Monday, July 18, 2022

July's READ THIS! Q&A and A WHOLE Lot More!

I'm Almost At SDCC!

San Diego Comic-Con has a special place in my heart. It's the first con I ever paneled and signed at as a published author (Touched by an Alien had come out 3 months prior) and, other than last year, I've paneled and signed at every one since. It's the giant of giants, the biggest magilla of the gorillas, but it's still the one that matters most to me, because of all the "small con" experiences I've had there and all the folks I've met and the friends I've made along the way.

Lots will be going on besides SDCC, as you'll see as you scroll through the newsletter (which is loaded with things), including the next READ THIS! Author Q&A. It's just a few days away and because I and my regular guest host, Hal Bodner, will both be on a panel together at SDCC at that time, we have a special guest host and I really want all y'all to attend and make her, and our Author Guest, feel loved and supported. Plus, it's going to be a really good one you won't want to miss, so let's get right to it, shall we? We shall!


July 2022 READ THIS! Author Q&A
July's READ THIS! author Q&A with Guest Host Jean Marie Ward featuring author Sharon Skinner
will be on
Thursday, July 21, 2022
from 9pm-10pm Eastern.


Access to Discord is available worldwide, and everyone is invited to attend!

You do not need to be a Discord member/user to attend:
Use this link https://discord.gg/MnQDEKFYjU to go directly to the chat room!


(You also don't need to have finished the book to join in the fun. We authors know that everyone reads at their own pace and we just want to hang out with you guys and have some good times!)

Once in, you'll get to join in the fun of asking authors about their "process" and more. PLUS, one lucky winner will get August's READ THIS! selection for FREE! I know! It's too happy to be true! But true it is, so don't miss out!

(You must be present in the chat to win.
Physical copies U.S. only; ebook copies worldwide.)
July 2022 READ THIS! Selection
The READ THIS! Selection for July 2022 is: 

The Healer's Legacy
By 
Sharon Skinner

Gini's Take: The start of a super-cool YA trilogy with a heroine who you not only root for, but kind of envy. I mean, the heroine talks to animals and has awesome animal companions while she does her best to save the day...sound like anyone you know? ;-D

About the Author: Sharon Skinner holds a BA in English, an MA in Creative Writing and is a Certified Book Coach and freelance editor, who helps writers weave their words into stories that shine. She mainly writes fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and the occasional steampunk, for audiences of all ages. Skinner is an active member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and serves as the Regional Advisor for SCBWI AZ. She also served aboard the USS Jason, the first US Navy vessel to take women to sea (WestPac cruise). But that’s another story. To learn more, visit sharonskinner.com or bookcoachingbysharon.com.
August's READ THIS! Selection
 

And Remember: One Lucky Q&A Participant can win it early!


The READ THIS! Selection for August 2022 is: 
 

The Happy Acres Haunted Hotel for Active Seniors
By Gini Koch

 

Because I get asked this daily (often multiple times daily)...

Yes, Aliens Like Us IS coming, but...

No, Aliens Like Us still isn't ready for Prime Time, but...

I'm on Version 5 of the rewrite process. Does every book take me this long? No. Will all the others in the series take this long? Likely no. Life has tossed a lot at me and mine and that's made some things a struggle, but...

Kitty is always with me, and she's not going to let the bad things win, in any universe.

So...Watch this space for more updates as I have them. And keep those digits crossed for the hope that my shouting "the end!" comes sooner as opposed to later.


P.S. I am definitely heading towards the end game. I realize that's vague, but it means that I think we'll be shouting "hurrah" somewhere in the nearish term. Digits crossed, at any rate...

P.P.S. Watch this space, I'm hoping to share happy news soon.

More Yapping!
 
That's right, more yapping from me and other awesome authors over at ConTinual. The latest offering is A ConTinual Special Mystery Event: The Game is Afoot - Sherlockian Universes and I have a lot to say on the subject! So head over and watch and have some fun along with the rest of us at ConTinual!

And don't miss these other cool panels I've run the yap on:
Breaking Down the Genres
Economics in World Building
Horror and Romance
Sherlockian Mystery
Sherlock Returns
Christmas in July Holiday Short Reads
Hot off the Press #54
Characters in the Public Domain

Zombies!
Holiday Special Event 2021 Christmas & New Years in Film
Holidays Real and Imagined
Favorite Holiday Episodes in SciFi and Fantasy Series

Holiday Action-Adventure
Hot Off the Press #64
Weird Westerns
Pets and Familiars
Intellectual Property for Creatives
Separating Problematic Creators from Their Work
Selling At Conventions
Scarred For Life
How To Write Animals
Hot off the Press #72
Unicorns And Other Fantastic Creatures
Tinkerers and Inventors


There's a whole lot more over at the ConTinual YouTube page, so browse around and get your panel fixes in!
It's Kickstarter Time!
 

There's still (a little) time for you to support the new Unidentified Funny Objects anthology and get in on all the goodies via the Kickstarter, but only for a few more days! 

I'm offering tuckerizations (where you get to have your name in lights) as well as a planet-naming tuckerization (where you get to name a planet), plus there's lots more cool offerings. So, don't delay any longer -- check out the Kickstarter for Unidentified Funny Objects 9 and let's get this puppy funded so all y'all get more great, funny SF/F stories! Win-Win all the way!
See The Me!

The Hermitage Is Over!

Here are the upcoming cons I am confirmed to be going to this year. Panels, readings, signings, and such will be updated as I have the info, but I will definitely be at these places and hope to see some of or all y'all there! 


 
San Diego Comic-Con
San Diego, CA
July 20-24

Wednesday, July 20 through Sunday, July 24
Table D-10 in the Exhibit Hall (Exhibit Hall Hours, other than where noted below). Come see the me, get your hugs, and get all the wordy and pretty things!

Thursday, July 21
11:30am-12:30pm - Panel: Authors on the Best Advice They Ever Got, Room 10. Authors Wesley Chu (The Art of Prophecy), Gini Koch (Alien novels), Sarah Kuhn (Heroine Complex), and Sangu Mandanna ( The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches) talk about the best writing advice they ever got, and what advice they would give to an aspiring writer. Moderated by Tricia Narwani (editor-in-chief, Del Rey Books).
 
1-2pm - Signing: Authors on the Best Advice They Ever Got, Sails Pavilion AA05. Gini Koch (Alien Novels), Sarah Kuhn (Heroine Complex), Sangu Mandanna (Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom).

3:30-4:30pm - Signing: Breaking in Via Anthologies, Sails Pavilion AA09. (Note: Due to time constraints, this signing takes place BEFORE the panel). Featuring authors Gini Koch (Touched by an Alien, Aliens Abroad), Hal Bodner (Bite Club, Fabulous in Tights), S.G. Browne (Breathers, Less Than Hero), Jonathan Maberry (Kagen the Damned, Empty Graves), and Lisa Morton (Haunted Tales: Classic Stories of Ghosts and the Supernatural, Weird Women: Classic Supernatural Fiction by Groundbreaking Female Writers).

5:30-6:30pm - Panel: Breaking in Via Anthologies, Room 29CD. Anthologies are still alive thanks to Kickstarter and small and micro-presses, and many pay pro rates. Authors Gini Koch (the Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series), Hal Bodner (the Whirlwind superhero series), S. G. Browne (Less Than Hero), and author/editors Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger) and Lisa Morton (multiple Bram Stoker winner) share their tips and techniques for getting into anthologies, and why they think it's worth it. Moderated by Jeffrey Twohig (Fuzzy Logic Media). 

Friday, July 22
4-5pm - Panel: Small Press Comics, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor, Omni Hotel. So you want to produce your own comic or graphic novel? Hear about the trials and experiences these creators have encountered. Moderated by Gini Koch (Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series), with panelists Johnny "Johnny C" Cavooto (Sartana, Surrounded by Death), Jeff Rider (Gravity Matters, Major Holmes and Captain Watson), and Jeffrey Twohig (Indie publisher and small print expert).


GenCon
Indianapolis, IN
August 4-7, 2022

Thursday, August 4
9-10am - Opening Ceremonies, Marriott Ballroom 2.
10-11am - Workshop: Finding Your Voice, Marriott Ballroom 2. Come let me teach you how to discover your writer's voice or voices!
1-2pm - Panel: Blurbs, Marriott Ballroom 4. What is a good blurb, where does it go, and how do you get one? Gini Koch, Michael R. Underwood, C. S. E. Cooney
2-3pm - Panel: Rated R, Marriott Atlanta. Writing Sex Scenes. Jennifer Brozek, Gini Koch, Chris A. Jackson
3-4pm - Panel: POV Pandemonium, Marriott Ballroom 1. How many points of view does your story really need? Katherine Monasterio, Richard Byers, Gini Koch, Erin M. Evans, Bryan Young
4-5 pm - Panel: Trouble...Or Paradise?, Marriott Ballroom 4. Dystopia vs. utopia, which is better/more fun to write and why? Gini Koch, Erik de Bie, Nick Martell
5-6pm - Panel: Empathy for Your Other, Marriott Austin/Boston. Dan Jolley, Gini Koch, Chris A. Jackson, Richard Byers, John Wiswell
8pm-Midnight, Meet the Pros Author Signing Extravaganza, ICC Wabash Ballroom 1. Come see the me and get your FREE copy of Touched by an Alien! (While supplies last.)

Friday, August 5
10-11am - Workshop: Writing the Dreaded Synopsis, Marriott Ballroom 2. Let me teach you how to write the thing most authors dread: a good synopsis.
11am-12pm - Panel: Picking Your Path as a Creator, Marriott Austin/Boston. Michael R. Underwood, Gini Koch, Gregory A. Wilson, Marie Bilodeau
1-2pm - Signing with Gregory A. Wilson, Exhibit Hall behind Entertainer's Avenue. Come see the me and get your FREE copy of Touched by an Alien! (While supplies last.)
2-3pm - Panel: My Book Has a Soundtrack, Marriott Austin/Boston. Toiya Kristen Finley, Gini Koch, David Mack
4-5pm - Panel: Writing in 3D, Marriott Austin/Boston. How to make sure your scenes have a feeling of physical space Jennifer Brozek, Gini Koch, Erin M. Evans, Patrick S. Tomlinson
6-10pm - D&D with Authors Liveplay Event, Marriott Ballrooms.

Saturday, August 6
1-2pm - Signing with Bradley P. Beaulieu, Exhibit Hall behind Entertainer's Avenue. Come see the me and get your FREE copy of Touched by an Alien! (While supplies last.)
2-3pm - Panel: Quiet Fantasy, Marriott Atlanta. What are the stakes in a low-violence story? Brandon O'Brien, Cat Rambo, Gini Koch, John Wiswell, Karen Bovenmyer
3-4pm - Panel: NTFs, Marriott Atlanta. NFTs and the future of fiction. Can writers benefit from trying to introduce NFTs into their fiction writing? Cat Rambo, Gini Koch, Lucien Soulban, Jason Sanford, Chris Bell (M)
4-5pm -  Panel: Imagining Alternate Futures, Marriott Atlanta. How to extrapolate a future for your setting Gini Koch, Donald J. Bingle, Paul Weimer, Jason Sanford
8-11pm - Writers Symposium Social Event, ICC Wabash Ballroom 1.

Sunday, August 7
12-1pm - Closing Ceremonies, Marriott Ballroom 1.
 
DragonCon
Atlanta, GA
September 1-5, 2022

Thursday, September 1
Hyatt International South Ballroom is the location for the Page to Stage Costume Contest, and check out which character of mine is going to be up for cosplaying (probably not who you're expecting)! Prejudging starts at 5:30, judging at 8:30, and yes, I plan to be there! Register to participate in this cosplay event here.

Friday, September 2
8pm-12am, Fantasy Gather, Hyatt Hanover C-E
Come hang out with me and a plethora of other authors. Find books and have fun!  


*Note: this is not my full DragonCon schedule. As events confirm, I'll list them here, so watch this space!
 

World Fantasy Con
New Orleans, LA
November 3-6, 2022
Support the Team!

Probably my favorite shot from LibertyCon (I wonder why?).

Yes, these shirts (as modeled by Member of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing Cisca Small) are available. Yes, you can get them from me if you want to show your Team Gini-ness. Yes, we have men's/unisex and women's sizes. If you want one, drop me a line (gini@ginikoch.com) and we'll get you hooked up. (See what I did there? ;-D)
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So many bookie wookies, so much time to catch up on all of them while waiting for Aliens Like Us and the next READ THIS! selection. Check out my Bookstore and Bibliography for all the things!
That's it for today, but, never fear, another Update, including the next READ THIS! selection, will be arriving in a couple of weeks!

In the meantime, stay safe and healthy, remember we're all in this together, be kind to one another, give love and support to all those who are on the front lines in any capacity, and let's be readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch all y'all on the flip side!

Love, Gini

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Tuesday, July 5, 2022

It's Time For July's READ THIS! Selection and LOADS More!

Happy July!

Because I decided to post this after the holiday weekend, it's time to wish belated tidings to those who celebrated Canada Day and Independence Day here in North America. I hope you had a lot of fun and stayed safe. For everyone else, hope you had wonderful weekends! And for those awaiting Bastille Day, viva la France! And any other big July dates I'm missing. Confetti tosses for all!

We've got another great READ THIS! selection for this month plus more fun stuff -- and I do mean MORE, including a book giveaway and big announcement (that many of y'all have been impatiently waiting for) -- so be sure you scroll all the way through (trust me, you need to scroll to the end) so you don't miss out on any of the goodness. And with that, let's get right to it, shall we? We shall!


READ THIS!

A Book Club by Moi for All Y'all

Welcome to READ THIS! A Book Club by Gini Koch. This is my chance to introduce you to some great authors that I love and know you will, too.

Every month I'll spotlight a book and, even better...every month I'll host a live discussion with the author, that all y'all can join! I know, it's too happy to be true, but true it is!

 
July 2022 READ THIS! Selection


The READ THIS! Selection for July 2022 is: 

The Healer's Legacy
By Sharon Skinner


Gini's Take: The start of a super-cool YA trilogy with a heroine who you not only root for, but kind of envy. I mean, the heroine talks to animals and has awesome animal companions while she does her best to save the day...sound like anyone you know? ;-D 

About the Author: Sharon Skinner holds a BA in English, an MA in Creative Writing and is a Certified Book Coach and freelance editor, who helps writers weave their words into stories that shine. She mainly writes fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and the occasional steampunk, for audiences of all ages. Skinner is an active member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and serves as the Regional Advisor for SCBWI AZ. She also served aboard the USS Jason, the first US Navy vessel to take women to sea (WestPac cruise). But that’s another story. To learn more, visit sharonskinner.com or bookcoachingbysharon.com.
July 2022 READ THIS! Author Q&A
So, you've read the READ THIS! selection and you want to share what you thought with the author, hang out with them and Gini, and generally talk books for an hour. Well, guess what? You can!

The third Thursday of every month will be READ THIS! Author Q&A time. The event will be held utilizing Discord, and the invitation to Gini's READ THIS! room will come out in the week prior to the chat.


And that's not all! Near the end of each Q&A session, we'll be doing a raffle and one lucky winner will get a copy of the next month's READ THIS! selection! (You must be present in the Q&A to win. Physical book prizes will be U.S. only. Ebook prizes will be worldwide.)
July's READ THIS! author Q&A with Guest Host Jean Marie Ward featuring author Sharon Skinner
will be on
Thursday, July 21, 2022
from 9pm-10pm Eastern.


Access to Discord is available worldwide, and everyone is invited to attend!
August's READ THIS! Selection
 

And Remember: One Lucky Q&A Participant can win it early!


The READ THIS! Selection for August 2022 is: 

The Happy Acres Haunted Hotel for Active Seniors
By Gini Koch


Because I get asked this daily (often multiple times daily)...

Yes, Aliens Like Us IS coming, but...

No, Aliens Like Us still isn't ready for Prime Time, but...

I'm on Version 5 of the rewrite process. Does every book take me this long? No. Will all the others in the series take this long? Likely no. Life has tossed a lot at me and mine and that's made some things a struggle, but...

Kitty is always with me, and she's not going to let the bad things win, in any universe.

So...Watch this space for more updates as I have them. And keep those digits crossed for the hope that my shouting "the end!" comes sooner as opposed to later.


P.S. I am definitely heading towards the end game. I realize that's vague, but it means that I think we'll be shouting "hurrah" somewhere in the nearish term. Digits crossed, at any rate...

P.P.S. Watch this space, I'm hoping to share happy news soon.

It's Kickstarter Time!
 

That's right, it's time for a new Unidentified Funny Objects anthology, and that means it's time to get in on all the goodies via the Kickstarter. 

I'm offering tuckerizations (where you get to have your name in lights) as well as a planet-naming tuckerization (where you get to name a planet), plus there's lots more cool offerings. So, check out the
 Kickstarter for Unidentified Funny Objects 9 and let's get this puppy funded so all y'all get more great, funny SF/F stories! Win-Win all the way!

More Yapping!
 
That's right, more yapping from me and other awesome authors over at ConTinual. The latest offering is Tinkerers and Inventors, another topic of which I think we all know I know a lot about. So head over and watch and have some fun along with the rest of us at ConTinual!

And don't miss these other cool panels I've run the yap on:
Breaking Down the Genres
Economics in World Building
Horror and Romance
Sherlockian Mystery
Sherlock Returns
Christmas in July Holiday Short Reads
Hot off the Press #54
Characters in the Public Domain

Zombies!
Holiday Special Event 2021 Christmas & New Years in Film
Holidays Real and Imagined
Favorite Holiday Episodes in SciFi and Fantasy Series

Holiday Action-Adventure
Hot Off the Press #64
Weird Westerns
Pets and Familiars
Intellectual Property for Creatives
Separating Problematic Creators from Their Work
Selling At Conventions
Scarred For Life
How To Write Animals
Hot off the Press #72
Unicorns And Other Fantastic Creatures


There's a whole lot more over at the ConTinual YouTube page, so browse around and get your panel fixes in!
 
See The Me!

The Hermitage Is Over!

Here are the upcoming cons I am confirmed to be going to this year. Panels, readings, signings, and such will be updated as I have the info, but I will definitely be at these places and hope to see some of or all y'all there! 


San Diego Comic-Con
San Diego, CA
July 20-24

Wednesday, July 20 through Sunday, July 24
Table D-10 in the Exhibit Hall (Exhibit Hall Hours, other than where noted below)
Come see the me, get your hugs, and get all the pretty things!

Thursday, July 21

3:30-4:30pm - Signing for Breaking in Via Anthologies panel, AA area/Under the Sails (Note: Due to time constraints, this signing takes place BEFORE the panel). Featuring authors Gini Koch, Hal Bodner, S.G. Browne, Jonathan Maberry, and Lisa Morton.

I also have 3 panels and another signing that can't be officially confirmed until the next newsletter. Because that's how it goes when you're the biggest gorilla in the jungle.


 
GenCon
Indianapolis, IN
August 4-7, 2022

Thursday, August 4
10-11am, Workshop: Finding Your Voice
1-2pm, Panel: Blurbs
2-3pm, Panel: Writing Sex Scenes
3-4pm, Panel: POV Pandemonium
4-5 pm, Panel: Trouble...Or Paradise?
5-6pm, Panel: Empathy for Your Other

Friday, August 5
10-11am, Workshop: Writing the Dreaded Synopsis
11am-12pm, Panel: Picking Your Path as a Creator
1-2pm, Signing
2-3pm, Panel: My Book Has a Soundtrack
4-5pm, Panel: Writing in 3D

Saturday, August 6
1-2pm, Signing
2-3pm, Panel: Quiet Fantasy
4-5pm, Panel: Imagining Alternate Futures

 

 
DragonCon
Atlanta, GA
September 1-5, 2022

Thursday, September 1
Hyatt International South Ballroom is the location for the Page to Stage Costume Contest, and check out which character of mine is going to be up for cosplaying (probably not who you're expecting)! Prejudging starts at 5:30, judging at 8:30, and yes, I plan to be there! Register to participate in this cosplay event here.

Friday, September 2
8pm-12am, Fantasy Gather, Hyatt Hanover C-E
Come hang out with me and a plethora of other authors. Find books and have fun!  


*Note: this is not my full DragonCon schedule. As events confirm, I'll list them here, so watch this space!


 
World Fantasy Con
New Orleans, LA
November 3-6, 2022
A READ THIS! Author Has Some Specials Goin' On!
 

Book 6 in awesome author Mel Todd's Twisted Luck series, Faded Luck, is now available for pre-order and will go up for sale on July 8th! Grab your copies right now!

Somehow missed out on February's READ THIS! selection, My Luck, the start of the Twisted Luck series? Not to worry! Right now it's FREE, but only through July 5th (as in, TODAY) so grab your copy right now! Bought it already? Grab a copy for a friend or family member, because it never gets better than free!

And, that's not all! Mel's got a giveaway going on all month, and the winner gets a signed copy of ANY book of hers of your choice! So get entered in to win today!
IT'S FINALLY (almost!) HEAR!
(And no, that's not a typo...)

 
As you may recall, there were a lot of issues with the first (awful) audio version of Touched by an Alien that was out, and then buried, many moons ago now. It's taken a lot to find a company, and a voice actress, who I'm happy with, but we have done it! 

I'm super excited to announce that there's a great audiobook version of Touched by an Alien on the way -- and you can pre-order your copy right now!


New cover art to come, BTW, but I couldn't wait for it to tell all y'all about this!

So many bookie wookies, so much time to catch up on all of them while waiting for Aliens Like Us and the next READ THIS! selection. Check out my Bookstore and Bibliography for all the things!
That's it for today but, never fear, another Update, including the Discord Q&A chat invitation, will be arriving in a couple of weeks!

In the meantime, stay safe and healthy, remember we're all in this together, be kind to one another, give love and support to all those who are on the front lines in any capacity, and let's be readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love, Gini

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