National Novel Writing Month defended the use of AI. Now authors are stepping down from its board - CBC

Something smells bad here.

When Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, he stopped in at the CBC (Canadian) news blog site. There our traveling kitty found a post about the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) organization. Panzer posted a few days ago about the issue covered in the CBC's post.

 

According to Kevin Maimann.s post on the CBC's site, authors on NaNoWriMo's boards who disagree with the organization's stand on AI and the language used to illuminate that stand are leaving the board of directors. One sponsor organization has also withdrawn it's support.

 

Panzer says, "NaNoWriMo sure stepped into a big pile of you know what with that post."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to NaNoWriMo AI Controversy

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to NaNoWriMo and AI

BookNet Canada: Free sources for Reading Surpass Paid - Publishing Perspectives

Why ask? Free of course.

At the Publishing Perspectives site Panzer found a post about Canadian readers' preferences for obtaining reading material.

Porter Anderson's post includes information from BookNet Canada's report about the almost 1500 readers questioned about obtaining their reading materials. No matter which format, ebook,  audiobook, or print, all users reported getting at least some of their materials for free.The post includes charts and graphs to illustrate the readers answers.

Panzer says, "Let's see: Free or paid. Which would you choose?"

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's snack while you read.

To read the post tootle over to BookNet Canada

44 Writing Contests in May 2023 - No Fees- Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

While he was tootling around in the Catosphere, Panzer decide to stop at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he found a post about writing contests in May.

 

Wow! A story in 25 words!

According to Erica Verrillo's post, there are 44 writing contests accepting submissions in May. Can you write a story in 25 words? There's a contest for you. Are you Canadian? There's one for you. Are you unpublished? There's one for you, too. And there are even more contests listed.

 

Panzer says. "Be sure to read the submissions guidelines because some of the contests have restrictions."

 

Note: This is a long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink while you read the post.

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Contests

2023 Emerging Writer Prize shortlist announced! - Rakutenkobo Blog

I deserve a nap after all this.

Panzer found an interesting post at the Rakutenkobo Blog. The Emerging Writer Prize shortlist has been announced. The Prize is for first-time Canadian authors. There are three divisions one of which in the fiction category rotates each year.

 

Follow the link below to see this year's shortlist. When you get to the site, scroll down the page to each genre listing. Use the arrow keys on the right and left side of the page to view more books in the genre.

 

To view the shortlist tootle over to Emerging Writer Prize

Wattpad Continues to Evolve After Acquisition by Naver - Publishers Weekly

 Today, Panzer made a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about Wattpad.

It was expected.

According to Ed Nawotka's post, it's been a year since Korean business Naver bought Candadian business Wattpad. Now, Allen Lau, cofounder of Wattpad, has announced he's leaving Wattpad to become executive advisor at Webtoon. Jeanne Lam, Wattpad president, will be taking over the managing of Wattpad.

Panzer says, "This little kitty was surprised he stayed as long as he did."

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

To read the post tootle over to Wattpad

Maple Leaf Mystery Conference: Virtual Conference Maiy 24-28, 2022 - Mystery Fanfare

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today when he decided to make a stop at the Mystery Fanfare site. There he found a post about the Maple Leaf Mystery Conference.

 

Lets sign up Mom!

The Maple Leaf Mystery Conference will be a Zoom online conference featuring top mystery writers, including Ian Rankin, Maureen Jennings, Vicki Delany and others. In addition to author interviews, there will be several panels featuring writers discussing writing techniques. The conference is scheduled for May 24-28. While the conference is not free, it is modestly price at $25 (Canadian) for the entire four day conference. The post contains links for more information and to register.

Panzer says, "The conference will be recorded so, if you can't attend a particular panel or event, you can watch it on YouTube later."

Note: This is a long-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for your reading. If you plan to follow the links, you decide what to bring to eat and drink.

To read the post tootle over to MAPLE LEAF MYSTERY CONFERENCE

Doing Crime the Canadian Way - The Rap Sheet

This morning Panzer made a trip to The Rap Sheet site. With just a tiny bit of digging in the posts he found one about Canadian crime writing awards.

 

According to the post by J. Kingston Pierce, the 2021 Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence in Canadian Crime Writing were just awarded. Winners were chosen in nine categories, ranging from novels to unpublished manuscripts and including fiction and nonfiction. The post includes a list of the winners and the nominees in each category.

 

Just wondering.

Panzer says, "How does an awards name like that fit on the trophy?"

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a huge cup of tea and a large muffin to read the winners and the nominees.

 

To read the post tootle over to Canadian crime

Scandal Engulfs Independent Publisher ChiZine Publications - Writer Beware

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, the Panzermobile was suddenly buffeted and shaken by yelling and screaming outside. Braving the chaos and following all the noise took our adventuresome kitty boy to the Writer Beware site. It took no digging at all to find the cause of all the hullabaloo was a post about Canadian indie publishing company ChiZine Publications. In case you didn't know, Writer Beware is a site which advises writers about scams and unscrupulous sites, agents, and publishers.

Watch where you step.

According to Victoria Strauss, ChiZine Publications has recently had numerous complaints filed against the company by writers. While it appeared the company had an excellent record working with authors, it has come to light according to the quoted authors, sites and blog posts this wasn't true. The post contains quotes from authors' blogs about not getting paid their royalties, statements from writers' organizations, and a statement from ChiZine. There are also links to several blog posts about the issues as well.

Panzer says, "This is definitely one big pile of pooh you don't want to step in."

Note: This is a humongous post. Bring a gallon of tea and a dozen muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links, also bring a gallon of cocoa, a dozen muffins and a dozen chocolate chip cookies.

To read the post tootle over to scandal

The Netherlands' NL Film Signs Development Partnership With Canada's Wattpad - Publishing Perspectives

Panzer was shaken awake from his nap by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Hopping into the Panzermobile, our sleep-deprived kitty followed all the noise to the Publishing Perspectives site. With a little digging he found a post about Canadian company Wattpad Studios.

According to Publishing Perspective's Editor-in-Chief Porter Anderson, Wattpad Studios and the Netherlands' NL Film have announced a new partnership. Wattpad Studios is Wattpad's books to screen division. Under the agreement NL Film will have first rights to YA literature in the Dutch language which the company deems suitable for screen (movie/tv) development. The post includes links to previous Publishing Perspective posts about Wattpad.

Don't wake me until tomorrow.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty thinks Wattpad fills a niche Amazon hasn't managed to take over yet."

Note: This is a huge post. Bring a thermos of tea and a half dozen muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links in the post, bring two gallons of tea and three dozen muffins

To read the post tootle over to Wattpad