Universally Sensational

Hey there! Well, Monday was a big day, but this week's keeping the awesome going full steam, particularly when it comes to winning. So, let's roll into it, shall we? We shall, and we'll sound "street" while we're doing, it, too!

Today's stop on the Universal Alien Top 10 Blog Tour is over at I Smell Sheep, where you'll get to find out what my top movie horror monsters are. And, of course, get entered to win a copy of one of the first 9 books in the series, signed and personalized, open internationally. Already have all the books signed and such? Try winning for a friend. After all, Christmas and Hanukkah are coming, and all that holiday jazz.

There are more Tour stops to come, and you can still get entered to win at the prior stops as well. Some of the contests end TOMORROW, so hurry up and get entered to win so you don't miss out!

Top 10 Blog Tour Stops
11-10 Pearls Cast Before a McPig, contest ends Nov. 28th
11-11 Larissa's Bookish Life, contest ends Nov. 18th
11-11 Feeling Fictional, contest ends Nov. 30th
11-11 Gizmo's Reviews, contest OVER, winner announced
11-12 A Buckeye Girl Reads, contest ends Nov. 18th
11-13 Bibliognome, contest ends Nov. 18th
11-14 boeklogboek, contest ends Nov. 25th
11-17 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell contest ends Nov. 30th
11-18 I Smell Sheep, contest ends Nov. 25th
11-19 Lu's Buchgefluster
11-20 Under the Covers
11-21 Word of the Nerd
12-01 Books-n-Kisses
12-01 Readaholics Anonymous
12-02 Smart Girls Love Sci Fi

After you've checked out the Top 10 lists and gotten entered to win and all, check out what Larissa's Bookish Life thought of Universal Alien. Then see what characters Larissa would like to cosplay.

Then see what BookLikes thought of the audio version of Touched by an Alien. Did you know that audio books make great gifts? Well, they do. Just sayin'...that this is available at Audible and directly from Tantor Media.

Of course, Universal Alien's blog tour isn't all the big stuff that's going on this week. Sensational Six is available now, for the amazingly low price of $0.99, for a limited time, anyway. Yes that means it won't stay this price forever. So don't delay, get your set today!

What's in the set? Six great stories from seven authors -- Six Gals and a Guy -- including The Night Beat, Necropolis Enforcement Files #1, along with an extra-long excerpt of Night Music, Necropolis Enforcement Files #2. And right now, this boxed set is the only place where you can get both The Night Beat and the Night Music excerpt, and since you can get them both AND five other awesome stories for less than a dollar, there's really no reason not to race out and grab them right now! And to make it easy for you, here are all the buy links ('cause I'm a giver, me).

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

The Sensational Six Blog Tour is also in full swing. Details for all stops are here at the Blah, Blah, Blah, Blog (see post below). Every stop has prizes and there's a gigantic grand prize, too, so definitely get entered to win. And if that's not enough, there's a big party on Facebook this Thursday, Nov. 20th, starting at 3pm EST. RSVP now so you don't miss out because, of course, there's going to be authors chatting and prizes being handed out the entire time!

Have you picked up your copy of November's Penumbra eMagazine yet? If not, you're missing out on great stories, including my latest Alien Series short, "Alien Pick-Up". And while you're getting caught up, grab the May and July issues of Penumbra, which have "Alien on the Runway" and "Mr. Dash Saves the World". Get 'em all so you're all caught up and ready for Universal Alien's release in 2 weeks!

Speaking of not missing out, the great celebration giveaway over at awesome author Caris Roane's website ends in two days. Don't miss your chance to win some great books from moi and other great authors like Erin Quinn, Erin Kellison, and Jennifer Ashley!


Last but in no way least, head over to Slice of SciFi and check out my review of The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Want to see the movie or just love Cumberbatch? Join the conversation over at Slice!

That's it for today, but as you well know by now, more's on the way. So enjoy the countdown to Universal Alien's release, and let's be contest entering and book winning readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Tours of Duty

Happy Veteran's Day! Hope Monday treated everyone well and we're all fully into the flow of the week. For those of you off work today, enjoy the time! For everyone, though, today is Veteran's Day in the U.S., and everyone, worldwide, should take a moment to thank those who have served in your country's armed forces, especially those who gave all. William Cox, Michael Gower, Gladys Gower, Naomi Gower-Reynolds, and Fuzzball salute all those who served and the memories of and families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

The Universal Alien Top 10 Blog Tour is going strong, with three stops today!

Head over to Larissa's Bookish Life for my Top 10 Fave TV Shows and a chance to win one of the first 9 books in the Alien series. Then hit Feeling Fictional for my Top 10 SciFi Heroes, and another chance to win. And last but not least, hit Gizmo's Reviews for Christopher's Top 10 Kitty-isms, and yet another chance to win! All contests are open internationally.

And, while you're over there, check out what Gizmo's Reviews thought of Universal Alien.

Blog Tour Stops:
11-10 Pearls Cast Before a McPig, contest ends Nov. 28th
11-11 Larissa's Bookish Life, contest ends Nov. 18th
11-11 Feeling Fictional, contest ends Nov. 30th
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
12-01 Readaholics Anonymous
12-02 Smart Girls Love Sci Fi

Speaking of blog tours and upcoming releases and all that jazz, a reminder that the blog tour for Sensational Six: Action and Adventure in Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance is going strong. Check out NK Blog Tours for info on all stops -- all of which have prizes! And remember to be ready to order this great set of six super stories from seven writers (aka Six Gals and a Guy) coming on Nov. 17th for the ultra-low price of $0.99! That's right, a ton of great reading for less than a dollar! Including The Night Beat, Necropolis Enforcement Files #1. AND a long excerpt from Night Music, Necropolis Enforcement Files #2, in the only place you're going to get it until Night Music releases in early 2015! SUCH a deal, you don't want to miss out!

Speaking of tours, yet another stop on my upcoming December Book Tour has been confirmed! Here are all the Tour dates so far, one of which (Dec. 2nd) includes a webcast event so that everyone can join in, even if you can't be with me in person!

Tuesday, December 2nd
Universal Alien Release Day Signing and Party
Cake, readings, signings, games and prizes!
7pm, The Poisoned Pen
4014 N. Goldwater Blvd., #101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-947-2974
Additional LiveStream Event runs concurrently, so even if you can't be here in person you can still join in the fun!

Saturday, December 6th
Universal Alien Signing and Party
2pm, Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
5943 Balboa Ave., Suite 100
Balboa Mesa Shopping Center
San Diego, CA 92111
NOTE: Mysterious Galaxy has moved! New location listed above. See you there!

Saturday, December 13th
Universal Alien Signing and Wycked Women Who Write Party
Come Party With Us From
1-4pm, Barnes and Noble Bookstore
567 North Stephanie
Henderson, NV 89014
702-434-1533

Wednesday, December 17th
Universal Alien Signing and Party
7:00pm Barnes and Noble Bookstore
Desert Ridge Marketplace
21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 42
Phoenix, AZ 85050
480-538-8520

More dates may be coming, so keep watching the Datebook for updates!

Have you gotten your November issue of Penumbra eMagazine yet? If not, why not? You're missing out on "Alien Pick-Up", and you know you don't want to do that! Also, if you've missed the May issue, featuring "Alien on the Runway", and/or the July issue, featuring "Mr. Dash Saves the World", you want to get those, too. And you can, easily, because Penumbra has all their back issues for sale, too.

That's it for today, but as always, especially during Tour Time, there's more on the way. So let's be honoring readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Pick Up Some Aliens

Happy Monday! It's a long one today, but that's because I'm heading out of town (more on that below) and don't want all y'all to miss out on anything!

But first up, hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! All winners who won ebooks have them now. And for those of you who are getting physical books, they will go out by the week of the 10th (and you're waiting for a couple of reasons, but you'll be happy for the delay, I promise).

Also, welcome to November! Know what November is? Nah, I and the Stampeding Herd don't do NaNo ('cause we do our own version all year long). Nope, November is when my third Alien Series Short, "Alien Pick-Up", is available in the current issue of Penumbra eMagazine! So, if you're jonesing for an Alien fix and don't want to wait until December 2nd when Universal Alien releases, go grab a copy of Penumbra today!

And, for those of you who may have somehow missed the May and July issues, containing "Alien on the Runway" and "Mr. Dash Saves the World" respectively, don't continue missing out! Penumbra has all their back issues for sale, too!

After getting all caught up with Penumbra, see what Books-n-Kisses thought of Alien Collective.

And then it's time for some science! In honor of the story I'll be writing for the Temporally Out of Order anthology,
see what io9 wants to remind us all about the true perils of time travel. (Hint -- it's NOT killing your grandfather...it's much, much worse...) And it also totally absolves the Ancients of a lot of errors, too. Well, somewhat anyway. And, shocking one and all, the comments on this article are really great, well thought out, and thought provoking -- which is probably the most surprising thing about the article, when you think about it...

As a reminder for all SoCal area peeps -- I'll be in da hizzy on Thursday, November 6, for the mass signing of A Darke Phantastique. And I won't be alone! A slew of awesome authors will be there, including William F. "Logan's Run" Nolan! Truly, if you're in the area, get over to the Mystery and Imagination Bookstore at 5:30 this Thursday for a fun party with authors, cake, and wine! Also, if you have any of my bookie wookies you want signed, bring 'em all and I'll sign 'em all!

Also, since I'll be out of town starting on Wednesday, be sure to hit Slice of SciFi on Friday, to see what I thought of Big Hero 6.

  

Speaking of being out of town, Vegas Area Peeps, we have time confirmation for my signing at the Barnes & Noble Henderson on December 13, 2014, where I'll be joined with fellow Wyked Women Who Write authors T.L. Smith and Sharon Skinner for a party and more from 1-4pm! Cake, yaps running, prizes being handed out left and right, so don't miss out! This is our first Vegas area signing, so if you want us to keep on coming back, help us pack the house!

Other Southwestern area peeps, I'm still finalizing the last stops on my December Book Tour, so keep your eyeballs peeled for a signing in your area! And hit the Datebook for info on all confirmed stops! Every stop currently planned with have a party -- including cake and prizes -- so be sure to make your plans now to attend! You'll be glad you did. (And remember: If you haven't yet, pre-order Universal Alien TODAY from your fave bookstore or online retailer!)

Remember to keep the eyeballs peeled and mark your calendars for November 17th, when Sensational Six: Action and Adventure in Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance will hit the airwaves. Six great stories from seven great authors, and all for $0.99! Plus you'll get a long, and the only, excerpt of Necropolis Enforcement Files #2, Night Music (coming early in 2015), as a boxed set extra! (BTW, I swear that's Ralph on the Sensational Six cover, and no one gets to tell me otherwise!)

Gosh, is that it? I think it is, at least for, most likely, this week. See some of you on Thursday, all of you have fantastic weeks and even better weekends, and let's be  readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Universally Speaking

Happy Weekend! I'd meant to have this to you on Friday, but Blogger was not cooperating, so, as with so many things Gini, it's coming out a little late. But you know what's not going to be late? Universal Alien, that's what!

First up, check out what Larissa's Bookish Life and Bibliognome list as their Top 5 Most Anticipated Books of the latter half of 2014. While you're at Bibliognome, check out what she got in her Mail of the Week. Then see what Gizmo's Reviews has Stacking the Shelves.

Now, look at what RT Book Reviews has to say about it's Top Pick, Universal Alien! "The tenth outing of Koch’s insanely fun Alien series illustrates perfectly the 'be careful what you wish for' theme." Can't wait? Pre-order today, from any bookstore, including the ones I'm making Book Tour stops at. See the Datebook page for Tour details.
 
Speaking of reviews, see what Readaholics Anonymous thought of Alien Collective.

My story, "Sewers", for the X-Files anthology is turned in, edited, and all set to go, as is the rest of the first volume! Coming from IDW Publishing, most likely in Spring 2015!

I know, I know, that's so far away. However, "Alien Pick-Up" is also done and turned in and coming to you very soon in the November issue of Penumbra eMagazine. And if you missed "Alien on the Runway", May 2014 issue, or "Mr. Dash Saves the World", July 2014 issue, never fear -- you can get all the back issues of Penumbra just as easily as the newest!

Next up, head on over to Slice of SciFi to see what I think of the first season of Gotham and the second season of Sleepy Hollow now that we're 5 Episodes In. And feel free to chime in about your thoughts on these shows over at Slice -- conversation is always welcomed and encouraged!

Now, check out what Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell thought of Unidentified Funny Objects 3.

Speaking of which, all the entries are in, and I'll be announcing the lucky winners of the Anthologies Contest next week. Remember that you'll only have a few days to check in to claim your prize, and then, if it goes unclaimed, the Gods of Random will snatch it back and demand a new sacrifice. So, if you entered, stay ever vigilant!

And, if you didn't win or didn't enter, never fear. There's another contest coming soon, very soon. Like as soon as I get certain items in my possession soon.

But, that's all I'm going to say about that today. So, enjoy your weekends and let's start the new week bleary-eyed but satisfied from all the reading. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

The Yap Talks Mysterious Aliens

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far. I am, and there's much going on, including something I promised all y'all last week, so let's get to it, shall we? We shall!

First up, the Yap is large and in charge over at the Abaddon Books Blog where I'm talking about my favorite mystery anthology, Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets...and how I met my editor.

After you learn yet another one of my not-so-secret secrets, head over to SF Signal where I'm in a Mind Meld about Successful Alien Characters. Join the discussion over there and talk about the aliens you think work and those who don't.

Next up, let's check out some reviews. See what Falcata Times thought of Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets, and what The BookBeard's Blog thought of my story, All the Single Ladies, in particular. Then see what DAW Books Review and K.D. Did It Takes On Books thought of Alien Research.

Speaking of Alien Research, remember to do your girl a solid and pre-order Universal Alien from any physical bookstore or online retailer. Yes, pre-orders matter, more and more. Even if you plan to come get your bookie wookie at one of my Book Tour stops, pre-order it from that bookstore. It helps them, it helps me, it helps DAW, and it ensures your book is there for YOU and you alone. Not in the states I'll be for the Tour? Not to worry -- you can always pre-order AND get your books signed at every bookstore I'll be hitting, and most of them ship for free or very little.

Now for some exciting news, though it's not exactly new news. However, it bears repeating, as so many things do. I'll have my next Alien series short, Alien Pick-Up, in the November issue of Penumbra eMagazine. Mark your calendars, and to avoid missing out, why not get a subscription to Penumbra today? You'll get a monthly set of great short stories set around cool themes, from current and up-and-coming authors. Truly not to be missed! Especially the November issue...just sayin'...and, of course the May and July issues which contained Alien on the Runway and Mr. Dash Saves the World. And yes, you can get all the back issues of Penumbra, including the ones I'm in, directly from their website.

Speaking of exciting news -- I'm going to be part of a boxed set coming out November 17th, alongside awesome authors Caris Roane, Jordan Summers, Vivi Anna, Marsheila Rockwell & Jeff Mariotte, and Sasha White. So, get ready for Sensational Six:  Action and Adventure in Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Paranormal
Romance! I'll give you more details soon, but get ready, 'cause it's gonna be awesome and you won't want to miss out on this one!


And now, something you've all been waiting for -- the next contest! In honor of my many anthologies out and coming out, and because the editor of Unidentified Funny Objects 3 is awesome and sent me some extra books for giveaways, we're gonna do a giveaway! BUT, as always, it's for my Hook Me Up! subscribers only. Not on? Rectify immediately if not sooner, by sending an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line. You'll be in with the in crowd, get the rules, and be able to get the winning going!

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So enjoy the downward slide toward the weekend, get your entries going because this is just the start of the contests that'll be coming, and let's be winning readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini