The Final Chapter for GalleyCat - GalleyCat

I'm really sad about this.

Today Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to the GalleyCAT site. There our forlorn kitty got some bad news about the site.

According to the post by Dianna Dilworth, the GalleyCAT site is shutting down. There is no explanation as to why.

Panzer says, "No! This was one of my favorite sites for publishing news."

Note: This is a short post. Bring a tissue to wipe away your tears for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to GalleyCAT

Bookstackk Lets Readers Share Book Recommendations - GalleyCat

Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile today when he found found a wadded up post under the pilot's seat. After smoothing out the post, our fastidious kitty discovered it was from the GalleyCAT site.

Looks interesting. I think I'll join.

According to the post by Dianna Dilworth, there's a new site similar to Goodreads called Bookstackk. The Bookstackk network lets readers have a library, review books they've read, see others' reviews, and have book discussions with other readers. There's a link to the Bookstackk site included in the post.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Do you think Amazon will buy Bookstackk like they did Goodreads?"

Note: This is a shortish post. If you just plan to read the post, bring a cup of tea; but, if you plan to follow the link and go to the Bookstackk site as well, bring a muffin too.

To read the post, tootle over to Bookstackk

The Long Game ... of Thrones - George R.R. Martin

Don't wake me until tomorrow.

Panzer spent today's trip into the Catosphere collecting news about George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones. Our busy kitty reporter found three news posts for all Game of Thrones addicts like him.

Panzer's first stop was at George R.R. Martin's Not A Blog site. Yesterday, Monday, August 1, was the 20 year anniversary of the first publication of his Game of Thrones book. His publisher is putting out a new edition of the original Game of Thrones. The new edition will include illustrations.

Panzer's next stop was at The Hollywood Reporter site. There he found a post titled HBO Confirms "Game of Thrones" Will End With Season 8. The post by Lesley Goldberg says that HBO has not released any information except the end of the Game of Thrones series after season 8.

Panzer's final stop was at the GalleyCAT site. A little digging around and he found a post titled HBO's Game of Thrones Coloring Book. According to Dianna Dilworth, HBO has commissioned an adult coloring book containing 35 illustration from the television series.

Panzer says, "I'm going to take a long, long nap"

Note: These posts combined are very l-o-n-g. Bring a thermos of tea and a dozen muffins for today's reading selections.

To read the post about the 20 year anniversary edition of Game of Thrones, tootle over to Game of Thrones

To read the post about the end of the Game of Thrones series, tootle over to  Game of Thrones cancellation

To read the post about the new Game of Thrones coloring book, tootle over to coloring book

The Fascinating Work Habits of 18 Famous Writers - Galleycat

I like it clean inside and out.

Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile this afternoon. Our fastidious kitty discovered a post he found last week at GalleyCAT about famous writers.

The post by Dianna Dilworth includes an infographic about the strange habits of 18 famous writers while they wrote. You can read who wrote without clothes, who liked rotten apples and sixteen more weird writing habits.

Panzer says, "After reading this I don't feel so weird that no matter what the weather I write in a fur coat."

Note: This is a medium longish infograhic. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate frosted muffin for today's selection.

To read the post, tootle over to work habits

Amazon Brings Feature For Bllind Readers to Kindle - GalleyCat

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he stopped in at the GalleyCAT site. There he found an interesting post about Amazon.

The post by Dianna Dilworth is about a recent press release from Amazon. According to the announcement, Amazon has added VoiceView to the Kindle Paperwhite. The text-to-speech program VoiceView will read the ebooks on the Paperwhite to visually impaired Kindle owners. There's a link to the original press release included in the post.

Took them long enough.

Panzer says, "It's about time. It's been on the tablets for a while now."

Note: This is a short post. A cup of tea should be enough for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon

Kobo Launches in Turkey - GalleyCat

Panzer made a stop at the GalleyCAT site today. Our big bad kitty hasn't been in a while. Just a little digging around uncovered news about Kobo.

According to a post by Dianna Dilworth, Kobo will have ebooks available in Turkey in May. Kobo has entered into a partnership with the D and R bookstore chain. As well as the ebooks the Kobo ereader will now be available through D and K's subsidiary idefix.com

Turkey?

Panzer says, "Hmm ... I wonder where I can find a Turkish translator for my books?"

Note: This is a very short post. You'll only need half a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Kobo

188 Novels Generated by Computers in NaNoGenMo Contest - GalleyCat

Panzer made a quick trip in the Panzermobile today. As soon as our big brave kitty got into the Catosphere he heard all kinds of laughing and hooting. Following the noise took him to the GalleyCAT site.

Panzer found a post by Dianna Dilworth about the silliest ccontest our kitty pilot has ever read about.  While the contest called NaNoGenMo (National Novel Generation Month) runs at the same time (November) as NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), it has absolutely nothing to do with NaNoWriMo. Even though contestants in NaNoGenMo have to write a 50,000 word novel, the novel generated by the computer can be 50,000 words of gibberish that make no sense.

Meow?  Meow? They stole my words.

Panzer says, "A 50,000 word novel by a computer? Patoohee. I've got better things to read ... Like Mom's grocery list."

Note: A cup of cocoa is all you need for today's reading.

To read the post, tootle over to novels by computers

Barnes and Noble to Buy Back $50M in Stocks - GalleyCat

Panzer made a quick trip over to the GalleyCAT site. Digging around in the post pile there, our big bad kitty boy found some information about Barnes and Noble.

According to a post by Dianna Dilworth, Barnes and Noble will buy back $50M worth of their common stock. Barnes and Noble has a lot going on right now. Last week they announced their new Samsung Galaxy Tab E Nook was available. Before that they did the spinoff of their college bookstore arm and they recently declared a dividend on their common stock shares.

Fewer mice ... each more valuable?

Panzer says, " Mom says when a company does a buyback, it means there are fewer shares available for sale, so each share is worth more and the company is worth more. Makes no sense to me. Less is more?"

Note: This is a short post, so a small cup of tea should suffice while you read it.

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Amazon Kindle Scout Program To Expand

I can see you from here.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere and decided to visit his friends at GalleyCAT. After doing a little digging around our inquisitive kitty found a post about Amazon's Kindle Scout program.

When the KS program was starting a while back, our adventuresome boy participated in the reader voting for a new author to get a publishing contract. He's pretty excited to learn, that according to Dianna Dilworth's post at the GalleyCAT site, the program is expanding to other countries. It will now be open to international authors.

Panzer says, "As always, read the rules and make sure you understand and agree with them, before you submit or sign anything."

To read the GalleyCAT post, tootle over to Kindle Scout
To read the submission rules, tootle over to Amazon

Simon & Schuster Giving Away Books Thru Hotels.com

I'm going to the vet today.

Today is National Take Your Cat To The Vet Day and Panzer has a vet appointment. So ... our big brave boy made a quick trip to the GalleyCAT site before we leave.

According to a post by Dianna Dilworth, Simon and Schuster will be giving free ebooks to travelers using the Hotels.com service. Travelers will be allowed to download one free ebook from a choice of seven. Authors included are Steven King, James Lee Burke, Philippa Gregory and four other bestselling authors. There will be certain restrictions.

Panzer says, "Do I get a free ebook for traveling to the vet today?"

To read the post, tootle over to Simon Schuster

Credits From Big 5 Settlement Being Dispensed

Finally. I almost gave up.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, when he heard some cheering and clapping. Our big inquisitive kitty followed all the noise to the GalleyCAT site. There he found a post by Dianna Dilworth that explains all the celebration.

As part of the U.S. federal court ebook price-fixing case settlement in 2013, the Big 5 traditional publishers (Hachette, HarperCollins Macmillan, Penguin and Simon & Schuster) agreed to make "credit" payments to purchasers of their ebooks. According to the post by Ms. Dilworth, these payments are now being dispensed to Amazon customers' accounts.

Panzer says, "It's about time."

Note: The post includes a link to the original Amazon post.

To read the post, tootle over to credits begin

Are Kindle Unlimited Royalty Changes Unfavorable for Authors?

My eyes hurt from all that reading.

Panzer was awakened from his afternoon nap by loud hissing and snarling. Our kitty boy hopped into the Panzermobile and headed into the Catosphere. Following all the noise lead him to a new Amazon announcement about their royalty payment to authors in the Kindle Unlimited program

 First our fearless kitty stopped at the Publishers' Weekly site. There in a post by Calvin Reid he learned that according to an Amazon announcement they have changed their royalty terms for KU. Amazon said they did this because authors were complaining about the previous terms. In particular authors said their royalties were lower in the plan as opposed to before they entered the plan. Based on the authors' input, Amazon made the change. However, Amazon said even with the old terms 95 percent of their KDP Select authors renewed their titles in the program.

Next our kitty boy headed over to the GalleyCAT site. There he found a post by Dianna Dilworth that quoted a post at the Melville House blog site saying the new changes are unfair to authors. Whereas in the old plan Amazon paid for a 10 percent read of an ebook, now under the new plan they will only pay for the pages actually read in an ebook.

Panzer says, "Hmmm. I was thinking of putting my new book Cat Wisdom for Humans in KU. Now I'm not so sure."

Note: Get a b-i-g cup of tea. Below are links to both posts and the GalleyCAT post contains a link to the Melville House post. So ... you're in for a l-o-n-g read.

To read the Publishers' Weekly post, tootle over to Amazon updates KU and-KOLL royalty terms

To read the GalleyCAT post, tootle over to Kindle Unlimited Royalty Changes Are Unfavorable for Authors | GalleyCat

Goodreads to Add Free Audio Samples

Audiobooks at Goodreads?

Panzer stopped in at GalleyCAT today. Our big bad kitty boy found a post by Dianna Dilworth about a new feature coming to Goodreads.

According to Ms. Dilworth's post, Goodreads (which is owned by Amazon) will begin offering samples of audiobooks from Audible.com (which is also owned by Amazon). In addition to your Goodreads account, you'll need an Audible.com account to listen to the audiobook samples.

Panzer says, "Hmmm. Sounds like Amazon's way to gain more Audible.com account owners. I knew things would change when Amazon bought Goodreads."

To read the full post, tootle over to Goodreads to Add Free Audio Samples

Kobo Takes On Amazon In Ereader World

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard laughing and hand clapping and backslapping. He followed all the noise to the GalleyCAT site.

It's coming! I can see it!

Our big kitty boy discovered the cause of all the frivolity. According to a post by Dianna Dilworth, Kobo has entered the ereader market ... and ... their ereader is in direct competition with Amazon's Kindle Voyage. And the price? It's $70 less than the Voyage. Included in the post is a link to Kobo's site with their original post.

Panzer says, "Happy Cat Dance! Happy Cat Dance!"

To read the post, tootle over to http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/kobo-takes-on-amazon-with-new-ereader/101705

Author Terry Pratchett Has Died

R.I.P.

Panzer read some very sad news at GalleyCAT today.

According to Dianna Dilworth, Sir Terry Pratchett, one of our bad boy's favorite fantasy authors, died.

Panzer says, "The post has links to Mr.  Pratchett's Facebook page and Twitter account."

To read the post, tootle over to Author Terry Pratchett Has Died | GalleyCat

Community Book Exchange in UK Phone Booth Shut Down by Telecom

I could put shelves in here.

Panzer went to visit his friends at GalleyCAT today.

Our big kitty explorer couldn't believe what he read in a post by Dianna Dilworth. According to Ms. Dilworth, the people living in the English town of Banbury found an old unused phone booth there. They decided to find a use for it. They added some shelves and turned it into a nice dry place for a book exchange.

But as usually happens when people try to do good things for themselves and their neighbors, big corporations come along and say, "Not so fast!" That's exactly what happened in Banbury. BT (the British Telecom company) came around and told the citizens to remove the books and tear down the shelves, because somebody might get hurt.

Panzer says, "BT is right. One of you humans might drop a paperback on your foot. You humans aren't as agile or as fast as us cats."

To read the post and see what you can do to help Banbury, tootle over to Community Book Exchange in UK Phone Booth Shut Down by Telecom | GalleyCat

Barnes and Noble Sales Up at Stores Down at Nook

Really. I feel a little better. Cough.

Panzer is feeling a little better today. He headed out into the Catosphere to visit GalleyCAT.

My poor little bedraggled kitty found a post by Dianna Dilworth about Barnes and Noble and Nook sales for the holiday season. While Barnes and Noble stores, both online and stationery brick and mortar, had a combined increase in holiday sales. The Nook division, however, had 55.4% less sales than last year.

Panzer says, "Hmmm. Let's see. You're spinning off Nook. Nobody knows if it will still be around next Christmas. Why would I want to buy a Nook? Or even an ebook to read on my Nook?"

Note: Be sure to check out the links at the end of Ms. Dilworth's post, too.

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

J.K. Rowling, Pottermore and Christmas

Harry Potter gifts.

Panzer was over at GalleyCAT today.

My good kitty reporter discovered it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Pottermore. According to Dianna Dilworth, J.K. Rowling will be giving away a gift each day from December 12 through December 23.

Panzer says, "There's only 19 days until Christmas, but whose counting?"

To read the full post and instructions, tootle over to J. K. Rowling

Amazon Introduces Tool to Self-Publish Children’s Books on Kindle - GalleyCat

Pop-ups?

Panzer made a quick trip over to GalleyCAT today. He's been hearing about Amazon's new Kid's Book Creator and he wanted to check it out. He found a post by Dianna Dilworth about just that.

Now, you can build your children's book with illustrations, text and pop-ups on your computer and upload it when you're finished. Then you can see how your book will look on all the Kindle products. If you're satisfied, you can publish it to the Kindle Store.

Panzer says, "This makes me want to publish a Panzer, The Cat, children's book."

To read about this new publishing tool, tootle over to Amazon Introduces Tool to Self-Publish Children’s Books on Kindle - GalleyCat

Barnes & Noble Teams With Samsung on New Galaxy Tab Nook - GalleyCat

Let's take a look at this new Tablet.

Today, WE visited GalleyCAT. Panzer found a post by Dianna Dilworth about the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook.

My bad boy told you this new co-branded Nook was in the works back in June, so it's no surprise it's here. The surprise is the price: only $179 and you get $200 worth of ebooks and TV shows to go with it. You can order it online or in the Barnes and Noble stores.

Panzer says, "I want to try out this new tablet. How about you?"

To read the full post, tootle over to Barnes & Noble Teams With Samsung on New Galaxy Tab Nook - GalleyCat