy found a post by Lily Ford about romantasy author Sarah J. Maas. The post has a list of the items included in the licensing agreement the author signed with IMG.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty would like to know if IMG came to her or if she went to them."

 

Note: This is a short medium length post. A cup of tea should be enough for today's snack.

 

To read the post tootle over to Sarah J. Maas 

34 Great Writing Conferences and Workshops in July 2025 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

There some interesting workshops here.

Panzer made a stop at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There with no digging at all he found a post about conferences and workshops for writers in July.

 

Erica Verrillo's list includes workshops and conferences for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, novel, short story, and memoir writers. Most of them are in-person, but there are a few online.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read all the guidelines, because some of the deadlines have already passed."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferences and Workshops

Digital Audiobooks Sales Sank in April - Publishers Weekly

Book sales are down this year.

Today's first stop in the Catosphere for Panzer was at the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about audiobook sales.

 

Jim Milliot's post includes book sales figures in all categories not just audiobooks. The post also includes charts to show actual sales.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty is confused. Mom just went to a publishing summit and one of the seminars was about how great audiobook sales are right now."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Audiobook Sales 

10 New Agents seeking Kidlit, Romance, Science Fiction, Fantacy, Memoir, Nonfiction and more - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

At least one agent for whatever you write.

Today, Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he discovered an announcement about agents looking for clients.

 

Erica Verrillo posted a list of 10 new agents looking for writing clients. Included in the list is a short bio for each agent and where to contact them.

 

Panzer says, "Always read the information at the agent's site before you submit to them."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to New Agents 

A 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

Your Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Can I keep him?

Hint

Here's today's 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 real challenge.

 

Have fun!

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to Can I keep him? 

Free to Watch Classic Noir Movie: The Undercover Man

You know the drill: Nap first ... then pizza.

Panzer found tonight's mystery movie on the Stream City channel on Youtube.

 

The Undercover Man is a black and white 1949 crime noir movie. It's 1 hour 24 minutes long.

 

Grab your beverage of choice, make some popcorn or a pizza and enjoy the movie.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie 

Free to Listen Western Romance Audiobook:The Second-Best Bride

Now I'm off for one more time.

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

 

The mail order bride romance The Second-Best Bride is written by Martha Gillcrest. It's 2 hours 20 minutes long.

 

You can listen to this clean romance while you're doing your errands today.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Clean Western Romance 

Free to Listen BBC Radio Mystery Program: The Lucas Testament

I'll go find more for you.

For those of you who like your mystery with a little British drama Panzer this on the Chesterton Radio channel on Youtube.

 

The Lucas Testament was broadcast on the BBC Saturday Night Radio. It's 1 hour 25 minutes long.

 

To listen to the episode tootle over to BBC Radio 

International Thriller Writers Awards Winners Announced

 

 

 

Best Standalone Thriller Novel
Jason Rekulak - THE LAST ONE AT THE WEDDING, Flatiron Books

Best Standalone Mystery Novel
Kellye Garrett - MISSING WHITE WOMAN, Mulholland Books

Best Series Novel
David Baldacci - TO DIE FOR, Grand Central Publishing

Best First Novel
Marie Tierney - DEADLY ANIMALS, Henry Holt & Co.

Best Audiobook
Kate Alice Marshall - NO ONE CAN KNOW, Macmillan Audio, narrated by Karissa Vacker

Best Young Adult Novel
Marisha Pessl – DARKLY, Delacorte

Best Short Story
Ivy Pochoda - Jackrabbit Skin, Amazon Original Stories

Free to Listen Clean Romance Audiobook: Loving the Beast

See you tomorrow.

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

 

The sweet romance Loving the Beast is written by Anne-Marie Meyer. It's 4 hours 54 minutes long.

 

You can listen to the audio while you're doing errands or yard work.

 

Note: There are ads with this audiobook. Click the Skip button.

 

To listen to the romance tootle over to Sweet Romance 

Free to Listen Mystery Audiobook: The Secret of Greystone Hall

I'll find a romance next.

Here's a mystery audiobook Panzer found on the Payal's Mystery Audiobooks channel on Youtube. Last Friday Panzer had a link to a story from this site posted here.

 

The murder mystery The Secret of Greystone Hall is written by the Payal's Mystery Audiobooks channel owner. It's AI narrated and 51 minutes long.

 

Note: While some of the people in the Comments section complained about ads I didn't see any, but you might.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to  

2025 Killer Nashville Call For Panelists

It's an opportunity to become recognizable.

Panzer found this announcement at the Killer Nashville site. 

 

If you are planning to attend the writer's conference, this is your opportunity to lead a panel. You must be registered to attend before you can fill out the application form.

 

Panzer says, "You'll need to hurry as these slots fill up fast." 

To read the announcement tootle over to Killer Nashville 

Macavity Kudos - The Rap Sheet

There are a lot of nominees.

On his way home from the Catosphere Panzer stopped in at The Rap Sheet site. There he found a post about the Macavity Awards.

 

According to J. Kingston Pierce's post the nominees in each of the five categories have been named.

  

Panzer says, "The Macavity is named for a cat in a T.S. Eliot poem."

 

Note: You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you read the nominees names and works. 

 

To read the post tootle over to Macavity Awards

Audiobooks and Fiction Drive Modest Growth in UK Publishing Market - Publishers Weekly

Audiobooks and digital books are the place to be now.

Today, Panzer's first stop in the Catosphere was at the Publishers Weekly site. There he discovered news about the U.K. publishing market.

  

Ed Nawotka's post gives a break down on the publishing market in the U.K. for 2024. Audio and digital books are adding to the market growth for 2024 over 2023. The post has graphs for each of the market's sectors.

 

Panzer says, "Audio and digital are growth factors, just like the market growth in Spain in yesterday's publishing market post."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to U.K. Publishing Market 

Bloody Scotland Debut Prize Shortlist Revealed

Bloody Scotland is always a lot of fun.

Panzer made a quick stop at the Bloody Scotland site where he found the announcement of the 2025 Debut Book Prize shortlist of nominees.

 

There are five nominees for the prize. The post contains a short bio and book description for each nominee included in the announcement. The winner will be announced September 12.

  

To read the post tootle over to Bloody 

Spain's Publishing Sectors Recovers to Pre-2008 Levels - Publishing Perspectives

There's a big increase in 2024 sales over 2023.

Today, Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took our intrepid traveler to the Publishing Perspectives site. There he discovered good news about Spain's book publishing.

 

According to Porter Anderson's post, Spain's publishing market has increased steadily in the last decade. 2024 was a stellar year for book sales and readership. The post includes links to other information and graphs to illustrate points mentioned in the post.

Panzer says, "Digital and audio books are a big part of it too."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Spain's Publishing Sector

2025 American Manga Award Nominees Announced - Publishers Weekly

Professionals in the field can vote.

A quick trip to the Publishers Weekly site showed Panzer that the American Manga Award nominees have been announced.

 

There are seven categories for awards and five nominees in each category. Winners are set to be announced August 21.

 

Panzer says, "You can click on each nominee and be taken to see a sample and purchase a copy of their work."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Manga Award Nominees 

A Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on love:

 

The opposite of love isn't hate. It's indifference.

 

You want love? Get a dog.*

Feed me and I'll stop being indifferent 

 

towards you ...

 

for a while ...

 

maybe.

 

 

 

 

 

*From Cat Wisdom for humans