Thanksgiving Time

Happy (very late) Hump Day. But let's just call it Happy Early Thanksgiving! No? Well, blame the late on my email client which really didn't want to work today. But I couldn't let the opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving (or a Happy Rest of the Week and Weekend if you don't indulge) pass.

And, because I probably won't be checking in again before next week (and not because of Black Friday shopping -- but because Alien in the House is still not done), let's get caught up on what's going on before we all feast and shop, shall we?

First off, I have exciting news to share, that many of you may already know. Alien Proliferation has made it into the final round of the Goodreads Choice Awards! It's still up against really strong competition, so every vote is needed -- and appreciated!

After voting, head over to see what Pearls Cast Before a McPig thought of The Night Beat. Then catch the yap on the run over at The Nameless Zine and learn yet more secrets about moi. Last but in no way least, see what Larissa's Bookish Life thinks are the top 5 book series with the best covers.

And, for those who need new reads before they get their hands on Alien vs. Alien (coming December 4th, and it's still not too late to pre-order!), I have two new releases for you, just in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. A Cup of Joe, a dystopian/utopian SF Romance novella by Anita Ensal, and Amazing & Waiting: Two Novelettes, one dark SF, one dark Fantasy, by Jemma Chase. Both are available in all eformats from Amazon, Smashwords, and B&N.com.

In Person Reminders: I'll be hitting a few key, awesome bookstores in the first half of December and would love to see as many of you there as can make it:

Saturday, Dec. 1 -- Eat! Read! Party! Holiday Event, Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, CA, 3:00-5:30pm

Tuesday, Dec. 4 -- Alien vs. Alien Release Party, The Poisoned Pen live and in person and simulcast live webcast via LiveStream as well, Scottsdale, AZ, 7:00-8:30pm

Friday, Dec. 14 -- Signing Alien vs. Alien, Barnes & Noble Desert Ridge, Scottsdale, AZ, 7:00-8:30pm

Mysterious Galaxy and the Poisoned Pen both are happy to take orders for books to be signed at their events and then shipped out. And yes, those can be personalized. Both bookstores also carry The Night Beat, should you want to get your hands on a signed copy of that while getting your hands on a signed copy of Alien vs. Alien, or any other bookie wookie.

Well, that's it for today. For those who celebrate, have yourselves a wonderful day of feasting and fun. For those who don't, have yourselves a wonderful day of fun and eating properly. For those shopping 'til you're dropping, remember to buy books. And let's all be readers out there!

As for what I'm thankful for -- a wonderful husband, a fantastic daughter, great friends, and a career I adore. But most of all, I'm thankful for all of you. So take care of your bad selves and peace out, my li'l gangstas -- I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Teaser Humping

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone's weeks are going well, especially now that the weekend's in sight. And Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Whoo hoo! Cooking for 3 days...eating for fifteen minutes!

December 4th is right around the corner, too, and with it, the release of Alien vs. Alien! For those keeping score at home, pre-orders still matter. And for those who'd like a taste of what's to come, head over to Deathless Prose and check out the opener and first chapter.

Speaking of Alien vs. Alien and release days and such, a reminder that I'll be hitting a few key, awesome bookstores in the first half of December and would love to see as many of you there as can make it:

Saturday, Dec. 1 -- Eat! Read! Party! Holiday Event, Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, CA, 3:00-5:30pm
Tuesday, Dec. 4 -- Alien vs. Alien Release Party, The Poisoned Pen in person and live webcast via LiveStream as well, Scottsdale, AZ, 7:00-8:30pm
Friday, Dec. 14 -- Signing Alien vs. Alien, Barnes & Noble Desert Ridge, Scottsdale, AZ, 7:00-8:30pm

Mysterious Galaxy and the Poisoned Pen both are happy to take orders for books to be signed at their events and then shipped out. And yes, those can be personalized. Both bookstores also carry The Night Beat, should you want to get your hands on a signed copy of that while getting your hands on a signed copy of Alien vs. Alien, or any other bookie wookie.

The contest to win an ebook copy of Mr. Real, awesome author Carolyn Crane's latest release, is still going on, so scroll down or click this link and check it out. You have until end of the day on Friday, Nov. 16th to enter to win, so don't miss out!

The semi-final round of the Goodreads Choice Awards is on now. Alien Proliferation is fighting to remain in contention and make it into the final round, but that can't happen without your votes, so please head over to Goodreads and cast your votes for your favorite books today! Voting for the semi-final round closes this Saturday, Nov. 17th.

Speaking of nominations, Alien Diplomacy was nominated in the RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Awards  for Best Urban Fantasy Protagonist! Yes, very exciting "awards season" over here.

Well, must get back to the writing of Alien in the House, so that's it for today. But never fear, more's on the way. So enjoy the downward slide toward the weekend, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Votes for Proliferating Aliens!

Happy Tuesday! It's election day in the U.S. (And the rest of the world yawns, we know.) And you know what that means, Americans? Tomorrow the mass mailings, email demanding and begging, and constant recorded telephone calls encouraging us to give money, money, money will STOP! And there will be much rejoicing.

But we remain an election-results-free zone here at the Alien Collective! And while I feel that everyone with the right and the ability should vote, regardless of who or how they're voting, the only specific voting I'm asking you to do is to head over to cast your votes at the Goodreads Choice Awards where Alien Proliferation is up in the science fiction category against some real heavy hitters.

Today's also the last day to get entered to win an ARC of Alien vs. Alien over at ALPHA Reader. Don't miss out on your chance to read the bookie wookie before everyone else, get entered right now!

Speaking of winning, if you read German, head over to Lazy Literature and get entered to win a signed copy of Alien Tango (in German or English, winner's choice). And, while you're there, see what Lazy Literature thought of Alien Tango, also in German. We like to broaden horizons here!

Speaking of reviews, we have more of those, too. Check out what Fantasy Book Review thought of Touched by an Alien. Then hope over to see what boeklogboek thought of Three Card Monte. And last but in no way least, see what Lecture toute un Adventure and Larissa's Bookish Life thought of The Night Beat.

This weekend, don't miss out on a great opportunity to see the me as well as twelve other awesome, multi-published authors at the 7th Annual FREE Fall Writer's Workshop. Free really does mean free here, and you'll get a chance to learn and have fun all day.

For those in the Southwest with a heavy emphasis on Arizona (where so many of the coolest authors live), check out the Author Appearances listing over at The AZSF Blog. It's also got the details on my upcoming local signings.

Now, I must get back to Alien in the House and ignoring election "results". But not to worry -- we have something really cool coming for you later this week, and you won't want to miss it. (And hopefully it won't be my nervous breakdown from not having Alien in the House done yet.) So, until then, peace out my li'l gangstas, and let's be voting readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Ghostly Yapping

Happy Halloween! I actually have a lot of Halloween stories -- my fave being when I was in NYC, in a cab, with a cabbie who'd been in the U.S. exactly 2 weeks...you try explaining what Halloween is to someone who barely speaks your native tongue and thinks it's the most bizarre religious practice he's ever seen -- but today's story will be a tad more recent.

However, before we get to that, there's other things to get to first! The yap is yapping in not one but TWO interviews, and one of those interviews is bi-lingual, so it's almost like three interviews, if two of them said the same thing but in different tongues. Which they do.

So, head over to Lazy Literature where you can catch the latest interview with moi. For those who read German you can enjoy the same and let me know if the jokes translate.

Then head over to ALPHA Reader where Kitty and Martini are offering their tips for a healthy relationship.

Didn't win an ARC of Alien vs. Alien? Not to despair -- ALPHA Reader has you covered, with a contest to win an ARC of, you guessed it, Alien vs. Alien. Short window, so get entered to win today! And if you missed it from yesterday, check out ALPHA Reader's review of Alien vs. Alien while you're there.

Last but not least, hit My 5 Monkeys to see another great shot of how to be Kitty for Halloween. (Is this THE most comfortable costume ever? My vote is yes.)

Speaking of voting, a reminder that Alien Proliferation is nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Science Fiction and it needs all your votes to have a chance against the really impressive competition. Thanks to all of you whose reviews of the bookie wookie gave it this honor in the first place, and thanks to all of you who have or will vote.

And now, the ghost story I promised you.

As you know, I was in Douglas, AZ earlier this month at the Hotel Gadsden. The Gadsden has a rep as a haunted hotel. I've been to many haunted hotels. Never been haunted. Perhaps because I was never alone in a room at these hotels, perhaps because they're not all that haunted. Perhaps because they're not the freaking most haunted joint around.

The Hotel Gadsden is gorgeous -- marble columns, stained glass windows, very Old West and Roaring 20's feel. Elevator has to be operated or you take the stairs. I'm given Room 334. (This will be important later, so remember it.) I get onto the hall and it just feels creepy. The lobby did not feel creepy. But I'm on the 3rd floor waiting for a kid on a tricycle to come by saying "Redrum, redrum." I decide my active imagination is in overdrive and ignore.

Get into my room. As many (aka anyone who's ever stayed in a hotel room with me) can attest, even if I'm only there for 1 night, I hang stuff up and put it away. It's just my "thing". I'm here for 2 nights. I open the closet, decide it feels creepier than the hallway, shut the door and hang nothing up. I don't put things into the chest of drawers, either. Realize I need an extra pillow, check the creepy closet, there's one in there, grab it, and slam the closet door shut again.

The bathroom is directly across from the closet. I don't like being in this bathroom. I tell myself this is just because it's small and that imagination of mine is in hyperdrive. Of course, the creepy closet is across from the bathroom and you can see it in the mirror. I watch that closet in the mirror every time I'm in the bathroom.

It's a 4+ hour drive from Phoenix to Douglas and I was up late every night the week before. I decide I'm tired as hell and go to bed early. Not too much trouble falling asleep. Somewhere after midnight but before 4am, I wake up, feeling pressure and a tingling all over my body, but especially from the waist up and on my face. Come fully awake and realize the feeling is real.

I manage to say, "Shove off, this is my bed." Nothing changes. I then say, "NO. Get OFF. This is MY bed now." And the pressure stops. Yahoo. I roll over and go back to sleep.

I'm all jazzed about this the next day -- I've been haunted! Whoo! I figure it was someone lying down to go to bed; maybe two someone's because the pressure was REALLY strong. But whatever.

Now, Weston Ochse and Yvonne Navarro are also at this event. We have dinner together and are hanging out after in their suite on the 4th floor. The 4th floor is not creepy. At all. It's cozy. Wes and Yvonne have just gotten back from a Haunted Writer's Retreat in a confirmed as VERY haunted mansion. We're discussing this, and Wes shares that he's extremely affected physically by the paranormal.

As we go on, we realize Yvonne's seen what we're fairly sure is a full body apparition. On the 3rd floor. I mention my experiences. Yvonne says I can sleep on their pullout bed. Wes and I chuckle. I mean, nothing bad happened and it could still have been my imagination. But, to ease my mind, Wes offers to take a looksee.

Keep in mind that Wes has spent a career in Covert Ops. This is the man you want to be near whenever stuff gets real, because he's the most calm, in command, and unflappable person around. So, I figure, Wes will check out my floor and room, declare me a Silly Writer Girl, and we all go to bed.

We get onto the 3rd floor, and Wes agrees this place feels creepy, but we both think it's the tile on the floor and the lighting. And then Wes gets near my room. "WHOA!" He's covered with goose-pimples. "There's something here."

We get into my room, and Wes gets into the Closet of Creepiness. And turns white. And more goose-pimply. "There is something in here. And it's malevolent."

You do NOT need to tell me twice. When the guy who is the least likely person in ANY room and ANY situation to be scared is scared for you and suggesting you come right back up and ensure he and the wife cannot have sexy times because he'd rather you were alive the next day, you freaking back your bags and RUN.

I do just that -- run into the bathroom that's a lot less scary 'cause Wes is here, change into my nightclothes, grab my pillows and grab what I need for the night, while Wes grabs the blankets. I mention that I've taken the one pillow out of the closet. Wes grabs the pillow, tosses it back IN the closet, and says these words to live by, "When you open a closet and feel Satan inside, do NOT take a pillow out of it and put it on your bed!"

Up in the safety of the cozy 4th floor with Wes & Yvonne, it dawns on me that there's one other thing that could have been why I felt so much pressure -- if someone was on top of me, smothering me with a pillow. I'm an asthmatic. It doesn't take much to stop us from breathing.

Fully creeped out, the next day, Yvonne goes down with me. It's daylight, and she opens the curtains so sunlight's streaming in. She feels nothing. Could sleep in the closet it's so nothing. So, I have her trot off while I get dressed and pack. She's not gone 10 minutes when the creepy feeling comes back. "Aha," I say with false bravado. "You're afraid of Yvonne. She's a ray of light. Well, leave me alone or SHE'LL BE BACK!"

When I check out, I tell this story. They LOVE to hear how you've been haunted at the Hotel Gadsden because everyone gets haunted there. It turns out that the most haunted room in this place is Room 333. You know, RIGHT NEXT DOOR to my room. And all the closets in that area creep out everyone who stays there. "Could the closets be a portal?" the desk clerk asks me. "Maybe to Hell or another dimension?"

I was too busy running to my car to reply.

For those who indulge, have a happy, fun, and above all safe Halloween. And let's be readers of ghost stories and monster stories and things that go bump in the night stories out there!

Love,
Gini

Aliens vs. Sandy

Happy Day After Tomorrow, Everyone!

First off, hoping that all Members in Very Good Standing of the Alien Collective and their families and friends weathered, and will weather, the Tropical Cyclone Formerly Known as Hurricane Sandy and her BFFs Frankenstorm and Bride of Frankenstorm. Let us know you're okay, you know how we worry. (We worry a LOT.) And thanks to Twitter, where the news came first, fastest, and despite some fake pics, accurately.

For those of you with power and the urge for distraction, fun, games, and voting (not that kind of voting), there's a lot going on, and I was gonna wait until tomorrow but there's just too much, too much I say! So we're going to get to some of it today.

I mentioned voting. Yes, yes, everyone who's registered should vote in the upcoming elections, for whoever you like or dislike the least, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm thrilled to announce that Alien Proliferation has been nominated in the Science Fiction category for the Goodreads Choice Awards! It's got some stiff competition, so any votes given will be greatly appreciated!

After you cast your votes, head over to Pearls Cast Before a McPig and get a teaser from Alien vs. Alien. Then see what ALPHA Reader and boeklogboek thought of Alien vs. Alien. Rumor also has it (with many thanks to Alert Member of the Alien Collective Lori W.) that RT Book Reviews has given Alien vs. Alien 4.5 stars and named it a Top Pick! Only those with physical copies of the magazine can confirm this rumor, but Mr. Joel Oliver says it's true.

But wait, there's more! See what DAW Books Review thought of Alien Proliferation (ooh look, a tie-in to the voting part...and it wasn't even planned!). Then check out what Fantasy Book Reviews and Nocturnal Book Reviews thought of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, by G.J. Koch (yes, that's moi).

Then head over to Midnyte Reader and see what My 5 Monkeys says Halloween is to her.

In Person Reminder: I'll be one of the 13 multi-published authors speaking on various aspects of writing and the publishing business at the 7th Annual Free Fall Writer's Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 10th, in Scottsdale, AZ. The program runs from 9:30-4:30 and is always a fabulous, learning-filled day well spent. And yes, despite us having NYT Bestselling authors and all sorts of other bestselling authors there, it's really and truly FREE. Such a deal. Hope to see a lot of you there, too!

That's it for today, but more's on the way. So sit tight, everyone stay safe (we really do worry a lot), and let's be readers, even if we must be readers by candlelight, out there!

Love,
Gini

The Dazzlers Explain it All For You

Hey there, everyone! All caught up from yesterday's Mass O' Links? Great! 'Cause as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we have more for you today! Oh, not that many (okay, yes, really, that many), but still, things you don't want to miss.

First up, head over to Fictitious Musings where the first Dazzlers Only interview is large and in charge. (While there, don't forget to sign up for their Gratitude Giveaway.)

Then which authors My 5 Monkeys would like at her Thanksgiving dinner table.

Next, hit RT Book Reviews and see which series they're looking forward to.

Remember to cast your votes for your fave books in the 2011 Goodreads Choice Awards. Yes, "Alien in the Family" is up for best science fiction, so please show it some Alien Collective love. And also remember to get entered to win one of five copies of "Alien Proliferation" over at the Alien Collective Virtual HQ.

In Person Reminder: I'll be in San Diego, at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore for their Holiday Party on Saturday, Dec. 10th, from 3pm-5pm. If you're in the Greater San Diego Metro Area, please come on by and get your bookie wookies signed by moi and the other awesome authors who will be there!

Now, for our TusCon recap. First off, yes, yes, more swag has come home just waiting for me to have a chance to parcel it off into prize packs and start the heralded ComboCon Contest (say it once, say it twice, say it three times). But I do owe y'all a recap. So here goes...

Got to panel with some very cool authors including Patricia Briggs, Jeff Mariotte, Marsheila Rockwell, Carol Berg, David Lee Summers, Emma Bull, Janni Lee Simner, Sam Sykes, and the Lovely Miss Yvonne Navarro. Plus there were tons of other awesome authors and artists there. And a good time was had by all. In particular, a good time was had at dinner. At a specific dinner, to be exact.

I give you: My Dinner With Patty.

Patty Briggs and her cool hubby, Mike, invited me and Marcy Rockwell to join them at dinner on Saturday night. Before you get too impressed, we went to the Denny's close to the conference hotel. But hey, still fun, right? Right. Most of the gang going walked over, but Marcy and I had panels later in the evening so we drove. We drove, but got there last. Hey, I had to go to the room and change shoes. These things happen.

As any of you who've met me at a con or a signing know, I tend to wear my favorite cowboy hat during in person events. My pink, sparkly cowboy hat. Don't believe me? Check out Extra Me! and call me a liar.

So Marcy and I trot into Denny's, me in my hat. We see Patty and company nowhere around. But before we can look for them, a waitress barrels up to us. "Ma'am," she snarls, "you can't come in here wearing that hat."

I stared. Marcy stared. "Excuse me?" I mean, what else do you say, right?

"You can't wear that hat in here!" She's dead serious. In fact, everyone around her -- busboy, other waitresses, customers -- all look dead serious, too.

Honestly, my first thought probably wasn't what everyone else would think. I'm from the Mean Streets, and my first thought was, 'What kind of gangs do you HAVE around here?' The only time I've ever been or seen someone tossed out because of headwear is due to gang signs.

Marcy and I exchange the classic WTF look. "Um, what? You're saying that I can't wear a cowboy hat in here?"

"That's right. It's DENNY'S POLICY." She's still snarling. The busboy is indicating he's ready to toss us out if we don't immediately comply and I take my hat off. Marcy and I exchange another WTF look. She's thinking there's no way in the world I'm exposing my hat hair to the world (true 'nuff). I'm thinking that we're not going to get to eat because I have no strong belief the restaurant is going to serve us due to my evil gang affiliations, no matter where the hat goes from here.

I turn back. "But it's a cowboy hat." I have nothing other than stating the obvious at this point. "You're saying I can't come in because I'm wearing a cowboy hat in TUCSON?"

At this point, I'm wondering if I can find the gang I supposedly belong to and get them to do some kind of protest here -- we of the Pink Sparkly Hat Gang will not be denied, sort of thing -- when the waitress starts laughing her head off.

"No, no! I'm just fooling with you. Your friend told me to do it." While she and the rest of the restaurant gang crack up, she leads me and Marcy back to where Patty, Mike and the others are. "She fell for it!" the waitress shouts to Patty. "You should have SEEN their faces!"

At this news, Patty and the others start busting their respective guts with laughter. Yes, it's true -- I was punk'd by Patty Briggs and a Denny's with the best actors on the planet working there. Patty's the coolest, isn't she? Ashton Kutcher's got NOTHING on Patty Briggs! And seriously, if any of those Denny's folks are reading this, you're wasting your talents -- head to Hollywood, pronto.

It was a really great con.

Love,
Gini

It's Just Another Clucky Monday

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I had a great time at the Fall Writer's Workshop, running the yap and listening to the wonderful Amber Scott and Caris Roane, and it was great to see some of you there as well! It's a short (in the U.S.) but busy week, though, so enough of the past, let's get back to the future!

First up, Kitty, Martini, Christopher and Chuckie are all sharing secrets over at ALPHA Reader that you don't want to miss. Check it out, leave a comment, show some Alien Collective love. (Oh, and as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, you WILL have to read the interview to find out how my subject line actually makes sense.)

Then, head over to see what Bibliognome, one of the lucky ARC winners, has to say about "Alien Proliferation". Then check out the review of "Alien in the Family" from Book Spot Central.

Next up, Fictitious Musings has some great things in their mail. They'll also have a character interview tomorrow (and not with who you'd expect). In honor of this, they're re-running their reviews of "Touched by an Alien" and "Alien Tango", and you can also find their review of "Alien in the Family" as well. They also have quite the Gratitude Giveaway going strong, so if you haven't entered for that, do it now!

Speaking of awesome things to win, the Alien Collective Virtual HQ is offering not one, not two, but FIVE copies of "Alien Proliferation" in their latest contest. Check out the Alien Proliferation Extravaganza and get entered to win today! Swept Away Again also has a nice little listing of some cool things to win.

Speaking of winning and all that jazz, "Alien in the Family" is in the semifinals at the 2011 Goodreads Choice Awards for best science fiction. The competition is tough, so take a moment and vote for it again, please and thank you, so it has a chance to make it to the next round.

Speaking of "Alien in the Family" and voting and such, All Things Urban Fantasy is running a cover art contest for best cover of 2011. I've been alerted that some members of the Alien Collective have already nominated "Alien in the Family" to be in the running, so if anyone else feels like tossing their votes in as well, I'm sure Kitty and Company, not to mention the amazing Daniel Dos Santos, would be most appreciative.

Is that it? Not quite! Check out who Larissa's Bookish Life thinks are the best hero and heroines of 2011.

I know I owe you all a TusCon recap (and boy, do I have one!), but that'll have to wait for tomorrow. So, until then, be good and enjoy all the blog and website hopping!

Love,
Gini