Return from Covid to the Land of the Living

He never missed a nap the whole time.

Mom here.

Although it will take me a while to get back up to full working speed, it appears I'll survive my introduction to Covid.

 

Slowly but surely Cats and Crime will get back to normal.

No post - Covid

 

Doctor gave her a prescription.

Panzer here.

Mom's test came back positive.

She has Covid.

Back in a few days.

A Sudden Reversal: Leipzig Book Fair Is Cancelled - Publishing Perspectives

Today as Panzer entered the Catosphere he heard crying and the gnashing of teeth. Following all the angst, took our brave kitty boy to the Publishing Perspectives site. There he discovered a post about the Leipzig Book Fair in Germany was causing all the upset.

 

I'm tired of it. Are you?

According to Porter Anderson's post, the Leipzig Book Fair is cancelled. The Book Fair was scheduled to run from March 17 to 20. Information about the cancellation lists exhibitors' staff shortages due to the pandemic as the major cause. This is the third time the Fair has been cancelled.

Panzer says, "That Covid-19 thingy is still causing problems."

 

Note: This is a h-u-g-e post with several links to other information. Bring a thermos of cocoa and at least six muffins for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Leipzig Book Fair

2022 Publishing Predictions - Indies Take Center Stage – Smashwords Blog

Panzer took a trip to the Smashwords Blog today. There he found a post by Mark Coker about publishing for the coming year.

 

Google narrated audio books?

Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, is out with his annual publishing predictions. After the introduction the post is divided into two sections. The first is The State of the Indie Nation. In this section he addresses the Covid-19 pandemic, it's effect on humanity and how indie authors have helped and can continue to help humanity. The second section is Mark Coker's 2022 Publishing Predictions. This section is divided into twelve subsections.These cover the public's book reading habits, online buying habits, print on demand acceptance, audio books, and eight more predictions. There are some links to illustrate his predictions included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "This is a really interesting post."

 

Note: This is a humongous post. Bring a thermos of tea, four muffins and three chocolate chip cookies for today's trip into the future.

 

To read the post tootle over to   2022 Publishing Predictions

ABA Cancels 2022 Winter Institute - Publishers Weekly

I'm really tired of this.

Panzer was shaken from his kitty nap by booing and hissing coming from the Catosphere. Jumping in the Panzermobile, he followed all the noise to the Publishers Weekly site. There he discovered all the angst concerned a post about the ABA's Winter Institute.

 
According to the post by Ed Nawotka, due to the Covid-19 increase in cases the American Booksellers Association (ABA) has cancelled their in-person Feb. 13-16 Winter Institute. The ABA will announce other plans soon.

Panzer says, "Will that virus thingy ever go away?"

 

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of cocoa for today's reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to ABA Winter Institute

New books will be hard to come by for the rest of the year - Quartz

Today's trip into the Catosphere took our traveling kitty pilot to the Quartz site. There with no digging at all he found a post about the publishing supply chain.

Did you read yesterday?

According to the post by Hope Corrigan, publishers are telling consumers and booksellers there will be problems with book printing and book deliveries from now through the end of the year. This is due to the supply chain issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Panzer told you about the supply chain problems yesterday, so this information shouldn't come as a surprise.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty thinks you better start buying your Christmas present books now."

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

To read the post tootle over to supply chain delays

To read yesterday's post tootle over to supply chain problems

Barnes & Noble Climbs Back - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about Barnes and Noble bookstores.

 

Everybody loves books.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble is making a comeback after the Covid-19 pandemic. Total store sales are up 5 percent this year over 2019. CEO James Daunt has given store managers more control over book ordering, returns, and book placement within the stores. Barnes and Noble continues closing under-performing stores. CEO Daunt foresees Nook sales increasing this year too.

Panzer says, "I'm glad B&N will continue the Nook."

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

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Bouchercon's Fallback Plans - The Rap Sheet

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he heard clapping and cheering outside the Panzermobile. Following all the jocularity took him to The Rap Sheet site. With just a tiny bit of digging in the posts, he found one about Bouchercon. Panzer told you last week about the cancellation of the in-person Bouchercon due to Covid-19 concerns.

 

Can anybody watch?

According to J. Kingston Pierce's post, this year's Bouchercon has been resurrected. It will be a two day event online. There are links included in the post to more information about the convention.

 

Panzer says, "He does say if there's any more news he'll post it."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a glass of iced tea for your reading adventure.

 

To read the post tootle over to Bouchercon

Singing the Bouchercon Blues - The Rap Sheet

 Panze had hardly laid his head down for his nap when crying and screaming coming from the Catosphere forced him up. Jumping in the Panzermobile, he followed all the noise to The Rap Sheet site. There he discovered news about Mystery Writers of America's (MWA) Bouchercon.

According to J. Kingston Pierce's post, Bouchercon 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns. The post contains links to more information about the cancellation.

Now back to that nap.

Panzer says, "That Covid thingy just keeps ruining things."

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a small glass of lemonade for your reading. If you plan to follow the links, add a cookie (biscuit) or two for your further reading adventures.

To read the post tootle over to Bouchercon

Crime Conn Express - Do Some Damage

 In case you're looking for something to do tomorrow, Panzer found a Crime Fiction panel discussion for you to attend. 

 

According to the Do Some Damage site, the CrimeCONN is usually held in Connecticut, but because of the Covid-19 pandemic it was virtual this year. Thursday night from 7pm to 8pm is the final panel. The panel will include crime fiction authors Timothy Hallinan and Cara Black and for Akashic Books Noir Series John Temple.

Well hurry up!

 

The panel discussion is free, but you must register to attend. The post includes a link to register. It appears there are only a certain number of attendees allowed, so hurry and register to attend.

Panzer says, "Be sure to check your time zone to make sure you attend on time."

To read about the panel, tootle over to Crime Conn Express

Welsh bookshops set to reopen in April as lockdown eases - The Bookseller

 Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The Bookseller site. There our intrepid kitty traveler found a post about Welsh bookshops.

 

According to Mark Chandler's post, Wales will start a step-by-step reopening beginning March 15. As long as COVID-19 cases continue to decrease during the beginning phases, Welsh bookshops will reopen on April 12.

Be safe out there.

Panzer says, "Everybody needs to be very careful so people can get back to buying books and reading them."

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

To read the post tootle over to Welsh bookshops

Amazon to host another COVID-19 vaccine clinic at its Seattle HQ campus on Sunday - GeekWire

 Here's news about another Amazon pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic Panzer found over at the GeekWire site. If you live in the Seattle Washington area, this is a chance to get your vaccination this coming Sunday, January 31.

 

According to Kurt Schlosser, Amazon will again host the pop-up vaccination clinic in the company headquarters with Virginia Mason volunteers. The post includes a link to the Washington state eligibility site and a link to the Virginia Mason's wait list.

 

Don't wait! Only 2,000.

Panzer says, "There are only 2,000 slots open, so you better hurry."

 

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon pop-up clinic

Photos: Inside Amazon's pop-up COVID-19 vaccination site in its Seattle headquarters - GeekWire

 This doesn't have anything to do with publishing, but Panzer thought you might be interested in what Amazon is doing in Seattle, Washington, to help with the COVID-19 pandemic vaccinations.

 

Vaccinated yet?

According to GeekWire's Taylor Soper, Amazon made a portion of the company's indoor headquarters available for people to receive COVID-19 vaccinations from Virginia Mason volunteers. Amazon says they plan to hold more pop-up vaccination sites in the future.

 

Note: This is a very long post with several photos taken inside the pop-up vaccination site.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Seattle

New Report Offers Post-Pandemic Outlook for Book Business - Publishers Weekly

 Today Panzer decided to make a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about a free report about book sales after the pandemic ends.

Can't leave? Shop online.

According to a post by Andrew Albanese, a new free report titled, COVID-19 and Book Publishing: Impacts and Insights for 2021, is now available. The report's five authors are involved in the publishing industry in various capacities. The authors of the report believe based on publishers' increased online sales experiences during the pandemic they will be more willing to publish online first post-pandemic. There is more information drawn from the authors' research included in the post. A link to download the free report is also included in the post.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty isn't worried about the extra competition. Big publishers charge too much for their online books."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a brownie for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to post-pandemic book business

Try This: 24 Standing Ab Exercises to Strengthen and Define Your Core - Heathline

As soon as Panzer entered the Catosphere today, the Panzermobile was shaken by clapping and cheering.  Following all the hullabaloo took our speedy kitty boy to the Healthline site. It didn't take any digging at all to see the exercise instructions there were what was causing all the happiness. While this doesn't have anything to do with books or publishing or writing, it is interesting.

 

Just as svelte as before Covid.

Like a lot of us during the Covid-19 lockdowns, Panzer hasn't been able to go outside and get any exercise. Consequently, he has gained a little weight, so we'll be starting the exercise program tomorrow.

Panzer says, "Maybe you and What's His Name have gained weight, but not this little kitty."

 

To  check out the site tootle over to Home Exercises

 

BA calls for bookshops to be classified essential retailers - The Bookseller

When Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile today, he found a wadded up post under the passenger seat. Flattening it out, he discovered it was a post from The Bookseller site about re-opening bookstores during the UK's pandemic lockdowns. Panzer told you about French bookstores efforts to re-open during France's lockdown.

 

Books are essential.

According to the post by Mark Chandler, the UK's Booksellers Association (BA) has sent a letter to government officials requesting bookshops be allowed to re-open during the Covid-19 lockdown. While the BA and it's members agree the lockdown is necessary, the group feels bookshops and the books they sell are important to maintaining people's health. It's also important to maintain that part of the country's economy as well. Although bookshops are closed for the lockdown, other retailers (garden centres and food shops) are open and allowed to sell books. A copy of the letter is at the end of the post.

 

Panzer says, "Other countries consider bookstores essential retailers."

 

Note: This is a huge post. Bring a thermos of cocoa, three muffins, two sugar cookies (biscuits), and one brownie for today's reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to UK booksellers

To read Panzer's previous post about French bookstores, tootle over to  France

Coronavirus Worklife: 'France Creative' and Italian Publishers Speak Out for Bookstores - Publishing Perspectives

 Today as Panzer entered the Catosphere the Panzermobile hit a headwind of crying and a screaming. Following all the chaos took our brave kitty pilot to the Publishing Perspectives site. There he discovered a post about European lockdowns and bookstores was causing all the angst.

 

I think books are essential.

The post by Porter Anderson describes efforts by French publishers and other organizations to convince the country's government to allow bookstores to remain open during the current Covid-19 lockdown. The publishers' group issued a statement requesting that during France's lockdown bookstores be allowed to open for cultural purposes. The statement also notes that other countries have designated bookstores as essential businesses. The Publishing Perspective post also includes information about Italy's lockdown's impact on books and bookstores in that country. There are links included to other posts with information about lockdowns.

 

Panzer says, "Included in the French publishers' statement is a reference to Amazon too. This little kitty isn't saying any more about that. You'll have to read the post to find out what it says."

 

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring a thermos of cocoa, six chocolate chip cookies (biscuits), and two brownies for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links, bring a thermos of tea and five muffins too.

 

To read the post tootle over to France Creative and Italian publishers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How bookstores are weathering the pandemic - Vox

 Today Panzer decided to make a stop at the Vox site. With just a little digging in the posts he found one about indie bookstores and the pandemic.

 

According to Bryce Covert, indie bookstores are making use of whatever tools they can find to continue business during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Indie bookstores closed either voluntarily when Covid-19 first became a problem or when there was a mandated lockdown. Many bookstores then switched to online book sales or by-phone book orders. Books can then either be shipped by mail or picked up curbside. One bookstore owner even drove book orders to people's homes. The post includes interviews with several bookstore owners. There are also some links to other posts about impacts on indie bookstore sales included in the post.

It all makes sense.

Panzer says, "Even author events were moved to online."

 

Note: This is a h-u-g-e post. You will need a thermos of cocoa, three muffins, three cupcakes, and three chocolate chip cookies and you might also want a blanket for a nap in the middle of today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to bookstores

Wales and Ireland close non-essential shops in new lockdowns - The Bookseller

 Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he heard crying and sobbing outside. Following all the noise took our kitty pilot to The Bookseller site. With just a little digging in the posts, he discovered one about new Covid-19 lockdowns in Ireland and Wales.

 

According to the post by Mark Chandler, Wales and Ireland are closing all non-essential shops, including bookstores in a new lockdown. Wales' lockdown will last for two weeks and Ireland's lockdown will last for six weeks. Bookstores can still sell online and by telephone.

 

Books are essential.

Panzer says, "That virus thingy just isn't going away."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Wales and Ireland lockdown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishers Worry as Ebooks Fly off Libraries' Virtual Shelves - Wired

Doing some cleaning there wasn't time for this weekend, Panzer discovered a wadded up post stuffed under the pilot's seat cushion. Flattening it out our fastidious kitty discovered it was a post from the Wired site about libraries and ebooks.

 

According to Aarlan Marshall's post, publishers are concerned about the large number of library patrons checking out ebooks. Library ebook check outs are up 52 percent during the  Covid-19 lockdown over the same time period last year. Libraries have switched from buying physical books from publishers to licensing ebooks from them. Publishers are worried about this new trend because they don't earn as much money from the ebook licensing as they do from physical book sales. Publishers have long harbored the fear library patrons won't buy authors' physical books since they can get them for free from libraries.

 

Buy them at Amazon?

Panzer says, "Libraries' buildings are closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. There's no reason for them to buy physical books. Nobody can get into the libraries to check them out. Bookstores are closed, so there's no place for readers to buy physical books. Readers have to get library ebooks."

Note: This is a humongous post. Bring a thermos of cocoa, three muffins, three brownies and three chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to libraries' virtual shelves