Fiona L. Woods's Blog, page 184
August 1, 2022
A Panzerism
Panzer on sobriety:
The thing about catnip is, well ...
If there's enough, I can start right now.*
Mom said I should go on the wagon for a little while.
Okay ...
Exactly how much catnip is in the wagon anyway?
*From Cat Wisdom for humans
The thing about catnip is, well ...
If there's enough, I can start right now.*Mom said I should go on the wagon for a little while.
Okay ...
Exactly how much catnip is in the wagon anyway?
*From Cat Wisdom for humans
July 29, 2022
Court Hears Amazon, Publisher Motions to Toss Price Fixing Conspiracy Lawsuits - Publishers Weekly
Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about the lawsuit against Amazon and the Big Five Publishers for price-fixing..
According to Andrew Albanese's post, Amazon and the publishers are asking to have the lawsuits tossed out. The lawsuit says publishers are trying to set up a monopoly for Amazon. Amazon and the publishers' attorneys say it's ridiculous to say publishers would want to set up a monopoly for Amazon. In a second lawsuit, bookstore owners say publishers and Amazon are in a conspiracy to price-fix books. Amazon and publishers' attorneys say there is no evidence to support the claim as Amazon has had absolutely no contact with publishers. There are links included in the post to other information about the lawsuits.
Did you know cats can chortle?
Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders why they would think publishers would want to help their biggest enemy become a monopoly."
Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a large glass of iced tea and some chocolate-covered cherries for today's reading. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you will need to decide what to bring to eat and drink.
To read the post tootle over to Price-fixing Conspiracy Lawsuits
According to Andrew Albanese's post, Amazon and the publishers are asking to have the lawsuits tossed out. The lawsuit says publishers are trying to set up a monopoly for Amazon. Amazon and the publishers' attorneys say it's ridiculous to say publishers would want to set up a monopoly for Amazon. In a second lawsuit, bookstore owners say publishers and Amazon are in a conspiracy to price-fix books. Amazon and publishers' attorneys say there is no evidence to support the claim as Amazon has had absolutely no contact with publishers. There are links included in the post to other information about the lawsuits.
Did you know cats can chortle?Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders why they would think publishers would want to help their biggest enemy become a monopoly."
Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a large glass of iced tea and some chocolate-covered cherries for today's reading. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you will need to decide what to bring to eat and drink.
To read the post tootle over to Price-fixing Conspiracy Lawsuits
July 28, 2022
MAGPIE MURDERS: Air Date and Trailer! - Mystery Fanfare
Today Panzer made a quick trip to the Mystery Fanfare site. There with a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty boy found one about the novel Magpie Murders.
Here birdie birdie. Where are you?
According to Janet Rudolph's post, Anthony Horowitz's novel Magpie Murders is scheduled for Sundays October 16 - November 20 on Masterpiece. The post includes a Program Description and a link to a show trailer.
Panzer says, "This little kitty likes magpies." To read the post and watch the trailer tootle over to Magpie Murders:
Here birdie birdie. Where are you?According to Janet Rudolph's post, Anthony Horowitz's novel Magpie Murders is scheduled for Sundays October 16 - November 20 on Masterpiece. The post includes a Program Description and a link to a show trailer.
Panzer says, "This little kitty likes magpies." To read the post and watch the trailer tootle over to Magpie Murders:
July 27, 2022
Getting in on the Barrys - The Rap Sheet
Panzer was just getting ready for a nap when he heard strange noises coming from the Catosphere. Our inquisitive kitty boy hopped in the Panzermobile to see what was so exciting. Following all the noise, took him to The Rap Sheet site. There he discovered its time to vote for the Barry Awards.
Now. About that nap.
According to J. Kingston Pierce's post, the voting is now open for the Barry Awards. The Barrys are given annually by Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine. Surprisingly, although just announced yesterday, votes must be submitted by Monday August 1. The post has a link to the finalist list and voting instructions.
Panzer says, "Hurry human! Hurry!" Note: This is a short post. No need for anything to eat or drink. Just hurry and vote. To read the post tootle over to The Barry Awards
Now. About that nap.According to J. Kingston Pierce's post, the voting is now open for the Barry Awards. The Barrys are given annually by Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine. Surprisingly, although just announced yesterday, votes must be submitted by Monday August 1. The post has a link to the finalist list and voting instructions.
Panzer says, "Hurry human! Hurry!" Note: This is a short post. No need for anything to eat or drink. Just hurry and vote. To read the post tootle over to The Barry Awards
40 Writing Contests in August 2022 - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity
Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There with a little digging he found a post about writing contests in August.
Erica Verrillo's post lists 40 contests accepting entries in August. There are contests for short stories, novels and nonfiction. None of the contests charge an entry fee. Be sure to read the rules as some have restrictions.
Cats don't hurry. Ever.
Panzer says, "Be sure to read the submission deadlines. Some dates are August 1 or 2, so you'll need to hurry."
Note: With 40 contests on the list this is a very long post. Bring a thermos of iced tea, a muffins and an orange for your reading today. If you follow the links to the contest sites, you'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink while you read.
To read the post tootle over to August Writing Contests
Erica Verrillo's post lists 40 contests accepting entries in August. There are contests for short stories, novels and nonfiction. None of the contests charge an entry fee. Be sure to read the rules as some have restrictions.
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Cats don't hurry. Ever.Panzer says, "Be sure to read the submission deadlines. Some dates are August 1 or 2, so you'll need to hurry."
Note: With 40 contests on the list this is a very long post. Bring a thermos of iced tea, a muffins and an orange for your reading today. If you follow the links to the contest sites, you'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink while you read.
To read the post tootle over to August Writing Contests
July 26, 2022
Shortlist announced for Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize - The Guardian
When Panzer was sweeping the floor in the Panzermobile he found a folded up post under the carpet. Smoothing it out our fastidious kitty boy discovered it was a post from The Guardian site about Waterstones.
Another debut book prize?
According to Sarah Shaffi's post, Waterstones announced six finalists for their debut fiction prize. The books cover a wide range of genres, locations and times. Waterstones booksellers select the books to be considered for the prize. The post includes a synopsis of each book's plot and has author quotes.
Panzer says, "They look like interesting books."
Note: This is a very long post. Bring a big glass of iced tea, a sugar cookie (biscuit) and a brownie for this reading selection.
To read the post tootle over to Waterstones Debut Fiction
Another debut book prize?According to Sarah Shaffi's post, Waterstones announced six finalists for their debut fiction prize. The books cover a wide range of genres, locations and times. Waterstones booksellers select the books to be considered for the prize. The post includes a synopsis of each book's plot and has author quotes.
Panzer says, "They look like interesting books."
Note: This is a very long post. Bring a big glass of iced tea, a sugar cookie (biscuit) and a brownie for this reading selection.
To read the post tootle over to Waterstones Debut Fiction
Crime in the Spotlight - Bloody Scotland
Today, Panzer made a quick stop at the Bloody Scotland site. There he found an interesting post.
Market your book?
The crime writing conference Bloody Scotland will be held September 15-18 in Stirling Scotland. If you are based in the U.K., Bloody Scotland has openings for authors to read excerpts from their crime fiction at the event. The reading can be in person or via online.
Panzer says, "You'll need to hurry. The application deadline is August 5."
To read the post and the application tootle over to Crime in the Spotlight
Market your book?The crime writing conference Bloody Scotland will be held September 15-18 in Stirling Scotland. If you are based in the U.K., Bloody Scotland has openings for authors to read excerpts from their crime fiction at the event. The reading can be in person or via online.
Panzer says, "You'll need to hurry. The application deadline is August 5."
To read the post and the application tootle over to Crime in the Spotlight
July 25, 2022
A Panzerism
Panzer on kitty treats:
Me-OW, OW, OW.
Today I went to the vet to get my annual vaccinations.
I'd like her better, if she handed out catnip-flavored lollipops to whoever has been a big brave kitty.
From Cat Wisdom for humans
Me-OW, OW, OW.Today I went to the vet to get my annual vaccinations.
I'd like her better, if she handed out catnip-flavored lollipops to whoever has been a big brave kitty.
From Cat Wisdom for humans
July 23, 2022
Opportunities for Writers: August 2022 calls for submissions - The Writer
Now for a little nap.Panzer found an interesting post at The Writer site.
The Writer post contains a list of 10 opportunities for writers to submit to contests/markets in August. The submission deadlines are throughout the month of August with some as early as August 1.
Be sure to read the submission rules. The list only shows one with a submission fee.
To check out the list tootle over to August Submissions List
Google fires software engineer who claimed its AI chatbot is sentient - Reuters (R)
Panzer made a quick trip to the Reuters site today. There he found a post about a Google AI (artificial intelligent) chatbot.
Can it really think?
According to the Reuters (R) post, Google fired Blake Lemoine, one of their software engineers, because he publicly said Google's LaMDA AI chatbot was sentient (a self-aware person). He made his statement based on his interactions with the chatbot. The post includes a portion of an interaction between them which he believes is an example of the chatbot's sentience. The post includes links to information about chatbots and human reactions to them.
Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks that's an interesting conversation they had."
Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a glass of iced tea for your reading. If you plan to follow the links in the post, also bring a muffin.
To read the post tootle over to AI Chatbot
Can it really think?According to the Reuters (R) post, Google fired Blake Lemoine, one of their software engineers, because he publicly said Google's LaMDA AI chatbot was sentient (a self-aware person). He made his statement based on his interactions with the chatbot. The post includes a portion of an interaction between them which he believes is an example of the chatbot's sentience. The post includes links to information about chatbots and human reactions to them.
Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks that's an interesting conversation they had."
Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a glass of iced tea for your reading. If you plan to follow the links in the post, also bring a muffin.
To read the post tootle over to AI Chatbot
