Mega-Announcement Monday

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! I sure did. It was great seeing so many of you at Barnes & Noble Desert Ridge on Friday -- made me want to do signings every night. I also got to hang out with awesome author Weston Ochse at his signing for SEAL Team 666 at the Poisoned Pen the next day. So a busy weekend was had by moi. But, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, there's a LOT going on, especially in terms of announcements -- some I've been dying to tell you, some just discovered -- so let's get to it!

Where to start, where to start...well, let's start with this: Alien vs. Alien made the Barnes & Noble Bestseller list in its first week of release! Whoo double Hoo! And THAT is all because of all of you! Thank you for pre-ordering and buying -- all y'all rock above all others!

Speaking of which, see what A Buckeye Girl Reads and Night Owl Reviews thought of Alien vs. Alien. And if you somehow haven't gotten your copy yet -- rectify!

Speaking of rocking above all others, the Alien Collective Virtual HQ has something I think you're all gonna love -- and that's the world premiere of the cover for Alien in the House! I love this cover, and I'm pretty sure you all will, too. I can't wait until it's on the entire bookie wookie, either, can you? (Required reminder: It's never too early to pre-order -- Alien in the House, coming May 7, 2013.)

Since we've mentioned upcoming books, it's time to share something new about new upcoming books. Turned out that as I was finishing Alien in the House, I realized that the characters had a lot to do. Lots and lots and lots to do. So much to do, in fact, that it's requiring another book. And because I have the best editor in the world and DAW is the best publisher in the world, I'm getting to do that additional book. SO, officially, Alien Research will now be Book 8, coming December 2013, with Alien Collective/Book 9 coming May 2014, Universal Alien/Book 10 coming December 2014, and Alien Separation/Book 11, coming May 2015. (And there was much rejoicing, at least by me and the characters. Trust me, the characters and I NEED Alien Research.) 

Right now you're all thinking, "Wow, those are some epic announcements. Bet she's about to say that's it for today." And right now I can tell you -- you're wrong. Because...wait for it...there's MORE.

Because I'm not busy enough (apparently) and feel that even an hour of sleep is too much (really apparently), when Slice of SciFi and It's Comic Book Day graciously asked me to become their featured guest columnist and frequent yet random podcast guest/commentator, I said, "Yes! Yes! Me! Pick me!" So, beginning in January, you'll get more doses of moi sharing my thoughts on all things comics and related at regularly random intervals. I know, like you don't hear from me enough already. But now, you get MORE. I'm a giver, me.

Again you think I'm done, and again I say I'm not. As with the others, this announcement is pretty darned huge. As with the others, I could have doled them out, one per day. But no. No, I decided to do it ALL today and overwhelm and astound, 'cause that's the kind of girl I am. So...here it comes...Mega-Announcment #5...

DarkCon 2014, Jan. 16-19, 2014/Thurs.-Sun. of MLK Weekend, has asked me to be the Local Author Guest of Honor! And that's not all. They've also heard your pleas for a Gini Con of some kind. Well, when my fans cry out in the darkness, the Dark Ones listen. Not only will I be the Local GoH, but they're officially making all day Sunday of the con Gini Con -- all about the me and all about the you! So, start saving up, book the time off of work right now, lock those babysitting arrangements in place, plan to vacation where the weather's always better in the winter, and come to the Dark Side with me in 2014! Details will continue to follow, but truly, this is going to be a stellar opportunity, and the other Guests of Honor are gonna be awesome, too. You don't want to miss this one!

Whew. Well, finally, we reach the end of the Epic Announcements of Epicness. Enjoy the start of what's likely to be a hectic, but hopefully joyous, week, and I'll catch you on the flip side. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Geek Girl Makes Good!

Hey there! It's a short and sweet one today, because, well, there's some exciting news.

"Alien Proliferation" hit #40 on the Barnes & Noble Bestsellers list in its first week of release! That's thanks to all of YOU, my wonderful readers! So, many {HUGS} and *smootchies* to you all -- that's the best Christmas present ever!

Also on tap today, check out Heidi Ruby Miller's Geek Girl Underground over at Inveterate Media Junkies, where we have the 12 Days of Geek Girl Christmas, and yes, yours truly has one of the days. And what my true love got for me should surprise no one who's been paying even the slightest bit of attention. You get the article AND the song, so enjoy!

Remember that it's the last day to enter the Combo-Con Contest. It's still for Hook Me Up! subscribers only, but you still have time to join. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll get the instructions for how to enter to win lots of goodies. (I mean, seriously, lots. Scroll down the Blog a bit and you'll see I'm not exaggerating.)

So, barring any more exciting news (hey, it could happen), I'm going to wish everyone the best of weekends and happiest of holidays, and catch you on the flip side. Peace out and cool will to all men my li'l gangstas!

Love,
Gini

Easter Roundup

Happy Easter! Hope all who celebrate have and had a wonderful Easter Sunday, and that those who don't had a lovely weekend. It's been a long while with radio silence, but I'm home and back in action. So to speak.

As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, there's a LOT to catch up on, however, so we're gonna roll right into it. Get ready to click some links, 'cause boy, do we have a lot of eggs in this here basket!

But first, and the main reason I couldn't wait to send this out to you -- I checked when I got home and *drum roll, please* "Alien in the Family" hit the Barnes & Noble bestseller list, at #43, in its first week of release! *Let the happy dancing begin!* Thanks to all of YOU who made that happen!

Now, for the links. First off, let's check out the Yap and where it's been running, shall we? Hit DAW Books Community and check out the next Dueling Authors interview with moi and the ever-awesome Joshua Palmatier. Then head to 1st Turning Point for my latest rant, ah, OpEd piece. Missed the Yap Running Live over at Bookish Escapism? Fret not. The recording is up at Literary Escapism so have a listen! Yes, I do drop, if not spoilers, a variety of hints of things to come.

Now for the reviews. Lots of great new reviews have come in! Check out what Ramblings From a Chaotic Mind, Nancy McGregor's Big Bad Blog, and Cookies, Books and Bikes thought of "Touched by an Alien".

Then, check out what Ramblings From a Chaotic Mind has to say about "Alien Tango".

Last, but in no way least, go see what Tempting Persephone, The Bookaholic Cat, and Monsters and Critics have to say about "Alien in the Family".

Lots more coming, including my NYC roundup and related Hook Me Up! exclusive contest (because I went somewhere, so you knew there was gonna be a contest coming), but that's more than enough for now. For now, I need to go eat some ears off a chocolate bunny.

Love,
Gini

More Good Stuff

Well, today brings some new “stuff”. I was so excited about the fact that we had Alien Collective Logos to vote on, that I forgot to share some exciting news. For the week ending 4/18/10, “Touched by an Alien” was #44 on the Barnes & Noble Bestsellers List! That’s 5 slots up from where it had been the week prior! Whoo hoo! I’m so excited and it’s all because of all of you! *Virtually hugs the Collective tight*

In addition to this, there’s another nice review up at Hanging With Bells blog, so head on over and give the review some Alien Collective love. There are also some more great reviews for “Touched by an Alien” up on Amazon.com, Borders.com and Barnes & Noble.com.

But wait, there’s more? Indeed there is. Keep your eyes peeled for a LOT on Friday -- I know, it’s the end of the week, but it’ll be hopping in Gini Land. But before then, The Galaxy Express is helping Jess Granger launch her book, “Beyond the Shadows” with a cool cyber release party -- and a copy of “Touched by an Alien” is one of the prizes! Head on over and check it out!

It’s a never-ending cornucopia of exciting things going on here, so stay tuned…more IS to come!

Love,
Gini

Another Awesome Review...PLUS

As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, there's another great review out there for "Touched by an Alien"! Head on over to Tempting Persephone and read what one of our newest members of the Alien Collective has to say! And, you know, giver her blog some love while you're there.

Also, if you haven't stopped by to check out my interview at Pearls Cast Before a McPig, well, get yourself over there pronto, and remember to give some love to the blog there, as well!

Now for the Plus part -- according to Penguin, and they would know, "Touched by an Alien" is #49 on the Barnes & Nobles Bestsellers List for the week ending 4/11/10. Whoo DOUBLE hoo! Head there if you want to see for yourselves (http://booksellers.penguin.com/static/html/bestsellers.html) -- as a warning, you have to scroll way down to find it, 'cause this is a long list from Penguin.

I'm so excited, I'm bouncing in my seat! Yeah, okay, that happens frequently, sometimes just because, but you have to admit, with an awesome review, a fun interview, and the knowledge that "Touched by an Alien" is on a bestsellers list, it's a total reason to bounce and squeal, right? Of course right!

Love,
Gini