39 Marvelous Writing Conferences and Workshops in May 2026 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

A lot of interesting things to do.

Panzer's second stop today was at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he found a post about writing conference and workshops in May.

 

Erica Verrillo's post contains a list of  conferences and workshops for fiction, nonfiction and poetry writers. Also  included are marketing information, agent pitching and editor appointments.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to check all the attendance information."

 

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

 

To study the least tootle over to Writing Conferences and Workshops

Watch Out for This Scam Impersonating Editors at Major Publishing Houses - Writer Beware(R)

Be prepared. Read the examples.

Here's an interesting post Panzer found at the Writer Beware (R) site.

 

Victoria Strauss' post about impersonation scams includes examples of the emails sent to authors. In the emails scammers claim to be editors or agents interested in the author's work.

 

Panzer says, "AI-generated?"

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Impersonating Editors 

Call for Articles: Themed Issue Mystery Readers Journal: Retail Mysteries - Mystery Fanfare

Be sure to read the guidelines.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he decided to make a stop at Janet Rudolph's Mystery Fanfare site. There he found a notice about a submission opportunity at the Mystery Readers Journal where she's the editor.

 

There's actually three submission opportunities open: A review. an article and an author essay. The description of the submission guidelines for each is included in the post. It does say the deadline is April 25.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty doesn't see any charge associated with the author essay even though it's basically an ad for your book. This is the one I'm most interested in."

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Call for Articles Mystery Themed

Taylor & Francis Issues Expanded AI Guidance for Authors, Editors - Publishers Weekly

It's interesting reading the full statement.

Panzer found an interesting press release at the Publishers Weekly site today.

The press release includes a link to the full AI Policy statement. The statement is long and goes into details about the Policy statement expansion.

The press release is very short so you won't need to bring anything to snack on while you read. (This is actually longer than the press release.) If you follow the link to read the full AI Policy statement, you'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.

To read the press release tootle over to Taylor and Francis

15 Fabulous Writing Conferences and Workshops in February 2024 - Publishing ...and Other Forms of Insanity

Five weeks?

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about conferences and workshops in February.

 

Erica Verrillo's post lists 15 writing conferences and workshops. They cover fiction, nonfiction, poetry, short stories, novels, publishing, and editor and agent pitches. Some are online and some are in-person. They range in length from one day to one day per week for five weeks.

Panzer says, "Be sure to check the attendance guidelines. Some have restrictions."

 

Note: This is a long post. You will need to decide what to bring to snack on while you read today's selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferen.ces

Lackberg's Ghostwriting Dispute - The Rap Sheet

Today, Panzer decided it was time to visit The Rap Sheet site. It's been a few days since his last visit there. He's happy he made the trip, because he found a post about an author and ghostwriting.

 

I don't know how much to trust AI.

J. Kingston Pierce delves into the the ghostwriting accusations against Swedish crime noir author Camilla Lackberg. A journalist used an AI-powered program to "prove" Camilla Lackberg used ghostwriters for some of her novels. She denies it as does her editor (one of the named ghosts), so nobody knows for sure.

Panzer says, "Read the post and decide what you think. Is the AI right or wrong?"

Note: This is a longish post. Bring a glass of milk and two chocolate chip cookies to snack on while you read today's selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Ghostwriting Dispute

Expecting the (Un)expected - by Janet Hutchings -Something Is Going To Happen

Are you ready for bunny rabbit day?

Since this is the weekend, Panzer decided to find a post for your reading enjoyment.

 

At Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine Something Is Going to Happen site he found a post by EQMM's editor, Janet Hutchings. 

In her post she explains about all the manuscripts she reads for the magazine. She also explains how a writer might want to change their submission routine to the magazine.

 

 Panzer says, "This is an interesting post from an editor's perspective of reading for a magazine."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea, a muffin, a brownie and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading selection.

 

To read the blog post tootle over to Janet Hutchings

The Flood of ChatGPT Crap About to Clog Up Publishing - Counter Craft

Editors know. They won't buy it.

Today, Panzer went to the Counter Craft site. There he found a post about ChatGPT Crap.

 

In a post earlier this week Panzer did tell you about ChatGPT being known for writing crap. According to Lincoln Michel's post, people are submitting ChatGPT works to publications as their own. Editors aren't being fooled and are closing down their submission portals. Editors know garbage when they see it. 

 

(Near the beginning of the post you will be prompted to subscribe but, if you click the continue reading prompt, you don't need to. You can subscribe for free or paid.)

 

Panzer says, "Don't try to pass ChatGPT work off as your own. You will get caught."

 

Note: This is a long post. You should read it all; especially, if you are planning to submit ChatGPT work as your own. Bring a large cup of cocoa, a muffin and a chocolate chip cookie for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to ChatGPT crap

To read Panzer's previous post about ChatGPT tootle over to Thomas Cox

A Comeback for the Cozy Mystery? (by Janet Hutchings) - Something Is Going to Happen

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Something Is Going to Happen site. With just a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty boy found a post about cozy mysteries.

 

I do my best thinking when I'm napping.

Janet Hutchings, Editor of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, begins the post with the fact the magazine is receiving more cozy mystery short story submissions than in the past. The next section of the post discusses a definition of what a cozy mystery used to be and what it has now become. Included in this section is information about Malice Domestic and the organization's changes to its definition of cozy as well. The post includes references to the Covid pandemic and its influence on a return to cozy mysteries.

 

Panzer says, "It's an interesting post for readers (and writers) of the genre."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Janet Hutchings

Markets and Jobs for Writers - Practicing Writing

 Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Practicing Writing site. With just a little digging in the posts, he found one about fee-free markets and jobs for writers.

 

Looking for a job? Here they are.

Erika Dreifus' post lists eleven markets and jobs for writers. The post includes jobs for editors, editorial assistants, and fellowships, as well as fiction, nonfiction and poetry publishing opportunities.

 

Panzer says, "Some interesting information included here."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin to read all the markets and job offerings.

 

To read the post tootle over to Markets and jobs

Amazon Damaging Sales of Small Press Books - Lucy A. Snyder Blog

Panzer had hardly made it into the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was shaken and shoved about by growling and hissing. Following all the caterwauling took our brave kitty to Lucy A. Snyder's blog. With no digging at all he discovered a post about an Amazon author crackdown was causing all the trouble.

I'm confused.

According to Lucy A. Snyder's post on her blog, her most recent book has been caught up in the Amazon "Not Available" black hole. Amazon has been cracking down on scamming authors, but, unfortunately, some innocent indie authors and publishers are also being caught in their net as well. Included in the post are quotes from an editor and others who believe Amazon is purposely targeting and punishing them by removing their pre-order sales and making their books "Not Available."

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty thinks this is part of Amazon's rule changes and crackdown on scammers he told you about July."

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 Amazon

To read Panzer's earlier post (that also includes a link to an even earlier post) tootle over to Amazon new rules

Streelib Launches a Publishing Services Marketplace - The Digital Reader

No more hunting for help?

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The Digital Reader site. There he found a post about Streetlib.

According to the post by The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, Streetlib has started a a new service called Streetlib Market. Through the service an indie author/publisher can find a book editor, designer or marketer. Streetlib Market will allow anyone in any country to use their service. The post includes Streetlib's press release about the new service.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... One stop shopping."

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

To read the post tootle over to Streetlib