Kobo rejects 45% of self-published books last year, mostly over AI - TNW

45%

Panzer's next stop was at the TNW site. 

With a little digging in the posts he found one about the Kobo Writing Life's rejection rate for self-published books.

 

Panzer says, "Look at those rejection numbers. I guess this little kitty won't be using their publishing services.

 

Note: This is a short medium length post. Bring a glass of ice tea to drink.

 

To read the post tootle over to Kobo 

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

It's really hot out.

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

 

Erica Verrillo has a list of writing contests with July submission deadlines and no entry fees. Contests for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry are included.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the submission deadlines." 

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Contests

A Panzerism

 Panzer on human narcissism:

 

I have joined Mom and What's His Name at backyard barbecues for the Fourth of July with neighbors, for coffee and tea on the deck for New Year's morning, and holiday season dinners with their families.

You can't change what is.*

 

One thing stands out to me at these gatherings:

 

Mom is always the second most attractive creature there.

 

Too bad she has such an attractive cat over shadowing her.

 

 

  

*From Cat Wisdom for humans 

Jigsaw Puzzle: Work's done. Going home.

Hint

Here's today's puzzle.

 

When you click the square in the lower left corner at the puzzle site you can see the finished puzzle.

 

Have fun with this one!

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to Cat Jigsaw Puzzle

Free to Listen Regency Romance Audiobook: Somewhat of a Ruse

See you tomorrow.

If you like sweet regency romance, Panzer found one for you on the author's channel on Youtube.

 

The novella Somewhat of a Ruse is written by Jess Heileman. It's read by Janna Fox and 5 hours 47 minutes long.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Regency Romance Audiobook 

Free to Listen BBC Radio Crime Drama: A Coat of Varnish

Off to find something else.

If you like British radio dramas, Panzer found this one on the Old Tube Radio channel on Youtube.

 

A Coat of Vanish is written by C.P. Snow. It's 1 hour 25 minutes long. 

 

To listen to the radio drama tootle over to BBC Crime Radio

Free to Watch Classic Mystery Movie: I'll Name The Killer

I'll see what else I can find.

Panzer found this classic mystery movie on the Freemeo channel on Youtube.

 

I'll Name The Killer is a 1936 black and white murder mystery. It's 1 hour 8 minutes long.

 

Have some friends come over, make a pizza, get your favorite beverage and enjoy the movie.

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie 

Free to Listen Hockey Clean Romance Audiobook:The Romance Playbook

I'll see you tomorrow.

If you like rom-com, Panzer found this one on the author's channel on Youtube.

The Romance Playbook is written by Liwen Y. Ho. It's 1 hour 4 minutes long.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Rom-Com Hockey Romance

Free to Listen Cozy Mystery Audiobook: The Dinner Lady Detectives

Be back in a few minutes.

If you like lady detectives in your mysteries, Panzer found this audiobook on the Cozy Mystery Audiobooks channel on Youtube.

 

The Dinner Lady Detectives is written by Hannah Hendy. It's 7 hours 33 minutes long. 

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Cozy Mystery Audiobook

30 Great Writing Conferences and Workshops in July 2026 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

 

I'm a cat. Napping is what we do.

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

 

Erica Verrillo posted a list there of 30 writing conferences and workshops. There's information here about fiction, nonfiction, and poetry writing as well as marketing, publishing and more.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the deadlines."

 

Note: This is a long post. You can decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferences and Workshops

Ingram, ALA Announce Leadership Cohort Program - Press Release on Publishers Daily

I love the library. It's really cool inside.

While at Publishers Daily site Panzer found another press release. This one is about Ingram and the ALA starting a leadership program for librarians.

 

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

 

To read the press release tootle over to Ingram Library Services

Marc DeBevoise Appointed OverDrive CEO - Press Release on Publishers Daily

OverDrive works with libraries.

With a little digging in the news section at the Publishers Daily site Panzer found a press release about OverDrive getting a new CEO.

 

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

 

To read the press release tootle over to OverDrive 

3 ways Book insights helps you get more from your reading - Google Blog The Keyword

 

Another hot day.

Panzer's last stop today was at the Google Blog.

 

Our inquisitive kitty found a post about Google's Book insight feature and how to use it. The post includes links to free ebooks so you can test the feature.

 

Note: This is a long post because of the examples. Bring a cold glass of lemonade and two sugar cookies (biscuits) to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Google Play 

Short story prize clears winners of AI allegations after month-long review - The Independent

Think before you say something.

Panzer's second stop today was at The Independent site.

 

There he found a post about the Commonwealth short story prize winners. After investigation of online speculation about the stories being AI-generated, it's been determined that's not true. Several links to other information are included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty did wonder why humans were saying all the stories were AI-generated."

 

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 Commonwealth Prize 

 

Commending the Best of This Genre - The Rap Sheet

How many have you read?

First stop in the Catosphere for Panzer today was at The Rap Sheet site.

 

J. Kingston Pierce's post lists the shortlist for the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Novel Award. The post also includes the winner and nominees for the Lamda Literary Best Mystery category.

 

Panzer says, "The post has a link for readers to vote for their favorite crime novel on the shortlist.  Voting closes July 16."

 

 Note: This is a short post. Bring a glass of lemonade to drink.

 

To read the post tootle over to Genre 

Revealing Fingerprints - The Rap Sheet

It is so hot today.

Panzer's last stop today was at The Rap Sheet site. There our traveling kitty boy found a post about the Capital Crime Festival 2026 Fingerprint Awards.

 

J. Kingston Pierce's post lists the winners and nominees in each of the eight Fingerprint Award categories.

 

Panzer says, "I recognize some names on the list. Do you?" 

 

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a glass of iced tea to drink. 

 

To read the post tootle over to Fingerprints 

Killer Nashville Magazine Update

You'll have to buy it now to see everything..

Panzer made a stop at the Killer Nashville Magazine site. 

 

At the site he discovered an updated version of the July issue. It contain the interview and four writers' craft articles of which one is listed as new.

 

You'll also find links to purchase the magazine at online stores. Panzer checked all the stores and the issue price is listed as $5.99.

 

To read the excerpts from the magazine tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine

Guest Blog Post: Can a Flawed US Legal System Discourage Fraud? A Look at PageTurner Scam Prosecution - Writer Beware (R)

It's discouraging for me to read.

Here's a post Panzer found on the Writer Beware (R) site about how fraud cases are prosecuted in the US.

 

In his post Trent Bertrand does a deep dive into how the process works. He uses the PageTurner scam as an example of the legal system's mechanics.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... It almost looks like somebody took the fox into the chicken coop."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a glass of iced tea and a bowl of ice cream. (Can you tell it's really hot here?)

  

To read the post tootle over to Writer Beware 

A Monday Panzerism

Panzer on Cat Proverbs:

 

Proverb 1 

 

A watched cat food dish never attracts a herd of elephants.

 

But ...

 

Works every time.

Staring woefully at an empty cat food dish ...

 

And ...

 

mewling when Mom comes in the room ...

 

guarantees a full cat food dish. 

New Puzzle:What is that? It tastes awful!

 

Hint

Here's today's jigsaw puzzle.

 

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

 

Have fun!

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to Cat jigsaw puzzle

Free to Watch Classic Mystery Movie: Secrets of the Lone Wolf

Have fun.

Panzer found this classic mystery movie on the Hexagon Pictures channel on Youtube. 

 

Secrets of the Lone Wolf is a 1941 black and white movie. It's 1 hour 5 minutes long.

 

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

 

To watch the movie tootle over to Classic Mystery Movie 

Free to Listen Regency Romance Novella: The Captain and Miss Winter

I'll see what else is out there.

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

 

The clean romance The Captain and Miss Winter is written by Sally Britton. It's 3 hours 14 minutes long.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Regency Romance Novella 

Free to Listen Cozy Mystery Audiobook: Death By Committee

Here comes the weekend.

Panzer found Friday's cozy mystery on the Cozy Mystery Audio channel on Youtube.

 

Death By Committee is written by Alexis Morgan. It's 7 hours 20 minutes long.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Cozy Mystery Audiobook 

Free to Listen Fantasy Clean Romance Audiobook: A Vow of Honor

Your mystery audiobook is next.

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

 

The arranged marriage romance A Vow of Honor is written by Ashley Willingham. It's 5 hours 17 minutes long. 

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Fantasy Romance Audiobook 

Yesterday's Technical Problem Solved

No idea what happened.

For some unknown reason yesterday Panzer couldn't publish his posts. So, today you'll get Friday's posts and today's.

 

Happy reading and movie watching.

 

Enjoy! 

Green Book Alliance Launches Carbon Calculator - Publishers Daily

A carbon calculator for books.

Panzer's final stop for today was at the Publishers Daily site.

 

Jim Milliot posts about the Green Book Alliance's Carbon Calculator. The calculator allows book industry professionals to learn the carbon footprint emissions of a book's production. The calculator is free to use. Links to more information are included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders how it determines the carbon emissions for ebooks."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Carbon Calculator 

British Fantasy Awards 2026 Shortlist - British Fantasy Society Blog

See any friends on this list?

Next stop for Panzer was the British Fantasy Society's site.

 

There he found the thirteen category list of nominees shortlist for the British Fantasy Awards.

 

 Panzer says, "There are categories for fiction, nonfiction, audio, just about everything."

 

Note: With thirteen categories this is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin to snack on.

 

To read the list tootle over to British Fantasy Society 

"Bold and Brave" Win the Day - The Rap Sheet

Know any author on the lists?

First up from Panzer today is a stop at The Rap Sheet. 

 

At the site J. Kingston Pierce has the Sisters in Crime Australia's announcement of the longlist nominees for the Davitt Awards. The longlist has four categories for awards. The post contains a link to the Sisters in Crime Australia site for more information.

 

 Panzer says, "The shortlist will be announced in July."

 

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea.

 

To read the post tootle over to Australia

Trace Evidence: How I Came to Write "Corpse Handler and the Dead Ridge Walker"

See you tomorrow.

Panzer meant to post this last Saturday, but it got lost in the rush to get the mystery movie uploaded.

 

How I Came to Write "Corpse Handler and the Dead Ridge Walker" was written by Sue Parman. It appeared on Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine's Trace Evidence site.

 

To read the post tootle over to Trace Evidence 

Amazon's 'Story So Far' Feature is finally rolling out to Kindles - Engadget

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

At Panzer's next stop at the Engadget site he discovered Amazon has begun putting out the Story So Far feature for Kindles.

 

The post gives an overview of the new Story So Far feature. Links to more information are also included. 

 

Panzer says, "This looks like a handy feature for readers."

 

Note: This is a long-short length post.  If you plan to follow any of the links in the post, you'll probably want at least a cup of tea and a cookie (biscuit) to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Story So Far Feature 

Scotland: Shortlist Announced for the Highlan Book Prize; Publishing Scotland Seeks Applications for Translation Fund - Publishing Perspectives

Interesting rules.

 Panzer's first stop today was at the Publishing Perspectives site.

 

There he found the announcement of the shortlist for the Highland Book Prize. The post has the shortlisted authors and their works. Also included is information about the Translation Fund.

 

Panzer says, "This is an annual Prize."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Highland Book Prize 

Publishers Sue WeLib for Copyright Infringement - Publishers Weekly

It's been a long day.

Panzer's last stop for today was at the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about a lawsuit against another alleged pirate site.

 

 According to the post, 13 publishers have joined together to sue the WeLib site for pirating millions of books and other materials. Included in the post is a link to a lawsuit the publishers won against another pirate site a month ago.

 

Panzer says, "They just shut down one pirate site and another one pops up."

 

Note: This is a short medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) to snack on. 

 

to read the post tootle over to Pirate Site Welib 

Killer Nashville Magazine New Issue

Let's see what else is out there.

Panzer's next stop was at the Killer Nashville Magazine site.

 

Interestingly, Panzer found the July issue is already posted. 

 

Panzer says, "When I say the July issue is there, hI mean an author interview and a craft article have been uploaded."

 

Note: Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's snack.

 

To read the July issue tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine 

Hugo Award Base & Lodestar Award Designers Announced - LAcon V

I'll find something else of interest.

Panzer's first stop today was at the LAcon V site. There our inquisitive kitty boy found an announcement about the Hugo Base award winner.

 

The Lodestar Award is given each year to the winning designers that will create the new base design for the Hugo Awards. 

 

Panzer says, "Did you know the base is changed each year?"

 

 Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a glass of lemonade to drink today.

 

To read the list tootle over to Hugo Base

 

A Panzerism

 Panzer on being clever:

 

Mom's been giving this kitty eye drops twice a day.

 

I can tell you it doesn't really hurt ...

 

but ...

 

I yowl and whimper ...

 

My very best abused cat routine ...

 

because when she's done ...

 

I get a treat.

 

Yogurt!

Would her mascara work?

 

I love yogurt!

 

Today is my last eye drops day. 

 

I want to extend the yogurt treats, but I don't know how to make my eyes look like I need more drops.

 

New Jigsaw Puzzle: Ahhh. Sunshine equals Nap Time.

Hint

Here's today's jigsaw puzzle.

 

Remember, at the puzzle site you can see the finished puzzle by clicking the square in the lower left corner.

 

This one is a real challenge.

 

Have fun!

 

To do the puzzle trundle over to Cat Lovers' Jigsaw Puzzle 

Free to Watch British Mystery Movie: Three Steps in the Dark

My work is finished for the day.

If you like your murder mystery movies very British, Panzer found this one on the Babel Movies channel on Youtube.

 

Three Steps in the Dark is a black and white 1953 who-done-it murder mystery. It's 56 minutes long.

 

Make some popcorn, grab your drink of choice and enjoy the movie. 

 

To watch the movie tootle over to British Murder Mystery 

Free to Listen BBC Crime Drama: Bonecrack

I couldn't pass this up, but movie is next I promise.

If you're a horse racing fan, Panzer found this BBC mystery for you on the Old TubeRadio channel on Youtube.

 

Bonecrack was written by Dick Francis and broadcast in 1976. It's 1 hour 20 minutes long.

 

To listen to the episode tootle over to Dick Francis Mystery 

Free to Listen Dark Fantasy Romance Audiobook: Of Song and Tide

I'll find a movie for you now.

If you like mermaids in your dark fantasy romance audiobooks, Panzer found this one on the UrbanEpic channel on Youtube.

 

Of Song and Tide is written by D.S. Murphy. It's narrated by Joey Clarkson and is 6 hours 38 minutes long.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Dark Fantasy Romance 

Free to Listen Victorian Romance Audiobook: A Passing Fancy

Not your usual romance.

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

 

A Passing Fancy is written by M.A. Nichols. It's 9 hours 50 minutes long.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Victorian Romance 

Free to Listen Cozy Mystery Audiobook: Elementary, She Read

I'll find today's romance next.

Panzer found this cozy mystery on the Cozy Mystery Audio channel on Youtube.

 

Elementary, She Read is written by Vicki Delany. It's 8 hours 26 minutes long.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Cozy Mystery 

Developments in the U.K. and Germany Target Google's AI-Generated Summaries - Publishing Perspectives

At the Publishing Perspectives site Panzer found a post about Google's summaries feature.

 

According to the post, both the U.K. and Germany are taking aim at implementing controls on Google's summaries feature, but for different reasons and with different methods. Links to other sources are included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "It always seems like Europe beats the U.S. in doing what needs to be done." 

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's snack. 

 

To read the post tootle over to Google Summaries 

8 New Agents Seeking Genre Fiction, YA, New Adult, Nonfiction, LGBTQ, Literary Fiction ... - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

They're looking for a lot of stuff.

Panzer's first stop in the Catosphere today was at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he found news about agents looking for clients. 

 

Erica Verrillo's list highlights 8 new agents looking for writers to represent in fiction, nonfiction and various genres.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read what each agent is looking for, so you submit your query to the right one."

 

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

 

To read the list tootle over to New Agents

2025 Nebula Awards - Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Association

Know anybody on the list?

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was suddenly shaken by clapping and cheering outside. Following all the noise took our kitty pilot to the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) site.

 

There he discovered the SFWA had posted the winners and nominees in the nine Nebula Awards categories.

 

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

 

To read the list tootle over to Nebula Awards

  

Authors Guild Looks at Why Author Incomes Are in Decline - Publishers Weekly

I need a nap after all today's traveling.

Panzer's last stop today was at the Publishers Weekly site. There he discovered a post about authors' income.

 

According to the post, the Authors Guild commissioned a study to determine why authors income is declining. The study found among other factors that not as many people buy books anymore. The post includes links to other information.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders if anybody looked at the cost of traditionally published books as a factor. They cost a lot of kitty treats."

 

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

 

To read the post trundle over to Author Incomes 

2025 Stoker Awards Winners - Horror Writers Association

Don't read these before bedtime.

Panzer's second stop today was at the Horror Writers Association (HWA) site.

 

The HWA has the winners and all the nominees in each of the 13 categories for the Stoker Awards listed there. Also included at the site is a link to the HWA Youtube channel episode of the Awards presentation.

 

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

To read the list tootle over to Stoker Awards

 

U.S. Audiobooks Sales Grew 9% in 2025, to $2.43 Billion - Publishers Weekly

There's only one post today.

Panzer had to go to the vet, so we didn't have enough time to gather more news..

 

******* 

 Panzer made a stop at the Publishers Weekly site today. There he found a post about audiobook sales last year.

 

I need to recover from today's trip.

According to Ed Nawolka's post, the Audio Publishers Association reports the 2025 audiobook sales jumped up 9% over 2024.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know not many people admit to listening to AI generated audiobooks."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to US Audiobook Sales 

A Panzerism

 Panzer on duplication:

 

Mom thinks, if she says a word twice, it's easier for cats to understand. 

 

I mean when she wants my attention, she says, "Here Kitty, Kitty." I know I'm a Kitty. Maybe, I just don't want to come over there right now.

Kitty-Kitty. Geez.

 Or, she'll toss the toy mouse and say, "Go get your mouse, mouse." Well, it's a toy mouse. Duh. Maybe, I just don't want to chase it right now.

 

Get it? I understand you. I just don't want to do it. So don't double the words Okay Mom-Mom?

 

 

 

 

From Cat Wisdom for humans 

New Cat Puzzle: It's called Cat Yoga.

Hint

Here's today's new jigsaw puzzle. 

 

To see the completed puzzle at the puzzle site click the square in the lower left corner.

 

Have fun!

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to Cat Jigsaw Puzzle

Free to Listen P.D. James Radio Mystery: A Taste for Death

Back tomorrow.

Panzer found this radio adaption of P.D James A Taste for Death on the Nikola Tesla Wireless Radio channel on Youtube. It's a two hour 16 minutes murder mystery. 

  

To listen to the episode tootle over to P.D. James