The Yap Talks Finishing

Happy Late Hump Day! This is coming out late (or early, depending on how you look at it) because I'm a bit sluggish today. Why so? Because Alien in the House is finally finished (and there was MUCH rejoicing) and turned in to the awesome editor and my brain is just...um...mush.

BUT there are things going on and you all must be informed of them. Really! You must! So, let's get to them, shall we?

First off, head over to All Things Books where the yap is large and in charge and sharing secrets about Alien in the House and how I celebrate release days.

Speaking of release days, check out the list of Top 20 Most Anticipated Speculative Novels Released in December 2012 from The Ranting Dragon. And, while you're there, check out a bigger version of the awesome covers montage they did of the first four on their list!

Speaking again of release days, a reminder that I'll be in San Diego and Scottsdale signing Alien vs. Alien (and anything else you might want). So, come see the me live and in person!

Saturday, Dec. 1 -- Eat! Read! Party! Holiday Event, Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, CA, 3:00-5:30pm

Tuesday, Dec. 4 -- Alien vs. Alien Release Party, The Poisoned Pen live and in person and simulcast live webcast via LiveStream as well, Scottsdale, AZ, 7:00-8:30pm

Friday, Dec. 14 -- Signing Alien vs. Alien, Barnes & Noble Desert Ridge, Scottsdale, AZ, 7:00-8:30pm

Mysterious Galaxy and the Poisoned Pen both are happy to take orders for books to be signed at their events and then shipped out. And yes, those can be personalized. Both bookstores also carry The Night Beat, should you want to get your hands on a signed copy of that while getting your hands on a signed copy of Alien vs. Alien, or any other bookie wookie.

Last but not least, a third speaking of releases reminder that I have new titles out -- A Cup of Joe, a new utopian/dystopian SFR novella by Anita Ensal, and Amazing & Waiting: Two Novelettes, one dark fantasy, one dark science fiction, both by Jemma Chase. And yes, both of those are moi.

That's it for today. Enjoy the downward slide to the weekend and enjoy said weekend to the fullest (especially if you're with me in San Diego this weekend!). There's lots more on the way next week, though, like *cough* you might have heard, *cough* the release of Alien vs. Alien. So, catch you on the flip side, my li'l gangstas, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Thanksgiving Time

Happy (very late) Hump Day. But let's just call it Happy Early Thanksgiving! No? Well, blame the late on my email client which really didn't want to work today. But I couldn't let the opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving (or a Happy Rest of the Week and Weekend if you don't indulge) pass.

And, because I probably won't be checking in again before next week (and not because of Black Friday shopping -- but because Alien in the House is still not done), let's get caught up on what's going on before we all feast and shop, shall we?

First off, I have exciting news to share, that many of you may already know. Alien Proliferation has made it into the final round of the Goodreads Choice Awards! It's still up against really strong competition, so every vote is needed -- and appreciated!

After voting, head over to see what Pearls Cast Before a McPig thought of The Night Beat. Then catch the yap on the run over at The Nameless Zine and learn yet more secrets about moi. Last but in no way least, see what Larissa's Bookish Life thinks are the top 5 book series with the best covers.

And, for those who need new reads before they get their hands on Alien vs. Alien (coming December 4th, and it's still not too late to pre-order!), I have two new releases for you, just in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. A Cup of Joe, a dystopian/utopian SF Romance novella by Anita Ensal, and Amazing & Waiting: Two Novelettes, one dark SF, one dark Fantasy, by Jemma Chase. Both are available in all eformats from Amazon, Smashwords, and B&N.com.

In Person Reminders: I'll be hitting a few key, awesome bookstores in the first half of December and would love to see as many of you there as can make it:

Saturday, Dec. 1 -- Eat! Read! Party! Holiday Event, Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, CA, 3:00-5:30pm

Tuesday, Dec. 4 -- Alien vs. Alien Release Party, The Poisoned Pen live and in person and simulcast live webcast via LiveStream as well, Scottsdale, AZ, 7:00-8:30pm

Friday, Dec. 14 -- Signing Alien vs. Alien, Barnes & Noble Desert Ridge, Scottsdale, AZ, 7:00-8:30pm

Mysterious Galaxy and the Poisoned Pen both are happy to take orders for books to be signed at their events and then shipped out. And yes, those can be personalized. Both bookstores also carry The Night Beat, should you want to get your hands on a signed copy of that while getting your hands on a signed copy of Alien vs. Alien, or any other bookie wookie.

Well, that's it for today. For those who celebrate, have yourselves a wonderful day of feasting and fun. For those who don't, have yourselves a wonderful day of fun and eating properly. For those shopping 'til you're dropping, remember to buy books. And let's all be readers out there!

As for what I'm thankful for -- a wonderful husband, a fantastic daughter, great friends, and a career I adore. But most of all, I'm thankful for all of you. So take care of your bad selves and peace out, my li'l gangstas -- I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Carolyn Crane Spotlight Winner

The Gods of Random have made their choice for who shall receive an ebook copy of Mr. Real by the awesome Carolyn Crane.

So, without further ado, let's announce the lucky winner!

evening-green come on down!

Winner will have one week (until Nov. 26) to confirm and acknowledge the winning. (Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com and please include what format -- Kindle, Nook, PDF, etc. -- you wish to receive the book in.) If we don't hear, the Gods of Random will snatch back the prize and demand another sacrifice.

Congrats again to our winner and better luck next time to the other entrants!

Love,
Gini

Teaser Humping

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone's weeks are going well, especially now that the weekend's in sight. And Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Whoo hoo! Cooking for 3 days...eating for fifteen minutes!

December 4th is right around the corner, too, and with it, the release of Alien vs. Alien! For those keeping score at home, pre-orders still matter. And for those who'd like a taste of what's to come, head over to Deathless Prose and check out the opener and first chapter.

Speaking of Alien vs. Alien and release days and such, a reminder that I'll be hitting a few key, awesome bookstores in the first half of December and would love to see as many of you there as can make it:

Saturday, Dec. 1 -- Eat! Read! Party! Holiday Event, Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, CA, 3:00-5:30pm
Tuesday, Dec. 4 -- Alien vs. Alien Release Party, The Poisoned Pen in person and live webcast via LiveStream as well, Scottsdale, AZ, 7:00-8:30pm
Friday, Dec. 14 -- Signing Alien vs. Alien, Barnes & Noble Desert Ridge, Scottsdale, AZ, 7:00-8:30pm

Mysterious Galaxy and the Poisoned Pen both are happy to take orders for books to be signed at their events and then shipped out. And yes, those can be personalized. Both bookstores also carry The Night Beat, should you want to get your hands on a signed copy of that while getting your hands on a signed copy of Alien vs. Alien, or any other bookie wookie.

The contest to win an ebook copy of Mr. Real, awesome author Carolyn Crane's latest release, is still going on, so scroll down or click this link and check it out. You have until end of the day on Friday, Nov. 16th to enter to win, so don't miss out!

The semi-final round of the Goodreads Choice Awards is on now. Alien Proliferation is fighting to remain in contention and make it into the final round, but that can't happen without your votes, so please head over to Goodreads and cast your votes for your favorite books today! Voting for the semi-final round closes this Saturday, Nov. 17th.

Speaking of nominations, Alien Diplomacy was nominated in the RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Awards  for Best Urban Fantasy Protagonist! Yes, very exciting "awards season" over here.

Well, must get back to the writing of Alien in the House, so that's it for today. But never fear, more's on the way. So enjoy the downward slide toward the weekend, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Spotlight: Carolyn Crane

As promised, we have a treat for you today -- that's right, we're bringing Spotlight, and sexy, back! Awesome author Carolyn Crane is here today to talk about her newest release, Mr. Real, Code of Shadows #1, AND do a giveaway! I know, it's too happy to be true!

For those who may not know, Carolyn Crane is the author of the Disillusionists trilogy and assorted novellas. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two cats, and works a day job as a freelance writer. During rare moments when she’s not at her computer, she can be found reading in bed, running, or helping animals. She's also hella fun. So, welcome, Carolyn, and thanks for taking the Spotlight!

CC: Hey, thanks so, so much for having me here!! 

GK: What prompted you to become a writer? Was it voices in your head, a burning desire to tell a story, or just too creative for your own bad self? 

CC: You know, I just love working on stories, and kind of wrestling and tussling with them. Sometimes I hate it, or I’m not in the mood, but when I don’t do it, I feel all sludgy and barely human. So I keep on. 

GK: What was the first book or piece that you wrote and why? Is it published, being shopped, on the shelf waiting for you to get back to it, or in a heap of ashes at the bottom of the fireplace? 

CC: My first book, a full novel written entirely in seven super gossipy letters from seven officemates to be placed in a time capsule, will never see the light of day. I know that must be so shocking. Please, take a moment to recover!! 

GK: No way. I can't believe it. At all. That never happens to any of us, ever. ;-D 

CC: The second or third books I wrote will also never see the light of day. They live in my computer in a dark, dark hole!! 

GK: So, so far, you're a normal writer. Well, as normal as we get. Give us a funny story about writing your latest release. It’s okay if your funny story involves a nervous breakdown as the deadline loomed, btw. I like to relate to my guests. 

CC: OMG, doing a full book on my own was completely harrowing. I had ten nervous breakdowns, seriously. The learning curve was so intense. I made so many mistakes. I had three different covers made! I think my husband nearly had me committed by the third one. Okay, funny, funny. Here’s one thing: I got to use this punctuation?!  I so always wanted to. Would that ever be allowed in a NY pubbed book? No. But I find it a very meaningful form of punctuation. 

GK: It's the little things you treasure. What’s your most and least favorite things about being an author? 

CC: I really love when a story is coming together, sort of hitting its stride and it feels suddenly like its own awesome and fiery little universe of characters. Usually on a later draft. My least favorite thing is how organized and detail oriented you have to be about the business and promo side of it. I was that kid with mismatched socks and dirt in her desk, staring out the window. I so suck at details. 

GK: Aww, you weren't alone, trust me. What’s one fact about you that someone who didn’t know you well or hasn’t read this blog wouldn’t know? Make it juicy -- my readers expect. 

CC: I am frequently wracked by guilt. I think everybody has their go-to bad emotion, and I’m totally in the guilt camp. I can be wracked by guilt for days for wronging a person. It really affects me poorly when people are mad at me over the Internet. I can easily let myself get haunted by things I’ve done. When the Disillusionist trilogy was coming out, I was petrified that there would be this whole subset of people who’d lost loved ones to aneurysms, or like, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and think I was making fun of them with my fake diseases, and making light of disease. This had occurred to me only after I wrote it, and it sort of haunted me. Okay, now I probably sound crazy! Stop this interview! Gini! You stop laughing! Put away the popcorn!!   

GK: Not to worry. My go-to emotion IS worry, so you don't have to. Believe me, I can relate to taking an emotion to ridiculous heights for no good reason at all, and welcome to the Writer Girls Neuroses Club! We have cookies! And booze. So, while you're getting a drink and a box of Thin Mints, can we get a description of and a short excerpt from Mr. Real? 

CC: Sure!

From the back cover:

The woman of his dreams…with the secret agent of his nightmares

Alix Gordon is a woman who doesn’t take life too seriously. What’s the fun in that? So when she stumbles across occult software that can bring any computer image to life, she conjures up lots of awesome outfits and accessories. And then, on one drunken, horny night, she conjures up Sir Kendall, the sexy TV ad spy . . . who looks exactly like Paul Reinhardt, the hot martial arts teacher who kicked her out of class a few years ago.

Fighter Paul Reinhardt has good reason to hate Sir Kendall, the character he brought to life to land a part in a TV ad; he’d do anything to forget him. A cross country road trip seems just the thing . . . until Paul finds himself inexplicably drawn to Minnesota and is shocked to discover Sir Kendall – in the flesh – with the girl he’d once loved from afar. He barges into Alix and Sir Kendall’s love nest, determined to stop the madness – somehow.

But is super spy Sir Kendall transforming into something more dangerous anyone can imagine? And what will Sir Kendall do when Paul and Alix finally give into their mad lust for each other?

Excerpt from Mr. Real

Sir Kendall was so much more than a TV spy, so much more than the Denali man. He was the ultimate dark stranger in a tuxedo, a magnificent male animal whose blue eyes twinkled with secrets as he lingered in dark doorways, always just back from some exotic place. Sir Kendall exuded a predatory charm; his sense of entitlement was arrogant, and slightly humorous—you would give him exactly what he wanted, and you would give it breathlessly. And you knew that giving Sir Kendall exactly what he wanted would be an unforgettable experience.
 

And that’s when it hit her: A sexy visit from Sir Kendall…it was totally within her reach now!

GK: I've had the pleasure of reading Mr. Real, and I can tell you, it's totally fun and totally sexy. And one of you gets to totally win a copy! Check it out below. Carolyn, thanks so much for being here and relaunching Spotlight! Anything you want to say to the readers? 

CC: Hey, thanks so much for stopping by! And Gini, thanks for having me. Leave it to another writer to ask the crazy questions. 

GK: Hmmm...I may have to TAKE OFFENSE at that. (Heh. She's gonna be sending me chocolate for DAYS now. ;-D) So, while I haze the newest member of the Writer Girls Neuroses Club, let's find out what all y'all need to do to win.

Carolyn is giving away one (1) ebook copy of Mr. Real, to one (1) commenter chosen by the Gods of Random. Yes, this is open internationally. You have until Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, to comment in order to be entered to win. Winner will be announced the week of Nov. 19th; winner will have a week to reply before the Gods of Random demand a new sacrifice and that a new winner be chosen.

In order to actually GET the prize, you must: 1) Leave a name by which we may call you and to which you will answer; 2) Provide a working email address that we can send the prize to; and 3) Answer this question -- If YOU had the power, what character would you choose to make come to life? 

Votes for Proliferating Aliens!

Happy Tuesday! It's election day in the U.S. (And the rest of the world yawns, we know.) And you know what that means, Americans? Tomorrow the mass mailings, email demanding and begging, and constant recorded telephone calls encouraging us to give money, money, money will STOP! And there will be much rejoicing.

But we remain an election-results-free zone here at the Alien Collective! And while I feel that everyone with the right and the ability should vote, regardless of who or how they're voting, the only specific voting I'm asking you to do is to head over to cast your votes at the Goodreads Choice Awards where Alien Proliferation is up in the science fiction category against some real heavy hitters.

Today's also the last day to get entered to win an ARC of Alien vs. Alien over at ALPHA Reader. Don't miss out on your chance to read the bookie wookie before everyone else, get entered right now!

Speaking of winning, if you read German, head over to Lazy Literature and get entered to win a signed copy of Alien Tango (in German or English, winner's choice). And, while you're there, see what Lazy Literature thought of Alien Tango, also in German. We like to broaden horizons here!

Speaking of reviews, we have more of those, too. Check out what Fantasy Book Review thought of Touched by an Alien. Then hope over to see what boeklogboek thought of Three Card Monte. And last but in no way least, see what Lecture toute un Adventure and Larissa's Bookish Life thought of The Night Beat.

This weekend, don't miss out on a great opportunity to see the me as well as twelve other awesome, multi-published authors at the 7th Annual FREE Fall Writer's Workshop. Free really does mean free here, and you'll get a chance to learn and have fun all day.

For those in the Southwest with a heavy emphasis on Arizona (where so many of the coolest authors live), check out the Author Appearances listing over at The AZSF Blog. It's also got the details on my upcoming local signings.

Now, I must get back to Alien in the House and ignoring election "results". But not to worry -- we have something really cool coming for you later this week, and you won't want to miss it. (And hopefully it won't be my nervous breakdown from not having Alien in the House done yet.) So, until then, peace out my li'l gangstas, and let's be voting readers out there!

Love,
Gini