'Reading is part of my identity':the woman taking on the Goodreads owner Amazon - The Guardian

Ready to leave Goodreads?

When Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today, he decided to stop at The Guardian site.  There with just a little digging he found a post about The StoryGraph platform.

 

David Barnett's post is an in-depth look at the StoryGraph platform from it's inception to today. Most of the post is told through quotes from founder Nadia Odunayo.

 

Panzer says, "The Guardian does not have a paywall when you log on to read. If the ad comes on when you arrive, click the 'X' to continue reading." 

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 The StoryGraph

Heading to the Polls - The Rap Sheet

Twenty books to read?

Panzer's Catosphere stop today was at The Rap Sheet site. There he found news about Goodreads Choice Awards.

J. Kingston Pierce's post lists the 20 nominees in the Mystery and Thrillers division for the Goodreads Choice Awards. A link to vote is included in the post as well.

Panzer says, "You might want to read the books before you vote."

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea to drink while you read.

To read the post tootle over to Goodreads Voting

Authors Upset Over Goodreads Bugs - Publishers Weekly

 Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard crying and shouting coming from outside the Panzermobile. Following all the noise, took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. With hardly any digging at all he discovered a post about Goodreads was causing all the upset.

According to the post by Michael Seidlinger, authors' reader book reviews and star ratings are disappearing from their ebooks on Goodreads. Goodreads workers acknowledge there's a problem with the disappearances. They are working on resolving it, but there's no date for when it will be fixed. Some authors, however, have been able to complain directly and have had their reviews and star ratings returned. Goodreads is owned by Amazon.

Inquiring kitties want to know.

 

Panzer says, "It would be interesting to know if the disappearances are only in one genre or spread out everywhere."

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

To read the post tootle over to Goodreads

The Six Online Bios Every Author Needs - Anne R. Allen's Blog

 Today Panzer decided to make a stop at Anne R. Allen's Blog. With a little digging in the posts our traveling kitty boy found one about the online bios authors need.

 

According to the post by Nate Hoffelder, an author needs six online bios. In the post he describes each of the six as Twitter, Facebook, Podcast/Speaker, Amazon/Goodreads, and Memberships. He dissects and rewrites his own bios as examples of what to do with your author bios.

 

I'm on Amazon/Goodreads & Twitter.

Panzer says, "How does he find the time for all those places?"

Note: This is a long, long post. Bring a thermos of cocoa, two muffins, two brownies and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit).

 

To read the post tootle over to online bios

Eight Default Amazon Security Settings You Can Change for More Privacy - The Digital Reader

Today Panzer decided to make a stop at The Digital Reader site. There with a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty found one about making some changes to your Amazon account to gain more privacy.

It's scary what Amazon knows.

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, there are some Amazon default settings that users and shoppers should consider changing in order to better manage their privacy. The post covers several default settings to change ranging from your Public Profile to your Wish List and Shopping List to Goodreads to Alexa and more. There are screenshots included with some of the instructions for changing the settings as well as links to specific location sites in some of the other instructions.

Panzer says, "This is an update to a July 2018 post, so don't be confused by the dates in the Comments section."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a half a thermos of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to make the changes to your Amazon account security settings and follow the links, bring another thermos of tea and six more muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon privacy

Six Default Amazon Security Settings You Can Change for More Privacy - The Digital Reader

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was shaken to and fro by the sound of crying and screaming. Following the crescendo of noise took our brave kitty boy to The Digital Reader site. There he found a post about how to protect your privacy across the Amazon platform.

GR knows what I'm reading on my Kindle?

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, it's time to do some cleanup work on your Amazon security and privacy settings. The post contains six ways to protect your privacy, including disconnecting your Kindle and Goodreads accounts, stopping Amazon cookies and four more steps you can take. The post has step-by-step instructions with screen shots for how to complete each privacy change.

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the Comments section. There's some good information in there too."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring a gallon of tea and a dozen muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon security settings

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

Goodreads Is Finally Cashing In On Its Devoted Community - Wired

Panzer's trip in the Catosphere today was interrupted by the sounds of wailing and crying. Following all the noise took our fearless kitty pilot to the Wired site. There he found a post about Goodreads that was causing all the book lovers woes.

Come on. You knew they'd do it.

According to the post, Goodreads has started selling ebooks. This week they introduced a program called Goodreads Deals. It's an opt-in program for Goodreads members to receive emails about books going on sale. Readers do have a choice of where to purchase their books. The books are available through Amazon (Goodreads owner), Apple, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, and Kobo.

Panzer says, "We knew it was going to happen. With 50 million book hungry readers, Goodreads is a cash cow for all the ebook sellers."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. You'll need two cups of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Goodreads

Goodreads Debuts Kindle E-book Giveaways - PW (Publishers' Weekly)

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard the sound of tentative clapping. Following the noise took him to the Publishers' Weekly site. There our brave kitty found a post about Amazon's Goodreads.

According to the post by Calvin Reid, Goodreads is adding Kindle ebook giveaways to the site. Until now authors and publishers could only hold giveaways for print books. As soon as testing is finished, any author or publisher who sells ebooks at the Amazon Kindle Store will be able to sign up for a giveaway. While the print book giveaways have always been free (and will remain so), the ebook giveaways will have a $119 fee. Goodreads will handle most of the details associated with the ebook giveaway including picking the winners. There is a 100 ebook limit on the giveaway, although no mention is made if this is a one time limit or if you could do multiple 100 ebook giveaways.

What took you so long?

Panzer says, "This kitty knew Kindle ebook giveaways were coming as soon as Amazon took over Goodreads."

Note: This is a short-medium length post. You'll need a cup of tea and half a muffin for today's reading.

To read the post, tootle over to Goodreads

Save Your Shelfari from Goodreads - Paperback Writer

In his daily travels Panzer visited Paperback Writer today. It's one of his favorite sites and always has interesting posts. That proved to be particularly true today.

Back in January our inquisitive kitty explorer told you Amazon is taking Shelfari down and moving the accounts (but not the saved files) to Goodreads. Lynn Viehl's post today is about how you can save your Shelfari files. You can do this by transferring them to Library Thing. Library Thing will let you move your files and use them there for free. Included in the post are instructions for how to export your files to do the move.

Panzer says, "You better hurry. The shut down is only a few days away."

Note: You'll want to write down the instructions for moving your files, so you'll need a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading.

To read the post about how to move your files, tootle over to Shelfari files

To read Panzer's original post about  Amazon's Shelfari shut down, tootle over to Amazon shutters Shelfari

Amazon is Shutting Down Shelfari - GoodeReader

Mine. Leave my book shelf along!

On his trip into the Catosphere today Panzer heard shouting and crying. Following the noise our brave kitty boy found some sad news at the GoodeReader site.

According to a post by Michael Kozlowski, Amazon is shutting down their Shelfari site in two months. Instead of updating the Shelfari site, Amazon has long concentrated their efforts on their Goodreads site. Like Shelfari, Goodreads allows readers to have bookshelves, review books and interact with others. Apparently, now Amazon has decided to shut down Shelfari. Many users of Shelfari are upset and expressing their anger online.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Amazon could have given members more time and help."

Note: A cup of tea should be enough for today's reading experience.

To read the post, tootle over to Shelfari

Inside Amazon's First Physical Bookstore - Publishers' Weekly

Panzer was out in the Catosphere today and discovered Amazon is in the news again. Our big bad kitty boy stopped in at the Publishers' Weekly site. There he discovered a post about Amazon's new bricks and mortar store.

You missed your chance with me.

Rob Salkowitz gives us a tour of the Amazon Books store. The store carries 5,000 to 6,000 books as well as Kindles, Kindle Fires and Fire TV devices. The books are 4 and 5 star Amazon. com bestsellers. Other things taken into account for store placement include Goodreads reader opinions and Amazon pre-order launch numbers. Included in the post are photos of the outside and inside of the store.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... I didn't do pre-orders for CAT WISDOM for humans and it's not up at Goodreads yet. Does that mean I'm wasting my time formatting CAT WISDOM for humans for a Create Space paperback? "

Note: One cup of tea should be enough for today's reading.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon bookstore

Amazon Opens First Bricks and Mortar Bookstore - Publishers' Weekly

Amazon's dead tree books?

Panzer was shaken awake from his nap by shouting and clapping. Jumping into the Panzermobile, our yawning kitty found his way to the Publishers' Weekly site.

According to a post there by Judith Rosen, Amazon now has a bricks and mortar bookstore in Seattle, Washington. The store is 5,500 square feet located in the U-Village Mall. The store will sell books chosen from those at Amazon.com, Goodreads favorites, and Amazon staff members favorites. The store will also sell Kindles and other Amazon devices.

Panzer says, "The store is named ... Amazon Books! Pretty ingenious, huh?"

Note: There's a link in the post to an article about Amazon's new store in The Seattle Times newspaper.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon bookstore

Amazon's Book Review Policy

Rules are rules.

Panzer was taking a nap when he got woken up by a bunch of hissing and yowling coming from the Catosphere. Our sleepy little kitty hopped in the Panzermobile to see what all the ruckus was about.

Panzer didn't have any trouble following all the noise to the Consumer Affairs site. According to a post by Jennifer Abel, blogger Imy Santiago is up in arms because Amazon wouldn't post a review by her. Amazon said she violated their review policy. Back and forth emails are quoted in the post to show Amazon's "lack of transparency" in regard to why they wouldn't post the review. Basically, it come down to the fact Amazon believes she "knows" the author of the book she was reviewing and, therefore, it couldn't be an honest review. There's a link in the post to Santiago's original post at her blog.

Panzer says "Amazon knows everything about authors, including who your friends are. Have a link to your blog at Author Central (Hi, Amazon!)? They have not only your posts, but the comments. Put a link to your Twitter account (Hi!) and same thing. Have a Goodreads account with a link to your blog? Same thing (Hi, again!). And on it goes.  Everything is tied together. And ... You do know about Amazon and Goodreads, right? There's no place to hide."

To read the post, tootle over to book reviews

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

Goodreads Choice Awards Are Open For Voting

This way to vote.

Panzer stopped in at Goodreads today.

You've heard of Goodreads, right? It's a place where readers talk about (and review) the books they're reading. It's also a place where authors can interact with their readers, have giveaway contests, and join discussion groups.

Each year Goodreads gives out the Goodreads Choice Awards. Members get to vote for their favorite books. Well, the polls are open and it's time to vote.

Panzer says, "Did I forget to mention Amazon owns Goodreads?"

To vote or to join, tootle over to best books of 2014

Audio Books and the Indie Reader

Just jump right on.

Panzer has told you before about the audiobook market. He's told you how to do it at ACX and where to do the selling at Amazon and Audible. Now, it looks like the rest of the indie world is catching up with him and you.

Today, my bad boy stopped in at the Indie Reader.  He found JH Mae's post Audio Books and the Indie Reader has some interesting information. Even Panzer didn't know Goodreads lists if you have an audio book version available.

Panzer says, "Have you jumped on the audiobooks wagon yet? If not, why not?"

For more information on the audio market, tootle over to Audio Books and the Indie Reader

Goodreads Author Program Hits 100,000

Only special cats get verified!

Panzer can't believe what he read at the Goodreads Blog today. They hit 100,000 authors enrolled in their Author Program! Those enrolled include Stephen King, Margaret Atwood and Nicholas Sparks.

To celebrate hitting the 100,000 mark, Goodreads is starting a new program of a special badge on "verified" authors' pages.

Panzer says, "I'm not sure what a "verified" author is, but it must be something really special!"

If you're interested in reading the whole post, tootle over to Goodreads Blog.

Mystery Writing is Murder: Updates on ACX and Goodreads, Thoughts on Freebies...

That's an interesting plan.

 It's been a while since we've been to author Elizabeth S. Craig's blog, so Panzer headed out to see what he could find at Mystery Writing Is Murder.


Panzer learned about Ms. Craig's marketing strategies for her books. She's been putting some of her books up at ACX as audio books to increase her books' exposure and her income stream. She's also been marketing her books using a free book in each of her series to entice  readers to buy the others in the series.  For even more exposure to readers she's been giving away ARCs at Goodreads. Panzer thinks she's got a good marketing plan!

If you're interested in the details of Elizabeth Craig's plan, tootle on over to Mystery Writing is Murder: Updates on ACX and Goodreads, Thoughts on Freebies...: By Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig I thought I’d give an update on both the audio book platform that I started doing this spring ...

Goodreads: Where readers and authors battle it out in an online “Lord of the Flies”

This is not what I wanted!

There's still a lot of yowling about Goodreads going on in the Catosphere. So, Panzer stopped in at Salon to check out the latest.

I want to admit Panzer and I are not on Goodreads. We'd heard that authors should open an account there and interact with readers. We were thinking about doing it, so we did some investigating. Then all this yowling and CATerwauling started. Authors arguing with reviewers. Reviewers arguing with reviewers. Tweets. Blogs. It just keeps getting bigger.

If you want to read about what's going on at Goodreads, tootle over to Goodreads: Where readers and authors battle it out in an online “Lord of the Flies”