Fiona L. Woods's Blog, page 394

Business Musings: Sure, I Trust You

No! No! No! No agent!Panzer decided to make a stop at Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog today. My big bad kitty Panzermobile pilot spent so much time there reading the latest post he almost didn't make it home in time for dinner. And you all know that must have been a pretty important post for him to be late for kitty food!

Ms. Rusch's post is about agents and publishers. There are some real horror stories included. (Both her own and other authors' stories.) There are stories of under payment of royalties. Of not being able to "fire" an agent. And of having to sign non-disclosure agreements after settlements. My poor little kitty was so upset when he got home he hid under the bed for at least 5 minutes before he came out to eat.

Panzer says, "This is really scary stuff!"

Note: You'll need at least 3 cups of tea for this v-e-r-y, v-e-r-y, v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post.

To read the post, tootle over to Business Musings: Sure, I Trust You

Kobo Acquires BlinkBox Books

B-B-B-B ...Panzer has some hot off the presses news from the Catosphere for you. Our favorite kitty reporter found a post about BlinkBox by Michael Kozlowski at the GoodEReader site.

According to Mr. Kozlowski, Kobo has acquired BlinkBox Books Business from Tesco. BlinkBox customers will be notified how to transfer their libraries to Kobo and then the BlinkBox app will be closed out.

Panzer says, "Try to say BlinkBox Books Business fast!"

To read the post, tootle over to Blinkbox Books Business

Self Publishing Predictions for 2015

What did I get into?Panzer has been searching high and low in the Catosphere today to see into the future. Our kitty fortuneteller wants to know what 2015 holds for indie writers and publishers. So, he did the happy kitty dance when he found a post at the Booklife site by Betty Kelly Sargent on just that subject.

Ms. Sargent interviewed some of the big names in the indie world. Names like Hugh Howey, Joel Friedlander, Thad Mcllroy, and Russell Blake. There are quotes from articles on the subject, too.

What are the big names saying? Hugh Howey says not much will happen this year. Joel Friedlander says indie publishing will grow. Thad Mcllroy talks about mobile computing. Russell Blake addresses subscription services.

Panzer says, "It's all so confusing. I wish I hadn't asked!"

To read the post, tootle over to  self publishing

A New Panzerism

Even Mom's right once in a while.
Panzer on human correctness:

Good news, Mom.

You were absolutely right!

You really can't put toothpaste back into the tube.

No matter how much you squeeze out, it just can't be pushed back in.

Game of Thrones: Season 5

Don't get between me and my Cat TV!Today's trip in the Catosphere brings news for all Panzer's friends who are Game of Thrones fans like he is.

Our big bad kitty boy found a post at Entertainment Weekly about a Game of Thrones Season 5 Special. According to James Hibberd, in the special we'll learn all about what goes into the filming of the show.  He also tells us the special, titled Game of Thrones: A Day in the Life, will air on February 8.

Panzer says, "Woo Hoo! I'm marking my calendar and you better too!"

Note: There's a short preview below the post. Scroll down to watch it.

To read the post and watch the preview, tootle over to Game of Thrones

Indie Author Annual Earnings Dismal

Mice? Yuk!Panzer came back from the Catosphere crying big kitty tears today. Our brave kitty boy stopped in at The Guardian site and read a devastating post by Alison Flood.

My poor boy was sobbing so hard I could barely understand him. Turns out that according to a survey quoted in the post, most indie writers are only making between $500 and $999 a year. Writing is hard work and worth a lot more than that for a year of sales. It's enough to make a cat go back to his day job as a mouse catcher!

Panzer says, "That's barely enough to keep me in kitty treats for a year!"

To read the whole post, tootle over to authors earnings

2015 Edgar Award Nominations Announced

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere and stopped in at J. Kingston Pierce's The Rap Sheet blog. Our kitty boy reporter has been waiting and waiting and waiting for the release of the names of the 2015 Mystery Writers of America (MWA) nominees for the Edgar Allan Poe (the Edgar) Awards. According to Mr. Pierce, they've finally been announced.
Finally!
The Best Novel Nominees are:

This Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash
Wolf by Mo Hayder
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
The Final Silence by Stuart Neville
Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin
Coptown by Karin Slaughter

The awards will be presented at the MWA Awards Banquet April 29 in New York city.

Panzer says, "Nope. They don't allow indie published materials to be submitted."

Please Note: There are thirteen other categories (some have already been chosen) and that's way too much keying for our little kitty's toes to handle!

To read the full list, tootle over to  the Edgars

Where 15 of Your Favorite Words Came From Infographic

Who knew?Panzer found this fun infographic that tells you where some of your favorite words came from.

Like my big bad kitty boy, did you ever wonder where "Tween" came from?

How about "Yahoo"?


Or "Cyberspace"?

Panzer says, "Scroll down to find out."

Bookmate Adds 200,000 English Language Ebooks

200,000 new ebooks!Panzer was out in the Catosphere today when he found a post at Publishers' Weekly of interest to his friends in Russia and Eastern Europe looking for English language ebooks.

My little sleepy kitty discovered that according to Calvin Reid's post, Russian ebook subscription company Bookmate is adding 200,000 English language ebooks to their service. They signed agreements with two distributors and several publishers. The total number of ebooks available through the company is believed to be 500,000.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... And you won't even need access to Amazon."

To read the post, tootle over to Bookmate

A New Panzerism

I watch everything you do.Panzer on agelessness:

One gray whisker does not mean I'm getting old

and, if you don't agree with me ...

I'll tell everybody what color your hair really is.