Publishers Puzzled, Frustrated by Parneros Lawsuit - Publishers Weekly

There must be an answer here somewhere.

Today, Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to the Publishers Weekly site. There our adventuresome kitty boy found a post with followup information about the Demos Parneros lawsuit against Barnes and Noble he told you about earlier this week.

According to Jim Milliot, publishers are beginning to have reactions to the lawsuit. The reactions range from puzzlement to frustration. Mr. Parneros' statement about the failed company sale has lead some publishers to puzzlement and uncertainty about the company's future; while the company's inability to find a continuing CEO leads other publishers to frustration. The post includes suggestions for the company's improvement offered by the publishers interviewed.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Either Mr. Parneros didn't have a confidentiality clause in his contract or he forgot about it when he told about the failed sale of the company."

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

To read Panzer's earlier post about the Parneros lawsuit tootle over to Parneros lawsuit

Will Walmart's eBook Gift Card Effort Succeed? - Bookworks

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Bookworks site. There our speedy kitty pilot found a post about the new Walmart ebook gift cards. Panzer told you about Walmart and Kobo's recent partnership to sell ebooks and ereaders at Walmart stores and at the new online store.

Maybe it will work this time.

Nate Hoffelder's Bookworks post examines Walmart's newest entry into the ebook gift card arena. The post includes a brief history of the ebook gift card. Turns out according to the history that this isn't Walmart's first time selling ebook gift cards. The company first jumped into the market in 2014 in Canadian Walmart stores and continued selling the gift cards into 2017. The history section includes several links to sites for more information about ebook gift cards. The gift cards available in the new U.S. Walmart stores are carried in a special section of the store. Each ebook gift card can only be used for a specific book. The post also includes photos of the store shelves to show how the cards are displayed.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty isn't sure if the ebook gift cards will work except for birthdays and Christmas gifts."

Note: This is a h-u-g-e post. Bring Half a thermos of tea and three muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Walmart

To read the post about the Walmart and Kobo eBookstore partnership tootle over to Walmart eBookstore

Parneros Sues B&N for Defamation of Character - Publishers Weekly (PW)

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today he decided to make a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all our inquisitive kitty discovered a post about Barnes and Noble's former CEO.

According to Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble's former CEO Demos Parneros has sued the company. Panzer told you about the termination of CEO Parneros when it happened in July.  Mr. Parneros states in his lawsuit that the company fired him without caused and defamed his character. It's also stated that Barnes and Noble was going to be sold; but, when the offer was withdrawn, he was fired so Len Riggio could take over the company again. Mr. Parneros also denies any sexual harassment claims. In rebuttal the Barnes and Noble Board of Directors states, Mr. Demos was fired on advise of legal counsel after an internal investigation showed behavior that violated company policy.

But ... You're the one who told everybody.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This is an interesting court case because this kitty hadn't heard anything about sexual harassment until Mr. Parneros brought it up in court."

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

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble Lawsuit

To read the post about Demos Parneros' termination from Barnes and Noble tootle over to Barnes and Noble CEO Termination

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

A New Panzerism

Panzer on things are not always what they seem:

I had an accident today.

No, not like a puppy that forgets his responsibilities accident.

No. I was looking in the mirror.

And ...

It was terrible.

There was no cat reflection there. None.

 Instead ...

Big Deal. It's a very small window sill.

I looked like a dog. A dog sniffing at gross stuff on the ground.

It was frightening ... Horrible ... Awful ...

Okay ... Okay ...

So I fell off the window sill.

Amazon to launch in Columbia with customer service center in Bogota - the city paper

It might be fun to take a trip to Columbia.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the city paper site. With a little digging around our adventuresome kitty boy found a post about Amazon.

According to the post by Jacqueline de Klerk, Amazon is opening a new customer service center in Columbia. The new center will open in Bogota in October. The company plans to hire 600 employees. The post says some employees will have the option to work from home.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Amazon really is a global company."

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

Walmart's eBookstore is Launching Today - The Digital Reader

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard clapping and cheering outside. Following all the jocularity took our traveling kitty pilot to The Digital Reader site. With no digging at all he discovered a post about the Walmart and Kobo ebookstore partnership he told you about last month.

Will this one succeed?

According to site owner Nate Hoffelder, Walmart's partnership with Kobo begins today with the opening of the new Walmart eBookstore. The ebookstore will be available from Walmart's website and from Kobo's website. The regular Walmart stores will have a special section to sell Kobo's Aura ereader and gift cards to be used to buy ebooks, audiobooks and subscriptions. Kobo will manage the ebookstore for Walmart. There are several links in the post including two to reports of past failures by others of similar sites.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty is wondering who decides which ebooks get sold in the ebookstore."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you decide to follow all the links, bring two extra cups of tea and half a dozen muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Walmart ebookstore

To read Panzer's earlier post tootle over to Walmart and Kobo

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

A New Panzerism

Panzer on maintaining your dignity:

What's His Name said I need to get glasses.

Have you ever seen a cat in glasses?

Of course not.

Cats look ridiculous in glasses.

Now ...

I do admit ...

I was blowing kisses at that lady raccoon across the street ...

She did have really cute eyes.

But ...

Mom did leave the drawer open where she keeps the catnip.

Black Cat Appreciation Day

Happy   
Black Cat Appreciation Day  
From Panzer the Cat