Fiona L. Woods's Blog, page 208

November 17, 2021

Sweden's Storytel Buys Audiobooks.com - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There with just a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty traveler found one about Sweden's Storytel.
  What will Amazon do?
According to the post by Ed Nawotka, Sweden's Storytel is acquiring Audiobooks.com Storytel's acquisition of Audiobooks.com allows the company access to the U.S., U.K. and Australian audio book markets. Storytel already has audio book markets in 25 countries globally.

Panzer says, "I never heard of audiobooks.com. Of course, that's not surprising because Mom won't let me drive the car."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading.

To red the post tootle over to Storytel and Audiobooks.com
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 17, 2021 21:47

November 16, 2021

No post

 Panzer here.
We lost our electricity in yesterday's big wind storm here.
Panzer says, It's been a long day. It's been a long day.
Today, Mom and What's His Name have been cleaning up the mess from the branches and stuff that fell down from the wind.
We'll be back tomorrow.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 16, 2021 22:20

November 15, 2021

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on kitty emotions:
As a cat ... I don't usually say anything about love.
But ...
 Mom, do you know how much I love you?
It's just a coincidence. Really.
A lot.
And ...
 The fact I just saw you putting kitty treats in the pantry ...
Doesn't have anything to do with it.         

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 15, 2021 15:11

November 12, 2021

Spotify Gets Into the Audiobook Business - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all our intrepid kitty traveler found a post about Spotify and Findaway.
  I have some questions about this.
According to Jim Milliot's post, Spotify is acquiring audio book distributor Findaway. The acquisition is expected to be finished by the end of the year. There's no announcement about the cost of the acquisition.
 Panzer says, "Findaway Voices is part of the acquisition too."
Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for your reading today.
 To read the post tootle over to Spotify and Findaway
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 12, 2021 21:59

November 11, 2021

Veterans Day

 Veterans Day


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 11, 2021 11:37

November 10, 2021

Amazon-backed electric vehicle maker Rivian races to huge stock market debut after iPO - GeekWire

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere just minding his kitty business when suddenly the Panzermobile was shaken by clapping and cheering outside. Following all the noise took our kitty traveler to the GeekWire site. There he discovered a post about Amazon and electric vehicles was causing all the happiness.
  Panzer says, So quiet you can't even hear them. So quiet you can't even hear them.
According to the post by Kurt Schlosser, Amazon has gotten into the electric vehicle market. Amazon has a 20 percent stake in electric vehicle maker Rivian. Rivian went public on the U.S. stock market opening at over $106 per share. Rivian will make electric trucks and enter the fleet market which is where Amazon's delivery vans fit. Amazon has pledged its total business to be net zero by 2040. The electric vehicles will help make this possible.
 Panzer says, "Amazon has put a lot of money into Rivian."
 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 Amazon and Rivian
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 10, 2021 15:11

November 9, 2021

Lawyers Argue that E-book Price-Fixing Case Against Amazon, Big Five Publishers Should Proceed - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer found something floating in his water dish in the Panzermobile.  Pulling it out, he discovered it was a post about the price-fixing case involving Amazon and the Big 5 publishers. Panzer has been telling you about this court case since it started.
  Panzer says, I don't understand any of it. Do you? I don't understand any of it. Do you?
According to the post by Andrew Albanese, lawyers for the plaintiffs suing Amazon and the Big 5 publishers for price-fixing have filed a rebuttal to Amazon's and the Big 5's motion to dismiss the case. The plaintiffs' lawyers' submitted a 56 page filing alleging Amazon's contract wording is the basis for their case. The lawyers say the contract contains the same wording as the price-fixing case they (the lawyers) won against Apple and the publishers a few years ago.
 Panzer says, "The whole case is giving this little kitty a headache."
 Note: This is a long post. Bring a huge cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring a thermos of tea, six muffins, three brownies, three chocolate chip cookies (biscuits), and a blanket for a nap in the middle.
 To read the post tootle over to Ebook Price-fixing CaseTo read Panzer's previous post about the case tootle over to Publishers and Amazon 
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 09, 2021 22:03

November 8, 2021

A New Panzerism

 Panzer on the meaning of life:
Mom said something to me a few minutes ago and I wanted to give her a snappy cat response.
Nothing.
I could not think of anything to say that was quick and edifying.
Nothing.
I drew a complete blank.
And now I'm examining my complete existence.
If I'm not a smart-mouthed kitty, what am I?
I can't go on like this ...
Nap. Food. Then watch out Mom.
Okay ...
Okay ...
I know what will fix me ...
Nap time.



* From Cat Wisdom for humans  
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 08, 2021 11:36

November 6, 2021

Tasmania's International Crime and Mystery Festival

Today as Panzer was sweeping the floor in the Panzermobile, he found something wedged under the accelerator pedal. Flattening it out, our fastidious kitty discovered it was a post about Tasmania's International Crime and Mystery Festival.
Panzer says, It looks like fun. It looks like fun.
According to the post, the Festival, named CSI:Tasmania, is scheduled for the weekend of November 27 and 28. The weekend is packed with Author Interviews, Book Parties, Book Clubs, Writing Mini Masterclasses, and Crime and Mystery Authors. Due to Covid-19 restrictions in Tasmania, the event will be held online. There is a fee to attend, but it's based on your location.
Panzer says, "The Early Bird Registration Discount ends soon so, if you plan to attend you need to register now. And ... As ... Always ... Read all the information before you register."
Note: This is a very long post. Bring a big cup of tea and big muffin for today's reading.
To read about the Festival tootle over to Terror Australis Festival
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 06, 2021 21:56

November 5, 2021

Amazon: Profits Down, Costs Up - Various Sources

On his travels in the Catosphere today our busy kitty boy made several stops at various sites to gather news about Amazon's third quarter profits report. He made a stop at the GeekWire site, the Publishers Weekly site and at the About Amazon News site.
  It cut profits nearly in half.
All three sites report Amazon's profits were down in the third quarter because of the increase in the company's costs. These company costs were related to increased labor costs, increased shipping costs and global supply chain problems. The same issues are expected to negatively impact the company's fourth quarter profits as well. All three posts appear to have the same information.
 Panzer says, "That Covid-19 pandemic thingy is still causing problems."
 Note: You'll have to decide what you want to bring to eat and drink based on what you want to read.
 To read the GeekWire post tootle over to AmazonTo read the Publishers Weekly post tootle over to Amazon costs To read the About Amazon post tootle over to Amazon Press Release
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 05, 2021 12:09