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

Conning For Fun, Frolic, and Education

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone had a great week last week, an even better weekend, and that this week is going swimmingly. Before and after DarkCon (which was made of awesome!) I've been busy with edits and related activities around Alien Collective, and getting Universal Alien started (Standard Operating Reminder: It's never, EVER, too early to pre-order!), but before I head off for the SDSU Writers' Conference, I wanted to catch you up on all that's been and is going on.

First off, I'm in a new Kickstarter campaign, UFO3 -- Unidentified Funny Objects 3. AND, as has become my standard, there are three tuckerizations up for grabs. (Note: at this time, not sure if this short is going to be in the Alien universe, the Alexander Outland universe, the Necropolis Enforcement Files universe, or an entirely standalone story. It may depend on whose names are used...) So check it out, and please support if you're able!

Speaking of DarkCon (I was earlier, trust me), it was incredibly fun. Probably the most fun I've had a con ever, and that's saying a lot. The Firefly vs. Dr. Who Smackdown and Evening Erotica/The Euphemism Game were highlights, but really, everything I did at DarkCon was fun, interesting, cool, or all three. And the end of con Pajama Party was DA BOMB. This con is only done once every other year, so I suggest making plans now to be here in 2016, because you'll be glad you did.

In addition to getting to panel with the wonderful Michael Stackpole, Marcy Rockwell, T.M. Williams, T.L. Smith, and Chris Swanson, I got to hang with some fantastic members of the Alien Collective, all in Very Good Standing -- Andrea and Duncan Rittschof, Hal and Dee Astell, Joseph Gaxiola and Edward Pulley, Brad Jensen, Javier, Rob Palsma, and, coming from very far away, Colette Chmiel, Missy Katano, Paul Sparks, Terry Lopez, and Betty Russell, plus many more who were both working and attending the con. Many thanks to Hal and Edward for their fantastic moderating, too! Made new friends, had a blast with old ones, got to snuggle up to Adrian Paul (who is NOT aging...seriously, this dude is clearly a vampire, and a hot, nice, charming one, at that), and generally had the best time. DarkCon for the win!

But don't just take my word for it. Check out More Geek Than Gay either via audio or YouTube for a full conference recap, complete with clips. These guys were taking care of my table during the con, so trust me, they have lots of scoop!

Speaking of audio things you may have missed, I was interviewed by the Blog Goddess last week. Check out the replay -- there were some great questions asked by the Goddess and from those phoning in.

Speaking of cons, it's not too late to get down to Daytona Beach February 6-9 for Coastal Magic. TONS of UF/PNR/SFR & other awesome authors will be there, including moi. If you want to go but missed the registration deadline, drop me a note -- I know a (legal) "back door" in for registration and we'll get you set up and all in! It's going to be tons of fun, including the Dress As Your Character party, where I will be, yes, going as Kitty.

Speaking of interviews, check out the latest one from the Nameless Zine featuring my BFF, awesome author Marsheila Rockwell.

Then, see what A Buckeye Girl Reads thought of Alien Research. And stop by and see what Larissa's Bookish Life chose as her favorite book covers of 2013.

Speaking again of cons, the Tucson Festival of Books is right around the corner, March 15-16. I've currently got 3 panels, 4 signings, and I'll be in the Arizona Dreamin' booth again all the rest of the time, so there will be a ton of chances to see the me there. It's the 4th largest book fair in the country, and brings in a fantastic number of authors, so be sure to make plans to attend!

More news is on the way once I get back from San Diego. Until then, 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

2014's Starting Off Busy

Happy New Year! I know, that was so last week ago, right? However, as long as it's January, it's still new in my book. And speaking of my books, there's much going on, so let's get caught up, shall we? We shall.

First, a reminder that I'll be the Local Author Guest of Honor at DarkCon this weekend. For those dropping by, or still considering dropping by, here's my schedule: 

 

VIP Party & Raffle, Thursday 6p-10p, DarkSuite room #1014
Grand Opening Gala, Thursday, 9pm – ??, Yuma 
Kaffee Klatsche, Friday 3p-4p, Terrace
Self-Publishing Tips from the Trenches, Friday 5p-6p, Sagebrush
SF vs. Fantasy in Literature,Friday 6p-7p, Yuma
VIP Brunch, Saturday, 11a-12:30p, Yuma
Autographing, Saturday, 1p-2p, Merchant’s Room, my table
Kaffee Klatsche, Saturday, 3p-4p, Terrace
Dr. Who vs. Serenity Smackdown, Saturday, 4p-6p, Sagebrush
Evening Erotica w/Gini & Tina, Saturday, 6p-8p, Sagebrush
Aliens Among Us, Sunday 10a-11a, Sagebrush
Autographing, Sunday, 11a-Noon, Foyer
Worlds of Gini Koch, Sunday, Noon-1:30p, Sagebrush
Writing Different Lengths in Multiple Genres, Sunday 1:30p-2:30p, Sagebrush

I will also have a table in the Merchant's Room: 
Friday, 10a-7p
Saturday, 10a-7p
Sunday, 10a-4p

Right after DarkCon I head to San Diego for the SDSU Writers' Conference, January 24-26. I'll be on these panels -- all on Saturday, January 25th (happy birthday to me! LOL), times and rooms still TBD:
Science Fiction/Fantasy--To Infinity and Beyond
The Hybrid Author--Publishing in Both Traditional and Indy Arenas
Speculative Fiction: The Weird, The Wild and the Scare-You-to-Death

Once I'm back from that, I head out again in February to Coastal Magic, Feb. 6-9; Tucson Festival of Books, Mar. 15-16; my Mini Book Tour for the release of Alien Collective, most dates TBD but I'll be at Mysterious Galaxy San Diego on Saturday, May 10 for their 21st Annual Birthday Bash, and at Mysterious Galaxy Redondo Beach doing a signing at 7:30 on Monday, May 12, for sure; Phoenix Comicon, June 5-8; and San Diego Comic-Con, July 23-27. So far.

Now, on to some things that don't require travel! See what Bibliognome, Gizmo's Reviews, and Seeing Night Reviews thought of Alien Research. Then see what klondykewriter thought of Touched by an Alien.

Then check out what Larissa's Bookish Life thinks are the best books of 2013. And see which are the top 10 books that Gizmo's Reviews wishes Santa had brought her.

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. See some of you at DarkCon this weekend. The rest 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

Halloween Humping

Made you look.

Happy Hump Day! I know, I know, I've been essentially silent and not around much. Been busy, mostly because Alien Collective is due and is (shocking no one) not done yet. So I've been focused. FOCUSED I TELL YOU. And I swear that focus has not been on Halloween candy. Much.

But, because things pile up and all that, figured it was about time (high time, past time, and half time) to catch all y'all up on the various happenings going on. So let's get to it, shall we? We shall.

First up and speaking of Alien Collective, have you done your girl a solid and pre-ordered Alien Research yet? (Did you see what I did there? Heh.) You have? I lurves you. You haven't yet? Why ever not? Pre-orders are vitally important, and if we want to keep DAW wanting to keep the series going, they matter even more. You don't want to pre-order because you plan to come see the me at a signing? Then pre-order from that bookstore, my darlings. It makes the bookstore, the publisher, AND the author happy. You get a triple! Such a deal.

Speaking of bookstores and signings and other in-person events, oh my, mark the calendars now:
--Saturday, November 9, 8th Annual FREE Fall Writer's Workshop, Scottsdale Civic Center Library, Scottsdale, AZ, 9:30am-4:30pm, presenting Finding Your Voice 11:15am-12:00noon; What Does It Take To Get Happily Published Today? 1:30-2:15pm
--Saturday, December 7, Mysterious Galaxy San Diego, CA, Eat! Read! Party! Holiday Event, 3-5pm
--Sunday, December 8, Mysterious Galaxy Redondo Beach, CA, Holiday Party, 3-5pm
--Thursday, December 12, The Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale, AZ, 7-8:30pm. There may also be another LiveStream event along with the in-store signing, so stay tuned
--January 9-12, 2014, DarkCon, Phoenix, AZ, where I'm the Local Author Guest of Honor, don't miss this one, it's gonna be huge
--January 24-26, 2014, San Diego State 30th Anniversary Writer's Conference, San Diego, CA; I'm on the faculty, panels to be announced
--February 6-9, 2014, Coastal Magic Con, Daytona Beach, FL, panels, signings, dinners, laser tag, what's not to love
--March 15-16, 2014, Tucson Festival of Books, Tucson, AZ; panels, signings, and lots of booth hours

After making plans to see the me in the coming months, head over to Larissa's Bookish Life and see who her top male book characters are. Then see what Autograph Hound thought of seeing me again at WorldCon. And last but in no way least, see who The Writer Librarian has in her mutual admiration society.

Looking for some Halloween reading? Why not check out The Night Beat or The Happy Acres Haunted Hotel for Active Seniors? Or take a stab at The Disciple, Amazing & Waiting: Two Novelettes, or Hotter Than Hell by me writing as Jemma Chase.Want more? Check out the Bibliography page for all the reading matter that's fit to print!

Last but not least, I have some friends doing a variety of Kickstarter projects you may want to check out (in order of soonest to funding's end):
Neverland's Library
Noble Ark
Publish Masochists

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So enjoy the downward slide towards the weekend, hope those who indulge have a safe and Happy Halloween, and let's be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Last Days of...

Hey there! Yet another short and sweet one today. I know! I either save it all up and you don't hear from me for a week or more, or I dribble it out, one little thing at a time. It's all down to my whim and the timestamps on the "things".

In this case, we have two timestamps! Number one -- hit Books Make Me Happy for the third and final day of the Coastal Magic con giveaway featuring dinner with moi. Today's the last day to enter and win, and the winners from Days 1 and 2 are already announced, so this puppy moves fast!

Our other timestamp is on the Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters Kickstarter. We're down to the last 2 days, and the last few hundred dollars to make the last stretch goal, which is some awesome, Kaiju Rising specific, full color artwork. This is a great anthology, filled with awesome authors including moi, writing as J.C. Koch. So if you haven't funded yet, today's really the day. Check it out, you'll be glad you did! 

Last but in no way least, check out the covers Gizmo's Reviews is loving on right now.

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

It's Cover Time!

Happy Tuesday!

It's a short, sweet, and exciting one today. As promised...Winter's Cover is Coming...to Books Make Me Happy as a matter of fact! Otherwise known as the Alien Research Cover Reveal!

Race over to see the new cover, and stick around to get entered to win dinner with moi at Coastal Magic in February. There will be three days of contest, to be exact, with extra chances to win if you visit every day and answer each different question (all related to music, of course).

So what are you waiting for? Off you go!

Love,
Gini

Yap Rising

Happy Friday! I know, I've been quiet for a little while, but that's because I've been busy. With what, you ask, aside from working on Alien Collective? (Yes, that title comes from all of youuuuuu...) Well, let's get to today's update and you'll find out!

First up, the yap is large and in charge over at Bookworm Blues talking about anthologies, and kaiju anthologies in particular.

Speaking of which, Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters Kickstarter is funded AND we've reached the interior artwork (which is gonna be AMAZING) and the first AND second stretch author (the great Kane Gilmour and Howard Andrew Jones) levels. But there are more levels to go, including getting to stories from two other awesome authors ( Peter Stenson and James Swallow ) and a super duper artwork level. So if you haven't joined the Rising yet and funded this cool anthology, what are you waiting for?

Next up, check out what Love Rocks thought of The Night Beat.

Then, head over to see which book series Larissa's Bookish Life chose as her all-time faves.

The Book Junkies Choice Awards are lining up, and they have their finalists all chosen. So please be prepared to start voting for Alien in the House for Best SciFi, please and thank you! Voting for this category opens October 14.


Now, bookmark the Books Make Me Happy blog. Why? Because on Monday I'll be guest posting over there...and on Tuesday I'll be revealing the cover for Alien Research there. Yes! And why there instead of at my own site, you ask? Well, I'm revealing there because there will be a very cool contest also being announced over there in conjunction with my cover reveal...a contest that relates to the Coastal Magic event. So, get ready -- next week's gonna be big. Kaiju big, really.

That's it for today, but, as just stated, more's definitely on the way. So enjoy 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

Yappin' with McPigs & Kaiju

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that your weeks are starting out well. Mine's starting out busy, so let's get to it, shall we?

First up, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, the yap is large and in charge over at Pearls Cast Before a McPig, where there's not only an interview with moi, but also two chances to win a copy of either Alien Proliferation, Alien Diplomacy, or Alien vs. Alien. Be sure to leave a comment at the blog to get entered for the second contest!


And that's not all. Hit Between Dreams and Reality to see what she thought of Alien Tango AND to get entered to win either Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, or Alien in the Family. And if you'd like, check out her review in French.

Speaking of reviews, head over and see what Bitten By Books thought of Alien vs. Alien and Alien in the House.




Have you backed the Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters Kickstarter yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Lots of great horror authors, including moi writing as J.C. Koch, will be in this one, and there are fantastic stretch goal prizes as well. And, whether or not you've funded, check out the latest coolness -- Kaiju Plushies! AND there's a Backer Badge on the same page -- we just keep on with the giving! If you've already pledged, don't worry, it's simple to add on "Cookie Monster". If you haven't, well, don't delay, fund today! Godzilla, Cookie Monster, and their cronies say it's the right thing to do!

In Person Stuff & Upcoming Events:
For all Central and Northern Arizona peeps, I'll be presenting Writing from the Hindbrain and Archetypes, Stereotypes & Cliches at the NARWA meeting on this Saturday, September 21, from 11am-2pm, at the Prescott Golf & Country Club, 1030 Prescott Country Club Blvd., Dewey, AZ 86327.

Free Fall Writers Workshop, Saturday, November 9th, from 9:30-4:30
Come hear a dozen successful, published authors, including moi, talk about the how-tos and the why-tos of writing. I'll be presenting Finding Your Voice, and also be part of the What Does it Take to Get Happily Published Today? panel. This is a must attend for all aspiring authors and readers who just want to know more about the process and the business...and, seriously, while we could easily charge hundreds of dollars for this event and it would be more than worth it, we mean it when we say that it's FREE. At the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, Scottsdale, AZ.

Mysterious Galaxy Eat! Read! Party! Holiday Event in San Diego
I'll be running the yap and signing Alien Research at the annual Mysterious Galaxy San Diego Holiday Party on Saturday, December 7th, from 3pm-6pm.

Mysterious Galaxy Holiday Event in Redondo Beach
I'll be running the yap and signing Alien Research at the Mysterious Galaxy Redondo Beach Holiday Party on Sunday, December 8th, from 3pm-5pm. (First ever RB appearance, btw, so don't miss it!)

I'll be the Local Author Guest of Honor at DarkCon, in Phoenix, AZ, January 9-12, 2014. Don't miss out on my first real official and not last minute Guest of Honor stint. There are a few more VIP tickets left, and there's going to be a whole Mini Gini Con at this event, so, truly, don't miss this one!

I'll be one of the authors at Coastal Magic, in Daytona Beach, FL, February 6-9, 2014. This will be one of my only, if not THE only, southern & east coast appearances in 2014, so don't miss the chance to come see the me, along with a TROVE of other awesome paranormal and urban fantasy authors.

I have another January announcement coming up in the near future, and many more appearances in 2014, but for now, that's it for today 'cause, well, I have all that writing to get back to. But, in addition to that other announcement, as always, there's more on the way. So, enjoy the week ahead and let's be readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Slicing up the 4th

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone's having a great week! For those in the U.S., enjoy the 4th of July celebrations and weekend. For those outside the U.S., um, enjoy YOUR 4th of July week and weekend, too. It's a nice time of year, no matter where you are. But we have things to get to, so let's get to them, so we can all race to the weekend.

First up, I have two new reviews up at Slice of SciFi. So go check out what I thought of Despicable Me 2 and The Lone Ranger. I'm also planning to be in the Slice studio next Thursday -- make plans now to watch us tape live, because that's where you get to see everyone acting totally goofy. (Is that a draw? It is for me...)

Next up, see what Books-n-Kisses thought of Alien in the House.

And now, let's see where you can see the me in the coming months, shall we? We shall.

Next week I'll have all the details on where I'll be when at San Diego Comic-Con. And you have lots of chances to see the me if you're going to be there. Here's what I know so far:

PANEL: WITH GREAT POWERS COME GREAT STORIES
Friday, July 19, 1:00 - 2:00pm, Room 28DE
With Great Powers Come Great Stories -- Authors
incorporate superhuman, supernatural, mythological and magical elements
into their novels to weave wonderful tales. Maryelizabeth Hart of
Mysterious Galaxy plays "Aunt May" to authors Thomas Sniegoski (the Remy
Chandler novels), SJ Rozan / Sam Cabot (Blood of the Lamb), Mark Siegel
(Sailor Twain), Mark Kruger (Overpowered), Veronica Wolff (The Watchers
series), Peter Clines (Ex-Heroes), and Gini Koch (The Alien Series).

BOOKSIGNING: Friday AA09 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM

PANEL: STORY TELLING AND WORLD BUILDING
Saturday, July 20, 8:00-9:00pm, Room TBA

Going to SDCC? Be sure to let me know so we can hook up and hang out!

DarkCon 2014 is heating up, and you don't want to miss it. Not only am I a Local Guest of Honor, but they're making one whole day GiniCon, so you want to be sure to attend. It's gonna be huge. Phoenix, AZ, January 9-12, 2014. If you can only go to one con in 2014, make it this one!

For those of you in or around the Florida area, I'll be one of the Featured Authors at Coastal Magic in Daytona Beach, FL, February 6-9, 2014. Tons of awesome authors, great hotel, it's gonna be a blast!

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So enjoy the downward slide to the (for some of us, much sooner) 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