The Yappingest of Wednesdays

Well, do we have a busy Hump Day going on! There's truly so much that I almost don't know where to begin. But let's go for it and sort it out as we go along.

First up, head over to catch the yap running at both Book Monster AND Literal Addiction. You want to hit both sites, because there's a chance to win a limited edition 2012 Gini Calendar from each site (so, 2 calendars are up for grabs), and if you leave a comment at both sites, then you just doubled your chances (and your fun, but since Wrigley is NOT a paid sponsor, we'll just let that one go).

Then head over to BookSpot Central where the yap is also running, albeit with a whole different set of questions.

Next, find out what Absorbed in a Book and A Buckeye Girl Reads thought of "Alien Proliferation". Then head to SUVUDU for another good listing of yesterday's releases.

Then, later today, tune in for the live chat with yours truly over at Literal Addiction. You don't want to miss this because you never know...I could let a spoiler or two out...it's happened before... Chat details below.

Chat Time: 6-8pm Mountain time (8pm start Eastern, 7pm start Central, 5pm start Pacific, open internationally but you'll have to figure out the times on your own, sorry, LOL).

LINK FOR LIVE CHAT -
http://www.literaladdiction.com/author-chat.php#/general/

NOTE: This Chatroom works best with Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari web browsers. It does work with older versions of I.E, though it has been known to have issues. The newer versions of Internet Explorer (I.E) do not work at all! Please use Firefox or Chrome for best results, and make sure that your Java is up-to-date!

REMINDER: I'll be in San Diego at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore for their Eat! Read! Party! Holiday Event on Saturday, December 10th, from 3-5pm, signing "Alien Proliferation" and anything else attendees want. Hope to see some of you there!

The Combo-Con Contest will be starting tomorrow, so keep your eyeballs peeled because this is a combination of at least 4 cons' worth of goodies...and in addition to posters and other cool things, there are a LOT of books that will be up for grabs. And when I say a lot, I MEAN a LOT. Winners are going to have plenty of reading material for quite a while.

Of course, the only ones who can enter and win are my Hook Me Up! subscribers. Not on yet? I won't ask why, I'll just tell you to rectify! Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line, and do it today!

So, enjoy all the link and blog hopping and let's be readers out there -- specifically of "Alien Proliferation"!

Love,
Gini

Family Hump Day

Made you look.

Happy Hump Day! Lots going on in release week for "Alien in the Family" and, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, today is no exception!

First up, Absorbed in a Book has both a review and a giveaway of "Alien in the Family". Head over, leave a comment to win!

Then, the yap is running over at The Other Side of the Story, sharing how you can discover your writer's voice.

Lots of new release listings today. Check out Literary Escapism, Lytherus, Transreal Fiction, and Book Soulmates for some great roundups.

Then check out The Bookstore Beat at Heroes and Heartbreakers for interesting and in-depth thoughts on the some new releases and why the public buys them.

There's still time to get entered to win over at Bitten By Books and The Book Pushers. Books, and lots of them, are on the line, so don't miss out!

That's it for today! Have fun, check 'em out, enjoy "Alien in the Family" if you have it already, go get it if you don't, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Spring Break Monday

Happy Monday! Hope everyone's weekends were awesome and amazing, and that the grind of the work week's start hasn't worn anyone down. And to keep that groove thang goin', we have a lot going on today!

First up, head over to Parajunkee's View where, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, the Paranormal Spring Break party is going wild! Catch an interview our favorite accidental badass, Kitty, is doing with the main two supporting characters (at least in their minds) from "Alien Tango". Leave a comment and get entered to win a signed copy of "Alien Tango" from me, plus a $5 iTunes gift card from Parajunkee. Can't beat that, right? Of course right!

After that, head over to Absorbed in a Book where there's a great guest review of "Alien in the Family". It's the guest reviewer's first one, so please leave comments to support an Alien Collective Member in Very Good (albeit a little nervous) Standing.

Next, check out where else the "Alien in the Family" ARC is going on its current tour at Bibliognome.

Last but in no way least, head over to The Book Pushers and catch their interview with the amazing and talented Daniel Dos Santos, cover artist extraordinaire.

Entries for the TFOB Stuffed Penguin contest are now closed. The Gods of Random will soon be making their selection and will advise who gets that tote stuffed with reading goodness later this week. Also later this week, we have an interview and giveaway with newly minted author Heather Massey, aka the Captain of the Galaxy Express. That's coming on Wednesday!

Until then, have a great week and keep on rockin' in the free world!

Love,
Gini

The Yap & The Winning Run On

Happy Friday!

Hope those of you already into the weekend are having a fab one, and those eying the weekend's start have a great time planned. And, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, to help you entertain yourselves on the way to those good times, we have more yap and more winning going on.

Awesome author Jim C. Hines has yours truly featured on his First Book Friday column. Check out his excellent Goblin series while you're over there!

Bibliognome has the "Alien in the Family" ARC, thanks to the ARC Tour started by Absorbed in a Book. Check out where the ARC got to go last night!

Book Noise has a cool giveaway featuring "Alien Tango" and "Silver Zombie". Contest runs through March 20th.

Speaking of contests running through March 20th, if you haven't gotten your entry in for the TFOB Stuffed Penguin contest, what are you waiting for? Unless you're not on Hook Me Up!, of course, which would mean you're waiting to join. Now would be a really good time -- 'cause there are a lot more contests on the horizon, and, like this one, they're for Hook Me Up! only. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line, and get in on the win!

That's it for today. Next week is full of awesome, though, so be prepared for more! 'Til then, get down with your bad selves and peace out, li'l gangstas!

Love,
Gini

Only Semi-Manic Monday

Happy Monday! Hope everyone who cares about it had a great Super Bowl weekend (Alliflash and Gigantagator enjoyed their rockin' swamp party) and that those who didn't had a wonderful weekend doing what they like best.

As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we've got a lot on the docket, so let's get to it! First off, check out an awesome double review of "Touched by an Alien" and "Alien Tango" over at Squiggle.

See what The Geeky Bookworm read and enjoyed in January. Then head over to Murder She Writes to see what all everyone's anticipating this year. Then see what The Written World has on her reading list. Finish up at Absorbed in a Book and find out what clones she wants (in addition to Martini).

Congrats to the winners of The Book Lovers Inc. blogoversary! Remember, if you won one of my prizes and you're on Hook Me Up!, let me know and I'll add in something extra for you.

Speaking of winning, much more's coming this month. The Order of Smut Vixens is doing a big 14 Days of Love giveaway, and I'm a part of it (stay tuned for Feb. 13th). Also, the "Alien in the Family" ARC Contest is starting soon, and, as always, it's for Hook Me Up! subscribers only. This time, we have not one, not two, but THREE ARCs to give away! So, if you're not on Hook Me Up! yet, now's the time to GET on. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line. Then you'll be all set to get your smack talk engines revved up -- because shortly there's gonna be another Battle Royale going on in addition to the Worth Your Weight contest!

We also have a treat coming Wednesday -- awesome authors Weston Ochse and Yvonne Navarro will be interviewed right here at the Blah, Blah, Blah Blog -- you don't want to miss it! (I hear books may be given away, but you'll have to be here on Wednesday to find out!)

Love,
Gini

RinCon Roundup & Other Fun Facts

As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, as promised, and as the title declares, my somewhat overdue RinCon 10 update is finally coming to you. I know, jump back with excitement, right?

Well, it WAS exciting. I had a great time. This was a gaming con, and the first I'd ever attended. Made me want to go to many more. Both the attendees and the staff were great -- fun, welcoming, and interesting. I played several games (none all that well, but hey, it was still fun), but not as many as I wanted to. Why? Because I had panels and signings to go to!

I got to be on panels and visit with some awesome authors. In no particular order of awesomeness, I spent all or part of the weekend with (oh, minds OUT of the gutter, people!): Marsheila Rockwell, Michael Stackpole, Weston Ochse, Yvonne Navarro, and Jeff Mariotte. In addition, the wonderful Maryelizabeth Hart from Mysterious Galaxy (http://www.mystgalaxy.com/) was there, too. Shout outs to coordinators extraordinaire Lee and Nadine Whiteside, and awesome show-runner Bo Radakovich and his merry band of uber-staff who made it a great experience for all.

Got to hang with some of the Alien Collective and eat fab Spanish and Mexican food, and also an extremely delish and exotic PB&J, and in general have a really great working weekend.

Fun facts: Both Michael Stackpole and Jeff Mariotte have over 40 books published. Each. I'm in awe. And they're both really generous with their advice, both for aspiring and newer authors. Great dudes, get their books...with close to 100 between them, really, don't ask for a recommendation, just trot out and grab. Okay, okay, one recommendation from Jeff's list -- I came home with a copy of the Angel Omnibus, written by him and some others. Yes, it's a big, thick book of Angel comics. LOVING it (especially the sections Jeff wrote).

Marcy Rockwell's "Legacy of Wolves" is still available from her directly, and she gave me the happy word that her next novel should be coming out in a year or so. Love her writing, get LoW if you can, get the next one no matter what.

Got to see the lovely cover for Yvonne Navarro's newest, "Highborn", in person. Book looks amazingly awesome. Yvonne has over 20 books published, but I have to say, "Highborn" sort of screams "tell everyone to buy ME 'cause I'm so cool", so, um go get it 'cause it's so cool. (Hey, I do what the covers tell me to do.)

Also got to see my fave clandestine ops zombie author, Weston Ochse. Check out his blog...you'll find a pic of the two of us at RinCon (you shouldn't have to search all that hard, either, LOL). Weston's "Empire of Salt" is literally sold out in the U.S. If you can get a copy, do so -- great zombie book (and we do know the Collective likes zombies, don't we?). Copies ARE still available in Europe, and it's worth hunting for; a little clandestine birdy tells me that Amazon.uk is the easiest place to find and order from.

For all the Swag Hounds out there, I have bad news, though. The only swag I came home with is staying with me. ('Cause Bo gave said swag to ME, that's why! MY preciouses!) Call me selfish, I'll just cackle as I play with my cute little stuffed germ microbes. (Erm, don't ask.)

Speaking of drifts and all that, we have some more updates from the Alien Collective. Tale a look at the lovely blog re-do and what books Absorbed in a Book is waiting on, and then check out the overall SF/F/SFR roundup at Literary Escapism. Finally, head over to Queen of the Frozen North and see what books she thinks would make great movies.

Is there more? Oh, I'm sure there is. But that's what Friday and the weekend are for, right? Of course right!

Love,
Gini

If You Thought Monday Was Busy...

...just get a load of today!

As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, it's a busy, busy week here in Gini Land, so let's roll right into all the goings on!

First up, I have my first ever feature article up at the SFR Brigade. Head over and check out my thoughts (I do have them, I swear!) on Walking the Line in SFR, and feel free to chime in with your views on the subject!

If you're intrigued by the topic, in addition to perusing the SFR Brigade blog, check out The Galaxy Express, where Science Fiction Romance is always on the agenda, and one of the latest Mind Meld discussions at SF Signal: What Does Romance Bring to to Science Fiction Genre?

Next up, we have more action from the Alien Collective. The Book Addict is having quite the to-do this week, as it's her blogiversary! And guess who's on the docket for today? Right you are -- moi! So, head over, check out my latest interview, and see what all she's giving away, too! The winning goes on all week over there, so don't be shy about checking in often and early!

Do we have another review of "Touched by an Alien" today? Why, yes we do! One of our Alien Collective blogs, Absorbed in a Book has a great review up. And, why stop there? There's another review up at The Blog With Bite. And, look there! Another one, this one at Lilium's Realm. Hit 'em all, show 'em some Alien Collective love, you know the drill!

What, there's still more? Yes, there is. There's a new Playlist up (yes, yes, finally, I know), and there are several new events listed in the Datebook. Note to those in and around the Greater Phoenix Metro Area (We OWN the winter! Don't ask us about summer...) -- I have several book signings and workshops happening this summer, most of which are up right now. Plan accordingly.

There's more coming, but truly, between yesterday and today, you should all be busy enough! At least until later this week, right? Of course right...


Love,
Gini