Free to Listen Cozy Mystery Audiobook: 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

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

Barry Award Winners: Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine - Mystery Fanfare

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

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

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

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

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

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

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..

Black Cat Holiday

 

National Black Cat Day

 

You can leave my treats here.

 

A Panzerism

Panzer on anger management:

 

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! 

Cat Jigsaw Puzzle - 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

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

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

Free to Listen 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

 **********

 

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. 

Jigsaw Puzzle

 

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

Free to Watch Classic Murder Mystery Movie: 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

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

 

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

Free to Listen Paranormal Cozy Mystery 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

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

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

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

MACAVITY AWARD WINNERS 2026 - Mystery Fanfare

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

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)

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)

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 

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.

 

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. 

A Puzzle - 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

Free to Watch Classic Mystery 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

Free to Listen Clean Romance Audiobook:Falling Into Fiction

I'll see what else is out there.

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

 

Falling Into Fiction is written by Victorine E. Lieske. It's 6 hours 42 minutes long. 

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Clean Romantic Comedy

Free to Listen Creative Penn Podcast: From Story Seeds To Stories, And Writing An Author' Note, With Joanna Penn

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

Panzer found this episode on The Creative Penn podcast.

 

The episode shows how to gather ideas, plan and write a publishable piece.

 

 The podcast is 1 hour 18 minutes long

  

To read the post tootle over to  The Creative Penn

SelfPubCon 26 The Future of Self-Publishing: What's Working Now & What's Next

I'll find more for you.

The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) has announced the date of the SelfPubCon is October 17 and 18. 

 

All presenters and their topics are included in the post. You'll need to adjust times for your location.

 

The event is online and free. You do not need to be a member to attend. A link to register is included.

 

To read the post tootle over to SelfPubCon26

Free to Listen Clean Romance Audiobook: When One Door Closes

Back tomorrow.

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

 

When One Door Closes is written by Bridget E. Baker. It's 6 hours 54 minutes long.

 

To listen to the audiobook tootle over to Clean Romance Audiobook

Free to Listen Magical Cozy Mystery Audiobook: Charms and Chocolate Chips

Everybody needs a little magic in their life.

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

 

Charms and Chocolate Chips is written by Bailey Cates. It's i7 hours 42 minutes long.

 

To listen to the cozy mystery tootle over to Magical Bakery Shop Mystery

LAcon V Worldcon 2026 - Locus

I'm tired just read about LAcon.

If you didn't make it to LAcon V in August, Panzer found a post at the Locus site for you.

 

The post has photos, award winners and information about all the programs and events.

 

 Panzer says, "Looks like a lot of fun."

 

Note: This is a long, long, long post.

 

To read the post tootle over to LAcon V Worldcon 2026 

The Birth of a New Magazine - In Reference to Murder

It's digital or paper.

Here's an announcement about the Short Mystery Fiction Society's (SMFS) new magazine Panzer found on the In Reference to Murder site. 

   

This is a brand new magazine with stories and interviews written by SMFS members. The first issue is available on Amazon. 

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty is a member of SMFS, but he's not included."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to New Magazine..

Call for Articles and Reviews: Mysteries set in India - Mystery Readers Journal

Detailed guideline.

Panzer found this post on the Mystery Fanfare site.

 

The Mystery Readers Journal is open for submissions until November 5.

 

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

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Mystery Readers Journal

Canada's Valsoft Aquires Firebrand Group - Publishers Daily

I've got a headache from that.

Panzer stopped in at the Publishers Daily site where he found a post about Valsoft

 

Canadian company Valsoft acquired US company Firebrand Group. Valsoft owns Edelweiss and Firebrand Group owns NetGalley,  so now Valsoft owns Edelweiss and NetGalleiy. Several links to more information are included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "Did you follow all that?" .

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Valsoft acquires Firebrand Group  

Frankfurter Buchmesse 2026: Historian Jill Lepore Speaks of an Industry - and a World - 'On the Knife Edge of History' - Publishing Perspectives

You need to read it.

Panzer's first stop today was at the Publishing Perspectives site. There our traveling kitty boy found a post about the Frankfurter Buchmesse. 

 

The post is about Pulitzer Prize winning author Jill Lepore's keynote speech at the event. Her speech addresses AI from more than the publishing perspective.

 

Panzer says, "What she said is kind of scary to this little kitty." 

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Frankfurter Buchmesse 2026 

A Panzerism

 Panzer on keeping pets:

 

The three main reasons to keep pets:

 

1) Teaches responsibility;

2) Teaches unselfishness;

3) Teaches cleanliness.

One heartbeat away from the curb.

 

All true.

 

But mostly I just keep Mom around to feed me. 

Otherwise, I'd dump her in a heartbeat.

 

Today's Puzzle - I know there's catnip in here. I can smell it.

Hint

Here's your new jigsaw puzzle.

 

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

 

Have fun!

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to Black Cat Jigsaw Puzzle