Patriotic Catching Up, Or Something Like That

Happy Day Before the Big US Holiday!

Yes, it's the US Independence Day tomorrow, and those of us in the US have big plans to eat mass quantities and make lots and lots of noise. But before then, there's lots to catch all y'all up on, and I have much to do before I sleep and all that jazz. So let's get to it!

First up, the July issue of Penumbra eMagazine is already in the hands of those who've taken advantage and gotten their subscription. This month's issue features another Alien series short story, "Mr. Dash Saves the World".

If you haven't taken advantage of the half-price for a year's worth of awesome stories deal, there's still time. Just enter 2014Gini when you order, and you'll get the deal, PLUS the 2012 and 2013 Year's Best of Penumbra issues. Such a deal. And there's a third Alien series short coming in November. Truly, get on board NOW.
And yes, if you missed out, you can still get back issues, like the May issue featuring "Alien on the Runway".

Next, check out the awesome cover for the next cool anthology I'm going to be in -- Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets: An Anthology of Holmesian Tales Across Time and Space. It's available for pre-order and it's going to be a totally cool anthology -- every author was allowed to take Holmes and Watson and put them anywhere, any time, any how. Yes, it's moi writing a straight mystery, and this is going to be an anthology you don't want to miss! It's releasing October 7th, so make sure you've got your copy heading to you by pre-ordering!

Speaking of pre-ordering, I've seen the cover for Universal Alien and it is STELLAR! Can't reveal it yet, but rest assured that I will as soon as I possibly can, because it's da BOMB! And, since you'll be racing off to pre-order the 221 B anthology, do your girl a solid and pre-order Universal Alien at the same time. Because pre-orders matter a lot, yes they do.

Next up, see what Fresh Fiction thought of Alien Collective. Then see what Larissa's Bookish Life chose as her top 5 books of the first half of 2014. After that, head over to see what John DeNardo of SF Signal has to say over at Kirkus Reviews about the SF&F Merry-Go-Round.

In other audible news, the Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters anthology, with a story by moi writing as J.C. Koch, is now available in audiobook format! As is Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by moi writing as G.J. Koch. AND as is Touched by an Alien by moi writing as moi. I know! All the listening you can do!

Speaking of Touched by an Alien, check out the headline True TV chose for the new Halle Berry series, "Extant". No, this isn't my announcement that the series has gone Hollywood (sadly LOL). I just think it's funny. And last but in no way least, for the aspiring authors out there, some words of wisdom from Jennifer Crusie on the publishing part of this business we call show.

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. For those of you celebrating the 4th, have fun, be good, and be careful. Everyone everywhere enjoy the weekend to the fullest, and I'll catch all of you on the flip side. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's be firework level readers out there!

Love,
Gini

See the Me at SDCC!

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a nice long weekend. I certainly did! But there's much going on, including my full San Diego Comic-Con schedule, so let's get to it, shall we? We shall!

First up, let's check out some reviews and fun things. See what Fresh Fiction thought of Alien in the House. Then see what A Buckeye Girl Reads thought of The Happy Acres Haunted Hotel for Active Seniors. Then check out the series that Larissa's Bookish Life wishes she could unread so she could read them again for the first time.

Next week, I head to San Diego Comic-Con. And there's never been so many chances to see the me there! So, come on down, and tell all your friends who are going to catch me at some or all of these events!

Thursday, July 18
BOOK SIGNING: 12:00-12:45pm
Mysterious Galaxy Booth, Booth #1119
First place where, in addition to all the other bookie wookies, you can get a physical copy of The Happy Acres Haunted Hotel for Active Seniors!







Friday, July 19

PANEL: WITH GREAT POWERS COME GREAT STORIES
1:00-2:00pm, Room 28DE
Come see the me along with awesome authors Thomas Sniegoski, SJ Rozan/Sam Cabot, Mark Siegel, Mark Kruger, Veronica Wolff, and Peter Clines, while we discuss our super heroic characters and stories! 

BOOK SIGNING: 2:30-3:30pm, AA09 (under the sails)

BOOK SIGNING: 4:00-4:45pm, Penguin Booth #1028
All who come by get a FREE copy of Touched by an Alien! (while supplies last)

Saturday, July 20
PANEL: WORLD BUILDING AND STORY DEVELOPMENT
8:00-9:00pm, Room 9
Come see the me along with awesome authors Diana Rowland, Robert Roach, Melissa Jarvis, and Paul Cornell, while we discuss how we build our worlds and develop stories you can't stop reading!



Coming to SDCC or will be in the area? Be sure to let me know so we can meet up!


If you're not making it to SDCC, or you just want to see the me that much sooner, check out the Slice of SciFi live show taping this Thursday, July 11th, at 8pm Pacific. I'll be in the studio, and if you watch us live you get to hear all the jokes and banter that gets edited out of the final shows. It's a lot of fun, so don't miss out!

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

Love,
Gini

A Slice of Yap

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone's having a good week so far. I have a good news/bad news announcement. The bad news: the writer's conference in Eureka Springs was cancelled. The good news: I get to stay home with the family for my birthday weekend, and do my galley review of Alien in the House without timing stress. So it's an ultimate win. Bummer that I won't see those of you who were planning to make the trek, but there's always next time, right? Of course right!

As a consolation prize, you still get to see the me, only via the interwebs. I got to be in the Slice of SciFi studio last week and wow, was that a blast! My first ever Slice show, Terrorists in Space is up at the Slice of SciFi website today. Check it out and see the me run the yap live! And yes, I'll be in with the Slice gang semi-regularly, as scheduling permits.

After checking out my inaugural debut, see what Fresh Fiction thought of Alien vs. Alien. Then see what Full Moon Bites thought of Touched by an Alien, and while you're there, get entered to win a free copy of said bookie wookie. After that, catch up on some ponderings from Medusa's Library about Alien in the Family, Alien Proliferation, and Alien Diplomacy; then see what Larissa's Bookish Life chose as her top 5 Sci Fi (Space Opera) Books.

Speaking of galleys, week two of the Tidy My Office contest is going strong, and this week Alien Tango's galley is what's up for grabs. But it's for Hook Me Up! subscribers only. Not on? Now's the time. Send an email with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line to gini@ginikoch.com and you'll be in and sent the contest rules.

And then, next week, maybe you'll be the person who's gonna get to go "squeeee"...because the winner of the marked up Touched by an Alien galley is...

Filia Libri

Note to our winner: You have until Sunday, January 27th to check in by sending me an email with your name (first and last) and your full mailing address. If I don't hear from you, the Gods of Random will demand a sacrifice and a new winner will be chosen.

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

In With The New

Happy New Year! Hope everyone's had a wonderful end to 2012. It's been a great year here at the Casa, and 2013 looks to be even better, and I wish the same for all of you!

But before we roll into 2013, let's get caught up on some goings on first. As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, Preditors & Editors along with Critters Workshop are having a last poll on favorites of 2012. Alien Diplomacy is up for Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Novel and I'm up for Best Author Published in 2012. Needless to say, your votes are appreciated :-D. Voting is open through January 14, so please check it out and vote for your faves in every category!

Then, check out the latest Covers Redux over at awesome author Jim Hines's site as he does Cover Posing for a Good Cause. The cover for Alien Diplomacy is up now, so check it out, and if you're able, donate to this good cause as well.

Next up, head over to Larissa's Bookish Life and see what she chose as her Favorite Reads of 2012 and the Top Books she's dying for in 2013. Then see which books Bibliognome chose as her faves of 2012. And check out what Fresh Fiction thought of Alien vs. Alien.

Haven't somehow caught a glimpse of the cover for Alien in the House yet? Not to worry, it's here, there, and everywhere with other new covers as well over at Under the Covers, Larissa's Bookish Life, The Qwillery, and Nite Lite Book Reviews. Nite Lite hasn't read the series yet, btw, and is asking for comments about it -- any Members of the Collective able to share thoughts about it with her?

Phoenix Comicon has announced a variety of guests, including moi. A nice write up detailing several author guests who will be in attendance, on panels, and signing books is over at DAPs Magic Disney News. Make your plans to come to Phoenix Comicon over Memorial Day Weekend NOW. This is a great con, loaded with awesome guests, and not so huge that you won't get to meet said guests.

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. I'll talk to all y'all next year, and until then, let's be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Humping Roundup

(Made you look AGAIN)

Happy Hump Day! Well, I'm back from the totally awesome that was Phoenix Comicon. I was going to do that update today, but, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, there's so much else going on, that I think we'll save it for its own update, because it was the level of awesome that truly deserves to hog the spotlight and go solo. So, let's get to all the cool stuff that's taking precedence today, shall we?

First up, we have much action over at SF Signal. Today's Mind Meld is all about aliens, so they asked me to chime in. And then, as part of the Alexander Outland: Space Pirate Blog Tour, they asked me to share Why I Write Humorous Science Fiction. There's also a chance to win Alexander Outland: Space Pirate. (As a Phoenix Comicon update preview, this was, per the bookstore, the hottest book of the con, so don't miss out on your chance to win it!)

Next, Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell has an interview with G.J. Koch (which is pretty darned funny if you ask me, not that anyone has), along with, yes! another chance to win Alexander Outland: Space Pirate.

And speaking of winning Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, Ramblings From a Chaotic Mind has another giveaway up with last week's interview. I know! So much winning, it's too happy to be true!

Have entered to win all over the place, but just aren't sure your magic ju-ju will work to score a copy of Alexander Outland? Night Shade Books is giving you a chance to buy your ecopy a week before official release. Because they CARE about your need to read, that's why.

Next up, Tynga's Reviews dares any who haven't yet to read Touched by an Alien to do so, and that quickly. And My Not So Vacant Shelf and Dun and Red tell you why.

Speaking of reviews, see what Fresh Fiction thought of Alien Diplomacy. Check out what books Reading Reality is Stacking the Shelves with recently. And check out which books/series Larissa's Bookish Life would prefer weren't made into movies or TV shows.

Last, but in no way least, check out the LepreCon 38 Recap by my friend Saul Garnell over at Adventures in SciFi Publishing. It's one of his first articles for them, so give him some Alien Collective love and leave a comment.

Well, as you can see, my doing a wrap up on a 4 day mega-con would mean you were reading until the cows came home (and, really, do the cows ever come home? Or do they jump over the moon and run away? Something to ponder...), so it's a good thing I'm making all y'all wait. So, until next time, enjoy the downward slide towards the weekend, and let's be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas!

Love,
Gini

Totally Yapping

Happy Hump Day! As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, it's a calmer day over here in Cyber Lande (we added the "e" to make it sound classier) than it was yesterday, but there's still plenty going on. So, while we all get ready for the happy downward slide for the week, let's get to it!

First up, I'm yapping about writing funny over at Tote Bags 'n' Blogs.

Then check out the Fresh Fiction review of "Alien Proliferation".

More guests, more fun coming to Phoenix Comicon over Memorial Day Weekend per the latest from New Times. Make plans now to be there!

See? Short and sweet today. But never fear, more's just around the corner. So enjoy the links and the reading and I'll yap atcha again tomorrow!

Love,
Gini

Contest Humping

Happy Hump Day! There's lots of winning going on, as well as other things, so let's get right to it, so everyone gets their chance to share in lots of loot!

First off, this is the last day to enter my Comic-Con Swag Packs giveaway. If you've somehow put it off until the last minute, well, it IS the last minute right NOW. It's for Hook Me Up! only, so if you're not on, rectify that omission immediately by sending an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line, so you can get in with the in-crowd and score directions for how to enter the Contest of Contests.

Next up, the Alien Collective Virtual HQ is doing an awesome series of contests running up to the release of "Alien Proliferation". Head over and check out the Big Arrival details, prizes, and rules. Then get yourself going on the first contest, Cravings.

Lots of you are happily chatting about other author's books and such while earning yourselves extra Swag Pack entries over at the Blah, Blah, Blah Blog. But the contest is about to end. What's a bunch of fun loving yappers to do? Well, head over to the AC Virtual HQ's Forum and check out all the threads, INCLUDING the thread on Suggestions on Similar Authors. Don't let the yappiness die! Carry over to the Forum, where I actually participate (well, on occasion, LOL), and carry on!

Next up, check out the lovely review of "Alien in the Family" from Fresh Fiction.

Reminder that you can still get entered to win a signed, personalized copy of either "Touched by an Alien" or "Alien Tango" over at Were Vamps Romance.

In Person Schedule:
CopperCon 31, Sept. 2-5
Queen Creek Writer's Group, Queen Creek Brank Library, Sept. 13
Foxy Dahlings Book Club, Phoenix, AZ, Sept. 21

I have some cool announcements coming, that I'm desperate to share with all of you...but I have to wait a day or two. Maybe three or four. But soon, very, very soon, will be sharing more exciting stuff from the Land O' Moi. Until then, have a good rest of your weeks, remember to pre-order both "Alien Proliferation" and "Alien Diplomacy" (yes, these days, pre-orders MATTER), and stay as cool as all y'all always are!

Love,
Gini

Character Yapping & Winning, Too!

The Poster Frenzy contest is about to launch, but before we get there, there's other exciting stuff going on in the Alien Collectiverse.

Head over to I Smell Sheep and check out the interview with Kitty, Lorraine and Claudia, where they dish on things like brains (and why they're dreamy), shopping, and more. Then hit Pearls Cast Before a McPig for your chance to win a signed book of mine of your choice and/or a set of Poof Beasties! (The closest things to Poofs we have...for now...)

Then go to Fresh Fiction and see what they think of "Alien in the Family".

And, now iiiit's tiiiiiiime! Time to announce the winners of copies of Diane Dooley's "Blue Galaxy", as chosen by the Gods of Random!

*drum roll, please*

And the winners are:
Jen B.
and
Kelly

Congrats! You'll be hearing from Diane to arrange delivery of your books!

Poster Frenzy will kick off at the Blog later today as well, so keep those eyeballs peeled. Of course, it's for Hook Me Up! subscribers only, so if you're not on yet, rectify now. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and get ready to let the winning commence!

Last Call for Alcohol...um, I mean Chocolate and Prizes: In addition to having chocolate on hand at my book signing this Saturday, one lucky attendee will go home with a Huge Poster Pack, just for showing up and showing me their smiling face. So, if you're in the Greater Phoenix Metro, don't forget to head over to see the me!

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

Love,
Gini

The Christmas Yap

Happy Hump Day Before Christmas!

Well, we're just a few days before the big holiday, and yet, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, there's still tons of stuff going on. The Blogosphere Never Sleeps should be 2010's AND 2011's motto.

First up today, the yap is running at What If Books, where there's a new interview with moi large and in charge. New questions, new info, some sorta "Alien in the Family" spoilers, what's not to love?

I'm also all kinds of excited that there's a great new second review of "Alien Tango" up at Fresh Fiction. Check it out!

Next, check out all the year's best lists that the Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series has landed on! Hit A Buckeye Girl Reads, Hanging With Bells, and My 5 Monkeys to see what they liked best for 2010 and why.

Reminder that the SFR Holiday Blitz is going strong. Start at The Galaxy Express, then be sure to hit Lisa Paitz Spindler and the Spacefreighters Lounge for chances to win "Touched by an Alien" and "Love and Rockets", respectively, along with other awesome books!

For those of you following Catfest 2010, the kittens (Spidercat aka Lapcat and Squirrel) are adjusting nicely but remain freaked out by dogs, the Killer Kitties are crying themselves to sleep and they've switched eating patterns with each other, the Canine Death Squad are all acting like they just came home from the pound and don't know if they really live here or not, and I'm about one cat growl or crashing sound I can't identify away from a nervous breakdown. It's truly the most wonderFUR time of the year.

Merry Christmas to all (who celebrate it and Merry Winter to everyone else) and to all an animal fight free night! Now, excuse me...I hear the spiked eggnog calling...

Love,
Gini

Humping for the Holidays

Happy Hump Day! (Made you look.)

Well, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we've got a quieter day going, but not silent by any means. Remember it's the last day to enter my Combo-Con contest, so if you haven't entered yet, now's, literally, the time. It's also your last day to get extra blog entries in. Check out Win Stuff for details on how to enter.

But, there's more than contests going on. Check out a new great review of "Alien Tango" over at Fresh Fiction. Then, for some fun, and to discover that the Alien series has finally hit the "big time", check out the page on the series over at Television Tropes & Idioms. It's fun, funny and mostly accurate.

There's a charity getting a lot of buzz this year, Heifer International. Worldbuilders and Patrick Rothfuss are doing a huge book raffle to raise money, and there are a lot of DAW books (including "Touched by an Alien") in the mix. So, check it out and see if it's something you want to donate to -- the prizes are awesome and the cause is good.

That's all for today. I know! What were the chances? Just think of it as me giving you more time to enter contests and read "Alien Tango".

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