Contract Controversy (and Change) at Must Read Magazines - Writer Beware (R)

Always read the contract before you sign it.

If you're a writer, you'll want to read this.

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At the Writer Beware (R) site Panzer found this post about the controversy surrounding the contracts for short stories being accepted for publication by the new owners of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Asimov's Science Fiction, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.

 

In the post Victoria Strauss explains author complaints about the owner group's new contracts and the lack of negotiation on disputed contract clauses. Professional writers groups are also involved in the negotiations to change the contracts as well. The post includes links to more information about the sale.

 

Panzer says, "To this little kitty it looks like the new owners' contracts take all rights from the writers."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Must Read Magazines

Amazon to End Print Textbook Rentals, Overhaul Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer made a quick trip to the Publishers Weekly site. There with just a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty traveler found a post about Amazon.

According to Jim Milliot's post, Amazon is ending their textbook rental program. After spring quarter next year students will only have the option to buy either new or used textbooks from Amazon. This change and the discontinuation of magazine and newspaper subscription sales are part of the company's cost saving measures.

I'll miss the magazines.

Panzer says, "This little kitty hates to see the magazine subscriptions go away."

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon textbook rentals

The Big Thrill Online Magazine

Panzer was cleaning the carpet in the Panzermobile when he found something wedged under the pilot's seat. Pulling it out, he discovered it was a post for the August issue of the International Thriller Writers magazine The Big Thrill.

These are interesting interviews.

This is an online only magazine and it's free to read. At the site you can click on the banner across the top of the page to read the magazine's individual interviews; however, if you go down the right side of the post below the advertisements, you'll see, Hot Off the Press, then Interviews, then New Releases." These are the magazine sections which contain the individual interviews and book/reviews from the magazine.

 

To read the magazine tootle over to The Big Thrill

August Markets for Writers - Various

My work is never finished.

Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile hangar, when he happened to see two wadded up posts shoved under the workbench. Flattening them out, our busy kitty discovered they were posts about magazine markets and jobs available for writers in August.

 One of the posts was from Erika Dreifus' site with a listing of markets and jobs for writers. The other was a post from Trish Hopkinson's site with a listing of markets for poets and prose writers.

Panzer says, "Although the month is almost half over, I decided to post it because many of the submission deadlines aren't until August 31."

Note: There are a lot of listings on the two sites. It's up to you what you bring to drink and eat while you're exploring all the markets.


To read the post tootle over to no fee paying literary mags
 To read the second post tootle over to markets and jobs for writers

Download: Publishing Perspectives 2020 Spring Magazine - Publishing Perspectives

I'm ready for a nap now.

Panzer was cleaning the dashboard in the Panzermobile when he happened to find a short post about the Publishing Perspectives Magazine in the glove compartment.

According to the announcement, you can download a free copy of the Spring 2020 issue of the magazine. In the post is a section about what's in the magazine. There's information included about China's comic book market, AI, Russia's book market and more global publishing news.

Panzer says, "This is a 24 page PDF."

Note: This is a short-short post. You won't even need a cup of tea for this download.

To read the post tootle over to Publishing Perspectives Magazine

Now Users Can Create Their Own Flipping Book from PDF with PubHTML5 - Digital Journal

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Digital Journal site. There with a little digging around our inquisitive kitty found a press release about making flipping books and magazines using PubHTML5.

I wondered how those pages turned.

According to the press release, PubHTML5 now has the Flipping Book PDF software available. The software can be used for publishing (e)books, magazines and catalogues. The (e)books, magazines etc. pages will "flip" giving the impression of "turning" the pages. The press release includes a link at the beginning to the Flipping Book PDF software site. There are samples and a chance to demonstrate the software. Near the end of the press release is a link to the PubHTML5 site. There are more samples and a page where the different price options are compared.

Panzer says, "Be careful before you download the software to your computer. To download you have to pay. There's also a free option if you want it, but you can't download the software."

Note: This is a long press release. Bring a cup of tea and three muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links, bring a thermos of tea and a dozen muffins.

To read the post tootle over to PubHTML5

Enter a Huge Archive of Amazing Stories, the World's First Science Fiction Magazine, Launch in 1926 - Open Culture

On Panzer's trip today he discovered some interesting information about pulp fiction publishing. Our kitty traveler had barely piloted the Panzermobile into the Catosphere when he heard cheering and clapping and shouting. Following all the rowdiness took him to the Open Culture site. With no digging at all he found information on the digitization of the science fiction and fantasy magazine Amazing Stories.

According to the post, over 500 issues of the Amazing Stories magazine have been digitized. Included in the post is the history of the magazine from inception in 1926 to its closure in 2005. The magazine published many of science fiction's well-known authors, such as Isaac Asimov, George R.R. Martin, Robert Heinlein and Robert Bloch. Included at the beginning of the post below the first illustration there's a link to the Internet Archive site where the magazine issues are available free. At the site, if you click on the title under the cover illustration, you'll be taken to the issue. You can read it online by clicking the cover and each page after that to turn to the next page. Below the cover and to the right are the download options.

And it's all free.

Panzer says, "If you read all the way to the end of the post, there are links to other digitized science fiction and fantasy magazines and radio dramas."

Note: With all the illustrations this is a h-u-g-e post. Bring a thermos of tea and a dozen muffins for today's reading selection. Panzer gives a tip of the fedora to The Digital Reader site for a heads-up about the Open Culture site.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazing Stories

In a Suprise Move, TNG Acquires Ingram Periodicals - Publishing Executive

That was totally unexpected.

Today, Panzer was taking an enjoyable, relaxing trip around the Catosphere. When, suddenly, the Panzermobile was buffeted by a cacophony of crying and howling. Following all the wailing, took our brave kitty boy to the Publishing Executive site. There he found a post about Ingram Periodicals.

According to the post by Linda Ruth, in an unforeseen move North American periodicals distributor TNG bought Ingram Periodicals. Even before the acquisition, TNG was already the largest distributor of periodicals. Smaller publications believe they may become lost in TNG's large distribution organization. There are, however, some advantages for them in the acquisition. Ingram Periodicals delivers periodicals to retail outlets by UPS. TNG has there own delivery trucks and can deliver at specified times. It also appears TNG has a wider distribution system than Ingram Periodicals which will increase sales possibilities. Other details about the acquisition are included in the post.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... With more markets it might be good for the sales of magazines."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Ingram Periodicals

Subscription Reading Service Scribd Adds Magazines to Platform - Book Business

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Book Business site. There our intrepid kitty found a post about the ebook and audiobook site Scribd.

How much does a subscription cost?

According to the post at Book Business, Scribd announced they will now offer magazines as part of their subscription service. Included magazines are Time, Money, Fortune, People and several more. The monthly subscription fee won't increase to access the magazine content. Scribd's press release announcing the magazine addition is included at the end of the post.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... Ebooks ... Audiobooks ... And now magazines ... When will they add TV shows?"

Note: This is a longish medium post. Bring a cup of tea and two cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Scribd

Amazon Japan starts all-you-can-read service - The Japan News

A cat doesn't need a passport.

Panzer's trip in the Catosphere today took him to a site he's never visited before called The Japan News. Our multi-talented kitty found a post there about Amazon Japan.

According to the post, Amazon Japan has introduced the Kindle Unlimited Service. Introducing the service will make Japan the 12th country to join Amazon's all-you-can-read smorgasbord service. The service will include not only ebooks but magazines and manga as well.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... Twelve countries ... Kindle Unlimited really is taking over the ebook world."

Note: This is a medium post. Bring a small thermos of tea and three muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Kindle Unlimited

Todd Larson Named CEO of Self-Publishing Specialist Blurb - Dow Jones Business News

Panzer made a short trip into the Catosphere today. Our big bad kitty made a trip to the Nasdaq site. Panzer has never been there before, so he spent a lot of time digging and rummaging around to find a post. Finally, when he was almost ready to throw up his paws and give up, he was successful.

You'd subscribe, right?

According to Jeffrey Trachtenberg, Todd Larson has become the Chief Executive Officer of Blurb Inc. Using Blurb you can indie publish your book or magazine in paperback or digital formats. Then you can sell them on Amazon or in the iBooks stores.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... I didn't know you could do magazines that way. Maybe ... it's time for a Panzer Lovers magazine."

Note: This is a medium size post, so a cup of tea should be what you need for today's reading session.

To read the post, tootle over to Blurb