The Night Beat Contest

EXCLUSIVE HOOK ME UP! ONLY CONTEST

International Contest

It's time to get your win on and grab a copy of my newest release, The Night Beat, Book 1 of The Necropolis Enforcement Files! There are not 1, not 3, not 5, not 7, but 9 (that's right NINE!) copies up for grabs, which means a lot of winning's about to go on. I know! It's too happy to be true!

So, Hook Me Up! subscribers who have sent in your proper entry emails, riddle me this:  

What's your favorite kind of undead, and why?

Love,
Gini


LEGALESE
Contest will run from Friday, June 29, 2012 through Friday, July 20, 2012. (Why so long? Because San Diego Comic-Con means I'll be out of town and you'll have more time to enter and get extra chances to win!) Winners will be announced week of July 23rd. This is an international contest -- as long as you're on Planet Earth, you can enter and win.

NOTE: International winners will receive an ebook copy. U.S. winners will get their choice of an ebook or trade paperback copy. U.S. winners must have a deliverable address - no P.O. boxes. Prizes may take 2-4 weeks to ship.

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.

The Big Reveal

Happy Friday! Hope everyone had a wonderful week and is looking forward to a great weekend. Today's update is relatively short, fairly sweet, with a big surprise at the end, so let's get to it!

First up, we have a couple places showing off the Alien vs. Alien cover, so see what My Para-Hangover and Gizmo's Book Reviews think of it.

Next, if you haven't gotten Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch (yes, that's moi) yet -- and why not, hmmmm? -- then check out the Walmart.com's Featured Books and you'll see that it's up there AND at a discount, so grab it now!

And now, for the big surprise. I've been teasing this a little bit, in that I've been saying that I have news coming. Well, now's the time and here's the news.

I've got a new series starting, and it officially releases July 2nd, but you can get The Night Beat, Book 1 in my Necropolis Enforcement Files series right now. But, I hear you ask, what's it about? Well, I'll tell you:

The majority of Prosaic City’s residents don’t know that their town exists on top of another place -- Necropolis, City of the Undead. For the most part, the two planes of existence manage to remain separate. And when they don’t, Necropolis Enforcement has beings in place to ensure the general human population remains blithely clueless.

Victoria Wolfe is more than just a policewoman. She’s an undercover werewolf assigned by Necropolis Enforcement to work Prosaic City Police’s Night Beat. Victoria’s comfortable working the shift where all the weird comes out to play, especially since her partner is also her perfect man. Or would be, if Victoria could ever work up the nerve to tell him she isn’t like other girls.

It’s hard enough being a werewolf in disguise, but when a creature from the Depths of Hell shows up in an alley preferred by junkies, bums, and hookers, it’s going to take more than just Victoria’s special gun and werewolf skills to subdue the ancient Sumerian demon. Especially when the demon is merely the start of what appears to be a major takeover attempt by the Prince of Darkness.

Soon all of Necropolis Enforcement’s Undead Brigade is involved in the fight to stop the Prince’s Major Minions from taking over Prosaic City and the rest of the human plane. But it’s Victoria who has to face the Adversary and figure out what intricate plan Lucifer has up his wings before everyone she cares about is destroyed.

In other words, it’s just another day on the Night Beat.

You can get The Night Beat in trade paperback at Amazon, and in ebook formats from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Smashwords.

You can also get it from Mysterious Galaxy at San Diego Comic-Con. Which will be starting in less than 2 weeks (and no, I'm not ready, why do you ask?). My schedule is up at the Datebook, so if you're going to the biggest con in the world, be sure to find me!

Now, I know what you're all thinking. No, I do, I really do. You're thinking, "Are you going to be giving away any copies of The Night Beat, Gini?" (See? I'm good at this.) And the answer is, Yes! Starting somewhere between a little while from now and Monday. And, as with all my major contests, it will be open to my Hook Me Up! subscribers only. Not on? Seriously, you're not? Well, now's the time to rectify! Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be in, and able to get your win on!

Have yourselves wonderful weekends, and I'll catch you on the flip side! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Premiere Yapping

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a fabulous week last week and an even better weekend. I had a wonderful time in San Diego at Mysterious Galaxy, yapping and signing and getting to visit with so many of the Alien Collective as well as The Outland's Groupies. And it was 40 degrees cooler than home, so that was also kind of fun. But I'm back in the heat, and we're back in the thick of things, so let's get to them!

First off head over to The Fictorians where the yap is large and in charge and talking about all the various ways one can be published these days.

Then, guess what we have for you today? Well, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we have the World Premiere of the cover and the blurb for Alien vs. Alien over at the Alien Collective Virtual HQ. Check it out! (It's SO awesome!)

Now, after we've feasted our eyes on the beauty that is a cover by the ever-awesome Daniel Dos Santos, let's check out the reviews. See what A.B. Keuser thought of Alien in the Family. Then find out what A Buckeye Girl Reads thought of the first two installments in The Neighborhood series by Anita Ensal (yes, that's also moi). And last but in no way least, see what Long and Short Reviews thought of The Royal Scam and what they thought of Contingency Plan by Anita Ensal (yes, still moi).

Check out the top books for the second half of 2012 that Larissa's Bookish Life is waiting for. And one of my fellow panelists for San Diego Comic-Con, Doyce Testerman has a good teaser write up for our panel at SDCC, which might win the Longest Panel Name Award for the con: Stunted Fools, Scary-Ass Clowns, Enlightened Orangutans and other Devilish Charmers: Humor in Science Fiction and Fantasy.

That's it for today but never fear -- there's more, much more, on the way. So, enjoy the trip around the interwebs, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Requiem

Well, the era has ended. Dementia Kitty has crossed the Rainbow Bridge to go cavort in the catnip fields and dine on tuna tartar every day.

I know that Supermodel Supreme and the Prince of Purrsia were there, waiting to show her the best spots in the catnip fields, and that Couch Potato, Neuroses the Swift, and The Big Fella barked their greetings to their old friend and will all guard her, sleep with her, and offer to share their dog biscuits with her. Which she'll try, just because, hey, they might taste good.

We got Dementia Kitty as a kitten, back when her name was Destructo Kitty. She was your "typical" tuxedo American shorthair, which is the cat lover's way of saying she was a black and white alley cat that looked like all the other black and white alley cats that everyone seems to have and take LOLcats pictures of. What made her special was that she was ours and we were hers, just as everyone else's pets are special because they belong to those families and their personalities mix in and become a part of what makes your family what it is.

Well, she did have one other thing that set her apart -- her appetite for destruction. Pound for pound, DK was the most destructive animal we've ever had, even surpassing The Big Fella's puppyhood (and that's saying a lot). I've lost count of the number of pillows and waterbed bumpers and bath mats and throw rugs and such destroyed by her in any number of ways (and yes the #1 way is the way every cat lover and owner is thinking of right now), sometimes out of pique, sometimes out of anger, sometimes out of boredom, sometimes just for cat snickers and giggles. But she was always loving, always loyal, and always hungry.

Believe me, if there was one thing that cat loved, and you can be sure that there was, it was her food. And us. Even as she succumbed to the cat version of Alzheimer's, she loved her food and her people. My joke that was said more in truth than in jest was that when this cat was tired of canned food she would be tired of life. She went off the food a couple of days ago, but never off the people, managing a weak purr for all of us in her last night with us.

She was the chicklet's cat and, at the end, she wanted to, and got to, leave our family the way she came into it -- sleeping in bed with the chicklet, while said chicklet told her how much she loved her and how glad she was that DK was her kitty.

The rest of the Killer Kitties, His Highness Lord Ebol and Squirrel, are adjusting, as are the Canine Death Squad. They all said their goodbyes over the past few days, and all shared with us today, one by one, that they were clear that DK's soul had left her body.

For some of our pets (the Prince of Purrsia and Couch Potato in particular), it was a short life but a merry one. For DK, it was a merry long life, well lived out loud. Unlike most of our pets who are or were rescues, DK never knew a day of hunger, a day without shelter, or a day without love. DK was part of our life for over 18 years. She moved with us from California to Phoenix, from our apartment to the Casa, and outlived at least three pets I thought would last with us longer. She was a survivor, a big eater, a lover, and a fighter.

But most of all she was our cat. And, based on how she lived and enjoyed her life, that's all she really ever wanted to be.

While Dad Rests, the Yap Runs

Happy Father's Day! Today we give all the big {HUGS} and *smootchies* to the dads, uncles, granddads, big brothers, and all those filling a dad-like role of the Alien Collective. And, after we do that, we catch you up on the rest of the action going on around the interwebs, because, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, while Dad gets to rest, moi does not.

So, mosey on over to awesome author Lorna Suzuki's All Kinds of Writing and check out the latest running of the yap.

Then see what Sporadic Reviews and Bitten By Books think of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate. And check out what Aleksandra's Corner thought of Touched by an Alien and Alien Tango.

Speaking of Alexsandra's Corner, check out her Necklace Covers post -- some gorgeous cover art in this one!

And, while we don't yet have the cover art, Penguin does have Alien vs. Alien up for pre-order. And we know how important pre-orders are, right? (Vitally important. Just sayin'.) So please do your girl a solid and pre-order Alien vs. Alien. Do it in Dad's honor! He'll appreciate it. Honest.

Last but not least, in honor of Father's Day, see what fictional dad Seeing Night Reviews chose as her favorite.

I'll see some of you at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore on Wednesday, June 20th, at 7pm for the Split Personality Summer Solstice Signing. I'll be on radio silence for the most part, other than some Twitter and Facebook time, until I get back from beautiful San Diego, so until then, treat Dad well and let's be readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas!

Love,
Gini

The Yap Speaks Softly

Hey there! As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we've got a short but action-packed one for you today, so let's get to it so you can get back to the joy of getting ready for the weekend.

Head over to The Writer Librarian for the last let of the Alexander Outland: Space Pirate Blog Tour. There's new yap from me, plus another (and last) chance to win a copy of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch (yes, moi).

Then head over to Gayle's Book Nook and see what she thought of Alien Proliferation.

Last but not least, remember that I'll be at Mysterious Galaxy Books on June 20th for the Split Personality Summer Solstice Signing from 7:00-8:30pm. Looking forward to seeing those of you who can make it there. We'll raise a pen to all of you who can't make it.

That's it for today, but never fear, more's on the way. So, enjoy the rest of the downward slide into what I hope is a fabulous weekend for all, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Monday's Outlandish Activity

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that the start of the new week is treating you well. My weekend was very busy, as Team Gini and I feverishly worked to get something ready. What is that something, you ask? Read on, I reply.

Head over to Bitten By Books where I'm guest blogging about Space and why it's funny as part of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate blog tour. There's a U.S. winner and an international winner possible, so don't miss out -- leave a comment and get entered to win. (And if you RSVP'd, remember to mention that IN said comments to get your extra entries.)

Speaking of Alexander Outland, see what Memoir thought of it.

Speaking of reviews, see what Shiny Book Review thought of Alien in the Family, and then check out the explanation over at Barb Caffrey's Blog for what influenced her review as well.

Check out what Larissa's Bookish Life thinks are the top 5 books of the first half of 2012.

Now, want a little more information on that "something" I mentioned at the beginning? Head over to Adventures in SciFi Publishing where I'm yapping about Phoenix Comicon, the state of the publishing union, and the "something".

UPCOMING IN PERSON REMINDERS:
June 12, Queen Creek Writer's Group, Queen Creek, AZ: SF Worldbuilding, 5-8pm
June 20, Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, San Diego, CA: Split Personality Summer Solstice Signing, 7:00-8:30pm
July 11-15, San Diego Comic-Con, San Diego, CA:
     Saturday, July 14, Guerrilla Marketing, 8pm, Room: 9
     Sunday, July 15, Stunted Fools and Scary-Ass Clowns, 10:00-11:00a.m., Room: 25ABC
     Sunday, July 15, BOOK SIGNING, 11:30am-12:30pm, Room: Under the Sails (final location TBD)

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So enjoy the week and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

New Day, New Yap

Well, as we get closer to the weekend, let's turn our thoughts to all the fun things we'll be doing. Reading, going to movies, reading, hanging out with friends, reading, running errands, reading, and, of course, reading. So, in that light, let's get some pre-weekend reading in and head on to the latest around the interwebs!

First off, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, the yap is large and in charge again, this time over at The Qwillery talking about Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch (yes, that's moi), and other things related to writing and how I do it, and also offering yet another chance to win the bookie wookie, so don't miss out!

Speaking of Alexander Outland, check out the nice things Memoir has to say about it.

And now for something a little bit different, a video review of Alien Diplomacy from Remaking ME!. This one definitely made me giggle, so give it a watch! Before you leave that page, also check out the teaser Remaking ME! has about both the video and other things moi.

That's it for today, but as always, more's coming soon. So, let's be readers out there, and, to honor one of the fallen greats, let's all read something by Ray Bradbury this weekend. Me, I'm choosing Something Wicked This Way Comes, because that book affected me as a kid, and still affects me now, as an adult. Choose your Bradbury, re-read it with love, and treasure it. Peace out, my li'l gangstas.

Love,
Gini

Releasing the Roundup

Happy Release Day!

Yes, today's the big day for Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch. If you didn't get a pre-order, get an early release copy at Phoenix Comicon, or score a free copy somewhere during the first part of the Blog Tour, now's the time to get those ebooks or head to the bookstore to get your copies!

But as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, there's more going on than just the release of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate. Much more, as a matter of fact.

First up, let's check out some reviews. Head over to Ramblings From a Chaotic Mind to see what she thought of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, go to A.B. Keuser to see what she thought of Alien Tango, and then check out My Not So Vacant Shelves to see what they thought of Alien in the Family.

For those of you on Goodreads, Member Buddy Reads is starting Touched by an Alien this month. And for those of you on Library Thing, check out what Roni 'ncats Relishes is reading and has read for 2012.

Speaking of new releases, My Bookish Ways has a good listing of books releasing this month.

Speaking of older releases, Long and Short Reviews is having a contest for the book that sounds the best from their reviews done in March, April and May. The Disciple by Jemma Chase (yes, as with G.J. Koch, that's moi) is trailing a distant third *sniffle* so if you can spare a moment to go over and do your girl a small solid by voting, it'd be most appreciated.

Now it's time for my Phoenix Comicon roundup. The con was, in a word, awesome. I was on 8 panels, and they were all well attended with really interesting and involved folks in the audience. My favorite was probably Evening Erotica, which I did with Jordan Summers, because we played The Euphemism Game and it was so much fun, with a really involved, fun, and funny audience.

The Balancing Humor and Action panel was also fun, but I'll let the gang over at I Smell Sheep tell you all about that one. I also quite liked the audience participation in the Beyond the Fangs panel (and I must give a wild shout out to our Official Gangsta Fairies, Edward and Joseph, whose quick wit and reactions really made that panel for me).

The Space Pirates panel with David Lee Summers was also very fun. And if you haven't checked out David's space pirate books, you really should. I got to panel frequently with Jordan, my BFF Marcy Rockwell, and Kris Neri, hey, 8 panels means you get to hang with your homegirls, which was a lot of fun for us and for those in the audience. I also got to meet and panel with totally fun dude Joe Nassise for the first time.

Marcy and I also participated in a critique session that was really great -- some awesome aspiring authors read from their works and got us basically saying they were, um, pretty darned awesome. LOL It was a real joy to see how good everyone's pieces were, and how professionally they accepted constructive criticism. There will be some great new voices coming up in SF/F in the not-so-distant future.

There were tons of great costumes, too many to list here, but the con has them all and more besides at the website and Facebook page. And it was awesome to see so many of the Alien Collective -- including but not limited to Adrian, Lisa, Raul, Terry, Hal, Dee, Rachel, Shannon, "Hundred Dollar Bill", Heidi, Joanne, Mariann, Colette, "Delicious", Saul, Joel, Casey, and so many more I'm not able to list them all without making this double in size, but love you ALL and so glad you came and stopped by the booth, attended my panels, and hung out! And extra special love to all of you who bought books (oh, so many books!), swag, and Royal Poofs (who are all very pleased with their new homes).

To sum up, I'm going to let the chicklet, via 2DrinkMinimumShow tell you all about it. (Yes, she is a chip off the old block!)

UPCOMING IN PERSON REMINDERS:
June 12, Queen Creek Writer's Group, Queen Creek, AZ: SF Worldbuilding, 5-8pm
June 20, Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, San Diego, CA: Split Personality Summer Solstice Signing, 7:00-8:30pm
July 11-15, San Diego Comic-Con, San Diego, CA:
     Saturday, July 14, Guerrilla Marketing, 8pm, Room: 9
     Sunday, July 15, Stunted Fools and Scary-Ass Clowns, 10:00-11:00a.m., Room: 25ABC
     Sunday, July 15, BOOK SIGNING, 11:30am-12:30pm, Room: Under the Sails (final location TBD)

Whew! That's it for today, but never fear, more's always on the way. So, get those copies of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, and enjoy the reading!

Love,
Gini

Dances with Wolves, Yaps with Vixens

Happy Friday! Well, it's been a busy week and it's looking to be a busy weekend, at least for me. Not as busy as LAST weekend, though, so it'll seem slow by comparison. But before we head off for fun, relaxation, partying, errand-running, or extra sleep (oh, how I'd love to be going for extra sleep this weekend), let's get caught up on all the happenings around the interwebs first.

Head on over to Fiction Vixen where they have both a review of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate AND a new interview with G.J. Koch, also known as moi, along with a giveaway.

Speaking of giveaways, you can still enter to win a copy of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate over at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell through June 3rd. Ramblings From a Chaotic Mind has announced her winner of Alexander Outland, so be sure to check if it's you!

Next, see what My Not So Vacant Shelf thought of Alien Tango. Then check out the latest challenge from SOS: Serious Overload of Series at Goodreads. And after that, see what The Fictorians have planned for the month of June.

Speaking of June, I'll be making two personal appearances, so come by if you're able.
June 12, Queen Creek Writer's Group, presenting SciFi World Building, 5:00-8:00pm
June 20, Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, Split Personality Summer Solstice Signing, 7:00-8:30pm

And now for something a little different, check out the Industry Spotlight over at Geek's Dream Girl featuring my BFF author Marsheila Rockwell.

That's it for today. I'm hoping to share my Phoenix Comicon experiences with you over the weekend, but I reserve the right to mix it up and keep everyone guessing, too. So, until the next time, let's be readers out there, and I'll catch you on the flip side! Peace out, my li'l gangstas!

Love,
Gini