Friday, November 6, 2026

Free to Listen Cozy Mystery Audiobook: The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss

Contains a link to the cozy mystery audiobook The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss.
Tomorrow. That's all I have to say.
Panzer found this cozy mystery on the Cozy Mystery Audio channel on Youtube.
 
The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss is written by Krista Davis. It's 8 hours 27 minutes long.
 
To listen to the audiobook tootled over to Cozy Mystery Audiobook

Free to Listen Amish Romance Audiobook: An Amish Heart Torn

Contains a link to an Amish romance audiobook.
Off to find a little mystery.
If you like Amish romance audiobooks, here's one Panzer found on the author's channel on Youtube. 
 
An Amish Heart Torn is written by Samantha Price. It's 3 hours 18 minutes long. 
 
To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Amish Romance Audiobook

A book app unlike any other - Readwise

Link to a post about a new book app by Readwise.
The app looks interesting.
At the Readwise site Panzer found a post about their new book app.
 
The post explains the app's different features and has examples of each.
 
Panzer says, "The post has a signup link for the app's wait list."
 
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 Readwise 

EXTENSION DEADLINE: Call for articles - Mysteries set in India - Mystery Readers Journal - Mystery Fanfare

Link to a post with the submission guidelines for Mystery Reader Journal.
Hurry!
Panzer's next stop was at the Mystery Fanfare site where with a little digging in the posts he found one about the Mystery Readers Journal. 
 
The deadline for the next issue submissions has been extended to November 15. The submission guidelines are included in the post.
 
Panzer says, "Always read the guidelines before you submit."
 
Note: This is a short-medium post. Bring a cup of tea to drink.
 
To read the post tootle over to Mystery Readers Journal

As budgets tighten, people are breaking out their library cards - NPR

Link to a post about the increased use of libraries in the US as inflation increases in the US.
I didn't know they had all those things at the library.
Panzer found a post on the NPR site about libraries and their users.
  
According to the post, as inflation hits people's wallets in the U.S. library use goes up. Rather than buy books readers are borrowing them to save money. 
 
Panzer says, "There are a lot more things at libraries than books."
 
Note: This is a very, very long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.
 
To read the post tootle over to Library Checkouts 

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

No News Today

Means extra nap time for me.
No news today. 
 
Mom has a toothache and is taking the night off.
 
Back tomorrow after going to the dentist. 

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Amazon's Kindle Unlimited is now Kindle +, and the 2 big changes include AI audiobooks - ZDNET

Link to a post at ZDNET about Amazon Kindle + and AI narraged audiobooks there.
Didn't know you could do that in KDP.
Panzer made a stop at the ZDNET site where he found an interesting post about Amazon.
 
Kindle Unlimited is now Kindle + and you can get AI narrated audiobooks through the service.
 
Panzer says, "Yes. AI narrated audiobooks made in KDP will be available in Kindle +."
 
Note: This is a long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on. 
 
To read the post tootle over to AI Narrated Audiobooks 

81 Calls for Submissions in November 2026 - Paying markets! - Publishing ...and Other Forms of Insanity

Link to 81 markets looking for submissions.
I got distracted by all those trick or treaters at the door.
Sorry this is late and some of the deadlines closed November 1, but Panzer found it today.
 
Erica Verrillo's list includes markets for fiction (both long and short) nonfiction and poetry. All are paying markets.
 
 Panzer says, "Some markets opened on November 1 and some closed on November 1."
 
Note: This is a very, very long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on. 
 
To read the post tootle over to 81 Calls for Submissions
 

Monday, November 2, 2026

A Panzerism

Panzer on Mondays:
 
A cat joke
Cats don't have "Best By" datea.
This morning I heard What's His Name tell Mom getting out of bed and going to work on Mondays is a lot harder than it used to be.
 
If he would have said that to me ...
 
I would have told him ...
 
Once you're past your "Best By" date everything gets harder to do. 

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Cat Jigsaw Puzzle: Peek-a-Boo!

Cat hiding behind a pumpkin.
Hint
Here's today's jigsaw puzzle.
 
At the puzzle site if you click the square in the lower left corner you can see the finished puzzle at any time.
 
Have fun!
 
To do the puzzle tootle over to Cat Jigsaw Puzzle

Free to Watch Classic Mystery Movie:The Bishop Murder Case

Contains a link to a 1929 classic murder mystery movie.
Tomorrow is puzzle day.

 Here's this week's murder mystery movie Panzer found on the Classic Hollywood Movie channel on Youtube.
 
The Bishop Murder Case is a 1929 black and white murder mystery. It's 1 hour 22 minutes long.
  
Make a pizza, get your favorite beverage and enjoy the mystery.
 
To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie

Free to Listen Amish Romance Audiobook: Amish Baby Blessing

Post contains a link to listen to the Amish romance audiobook titled Amish Baby Blessing.
I'll be back in a few minutes.
If you liked yesterday's Amish romance audiobook, Panzer found another one by the same author on Youtube.
 
Amish Baby Blessing is written by Samantha Price. It's 3 hours 44 minutes long.
 
To listen to the audio book tootle over to Amish Romance

Saturday, October 31, 2026

Free to Listen Cozy Mystery Audiobook: The Diva Haunts the House

Contains a link to a cozy mystery audiobook tittle The Diva Haunts the House.
I need to rest for movie night.
Ready for a spooky little mystery? Panzer found this one on the Cozy Mystery Audio channel on Youtube.
 
The Diva Haunts the House is written by Krista Davis. It's 10 hours 21 minutes long.
 
To listen to the audiobook tootle over to  

Free to Listen Clean Amish Romance Audiobook: The Amish School Teacher

Cointains a link to listen to a clean Amish romance audiobook titled The Amish School Teacher.
Now I'll find find a mystery
If you like Amish romances, Panzer found this one on the author's channel on Youtube.
 
The Amish School Teacher is written by Samantha Price. It's 3 hours 46 minutes long.
 
To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Clean Amish Romance

Friday, October 30, 2026

Barry Award Winners: Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine - Mystery Fanfare

Link to the announcement of the four Barry Awards this year.
See you tomorrow.
Panzer made a quick stop at the Mystery Fanfare site and found the announcement of the winners of this year's Barry Awards..The winner in each of the four categories is listed.
 
Note: This is a short announcement. You won't need anything to snack on.
 
To read the post tootle over to Barry Award Winners

38 Writing Contests in November 2026 - No entry fees! - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Link to 38 writing contests with deadlines in November and no entry fees.
At least one contest for everyone.
Here's a list of writing contests Panzer found on the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site.
 
Erica Verrillo's list has short fiction, long fiction, novels, nonfiction, and poetry contests. Best of all there are no entry fees.
 
Panzer says, "Always read the deadlines."
 
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 Writing Contests

ABA CEO Allison Hill On Supply Chain Disruptions

Link to a post on the American Booksellers Association's site about supply chain disruptions through the end of the year.
It's not going to be a good Christmas for paper books.
Panzer found this post at the American Booksellers Association (ABA) site.
 
In the post CEO Allison Hill discusses the current issues in the U.S. which are causing supply chain problems. It's believed the issues will worsen through the end of the year. 
 
Panzer says, "Tariffs. Fuel costs. No workers."
 
Note: This is a short medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a cupcake to snack on. 
 
 To read the post tootle over to Supply Chain Disruptions

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

22 Notable Writing Conferences and Workshops in November 2026 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Link to a lidt of writing conferences and worshops in November.
Some interesting opportunities here.
Panzer's last stop today was at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he found a list of writing conferences and workshops in November.
 
Erica Verrillo includes both in-person and online conferences and workshops on her list. These are fiction, nonfiction and poetry writing and publishing learning events.
 
Panzer says, "Be sure to check the registration deadlines."
 
Note: This is a long list. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.
 
To read the llist tootle over to Writing Conferences and Workshops

The Private Eye Writers of America Announce The 2026 Shamus Award Winners

Link to the announcement of the Private Eye Writers of America Shamus Award Winners.
We read four of the winners.
Panzer's second stop in the Catosphere today was at the Private Eye Writers of America site.
 
There he found the official announcement of this year's Shamus Awards. The winners and nominees of the four categories are listed.
 
Panzer says, "Yes Mom's a member. No we didn't win."
 
Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea to drink. 
 
To read the post tootle over to Shamus Awards

Anthony Award Winners: Bouchercon 2026 - Mystery Fanfare

Link to the Anthony Award winners announcement.
We read two of them.
After taking National Black Cat Day yesterday off as a holiday Panzer is back with writing news today.
 
At Janet Rudolph's Mystery Fanfare site he found a post about this years Anthony Awards winners. The winners in the seven categories are listed.
 
Panzer says, "Did you read any of the winners?"
 
Note: This is a short medium length post. Bring a cup of tea to drink.
 
To read the post tootle over to Anthony Award Winners..

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Black Cat Holiday

 
National Black Cat Day
 
You can leave my treats here.

 

Monday, October 26, 2026

A Panzerism

Panzer on anger management:
 
A cat joke about not attacking the couch.
The arm chair 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 anthing about the arm chair! 

Sunday, October 25, 2026

Cat Jigsaw Puzzle - I'm cold.

Link to a cat jigsaw puzzle titled I'm cold.
Hint
Here's today's jigsaw puzzle.
 
At the puzzle site click the square in the lower left corner to see the finished puzzle.
 
If you're looking for a challenge, here's one. 
 
Have fun!
 
To do the puzzle trundle over to I'm cold.

Free to Watch Classic Mystery Thriller Movie: Wall Street

Link to a 1940 classic noir thriller titled Wall Street.
Remember to save me some popcorn.
Here's a noir thriller movie Panzer found on the Mc cult Hollywood channel on Youtube.
  
Will Street is a 1940 black and white classic nor thriller movie. It's 1 hour 33 minutes long.
 
Make some popcorn with lots of extra butter, get your beverage of choice and enjoy this thriller.
 
To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Noir Movie

Free to Listen Clean Amish Romance: The Amish Dream

Contains a link to an Amish clean romance audiobook titled The Amish Dream.
Off to find a movie for you.
If you like Amish romance, Panzer found this one on the Indiana Wake and Friends channel on Youtube.
 
The Amish Dream is written by Sarah Miller and Irene Glick. It's 2 hours 18 minutes long.
 
To listen to the romance tootle over to Clean Amish Romance

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Free to Listen Cozy Mystery Audiobook: The Pumpkin Was Framed



Link to a Halloween cozy mystery audiobook The Pumpkin Was Framed.
Halloween is coming.
If you're getting into the Halloween spirit, Panzer found this cozy mystery on the author's channel on Youtube.
 
The Pumpkin Was Frame is written by Regan Williams. It's 3 hours 46 minutes long. 
 
To listen to this audiobook tootle over to Halloween Cozy Mystery

Free to Listen Small Town Romance Audiobook: Brooks

Contains a link to a small town clean romance titled Brooks.
Be right back with something else for you.
Here's a clean small town romance Panzer found on the author's channel on Youtube.
 
Brooks is written by Chris Keniston. It's 4 hours 53 minutes long.
 
To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Small Town Clean Romance

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Australia May Legalize AI Training on Your Books. Sign a Statement Opposing It. - Authors Guild

Link to an announcement about Australia legalizing trraining LLMs on authors books without there permission. Legislation would legalize it books worldwide.
I can't believe they'd do that.
Here's the latest AI copyright theft information Panzer found online.
 
According to the Authors Guild the Australian government wants to make it legal for Australian companies to use authors' books to train LLMs without authors permission. The post contains a form to sign your opposition to this.
 
Panzer says, "This would cover authors books worldwide not just in Australia."
 
Note: This is a short announcement.
 
To read the post tootle over to Australia AI Statement 

One industry, Many Markets - Publishing Perspectives


Contains a link to a post about global markets for book sales.
Interesting sales breakdowns included.
Panzer's first stop in the Catosphere today was at the Publishing Perspectives site.
 
With a little digging there, he found a post about book sales and trends in global markets. 
 
Panzer says, "The markets are broken down into individual countries, regions and companies."
 
Note: This is a very, very long post. You'll need to decide what you want to bring to snack on.
 
To read the post tootle over to Book Markets 

What book buyers think about AI in books - bookinsights.ai Blog

Link to a post about AI acceptance in book writing.
It's a generational thing like long naps.
Here's an interesting post Panzer found on the bookinsights.ai site.
 
The post is about a survey of over 5000 book buyers and their acceptance or non-acceptance of AI use by writers 
 
Panzer says, "It doesn't surprise this little kitty that the acceptance rate was according to age."
 
Note: This is a short medium length post. Bring a cup of tea to drink.
 
To read the post tootle over to bookinsights.ai 

After the Fire, a New Anthology Inspired by Ray Bradbury Opens Call for Submissions - File 770

Link to submission guidelines for new anthology inspired by Ray Bradbury.
Can you fit a mystery in there?
If you're a writer and a Ray Bradbury fan, here's a post  Panzer found for you on the File 770 site.
 
While File 770 is not part of the submissions call, the post there does have all the rules and where to submit your submissions.
 
Panzer says, "Read all the rules before you submit."
 
Note: This is a long medium length post. Bring a glass of milk and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) to snack on.
 
To read the post tootle over to  Ray Bradbury

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

AI Best Practices for Publishers: Using AI Detectors and Dealing With Undisclosed AI Use - Authors Guild

Link to post about publisher best practices with AI detector use.
Doesn't matter. Cats do whatever they want to do anyway.
Here's a post Panzer found at The Author Guild site about publishers, writers and AI use.
 
This post has a section on AI use detectors.
 
Panzer says, "This little kitty is still confused: Is Spell Checker in Word considered AI use?  Is Find and Replace AI use?"
 
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 Publishers 

2026 National Book Awards Finalists - Locus

Link to the Locus reader genre lists of the National Book Awards finalists.
Recognize anyone?
Panzer made a stop at the Locus Magazine site today.
 
There our traveling kitty found the National Book Foundation's National Book Awards Locus readers genre specific finalist lists.
 
Panzer says, "The post also has a link to the complete lists of all the awards finalists."
 
Note: This is a short post. You won't need anything to snack on.
 
To read the post tootle over to National Book Awards Finalists 

A Panzerism

For some unknown reason yesterday's Panzerism got eaten in the Catosphere instead of being posted, so here it is today. 
 **********
 
A cat joke about proving no saddle is needed to ride the couch.
I'm proving no saddle is needed.
Panzer on equestrian skills:
 
I am not scratching the furniture ... 
 
I am learning how to ride the couch without a saddle. 

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Jigsaw Puzzle

 
Link to a cat jigsaw puzzle titled You want me to do what?
Hint
Here's today's jigsaw puzzle.
 
At the puzzle site click the square in the lower left corner to see the finished puzzle.
 
Have fun with this one.
 
To do the puzzle tootle over to Cat Jigsaw Puzzle

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Free to Watch Classic Murder Mystery Movie: It Couldn't Have Happened (But It Did)

Post contains a link to watch a 1936 black and white murder mystery movie named It Couldn't Have Happened (But It Did).
Don't wake me.
Panzer found this classic movie on the Pizzaflix channel on Youtube.
 
It Couldn't Have Happened (But It Did) is a 1936 black and white murder mystery movie.
 
Make a pizza, grab your beverage of choice and enjoy the mystery.
 
To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie

Something Is Going to Happen - Skidding Broadside in a Cloud of Smoke

Link to a post about how Anna Scotti became a short story writer.
The things I do for you.
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine's Something Is Going to Happen has a post written by mystery writer Anna Scotti. 
 
In the post she explains the trail that led her to being a short story writer.
  
To read the post tootle over to Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine 

Amerian Flash Fiction: Brilliant Brevities & Miniature Masterpieces - Library of America

Off to find something else
In case you missed the Library of America's Flash Fiction presentation earlier in October, it's now online on Youtube.
 
The event features three flash fiction writers discussing what it is and how to write it. The program is one hour long.
 
Note: Yes these are authors published in a Library of America flash fiction book. 
 
To watch the video tootle over to Flash Fiction 

Free to Listen Rom Com Audiobook: Case Study

 
Post contains a link to the audiobook Case Study.
Let's see what else is hiding out there.
Panzer found this opposites attract romance on the author's channel on Youtube.
 
Case Study is written by Lainey Davis. It's 6 hours long.
 
To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Rom Com Audiobook

Friday, October 16, 2026

Free to Listen Paranormal Cozy Mystery Audiobook: Some Enchanted Eclair

Contains a link to Youtube to listen to the audiobook Some Enchanted Eclair.
Look at that book cover with all those cats.
Panzer found this audiobook on the Cozy Mystery Audio channel on Youtube.
 
Some Enchanted Eclair was written by Bailey Cates. It's 7 hours 33 minutes long.
 
To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Cozy Mystery Audiobook

Free to Listen Clean Romance Audiobook: Coming Home to the Valley

Contains a link to listen to the clean romance audiobook Coming Home to the Valley
Off to find a mystery for you.
Panzer found this romance audiobook on the author's channel on Youtube.
 
Coming Home to the Valley is written by Ellen Joy. It's 7 hours 9 minutes long.
 
Note: The title under the book cover on Youtube says "AI Full Length Clean Romance Audiobook." I think that means it's AI narrated not written.
 
To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Clean Romance Audiobook

Must Read Issues Statemen on Cover Illustration Contracts - Locus

Contains a link to a post on Locus as a continuation to a post on Writer Beware (R) abou Must Read Magazine's contract terms for cover illustrators.
Just talking in my sleep.
Panzer's next stop was at the Locus site. 
 
There he found a continuation of yesterdays' post at Writer Beware (R) about contract rights grabs by Must Read Magazines. The Locus post quotes Must Read Magazine's explanation of the contract's terms.".
 
Panzer says, "Hmm ... Maybe ... don't use a specific story's plot/theme/premise as your cover illustration."
 
Note: This is a long medium length post. Bring a glass of milk and three chocolate chip cooks for today's snack.
 
To read the post tootle over to Must Read's Statement 

Charter of Ethical AI Use in the Creative Industries - Society of Authors

Contains a link to the Charter and two other documents mentioned in the Charter.
It doesn't say I can't use my spell checker.
Panzer made his first stop of the day at the U.K.'s Society of Authors site.
 
There with no digging in the posts at all he found the organization's new Charter which it is asking other organization to sign. At the bottom of the post are two "Plus signs". Each opens one of the reports mentioned in the Charter.
 
Panzer says, "This little kitty got confused about what specific uses are ethical or not ethical."
 
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 Ethical AI Use

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

MACAVITY AWARD WINNERS 2026 - Mystery Fanfare

Contains a link to the list of Macavity Award winners.
They missed a lot of good indie books and stories.
Tootling around in the Catosphere today, the Panzermobile was suddenly buffeted by clapping and cheering outside. Following all the noise took our intrepid kitty traveler to the Mystery Fanfare site.
 
There he discovered a list of the winners of this year's Macavity Awards was posted. The list also includes the nominees for each award. The poem that's about Macavity (the cat the awards are named after) is at the end of the post.
 
Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't see any indie books or short stories on the list."
 
Note:This is a long post. You'll need to decide what you want to bring to snack on.
 
To read the post tootle ovesr to Macavity Award Winners...

Book Publishers Are Quietly Using More AI. Staff Are Revolting - Wired

Contains a link to a post at Wired about publishers use of AI.
I wonder if cover designer know about this?
Today, Panzer stopped at the Wired site where he discovered a post about publishers and AI.
 
According to interviews with employees at HarperCollins, Simon and Schuster and Hachette, all three are using AI in ways unknown to the public. These run from email to cover material.. If you've read about the books pulled by publishers because of "suspected" AI use, you'll find this post about their own use of AI interesting.
 
 Panzer says, "It's not that big a jump from back cover copy to front cover illustration."
 
Note: This is a long, long post. You'll need to decide what you want to bring to snack on. 
 
To read the post tootle over to Publishers and AI 

More Rights Grabs from Must Read Magazines - Writer Beware (R)

Contains a link to a post on the Writer Beware (R) site about the Must Read Magazine's contracts for illustrators.
Pay Attention! These are professionals.
Panzer made a trip to the Writer Beware (R) site where he found an interesting post about Must Read Magazines.
 
After the trouble Must Read Magazines contracts caused with writers the new owners are using similar ones with illustrators. The outcome looks to be the same this time.
 
Panzer says, "This little kitty doesn't think it looks like they learned anything from the writer uproar."
 
Note: This is a very, very long post. You'll need to decide what you want to bring to snack on. 
 
To read the post tootle over to Writer Beware (R) 

We're making it easier to identify A-I generated content globally - News from Google (Blog)

Contains a link to a post on the Google site about a watermark detector.
Here's an announcement Panzer found on the Google blog site.
 
According to the post, Google has made their AI watermark detector available to everyone. The detector can read other AI company's watermarks as well as Google's. The detector works for video and audio watermarks. The post contains links to other information about the detector and Google.
 
Panzer says, "The post lists the other company watermarks the detector can read." 
 
Note: This is a short announcement. You won't need anything to snack on unless you decide to follow the links to other information.
  
To read the post tootle over to SynthID Detector 

Monday, October 12, 2026

A Panzerism

 Panzer on the human idea of closure:
 
Mom's goldfish Molly died. Mom says she wants closure.
 
Silly idea. Cats don't waste their time that way.
 
A cat joke
Mom. Molly was a goldfish.
Humans should understand each moment passes away forever. It's gone. There's no way to enter the past.
 
The past is like water disappearing down the toilet with Molly. She's gone to some unknown unknowable place.
 
A better place for Molly? Perhaps. 

Sunday, October 11, 2026

A Puzzle - I am not lost.

Contains a lin to a jigsaw puzzle titled I am not lost.
Hint
Here's your new jigsaw puzzle.
 
At the puzzle site if you click the square in the lower left corner, you can see the finished puzzle.
 
Have fun!
 
To go to the puzzle site tootle over to Cat Jigsaw Puzzle

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Free to Watch Classic Mystery Movie: Bowery at Midnight.

Post contains a link to the classic mystery thriller movie Bowery at Midnight.
See you for Puzzle Day tomorrow.
Panzer found this movie on the Hastings Mystery Theater site on Youtube.
 
Bowery at Midnight is a 1942 black and white thriller movie. It's 1 hour 7 minutes long.
 
 Have a pizza delivered, get your favorite beverage and enjoy the movie.
 
To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie

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