Weekend With Character

Happy Friday! I'm still writing madly on Alien Research, but there's a lot going on, so I just had to take a moment to tell you all about it. That's right, 'cause I'm a giver, me.

Speaking of giving, head over to Ex Libris where there's a brand new interview with Kitty and Company where they discuss the series' mosts and bests, so far, along with a chance to win Alien Tango. (Why? One word: 'Gators.) You'll even discover the song Martini thinks best describes his life. You all will, undoubtedly, be able to guess Kitty's song without trying hard. Ex Libris is having a big blogoversary bash, and there's lots of other awesome stuff to win while you're over there, so don't miss out and enter to win everything!

Next, check out what KD Did It Takes on Books thought of Alien in the Family. Then see what A Buckeye Girl Reads thought of A Cup of Joe by Anita Ensal (yes, that's moi). Finish up with a stop over at Barren Island Books where author Paige Daniels (NOT moi) shares which books, and other things, she'd want with her on the proverbial desert island.

Last, but not least, The Brainpan is pimping my speaking skills. If you would like moi to come out and run the yap wherever you may be, check this out.

In Person Reminders:
The Poisoned Pen: Wednesday, May 8, 7:00-8:30pm, Scottsdale, AZ
BOOK SIGNING for Alien in the House (and any/all the other bookie wookies, too). NOTE: This is my only scheduled signing in AZ in the month of May outside of Phoenix Comicon.

Mysterious Galaxy 20th Birthday Bash: Saturday, May 11, 10am-5pm, San Diego, CA
BOOK SIGNING for Alien in the House (and any/all the other bookie wookies, too). LOTS of authors attending this event! NOTE: This is my only scheduled signing in CA in the month of May.

Phoenix Comicon: May 23-26, Phoenix, AZ

Arizona Dreamin': May 31-June 2, Chandler, AZ
20 authors will be at this event, focused solely on readers and why we love them!

San Diego Comic-Con: July 17-21, San Diego, CA

DarkCon 2014/Gini Con: January 16-19, 2014 (Gini Con Jan. 19th), Mesa, AZ
I'm the Local Author Guest of Honor AND they're making special programming around all my worlds. SO, for those of you who've asked for Gini Con, it's time. MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW to attend this coming January...it's gonna be huge.

That's it for today! As with this week, next week and the week after, are going to be very busy, with me in Heavy Duty Writing Panic Mode (TM), so while you won't hear much from me, know that I lurves you all. So, enjoy the weekend, have wonderful weeks 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

Gnomish Thursday

It's a short and sweet one for you today. I know, sometimes I toss a short one out there to keep all y'all guessing. (And sometimes it's because I'm in the middle of doing galley edits on Alien vs. Alien and I know what you'd all rather I focused on.)

So, head out to Bibliognome, the next stop on the Necropolis Blog tour, check out the latest excerpt, and get entered to win -- contest ends Sept. 19. Yes indeed, you get yet ANOTHER chance to win a copy of The Night Beat. Is there no end to our generosity? As I look at the list of blog stops, where you can win a copy of the bookie wookie at each stop, I conclude: No.

Remember to hit all the prior stops as well. If you hit them all, and in order, you'll have read the first 10 chapters of The Night Beat. Pretty sweet, huh? It's like I can't stop giving.

So, visit and enter at: Stop 1/Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, contest ends Sept. 27; Stop 2/My 5 Monkeys; Stop 3/I Smell Sheep, contest ends Sept. 28; Stop 4/boeklogboek, contest ends Sept. 20; Stop 5/Ex Libris, contest ends Sept. 21; and Stop 6/Pearls Cast Before a McPig, contest ends Sept. 29.

That's it for today, but more's just around the corner. So enjoy the blog hopping, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Lovecraft Humping

I know that made you look...

Happy Hump Day! Well, we're at the midpoint of the week and get to enjoy the downward slide towards the weekend. But the Necropolis Blog Tour isn't slowing down in any way, shape, or form.

Head over to Pearls Cast Before a McPig to get not only the next excerpt and yet ANOTHER chance to win a copy of The Night Beat -- contest ends Sept. 29 -- but also to read my guest post about H.P. Lovecraft and why I think he's dreamy.

And, remember to hit the prior stops on the tour. If you hit them all, and in order, you'll have read the first 10 chapters of The Night Beat. Pretty sweet, huh? You can also get entered to win a copy of the bookie wookie at every stop. That's not one book total, that's one book PER BLOG. I know what you're thinking -- Gini is the soul of generosity! Yes, it's true, spoken modestly, God love me.

So, visit and enter at: Stop 1/Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, contest ends Sept. 27; Stop 2/My 5 Monkeys, CONTEST EXTENDED TO Sept. 20*; Stop 3/I Smell Sheep, contest ends Sept. 28; Stop 4/boeklogboek, contest ends Sept. 20; and Stop 5/Ex Libris, contest ends Sept. 21.

After all that touring of the blogosphere, head over to Portland Book Review and see what they thought of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, by G.J. Koch (yes, that's moi).

Speaking of Alexander Outland, I have some exciting news to share. *drum roll, please* As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know... Alexander Outland: Space Pirate will soon be available in audio format! Yes! I just spoke with the voice artist yesterday (and he's so GOOOOOOD) and he'll be recording soon (as in, this week soon). The moment I know when the audio version will be available you, of course, will be the first to know. This is my first audio book, ever, so I'm super thrilled and can't wait to hear the finished product.

Well, that's it for today, but more's coming tomorrow. So have a great one, keep your eye on the weekend, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Thoughtful Tuesday

Today's an interesting day. 12 years ago, it would have just been another day. Now, it's a day of remembrance. For me, it's also a day when I have about a dozen friends and family who are celebrating birthdays. So, while 9-11 is a sad day in many ways, it's also a day where we can remind ourselves that the human spirit goes on and a few bad people truly can't win over the rest of us. (And I get to go broke due to birthday gifts, but that's another story.)

Okay, I know, I'm not the girl you go to for deep, meaningful, and thoughtful. (Well, not intentionally.) So, let's all have a moment of silence for all of those we've lost over the years, on 9-11 and any other time, because loss is never easy, and then head back to where we all know I live -- on the corner of Funny Street and Yap Avenue.

The Necropolis Blog Tour is still going strong. Head over to Ex Libris where you not only get the next excerpt AND another chance to win The Night Beat -- contest ends Sept. 21 -- but you also get a new interview with moi.

Remember to hit the prior blog stops as well, where you can also get entered to win: Stop 1/Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, contest ends Sept. 27; Stop 2/My 5 Monkeys, CONTEST EXTENDED TO Sept. 20; Stop 3/I Smell Sheep, contest ends Sept. 28; and Stop 4/boeklogboek, contest ends Sept. 20.

Upcoming In Person Appearances:
Saturday, October 6 -- Workshop (Writing from the Hindbrain) and Book Signing at The Well Red Coyote, Sedona, AZ 2-4pm
Tuesday, October 9 -- Workshop (Love ME: Promotion for Authors) and Can't We All Just Get Along: How to Work with Beta and Crit Groups) at The Queen Creek Writer's Group, Queen Creek Library, AZ, 5-8pm
Saturday, October 13 -- Book Sales and Signing, Centennial Authors and Artists Weekend, Hotel Gadsden, Douglas, AZ, 10am-4pm

That's it for today, but never fear, more's coming. So, get entered to win all over the blogosphere while simultaneously getting to read the first 10 chapters of The Night Beat. In other words, let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Musings of the Fannish Kind

Hey there! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that your Mondays were nothing like mine. Wasn't the worst day ever. Wasn't the best day ever. To give you an idea of how it went for me...I straightened my office so I could once again see my desk and find all those things I need to do that were lost in the piles of...other things I need to do. Really glad we're on to today, which is shaping up to be a far better day all the way around! So, let's get to it, shall we?

First up, head over to Ex Libris where I'm guest blogging about, well, in that sense, all of you. You can also win a signed and personalized copy of Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, or Alien in the Family, so don't miss out!

And, speaking of winning, remember that you can still enter to win a copy of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch (yes, moi) from Book Lovers Inc. through May 26th, and from Books-n-Kisses ending TODAY, so hurry over.

Next up let's hop around the interwebs. Check out which top five characters Larissa's Bookish Life would like to have dinner with. Then check out what Mixed Book Bag has up for Teaser Tuesday. See what Readaholics Anonymous thought of Alien in the Family and what Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell thought of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate. Check out Moonwolf's Lair where she's celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Round out the tour over at Yarning to Write and read about a hilarious "alien" invasion of the Mylar kind.

Some of you have been asking for an easy way to keep up on who's what where and when in the Alien series. So, it's in no way complete, but check out The Centaurion Files where we'll be storing the data all y'all have been wanting.

Phoenix Comicon is right around the corner, so don't miss out on all the fun and the many chances to see the me. My schedule is expanding, and I have my booth number -- #1139 in Author's Alley. I'll be at the booth most of the time when I'm not in panels, so definitely come on by!

That's it for today, but I'll be checking in once more before the con starts. So, let's be readers out there and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Processing Monday

Happy Monday! Hope you're all having a great start to the week. Congrats to Giants fans. Get 'em next year to Patriots fans. How'd you enjoy the new season start of The Voice to everyone else. But enough of television, let's get back to books and reading, shall we?

First up, head over to Ex Libris where there's a blogoversary going on and I'm today's guest blogger. Find out yet more about my so-called process and get entered for a chance to win a signed, personalized copy of Alien Tango.

Then it's time for more reviews. Check out what Dirty Lab Coat and Seeing Night Reviews thought of Alien Proliferation. And find out what A Buckeye Girl Reads thought of The Disciple, by Jemma Chase.

That's it for today! I'm off to get back to work on Alien vs. Alien and hopefully you're off to have a great rest of the day! So 'til next time, peace out, my li'l ganstas, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

The Yap Comes Back

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend and a good start to the week. My time at Mysterious Galaxy was great! (Waves to all Alien Collective Members in Very Good Standing who attended.) But now, I'm back and we're back at it, so let's get on with the business at hand!

First off, head over to Ex Libris, where in addition to getting more info about moi and more chat with some of the characters, you can also get entered to win a limited edition 2012 Gini Calendar.

Next up, we've got some new reviews. Check out the joint review of "Alien Proliferation" over at The Book Pushers. Then see what Paranormal Romance Fanatic and the Romance Junkies also thought of "Alien Proliferation. And see what Dirty Lab Coat thought of "Alien Tango".

Then check out what Pearls Cast Before a McPig thought of "When Josie Comes Home", and what Fictitious Musings thought of "The Royal Scam".

After that, check out which are the Most Anticipated Books of 2012 for ALPHA Reader, see what Larissa's Bookish Life voted as the Best Newest in a Series for 2011, and see what My 5 Monkeys chose as her Top 7 Books of 2011.

Now, head over and check out a couple of articles. Heather Massey's talking Men Are Really From Mars: Alien Lover Fantasies over at Heroes and Heartbreakers. And Donna Del Grosso is Talkin' 'Bout Writing Crises over at Plot Mamas.

The Combo-Con Contest is still going strong, but if you're not on Hook Me Up! it won't matter who wins. So, join today so you don't miss out. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line, and get in on the win!

That's it for today. There's more coming, but that should hold y'all for a while! So, until then, enjoy the links, have a great week, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Whole Lotta Everything Goin' On!

Happy Thursday! Hope everyone's having a wonderful week. We have a lot going on, though not quite as much as we had on Sunday (but close, very close), so let's get to it!

First off, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, the yap is running again today, and the main subject sort of became the Poofs. For those of you who've somehow not yet read "Alien in the Family", well, it won't spoil it for you. So, check out the interview with moi over at Ex Libris and also get entered to win a copy of any one of the three books in the series so far!

After checking out the yap, check out what Nancy McGregor's Big Bad Blog and Dirty, Sexy Books have to say about "Alien Tango".

Then check out the DAW Books Community discussion starter about "Alien in the Family". After that, check out the latest Vlogs from Parajunkee's View and Ramblings From a Chaotic Mind.

More website updates including Sightings in the Wild, Accolades, and Extra Me!.

The KLB Virtual Events "Alien in the Family" Virtual Book Journey starts Sunday, May 1st and runs through Tuesday, May 10th. Check out all the awesome blogs that are going to be a part of it!

Lots and lots of in-person stuff is coming up, too. For those of you in the Greater Phoenix Metro Area in particular, or for those planning to be here, there's lots of chances to see the me coming up in the next couple of months.

May 6-8
LepreCon 37
Tempe Mission Palms, Tempe, AZ

May 21
Book Signing, with Erin Quinn
2pm-4pm
Barnes & Noble, Dana Park
1758 South Val Vista Drive, Mesa, AZ 85204
480-545-8507

May 26-29
Phoenix ComicCon 2011
Hyatt Regency/Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, AZ

June 4
Arizona Dreamin' Reader Event
Hotel Tempe, Tempe, AZ
With VERY Special Guest Cover Model Jimmy Thomas

That's it for today -- should tide you over until Sunday at least, right? Have a wonderful, fun, safe and happy weekend, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Family Fun

Happy Monday!

I know, I know, I said we'd be on radio silence, and we mostly are, but, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, there's some cool stuff out there, and I couldn't wait to share.

Head over to That Bookish Girl and check out her review of "Alien in the Family". Then hit The Book Addict for her take on "Alien in the Family". THEN head over to Seeing Night for yet one more "Alien in the Family" review.

Next, hit Ex Libris to see what she's reading. Last, but not least, "Alien in the Family" cover art is being featured at Comic Art Fans.

Reminder for those in the Greater New York City Area: Book signing and general get-together-ness happening on Saturday, April 16th.
Posman Books 4:30-6:00pm
Grand Central Terminal
9 Grand Central Terminal
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212.983.1111
Fax: 212.983.1849

Be there or be a blocky object and subject to mass derision and crushing disappointment.

More info on the event will be coming. If you're in the area, planning to attend, and haven't shared this intent with me yet, please drop me an email or send a tweet so I can be sure to keep you in the Before and After the Signing Loop!

More later, if at all possible. If not, well, there's always that copy of "Alien in the Family" to be gotten and read, right? Of course right!

Love,
Gini

Time for a Quickie?

Happy Hump Day! (Made you look.)

Lots of links today, but, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, still somehow short and sweet. Don't thank me...it's just how we roll around here.

Fist up, check out some awesome new reviews of "Alien Tango" at Book Noise and Publishers Weekly: Beyond Her Book.

Then, see what books Mark of the Stars and Ex Libris are waiting on.

Tor.com has an in-depth look at the science fiction releases for April (yes, "Alien in the Family" among them). And check out Anna's Book Blog and Wicked Little Pixie for comprehensive listings of what's coming next month.

That's it for today, but there's lots more coming (including new opportunities for the yap to run), so stay tuned!

Love,
Gini

Another Manic, Yapping Monday!

Happy Monday! Remember how, last week, I told you there would be a lot going on this week? Yeah? Well, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know...I didn't lie. There's a ton, and much of it's on right now. So, let's roll into it, 'cause there's lots of cool stuff for you to check out!

First up, race on over to Ex Libris where the yap is large and in charge, and you also have a chance to win some cool Alien Collective swag.

Speaking of winning, this is the last day to get entries out for the Worth Your Weight contest; and tomorrow is the deadline to send your entry email in to me. You have through Sunday, March 6th, to leave a comment on my interview over at I Smell Sheep in order to win the cool A Sheepish Tango t-shirt. (The winning is just never-ending around here!)

Then, hit The Galaxy Express to see what a kick-butt SFR heroine should never go out without. (Three guesses for what I said, and the first two don't count. ;-D)

Head over to 1st Turning Point where the yap is running some MORE, this time about Effective Newsletter Creation.

Last but in NO way least, the first review of "Alien in the Family" is in! Check out what Worlds of Wonder has to say!

That's it for today, but stay tuned, more's coming in the near future!

Love,
Gini

Busiest Monday EVER?

You decide...'cause, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, when I say busy, I MEAN busy. There's so much going on today it may take until tomorrow to get to it all. But we shall persevere! So, onward...

First up, the yap's running wild today! Check out the interview with moi at Dren's B-Spot. Not only do you learn new fun things about me, but she's also doing an awesome giveaway! Check out how to win a copy of "Alien Tango" with either a copy of "Touched by an Alien" OR a pre-ordered copy of "Alien in the Family". SUCH a deal!

Speaking of winning, Larissa's Bookish Life is doing yet another fab giveaway and this one, like the one Dren's doing, you do NOT want to miss. Larissa's giving away more than just "Alien Tango", though that's in the winning mix, so check it out!

Then leap over to 1st Turning Point where my OpEd piece on writer's blogs is both large and in charge and also generating a lot of responses from authors. Many of y'all represent the blogging public, and you all represent the reading public, so add your $0.02 into the discussion.

Next, check out my own beloved website if you haven't already. Hit some pages, check it out, 'cause it's had a little makeover in honor of the imminent release of "Alien Tango".

That's a lot right there, isn't it? But oh, we're nowhere close to done.

There's another fab review of "Touched by an Alien" over at 25 Hour Books. Check it out, leave some Alien Collective love, you know the drill.

Then check out Bibliotheca Discordia, The Life and Travels of Sullivan McPig, Ex Libris, and Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind to see all the interesting things that arrived in their mailboxes over the weekend.

Last but in no way least, check out I Smell Sheep for their latest contest wherein you can win an awesome Sheeped by an Alien t-shirt.

Now, THAT'S all. For today. Trust me...you want to fasten those seatbelts...this week's gonna be a wild ride, 'cause there's LOTS more to come!

Love,
Gini

Yet Another Manic Monday

Happy Monday to all! As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, I'm happy to announce that I'm done with my final editing/read-through round on "Alien in the Family", and that puppy heads to my awesome editor tomorrow. (And there was MUCH rejoicing.) Next up? Carrying edits through to Book 4, "Alien Proliferation". I know, I live, don't I?

We have a lot of focus on reviews today, and not just because I've been doing a lot of editing. There's a lot of reviews and review-related stuff going on out there in the happy blogosphere.

First up, Alien Collective Members in Very Good Standing have a dual review of "Touched by an Alien" on the docket. Check out what The Book Pushers have to say, leave some Alien Collective love, you know the drill.

Next, if you're a book reviewer, you've read and reviewed "Touched by an Alien", you're open to reading and reviewing more Science Fiction Romance, and you're NOT on this list compiled by the folks at The Galaxy Express, let them know, pronto, so they can add you. (Hint: many SFR authors are looking for SFR-friendly reviewers to send books to for review, and they'll be using this list for reference.)

Another Alien Collective Member in Very Good Standing has "Touched by an Alien" on her Unexpected Treasures list. Check out what A Buckeye Girl Reads has to say, leave the love, share what books you didn't expect to love that you did.

Yet another Alien Collective Member in Very Good Standing just awarded her 500 Followers Birthday prizes. Check out what the winners at Ex Libris picked as their book prizes. (Yeah, of course "Touched by an Alien" is on the prize list. ;-D)

Datebook reminder: If you'll be in the Tucson area over the weekend of Oct. 8-10th, check out the RinCon Games 10 con. I'll be there, yapping and gaming (nonstop and probably badly, respectively).

Contest update: There might be more contests before this one, but the next biggie I'm planning is an ARC giveaway for "Alien Tango". But if you're not on Hook Me Up! you won't be eligible. Save yourself the agony later and sign up today. It's free, and easy. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you're in, and all ready for the chance to get your hands on "Alien Tango" before anyone else does. Really, what are you waiting for?

Love,
Gini

The Yap Runs Wild

Happy Thursday, one and all!

As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, it's another short one today. Well, short for me, anyway. I know, I know, that's probably not short in normal terms, but it's my blog and I'll yap if I want to.

Considering the title, when I share that the yap is running again, it's unlikely to shock any of you. This time, though, it's educational yap. Because she's an Alien Collective Member in Very Good Standing, Amber Scott convinced me to become a columnist at 1st Turning Point, a site dedicated to helping authors learn the ropes of publicity and promotion. The first of my two-part article, Promotion at Conventions, is up right now. Part two airs on Monday. (Don't worry, of COURSE I'll remind y'all about it.)

Another one of our own Alien Collective Members in Very Good Standing has an interview up, and since she gave "Touched by an Alien" such a super shout-out, I have to return the favor. Check out the For What It's Worth interview with Stella - Ex Libris. (SIX languages? Girl! Wow...)

That's it for today. But don't worry, there's more to come soon, because the yap never sleeps...

Love,
Gini

Winning Roundup

Happy Monday! As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, I'm in the midst of galley edits on "Alien Tango" and editorial edits on "Alien in the Family" and that focus is causing me to slip a little in terms of timely updates. But there's a lot going on, and Team Gini is nagging me, so let's get to it!

First up, more contests! Ex Libris is doing a big birthday bash giveaway, including a copy of "Touched by an Alien". Head on over and get in on the winning!

Reminder of still-ongoing contests where you can win "Touched by an Alien" and/or other cool books:
Larissa's Bookish Life
Bibliophilic Book Blog
Hanging with Bells

Preview: Tomorrow, I'll be doing an interview over at Hanging with Bells. You won't want to miss it...'cause I won't be the only one being interviewed. And, if you haven't checked it out yet, my interview at the Bibliophilic Book Blog is still large and in charge.

Still can't share the "big news" yet, but I know what you're all really waiting for...the announcement of the Hook Me Up! exclusive Comic-Con Swag Pack Giveaway winners. The official announcement will be coming, right here, shortly. But not at this exact moment. 'Cause I like to keep you guys in suspense, that's why!

Not on Hook Me Up! yet, so only interested in the winners due to idle curiosity? Well, I don't know what could convince you to sign up if the Comic-Con Swag Packs didn't do it...unless it's the knowledge that my next big giveaway is going to be an ARC of "Alien Tango"...and it's ONLY going to be for Hook Me Up! subscribers. So, if you want the chance to read "Alien Tango" before everyone else, you need to send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line. Do it today; you'll be glad you did.

Keep your eyes on the Blah, Blah, Blah Blog...Comic-Con Swag Pack Winners will be announced soon, very soon...

Love,
Gini

Playing Catch Up

Happy Friday!

I know, I know...one blog on Monday and then radio silence. Or blog silence. Or something like that. What was I doing? (Note to my editor: I mean, other than editing like a madwoman! Night and day! Day and night! Nose to grindstone! Write, write, edit, edit...no sleep, no food, just editing!)

(Yeah, I don't think she'll buy that, either, but hey, it's worth a shot...)

Well, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, among other things, I had a super book signing at my chiropractor's office. Yeah, no, I really wasn't kidding about that location. And the Programming Director for CopperCon 30 came! Yeah, I'm kind of geeking out about that. She's very cool, and I'm going to be very busy over Labor Day weekend. And I'm totally stoked about it! I'll share my schedule closer to the event, but trust me when I say I'm doing something every single day and night. If you're able to make it, it should be a wicked fun fan convention. And, you know, I'll be on a ton of panels, doing a book signing, and a reading (God help us all...it'll be my first...the comedy value could make the entire trip worthwhile...), so it's a total must attend!

Speaking of attending, I think I may have mentioned, oh, once or twice, that I'll be at Comic-Con (as a professional! Yes, that's still a required add-on) and in SoCal for the latter half of this month. And I'm warning you now...expect a lot more radio silence when I'm gone, 'cause I've been warned that Comic-Con itself is going to redefine the term "overwhelming" and we're combining a vacation in there, too, and the hubs gets all touchy about my spending a lot of vacation time online (instead of having fun with him or writing, which is an expected activity when we're on vacation...the man is a taskmaster! I think my editor bribes him.).

But we have weeks (2) before then! Filled with plenty of stuff to come. And, thanks to The Galaxy Express, there'll be things to do while I'm gone. But there...I've said too much too early...

So, to distract you from the not-quite-ready-for-prime-time previews, let's check out a new awesome review for "Touched by an Alien" over at Fresh Fiction! Head on over and share some Alien Collective love -- they love the pink as much as I do!

Speaking of love, as some of you know, I do love my Twitter. I love it a lot. And I'm on a mission. I want more followers! So, when I hit 200, I'm going to be giving away a signed copy of "Touched by an Alien". Ergo, ipsum factum, ig-pay atin-lay, if you're on Twitter and somehow not following me, there's more incentive to do so. And to get your friends to do so. The sooner I hit 200, the sooner a signed copy goes out, randomly chosen from among my Twitter followers.

Of course, there are other contests coming up. But they'll be, as is right and proper, for my Hook Me Up! subscribers exclusively. But wait, you're not on Hook Me Up! yet? Rectify immediately -- send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line. Because when I'm back from Comic-Con the new Hook Me Up! exclusive contest will kick off. (Yes, again. What? I love them best of all, and if you want to be in that special circle, join the list!) I'm not saying an autographed pic of the cast of "Castle" will be part of the prize (because, let's face it, I think we should have a betting pool going for how far away from the cast of "Castle" I'm going to end up being), but I'm sure there will be some form of Comic-Con goodness involved, along with other cool goodies I have that y'all don't know about. Yet.

Short updates: the Accolades page is updated again -- if you've done a review of "Touched by an Alien" and don't see it listed here, let me know and we'll get that rectified immediately. Our own Ex Libris has some lovely things to say about where "Touched by an Alien" falls in her reads list.

So, head on into the weekend (other than those on the Aussie/NZ/Asia-Pacific side for whom it already IS the weekend) with anticipation. For our Canadian friends, Happy Belated Canada Day! For the Americans, have a fun, happy, and above all SAFE Independence Day celebration. For everyone else, have a good whatever wherever.

Love,
Gini

A VERY Manic Monday!

Happy Monday, well, what's left of it!

I know this is coming out on practically Tuesday for most of you, but as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, it's been a busy, BUSY day! So, let's just dive in, 'cause, as you can imagine, this is a chock-full update!

First off, we have a LOT of new reviews of "Touched by an Alien"! First up, check out the review at an Alien Collective blog, Ex Libris. Then head over to Parajunkee's View. After that, head to What Book Is That?. Then hop over to My 5 Monkeys. Then last but in no way least, check out the Bibliophile Book Blog. Remember to leave some Alien Collective love at each stop!

Next on our packed agenda? Well, it's a preview of sorts. Next Monday I'll be interviewing author and Alien Collective member Amber Scott regarding her latest release, "Play Fling". Will there be a giveaway, I hear you ask? Well, of course! Stay tuned, and be sure to be here all bright-eyed and Alien-tailed (well, so to speak) for the fun and chance to win! And check out The Amber Scott Project for a preview of "Play Fling"!

Is there more? Did I mention manic today? I did? Then yes, of course, there's more!

Check out Win Stuff, Sightings in the Wild both top and bottom, and Free Stuff for new additions.

AND, check out Newsy Stuff for...*drum roll*...the final cover for "Alien Tango"! This is what you'll find on the shelves on December 7th! (Note: If you'd like to use the final cover at your blog or website, send me an email, gini@ginikoch.com, and I'll send the image to you.)

Are we done yet? Well, we're done for TODAY. But there's more coming tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Love,
Gini