Groundwood Paper - KDP Publishing Feature

I already have a small footprint. I'm a cat.

Here's some information about a new KDP Publishing feature Panzer discovered on the site.

 

Authors can now choose to use groundwood paper  instead of standard paper for their paperback books. You can learn about the advantages of using groundwood paper to lessen your carbon footprint and save money on printing at the site.

 

 Panzer says, "This little kitty has heard sometimes the letters show through the paper from the other side of the page."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a glass of iced tea. 

 

To read about groundwood paper tootle over to KDP Amazon

Digital Audiobooks Sales Sank in April - Publishers Weekly

Book sales are down this year.

Today's first stop in the Catosphere for Panzer was at the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about audiobook sales.

 

Jim Milliot's post includes book sales figures in all categories not just audiobooks. The post also includes charts to show actual sales.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty is confused. Mom just went to a publishing summit and one of the seminars was about how great audiobook sales are right now."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a cupcake to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Audiobook Sales 

Amazon Launches Massive Six-Day Book Sale - Publishers Weekly

Interesting sale.

Today, Panzer made a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about an Amazon book sale.

According to the post by Sophia Stewart, Amazon is having a book sale May 15 to the 20. The sale will include adult and children's books. It will be open to everyone. The post includes a link to the Amazon site.

 

 Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know about the sale, so his books must not be included."

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

Kindle Direct Publishing 15 Year Anniversary Giveaway - Official Rules - KDP Community

Today in the Amazon KDP Community site Panzer found an announcement about a giveaway.

 

Read the rules.

In celebration of the 15 year anniversary of Kindle Direct Publishing Amazon is having a giveaway. The winner(s) will receive a tote bag, a Kindle Paperwhite and a collection of paperback books. The winner(s) will be chosen in random drawing(s) from all the entries. The giveaway ends November 28, 2022.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the rules carefully so you don't get disqualified."

 

Note: The rules are long and complicated. Don't bring anything to eat or drink so you can concentrate on your reading.

To read the rules tootle over to Giveaway Rules

Publish KDP Paperbacks and Hardbacks in Sweden and Poland! - KDP Community

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the KDP Community site. There he found a post that KDP authors' paperback and hardback books are now available for sale in Sweden and Poland.

 

Maybe I'll adjust the prices there.

According to the post, authors who chose Worldwide, UK or EU distribution have their books automatically made available in Amazon's Sweden and Poland markets. There are links in the post to make changes for your books distribution.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Two new marketplaces."

 

Note: This is a short post. You don't need to bring anything for today's reading. If you want to follow the links in the post and make changes to you books, you decide what to bring to eat and drink.

 

To read the post tootle over to Publish in Sweden and Poland

Publishing paperback and hardcover in the Netherlands is now available!

 Panzer had just started eating his dinner, when he heard clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, our brave kitty boy followed all the joyful noise to the KDP site. There he found an announcement about publishing in the Netherlands.

Another market?

According to the post, effective January 31 KDP began distribution of paperback and hardcover books in the Netherlands. You must have worldwide, EU or UK distribution selected for your books to be eligible for the program. The end of the post includes links to instructions for changing your distribution if you need to.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Guess I better have Mom go check our books."

 

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of cocoa for your reading. If you plan to follow the links, you probably don't want to bring anything else to eat or drink so you can concentrate on learning what to do.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon POD in Netherlands 

Supply Chain Problems for Publishers and Authors - Various

 Back in August Panzer told you about the upcoming supply chain problems Ingram was warning publishers to prepare for in the coming months. 

 

Other sources are now experiencing supply problems as well. Some authors' are reporting bookstores are unable to get their book orders filled by their publishers. Other authors aren't getting their books delivered to their book signings.

It's a mess and getting worse.

These problems are attributable to publishers' printers not being able to get the paper necessary to print the books and/or not being able to get the printed books delivered to the publishers. This is due to paper manufacturing problems and delivery problems caused by the pandemic.

If you plan to publish any books (paperback or hardback) before the end of the end of the year, you should read these posts to help plan your strategy.

Panzer says, "Every time humans think they have this Covid thingy under control, its cousin just comes right back."

 

To read the post at Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog tootle over to supply chain woes

To read the post at Publishers Weekly tootle over to supply chain disruptions

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to Ingram supply chain troubles 

What Are ISBNs and Why Should I Care About Them? - Honest Indie Author

 Today, Panzer made a trip to the Honest Indie Author site. There our adventuresome kitty boy found a post about ISBNs.

 

In the post Debbi Mack gives a short description of ISBNs, why you might need them and where to purchase them. Amazon and most of the ebook sites don't require ISBNs, but you still might want to buy them. There's a link in the post to the ISBN purchase site.

For the U.S. only.

 

Panzer says, "ISBNs are for U.S. authors' hardbacks, paperbacks, ebooks, and audio books."

 

Note: Because of the illustrations this looks like a long post but it isn't. Bring a glass of lemonade for your reading time.

To read the post tootle over to ISBN

ITW Thriller Award Winners 2021 - Mystery Fanfare

Today, when Panzer got back from the Catosphere, our fastidious kitty boy decided to do some work on the Panzermobile. As he was cleaning out the wheel wells, he found a wadded up post stuck in there. Flattening it out, he discovered it was about the International Thriller Writers winners.

 

Finally ... Nap time ... zzzz

According to the post at the Mystery Fanfare site, the 2021 International Thriller Writers Awards have been announced. There are six awards covering best hardback novel, best first novel, best paperback novel, best short story, best young adult novel, and best ebook novel. All six winners are listed in the post.

 

Panzer says, "Even if I live to be twenty, I'll never finish my To-Be-Read pile."

 

Note: This is a short post. You won't need to bring anything to eat or drink when you read this post.

 

To read the post tootle over to ITW award winners

Ebook sales show no sign of slowing down in 2021 - GoodEReader

Today Panzer made a quick stop at the GoodEReader site. With hardly any digging in the posts at all, our illustrious kitty found one about ebook sales this year.

 

Makes sense to me.

According to Michael Kozlowski's post, ebook sales were up 21 percent in January when compared to January last year. The post also contains information about audio book sales and hardback and paperback book sales.

 

Panzer says, "Those sales figures don't surprise this little kitty. Humans still can't go out, so they're staying home and reading."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to E-book sales

Barnes & Noble Press Announces Refreshed Author Benefits Including Improved Payment Terms - Press Release

 Today as Panzer was settling down for his afternoon nap, he was shaken from his kitty bed by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile our expeditious kitty boy headed out. Following all the hoopla took him to the Barnes and Noble site. There with no digging at all he discovered a post about Barnes and Noble's new author payment plan.

 

MeWOW! 70 percent!

According to the Press Release at the Barnes and Noble site, Barnes and Noble Press has increased its ebook royalty rate to 70 percent and payment frequency to 30 days. Although not included in the new royalty rate, Barnes and Noble Press also does POD (print-on-demand) paperbacks which are sold through BN.com and at the Barnes and Noble brick and mortar bookstores. The post includes a link to more information about the changes.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Maybe this little kitty needs to take a look at using Barnes and Noble Press."

 

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

 

To read the press release tootle over to Barnes and Noble

FastPencil Rebrands as Opyrus - The Digital Reader

Today Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to The Digital Reader site. With a little digging in the posts, he found one about the FastPencil company.

Looks like they have a membership?

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder's post, he received an email from FastPencil stating they are rebranding/renaming the company Opyrus. The company is a paperback and ebook publisher. The company's email is directly quoted in the post. The post includes a link to the site so you can check out the services offered and the prices. There's also a link to a raffle the company is having.

Panzer says, "We've never used their services so we don't know anything about them except what we read at their site."

Note: This is a short length post. Bring a half a cup of tea for your reading today.

To read the post tootle over to Fastpencil is Opyrus/

Kensington to Introduce Larger Mass Market Format - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer decided to make a trip to the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one about publisher Kensington's new paperback format.

A new market for Kensington?

According to Jim Milliot's post, publisher Kensington is introducing a new larger paperback format in September. The new format will be 4.75 x 7 inches with a new font. Of course, the increase in size means an increase in price of $1.00 more per book.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Larger format? Easier to read print? Appeal to an older reader market? Or just easier to hold?"

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 Kensington

Internet Archive Responds to Senator's Concern Over National Emergency Library - Publishers Weekly

Panzer hasn't been to the Publishers Weekly site for a few days, so he decided to stop in there today. With a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty found one about the Internet Archive.

All a pirate site has to do is call itself a library.

According to Andrew Albanese, the Internet Archive (IA) founder Brewster Kahle is still trying to justify IA's use of scanned books in his National Emergency Library. U.S. Senator Thom Tillis expressed his concerns over IA's scanning books which are still under copyright. In response Mr. Kahle sent a letter explaining why his National Emergency Library is responsible for providing teachers, school classes and students with the digital textbooks they need. According to him, instead of getting the books from school and giving them to the students at home, it's easier to just scan a book and let all the students use the same copy. This is, he says, brought about by the closing of libraries making textbooks unavailable to students. He doesn't, however, explain why his "library" is scanning authors' fiction books (some bestsellers) that in no way could be called textbooks. He does say he wants to engage with the Senate to change the copyright laws to make it legal for his "library" to use authors' and publishers' copyrighted books for his own purposes. This is an ongoing argument between Brewster Kahle on one side and authors, authors' groups, publishers and publishers' groups on the other side about copyright infringement.

Panzer says, "If you believe that stuff, I've got some ocean front property in Nevada for sale real cheap."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Internet Archive
To read a previous post about the Internet Archive tootle over to copyright violation
To read another previous post about the Internet Archive tootle over to online library

Bibles, Kids' Books Win Tariff Reprieve - Publishers Weekly

Panzer was shaken from his kitty bed by yelling and shouting coming from the Catosphere. Dragging himself into the Panzermobile, our poor tired kitty followed all the noise to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all he discovered a post about U.S. President Trump's tariffs on China.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, President Trump has postponed until December 15 the implementation of his Chinese import tariffs on Bibles, children's picture books and coloring books, sneakers/shoes, phones and other important Christmas gifts. The proposed tariffs on Trump's other specified Chinese imports will still go into effect on September 1. The September 1 imports include paperback and hardback books, dictionaries, and other materials printed in China for U.S. publishers and imported for sale in the U.S. There are several links to information about Trump's tariffs included in the post.

Now for a much need nap.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Even this little kitty knows some U.S. publishers have their books printed in China and then shipped to the U.S. for sale here."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading. If you plan to follow the links, bring a thermos of tea and six muffins.

To read the post tootle over to tariff reprieve

B&N Q3 Sales Flat, Comps Rise 1.1% - Publishers Weekly

Six new stores in one year!

Today, Panzer made a quick trip to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about Barnes and Noble.

According to Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble's third quarter ended on January 26. The company's third quarter sales were flat compared to last year's. Paperbacks and children's book sales were not as high as expected and Nook sales were down. The company expects fourth quarter sales to be down due to the bad weather keeping people from shopping. The company opened four new stores in the year's first three quarters and plans two more in the fourth quarter.

Panzer says, "At least sales were flat and didn't decline."

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 Barnes and Noble

Create Space to be Phased Out - Indies Unlimited

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was buffeted by crying and wailing. Following all the noise took our brave kitty boy to the Indies Unlimited site. There he found a post about Create Space.

I knew it was coming, but I don't like it.

According to the post by K.S. Brooks, Amazon announced today that Create Space is being merged into KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). The email quoted in the post states that Create Space's publishing facilities and employees will still be used, so there should be no change in quality of service. However, a second email quoted in an update at the end of the post states there is an increase in printing costs for shorter UK and EU books. There are links included in the post for more information.

Panzer says, "This little kitty doesn't think Barnes and Noble will be getting his books from Amazon KDP like they have from Create Space to sell in their stores and online. ... So ... He (and you) better learn how to use Ingram to publish and distribute his (your) paperbacks."

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection. Oh, and you better bring a tissue to dry your tears at the demise of Create Space.

To read the post tootle over to Createspace

Publishing Sales Rise 5.5% in First Four Months of 2018 - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There with no digging at all our kitty pilot found a post about beginning 2018 publishing sales data.

I have a good voice for recording.

According to Jim Milliot, publishing sales for the beginning months of 2018 compared to the same time period in 2017 figures show an overall rise. The publishing sales reported include data for paperback books, audio and ebooks. Both fiction and nonfiction paperbacks as well as audio downloads showed increases. Ebook sales however were down. The sales numbers were based on information from only 1,100 publishers.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Ebook sales down? Audio download sales up? Guess it's time for this little kitty to switch from ebooks to audio books."

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

To read the post tootle over to 2018 publishing sales

KDP Expanded Distribution - Kindle Direct Publishing Announcement

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today when the Panzermobile was suddenly buffeted by cheering and clapping and laughing. Following all the joyous noises our kitty boy went to Amazon's KDP announcement site. With no digging at all he found a post by Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) about a new service they're offering.

This doesn't look good for Create Space.

According to the announcement, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is now offering expanded distribution to bookstores and retailers for KDP paperbacks. This has been the remaining difference between KDP and Create Space. Included in the announcement are royalty rates and fees for the expanded distribution service. There are also instruction on how to sign up your paperback for the service. Also included is a link to information about how expanded distribution works.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty is wondering how much longer Create Space will continue now that KDP has added the expanded service."

Note: This is a short announcement. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the link for distribution information, bring a muffin too.

To read the post tootle over to KDP

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Author Proofs, Distribution

Panzer received an email from Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) division. The email was an announcement about the new features available through the KDP print on demand paperbacks option. There were links in the email to Amazon KDP site.

Paperbacks to Europe and Japan?

According to the KDP site, authors can now order proof copies of their paperback books for the cost of printing and shipping. Through the expanded distribution the paperbacks will be distributed to Europe and Japan. There's a video included at the site explaining about publishing with the beta version. There are also links to answers for all the questions users might have about publishing through the new paperback option.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty wonders if CreateSpace will still be around to distribute to other sites like Barnes and Noble? Or will Amazon shut them down? Not a happy kitty thought."

Note: This is an extremely l-o-n-g post if you need to follow all the links. Bring two thermoses of tea and two dozen muffins for all the reading in today's selection.

To read the post tootle over to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)