Cyber Monday Means Anthologies!

Getting books this Cyber Monday? Don't forget anthologies!

You've still got half a day to head on over to Zombies Need Brains and pick up a few! 

Gini's got Alien Series stories in the Zombies Need Brains anthologies:

Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens ⭑Temporally Out of Order ⭑Alien Artifacts 

and her first Young Adult story ever in:

WERE-

PLUS you can pre-order Submerged and All Hail Our Robot Conquerors, featuring two more stories: An Alien Series story for All Hail Our Robot Conquerors and a Horror tale in Submerged 

You still got half a shopping day left. You know you gotta get 'em all!

Be sure to check out the other great book-shaped gifts and merchandise they've got available!!

Festival Bound!

Happy Friday! Well, I'm heading off to Tucson for the weekend, but before I go, there's something you have to see!

Check out the awesome cover for the X-Files anthology my story "Sewers" is in, Trust No One, coming April 7, you can pre-order the audio version at Amazon right now. (No idea when book pre-orders will be available.)

Speaking of pre-orders, The Disciple and Other Stories of the Paranormal by moi writing as Jemma Chase is available for pre-order from Amazon. The book will release on March 20th.

The Kickstarter for Unidentified Funny Objects 4 is still underway and going strong, but it's not funded yet! Check it out -- it's going to be a good one. Also, I have one tuckerization left available. You'll be in "Support Your Local Alien", the Alien series short that's the next adventure for the characters from my steampunk universe first introduced in "A Clockwork Alien", part of the Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Zombies anthology.

I'll be signing that, Unidentified Funny Objects 3, and Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets, not to mention all the Alien series, including Universal Alien, and more bookie wookies besides, at the Tucson Festival of Books this weekend, Saturday March 14 and Sunday March 15. When not on panels or at signings, you can find me at Booth #106.

My panel and signing schedule is:
--Saturday, March 14, 4-5pm - Making Magic Real: Suspending Reader Disbelief, Integrated Learning Center Room 130; signing immediately after Sales and Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center  
--Sunday, March 15, 11:30am-12:30 pm - I Got Nuthin' – Battling Writer's Block, Integrated Learning Center Room 141; signing immediately after Sales and Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center  
--Sunday, March 15, 2:30-3:30pm - Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, and Sci-Fi, Koffler Room 216; signing immediately after Sales and Signing Area - Koffler Patio

But I can't leave you without some science! Per Huff Post Science, there's a diamond planet out there. Oh, the story possibilities this creates! Also, Scientific American shares that we've got one heck of a new and improved particle accelerator on the way. This will give scientists a way to study things we haven't been able to before (and, you know, potentially get to say hi to ACE, Algar, and Sandy and the Superconsciousness Seven).

Well, that's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So enjoy the weekend, hope to see many of you at the Festival, and all of you be universally happy readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Psst, Wanna Be In One of My Stories?

Happy Tuesday! Well, it's another short and sweet one today! So hang onto your hats and away we go!

First up, the Kickstarter anthology, Unidentified Funny Objects 4 is live and in less than 24 hours two out of my 3 tuckerizations are gone! My story, "Support Your Local Alien", will be an Alien series short, set in my steampunk world, giving you the next adventures of the characters you met in my story in the Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens anthology, "A Clockwork Alien". So, if you want to get in on this and be a character in one of my stories (and unlike many, I tend to not kill off my tuckers but turn them into long-term supporting characters), now's the time!

The UFO4 anthology will also have stories from Neil Gaiman, George R.R. Martin, Jody Lynn Nye, Piers Anthony, and more. So don't miss out, get in on this one today! (Also authors, aspiring and otherwise -- UFO4 is accepting submissions for this antho, too, so scroll down to see what they're offering and looking for.)

After you check out this new fun anthology, take a look at what The Bookie Monster thought of one of the first Kickstarter anthos I've been in -- Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters, featuring "With Bright Shining Faces" by moi writing as J.C. Koch.

And last but not least, since we're yapping anthologies, you can still get a pre-order in for the Temporally Out of Order anthology, featuring my Alien series short, "Alien Time Warp", which takes place during Alien Separation. Pre-orders are from Zombies Need Brains -- scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to find the TOoO pre-order info.

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So let's be anthology and Alien series short story reading readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Anthos for the Win!

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I did! I finished my X-Files story for the anthology...and now the longwinded that is moi must edit it down to fit. (So, you know, I'll be whining to my crit partner a lot over the next day or so.) But the new week's here, and with it, some cool stuff, so let's get to it! (And, for those of you wondering what went on with this post going haywire -- hey, it's a Monday...so forgive the bizarre spacing...it was 99% perfect, I tried to fix one tiny thing and now? Monday.) 

First up, as I mentioned last week, there's a new Kickstarter in town -- Temporally Out of Order and I'm in it, along with a host of other awesome authors. I'm also offering 3 tuckerizations (where you get to give me a name and I make a character in the story with it -- and while most kill their tuckers, I tend to become attached to mine and keep them alive), 1 of which is already gone. I'm ALSO offering free ebook specials for certain dollar pledges, so definitely check out Temporally Out of Order and get in on this Kickstarter now!

After you've checked that out, head on over to Two Gay Geeks where they've jumped on the Alien train and have reviewed Touched by an Alien. And remember that there's chances to win cool stuff over at Shooting Stars and Bad Guys, open through 9-17, and at Books-N-Kisses, open through 9-30.  

Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens, featuring my short story, "A Clockwork Alien", is available right now, so if you don't have your copies, get them today. Also, a reminder that you can preorder a variety of works right now as well: Universal Alien; Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets, featuring my short story, "All the Single Ladies"; The Madness of Cthulhu Vol. 1, featuring my short story, "Little Lady", written as J.C. Koch; A Darke Phantastique, featuring my short story, "Outsiders", written as J.C. Koch; and Unidentified Funny Objects 3, featuring my short story, "Live at the Scene". Preorders matter more and more to authors and publishers, so if you're planning to buy, please do your girl some major solids and preorder today!

In Person Update

I'll be in Chicago from 9-25 through 9-30. Trying to figure out a meet up, so if you're in Chicago or surrounding areas, let me know so you're on my list to contact when we finally figure out what we're doing. And yes, that includes signings. (Surgery sort of derailed good Chicago planning, so now we are on Seat of the Pants Chicago Planning, which is way more exciting. LOL)

I'll be a Featured Speaker at the Greater Phoenix MENSA RPG, so if you're in the Greater Phoenix Metro Area over Thanksgiving weekend, come on by and see the me!

I'm finalizing details for my December Book Tour, but I will definitely be at Mysterious Galaxy San Diego on December 6th, party starting at 2pm. And it will BE a party, with readings, games, and prizes, so make your plans to be there now!

In January 2015 I'll be teaching workshops at the San Diego State University Writer's Conference. This is a wonderful writer's con, loaded with successful authors, agents, and editors, so if you're only going to be able to go to one writer's conference, make this the one -- you'll be glad you did.

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So have wonderful weeks, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

I Ain't Ded

Hola! I know...long time no see. So...to explain for those who somehow have't read Terry Pratchett's DiscWorld series, the subject line is also a sign Granny Weatherwax, a powerful witch, holds when she goes wandering outside of her body. And it's been a month since you've heard from me, and...well...I was sorta wandering outside of my body.

As most of you probably do not know, I got back from San Diego Comic-Con and promptly got sick. And then got hospitalized. And then got my gall bladder removed. And then got to recover (which I am still doing). So, it's been an exciting kind of time at the Casa.

But, I'm back finally JUST in time to head off to CopperCon this weekend. And check out what AZ Central has to say about the con, which includes some quotes from yours truly. Yes, I'm still recovering, but the con is nice and intimate and the venue is nice and small, and I plan to not race around and all should be well. Plus, I have panels and readings and signings to go to, yes I do. In fact, for those of you coming to the con, here's my schedule:

Fri 5p-6p, Everybody Kills Somebody Sometime, Avondale 4
Fri 6p-7p, Point of View and Pacing, Avondale 3
Fri 730p-9p, Meet the Pros, Avondale 3

Sat 1p-130p, Reading, Boardroom
Sat 130p-230p, Autographing, Merchants Room
Sat 3p-430p, Meet Our Guest: Gini Koch, Avondale 4
Sat 6p-7p, Structure of a Story, Avondale 3

Sun 11a-Noon, Does It Matter Where We Publish?, Boardroom
Sun 1230p-1p, Reading, Boardroom
Sun 1p-2p, Autographing, Merchants Room

But of course, with me being "gone" for a month, there's a LOT to catch up on. So let's do that, shall we? We shall.

First up, exciting news. I've been moved from Book 3 to Book 1 of the X-Files anthology series! So, am madly and excitedly working on my story and can't wait to give all y'all the expected pub date!

Next up, let's catch up on some reviews. See why Night Owl Reviews gave Alien Collective a Top Pick! Then see what Word of the Nerd thought of Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens, featuring my Alien series short story, "A Clockwork Alien"; Amazing & Waiting: Two Novelettes by moi writing as Jemma Chase; and A Cup of Joe by moi writing as Anita Ensal. After that, see what Sand Between the Pages thought of Touched by an Alien. And last but in no way least, check out this triple review of Unidentified Funny Objects 3 from Tangent.

Speaking of UFO3, you can pre-order it now! And while you're at it, do your girl another solid and pre-order Universal Alien. And why do pre-orders matter? Let Musing and author Tony Earley explain it all for you.

After all the pre-ordering and learning and such, head over to see what Larissa's Bookish Life chose as the top 5 series she'd give as a gift. Then check out The Tex Files and see what moi and some other authors taught her about The Swan Song for Anonymity. And see who the gals at Sci-Fi Romance Quarterly like to interview, and more, over at USA Today.

For those of you not able to attend CopperCon and see the me and hear the dulcet tones of my voice, check out the interview I did with Two Gay Geeks, and my video interview with InD'Tale Magazine. Then, check out the full interview at InD'Tale Magazine -- the subscription is free and you get a real in-depth interview of moi (albeit with a few errors that talking into a voice recorder can cause), plus more, so don't delay, get your copy today!

Amazingly enough, that's it for today. I will try not to be gone for so very long and you all try to forgive me for being gone so long and we will all remain healthy, right? Of course right. Enjoy the downward slide to 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

California Dreamin'

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, a lovely Easter for those who celebrated, and that the week's been treating you well. I'm heading off to SoCal -- WITH my holiday gift from the hubs of a brand new laptop that is not running no longer supported OS (farewell, XP...we barely knew ye) -- for a family reunion and related activities. But before I go I wanted to catch you all up on the latest stuff.

First off, the annual Brenda Novak auction for diabetes is starting May 1st, and I've got a super item in the auction -- an Alien Pack. The winner will get all 9 books so far in the Alien series, an exclusive, limited edition totebag to hold them all in, and more. Bookmark the site and my bid section so you can bid to win! All proceeds go to a great charity, and there are tons of amazing things to bid on, so take a look and get ready to go crazy!

Have you gotten Touched by an Alien in audio format yet? Well, if not, join the party! Available from Audible, Amazon, Tantor Audio, and other fine retailers all over.

Even the news media is talking about my Early Release Party for Alien Collective over at The Poisoned Pen on Saturday, May 3rd, from 2:00-3:00pm. There will be prizes, lots of fun, moi, and the happiness of getting Alien Collective days earlier than anyone else will -- don't miss it!

BTW, it's not too late to pre-order Alien Collective from any bookstore. But if you pre-order from The Poisoned Pen or Mysterious Galaxy you can get the book signed and personalized, too -- they're just cool that way.

Speaking of pre-orders, May is just around the corner -- have you pre-ordered Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens yet? In addition to a ton of other cool stories, it will contain the first ever Alien series short, "A Clockwork Alien", aka The One That Started The Craze.

Speaking of The Craze, have you bought your subscription to Penumbra eMagazine yet? If not, what are you waiting for? The story all y'all have been waiting for -- when Reader met Gower -- will be in the May issue. "Alien on the Runway" will be only one of the great stories in Penumbra's May issue, but I have two more shorts coming in this year. And, sure, you could just buy each issue separately for $3.99 each.

However, 'cause I'm a giver and so is the editorial staff at Penumbra, there's a special deal going. Right now, you can get The Gini Special -- instead of paying $3.99 an issue, you'll get a year's subscription for just $24.00; that's half price. But there's more! You'll also get the Best of Penumbra 2012 AND 2013. That's a full year's subscription for half price plus two free Best Of collections and three Alien series shorts that will only be available in Penumbra...as long as you use this coupon code (exactly as shown here) when you order: 2014Gini This offer is good only through August 1, 2014, so don't miss out and get your subscription going today!

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way, but it'll be next week, seeing as I will be reunioning for the next few days. 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

Just Can't Hide It

Happy Friday! Hope everyone's had a wonderful week and has an even better weekend in store! It's been busy over here, but that's good, right? Of course right! There's lots going on, but first, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we have a big announcement, and I'm so excited about it! (Points to those who now get the point of the headline.) (Extra points to those who got it before reading this paragraph.)

The votes are in for the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Awards and guess what won Best Futuristic Romance? Go on, guess! Oh, I can't wait for you to guess -- it's Alien in the House! I'm extremely thrilled that it won, especially considering the awesome books it was up against. Check out all the winners and nominees in all the categories -- there's a lot of great reading there!

Speaking of great reading and the Alien series, I'll have 3 Alien Series short stories in Penumbra eMagazine this year; the first one comes out in next month's/May's issue. The magazine sells for $3.99 an issue, and I suppose you could just buy the three I'll be in. But, each month there are great stories, and Penumbra has a special offer for you, all because of moi. 'Cause I'm a giver, me.

Right now, you can get The Gini Special -- instead of paying $3.99 an issue, you'll get a year's subscription for just $24.00; that's half price. But there's more! You'll also get the Best of Penumbra 2012 AND 2013. That's a full year's subscription for half price plus two free Best Of collections and three Alien series shorts that will only be available in Penumbra...as long as you use this coupon code (exactly as shown here) when you order: 2014Gini

This offer is good only through August 1, 2014, so don't miss out and get your subscription going today!

Speaking of the Alien Series (no, we haven't really stopped), check out the Table of Contents for Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens. Should be coming in May (could be delayed due to printer issues, but the publisher is still hoping for May), and it contains "A Clockwork Alien", which is the first Alien Series short I've ever written (and the story that started the craze, so to speak).

Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens Table of Contents
Introduction by Patricia Bray
“The Cavorite Job” by Ian Tregillis
“Gracie’s Fire” by Leah Cutter
“Quinta Essentia” by Bradley P. Beaulieu
“When Comrade Ekaterina Died for the Motherland” by J.R. Hargenrader
“A Clockwork Alien” by Gini Koch
“Heart of the Empire” by Jason Palmatier
“The Red Queen and the White” by C.B. Pratt
“The Wizard of Woodrow Park” by Jean Marie Ward
“Of War and Wings” by Tansy Rayner Roberts
“Airship Down:  A Sound and Fury Adventure” by Gail Z. Martin & Larry N. Martin
“Steamsuit” by David J. Fortier
“Fingers of Steam, Veins of Gold” by Brad Hafford
“Heart of Clockwork” by S.C. Butler
“Lady Antheia’s Guide to Horticultural Warfare” by Seanan McGuire

Don't those all sound great? Yeah, I can't wait for this book, either! If you weren't part of the Kickstarter campaign, you can pre-order from Zombies Need Brains to be sure you get your copy!

Speaking of not waiting, see what Bibliognome is going to be reading this weekend. And then, check out the first review of Alien Collective over at boeklogboek! After that, see what Word of the Nerd thought of Alien Diplomacy. Finish up over at my Deathless Prose page, where you can get the prologue and first chapter of Alien Collective for your teaser reading pleasure!

Whew! That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So let's be winning readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

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

Collective Kaiju

Hey there! Hope everyone had a great week last week, a wonderful weekend, and are having a fantastic week this week. I had a fabulous time at the SDSU Writers' Conference. But before I tell you about that, there's LOTS of exciting things going on, so let's get to them!

First up, I'm super excited to share a Kaiju-Level Big Reveal: the cover for Alien Collective! Check it out over at my Premieres page! And remember, it's never too early to pre-order, either online or from your favorite bookstore!

After that, The Writer Librarian is talking about Alien Research, and Feeling Fictional, Bring on the Books, and Open Book Society all have new reviews of the bookie wookie up as well.

The SDSU Writers' Conference was great. In addition to getting to spend tons of time with the Awesome Editor, I also got to run the yap with the fantastic and talented Susan Squires, Jennifer Ashley, Erin Quinn, and Mark A. Clements, and hang out with authors Shelley Coriell, Jeff Mariotte, Henry Herz, and Lisanne Norman. All this PLUS I got to spend time with several Members of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing including Glen, Allison, Joseph, and Mariann. All while celebrating my birthday in style. It was a fantastic weekend, and if you're an aspiring author or one on the brink, I can't recommend this conference highly enough.

Of course, there was more to the trip than just the conference. For all that plus many things geeky and nerdy, check out the latest edition of More Geek Than Gay either in audio or on YouTube. Then, for a little retro (as in earlier this month) fun, check out Blogging With Badger and his brush with fame via The Dish -- read all the way to the end for the big reveal!

Speaking of reveals, the ebook version of Kaiju Rising is out to the Kickstarter backers, as is the final cover for the physical books! Head over to SF Signal to get a bigger look, and get ready to read my short story, "With Bright Shining Faces" by moi writing as J.C. Koch along with a ton of other awesome shorts soon, very soon. (Perhaps sooner than you think...)

Speaking of Kickstarter anthologies (oh, yes we were), there's still time to get in on Unidentified Funny Objects 3. And there are still a couple of tuckerizations of mine left, so if you want to be immortalized in some way in the story I'll be writing for this anthology, or just see what I and all the other awesome authors involved do with it, then head on over and fund as you're able.

Speaking of short stories (yes, we definitely were), I'm doing several for Penumbra eZine this year. And why do you care, aside from the fact that it's moi writing them? You care because each and every one of them will be set in the Alien series universe. That's right -- the Clockwork Universe anthology has sparked a trend! AND, the first one, coming out in May (just like Clockwork Universe, and Alien Collective), will be something you've all been waiting for -- how Reader met Gower. I know! It's too happy to be true! But wait! There's more!

Each month Penumbra offers you fantastic fiction on a theme. And right now, they're offering you The Gini Special -- instead of paying $3.99 an issue, you'll get a year's subscription for just $24.00; that's half price. But there's more! You'll also get the Best of Penumbra 2012 AND 2013. That's a full year's subscription for half price plus two free Best Of collections and three Alien series shorts that will only be available in Penumbra...as long as you use this coupon code (exactly as shown here) when you order: 2014Gini  
 
This offer is good only through August 1, 2014, so don't miss out and get your subscription going today!

Last but in no way least, a reminder that I'll be heading to Daytona Beach, FL and Coastal Magic Con in a week. Looking forward to seeing many of you there! If you haven't registered but still want to go, send me an email, and I'll give you the legal "back door" into registration.

That's it for today, but as always, there's more on the way. So enjoy the downward slide towards the weekend, those who watch enjoy the Superbowl and its commercials, and let's all be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

It's Time...

Time for what, you ask? Read on and find out...

I know, again I've been quiet and non-communicative, at least, so to speak. But I've been busy with Alien Collective, my short for Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens, and more. So let's get to the more, shall we? Because there's a surprise at the end I know you're going to want in on...

First off, check out my latest reviews for Slice of SciFi's 5 Episodes In series -- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Arrow. Agree with my views? Disagree? Join the discussion on Slice!

Speaking of Clockwork Universe, a Member of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing has written a cool little blog about The Music of Steampunk.

Speaking of stories in Kickstarter anthologies, I'm in another one. Check out, and fund if you're able, Winter in the City, where there will be stories from moi and a host of other awesome authors.

Then, head over and see what The Nameless Zine thinks of A Cup of Joe by moi writing as Anita Ensal, reviewed in their Book Nook section.

Last but not least, I woke up to some happy news yesterday. Alien in the House is up for the RT Book Awards in the Science Fiction Romance category! There are a ton of awesome authors and excellent books nominated in all the categories, so take a look and see where your favorites landed!

Okay, okay, that wasn't totally "last". This is. And I know you won't find it "least", either. Penguin is no longer doing ARCs, so I no longer have ARCs to give away. However, and before we all start sobbing, I do have something else to give away in the place of ARCs, because DAW understands your pain. That's right -- the contest for signed, personalized, EARLY copies of Alien Research is about to start!

BUT...it's for Hook Me Up! subscribers only. Not on? Now's the time to GET on, because this contest is going to be short and fast so the winners get their books BEFORE release day! (At least, that is my plan.) Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line, then you'll be in with the in-crowd and the rules for entry will be sent to you.

Beyond all that, enjoy the downward slide to the weekend, 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

Kaiju Humping

(Made you look.)

Happy Hump Day! Another short and sweet one today, but still managing to be action-packed. So let's get to it, shall we? We shall!

First up, it's Day 2 of the Alien Research Cover Reveal Contest over at Books Make Me Happy. Yesterday's winner is already chosen and announced, so get on it and get entered to win dinner with moi at the Coastal Magic con in February.

BTW, in case you'd like to see the cover along with its full back cover blurb, head over to the Alien Collective Virtual HQ for a looksee and the teaser for what's coming in December.

The Kaiju Rising Kickstarter is down to its last 3 days and last stretch goal. We've unlocked all authors and stories, and we're less than $725 away from getting some amazing new, full color artwork for supporters. So check it out and fund now if you're able, because this is gonna be huge!

Last but not least, see what Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens Kickstarter contributor Alligators and Aneurysms -- love that name! -- thought of one of the prizes for contributors: A Cup of Joe by Anita Ensal (yes, that's moi).

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So enjoy the downward slide towards the weekend and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Slicing Roundup

Happy Tuesday! Apologies for being so utterly silent last week. I've been traveling so much (and am about to do so again) and I just needed the time to try to get some semblance of caught up. (Oh, and the less said about HOW caught up I actually am, the better. LOL) But, I'm about to head off to WorldCon in San Antonio, and much went on last week and this, so, let's get to it, shall we? We shall!

First up, boeklogboek had one question for me, and I answered it, so see what all's out there and coming from all the many names that make up me. After that, check out what KD Did It Takes on Books thought of Alien in the House.

And now, to keep you busy while I'm at WorldCon, let's get caught up on a lot of video and YouTube coolness. First up, I was in the Slice of SciFi studio (on the hubs' birthday, no less -- hey, he told me to go), and we had a blast. So, don't miss Rifftrax: Starship Troopers,  where we talk about Reed Richards -- I mean Elon Musk -- and Edwards AFB does its best to make one of Alien Tango's major plot points obsolete; Cows in Space, wherein we really go off on a mooooving riff and talk San Diego Comic-Con; and Feedbackpalooza: UFO Road Trip, where we reply and respond to listener questions and feedback, I pimp out Kaiju Rising, and the space cow returns! See? Lots and lots of moi to keep you company while I'm deep in the heart of Texas.

Speaking of Kaiju Rising, that Kickstarter campaign will be starting soon, so if you like horror and/or giant monsters, this is the anthology for you!

Many thanks to all of you who supported the Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens Kickstarter -- we fully funded and made several stretch goals! Can't wait for all of you to get to read this anthology, especially because my first ever Alien series short story will be a part of it!

Speaking of Kickstarter, one of my favorite artists, Gilead, has a new Kickstarter going for his new line of Goblinz coloring books, so check it out and support it if you're able. Now, an appeal. A friend of a friend of mine (author Eric Penner Haury) is trying to raise money and awareness to help combat her friend's ovarian cancer, and she's trying to gain help from Ellen DeGeneres, so please check them out.

Should you be going to WorldCon/LoneStarCon, please make sure to see the me. Here's my latest schedule.

Self-Promotion: Everything You Know about it Is Probably Wrong
Thursday 4:00 - 5:00pm

Best Practices from Booksellers
Thursday 9:00 - 10:00pm

Autographing: Steve Brust, James L. Cambias, Gini Koch, Jay Lake
Friday 12:00 - 1:00pm

How to Build a Successful Book Launch Campaign
Friday 8:00 - 9:00pm

What Will Replace Urban Fantasy?
Saturday 12:00 - 1:00pm

Space Opera: More than Mind Candy?
Saturday 4:00 - 5:00pm

Stroll with the Stars Monday
Monday 09:00 - 10:00am

That's it for today, but, as always, more's on the way. Oh, sure, it'll be on the way after Labor Day, but still on the way nonetheless. So, everyone have a wonderful rest of August, those who celebrate enjoy the Labor Day Weekend holiday, if you're going to WorldCon or DragonCon or WhateverCon this coming weekend be sure to have a blast, and let's be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Clockwork WorldCon

Happy Hump Day! I'm home! I'm home! For, um, a whole two weeks! But more on that a little bit later. Hope everyone had a great week and weekend and that this week's treating you well, too.

As you know, I was the Last Minute Local Guest of Honor at CopperCon Revolution, and the con was really fun. Got to spend much time with authors Marsheila Rockwell, T.L. Smith, Sharon Skinner, T.M. Williams, Michelle Welch, Jacqueline Lichtenberg, and, most thrillingly, our Author Guest of Honor, L.E. Modesitt, Jr., who is brilliant, witty, charming, and just plain nice, as well as being an amazing writer.

Also got to see lots of cool Members of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing, including (but not limited to) Wyked, Hal, Dee, Travel Poof & Poofsy, Adrian, and Linda. So a good time was had by all.

Speaking of good times and having them -- do you live in Texas, near or nearish to San Antonio? Are you going to World Science Fiction Con over Labor Day Weekend? If you answered 'yes' or are thinking of attending, I'm going to be there (officially confirmed and 100% booked yesterday). So, come see the me at my first ever WorldCon! I'll be on panels, doing signings, and being a part of one of the walking tours, so lots of chances to hang out!

Speaking of chances, you're running out of time to get in on the Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens anthology that will feature my first ever Alien series short story. In addition to every backer now receiving lots of stretch goal goodies, including a free ecopy of A Cup of Joe by Anita Ensal (yes, that's moi), if we hit $15K, every backer will ALSO receive a free ecopy of Bradley P. Beaulieu's The Winds of Khalakovo, the first book in his The Lays of Anuskaya trilogy. So, if you haven't funded this Kickstarter yet, now's the time -- there's less than 40 HOURS left to go!

After trotting over and becoming a part of the Clockwork Universe, head over to Between Dreams and Reality and see what they thought of Touched by an Alien. And, if you read French, you can see what they thought in their native tongue. Then see what Autograph Hound's Blah Blah Blog thought of meeting me at SDCC.

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. 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

This Just In!

Happy Hump Day!

Before I roll into the rest of the News of the World, I have a special announcement. I was just pegged as the Local Author Guest of Honor for CopperCon Revolution which is happening THIS weekend, August 8-11. SO, if you're in or around the Greater Phoenix Metro Area (extra humidity during monsoon season, so you get to really experience all the different ways you can sweat), come on by! Oh, and if you're there, don't miss my reading -- it'll be from Alien Research. ;-D

For those attending, here's my current CopperCon schedule:
Opening Ceremonies - Aug 08, 2013 - 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Grrl Power - Women Writing SF/F/H - Aug 09, 2013 - 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Gini Koch Autograph Session - Aug 09, 2013 - 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
VIP Comedy Special Guest Dinner - Aug 09, 2013 - 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
The Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt Series - Aug 10, 2013 - 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Issues in E-publishing from the writers perspective - Aug 10, 2013 - 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Writing a Successful Long-Running SF/F Series - Aug 10, 2013 - 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Gini Koch Autograph Session - Aug 10, 2013 - 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Zombies -- Fast vs. Slow - Aug 11, 2013 - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Reading with Gini Koch Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series - Aug 11, 2013 - 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Crossing the Streams: How to Weave in Multiple Genres - Aug 11, 2013 - 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Who Am I? Branding, Pen Names, and Other Identity Issues - Aug 11, 2013 - 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

And now, on with the countdown...

Hope everyone had a great week-plus while I was gone enjoying Sin City with the chicklet. If you're in Vegas or going, don't miss the George Wallace show at the Flamingo -- not only is it funny, but he gives prizes out to random members of the audience and I was one of them! Winning a free meal at the Hash House A Go Go in the Quad was pretty much the whipped cream and cherry on top of an already awesome sundae of a week. I could go on and on about Vegas (which, as anyone who knows me knows, is one of my fave cities of all time), but there's much going on, so it's back into the swing of things for me, and therefore, for all of you. Lucky, lucky, lucky. ;-D (Though not as lucky as those of us at the George Wallace show. But I digress...)

First off, the yap's running again over at The Writer Librarian so go check out the latest ponderings from the dark recesses of my mind.

Then, check out the Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens Kickstarter! We're funded! Yay! Only there's a lot more coolness to get to if we meet our stretch goals! Double yay! In fact, if we hit $13K, in addition to other stretch prizes -- like a free ecopy of Bradley P Beaulieu's novelette "To the Towers of Tulandan", bookmarks, postcards, and more -- every backer will receive a free ecopy of "A Cup of Joe" written by Anita Ensal (yes, that's moi). And if we can hit $20K then we can bring the book out in hardcover, which would be cool for more reasons than I can list here. So, if you haven't already joined the Clockwork Universe, please go over and do so today! Kickstarter campaign ends on Friday, August 16th.

After visiting the Kickstarter campaign, head on over to Larissa's Bookish Life and see what titles she things are the best of the best.

That's it for today, and since CopperCon starts tomorrow, that's it for me for this week. But never fear, as always, more's on the way. So enjoy the downward slide towards the weekend, see some of you at CopperCon Revolution, and I'll catch you on the flip side! Peace out my li'l gangstas, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

WHOLE Lotta Lotta Goin' On

Happy Friday! Well, I'm back...and about to leave again. LOL Yes, it's a busy, busy world for me right now (and, right now, let me mention that you want to read to the end of this blog post, yes you do, you really, really do). San Diego Comic-Con was da bomb -- awesome to see so many of the Alien Collective throughout the event!

My highlight? I got to hug Wolverine! YES! I did some panels and signings and stuff, but WOLVERINE! IN PERSON! It was too awesome!
 









I also met Dr. Who...and though I'm not really a Whovian, he was mighty fine and mighty cool.








Note that there ARE Aliens in LA, and they wear A-MA-ZING costumes!

Yes, yes, more went on and yes, yes, I will tell you all about it, I promise. Only...not today.

Not today because I also realized I haven't actually done my Phoenix Comicon recap. I know! What was I thinking? Oh, wait...I was thinking I wasn't done with Alien Research, that's what I was thinking. But anyway, not to worry. Somewhere soon (I SWEAR) I'll do a compare and contrast about both cons. But before then, there has been a LOT going on in the time I've been gone, so let's get to it, shall we?

First off, is Comic-Con still fun? Check out the Slice of SciFi webcast and find out, as well as discovering some amazing new things being done with 3D printing and seeing how to wash your hair in space.

Next up, the CLOCKWORK UNIVERSE: Steampunk vs. Aliens Kickstarter campaign is going well. But, we're not fully funded yet. So, if you want to see an Alien series short set in a Steampunk universe, please head over and support it. ALSO, one fan's already "in" the story, but I'm now offering TWO NEW tuckerizations as well. That means you'll be in this story, as a main or main supporting character, I might add -- but only if you hurry up and grab while the grabbing's good!

Now for some reviews. See what H. Bala thought of Touched by an Alien, what Under the Covers thought of Alien in the House, and what I Smell Sheep thought of Amazing and Waiting: Two Novelettes by Jemma Chase (yes, that's moi).

Then see what I thought of RED 2 over at Slice of SciFi.

Check out which authors Gizmo's Reviews feels deserve more recognition, chime in over at Tor.com about humor in science fiction, and then see the first stretch goal for CLOCKWORK UNIVERSE from Scott Lynch, a map of his created world of Karthain.

Last but in no way least, I'm thrilled to announce that When Josie Comes Home by A.E. Stanton (yes, that's moi also) has been chosen as an Editor's Top Pick by Musa Publishing. It's quite an honor and I'm so glad this story resonated so much with the Musa staff. So, if you haven't checked out When Josie Comes Home yet, there's no better time than now!

Well, there IS one more thing...just one little thing, really. Well, two little things. And they're the main reason this came out on Friday instead of Thursday. So, with no further ado...*drum roll please*...

 DAW Books has just bought Books 12 and 13 in the Alien series! Meaning Alien in Chief will be coming out in December 2015 and Camp Alien will be coming out in May 2016! (Wow, when I type that out, it seems so very far away. Only I know it really isn't. LOL) So, more of Kitty and Company for all of you!

Now that's really it for today. I'll be gone all next week having fun with the chicklet so while I'll be on Twitter and Facebook, I will likely be quiet otherwise. Well, as quiet as I get. Figure of speech, okay? (Geez, tough room.) So, please support CLOCKWORK UNIVERSE, jump up and down with me about Books 12 & 13, and let's be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Steampunk vs. Aliens

Happy Tuesday! Well, I'm heading off to San Diego Comic-Con, but I'm going to catch you up on all the happenings before I go.

First off, let's check out some reviews. See what I Smell Sheep thought of Alien in the House. Then see what Under the Covers thought of Touched by an Alien.

Then, check out who Larissa's Bookish Life chose as her Favorite Fictional BFFs.

Next, head over to Slice of Sci Fi for a new webcast, Sci-Fi Stamps, and find out, among many other cool things, what I would have named Pluto's two recently discovered moons if I'd had the chance.

Now, for some big news. I'm going to be a part of a really cool anthology, CLOCKWORK UNIVERSE: STEAMPUNK VS. ALIENS, from new small press Zombies Need Brains. I know! So awesome! And check out this awesome cover art, "Steampunk Octopus", by Alex Broeckel!

This anthology is going to be funded via Kickstarter, and among the things you can choose to support the antho is tuckerization in my story and others'. What's tuckerization? The author names a character after you. And, GUARANTEED, whoever buys my tuckerization will be a major supporting character (or one of the leads, should your name "sound right"). I KNOW. When do opportunities like this come around, right? Well, this one comes around tomorrow. The link goes live on Wednesday (meaning, you know, I'll be at SDCC), but all the details are at the Zombies Need Brains Facebook page so don't miss out! While you're there, also

Tuckerizations and some other really cool level options are expected to go fast, so definitely check it out sooner as opposed to later. And, as with all thinks Kickstarter, even a dollar matters, so please, give what you can for what's going to be a really awesome anthology.

How awesome, you ask? Here are a few of the other authors who are going to be in this antho with me: Scott Lynch, Seanan McGuire, Ian Tregillis, Gail Z. Martin, Bradley Beaulieu, and Caitlin Kittredge! So, definitely check out the CLOCKWORK UNIVERSE Kickstarter campaign, starting tomorrow!

Reminder that my SDCC schedule is here at the Blog, just a couple entries down, so if you're heading to San Diego, be sure to come and see the me!

Everyone who won't be enjoying the biggest geekfest on the planet be sure to have a wonderful week and even better weekend. I'll be checking in on Facebook and Twitter as time permits, but otherwise, I'll catch all y'all on the flip side. So, peace out my li'l gangstas, and let's be Steampunk vs. Aliens readers out there!

Love,
Gini