Playing Catchup

Happy Monday! I know, I know, it's been literally ages since you've heard from me. My only excuse is that I have an absolute tonnage of deadlines and they're requiring a lot of focus. (Apparently editors really like your stuff turned in in at least a semi-timely manner -- who knew?) So, it's lots of updates or it's lots of writing, and I think I know how we all vote. However, lots has been going on, so let's get all caught up so that I can go back into the writing cave and not come out again until I see my shadow. Or something like that.

First up, it's official! I'll be a presenting author at Phoenix Comicon again this year! The con runs from Thursday, May 28 through Sunday, May 31. I'll be on panels and in the exhibit hall in Author's Alley. I'll be doing a prize in conjunction with the Amazing Wyked Writers. I'll also be doing my usual Evening Erotica event and also a Food With Fans event during the con. When and where and what times and all that jazz is still up in the air, but as soon as I have my schedule you'll hear from me about it (pinky swear).

Speaking of in-person event, Phoenix Comicon falls right in the middle of my book tour supporting Alien Separation. The chicklet is also graduating from law school during this time. Because it's a lot more exciting if everything's going on at once! So, I've got my standard book tour stops, but despite plans (and pleas from some of you) I'm not adding on any more stops this time, because I don't think my brain can handle it.

So, come see the me, pre-order your bookie-wookies from, and get them signed at:

Mysterious Galaxy Books Birthday Bash, Saturday, May 9, 1-4pm; I'll be on at 2pm, right before cake! There WILL be a Food With Fans event after the party is over.

Barnes & Noble Henderson, Sunday, May 17 1-4pm, join me and some of the Amazing Wyked Writers -- T.L. Smith, Alan Black, Sharon Skinner, Marsheila Rockwell, and Jeffrey Mariotte -- for yapping, book signing, and more! There WILL be a Food With Fans event after the party is over.

The Poisoned Pen, Monday, June 8, 7-8pm. While there will not be a Food With Fans event after this signing, there will be goodies at the signing and there WILL also be a LiveStream of this event, so if you can't make it in person, plan to attend via the interwebs. As we did last time, we plan to involve the internet audience and yes, there will be at least one prize given out to someone watching via LiveStream, so add the event to your calendars now, whether you'll be with us in person or just in internet spirit!

Please remember to do your girl a solid and pre-order Alien Separation (and Alien in Chief, if you're so inclined) from any online or physical retailer. If you're coming to see me at an in-person event (or just ordering books to get signed and sent to you), please pre-order from that bookstore. It helps them, it helps me, it's the right thing to do!
 
The Disciple and Other Stories of the Paranormal by moi writing as Jemma Chase is out now and you can get your copy from  Amazon, Smashwords, BandN.com, and CreateSpace, or in person from me at any event. You can also get/order copies from Mysterious Galaxy and The Poisoned Pen. So, if you want to get this baby signed at the same time as you get Alien Separation signed, let the bookstores know and they'll make it happen.

Next up, I know we all thought the X-Files: Trust No One would be out by now, but issues with certain aspects of the overall property have delayed its release. So, it's still coming and you can still pre-order, but we don't know what the new release date is yet. Could it be delayed because Fox has announced a new limited run of the TV series? I don't know, but the truth is out there...

And now, for some reviews! Check out what All Things Urban Fantasy thought of the audio version of Touched by an Alien.

Then see what Books in Brogan thought of Universal Alien, and the entire Alien Series as a whole so far.

Speaking of the whole series, check out the Order of Books site, where they have the Alien series and many other listed. Then see what Cat's Books: Romance lists as their top Diplomatic and Ambassador romance leads.

Then check out what Amazing Stories thinks of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by moi writing as G.J. Koch.

After that, head over to Slice of SciFi and see what I thought of Furious 7 and what I thought of Knights of Badassdom as well. I loved one and was totally disappointed by the other, so if you agree or disagree, join the discussion over at Slice! And while you're there, check out all the gag reel from Galavant.

Now, for some science! NASA has made another cool discovery, and it's that there's a lot of water floating around in space, on Ganymede specifically. And Space.com has some interesting information on wormholes or, as Algar calls them, superhighways.

Speaking of cool, the Alien Collective Depot has been updated and enhanced for your enjoyment, and that includes new T-shirt designs! And yes, we have Poofs, Poofs, and more Poofs. Pocket Poofs are only available from me in person, but you can still order Adult and Baby Poofs, or Poof Families, through the Depot.

I'm leaving you today with one of the funniest things I've read in a while, collected from Tumblr by Chaos Cat -- get ready for the funniest insurance advertising fanfiction ever created. Trust me, it'll make your Monday much, much better.

So, everyone have a wonderful week, pre-order those bookie wookies, make your plans to see the me, and let's be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Patriotic Catching Up, Or Something Like That

Happy Day Before the Big US Holiday!

Yes, it's the US Independence Day tomorrow, and those of us in the US have big plans to eat mass quantities and make lots and lots of noise. But before then, there's lots to catch all y'all up on, and I have much to do before I sleep and all that jazz. So let's get to it!

First up, the July issue of Penumbra eMagazine is already in the hands of those who've taken advantage and gotten their subscription. This month's issue features another Alien series short story, "Mr. Dash Saves the World".

If you haven't taken advantage of the half-price for a year's worth of awesome stories deal, there's still time. Just enter 2014Gini when you order, and you'll get the deal, PLUS the 2012 and 2013 Year's Best of Penumbra issues. Such a deal. And there's a third Alien series short coming in November. Truly, get on board NOW.
And yes, if you missed out, you can still get back issues, like the May issue featuring "Alien on the Runway".

Next, check out the awesome cover for the next cool anthology I'm going to be in -- Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets: An Anthology of Holmesian Tales Across Time and Space. It's available for pre-order and it's going to be a totally cool anthology -- every author was allowed to take Holmes and Watson and put them anywhere, any time, any how. Yes, it's moi writing a straight mystery, and this is going to be an anthology you don't want to miss! It's releasing October 7th, so make sure you've got your copy heading to you by pre-ordering!

Speaking of pre-ordering, I've seen the cover for Universal Alien and it is STELLAR! Can't reveal it yet, but rest assured that I will as soon as I possibly can, because it's da BOMB! And, since you'll be racing off to pre-order the 221 B anthology, do your girl a solid and pre-order Universal Alien at the same time. Because pre-orders matter a lot, yes they do.

Next up, see what Fresh Fiction thought of Alien Collective. Then see what Larissa's Bookish Life chose as her top 5 books of the first half of 2014. After that, head over to see what John DeNardo of SF Signal has to say over at Kirkus Reviews about the SF&F Merry-Go-Round.

In other audible news, the Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters anthology, with a story by moi writing as J.C. Koch, is now available in audiobook format! As is Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by moi writing as G.J. Koch. AND as is Touched by an Alien by moi writing as moi. I know! All the listening you can do!

Speaking of Touched by an Alien, check out the headline True TV chose for the new Halle Berry series, "Extant". No, this isn't my announcement that the series has gone Hollywood (sadly LOL). I just think it's funny. And last but in no way least, for the aspiring authors out there, some words of wisdom from Jennifer Crusie on the publishing part of this business we call show.

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. For those of you celebrating the 4th, have fun, be good, and be careful. Everyone everywhere enjoy the weekend to the fullest, and I'll catch all of you on the flip side. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's be firework level readers out there!

Love,
Gini

My Writing Process Blog Tour

Thanks to awesome author T.C. Blue who I met at Coastal Magic Con and bonded with over a wide variety of alcohols, I've been tagged into a gigantic Writing Process Blog Tour. As I've learned, T.C. can usually be found sitting in front of her computer, trying to wrangle rabid and numerous plot bunnies, though her muses insist that she not be too hard on the poor little fluffy things. (Poor little fluffy things with sharp teeth and claws, but whatever. Muses don’t seem to care much about the possible bloodshed if the bunnies think T.C.'s not writing quickly enough.) Clearly she's my kind of gal.

But, enough stalling, right? Of course right. So, here you go -- the questions and my answers.

1) What am I working on?
So many things at the same time. But mostly Book 10 of my Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series, Universal Alien. And a variety of short stories for a variety of awesome anthologies & eZines, including 221 B Baker Streets, Penumbra eZine, Kaiju Rising II, UFO3, and more. And yes, yes, yes, Night Music and Alexander Outland: Space Avenger. (No, I never sleep.) And I'm prepping for Tucson Festival of Books, and the releases of Penumbra's May issue, Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens, and Alien Collective.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre? 
They're the best books ever written and a deal at twice the price!

No? Okay then. Mostly I differ from most science fiction because my books are funny, have a ton of action, and a lot of romance, and some of them (but not all) have extremely steamy sex.

3) Why do I write what I do? 
Because I have no choice. I try to write in all the genres -- and I do -- but at least 85% of the time it comes out as science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, or horror. I try to write seriously -- and I do -- but at least 75% of the time it comes out funny. So, I gave up and just accepted that I'm science fiction's funny girl and rolled on with the writing.

4) How does your writing process work?
Ah ha. Ahahaha. Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Um, I have no real process. I put on the right music (right now, as I write this, it's Panic! At the Disco, for example), I figure out my title, I write the first line...and when I get to the end...I stop. That's pretty much it. I edit as I go along. I'm an extreme linear writer and while I'll kind of outline short stories, I never outline novels. And I don't think that's ever going to change. Because if I know what happens, as in, I wrote down what happens, I don't care anymore. And I'm sure we don't want that, now, do we?

Up next week you'll get a dose of the same from these three awesome authors -- Marsheila Rockwell, T.M. Williams, and T.L. Smith. A little bit about the gals following me:  

Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell is the author of The Shard Axe series, the only official novels that tie into the popular MMORPG, Dungeons & Dragons Online. She also had two original short story/poetry collections published in 2013 and is currently hard at work on the second book in a trilogy based on an exciting comic book property created by one of the biggest names in fantasy today.  

T.M. Williams was born, 30 some odd years later she started writing and hasn't stopped since. She is the author of the Bohemian Grove trilogy; an ancient alien adventure, Undead Winter, and the Moonlight series. She is also a freelance business journalist, blogger extraordinaire, copywriter, and lover of cupcakes.

T.L. Smith writes Science Fiction, often from a military perspective, but with a touch of romance. Her insight into military culture came after a stint in the U.S. Air Force but the only vacuum her characters live in, is on the other side of the airlock. Come visit her vision of future worlds as we throw ourselves out into the universe.Their posts will go live on Monday, March 10th. So don't miss out on their answers to these questions!

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Paranormal Yapping

Happy Thursday! I know, I know -- lots of activity last week and then this week...silence. Hey, I've been busy; Alien Collective isn't going to write itself, you know. (I WISH it wanted to write itself, mind you, but it insists on my taking an active part. So unfair.) Anyway, there's lots going on, so let's get caught up, shall we? We shall!

First off, later today -- Thursday, Oct. 10th, 7-8:30pm Eastern/6-7:30pm Central/5-6:30pm Mountain/4-5:30pm Pacific -- the Paranormal Romance Dream Team will be chatting it up over at Literal Addiction. The Team consists of moi, Caris Roane, Erin Quinn, and Erin Kellison. Not only are the four of us hella fun, especially together, but we're all giving away prizes during the chat, so don't miss it!


Next up, check out what Team Tynga's Reviews is daring you to read. (Okay, you've probably all read it. But just in case, I double dog dare you!)

Then head over to Two Lips Reviews to see what they thought of When Josie Comes Home and Deacon's Ark by A.E. Stanton (yes, that's moi...and for those wondering, yes, more installments in this series WILL be coming). 

Wondering just what's out there and what's coming, book-wise, for moi? Or just can't keep track of all the pen names and/or titles? Then check out my recently somewhat redesigned and even prettier Bibliography page -- it's all there!  


Speaking of pen names -- the Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters Kickstarter, where my story is being written as J.C. Koch, more than fully funded, hitting all the stretch goals, even the super secret ones the authors didn't know about. Mega-thanks to all of you who helped support that, and the Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens Kickstarter, too. Really looking forward to being part of these and bringing some new stories out! (And, is that a new Kickstarter anthology just around the corner? I think there might be, so stand ready, because there WILL be tuckerizaions. Just sayin'...)

Going to the movies this weekend? Check out my reviews of The World's End and Metallica: Through the Never over at Slice of SciFi to see what I do and don't recommend, and why.

And now, a little business-type news. As many of you know, I write under a variety of pen names, including G.J. Koch, who writes the Alexander Outland series. Over the past year I've had a lot of questions about this series, 99.9% of which being, "When is the next book coming out?" I've been vague, unclear, or evasive because the publisher, Night Shade Books, was having major financial difficulties, and the books and authors were in the process of getting sold, reassigned, bartered, pick a description you like. 

The new publisher duo (don't ask) Start and Skyhorse and I couldn't come to terms on the next books in this series. But in an incredible act of business decency and wisdom, they've legally allowed me to do whatever I want with any future books in the series. They still have Alexander Outland: Space Pirate and seem intent to keep on selling it, which is great news, since I'm intent to keep on writing these books, particularly now that I can without certain restraints (like, oh, not getting paid and/or being sued), and having the first book available is nice for little things like series continuity.

SO, before you all race off to pre-order, let me mention that I haven't written a word on Alexander Outland: Space Avenger since the financial issues came to light (MONTHS ago -- and you can safely assume any week where you barely heard from me BUT I was at home/not at a con means I was consumed with this situation), so I have no ETA for that book at this precise time. What I DO have is the happy knowledge that there can now BE that book, and Alexander Outland: Galactic Gigolo, and any other stories I might want to tell about Nap and his crew. And, while we're at it, yes, more in the Necropolis Enforcement Files series will be coming, too. Night Music isn't being ignored, it just has to wait its turn (and that turn is after Alien Collective, because Kitty comes first, which she feels is exactly how things should always be).

So, onward we go! That's it for today, at least until the Paranormal Romance Dream Team chat later on, but as always, more's on the way. So, chat with some of you later, all of you enjoy the downward slide towards the weekend, and let's be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Names and Other Strangers

Happy Hump Day! Well, Arizona Dreamin' was a lot of fun, and coming right after Phoenix Comicon means I was also a lot of tired. LOL But I'm done with cons until San Diego Comic-Con next month, so revving back up. My con wrap up is coming (still), but there's again so much going on that it'll have to wait while we get to all the new!

First off, head over to Shadowhawk's Shade where the yap is large and in charge, talking about names and how I create and use them.

Next, head over to The SF Site and see what they thought of Alien vs. Alien.

Others have managed to get their Phoenix Comicon recaps done. So, head over to I Smell Sheep for some fun con pics, to They're Biodegradeable for Marcy Rockwell's take on things, and to More Geek Than Gay  for a full blown (2.5 hours!) worth of podcast mostly about the con, complete with clips.

Some of you have asked, and Team Gini has answered. There's now a complete, easy-to-read Bibliography  at the website, linked off of the Bookstore page. So, check out what deathless prose of mine you might be missing.

Change to the information on DarkCon -- I was told the wrong dates, so here are the REAL dates for this con: January 9-12, 2014. SO, please alter the plans made and make plans to attend -- I'm the Local Author Guest of Honor and it's gonna be a big party you don't want to miss!

And now, for something kind of completely different. Two somethings, really. First, for those of you who've been asking me when the next Alexander Outland book would be coming, I direct you to Media Bistro and A View From Corona for the explanations of why there's been no sign of Book 2 and why I can't tell you when Book 2 will be coming. But I do plan on writing at least two more books in the Alexander Outland series...I just can't yet tell you when to expect them.

Second, there's another kind of drama going on related to SFWA. For a good recap, check out this article at Adweek. Then check out the plethora of author responses, nicely collected by author Jim Hines. Then...I wasn't going to actually participate in all of this, feeling that Kitty and Victoria and my other female characters already speak my thoughts clearly, but author Stuart Sharp has pulled me into it, with the Huffington Post coming down firmly on the side of women authors being allowed to write whatever they want, and Sharp giving his rebuttal of same.

My response to this will be my June column at Slice of SciFi/It's Comic Book Day!, going up somewhere in the very near future, just as soon as my editor there can find the appropriate beefcake and women in uniform shots.

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way, hopefully but not limited to my con recaps. So, enjoy the downward slide towards the weekend and let's be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Tidy My Office: Alexander Outland

HOOK ME UP! EXCLUSIVE CONTEST

TIDY MY OFFICE!
BONUS WEEK -- Alexander Outland: Space Pirate

It's time to tidy my office, and I need filing space. To that end, I'm giving away my edited galleys -- the hard copies that have my scribbles on them. There's only one of each book, so these are extremely rare, one-of-a-kind items.

The contest will run weekly for 7 weeks, and cover the first 6 books in the Alien series and Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch.

The contest for the Alexander Outland: Space Pirate edited galley will run from Tuesday, February 16, 2013 through Monday, March 4, 2013. Any contest entries received for AO:SP after 3-04 will not qualify.

So, registered Hook Me Uppers!, answer this question: If you had a spaceship, what would you name it?

Love, Gini

LEGALESE
This is for Hook Me Up! subscribers only, so if you're not on, now's the time. Send an email with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line to gini@ginikoch.com and I'll send you the rules to enter.

Contest will run weekly from Tuesday, January 15, 2013 through Monday, March 4, 2013 (TBAA runs 01-15-13 to 01-21-13; AT runs 01-22-13 to 01-28-13; AitF runs 01-29-13 to 02-04-13; AP runs 02-05-13 to 02-11-13; AD runs 02-12-13 to 02-18-13; AvA runs 02-19-13 to 02-25-13, and AO:SP runs 02-16-13 to 03-04-13). Each galley's contest will run for a week -- winners will be announced sometime in the week following each galley's  entry close. Winners will have until the following Sunday to check in -- any galley not claimed by then will be pulled back by the Gods of Random and a new winner(s) will be chosen.

This an international contest -- as long as you're on Planet Earth, you can enter and win. You must have a deliverable address, though - no P.O. boxes. Prize may take 2-4 weeks to ship; it may take 6-8 weeks for international or longer. Prizes will NOT ship until the final contest week close, on the off chance someone manages to win more than one galley (yes, it's possible, because, as we know, the Gods of Random are capricious).

Happy Nerd Year!

Happy 2013! Hope everyone had a safe, fun, and happy New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. I personally can't believe 2013 is here already, but here it is, and with it, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, lots of goings ons, so let's get to them!

First up, my first ever guest column at Slice of SciFi/It's Comic Book Day! is large and in charge, so check out my Happy Nerd Year! column and enjoy my recommendations for what to pick up or keep your eyes open for that you might have missed.

Then, the yap keeps on running over at SF Signal, for today's True Confessions Mind Meld: The Books We Didn't Love. While you're there, share the books you don't like that everyone else feels you should.

After you discover my secret reading shame, head over to The Ranting Dragon and see what their top 50 anticipated novels of 2013 are.

Next, see who won The Orange Handcuff Awards of 2012 over at Larissa's Bookish Life. And if you've somehow missed it, check out the cover for Alien in the House over at Books-n-Kisses.

Jim Hines' Cover Posing for a Good Cause is done, for now, but we raised over $15,000 for the Aicardi Syndrome Foundation! More challenge poses are being posted regularly, so keep on checking back. Trust me, Jim's version of Alien Diplomacy is not to be missed!

Speaking of Alien Diplomacy, voting for the Predators & Editors Readers Poll is still going on over at Critters Writers Workshop and Alien Diplomacy and I need your votes in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Novel and Authors categories. Voting's open through Jan. 14th.

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. Now, I need to get back to writing Alien Research, Alexander Outland: Space Avenger, and Night Music, so peace out my li'l gangstas, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Mixin' It Up Monday

Happy President's Day to those in the States, and happy Monday to everyone else. Some are enjoying a day off (not me or the hubs, but some...somewhere...) and some are industriously working (the hubs is, yes...moi, not so much...). But, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, there's a lot going on here in Author Land, so let's get to it!

First off, let's look at what chances to win, and what, are out there. Head over to Con or Bust to bid to win an ARC of Alien Diplomacy. Proceeds go for a good cause and bidding closes this coming weekend. Plus there are lots of other cool books to bid on, so don't miss out!

Then, head over to Lynn Crain's Xtraordinary Romance to see why she thinks Kitty is a naughty girl AND get entered to win one of her steamy ebooks as well as a $25 gift certificate.

After that, check out Plot Mama's where Valentine's Day is still in the air, or at least in the quotes. And visit My 5 Monkeys for her take on the blogger/author relationship.

Next up, recommendations. Which aren't the same as reviews. But are just as nice. See why Backward Momentum recommends Alien Proliferation. Then check out all the ebooks from Musa Publishing that the staff of The Wiccan Haus recommends, including The Disciple by Jemma Chase and When Josie Comes Home by A.E. Stanton (yes, both are moi).

Now, it's time for some new reviews. The Ranting Dragon weighs in on Touched by an Alien and boeklogboek does the same for Alien in the Family. Then see what In Case of Survival thinks of When Josie Comes Home by A.E. Stanton (yes, still moi).

Is that it for today? Other than reminding everyone to do your girl a solid and pre-order Alien Diplomacy? Yes. You can do your girl another solid and start pre-ordering Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch (yes, also moi) right now, from bookstores and online outlets.

NOW that's it for today. Have a great week, and let's remember to be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Latest Exciting News to Share

Happy Hump Day! I have some very exciting news to share.

Writing as G.J. Koch, I've just sold Alexander Outland: Space Pirate to Night Shade Books. The book will release in paperback and ebook formats June 5, 2012.

Trouble’s brewing out in space, and Alexander Outland -- the least likely hero in the galaxy -- and his eccentric crew have to save the day, despite the fact they’d prefer to take the money and run.

I can't wait to share this new series, cast of characters, and galaxy with all of you! So, fasten your seatbelts -- it's gonna be a hilarious, rollicking ride!

Love,
Gini