July's READ THIS! BotM Announced, A Great Book Bundle, Cons, & More!

Happy July!

LibertyCon was a lot of fun (big shout out to all the Members of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing who came to see the me!) but it's nice to be home. For about five seconds. 

The hubs and I are headed to Savannah for the 4th, so I'm going to wish all who celebrate American Independence day a safe and happy holiday, and everyone else a super 4th day of the month!

READ THIS! is back this month, there's a fun story bundle I need to tell all y'all about, the Aliens Like Them preorder is live, and more, so let's get to it all, shall we? We shall!

It's Preorder Time!   Meet your doubles? Check. Terrify the bad guys with your rage? Done and dusted. Save the day and stop the intergalactic war? Well…Kitty’s working on it…

Being tossed into an alternate universe can be hard. Being tossed into one that’s drastically different from your own can be harder. Kitty & Company are handling it…so far. But they’re about to face the toughest tests yet… Aliens Like Them releases December 8, 2026 and is now available for preorder! As a mention, publishers love to see preorders -- it shows them that they made the right choice to take on a book or a series. Yes, that's a hint to preorder early and often. You can preorder from these fine distributors: Amazon: ebook, (trade paperback and hardback will be available on release day) B&N.com: ebook, trade paperback, and trophy hardback Kobo: ebook Apple Books: ebook A reminder: You cannot preorder physical books from Barnes & Noble's physical stores (different back end systems, why ask why), only via B&N.com. It's Alive!

Spread the word: Aliens Like Use -- aka the book EVERYONE has been waiting for -- is large and in charge from Ginger Blue Publishing, as in, if you've somehow missed it, it's available right now! So, now's the time to get your copy from your distributor of choice:  Amazon -- ebook, trade paperback, and Hardback B&N.com -- ebook, trade paperback, and Trophy Hardback Kobo -- ebook Apple Books -- ebook  A reminder that reviews are hugely vital and if you enjoyed (or didn't) the bookie wookie (and any of the others) a review is the best way to show it! Another One's Alive! Unidentified Funny Objects 10 is live for purchase! In it you'll find a host of great humorous SF/F stories, including one of mine, "The Cat Lady Cometh." Don't miss out, get your copy today!

Read Out Loud!

Do you have your copy of the Touched by an Alien audiobook yet? If not, don't wait! Grab yours today and start your year right!

Speaking of Reading Out Loud...

Graphic Audio has renewed the contract for The Legend of Belladonna, Part 1: Natural Born Outlaws, by moi writing as A.E. Stanton. If you haven't grabbed this fantastic audiobook, don't delay, grab it today!

New Aloud Reading!

Behold! The first Ginger Blue audiobook is A Cup of Joe by moi writing as Anita Ensal!

More New Aloud Reading!

The second audiobook from Ginger Blue is The Disciple and Other Stories of the Paranormal by moi writing as Jemma Chase!

New Funny Aloud Reading!

Random Musings from the Funny Girl is now available in audio! Listen while laughing!

IT'S TIME FOR A SUPER DEAL!

The Seriously Funny Bundle - Curated by Alex Shvartsman: Comedy may be hard, but finding good funny books to read should be easy.

Check out these awesome books (including the book that made all y'all join this newsletter in the first place) you can get for a fantastic deal! Do NOT miss out on this offer, it ends July 16!

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 2026 READ THIS! Selection

The READ THIS! Selection for July 2026 is: 
Exile's Refrain
by Mel Todd

Gini's Take: Epic fantasy set in a new world with amazing powers and dangerous, and dangerously active, gods.

About the Author: Tired of stories that didn't fill her needs, Mel Todd decided to share the weird worlds that occupy her mind. Action, magic, sci-fi, and more, her stories have it all. You can follow her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/badashbooks/. You can also sign up for her newsletter and follow her blog at https://www.badashpublishing.com. 

July 2026 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

featuring author Mel Todd

will be on

Thursday, July 16, 2026

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 2026 is: 
The Lady Dragon of Chinatown

By Noel Plaugher

My Big Con Season is in full swing, so check out where you can come see the me and get your hugs and bookie wookies signed! San Diego Comic-Con San Diego, CA July 22-26 Panels to come At table D-09 in the Dealer's Hall at all other times Gen Con Writers Symposium Indianapolis, IN July 30-August 2 Thursday, July 30 10:00-11:00am: Writers Symposium Opening Ceremonies  Marriott Ballroom 4 11:00am-12pm: The Mushy Midpoint  Marriott Ballroom 3 3:00-4:00pm: Story 101 - Character Voice  Marriott Boston Friday, July 31 1:00-2:00pm: The Art & Practice of Humor Marriott Boston Saturday, August 1 4:00-5:00pm: Signing Back of the Exhibit Hall, behind Author's Alley Sunday, August 2 1:00-2:00pm: Writers Symposium Closing Ceremonies Marriott Ballroom 4 DragonCon Atlanta, GA September 3-7 Panels to come

So many bookie wookies, so much time to catch up on all of them while waiting for Aliens Like Them, Deck the Falls, and the next READ THIS! selection. Check out my Bookstore for all the things!

That's it for today but, never fear, another Update, including the Discord READ THIS! Author Q&A chat invitation, will be arriving mid-month.

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, aka my Rabid Raccoons, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love, Gini