LAcon V Site Selection Business Meeting - File 770

I did a lot of traveling today. I deserve a long nap.

At the File 777 site Panzer found the announcement that at the Worldcon 2028 Site Selection meeting Brisbane, Australia, won the vote.

 

 Worldcon is the World Science Fiction Convention. It will be held July 27 - 31 2028.

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Site Selection 

"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

Australia's Helen Garner Wins the UK's £50,000 Baillie Gifford Prize in Nonfiction - Publishing Perspectives

The colder the weather the harder for me to stay awake.

On a quick trip to the Publishing Perspectives site Panzer learned Australian writer Helen Garner won the Baillie Gifford Prize in Nonfiction.

 

According to Porter Anderson's post, Helen Garner won with her nonfiction book comprised of a collection of diaries.

 

Panzer says, "The post opens with links to other contest prize winners and shortlists."

 

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 Baillie Gifford Prize in Nonfiction

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

Now I'm finished for the day.

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to AI Robot Narrators 

Kerry Greenwood, author of th Phryne Fisher series, dies aged 70 - ABC News

Last week Panzer told you about the death of mystery author Kerry Greenwood.  Today on his travels in the Catosphere he found a post at the ABC News site with more indepth information about the Australian author.

 

To read the post tootle over to Kerry Greenwood - Author

To read the previous post tootle over to Kerry Greenwood RIP 

Kerry Greenwood R.I.P. - Mystery Fanfare

 Janet Rudolph reports the death of Australian mystery author Kerry Greenwood at Mystery Fanfare blog.

 

To read the full announcement tootle over to  Kerry Greenwood R.I.P.

Simon and Schuster Australia Aquires Affirm Press - Publishing Perspectives

Whenever I have a day off, I spend a week catching up.

Because of the Labor Day holiday here in the US, Panzer's news reporting is all kittywumpus. So, our speedy little kitty boy will try to get caught up today. His first stop is at the Publishing Perspectives site.

 

According to Porter Anderson's post, Simon and Schuster has signed an agreement to acquire independent publisher Affirm Press. This allows Simon and Schuster to increase their Australian footprint size. Several links to other information are included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty wants to know what changes they'll make later."

 

Note: 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 Simon and Schuster Australia

Australia's Booktopia Sold to Local Camera Store Chain - Publishers Weekly

Booktopia got purchased almost immediately.

Panzer found the latest news about Booktopia at the Publishers Weekly site.

 

According to  Ed Nawotka's post, Booktopia which has been in receivership since July has been purchased by DigiDirect.

 

Panzer says, "DigiDirect says nobody will lose their jobs, so that's good."

 

Note: This is a short medium post. A small cup of tea will be all you'll need for your snack.

 

To read the post tootle over to Australia's Booktopia

Giving Women Their Due - The Rap Sheet

Sisters in Crime is everywhere.

Panzer made a quick trip to The Rap Sheet today. With a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty found one about the Sisters in Crime Australia Davitt Awards.

 

J. Kingston Pierce's post has the shortlist for the crime and mystery Adult Novels category. The awards are for Australian authors. There are seven novels on the list. The post includes a link to a post with the other categories for the awards.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know about this award, but Mom says she did."

 

Note: This is a short-medium post. Bring a cup of tea to enjoy during your reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to  Australia

UK and Australia:Spotify Opens 'Audiobooks in Premium' - Publishing Perspectives

Panzer was shaken from his afternoon nap by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, our brave kitty boy followed all the commotion to the Publishing Perspectives site. There he discovered a post about Spotify and audiobooks.

This will be interesting to watch.

According to Porter Anderson's post, Spotify has announced the opening of the company's 'Audiobooks in Premium' feature in the UK and Australia. Spotify Premium holders there will now have 15 hours of audiobook reading time each month. Spotify plans to have the feature available in the US later this year.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty wonders what Audible will do about this."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Spotify Premium

Sweden's Storytel Buys Audiobooks.com - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There with just a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty traveler found one about Sweden's Storytel.

 

What will Amazon do?

According to the post by Ed Nawotka, Sweden's Storytel is acquiring Audiobooks.com Storytel's acquisition of Audiobooks.com allows the company access to the U.S., U.K. and Australian audio book markets. Storytel already has audio book markets in 25 countries globally.

Panzer says, "I never heard of audiobooks.com. Of course, that's not surprising because Mom won't let me drive the car."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading.

To red the post tootle over to Storytel and Audiobooks.com

The UK's Welbeck Publishing Group To Publish in Australia, New Zealand - Publishing Perspectives

 Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he suddenly heard clapping and cheering outside. Following all the hullabaloo took our traveling kitty pilot to the Publishing Perspectives site. With no digging at all he found a post about the Welbeck Publishing Group.

 

It sounds interesting.

According to the post by Porter Anderson, Welbeck Publishing Group announced the opening of a publishing subsidiary in Sydney, Australia. The company also announced Australia's Booktopia acquired twenty-five percent ownership in the new Australian publishing subsidiary. Plans are for the subsidiary to publish 50 books per year. The post includes links to other information about the companies.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... A whole new market for authors in Australia and New Zealand."

 

Note:This is a long-medium length post. Bring a large glass of lemonade, a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) and a brownie for today's reading. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you decide what extra treats to bring.

 

To read the post tootle over to Welbeck Publishing Group

Facebook Strikes Deal to Restore News Sharing in Australia - The New York Times

 Today Panzer decided to make a stop at The New York Times site. There our illustrious kitty boy found a post about Facebook in Australia.

 

What's happening without news?

According to the post by Mike Isaac and Damien Cave, Facebook is allowing Australians access to news sources again. Facebook had completely eliminated news from the company's Australian digital platform. In January Panzer told you about a proposed Australian law. The law would force news platforms such as Facebook and Google to pay media companies for their news content. The post contains links to other information about the proposed bill and persons involved in the negotiations.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... It's all so confusing. Would Facebook and Google have to pay for this little kitty sharing a link to an Australian news item?"

 

Note: This is a long medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring a cup of tea and a muffin for each link you follow.

 

To read the post tootle over to Facebook

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to Google 

An Australia With No Google? The Bitter Fight Behind a Drastic Threat - The New York Times

 Panzer was working on the Panzermobile's window cleaners when he heard crying and screaming coming from the Catosphere. Jumping in the pilot's seat, our brave kitty headed out to find the source of all the noise. Following the hubbub took him to The New York Times site. With no digging at all, he discovered a post about a dispute between Google and Facebook and the Australian senate.

 

According to the post by Damien Cave,  Google is threatening to remove it's search engine capabilities from Australia. At issue is a three part senate legislation. The proposed legislation would force online companies like Google and Facebook to pay a fee when Australians use their services to search for online news articles. In addition, if the company and the news media source can't come to an agreement on the fee, the company is forced into arbitration. Finally, the companies would be required to tell the media sources when they plan to change their algorithms.

 

I can blink. I'm not part of it.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... An old fashioned stare down. I wonder who will blink first."

 

Note: This is a humongous post. Bring a thermos of tea and six muffins for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Google and Facebook

Facebook threatens to block Australians from sharing news in battle over landmark media law - The Guardian

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard crying and shouting coming from outside the Panzermobile. Following all the hullabaloo took our adventuresome kitty boy to The Guardian site. With a little digging in the posts there he found one about Facebook in Australia.

 Can't you read it at other places?

According to the post by Amanda Meade, Facebook is in a disagreement with the Australian government. There is a proposal under consideration to charge digital platforms that carry news. If Australia passes a new law forcing Facebook to pay for news content posted to the platform, the company will be forced to ban Australians from posting news content. Australian government officials say they won't be bullied by Facebook and are continuing to work on the proposed new law. Facebook says they already have a program to pay news sources. The post contains several links to information about the new proposed law, including a link to Facebook's post about their response to Australia's proposed law.

Panzer says, "When you follow the link below to the post at The Guardian site, you might be asked to register to read it. It's free to signup."

Note: This is a humongous post. Bring tea, cocoa, water, muffins, cookies (biscuits), your breakfast, and your lunch to read it. If you plan to follow the links, bring a sleeping bag and your dinner.

To read the post tootle over to Facebook

'Doesn't believe in contracts': Literary agent sues bestselling author - The Sydney Herald

Today, Panzer took a long leisurely trip in the Catosphere. When he started looking for a place to land the Panzermobile he chose The Sydney Herald site. There our traveling kitty pilot found a post about bestselling Australian author Kate Morton.

According to the post by Angus Thompson, bestselling Australian author Kate Morton is being sued for breach of contract by her former Australian agent. Although they worked together starting in 1999, Kate Morton and the agent, Selwa Anthony, didn't have a signed contract until 2005 when her first novel sold. Their author-agent relationship continued until 2015 when Selwa Anthony was fired. Since Kate Morton now lives in England she has an agent there. Ms. Anthony says she should be receiving a 15 percent commission on royalties from any books she sold for Ms. Morton for as long as the books are on the market. Ms. Morton says she did not understand the contract she signed that way and thought the 15 percent commission was only for her advances on the books. This is a complicated case. Kate Morton has filed a counter-suit which adds to the complications.

My head hurts after reading all that.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty says an author should never, never sign any contract they don't understand and it should be re-examined periodically. Also, an author should get an attorney to explain it to them. Don't ask the agent who wants you to sign it to explain it to you."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to bestselling author Kate Morton

Amazon to Block Australian Customers from Using Amazon.com, & They Could Lose Access to Their eBooks - The Digital Reader

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was shaken and buffeted by howling and crying and gnashing of teeth. Following all the anguish took our brave kitty pilot to The Digital Reader site. There he discovered a post about Amazon.com.

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder's post, after July 1 Amazon will no longer allow Australian's to have access to the Amazon.com site. Instead, Australian shoppers will be redirected to the Amazon.com.au site. The post quotes from an Australian news site which says the new policy is being implemented in response to Australia's new ten percent tax (tariff) on all goods purchased from companies outside Australia (overseas). The The Digital Reader post also includes speculation on  the possibility of problems for Australian Kindle users and losing access to their ebook purchases. The Comments section has some interesting information too.

It's a ten percent tariff ... Not a tax.

Panzer says, "Ummm ... Put a ten percent tax (tariff) on my products and I won't sell the products to you anymore. Makes sense to this little kitty."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a glass of milk and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

UK Spring First in Series Sale, AU/NZ Mothers Day Price Promo, May Buy 2 Thrillers Get 1 Free Sale. A Snapshot of Kobo's little known promotions feature for indie authors - The New Publishing Standard

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The New Publishing Standard site. There our ingenious kitty found a post about Kobo's promotion feature.

According to the post by Mark Williams, Kobo is an untapped market for promoting their indie authors' ebooks. Three examples of Kobo's May promotions are the 99 cent promotion on the site in the U.S., the Mothers' Day promotion in Australia and New Zealand, and the Spring Price Drop promotion in the U.S. and Canada. There are other Kobo promotions examples included in the post. Also included are descriptions of how the promotions work, as well as, how to submit an ebook for consideration for the promotions.

I'm definitely looking into this.

Panzer says, "This little kitty has been using Smashwords to get his ebooks on Kobo so he didn't know about the Kobo Writing Life dashboard and the promotions feature."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring a thermos of tea, a dozen muffins, and a sleeping bag for a nap in the middle.

To read the post tootle over to Kobo promotions