Belated Stuffs and Happy Everythings

Here's all I want for Christmas...

Happy Monday Before Christmas! And happy only Monday of Hanukkah. And Day After Winter Solstice. And whatever it is for every other holiday going on, just over, or coming up. (I like covering the bases, me.)

I know, I know, long time no hear from me. But hey, I was on a super book tour for Universal Alien, seeing wonderful Members of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing all over the place. Plus I'm *cough* still working on getting Alien Separation done and to the Awesome Editor, so, I've been kind of busy.

Speaking of the book tour -- we sold out of Universal Alien at Mysterious Galaxy. However, San Diego Area Peeps, don't despair if you didn't get a signed copy. Because I'll be back in January for the San Diego State University Writer's Conference on January 23-25, where I'll be teaching several workshops.

But I'm also going to be back at Mysterious Galaxy on Thursday, January 22nd, signing Universal Alien along with awesome author Erin Quinn, who will be signing her new release, too. So, double the authors, double the fun! Come see us, and if you saw me already, come see me again, 'cause you know it'll be fun! (And I've heard a rumor there could be chocolate. And wine.)

And speaking of busy, there's lots that's been going on in the 'verse. And before we go to radio silence (yeah, yeah, again LOL), there's just a tonnage of things to catch all y'all up on. So let's get to all the rest of it, shall we? We shall!

First up, some totally cool news over at Tor.com. Barnes and Noble selected Universal Alien as one of their Top 10 Picks for December! And they're not alone. Check out some of the latest awesome reviews of Universal Alien over at Under the Covers, Alternative Worlds II, and Fresh Fiction. Then see what other December DAW releases, including UA, are out there at DAW Books Review.

Then see what Lu's Buchgefluster had to say about Alien in the House and Alien Research. Yes, still in German, but Google Translate remains your friend!


Then see what Alternative Worlds II thought of Alien Collective. And then see what Bookshelf Bombshells thought of Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets.

After all that review reading, head over to the Paranormal Cravings Shifters, Weres, and Supes event and find out some stats about Kitty. Then hit That's What I'm Talking About for their Mistletoe Madness Event, and find out what Kitty's New Year's Resolutions are. There's also a contest that's open internationally, so get entered to win!


I've made the decision that my story in the Temporally Out of Order anthology is going to definitely be an Alien Series short -- and it'll be connected to the events Alien Separation. But if you didn't get in on the Kickstarter, what can you do? Well, you can still act like you got in! You can still get in on the Kickstarter by pre-ordering the three basic reward levels (ebook, paperback, and ebook/paperback duo) at the Zombies Need Brains online store. 
The Kickstarter backers (including those who get it at the online store) will get the anthology early, in addition to helping support the small press and some of the other extras (like a bookmark, etc) that will come with the Kickstarter edition. Such a deal! And, trust me, you want in on it.

Up next we have a really cool thing -- Indie Bookstore Dog-Eared Pages has announced their top 15 indie authors for 2014...and I made the cut! If you're looking for new authors and more reading material, I can heartily recommend everyone on the list, especially Sharon Skinner, Kris Tualla, and Alan Black (but you can't go wrong with any of them).

Feeling the need for an auditory experience? Check out the Two Gay Geeks podcast where they talk about many things, my latest bookie wookie among them.

It's the last couple of days where you can get the Sensational Six boxed set for $0.99. So if you haven't gotten your copy yet, don't wait! Check out an excerpt from my part of the set, The Night Beat, over at fellow boxed set author Sasha White's blog.

And here are the buy links that get you six great stories AND a large (and the only) excerpt of Book 2 in my Necropolis Enforcement Files series, Night Music:
Kobo
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon Canada
Amazon Australia
iTunes
Barnes and Noble

And now for some science! Check out what some folks at NASA are trying to create in Venus' solar space over at io9 -- Cloud City! (I dunno if it'll work. I see their idea and all I can think of is the Hindenburg, but...) Then check out the lengthy, but very interesting, Dark Matter discussion over at Space.com.

Oh my, is that (finally) it for today? I think that it is. Well...almost. I just want to take a moment to once again thank you for being the best fans in the world. I hope for all of you the merriest and most wonderful of holidays, whatever holidays you celebrate. And if you don't celebrate a holiday at this time, celebrate the wonderfulness that is you. May your days be merry and bright, and may 2015 be as wonderful a year as you are and bring you not just what you want but what you need.

So, until next year (barring something major happening :-D), let's be happy, healthy, and hopeful readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the 2015 flip side!

Love,
Gini

On the Road Again

Hey there, everyone! Well, this is the last missive before I go off on Book Tour. I'll be checking in as I can, but not nearly as much as recently. So, you know, don't worry or anything. :-D

Actually, come see the me! On Saturday, Dec. 6th I'll be at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in San Diego, CA at 2pm for the Universal Alien Party. We'll have games, prizes, and cake! And if you're out of town and missed getting a signed book ordered, Mysterious Galaxy has you covered, just call or email and order!

After that I'll be bouncing around Los Angeles, and then off to Las Vegas, for my signing with half of the Wyked Women Who Write -- T.L. Smith and Sharon Skinner. We'll be at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Henderson, NV, from 1-4pm on Saturday, Dec. 13th. Again we'll have prizes, games, and cake, but we're also doing a workshop as well as signing books, so if you're an aspiring author, or an author who just wants to hear more "this is how we do it" stuff, come on down, too!

Then I'll be home again, in time for my last official tour stop at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore at Desert Ridge Marketplace in Phoenix, AZ, at 7pm on Wednesday, Dec. 17th. Prizes and games for sure. Still checking on the cake situation, but there will at least be candy, so it's all good!

Haven't read Universal Alien yet? Have read it? Either way, check out what Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell thought of it! Also, Universal Alien needs your vote! Head over to Addicted 2 Heroines and vote for Kitty and Universal Alien as the Hottest Heroine Cover of 2014!

BTW, if you missed seeing the me at the Poisoned Pen on Tuesday, you can still check out the LiveStream recording! It's broken up because of, well, honestly, a crazy dog lady. But most of the interview and party is there, and we had a blast, so check it out!

After that, see what Lu's Buchgefluster thought of Alien Diplomacy and Alien vs. Alien. And yes, yes, bring along Google Translate. Then see which anthology I'm in that The Passionate Foodie chose as one of the best of the year.

Speaking of being out of town, the appearance rota never stops (not that I'm really complaining -- I like getting the chance to see all y'all out in the wild), so mark these upcoming 2015 appearances on your calendars now.

Book signing with Gini Koch & Erin Quinn -- Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, San Diego, CA, Thursday, January 22n, at 7pm

San Diego State University Writer's Conference -- Jan. 23-25, San Diego, CA; teaching Finding Your Voice, World Building in SF/F/H, and Short Story and Novella Writing workshops

Tucson Festival of Books -- March 14-15, Tucson, AZ; in The Dreams Convention booth all weekend, tentative panel schedule:
--Saturday, March 14th, 4:00-5:00pm, Integrated Learning Center Room 130 - Making Magic Real: Suspending reader disbelief
How to make imaginary things so real you can touch them
Panelists: Gail Carriger, Gini Koch, Dennis McKiernan
Signing immediately following the panel
--Sunday, March 15th, 11:30am-12:30pm, Integrated Learning Center Room 141 - I Got Nuthin': Battling Writer's Block
How do you deal with writers block? Ask the professionals
Panelists: Gini Koch, Dennis McKiernan
Signing immediately after, Sales & Signing Area #4 - Integrated Learning Center
--Sunday, March 15th, 2:30-3:30pm, Koffler Room 216 - Paranormal, Urban Fantasy & SciFi
A Different Kind of Screaming
Panelists: Gini Koch, Erin Quinn, Cynthia Garner
Signing immediately following the panel, Sales & Signing Area #6 - Koffler Patio

And last but not least, let's have some science! See what the Huffington Post article about the Black Hole Universe (well, that's my take on it, anyway) has to say about all things wormholey. Algar thinks you need to educate, just in case.

That's it for today, but more's on the way next week. So, everyone enjoy the race to the weekend, see some of y'all at Mysterious Galaxy, others all over L.A., and some more of y'all in the Vegas area. And for the rest of you, let's be Universal Alien reading readers out there! Peace out, my li'l ganstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Release the Universe!

Happy Universal Alien Release Day! And what a day it is! A day to race out and get your copies of Universal Alien, frankly, is what kind of day it is.

Somehow need help deciding if you should grab Book 10 in the Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series immediately if not sooner? Check out what Books-n-Kisses and A Buckeye Girl Reads thought of it.

And then, head over to the last Universal Alien Top 10 Blog Tour stop -- Smart Girls Love SciFi and Paranormal Romance where you can read a new interview with moi and get entered to win your choice of one of the first 9 books in the series, signed and personalized, and open internationally.

You can still get entered to win at each of the last three stops, but if you missed any of the Top 10 lists, check 'em out!

Top 10 Blog Tour Stops
11-10 Pearls Cast Before a McPig
11-11 Larissa's Bookish Life
11-11 Feeling Fictional
11-11 Gizmo's Reviews
11-12 A Buckeye Girl Reads
11-13 Bibliognome
11-14 boeklogboek
11-17 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
11-18 I Smell Sheep
11-19 Lu's Buchgefluster
11-20 Under the Covers
11-21 Word of the Nerd
12-01 Books-n-Kisses, contest ends Dec. 5th
12-01 Readaholics Anonymous, contest ends Dec. 3rd
12-02 Smart Girls Love Sci Fi, contest ends Dec. 8th

Looking for what to read after you read Universal Alien? Hit John Scalzi's blog, Whatever, where all week he's letting authors and other artists list their wares. Universal Alien is on the Monday, Dec. 1 post, since that's the one for traditionally published. So head over and check out all the cool books, and other things throughout the week, that are and will be listed.

And don't forget, tonight's the night! I'll be at The Poisoned Pen for my release day party, with cake, prizes, and more! And for those who can't make it in person, remember that there will be a simultaneous LiveStream event, so you can be a part of the fun!

That's it for today, but more's on the way! So let's be Universal Alien getting and reading readers out there! See all y'all at the Pen or on the airwaves!

Love,
Gini

Al...Most...There...

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful week and weekend, that for those who celebrated it was a wonderful or at least memorable Thanksgiving, and for those who shopped that you all found wonderful bargains.

As we all well know, or should, at any rate, tomorrow is the release day for Universal Alien! And that means the Universal Alien Top 10 Blog Tour is revved up again! Today we have two stops, so head over to Readaholics Anonymous and see what the top 10 places Kitty picked to do the deed, and then hit Books-n-Kisses to see what the top 10 songs Kitty chose for kicking butt. And don't forget to get entered to win your choice of one of the first 9 books in the series, signed and personalized, at each stop, both open internationally.

And while you're there, see what Books-n-Kisses thought of Alien vs. Alien, too.

Then hit Two Gay Geeks where they have an exclusive, and rather rollicking, podcast featuring moi. A lot of fun was had by all and I may have dropped some teasers and perhaps even a spoiler or two (hey, wine was involved) so have a listen and join in the fun!

And, of course, if you haven't already had the anticipation ratcheted up, head over to my Deathless Prose page and check out the prologue and first chapter of Universal Alien!

There's one Top 10 Blog Tour stop still to come, and one more chance to win, but if you missed any of the Top 10 lists, check 'em out!

Top 10 Blog Tour Stops
11-10 Pearls Cast Before a McPig
11-11 Larissa's Bookish Life
11-11 Feeling Fictional
11-11 Gizmo's Reviews
11-12 A Buckeye Girl Reads
11-13 Bibliognome
11-14 boeklogboek
11-17 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
11-18 I Smell Sheep
11-19 Lu's Buchgefluster
11-20 Under the Covers
11-21 Word of the Nerd
12-01 Books-n-Kisses, contest ends Dec. 5th
12-01 Readaholics Anonymous, contest ends Dec. 3rd
12-02 Smart Girls Love Sci Fi 

After you get entered, don't forget to make your plans to attend my Release Day Party and Signing at The Poisoned Pen. Not in the Greater Phoenix Metro Area? Not to worry, we've got you covered. There will be a LiveStream event going on at the same time, meaning you can see the me from any corner of the world you happen to reside in. Party starts at 7pm Mountain (9pm Eastern), so don't miss it, no matter where you are!

It's also Cyber Monday today, so let's talk deals. First up, have you grabbed your Sensational Six boxed set yet? If not, WHY not? It's at the ridiculously low price of $0.99 for six great stories from Six Gals and a Guy, aka Sasha White, Jordan Summers, Marcy Rockwell and Jeff Mariotte, Vivi Anna, Caris Roane, and, of course moi.

My entry in the set is The Night Beat, Necropolis Enforcement Files #1, and right now this boxed set is the only place you can get it. Already have The Night Beat? Not to worry -- in addition to five other great stories of varying lengths, Sensational Six is also the only place where you can get a long excerpt for Night Music, Necropolis Enforcement #2...until it releases in early 2015! Want to see Night Music's cool cover even larger sized? Hit my Premieres page and check it out!

So, do your Six Gals and a Guy a solid and get your less than a dollar copies of the Sensational Six boxed set right here, and get 'em today!

Kobo
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon Canada
Amazon Australia
iTunes
Barnes and Noble

After that, head over to UFO Publishing for another Cyber Monday deal, which includes Unidentified Funny Objects 3, which features my short story, "Live at the Scene". And, you know, I think you can still pre-order Universal Alien even on the Monday before release (hint, hint and all that jazz).

Once you're done shopping, do some dreaming, and head over to Larissa's Bookish Life and see which book series she'd like to see do crossovers.

Then, check out the fact that scientists have discovered ACE!

That's it for today, but as always more's on the way including the release of Universal Alien! Happy reading to all, and to all a good Universe!

Love,
Gini