September's READ THIS! Q&A Deets PLUS!

Hey there!

How is it that we're in the middle of September already? 

Then again, 2021 has been doing its level best to be as "extra" as 2020 was, so getting through it as quickly as possible might be the best plan...

The READ THIS! Author Q&A is only a few days away, PLUS we have other cool things, so keep on scrolling and let's get right to it all, shall we? We shall!

September 2021 READ THIS! Author Q&A

September's READ THIS! author Q&A with Hal Bodner will be on Thursday, September 16, 2021 from 9pm-10pm Eastern. Access to Discord is available worldwide, and everyone is invited to attend! You do not need to be a Discord member/user to attend: Use this link https://discord.gg/MnQDEKFYjU to go directly to the chat room! (You also don't need to have finished the book to join in the fun. We authors know that everyone reads at their own pace and we just want to hang out with you guys and have some good times!) Once in, you'll get to join in the fun of asking authors about their "process" and more. PLUS, one lucky winner will get October's READ THIS! selection for FREE! I know! It's too happy to be true! But true it is, so don't miss out! (You must be present in the chat to win. Physical copies U.S. only; ebook copies worldwide.)

September 2021 READ THIS! Selection

The READ THIS! Selection for September 2021 is:  "Fabulous in Tights" By Hal Bodner Gini's Take: A fun and funny take on the superhero genre, with real heart and soul. The Whirlwind is someone Kitty would love to hang out with, and if that's not the highest praise I can give, I don't know what is. About the Author: Hal Bodner is best known for writing hilarious paranormal featuring fluffy vampires with real bite. He writes paranormal romance and is working on a series of thrillers which paint classic noir with a lavender glaze, and has the second in his fun and funny Whirlwind superhero novels coming from Crossroads Press in 2021. Find him at https://halbodner.com.

October's READ THIS! Selection   And Remember: One Lucky Q&A Participant can win it early!

The READ THIS! Selection for October 2021 is:  The Invisible Heroine by Phyllis Hemann

Speaking of yapping and such, join me live on Wednesday, September 22, at 8pm Eastern over at Russ's Rockin' Rollercoaster Podcast where I and a panel of other cool authors will be talking about one of my main men, Sherlock Holmes. Register now -- it's gonna be a ton of fun, and it's FREE!

It's Pre-Order Time!

The anthologies have funded! But now, if you didn't get in on all the great funding rewards, you don't have to miss out on the anthologies. You can pre-order them over at the Zombies Need Brains website. Support a great small press while getting some awesome stuff to read -- it's a win-win all the way!

Whirlwind #2 Our book of the month is the first in this series, but if you want to get on the Whirlwind Train right now, get book 2, A Study in Spandex, pre-ordered right now!

Guess who's an author guest at Multiverse? That's right, your girl is! Multiverse is a very fun, very warm and welcoming con and I'm excited to be a part of it again this year. I'd love to see all y'all there, so if you can make it to Hotlanta in October, come to this con and have a blast! And, not only will I be a panelist, but I'll also be in the Dealers Room, selling all the things, signing all the bookie wookies, and handing out illness-safe hugs! Don't miss your chance to come see the me, register for Multiverse today!

Looking for more things to read while waiting for me to finish Aliens Like Us? Check out this list of all the science fiction novels nominated for a Goodreads award! Yes, you'll find Alien in the Family, and more, on that list, so check it out and find some more great reads!

Because I get asked this daily (often multiple times daily)... Yes, Aliens Like Us IS coming, but... No, Aliens Like Us still isn't ready for Prime Time, but... I'm writing like a crazed wolverine (and yes, all the other projects aren't distractions, they KEEP me writing) so... Fear not, Kitty & Company will be back later than you want but sooner than you think... I promise.

That's it for today but, never fear, another Update, including next month's READ THIS! selection, will be arriving in a couple of weeks! In the meantime, stay safe and healthy, remember we're all in this together, be kind to one another, give love and support to all those who are on the front lines in any capacity, and let's be readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch all y'all on the flip side! Love, Gini

Winning Monday

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that everyone's also having a good start to the week. My weekend was filled with finalizing Alien vs. Alien galley edits and getting them to DAW. All done, and I'm back at work on Alien in the House (and there was much rejoicing).

The Necropolis Blog Tour is still going strong. So head over to the next stop and check out the latest excerpt at Hanging with Bells. Get entered to win yet another copy of The Night Beat while you're there.

And remember to hit all the prior stops, including Stop 5/Ex Libris, contest ends Sept. 21; Stop 6/Pearls Cast Before a McPig, contest ends Sept. 29; Stop 7/Bibliognome, contest ends Sept. 19; and Stop 8/A Buckeye Girl Reads, contest ends Sept. 28.

Not sure if you've hit them all so far? Check out Invasion of the Blog Tour for all that's gone before, and is to come. There's a chance to win a copy of The Night Beat at each stop, so, if you don't end up with a copy by the end of the Tour, you just weren't trying hard enough!

In Person Reminders: I'll be out and about in October, so if you're near these areas, come on by!
*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

And just when you think the chances to win are already covered, there's more. I have Goodreads giveaways going for signed copies of: an ARC of Alien vs. Alien; Touched by an Alien; The Night Beat; and Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, by G.J. Koch. So, if you're a Goodreads member, get entered to win!

Once the Necropolis Blog Tour is all done, we'll have more winning coming your way, including a big ARC Contest for Alien vs. Alien, for Hook Me Up! subscribers only, natch, and also a contest that's slightly different than any I've ever run before. Oooh, the mystery!

So, until next time, peace out, my li'l ganstas, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Gone But Not Forgotten

Happy Monday! Well, I've been gone, but I hope you haven't forgotten me! *sniffle* Connectivity issues at the 'rents' house in SoCal prevented a lot of interaction while I was getting the chicklet settled into USC (Go Trojans! Brought to you by Len and Kyle.)

But I'm back...at least, for a few days. Then it's off to CopperCon...but more on that later. Let's get caught up on goings ons whilst I was away, shall we? We shall.

First up, check out the awesome contest running over at Bibliognome. For the price of a haiku, you can get entered to win some amazing prizes, featuring coolness from moi, Carolyn Crane, Anton Strout, and Beth Revis. Truly, you don't want to miss out! Contest runs through August 31st, so enter today!

Speaking of winning, remember that there's an ARC of Alien vs. Alien up for grabs at Goodreads. Yes, you'll get another chance at more of them later, but if you want to increase your odds, hit Goodreads and get entered today.

Speaking of winning in a different way, if you've missed it somehow, check out this hilarious video, "We're NASA and We Know It" sent to me by alert Alien Collective Member in Very Good Standing Shawn. And let's not forget to have a moment of silence and a lot of reflection of amazing accomplishments for the passing of Neil Armstrong, who went to join ACE's collective consciousness last week.

Now, onto some reviews. See what boeklogboek and Mixed Book Bag think of The Night Beat. Then check out Heroes and Heartbreakers and chime in on what you read when you've finished with the latest great book from Patricia Briggs.

After that, head over to The Night Bazaar, where I'm running the yap about How to Con for Fun and Profit.

As mentioned earlier, I'll be at CopperCon this coming Labor Day Weekend. And I have my schedule, so if you're in or around the Greater Phoenix Metro Area, come by and hang out with me and other awesome authors like Marsheila Rockwell, Jordan Summers, Ari Marmell, and Saul Garnell. This year's con appears to be a Night Owl's Delight, too...and so, I give you: My Schedule

Friday, August 31
7-8pm How NOT to Get Published
9-10pm Creating Alien Characters
Saturday, September 1
1-2pm It's a Weird World of Contemporary Fantasy
4-5pm Autograph Session
6-7pm Are Space Adventure Stories Still Viable?
Sunday, September 2
4-5pm Guilty Pleasures
7-8pm Reboots: Do They Work?
9-10pm Writing Erotica
Monday, September 3
1-1:30pm Reading (and yes, it might be a reading from Alien vs. Alien...you never can tell...)
3-4pm It Started With Lovecraft

And that's just MY schedule. So, don't miss out, come to CopperCon this weekend and have a blast!

There's a lot more coming this week, including an exciting sales opportunity (starting tomorrow!), but I'll leave you with this news: There's something starting next week, with lots of winning attached to it, so check out Invasion of the Blog Tour and get ready for some winning fun!

Until next time, peace out, my li'l gangstas and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

California, Here I Come

Sing it! Why? Well, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, because I'm heading to SoCal to take the chicklet to law school (USC, go Trojans! Len and Kyle require that I say that every time I mention this.) But before I go, thought I'd catch you up on some things.

First off, because I just can't leave you without a chance to win something, somewhere, and somehow, there might be a Goodreads contest or two going on right now, and one of the prizes might be a copy of The Night Beat and one might be for an ARC of Alien vs. Alien. I'm not saying for sure. ;-D

Yes, there WILL be a Hook Me Up! exclusive contest for Alien vs. Alien ARCs (coming whenever I actually get them, which won't be for a couple of months), in addition to the one at Goodreads. And yes, I expect to have more than one copy up for grabs. But for those of you who like to cover all your bases, go forth and click the button over at Goodreads to get yet another chance to win.

Next, head over to GReads! and get to know the blogger behind My 5 Monkeys a little better. Then check out where Loki's gotten to now, on the My 5 Monkeys quest for Alien vs. Alien.

Once I'm back from SoCal, it's laundry in, laundry out, and then I'll be at CopperCon from August 31 through September 3. Don't miss out on a chance to see the me, along with a lot of other awesome authors, artists, and creative types in an intimate atmosphere that won't cost you and arm and a leg. (Just fingers, if zombies are taking tickets at the door.)

Is that it? Shockingly, yes. I do plan to try to check in while I'm gone, but Twitter and Facebook are probably your best bets for finding out where I am (not at home) and what I'm doing (things).

Know that I shall miss you all while I'm gone. So, get down with your bad selves in my absence, keep the home fires burning (so to speak), and let's be readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, I'll catch you on the flip side.

Love,
Gini

Monday Roundup

Happy Monday! We have much in store for you today, but first, a PSA that's somewhat near and dear to my heart. In more ways than one.

I had my annual mammogram today. I know, I know, TMI and ugh, right? Well...maybe. But I love each and every one of you, and breast health is vital for women, meaning all of you who are women and all of you who love the women in your lives need to make sure that you and they get this exam on a regular basis. And by regular I don't mean once a decade. Is it painless? Well, I can tell you for certain that breast cancer is more painful. Is it kind of icky? Can be, but again, early detection saves much icky in the future. So, do your check ups and take care of your bad selves, because the Alien Collective would be greatly lessened by the loss of any of you, and we can't be havin' with that!

Now, PSA over and we're on to the far more fun stuff! First up, and as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we have a new review of "Touched by an Alien" from Love 2 Read for Fun. Check that out, then head over to The Book Addict where we have another early review of "Alien Tango"!

Next up, if you're on Goodreads, the nominations are open for Book of the Month for December and if you wanted to vote for "Touched by an Alien", which is one of the nominees, well, I wouldn't tell you not to. ;-D

After voting, head to Ordinary Day and see what she bought with her paycheck. Then hit The Qwillery to see all the December releases, including "Alien Tango" in a nice little listing.

In Person Event Reminders:
December 8, 2010 -- Writer's Workshop Wednesdays at Borders Waterfront, Scottsdale, AZ, 7PM-8:30PM; I'll be presenting "Walking the Line in SFR" as well as signing "Alien Tango", "Touched by an Alien" and, as Anita Ensal, "Love and Rockets".
December 11, 2010 -- spotlight author at the Mysterious Galaxy Holiday Party, San Diego, CA, 6PM - 8PM. Come get your copies of "Alien Tango" and "Love and Rockets", get them signed, and hang out with yours truly at the coolest bookstore around.
March 12 & 13, 2011 -- Tucson Festival of Books, Tucson, AZ; Panel & Book Signing on Sunday, March 13, 1PM-2:30PM
April 2011 -- it's confirmed, I'll be in NY/NJ/PA from April 9th through the 21st. If you're in the area, let me know and we'll figure out how to meet up. Yes, a book signing will be happening, just not sure when or what date(s) yet.

New Swag: We have 2011 calendars available now, up at the Alien Collective Depot. Check 'em out, they're pretty cool, in my totally unbiased opinion!

That's it for today, but I promise there's more coming (like a Combo Con Contest...say THAT 5 times fast -- but only if you're on Hook Me Up! 'cause it's a Hook Me Up! exclusive) so hit the links, leave the Alien Collective love, and count down the days 'til "Alien Tango" hits the shelves and eReaders all over -- what's that, in 14 days? Wow. Two weeks. That's nothing. The time'll fly by. I promise. And if not, well, hey, there is that contest coming to keep you occupied...

Love,
Gini

Meme Fun

One of my good friends, Steve Sarber, hit me with the Meme Challenge this past week. A meme is basically a mini-interview, started by someone who picks a set number of people to answer a group of questions, those people copy the questions to their blog and pass them on to the set number (in this case 3) of unsuspecting victims, who pass it along, and so-forth.

So, since we KNOW I love to run the yap here we go:

1. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?
You know, I get asked this a lot, mostly because of "Touched by an Alien" and my also being a total comics geek-girl. My answer tends to vary, but these days, I think I have to go for the Flash's super speed, because I just cannot seem to get it all done and the only way to get more hours in the day is to be able to go faster than everyone else. Or something like that.

2. Who is your style icon?
ROFL. Style Icon? Who makes up these questions, Heidi Klum? But, okay, I agreed to play along. Marilyn Monroe. For all the obvious reasons and a lot of the not-so-obvious ones.

3. What is your favorite quote?
Oh, I have a lot of these. Most are listed on my GoodReads page. BUT, if forced to choose, I really have to go with this one:

"I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve immortality through not dying." Woody Allen

4. What is the best compliment you've ever received?
I'm happy to say I've received a lot. I think my all time fave though was from when the chicklet was young. It was Halloween, and, per her request, we were dressed as tigers -- Mama Tiger and Tiger Cub. The hubs was with us, but not in costume. We hit the home of an older man, who proclaimed thus when he opened the door: "Awww, isn't that cute? A mama tiger and a baby tiger...and Mama Tiger's a KNOCKOUT!"

I was willing to stay with this gentleman and chat, potentially for hours, but the hubs, for some strange reason, ran up and dragged us off...

5. What playlist/CD is in your CD Player/iPod right now?
My Alien playlist, because I'm working on "Alien Proliferation". So, lots of Smash Mouth right now, particularly "Get the Picture?" For all playlist options and updates, hit my Playlist page.

6. Are you a night owl or a morning person?
What is this morning you all speak of and why do you seem to like it so? Night owl, all the way. I'm a night creature and prefer it that way.

7. Do you prefer dogs or cats?
I love them both, but when forced to choose, cats. I also love horses, bunnies are just fine, as are ferrets, etc. I'm not much of a girl for birds, though...

8. What is the meaning behind your blog name?
It's what my MC of my Alien series, Kitty, says all the time, kind of her catchphrase. I also felt it was fitting, since this is where I most consistently run the yap.

Choosing who to hit next was hard, since this one's limited to 3. So, I went for other authors:
Amber Scott
Marcy Rockwell
Weston Ochse

Hopping All Over

Happy Hump Day! Summer's here, and the livin' is easy. Or at least hot. Trust me, I'm here in Hell's Orientation Area where we're supposed to hit 110 degrees Fahrenheit by the weekend. Hot is now my operative word!

But enough on the heat, let's hop into today's news! As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we've got "Touched by an Alien" sightings all over the web.

First up, check out the Teaser Tuesday post (yeah, okay, so I'm a day late and probably a dollar short...but who's counting?) at Rabid Reader. Then head over to The Amber Scott Project and see what's happening with the latest on Project Pay it Forward. After that, jump over to Goodreads, where I've finally got a presence (thanks to Nicole demanding I get said presence...hey, I can be taught!). If you're also on Goodreads, please fan and friend me...my friends list is even smaller than my fans list there (so aloooooone). Finally, if you didn't hit the "Touched by an Alien" review over at Queen of the Frozen North, check out her five reasons to read "Touched by an Alien" and see if you agree with them, or have others to add!

New to the Blah, Blah, Blah Blog and the Alien Collective and want to get all caught up, but don't feel like reading every single blog post? (What's wrong with you?) Bookmark my page at BookTour.com. It's got all my reviews and interviews and more listed, as well as my "tour dates". Want to find out what conferences I'll be attending? My Datebook page now has my tour listings link from BookTour.com on it, too. Between the two, you'll know where I am at any given moment! (Um, usually here, but many times I'm there, too.)

Not on Hook Me Up! yet? What are you waiting for? This is the last week of the Hook Me Up! Exclusive contest...but that doesn't mean that there aren't more contests coming, and if you're on Hook Me Up! you know about them first and get special consideration other members of the Alien Collective don't. Check out the Win Stuff page for what you're missing. Our Week Three winner, Brooke Nelissen, chose the $10 iTunes gift card. What will the Week Four winner choose? Tune in Monday to find out. And sign up on Hook Me Up! today (send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line) so you don't miss out on anything else!

Website updates: New freebies are in and listed on Free Stuff and more are coming soon; more reviews are up on the Accolades page; and the Goodreads widget is up on the Cool Links page for ease of adding "Touched by an Alien" to your Goodreads shelf if it's not already there.

That's it for today, but don't worry. There's more on the horizon, so stay tuned!


Love,
Gini