Premiere Yapping

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a fabulous week last week and an even better weekend. I had a wonderful time in San Diego at Mysterious Galaxy, yapping and signing and getting to visit with so many of the Alien Collective as well as The Outland's Groupies. And it was 40 degrees cooler than home, so that was also kind of fun. But I'm back in the heat, and we're back in the thick of things, so let's get to them!

First off head over to The Fictorians where the yap is large and in charge and talking about all the various ways one can be published these days.

Then, guess what we have for you today? Well, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we have the World Premiere of the cover and the blurb for Alien vs. Alien over at the Alien Collective Virtual HQ. Check it out! (It's SO awesome!)

Now, after we've feasted our eyes on the beauty that is a cover by the ever-awesome Daniel Dos Santos, let's check out the reviews. See what A.B. Keuser thought of Alien in the Family. Then find out what A Buckeye Girl Reads thought of the first two installments in The Neighborhood series by Anita Ensal (yes, that's also moi). And last but in no way least, see what Long and Short Reviews thought of The Royal Scam and what they thought of Contingency Plan by Anita Ensal (yes, still moi).

Check out the top books for the second half of 2012 that Larissa's Bookish Life is waiting for. And one of my fellow panelists for San Diego Comic-Con, Doyce Testerman has a good teaser write up for our panel at SDCC, which might win the Longest Panel Name Award for the con: Stunted Fools, Scary-Ass Clowns, Enlightened Orangutans and other Devilish Charmers: Humor in Science Fiction and Fantasy.

That's it for today but never fear -- there's more, much more, on the way. So, enjoy the trip around the interwebs, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Festival Humpin'

Happy Hump Day! It's the middle of the week, and that means it's all the good kind of downhill from here! For me, I'm looking forward to attending the Tucson Festival of Books. If you are, too, be sure to find me! I have panels at 10am on both Saturday and Sunday, and am signing in the Mysterious Galaxy booth #255 at 3pm on Saturday.

Speaking of attending things, the Jambalaya Writers' Conference isn't far away. If you're in the general area of Houma, LA (about an hour from New Orleans), consider coming, because I'll be there, and so will a host of other authors. See what the Tri-Parish Times has to say about the con and make your reservations today!

But, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, there's more going on this week, including a big reveal at the end, so let's get all y'all caught up! First off, let's look at some reviews. RT Book Reviews just named Alien Diplomacy a Top Pick in their April issue! Check out what Crow Pickings thought of Alien Tango. Then see what Pearls Cast Before a McPig thought of Contingency Plan by Anita Ensal (yes, that's moi).

Now, bounce back to the website. In addition to the fact that the Royal Poofs have joined us, check out the rest of the newly redesigned Alien Collective Depot. Those of you waiting for "your" team logos can rejoice -- they're there, and then some!

Newsy Stuff and Accolades have also been updated. But something else has also been updated as well. I mentioned a big reveal, right? Well, here it is...

Check out the world premiere of the cover art, done by the wonderful John Stanko, for Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, by G.J. Koch (yes, also moi) at Ta-Daaaa!

Alexander Outland: Space Pirate will release from Night Shade Books on June 5, 2012, in trade paperback and ebook formats. You can pre-order your copy right now, too, so don't delay!.

That's it for today, but as always, more's just around the corner. Have a wonderful weekend, whether you're with me at the Festival or elsewhere, and let's be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Characterizing Friday

Happy Friday! Hope everyone's had a great week. I've been busy, busy, busy doing final edits on Alexander Outland: Space Pirate and writing Alien vs. Alien, but, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, the game's afoot, so let's get y'all caught up!

That Sherlock Holmes homage wasn't by accident. Check out Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks where there's a two-part post about what makes characters great. And yes, yours truly has chimed in for today's half. Have a read and chime in yourselves!

After that, it's time for some reviews. Head on over to boeklogboek and see what she thought of Alien Tango. Then see what Mixed Book Bag thought of The Royal Scam. And then head over to see what I Smell Sheep thought of Contingency Plan by Anita Ensal.

Upcoming event reminders:
Tucson Festival of Books, March 10-11, Tucson, AZ
Jambalaya Writers' Conference & Book Fair, March 31, Houma, LA
LepreCon 38, April 6-8, Tempe, AZ
Book Monster Reviews LIVE CHAT, April 13, 6pm-8pm EDT
Desert Dreams Writers' Conference, April 27-29, Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Comicon, May 24-27, Phoenix, AZ
Queen Creek Writers Group, Guest Lecturer, June 12, 5pm-8pm, Queen Creek, AZ
Mysterious Galaxy Books Summer Solstice, June 20, 7pm, San Diego, CA

Last but not least, please remember that, more and more these days, pre-orders matter. Please do your girl a solid and pre-order Alien Diplomacy (and Alien vs. Alien and Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, when they become available, too).

Have yourselves a wonderful weekend, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

First Time's Free

I know everyone's waiting to find out who won the Alien Diplomacy ARCs, but I gotta tell you -- it takes TIME to log in over 1,600 blog comments. I, personally, am thrilled with the response. The Team Gini member who drew the short straw and got stuck being the one to log all the Blog responses in so the Gods of Random may begin to make their choices, on the other hand, hates many of you with a burning passion. But she'll get over it.

Anyway, to tide you over while waiting to see who won and who's stuck waiting for April, check out the latest Mind Meld over at SF Signal, see what my first was and share what YOUR first was, too! (First fantasy and science fiction, that is. Minds out of the gutters, people! At least for now...)

Then, head over to Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell to see what she thought of "Contingency Plan" by Anita Ensal. Then, see what boeklogboek thought of Touched by an Alien. And last but not least, see what Building an Awesome Life thought of Alien Proliferation.

That's it for today...until the Gods of Random make their choices, of course. So, you may be hearing from me again soon. Until then, peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Yap Humpin'

Made you look.

Happy Hump Day! And a Happy Hanukkah (or Chanukah, depending ;-D) to all those celebrating 8 crazy nights. And an early Merry Christmas and Joyful Kwanzaa for those enjoying those upcoming holidays. It's a fun couple of weeks.

Speaking of fun, let's check out the yap running in a couple of places. Well, okay, in one place, the Musa Publishing Blog, but two times. First off, check out my Tasty Tuesday offering of my easy and quite delicious Simple Sangria. Then it's on to learn about My Secret Selves, otherwise known as my various pen names. Learn a little bit more about that madness that is moi.

Next, we have some new questions, and answers, over at the Ask Gini! section of Extra Me! Then check out a short & sweet review of "Touched by an Alien" from the Evanston Public Library.

"Contingency Plan" by Anita Ensal (yes, aka moi) releases from Musa Publishing this Friday, December 23, just in time to be both a fun read in The Neighborhood series as well as do duty as an excellent last-minute gift.

Remember that there's one day left for the Combo-Con Contest. Tons of cool prizes, so don't miss out! It's for Hook Me Up! subscribers only, so if you're not on, send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line so you'll be in in time to get entered and win!

That's it for today. May everyone get tons of goodies over the next couple of weeks, enjoy yourselves to the fullest, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini