Booker Prize judges reveal shortlisted novels after selection 'tussle' - BBC

Let's see what else I can find today.

Here's the shortlist of novels for the Booker Prize Panzer found on the BBC site.

 

There are six novels on the list for the prize. The first section is about the judging process and the second section has a description of each novel and the author.

 

Panzer says, "It's got an interesting discussion about the 'tussle.'"

 

Note: This is a long length post. You'll need to bring a cup of tea and two chocolate chip cookies.

 

To read the post tootle over to Booker Shortlist 

NGAIO MARSH AWARD LONGLIST FOR BEST NOVEL 2026 - Mystery Fanfare

Some interesting books on the list.

On a stop at the Mystery Fanfare site Panzer found the longlist for the Ngaio Marsh Award had been posted.

 

The awards are for New Zealand crime, mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. There are 12 novels on the longlist.

 

Note: This is a short post. You won't need to bring anything to snack on. 

 

To read the post trundle over to  Ngaio Marsh Award Longlist

40 Writing Contests in August 2026 - No entry fees! - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Something for everyone.

Today, Panzer made a stop at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he found a list of contests with August deadlines.

 

Erica Verrillo's list contains contests for fiction both novels and short stories, nonfiction, poetry and more.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the guidelines before you submit." 

 

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

 

To read the list tootle over to Writing Contests in August

The 2026 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction

It's been a lot of traveling today.

Panzer found an announcement on the Ursula K. Le Guin site.

 

The shortlist of nine books for the 2026 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction was announced by The Ursula K. Le Guin Foundation. Each of the nine book's cover and book description is included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "The winner will be announced on October 21."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction 

Cutting Down the Daggers - The Rap Sheet

Let's see what's next.

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today he heard clapping and cheering outside the Panzermobile. Following all the hoopla took him to The Rap Sheet site. There he found a post about Britain's Crime Writers' Association's Dagger Awards.

 

J.Kingston Pierce's post contains the shortlists for each of the 12 Dagger Awards categories.

 

Panzer says, "Recognize any names on the lists? This little kitty does."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to The Daggers 

Rose Hill Romance Novel Series Amazon - The Hollywood Reporter

I hope things calm down now.

Panzer made a quick stop at The Hollywood Reporter site where he found news about a new romance series.

 

According to Kathy Kilkenny's post, Amazon will be making a series from Elsie Silver's Rose Hill romances.

 

Panzer says, "You can listen to the post too."

 

Note:This is a long medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and four chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's snack.

 

To read the post tootle over to Rose Hill Romance Novels 

HarperCollins Partners with 'AI-Powered Animation House Toonstar - Publishers Weekly

I want to see this.

At the Publishers Weekly site Panzer found a post about publisher HarperCollins.

 

According to Sam Spratford's post, HarperCollins announced Toonstar will make animated episodes of select novels for them. The post contains links to more information about both companies.

 

Panzer says, "AI-Powered animation? What is that?"

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip muffin to snack on.

To read the post tootle over to HarperCollins

88 Writing Contests in February 2026 - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Something for everyone.

Today's first stop in the Catosphere for Panzer was at the Publishing ...and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our little inquisitive kitty boy found a post about free writing contests in February.

 

Erica Verrillo's list includes fiction, novels, short stories, plays, nonfiction, and poetry. They're all free to enter.

 

Panzer says, "If you can't find a contest for your work, you're not looking hard enough."

 

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

 

To read the contest list tootle over to Writing Contests

Harry Potter Full-Cast AAdds Bill Nighy as Slughorn, 11 Others - The Hollywood Reporter

The post says they'll be out soon.

Panzer's next stop was at The Hollywood Reporter site. If you've been around here for a while, you know Panzer was a big fan of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels and movies. Now, there are going to be Harry Potter audiobooks.

Ethan Vlessing's post says all the voice cast people are chosen and the audiobooks are ready for recording. The post contains a link to an earlier post with the list of who will narrate the other characters.

 

Panzer says, "I like audiobooks because I can listen to them when I'm traveling in the Panzermobile."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Harry Potter Audiobook 

5 Canadian Writers Shortlisted for 70k Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize

There are novels and a short story collection.

Panzer's second stop today was at the CBC site. There he found an announcement about the Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize.

 

According to the post, the five authors and their books have been chosen for this year's prize shortlist. The post contains an explanation of the prize and the shortlist criteria. A short book description and author bio for each shortlisted book is included at the end of the post.

 

Panzer says, "It's an interesting mix of books"

 

Note: This is another long post, so you'll need to decide what you want to snack on while you read there too.

 

To read the post tootle over to Shortlist 

64 Writing Contests in May 2025 - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Didn't want to wait until tomorrow to post this.

Today Panzer made a quick trip into the Catosphere to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about writing contests in May.

 

Erica Verrilla's post lists 64 writing contests with submission deadlines in May. There are contests for fiction, short stories, and novels and for nonfiction. None charge an entry fee.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the guidelines. Some of these have submissions deadlines of May 1 and some have entry restrictions."

 

Note: Since there are 64 contests listed this is a long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on. 

To read the submission rules for the contests tootle over to 64 Writing Contests

77 Free Writing Contests in March 2025 - No entry fees

There are at least five I'd like to enter. How about you?

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our adventuresome kitty pilot found a post about writing contests in March.

 

Erica Verrillo's list has 77 writing contests and they cover every type of writing: fiction, short stories and novels, nonfiction, poetry and plays. And, they're all free to enter.

 

Panzer says, "With 77 contests there really is something for everyone."

 

Note: With all the contests this is a long, long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to  77 Free Writing Contests .

MWA Announces 2025 Edgar Award Nominations

Some Mom read to me. Some she hasn't yet.

On his travels today Panzer stopped in at the Mystery Writers of America (MWA) site. On the site he discovered the nominees for the Edgar Awards have been announced. The nominees for 13 awards are listed on the blog.

Panzer says, "They give awards for novels, TV shows, short stories and more."

Note: This is a long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you look over the list.

 

To read the nominees list tootle over to 2025 Edgar Award Nominations

Rocky Mountain Highlights - The Rap Sheet

Catching up on my work today.*

Today, Panzer made a quick stop at The Rap Sheet site. There our speedy little kitty boy found a post about the Left Coast Crime conference.

 

According to J. Kingston Pierce's post, the Left Coast Crime group has announced the nominees for the four mystery categories for the Lefty Awards. The four categories are all for novels.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... No mystery short story category."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Left Coast

 

 

*There was no Panzerism yesterday because What's His Name is sick and Mom has been taking care of him. 

77 Calls for Submissions in November 2024 - Paying markets - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Now back to something important.

Even though it's a cat holiday Panzer still made a trip into the Catosphere today. He made a stop at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our traveling kitty boy found a post about submissions accepted in November.

 

Erica Verrillo's list includes 77 markets open for submissions. There are submission calls for fiction, short stories, novellas, novels, nonfiction, and poetry. Lengths range from micro fiction to novel. None require a fee to submit.

 

Panzer says, "Always read the rules and guidelines before you submit."

 

Note: Since there are 77 markets listed you'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Calls for Submissions

German Book Prize 2024: The Shortlist - New Books In German

Let's see what other shortlist got announced.

Panzer's next stop today was at the New Books in German site.

 

According to Sarah Hemens post, the German Book Prize has announced their 2024 shortlist. There are 6 novels on the list. Each listing has a plot synopsis, an author bio, and a link to get a short sample in English translation. There's a link at the end of the post to go to the German Book Prize and read about the prize. (It's in English.)

 

Panzer says, "The prize will be awarded on October 14."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to German Book Prize Shortlist

50 Writing Contests in July 2024 - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

It's been raining all day. Hope tomorrow is better.

by Fiona L. Woods with reporting by Panzer the cat

 

Today Panzer made another stop at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. He's glad he did because he found a post about July's writing contests there.

 

Erica Verrillo's list includes writing contests for fiction, nonfiction, short stories, novels, and more. None of the contests charge an entry fee. You'll need to hurry with your entries because some of the contests have July 1 closing dates.

 

Panzer says, "Some of these have entry restrictions, so be sure to read the submission guidelines."

 

Note: With coverage of 50 writing contests this is a long post.  You'll need to decide what snacks to bring for your reading time.

 

 To read the post tootle over to Writing Contests

64 Writing Contests in June 2024 - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

This list is huge.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our traveling kitty boy found a post about writing contests in June.

 

Erica Verrilla's list contains contests for fiction, novels, short stories, nonfiction, poetry, and plays. There are no entry fees for any of the contests she lists.

 

Panzer says, "You know the drill. Read the instructions before you submit."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to 64 Writing Contests in June: 

 

 

Vying for Theakston Glory - The Rap Sheet

Tell your friends about this so they can vote too.

On a quick trip to The Rap Sheet Panzer found the long list for the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year.

 

J. Kingston Pierce has the list of the eighteen novels on the long list. There are links explaining the process for choosing the books on the long list. Near the end of the post is a link for readers to vote for their favorite to get the list to the short list.

Panzer says, "Hurry and vote. You only have until May 16 to vote."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Theakston

49 Awesome Writing Conferences and Workshops in April 2024 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Online or In-person? Pay or Free? So many choices.

Today Panzer stopped in at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he found information about April writing conferences and workshops.

 

 Erica Verrillo's list includes 49 conferences and workshops available with online or in-person participation. There are conferences and workshops for fiction novels or short story writers, for nonfiction and memoir writers, and for poetry writers. There are also opportunities for networking, book signings, pitching agents, and writing craft classes. Some of the conferences and workshops have paid attendance and some are free.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure and read all the attendance rules."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferences and Workshops