Winners: Alien Diplomacy ARC Giveaway

Well, the Gods of Random have spoken and the winners of the coveted Hook Me Up! Exclusive Alien Diplomacy ARC Contest have been chosen.

As is their wont and their quirk, the GoR smiled both on those who commented a lot and those who commented not at all, proving again that the GoR live to be capricious.

So, with appropriate drum rolls and fanfare, we give you the winnahs!

ARC 1 Winner: Dana Alma

ARC 2 Winner: Cody Callahan

ARC 3 Winner: Kelly Mueller

ARC 4 Winner: Shanna Clarke

ARC 5 Winner: TheKraziKat

But that's not all. Because DAW was good to us, we have two more ARCs! Normally I would have chosen these myself, using my "awww" and "snorting Coke through nose" scales. But, um, with over 1,600 blog entries, I tossed this one to the Gods of Random, too. (It was that, or not turn in either Alexander Outland: Space Pirate OR Alien vs. Alien. I'm sure you all, ultimately, understand. Well, the winners will understand. The losers, um, sorry.)

ARC 6 Winner: Jessica Flores

ARC 7 Winner: DuckNMe

NOTE FOR WINNERS: You MUST send me an email with your full name, mailing address, and what name you'd like your ARC personalized to by Friday, February 3, 2012, or the Gods of Random will demand a sacrifice and your ARC will be given to a new winner chosen at random.

Congrats to all the winners. Condolences to all those who didn't win. (Whine to the winners and the GoR, though, I'm just the messenger. I swear!) Thanks to all for making this a great, fun contest. To those who won - enjoy! To those who didn't - there's always next time...and we promise there will always BE a next time!

Love,
Gini

First Time's Free

I know everyone's waiting to find out who won the Alien Diplomacy ARCs, but I gotta tell you -- it takes TIME to log in over 1,600 blog comments. I, personally, am thrilled with the response. The Team Gini member who drew the short straw and got stuck being the one to log all the Blog responses in so the Gods of Random may begin to make their choices, on the other hand, hates many of you with a burning passion. But she'll get over it.

Anyway, to tide you over while waiting to see who won and who's stuck waiting for April, check out the latest Mind Meld over at SF Signal, see what my first was and share what YOUR first was, too! (First fantasy and science fiction, that is. Minds out of the gutters, people! At least for now...)

Then, head over to Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell to see what she thought of "Contingency Plan" by Anita Ensal. Then, see what boeklogboek thought of Touched by an Alien. And last but not least, see what Building an Awesome Life thought of Alien Proliferation.

That's it for today...until the Gods of Random make their choices, of course. So, you may be hearing from me again soon. Until then, peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Whole Lotta Listening Goin' On

Hey there! Hope everyone had a lovely weekend and that this week's going well. I know everyone's prepped for the upcoming weekend, too. But before then, we have lots of fun stuff for you, so let's get to it, shall we?

First up, there's a new humor short up at Random Musings. (I'll wait while half of you recover from your fainting spells at this news.) Check out what I've been listening to far more than is probably good for me with The Repetition That Soothes The Savage Writer-Beast.

Then, check out my FIRST EVER podcast over at SciFiSurplus where I wax rhapsodic on things like my books, what I watch on TV, and more...much, much more. Turn up the volume and don't stop the signal!

Then, let's get caught up on the last of the Best of 2011 posts. Check out what Readaholics Anonymous liked best.

Now check out what My 5 Monkeys got in her mailbox, what Suburban Fantasy and Science Fiction is waiting on, and what Blethering About Books chose for Warp Speed Wednesday. And see what Night Owl Reviews thought of Alien Proliferation.

Last but in no way least, the Alien Diplomacy ARC Contest is going strong. Of course, it's also still for Hook Me Up! subscribers only. Still not on? There's still time -- it doesn't close until this Sunday, January 22nd. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll get instructions for how to enter the most hotly contested contest around.

That's it for now, but as always, there's always more coming. So, have wonderful weekends and let's be readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas!

Love,
Gini

Alien Diplomacy ARC Contest

HOOK ME UP! EXCLUSIVE CONTEST

International Contest

It's time to get your win on and grab an ARC of Alien Diplomacy while the grabbing's good! There are 5 (that's right, FIVE) ARCs up for grabs, which means lots of opportunities to score an early Advanced Reader Copy of Book 5!

So, Hook Me Up! subscribers who have sent in your proper entry emails, riddle me this: What's the most diplomatic you've had to be, and why?

Love,
Gini

LEGALESE
Contest will run from Wednesday, January 11, 2012 through Sunday, January 22, 2012. Winners will be announced week of January 23rd. This is an international contest -- as long as you're on Planet Earth, you can enter and win. You must have a deliverable address, though - no P.O. boxes. Prize may take 2-4 weeks to ship; it may take 6-8 weeks for international.

This is a contest for Hook Me Up! subscribers only -- if you're not on, send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be sent the contest entry rules.

Latest Exciting News to Share

Happy Hump Day! I have some very exciting news to share.

Writing as G.J. Koch, I've just sold Alexander Outland: Space Pirate to Night Shade Books. The book will release in paperback and ebook formats June 5, 2012.

Trouble’s brewing out in space, and Alexander Outland -- the least likely hero in the galaxy -- and his eccentric crew have to save the day, despite the fact they’d prefer to take the money and run.

I can't wait to share this new series, cast of characters, and galaxy with all of you! So, fasten your seatbelts -- it's gonna be a hilarious, rollicking ride!

Love,
Gini

Wrapping Up the Roundup

Happy Monday and Happy New Year! Hope everyone had lovely holidays, took some time off, and had a wonderful first week of 2012. I was busy with galley edits on Alien Diplomacy...and speaking of Alien Diplomacy, we have some exciting news for you. But first, let's get all caught up on what's been going on, shall we?

First up, check out what My 5 Monkeys, Mark of the Stars, and Redlines and Deadlines considered the Best of 2011. Then see what Cybermage finished out the year reading.

Then, hit Goodreads and vote for your most anticipated book of 2012 (I won't complain if you pick Alien Diplomacy, of course). After that, see if your list matches the most anticipated books over at Larissa's Bookish Life.

Head over to The Galaxy Express to get an updated idea of what's coming in SFR in 2012.

Now, let's check out some reviews. See what Short & Sweet Reviews thought of Alien Tango. Then check out what Feeling Fictional and Fresh Fiction thought of Alien Proliferation.

Now, to clarify that Alien Diplomacy tease from earlier. My Advanced Reader Copies arrived, and you know what THAT means...that's right! The Alien Diplomacy ARC Contest is going to start THIS WEEK. This one's going to move fast -- but like all the best contests, it's for Hook Me Up! subscribers ONLY. Not on? Rectify immediately by sending an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line. Then get ready to get your win on!

Love,
Gini

Winning for the New Year

Hope everyone had lovely and wonderful holidays. Can't believe this will be my last blog of 2011, but it will be. But, even though it's the last, it's not the least -- there's lots going on, so let's get to it!

First off, head over to Pearls Cast Before a McPig, where highlights for 2011 are being reviewed, there's a short Q&A with moi (with never before asked questions!), and a chance to win "Alien Tango". Then see what Book Girl of Mur-Y-Castell thought were the best books of 2011, too.

Now, it's reviews time. See what Readaholics Anonymous thought of "Touched by an Alien" and "Alien Tango". Then see what Giraffe Days and Dirty Lab Coat thought of "Alien in the Family". After that, check out reviews from My Para-Hangover, Bob's Beach Books, and Freak Search for "Alien Proliferation".

Phoenix Comicon is looking for volunteers -- if you're local or coming in for the event, check out the options. Volunteering is fun and you get "backstage" much more than regular attendees.

Now, what you've been waiting for -- the Gods of Random have finally spoken. (Hey, the Gods were busy helping me work on my galley edits for "Alien Diplomacy"...so I'm sure you forgive them ;-D)

So, without further ado, here are our lucky winners for the Hook Me Up! only Combo-Con Contest! (Yeah, they all said it three times fast, baby!)

Prize Pack 1 - Hardback Heaven
Becky Boyer

Prize Pack 2 - The Hard Stuff
Erin Fender

Prize Pack 3 - Trade-Ins
Pamela Josephian

Prize Pack 4 - Massive Wonders
Pam Kinsey

Prize Pack 5 - Giant Wall Hangings
Stella Balogh

Prize Pack 6 - Pretty Pictures A
Kelly Mueller

Prize Pack 7 - Pretty Pictures B
Beth Blanchard

Prize Pack 8 - Pretty Pictures C
Matt Crowe

Prize Pack 9 - Hodgepodge
Debbie Forde

Prize Pack 10 - Massive Blood
Cristina Olguin

There was SO much stuff that after divvying it all up, there's just enough for a couple of extra smaller packs. And why keep them for "later" when giving them out now makes so much more sense?

SURPRISE Prize Pack A
Marnie Walski

SURPRISE Prize Pack B
Jesse Ivanoff

The Honorable Mentions were REALLY hard to pick this time. Pretty much everyone made me go "awwww" and at least half made me laugh. And while I wish I could send something to all of you, these two managed to edge out the very tough competition.

Honorable Mention 1 - You Slay Me
bejeweledcat

Honorable Mention 2 - You Complete Me
Kathy Miller

Congrats to all the winners, and for those who didn't win this time, never fear...another contest is always right around the corner.

NOTE FOR WINNERS: You MUST send me an email with your full name (first & last), your COMPLETE physical mailing address, and what name you want anything getting personalized made out to, by Friday, Jan. 6th in order to claim your prize. If I don't get this info from you by the 6th, the Gods of Random will take back the prize and demand a new winner.

Lastly but most importantly, I just want to wish all of you a safe, fun and happy New Year's Eve, and a wonderful, prosperous, joyous 2012. I wish for all of you that this new year brings you every happiness and success, because you all deserve that and more. Peace out, my li'l gangstas...I'll catch you on the big flip side!

Love,
Gini