2025 Canadian Awards of Excellence Winners - In Reference to Murder

Still looking for a movie.

Here's a post Panzer found on the In Reference to Murder site.

 

BV Lawson's post lists the winners of the Crime Writers of Canada Awards. There are 10 awards on the list and in addition to the winner of each the "Other finalists" for each are also listed.

 

To read the post tootle over to Canadian Awards 

Free Romance Audiobook: The Last Good Liar

Off to look for something else for you.

Panzer found today's audiobook on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

The romantic comedy romance The Last Good Liar is written by Sylvie Stewart. It's narrated by Angela Bartlett and Max Newland. It's 9 hours 18 minutes long.

 

Find a comfy place to relax and enjoy this romance.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to RomCom Romance 

Free Hockey Romance Audiobook: All Too Well

See you tomorrow.

If you like sports romance, Panzer found this one on the Audio Whispers channel on Youtube.

 

The romance comedy All Too Well is written by T.K. Leigh. It's 8 hours 48 minutes long.

 

This is a long romance audiobook so you'll probably want to listen while you're doing errands and housework and jogging.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Hockey RomCom 

Free Cozy Muder Mystery Audiobook: Filed Under Murder

There's even a cat there.

Here's a cozy mystery audiobook Panzer found on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

Filed Under Murder is written by Wynn Valentine. It's 2 hours 25 minutes long.

 

Make a cup of tea and find a comfy spot to listen to this cozy mystery and try to solve the crime before the audiobook ends.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Cozy Mystery 

47 Glorious Writing Conferences and Workshops in June 2025 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

See you tomorrow.

Today on his way home Panzer stopped in at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he discovered a post about the writing conferences and workshops in June.

 

Erica Verrillo's list has workshops and conferences for fiction and nonfiction, both long and short lengths. (Some of the conference and workshop application deadlines were two or three months ago.)

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the application deadlines and rules"

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to 47 Glorious Writing Conferences and Workshops in June 2025

Hits With Brits: 2025 Dagger Nominees - The Rap Sheet

That's a long wait until July to learn the winners.

Today at The Rap Sheet site Panzer found a post about the Crime Writer's Association's Dagger Awards.

 

J. Kingston Pierce's post lists the 12 Awards and the nominees for each award. The post includes links to other information about the awards.

 

Panzer says, "The winners will be announced July 3."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to 2025 Dagger Nominees 

76 Calls for Submissions in June 2025 - Paying markets - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity.

Hurry. Don't waste time.

Panzer found this post with openings for submissions at Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site.

 

Erica Verrillo's list includes 76 markets for long and short fiction and nonfiction. Be sure to read the guidelines before submitting.

 

Panzer says, "You'll need to hurry with your submissions because some have June 1 or June 2 deadlines."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to 76 Calls for Submissions in June 2025 - Paying markets

Readers Annoyed When Fantasy Novel Accidentally Leaves AI Prompt in Published Version, Showing Request to Copy Another Author's Style - Futurism

I'm surprised they got away with it.

Panzer found this post at the Futurism site.

 

As the title of Victor Tangermann's post tells you an author uploaded a novel to Amazon with the AI prompt still in the manuscript. When you read the post you'll discover this isn't the first author who's been caught doing this.

 

Panzer says, "When you read the post you'll also discover Amazon's policy on using AI."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to AI Prompt 

A Monday Panzerism on Tuesday

 Yesterday was a U.S. holiday, so we moved the Monday Panzerism to today. Enjoy!

= = = = = 

 

Panzer on cat behavior:

 

Get it?*

Humans wonder why cats run around with their tails straight up in the air and bushed out.

 

Well ...

 

You got a better way of checking catmospheric conditions?

 

 

 

 

 

 *From Cat Wisdom for humans 

56 Writing Contests in June 2025 - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Something for everyone.

Today's trip into the Catospher took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site.

 

Erica Verrillo;s post includes 56 writing contests with submission deadlines in June. There are long and short fiction and nonfiction contests. Some have June 1 deadlines, so you'll need to hurry with your entries.

 

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

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to  56 Writing Contests in June 2025 - No entry fees

Memorial Day

 

Memorial Day

 

The Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: I'm innocent! I didn't do it!

Hint

Here's your free Sunday jigsaw puzzle.

 

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

 

This one is going to be a real puzzler for you.

 

Have fun!

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to I'm innocent! I didn't do it!

Free Classic Movie: The Bad Sister

Save me some pizza.

The Bad Sister is a 1931 black and white movie. It stars Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart. (Don't know who they are? Google them.) The movie is 1 hour 4 minutes long.

 

This is not the usual mystery movie.

 

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

 

To watch the movie tootle over to The Bad Sister

The Resilient Writers Radio Show: How to Find Joy in WritingHere'

Getting started isn't easy.

If you're interested in how authors get started in their writing career and continue with it, Panzer found this episode at The Resilient Writers Radio Show on Youtube.

 

In this 32 minute interview author Kat Caldwell describes the ups and downs in her writing career.

 

 Have a cup of tea while you listen to this episode.

 

To listen to the podcast tootle over to Author Interview

Free Billionaire Romance Audiobook: The Billionaire Needs a Wife

Today we start with a little romance.

Here's a marriage of convenience Panzer found on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

The sweet romance The Billionaire Needs a Wife is written by Rachael Eliker. It's 6 hours 31 minutes long.

 

 Make a cup of tea and find a quiet place to enjoy this billionaire romance.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Sweet Romance

The Write Focus Podcast:Author Interview with Lois Winston

See you tomorrow.

If you're interested in the adventures (both good and bad) of being an author, Panzer multi-genre author Lois Winston is interviewed on the Writers Ink Books channel on Youtube. The interview is 38 minutes long

 

 Make a cup of tea and find a comfy place to relax while you listen to the Write Focus Podcast.

 

To listen to the episode tootle over to Author Lois Winston

Free Urban Fantasy Audiobook: Hammered

Something a little different.

For those of you who like urban fantasy Panzer found this on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

Hannered is written by Lindsay Buroker. It's 9 hours 6 minutes.

 

If you like orcs, werewolves, dwarves and other assorted types, this is the adventure for you.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Hammered

Free Mystery Audiobook:Coroner's Pidgin

Next up is a little mystery.

Here's a mystery Panzer found on the KP channel on Youtube .

Coroner's Pidgin was written by Margery Allingham. It's 8 hours 56 minutes long.

 

This mystery is long enough you might want to listen to it while you're doing errands or yard work or housework.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Coroner's Pidgin

Free Sweet Romance Audiobook: Because You Loved Me

We begin with a little romance.

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

 

Because You Loved Me is written by Victorine E. Lieske. It's narrated by Liz Krane and 8 hours 5 minutes long.

 

Find a comfortable spot to relax and enjoy to this romance audiobook.

 

To listen to the romance tootle over to Sweet Romance

In Brussels, a Call for Proper AI Act Implementation - Publishing Perspectives

You catch it at the beginning, not the end.

Panzer found a post about AI and the EU on the Publishing Perspectives site.

 

Porter Anderson's post covers the push by creatives to get the EU Commission to implement an AI act which is fair to both sides. The post includes links to other information about the parties involved in the presentation.

 

Panzer says, "If the horse already left the barn, it's too late to catch him."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to AI Act

Cameron Scores a Double - The Rap Sheet

Who do you recognize on the runner's-up list?

Panzer's second stop today was at The Rap Sheet site. There he found a post about the Spotted Owl Award.

 

J. Kingston Pierce's post lists Marc Cameron as the winner of the Friends of Mystery's 2025 Spotted Owl Award. The post also includes the runners up list as well as links to other information..

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty recognizes some of the names on the runners-up list.."

 

Note: This is a long-short length post. Bring a cup of tea to drink while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to The Rap Sheet

Social media is influencing how authors promote their books. Here's how - npr

Nobody asked me to do a book blurb for them.

Today's first stop in the Catosphere for Panzer was at the npr site. There our busy kitty traveler found a post book promotion.

 

According to Brittney Melton's post, book promotion is shifting away from book cover author book blurbs. The post covers where authors are now concentrating their book promotions.

 

Panzer says, "It's really hard to get book blurbs anyway."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Social Media

The Last Laurels in Bristol - The Rap Sheet

Will another group take their place?

Today, Panzer made a trip to The Rap Sheet site. There our traveling kitty found a post about CrimeFest convention in the U.K..

 

In his post J. Kingston Pierce lists the CrimeFest award winners and those also nominated. As Panzer told you earlier this month, CrimeFest announced on their site they are closing down. The post also includes links to other information about the closing and reactions to it.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty will miss them."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Final CrimeFest

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to International Crime Fiction 

12 New Literary Agents Seeking Fantasy, Thrillers, YA, MG, KidLit, Nonfiction, and more - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Whatever you write looks like there's an agent here for it.

If you're looking for an agent for your book, Panzer found this post at the Publishing ...and Other Forms of Insanity site.

 

Erica Verrillo's post lists 12 agents looking for author's to represent. The list shows agents looking for fiction, nonfiction, adult, young adult, and children's authors.

 

Panzer says, "There's a wide variety of genres represented here."

 

Note: With 12 agents to feature this is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to New Literary Agents

A Monday Panzerism

 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 ...

 

How much catnip is in the wagon?

 

 

 

 

From Cat Wisdom for humans

Your Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle: Turn off that light!

Hint

Here's your free 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 Turn off that light!

Free Classic Mystery Movie: Crime Doctor's Man Hunt

See you tomorrow.

Here's the mystery movie Panzer found for you on the DDC channel on Youtube'

 

Crime Doctor's Man Hunt is a black and white 1946 movie. It's 1 hour long.

 

Grab your favorite beverage, make some popcorn (or pizza) and enjoy the movie.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie

Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine's Trace Evidence: When & Where (R.T. Lawton)

Now I'll find a movie for you.

If you like reading what writers say about themselves, Panzer found this post at Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine's (AHMM) blog Trace Evidence.

 

In the post at the blog mystery writer R.T. Lawton answers the questions he's asked most often.

 

Enjoy a cup of tea while you read his answers.

 

To read the post tootle over to Trace Evidence

Free Regency Romance Audiobook: An Engagement with the Enemy

I'll find you something else now.

Panzer found this enemies to lovers regency romance on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

An Engagement with the Enemy was written by Sally Britton. It's narrated by Jessica Elisa Boyd and 6 hours 56 minutes long.

 

This audiobook is long enough you might need to listen while you're out doing errands, then cleaning house and then going jogging.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Regency Romance

Free Crime Fiction Audio: Vanishing Point

I'm finished for the night.

Here's an interesting mystery fiction audio  Panzer found at the Mystery Maven channel on Youtube.

 

There's a lot of mystery associated with this audio. Like who is the author? Nothing at the channel about that. Who is the narrator? Nothing at the channel about that. Who is the Mystery Maven? Nothing there about that about that either. The whole thing is a mystery.

 

Vanishing Point is bill as psychological crime fiction. It's listed as 1 hour 6 minutes long.

 

Make a cup of tea and relax while you enjoy this little mystery.

 

To listen to the audio tootle over to Vanishing Point

Free BBC Radio Agatha Christie Story:The Pale Horse

Let's see what else is out there.

For those of you who like radio drama Panzer found this one on the Great Radio Drama channel on Youtube.

 

The Pale Horse was written by Agatha Christie/It's 1 hour 25 minutes long.

 

Find some place to relax and enjoy this old time radio drama.

 

To listen to the radio play tootle over to Agatha Christie

Free Enemies to Lovers Romance Audiobook: Unearthed by Love

Back in a few minutes with something else for you.

Panzer found this enemies to lovers romance on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

Unearthed by Love is written by A.B. Lilly. It's 3 hours 58 minutes long.

 

Make a cup of tea and find a comfy place to enjoy this romance audiobook.

 

To listen to the romance tootle over to Enemies to Lovers Romance

 

 

Nibbies Endorse Tense Tale - The Rap Sheet

Don't know about you, but I'm starved for my snacks.

Panzer found an announcement about the Nibbies (Awards) at The Rap Sheet site.

 

J. Kingston Pierce's short announcement about the British Book Awards, includes links to the winners information.

 

Note: This post is short enough you wont have time to snack while you read it.

 

To read the post tootle over to The Nibbies

Libro.fm Launches In-App Direct Purchase, Member Signup - Publishers Weekly

I expected this. Did you?

Panzer found a news release by Libro-fm on the Publishers Weekly site.

According to the release, Libro.fm now allows app users to make purchases outside Apple.

 

 Note: This is a short news release. You won't have time to snack on anything while you read this.

 

To read the release tootle over to Libro.fm

Audible Expands Catalog with AI Narration and Translation Services - Publishers Weekly

It's not a surprise They've been testing it for a while.

Today Panzer found a post at the Publishers Weekly site about Audible's new AI narration service.

 

The post by Ed Nawotka is an indepth look at Audible's acceptance of AI narration. Audible announced they now offer AI narrations services and will add translation later this year.

 

Panzer says, "You'll want to read this post."

 

 Note: This is a very, very long post. In addition to the AI narration announcement, it also has information about Audible's history in the audio book market.

 

To read the post tootle over to Audible

Two to Avoid: Book Order Scams and Fake Reviews - Writer Beware (R)

She does a lot of work for writers.

Panzer found a new post at the Writer Beware (R) site. This one is about two scams writers need to watch out for.

 

Victoria Strauss explains the fake big book order scam and the fake reviews scam. Both will cost you a lot of money if your respond to them. There are several samples of the scammers come-ons included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "Victoria Strauss always investigates the scams and tells you about them, so you're prepared."

 

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

To read the post tootle over to Two Scamswrit

New Killer Nashville Magazine Issue Online

I always read the writer's craft articles first.

Today at the Killer Nashville Magazine site Panzer found the May issue posted.

 

As usual at the site just scroll down and click the article or story or poem you want to read.  Some of the material is from the previous issue and some is new.

 

This time there's a new writer's craft article, a short story and a poem.

 

To read the issue tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine

A Monday Panzerism

 Panzer on tranquility:

 

I believe in the Universal Chaos Theory. 

You know ...

 

Or ... I can do it for you.*

that theory when you humans say everything should be in chaos.

 

So ...

 

If things aren't chaotic in your life ...

 

You should try harder to be like everybody else.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*From Cat Wisdom for humans

Sunday's Jigsaw Puzzle: I love you Mom.

Hint

Here's today's jigsaw puzzle.

 

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

 

Happy Mother's Day!

 

Have fun!

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to I love you Mom.

Happy Mother's Day to All Mothers

 

 

From Panzer

 

 

Free Classic Mystery Movie: Death by Television

I love these classic movies.

For those of you who like your mystery movies with just a little sci fi thrown in Panzer found this one on the PizzaFlix channel on Youtube.

 

Murder by Television is a 1935 black and white murder mystery. It's 54 minutes long.

 

With a name like Murder by Television and a star like Bela Lugosi (read the Comments under the movie or Google him), who can resist this 90 year old classic movie?

 

Make some popcorn (or pizza), grab your beverage of choice and enjoy the movie.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie

Free Mail Order Bride Romance Audiobook: Whispers of the West

I'll find a movie for you now.

Panzer found this historical mail order bride audiobook on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

The clean romance Whispers of the West is written by Emma Ashwood. It's 2 hours 10 minutes long.

 

This audiobook is short enough you can enjoy it while you're doing errands.

 

To listen to the historical romance tootle over to Mail Order Bride Audiobook

Bloody Scotland The Podcast: Interviews with Val McDermid and Richard Strachan

I found my comfy place.

Panzer thought you'd might like listening to Bloody Scotland the Podcast. 

 

This episode has interviews with authors Val McDermid and Richard Strachan. It's 54 minutes long. At the podcast site click the Play button on the right side.

 

Make a cup of tea and find a comfy place to relax and enjoy the podcast.

 

To listen to the podcast tootle over to Bloody Scotland the Podcast

Free Regency Romance: Arabella and the Reluctant Duke

I'm not finished looking yet.

For those who like regency romances Panzer found this one on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

The clean regency romance Arabella and the Reluctant Duke is written by Sofi Laporte. It's read by Ella Lynch and 6 hours 10 minutes long.

 

This audiobook is long enough it might take a whole day of yardwork to finish listening to it.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Clean Regency Romance

Free Cozy Mystery Audiobook: Game of Tarts

I'm off to find more for you.

Here's a cozy mystery audiobook Panzer found for you on the author's channel on Youtube.

The murder mystery Game of Tarts was written by Wendy Meadows. It's 4 hours 7 minutes long.

 

This mystery is a perfect short listening length for when you're doing errands or yardwork.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Cozy Mystery

Bookscan Report Sees Favorable Near-Term Outlook for Books - Publishers Weekly

That's it for today. See you tomorrow.

Panzer's next stop today was at the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about the new Bookscan report.

 

The post by Jim Milliott gives a breakdown on Bookscan's report's projections for book sales in the coming year.

 

 Panzer says, "It's a good time to get your new books on the market."

 

Note. This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea to drink while you read about books' upcoming future.

 

To read the post tootle over to Bookscan Report

Facing Off for Anthonys - The Rap Sheet

Let's what else I can find.

Today, Panzer made a short trip to The Rap Sheet site. Our speedy little kitty boy found a post about the Anthony Awards there.

 

J. Kingston Pierce's post lists the nominees in all ten of the categories for Anthony Awards. The winners won't be announced until September.

 

Panzer says, "The winners will be announced at Bouchercon."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Anthony

Amazon Kindle's new feature uses AI to generate recaps for books in a series - TechCrunch

Nobody asked me.

Panzer made a quick trip to the TechCrunch site today. There with a little digging in the posts he found one about Amazon's new book recaps.

 

 According to Aisha Malik's post, Amazon is now using AI to generate recaps of books for Kindle users.

 

 Panzer says, "Inquiring kitties want to know, if your book is fed to the AI to get the recap without your permission?"

 

 This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) to snack on while you read the post.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon uses AI

Seattle Worldcon 2025 ChatGPT Controversy Roundup - File 770

Did they think nobody would care?

Today Panzer was shaken from his kitty bed by loud and unhappy noises coming from the Catosphere. Jumping into the Panzermobile, our brave kitty followed all the uproar to the File 770 site. There he discovered the use of ChatGPT by this year's World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) was the cause of all the anger.

 

According to the information posted by Mike Glyer, a Worldcon committee used ChatGPT to vet perspective panel members without telling them until after the panels' participants were decided. Near the beginning of the post there's a link to the Worldcon statement about ChatGPT's use. As a result at least one author removed his work from award consideration and some people are asking how to get their membership money refunded.

 

Panzer says, "LLMs, and ChatGPT in particular, are hated by a lot of writers. Remember what happened to NaNoWriMo after their AI statement? Hint: The last nail in the coffin."

 

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 Seattle Worldcon 2025

A Monday Panzerism

Panzer on errors:

 

Cats are never wrong.

 

Never.

They may be temporarily intellectually challenged, but they are never wrong.

 

 Ever.

 

Got it?

 

Good.

 

 

 

 

*From Cat Wisdom for humans