Let's Yap Outland

Hope everyone's having a great week so far. We have more fun for you today, so let's get to it! First off, head over to the always fun and entertaining Pearls Cast Before a McPig and check out the first-ever interview with G.J. Koch (yes, moi, but still, it's the first AS G.J. Koch, so, you know, go with it) talking about Alexander Outland: Space Pirate. And pigs. Because we can.

Speaking of Alexander Outland, we're in the last days to get 50% off on every book at Night Shade Books, including pre-orders. Get your book on, buy or pre-order at least 4 books, get 'em for the price of 2. Such a deal! After you've scored great books for half price, remember to check out my guest blog over at The Night Bazaar.

Next up, the Bitten By Books Alien Diplomacy Launch Party is still going for one more day (today) so you still have time to get entered to win a 10-Book pack from Penguin, plus 2 other chances to win books from me. While you're there, see what Bitten By Books has to say about Alien Diplomacy. Then, get over to the DAW Books Community and add your $0.02 into the discussion of Alien Diplomacy. Make it All Alien Diplomacy All The Time, at least for a few minutes.

In Person Reminder: I'll be at the Desert Dreams Writers' Conference in Scottsdale, AZ, April 27-29. There is an Open To The Public Mass Book Signing on Saturday, April 28, from 5:30-7:00pm. So whether you're attending the con or not, come on by, get your bookie wookies signed, and check out the TON of authors who'll be there signing in addition to me, myself and I -- Erin Quinn, Erin Kellison, Caris Roane, Amber Scott, Kathryne Kennedy, Bob Mayer, Brenda Novak, Tara Taylor Quinn, Vicki Lewis Thompson, and MORE!

That's it for today, but don't worry, more's coming. Have a great time, and let's remember to be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Christopher Yaps it Up

Welcome to December! I warned you -- it's Busy Busy Week in Cyber Lande. So, let's keep it rolling, shall we?

First up, as the subject line shares and my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, check out an exclusive interview with Christopher over at Bibliophilic Book Blog and find out what three things he'd want to have on a desert island.

Next, head over to see what My 5 Monkeys thought of "Alien Proliferation". (There are some great pics of some A-Cs there, too. ;-D)

Then see what great releases are coming from DAW Books over at the DAW Books Community and check out another good listing of upcoming releases at the Vampire Book Club.

Last days to enter the Alien Proliferation Extravaganza over at the Alien Collective Virtual HQ. Don't miss out on 5 (that's right, FIVE) chances to win!

Early registration for the Desert Dreams Writer's Conference ends at the end of this month. If you're an aspiring author, or know someone who is, this is a great conference to attend. Tons of successful published authors, along with great agents and editors, combine to make it a weekend that will positively impact your writing career.

That's all for today, other than the standard request to pre-order "Alien Proliferation" (yes, yes, even though it releases on Tuesday...pre-orders still matter...oh, and pre-order "Alien Diplomacy" while you're there ;-D). Enjoy the reading and have a great day!

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

Yapping Yaps of Yappingness

Happy Friday!

Hope everyone had a wonderful week and has an even better weekend planned. As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, my exciting plan is taking The Prince of Purrsia, Squirrel and Big Baby in for routine vet checkups. Won't THAT be fun? (It'll be more fun than taking the entire Canine Death Squad and all the Killer Kitties in at once, I can tell you that.)

But enough about my Busy, Busy Afternoon. We have STUFF to get to! As mentioned and promised, we have a lot going on today, but most importantly, my first ever dual interview, where awesome author Joshua Palmatier interviews me and I interview him. We ask each other the hard questions (like, What do you drink? and, How early do you start?) so you don't want to miss Dueling Authors at the DAW Books Community Blog. Head over, leave some Alien Collective love, you know the drill.

Next, head over to Lynette's Two Cents and see what she had to say about "Alien Tango". Then hit Book Rants where she's got a review of Tanya Huff's "Summon the Keeper". Why am I mentioning this? I love Tanya, and per the reviewer, if you like my series, you'll like this book, too! Then hit Escape Between the Pages and see what she's looking forward to reading most in 2011.

There's more coming next week, including the next installment of "The Creation Agent" (yes, it's TRUE!), a very special interview, and the start of a new contest, so stay tuned. Until then, keep on reading and get down with your bad selves!

Love,
Gini

Welcome, Mr. New Year!

Happy first blog of 2011! Hope you all had a fun, happy, safe and healthy New Year's weekend. Now, it's back to business! And what's our business? The business of fun! At least, that's how I see it.

As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, a lot went on out in the Greater Blogosphere Area over the past few days, so let's get right to it!

First off, the urban/rural fantasy anthology, "Boondocks Fantasy", releases today from DAW Books. I have a short story in it under my Anita Ensal pen name, "Being Neighborly", and there are other great stories, too, by authors like Gene Wolfe, Timothy Zahn, Anton Strout, and more. It's available in mass market and ebook formats, so get your copy today! DAW Books Review has a full listing of all of today's DAW releases, as well as a teaser for some fun things to come. (Yes, said fun things include moi.)

On the exciting news front, The Salt Lake County Library System does a Reader's Choice award yearly, and "Touched by an Alien" has been nominated! Results announced in April, but it's definitely a thrill to be on the list! Confessions of a Book Habitue has the full listing of nominated books.

Speaking of lists, we've got some more Best Of 2010 for you. Check out what Thrifty Reader, Ex Libris, Books, According to Nicole, and Novel Reaction all loved for 2010.

This is also the time for Anticipations for 2011 lists. Check out what Mixed Book Bag and Nothing but Reading Challenges on Goodreads are looking forward to this year. And The Galaxy Express has a current listing of all 2011 SFR releases.

The Monthly Aspectarian has an interesting article on SFR, SF/F and other things, including "Touched by an Alien".

Then, the I Smell Sheep crew have some cool pics, including one of awesome author Amber Scott hangin' in Syndey, Australia in her stylin' Sheeped by an Alien t-shirt and holding this season's must have accessory, "Alien Tango". And speaking of pics, there are new ones up on Sightings in the Wild -- check 'em out and send in any of your own for the Book Walls!

Finally, for those keeping score at home, Catfest 2010 ended with a purr, not a caterwaul. The Interlopers have been accepted as Junior Members of the Killer Kitties League, and Mr. Fluffykins, after ruining one of my fave purses and showing me in some other ways that he never wants this kind of disruption again, has decided to forgive me. Dementia Kitty is her usual self and back on her feeding schedule. Lapcat and Squirrel are enjoying livin' large. And the Canine Death Squad have grudgingly accepted that they now have to wait TWO CATS LONGER to get their breakfast and have also settled down. So, all is calm and animal-laden in the casa. I think a breakfront of cat condos looks swell in the living room. The hubs is not so sure, but has learned when not to argue.

So, goodbye 2010 and Happy 2011 to all! Now, get on with your bad selves and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Rolling Into the Weekend

Happy Friday! The weekend's upon us! You ready for it? I know, I know...is that a trick question? Well, before we all start the throwing of confetti and, for some of us, the mad dash to finish Christmas shopping, wrapping and packing, mailing, and frantic ecarding, let's round up what we've got going today.

As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, there are a bunch of great new reviews for "Alien Tango". Check out the cool joint review from The Book Pushers, then hit That Bookish Girl, and finish up with Babbling About Books. Drop by, check 'em out, leave some Alien Collective love.

DAW Book Reviews Community has started a discussion on "Alien Tango". Please head over and join in!

Remember that you still have a little time to enter to win "Alien Tango" and "Touched by an Alien" from Hanging With Bells, contest ends Dec. 20th. And you have until Dec. 18th to win a copy of "Touched by an Alien" from Book Lovers Inc. And Bea's Book Nook has another good listing of great book giveaways.

That's it for today. Have an awesome weekend, get down with your bad selves, and keep on reading!

Love,
Gini

Another Winning Wednesday

Happy Hump Day! Another day, another whole lot going on. And yes, as you can tell from the subject line, and as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, there's winning afoot.

But first, let's check out what's going on around the blogosphere. First off, head over to Pearls Cast Before a McPig and check out what Sullivan picked for Teaser Tuesday. Then check out what books the gang at Breezing Through Books are excited to get this month. Then find out what books Mystifying Paranormal Reviews is Waiting on Wednesday for. Then last but in no way least, check out what DAW Book Reviews is excited to have coming (hint: not just one book that matters to me, but two!)

Blog hopping done, head back here because later today the first blog post for the Combo-Con Hook Me Up! Exclusive Contest will be up and the contest will be officially started. It's open world-wide and for my beloved Hook Me Uppers! ONLY. (And, yes, all those on Team Gini get to play, too.)

Wait...you're not on Hook Me Up! yet? Well, now's the time. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line. Then you'll be in, hear all the news first, and be ready to get the winning going!

Love,
Gini

More Comic-Con and the Swag Beginneth

Happy Monday! Well, vacay's nice, but it's nicer to be back in the casa with full access to all I want access to! As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we've got a packed day today, so let's get to it!

First off, some have asked me for a description of how my panel went. Conveniently, an audience member did a full write-up (and I got the lead! Woot!), so check it out at Superhero Novels.

Next up, I was gone and more reviews of "Touched by an Alien" came in! There's a great one over at Wicked Little Pixie. And the DAW Books Community has a good one, too. Check them out, leave some Alien Collective love!

Amber Scott's launched the next two books for Project Pay it Forward -- check 'em out, I'm pretty sure you'll all agree that these selections are totally worthy!

And now, what I know you're all waiting for -- the launch of the Comic-Con Swag Pack Giveaway! Check out the info on my Win Stuff page, and prepare to drool accordingly. Each day this week I'm going to describe a Swag Pack in more detail here at the blog (separate from standard blog update posts). In order to be entered into the giveaway, first, you have to be on Hook Me Up! Second...well, the instructions for how to enter are going only to Hook Me Up! subscribers. So, send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line right away so you can get the deets and get your entry in!

These Swag Packs are amazing and huge! In "I'm glad I save big boxes" huge. In "Wow, it's like you were there without the expense or the exhaustion" huge. In "You're gonna WANT these" huge. In "I need to get on Hook Me Up! TODAY" huge. So, what are you waiting for? The Swag ain't gettin' any better, bigger or more available!

Love,
Gini