Fiona L. Woods's Blog, page 191
May 17, 2022
Black Orchid Novella Award Competition
Panzer was checking his calendar today and our illustrious kitty discovered the Black Orchid Novella Award Competition ends on May 31.
Come on! Hurry!
The competition is run by The Wolfe Pack and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Submissions are limited to mystery novellas. This is an international competition. Entries must be submitted by snail mail.
Panzer says, "Read all the rules carefully. And hurry!"
To read the post tootle over to Black Orchid Award
Come on! Hurry!The competition is run by The Wolfe Pack and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Submissions are limited to mystery novellas. This is an international competition. Entries must be submitted by snail mail.
Panzer says, "Read all the rules carefully. And hurry!"
To read the post tootle over to Black Orchid Award
May 16, 2022
German Nonfiction Prize to Offer NFTs With Creatokia Marketplace - Publishing Perspectives
Today, when Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile. he found a wadded up post in the glove box. Flattening it out, our fastidious kitty boy discovered it was a post from the Publishing Perspectives site about the German Nonfiction Prize.
According to Porter Anderson's post, the German publishers and booksellers association, Borsenverein des Deutschen Duchhandels, has announced it's getting into NFTs. The association will make five German nonfiction books available as NFT's. The books are listed in the post. The NFTs can be purchased using either tokens or euros. The post includes links to other information.
I'm not buying tokens. It's nap time.
Panzer says, "Don't know what a token is? Mom went down the Alice in Wonderland Rabbit Hole to find out for you. Click the Tokens link below to read all about tokens and blockchains and stablecoins and cryptocurrency and a crypto crash that just happened."
Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you'll need to decide what to bring to drink and eat. If you plan to follow the link below to learn about cryptocurrency, tie a rope around your wrist so you can find you way back out of the Rabbit Hole.
To read the post about buying the NFTs of the books tootle over to German Nonfiction PrizeTo read the post about cryptocurrency tootle over to tokens
According to Porter Anderson's post, the German publishers and booksellers association, Borsenverein des Deutschen Duchhandels, has announced it's getting into NFTs. The association will make five German nonfiction books available as NFT's. The books are listed in the post. The NFTs can be purchased using either tokens or euros. The post includes links to other information.
I'm not buying tokens. It's nap time.Panzer says, "Don't know what a token is? Mom went down the Alice in Wonderland Rabbit Hole to find out for you. Click the Tokens link below to read all about tokens and blockchains and stablecoins and cryptocurrency and a crypto crash that just happened."
Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you'll need to decide what to bring to drink and eat. If you plan to follow the link below to learn about cryptocurrency, tie a rope around your wrist so you can find you way back out of the Rabbit Hole.
To read the post about buying the NFTs of the books tootle over to German Nonfiction PrizeTo read the post about cryptocurrency tootle over to tokens
A Panzerism
Panzer on giving to charity for the greater good:
Mom told me she and What's His Name are going to a charity auction tonight. She said all the money raised will go to take care of retired greyhounds.
She said it's a good cause ...
And ...
That humans always support good causes.
So ...
After thinking about it a while ...
I want to start a charity for retired cats.
I'll be waiting by the mailbox. *
You humans won't even have to leave home.
Just mail me your check, cash or catnip.
On second thought ...
Just send the catnip.
* From Cat Wisdom for humans
Mom told me she and What's His Name are going to a charity auction tonight. She said all the money raised will go to take care of retired greyhounds.
She said it's a good cause ...
And ...
That humans always support good causes.
So ...
After thinking about it a while ...
I want to start a charity for retired cats.
I'll be waiting by the mailbox. *You humans won't even have to leave home.
Just mail me your check, cash or catnip.
On second thought ...
Just send the catnip.
* From Cat Wisdom for humans
May 13, 2022
First Image of Black Hole at the Center of the Milky Way - Various
Yesterday Panzer sent you to information about the SFWA Conference. Today he's sending you to information about the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Yesterday was fiction. Today is reality.
According to various posts, the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration has announced the first image of the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Included in the posts is information about how black holes work and how the image was captured. An image of the black hole was released on Twitter earlier this week. Both the CNet post and the Associated Press (AP) post listed below include the image.
There is so much out there to see.
Panzer says, "It's fantastic."
Note:These are long posts. Bring your lunch to read them both. If you plan to follow the links in the posts, you'll need your dinner too.
To read the CNet post tootle over to Milky Way's Black HoleTo read the AP post tootle over to Milky Way Image
According to various posts, the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration has announced the first image of the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Included in the posts is information about how black holes work and how the image was captured. An image of the black hole was released on Twitter earlier this week. Both the CNet post and the Associated Press (AP) post listed below include the image.
There is so much out there to see.Panzer says, "It's fantastic."
Note:These are long posts. Bring your lunch to read them both. If you plan to follow the links in the posts, you'll need your dinner too.
To read the CNet post tootle over to Milky Way's Black HoleTo read the AP post tootle over to Milky Way Image
May 12, 2022
Connie Willis and Neil Gaiman to Host the 57th Nebula Awards! - SFWA
Today Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America's (SFWA) site. There our sci-fi and fantasy loving kitty boy found information about the SFWA Conference and the Nebula Awards.
According to the post at the SFWA Nebula Awards page, authors Connie Willis and Neil Gaiman will be co-hosting the Nebula Awards at the conference. The page includes a link to the Nebula finalists. The Nebula presentations will be on May 21. It will be online and free to attend.
The SFWA Conference will be May 20 - 22 and also online. The charge for the conference will be $150.
It's not easy to use.
For information about the conference and the events planned: On the banner at the top of the Nebula page Click The 2022 SFWA Nebula Conference; Click the About button; then at the bottom of the About page Click the Visit 2022 SFWA Conference Online Site.
Panzer says, "This little kitty could only find the Facebook attendance for the Nebulas presentation."
Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading. If you plan to follow the link to see the list of finalists, you'll need to decide what else to bring to eat and drink. If you plan to follow all the links and read about the conference, you might want to consider bringing your lunch.
To read the post tootle over to Nebula AwardsTo go to the SFWA Facebook page tootle over to SFWA
According to the post at the SFWA Nebula Awards page, authors Connie Willis and Neil Gaiman will be co-hosting the Nebula Awards at the conference. The page includes a link to the Nebula finalists. The Nebula presentations will be on May 21. It will be online and free to attend.
The SFWA Conference will be May 20 - 22 and also online. The charge for the conference will be $150.
It's not easy to use.For information about the conference and the events planned: On the banner at the top of the Nebula page Click The 2022 SFWA Nebula Conference; Click the About button; then at the bottom of the About page Click the Visit 2022 SFWA Conference Online Site.
Panzer says, "This little kitty could only find the Facebook attendance for the Nebulas presentation."
Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading. If you plan to follow the link to see the list of finalists, you'll need to decide what else to bring to eat and drink. If you plan to follow all the links and read about the conference, you might want to consider bringing your lunch.
To read the post tootle over to Nebula AwardsTo go to the SFWA Facebook page tootle over to SFWA
May 11, 2022
Auto Narrated Audio Books - Google Play Books
As Panzer was napping he rudely shaken from his kitty bed by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Not particularly happy with the situation, he got into the Panzermobile and followed all the hullabaloo to the Google Play Books site.
Now ... I'll try again.
There he discovered Google has a new service to turn you book into an AI narrated audio book. All the instructions are available at the site. In the description it does say the service works for nonfiction books. After you list the book for sale on Google Play Books you can download the file and sell it at other sites that "accept AI narrated audio books."
Panzer says, "It does look interesting, but always read all the terms and FAQs."
Note: Since you'll be busy reading, watching and doing, don't bring anything to eat or drink today.
To read about Google Play AI audio books tootle over to Auto Narrated Audio Books
Now ... I'll try again.There he discovered Google has a new service to turn you book into an AI narrated audio book. All the instructions are available at the site. In the description it does say the service works for nonfiction books. After you list the book for sale on Google Play Books you can download the file and sell it at other sites that "accept AI narrated audio books."
Panzer says, "It does look interesting, but always read all the terms and FAQs."
Note: Since you'll be busy reading, watching and doing, don't bring anything to eat or drink today.
To read about Google Play AI audio books tootle over to Auto Narrated Audio Books
4 New Agents Seeking Nonfiction, Literary Fiction, Middle Grade, YA, Mystery, Romance and more - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity
Before his morning nap Panzer made a quick trip into the Catosphere to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he uncovered a post about new agents.
Now ... About that nap.
According to Erica Verrillo's post, she found four new agents who are looking for authors in a variety of genres to represent. The title above lists the genres. The post begins with a short introduction followed by a longer description of the interests of each agent.
Panzer says, "Don't wait to query them. New agents need authors to represent now."
Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading exploration.
To read the post tootle over to New Agents
Now ... About that nap.According to Erica Verrillo's post, she found four new agents who are looking for authors in a variety of genres to represent. The title above lists the genres. The post begins with a short introduction followed by a longer description of the interests of each agent.
Panzer says, "Don't wait to query them. New agents need authors to represent now."
Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading exploration.
To read the post tootle over to New Agents
May 10, 2022
Amazon stops selling digital goods in its Android app to escape Google's Play Store tax - Android Police
Panzer was taking a nap when he was shaken from his kitty bed by crying and the gnashing of teeth coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, our brave kitty boy followed all the noise to the Android Police site. There he found a post about Amazon and the Google Play Store.
Let's see what happens.
According to Ryne Hager's post, Amazon is no longer selling digital works in the Android app. Beginning in June Google will be charging the seller for digital sales through the Play Store. With this development Amazon decided to no longer sell digital items through the Play Store. Consequently, Amazon customers can no longer purchase digital items through Amazon's app and instead are told to buy direct from Amazon. The post includes samples of what Amazon customers see when they try to purchase using the app.
Panzer says, "It will be interesting to see if customers do leave Google and go to Amazon to buy direct."
Note: This is a very long post. Bring a cup of tea, a muffin and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading.
To read the post tootle over to Google Play Store
Let's see what happens.According to Ryne Hager's post, Amazon is no longer selling digital works in the Android app. Beginning in June Google will be charging the seller for digital sales through the Play Store. With this development Amazon decided to no longer sell digital items through the Play Store. Consequently, Amazon customers can no longer purchase digital items through Amazon's app and instead are told to buy direct from Amazon. The post includes samples of what Amazon customers see when they try to purchase using the app.
Panzer says, "It will be interesting to see if customers do leave Google and go to Amazon to buy direct."
Note: This is a very long post. Bring a cup of tea, a muffin and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading.
To read the post tootle over to Google Play Store
Supply Squeeze, Changing Consumer Behavior Challenges Publishers - Publishers Weekly
Today, as Panzer was tootling around in the Catophere he decided to make a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. There our intrepid traveler found a post about problems publishers are having.
Supply chain problems are still here.
The post by Ed Nawotka covers information from a webinar on May 4 by the Ingram Content Group. The webinar discussed the fact several issues are causing problems for publishers right now. These include supply chain problems, cost increases, and port delivery problems. Other contributing factors are labor shortages and paper shortages. Customer buying habits are also changing. Customers are buying and reading more ebooks and audio books.
Panzer says, "They're also looking at print on demand."
Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection.
To read the post tootle over to Supply Chain
Supply chain problems are still here.The post by Ed Nawotka covers information from a webinar on May 4 by the Ingram Content Group. The webinar discussed the fact several issues are causing problems for publishers right now. These include supply chain problems, cost increases, and port delivery problems. Other contributing factors are labor shortages and paper shortages. Customer buying habits are also changing. Customers are buying and reading more ebooks and audio books.
Panzer says, "They're also looking at print on demand."
Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection.
To read the post tootle over to Supply Chain
May 9, 2022
Cartoon of the Day: Cats - Mystery Fanfare
Cats know what's valuable and what's not.When he was cleaning under the pilot's seat in the Panzermobile today, Panzer found this cartoon from the Mystery Fanfare site.
Enjoy!
To read the cartoon tootle over to Mystery Fanfare
