At Closing Gala IPA Announces 2026 Innovation Award Winners - Publishing Perspectives

I've done a lot of traveling today.

Today's last stop in the Catosphere for Panzer was at the Publishing Perspectives site.

 

The announcement of the International Publishers Association's Champion Award for excellence in publishing winner and the Innovation Awards winners and interviews with the three are posted now.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... AI companies."

 

Note:This is a long medium length post. Bring a glass of lemonade to drink.  

 

To read the post toote over to 2026 Innovation Award

30 Great Writing Conferences and Workshops in July 2026 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

 

I'm a cat. Napping is what we do.

Panzer's final in the Catosphere today was at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site.

 

Erica Verrillo posted a list there of 30 writing conferences and workshops. There's information here about fiction, nonfiction, and poetry writing as well as marketing, publishing and more.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the deadlines."

 

Note: This is a long post. You can decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferences and Workshops

Authors Guild AI-Related Model Publishing Contract Clauses

My eyes hurt just looking at it.

Today Panzer stopped at The Authors Guild site. There he found a post with sample clauses concerning AI authors should get in their publishing contracts.

 

The post contains samples for nearly every use of AI with an author's material.

 

Panzer says, "Some of the things listed neither Mom nor I would have known to ask for in a contract."  

 

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

 

To read the post trundle over to AI Clauses

The 2025 PW Salary & Jobs Report - Publishers Weekly

The AI part is interesting too.

Today, Panzer found Publishers Weekly's annual publishing employees report online at the site.

 

The report uses charts and graphs to show publishing professionals demographics, how they feel about their jobs, and other information.

  

Panzer says, "Interesting information. Who knew how low their salary is?"

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Salary and Jobs Report  " 

How Publishing Has Changed Since 2015 - Jane Friedman

I am hungry after all that.

Panzer found an interesting post on the Jane Friedman site.

 

The post covers the changes Jane Friedman has seen in the publishing industry during the past ten years. In support of each of the topics listed, there is addition information from other sources.

 

 Panzer says, "There's a lot of interesting facts in the post for authors to study."

 

Note: This is a very long post. You'll need to plan to bring your lunch to eat while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Jane Friedman 

Spain's Publishing Sectors Recovers to Pre-2008 Levels - Publishing Perspectives

There's a big increase in 2024 sales over 2023.

Today, Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took our intrepid traveler to the Publishing Perspectives site. There he discovered good news about Spain's book publishing.

 

According to Porter Anderson's post, Spain's publishing market has increased steadily in the last decade. 2024 was a stellar year for book sales and readership. The post includes links to other information and graphs to illustrate points mentioned in the post.

Panzer says, "Digital and audio books are a big part of it too."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Spain's Publishing Sector

67 Calls for Submissions in April 2025 - Paying markets - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Sorry. Nobody's perfect. Wait! I'm a cat. I am perfect! So, not sorry.

Today, Panzer made a trip to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There with a little digging in the posts he found one about publishing markets with submission calls that are open in April.

 

Erica Verrillo's list includes calls for fiction, nonfiction and poetry submissions. Panzer was late finding the post so some of those on the list have an April 1 deadline, but the rest have later April deadlines.

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

 

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 Calls for Submissions

11 (Warm) Writing Conferences and Workshops in Januarry 2024 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Doesn't matter what holiday, Mom is a great cook.

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

 

Erica Verrillo's post lists 11 conferences and workshops through out the month of January. They are all lengths from one day to one week. The conference and workshop subjects covered range from writing to publishing and marketing.

Panzer says, "Be sure to check the guidelines before you signup."

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

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferences

Free The Creative Penn Podcast: 9 Ways That Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Disrupt Authors And The Publishing Industry.

T

Vacation is over.

oday's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The Creative Penn Podcast site. There he found a podcast with Joanna Penn and bestselling author Nick Thacker discussing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the publishing industry.

The episode 9 Ways That Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Disrupt Authors And The Publishing Industry is 1 hour 16 minutes long. The show notes are below the podcast. The post contains links to other podcast episodes and information.

 

 Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know Nick Thacker also works for Draft2Digital."

 

Note: Bring a cup of tea, a muffin and a brownie to snack on while you listen to the podcast.

To listen to the podcast tootle over to Joanna Penn and Nick Thacker

Richard Charkin: Chatting Megatrends With ChatGPT - Publishing Perspectives

Panzer made a trip to the Publishing Perspectives site today. There our traveling kitty pilot found a post about publishing and ChatGPT.

I think you'll like it.

In his post Richard Charkin describes posing a question about megatrends in publishing to ChatGPT and the AI's entire response to the question. The response is broken down into ten parts. Richard Charkin then responds to ChatGPT's ten with ten of his own plus four more. .

Panzer says, "This little kitty isn't putting anything else from Richard Charkin's post here because you need to read his entire post."

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

To read the post tootle over to Megatrends

Termination Fees in Publishing Contracts: Not Just Bad for Authors - Writer Beware (R)

Today, Panzer made a stop at the Writer Beware (R) site. With a little digging in the posts, he found one about publishing contracts.

 

Read every detail carefully.

Victoria Strauss' post begins with some examples of early termination fees clauses in publishing contracts. She also includes some of the possible complications the termination fees can cause an author. As the title suggests the termination fees might also impact the publisher in an unfavorable way too.

 

Panzer says, "Contracts can be really complicated."

 

Note:This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea, a large muffin and two chocolate chip cookies for today's reading experience.

 

To read the post tootle over to Termination Fees

Rights vs. Copyright: Untangling the Confusion - Writer Beware(R)

Guard your rights.

Today, Panzer stopped in at the Writer Beware (R) site. There he found a post about copyrights and rights.

 

Victoria Strauss' post is an excellent explanation of copyright, rights and publishing contracts. The post also explains what rights and terms a writer needs to look for in a publishing contract.

 

Panzer says, "Every writer should read this post."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin. Also bring a paper and pen for taking notes of important points to remember.

 

To read the post tootle over to Rights vs Copyright

25 Marvelous Writing Conferences and Workshops in March 2023 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing . .. and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he found a post about conferences and workshops for writers.

 

March is a busy month.

Erica Verrillo's post includes 25 writing conferences and workshops in March. There are opportunities to attend fiction, nonfiction and publishing conferences and workshops. Some are small with a projected attendance of 200 people and some are large with a projected attendance of 20,000 people. Most are in-person.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the attendance guidelines."

 

Note: This is a long medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a large muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links to the various sites,  you'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink.

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferences

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

Publishers, Agencies Start Receiving Subpoenas as DOJ-PRH Case Ramps - Publishers Weekly

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he decided to make a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all in the posts there our illustrious kitty boy found one about the Department of Justice and the Penguin Random House court case. Panzer told you about the court case back in December.

Why 10 years?

According to the post by Rachel Deahl and Jim Milliot, subpoenas are being issued in the Department of Justice's (DOJ) court case to block Penguin Random House's (PRH) acquisition of publisher Simon and Schuster (SS). Publishers and literary agencies are receiving subpoenas from the DOJ, PRH and SS. While the DOJ is only asking for information from 2019 and forward, PRH and SS are in some instances asking for 10 years of information. Gathering the information is part of the Discovery Process to determine how much, if any, damage publishers and literary agents (authors) would suffer if the acquisition is allowed to proceed. Publishers who have received the subpoenas state it will be time consuming and expensive to comply.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Let's see. ... PRH and SS want 10 years of their publisher competitors' publishing information. Of course, they say they won't look at it only their attorneys will."

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

To read the post tootle over to DOJ case against PRH

To read the previous post about the case tootle over to trial date"

2022 Publishing Predictions by Agent Laurie Mclean - Anne R. Allen ... with Ruth Harris Blog

Today, Panzer made a trip to the Anne R. Allen ... with Ruth Harris Blog. With a little digging in the posts there he found one about publishing predictions for 2022 from an agent's perspective. Panzer had a post on Wednesday about publishing predictions from Smashwords founder  Mark Coker's perspective.

 

That Covid thingy again?

The guest post by Agent Laurie Mclean, about publishing predictions for 2022 is separated into twelve sections. Some of Agent Mclean's predictions, self publishing increases, ebook sales increases and audio book sales increases, are in agreement Mark Coker's predictions. The other nine predictions she makes are specific to traditional publishing and not part of the indie publishing realm. The predictions are extensions of how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted publishing in general.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty loves predictions. I predict there's a nap in my future."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and three chocolate chip cookies for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Laurie Mclean publishing predictions

To read the Mark Coker post tootle over to Mark Coker publishing predictions

KDP adding a Transparency code to some barcodes - News Release - KDP Community

Today Panzer found a new announcement at the KDP Community site.

 

Makes it easier for authors.

According to the news release KDP will be beginning adding what the company calls Transparency Codes to the back of some of the books they publish in the U.S. and Canada. The announcement says the Transparency Code is similar to a QR Code. 

 

Panzer says, "With the new code the reader can find out everything about the author."

Note: The post is very short. You don't need to bring anything for today's reading.

To read the full post tootle over to Transparency Code

Ingram Warns of 4th-Quarter Suppy Chain Disruptions - Shelf Awareness

 Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Shelf Awareness site. There our intrepid kitty traveler found a post about Ingram Content Group.

 

According to the post, Ingram Content Group is predicting supply chain problems and cost increases for the publishing industry this holiday season. Ingram is also expecting warehouse and transportation problems. All these problems will cause slower deliveries.

 

Another ruined Christmas?

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks you need to get your holiday books ready now, so you don't get caught in the Covid-19 storm in December."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a brownie (everything feels better with chocolate) for today's reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to Ingram

The UK's Welbeck Publishing Group To Publish in Australia, New Zealand - Publishing Perspectives

 Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he suddenly heard clapping and cheering outside. Following all the hullabaloo took our traveling kitty pilot to the Publishing Perspectives site. With no digging at all he found a post about the Welbeck Publishing Group.

 

It sounds interesting.

According to the post by Porter Anderson, Welbeck Publishing Group announced the opening of a publishing subsidiary in Sydney, Australia. The company also announced Australia's Booktopia acquired twenty-five percent ownership in the new Australian publishing subsidiary. Plans are for the subsidiary to publish 50 books per year. The post includes links to other information about the companies.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... A whole new market for authors in Australia and New Zealand."

 

Note:This is a long-medium length post. Bring a large glass of lemonade, a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) and a brownie for today's reading. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you decide what extra treats to bring.

 

To read the post tootle over to Welbeck Publishing Group

The Pinnacle Academy - Brian Jackson

 Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere and decided to make a stop at The Pinnacle Academy site. The Academy is run by Brian Jackson. He and his wife Melanie are both authors of a lot of books.

 

It's free. It'll only cost you time.

According to the Introduction at the site, the curriculum there is based on some of Brian Jackson's Udemy courses. These Udemy courses were centered around writing and publishing. To use the site, hover over the word in the banner bar you're interested in. This will give you a drop down menu. The beginning of the Introduction is about the platform and how it was built. It's not really an Introduction to the course. The site is currently free to use.

 

Panzer says, "Mom took a couple of his Udemy courses and she had to pay for those."

To visit The Academy tootle over to The Pinnacle Academy