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

Diplomatically Speaking...

...Get Thee to a Bookstore!

Happy Alien Diplomacy Release Day!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I had beyond a blast at the Jambalaya Writers' Conference...and I'll be giving you my full recap later this week. But since today's Alien Diplomacy's big day, let's check out what's going on around the web in honor of release day!

First up, head over to Tynga's Reviews and catch the yap running large and in charge. There's also a chance to win a copy of Alien Diplomacy, so don't miss out and get entered to win!

Speaking of winning, if you're on Twitter, the Alien Collective Virtual HQ is giving you a chance to win a copy of Alien Diplomacy merely by retweeting their tweet about Alien Diplomacy. I know! It's so meta. Anyway, follow me (@GiniKoch) and you'll be able to find the message to RT, and it'll be wonderful, wonderful...an you might win, too.

Now, onto the reviews! Check out what RT Book Reviews thinks of Alien Diplomacy (hint: They made it a Top Pick). While you're at it, see what A Buckeye Girl Reads, Hanging with Bells, Books 'n' Kisses, and Book Lovers, Inc. think of Alien Diplomacy. Then check out what A.B. Keuser thinks of the book that started it all, Touched by an Alien.

There's lots of great books out this month, and RT Book Reviews, DAW Books Inc., Vampire Book Club, and The Galaxy Express all have great, and different, lists of them.

There's another kind of competition going on, and Kitty and I need your help. The I Smell Sheep gang is at it again, with the 2nd Annual Boogity Boo Awards. Please head over and vote for your favorite replies in 4 categories (including Rapid Response, where I'm nominated, writing as Kitty).

That's enough for today. But never fear, more's coming. So, enjoy the linking, the voting, and, hopefully, the winning, and most of all, enjoy Alien Diplomacy!

Love,
Gini

It's Release Day and So Much More! Wheeeeee!

Happy Alien Proliferation Release! Yeah, I'm excited. And there's so much going on today, that while I'd love to just bask in the glow of the release of "Alien Proliferation", I can't because, well, um, there's just so much going on!

First off, head over to Literary Escapism where Kitty and Martini discuss A Very Alien Christmas. You can also enter to win a copy of "Alien Tango".

Speaking of "Alien Tango", it gets a shout out in Heather Massey's interesting Heroes and Heartbreakers article about The Courtship Dance in Science Fiction Romance.

And speaking of Heroes and Heartbreakers, check out The Eight Characters of Chanukah blog post by Stacey Agdern. (Yes, that's "Touched by an Alien" gracing the #1 position.)

Then, check out some new reviews of "Alien Proliferation" from Hanging with Bells and Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell. And see which quotes Bibliognome chose as her favorites.

Pearls Cast Before a McPig has some nice things to say about today's releases. And Transreal Fiction has a nice listing of today's releases as well.

Reminders:

This Wednesday, Dec. 7th, aka tomorrow, I'll be doing a live chat with Book Monster and Literal Addiction, from 6-8pm Mountain time (8pm start Eastern, 7pm start Central, 5pm start Pacific, open internationally but you'll have to figure out the times on your own, sorry, LOL). Here are the details, join if you can!

LINK FOR LIVE CHAT -
http://www.literaladdiction.com/author-chat.php#/general/

NOTE: This Chatroom works best with Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari web browsers. It does work with older versions of I.E, though it has been known to have issues. The newer versions of Internet Explorer (I.E) do not work at all! Please use Firefox or Chrome for best results, and make sure that your Java is up-to-date!

I'll be in San Diego at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore for their Eat! Read! Party! Holiday Event on Saturday, December 10th, from 3-5pm, signing "Alien Proliferation" and anything else attendees want. Hope to see some of you there!

That's it for today, but, as always around release time, more's coming, and not only the live chat. (The Combo-Con Contest, for example. For Hook Me Up! only. So if you're not on, you're gonna miss out. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line, and do it today!)

So, enjoy all the reading, and then get your copies of "Alien Proliferation" and enjoy your time with Kitty and Company!

Love,
Gini

The Yap Gives You MORE Chances to Win!

Well, we have another busy day again. So, let's not delay in getting to the details, shall we? Especially since many of those details include winning things.

First off, head over to Book Lovers, Inc. and check out my guest blog for their 1000 Followers Giveaway. Get entered to win a copy of "The Royal Scam" and an Alien Collective Tote, as well as even more prizes!

After getting entered to win, head over to Musa Publishing and check out "Hotter Than Hell", the first release from my Jemma Chase pen name, which releases this Friday, 10-14. It's never too late to pre-order (well, okay, sure, it's too late after the release date, but it's not too late right NOW), so do your girl a solid and check out this paranormal romance between a private investigator and a mysterious woman searching for someplace hotter than Hell.

Following on the heels of "Hotter Than Hell" will be the Oct. 28th release of the first book in my The New West series, "When Josie Comes Home", from my A.E. Stanton pen name. Yep, you know what's coming. Please pre-order that puppy while you're at it.

And since you'll be at the Musa site anyway, those of you who haven't yet scored your copy of "The Royal Scam" can easily rectify, getting a triple out of the whole deal.

But it's not all yapping, pre-orders and pen names today, no siree. Nope, we also have a cool In My Mailbox from My 5 Monkeys. Then, head over to Hanging with Bells to see what she thought of "The Royal Scam".

And we also have winning reminders. If you haven't entered the "Alien Proliferation" ARC Giveaway contest yet, what are you waiting for? Oh, you're waiting to be on Hook Me Up! and so qualified to enter? Well, wait no longer. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and we'll send you the instructions for how to enter to win! Don't delay -- contest ends 10-13.

Tag in for the Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger contest, and get entered to win some great prizes, including an ARC of "Alien Proliferation". Details are at the Win Stuff page -- tag in as part of Team Blah and get more win on! Contest ends 10-21.

That's it for today, 'cause that's plenty. Head off and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Touring, Virtual Style

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that the week's looking good for all. As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we've got a lot to get to this week, so let's roll. (I know, I sound so street when I say that.)

First up, KLB Virtual Events is sponsoring a 10 day, 10 blog virtual book tour for "Alien in the Family" with lots of reviews, goodies and giveaways. Stops 1 and 2 are open, so hit Dren's B-Spot and Hanging with Bells! to get entered to win!

Here's the rest of the Virtual Tour lineup:
5/3 Ramblings Of A Chaotic Mind: Review & Giveaway
5/4 The Order of Smut Vixens: Feature
5/5 Nancy McGregor's Big Bad Blog: Review & Giveaway
5/6 Larissa's Life: Feature
5/7 Chena (Guest Blogging): Review
5/8 Aria's Dark Musing: Review & Giveaway
5/9 Mark Of The Stars: Review
5/10 Love2Read4Fun: Review & Giveaway
5/10 KLB: Discussion & Swag Giveaway

Be sure to hit the Tour every day so you don't miss out!

Is that all? Not by a long shot. Check out what Mixed Book Bag and Night Owl Reviews have to say about "Alien in the Family".

Next up, "Alien Tango" is in an all out brawl with Gena Showalter's "Ecstasy in Darkness" over at Bitten By Books. Please head over and vote so Kitty and Company can make it to the next round of the big Smackdown.

Mark of the Stars has her big blogoversary blowout wrap-up, including all the big winners. Congrats to all!

There's more updates on the website, including Sightings in the Wild, Cool Links, and Spotlight.

Reminder that I'll be at LepreCon 37 in Tempe, AZ this weekend. If you're in the area, come on by and join in on all the fun! Yes, I'll be doing readings and signings.

That's all for today. Have fun, go get your win on, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Alien in the Monday

Happy Monday!

Well, this is a big week, and, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, it's starting off in a BIG way! Lots of cool and fun to get to, so let's roll!

First off, the yap is large and in charge, yapping about A-C life and other tidbits, over at The Book Pushers. There's also a giveaway of one of any, that's right, ANY book in the series -- "Touched by an Alien", "Alien Tango", or "Alien in the Family".

Next, check out My 5 Monkeys, where not only is there a review of "Alien in the Family", but also a chance to win "Alien in the Family".

Speaking of reviews, we have a flurry of great new ones for "Alien in the Family". Head over to Book Lovers, Inc., Hanging with Bells, and A Buckeye Girl Reads to get their takes on Book 3. Remember that A Buckeye Girl Reads is also giving away a copy of either "Touched by an Alien" or "Alien Tango" connected to her interview with Kitty and Chuckie.

Then, head over to The Galaxy Express for a good in-depth roundup of this month's SFR releases, and hit Literary Escapism for a listing of more coming in April.

That's it for today, but there's a lot coming, including a big release party at Bitten By Books for "Alien in the Family" that includes some awesome giveaways...tomorrow! RSVP now to get extra chances to win!

So, stay tuned, li'l gangstas, and I'll see you at the same Alien Bat Time, Same Alien Bat Channel!

Love,
Gini

Yap Chattin'

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and rested up their fingers, 'cause, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, the Yap Chats tonight and tomorrow! But, before we get to that, and all the fun stuff and prizes surrounding it, let's get caught up on everything else going on!

First off, we have some new reviews. Check out what the I Smell Sheep gang and The Bilbiophilic Book Blog think of "Alien Tango". Then head over to see what Escape Between the Pages and Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell think of "Touched by an Alien".

Then see what the Book Lovers Inc. are all anticipating, their fave reads, and more. And don't forget that you can still win by posting a comment at my Guest Blog at BLI as well!

In anticipation of tonight's chat, check out what Hanging with Bells has posted to whet the ol' appetites.

And now for tonight's main event. Head over to Tigris Eden's Forbidden Fruits & Carnal Pleasures and check out the first of a two-part interview with moi as well as her review for "Alien Tango". Part two of the interview, which includes characters from the series, will be posted tomorrow. Then come back tonight and/or tomorrow, and participate in my first EVER live chats as an author. It's my birthday, and you guys get the presents!

All the deets are at the site under the Contests & Goodies and believe me, there are goodies galore being given away, including a Limited Edition Gini Bad loaded with swag. Don't miss this event! Chat and contest are both international.

Chat Times:
Jan 24/evening
5pm PST/6pm MST/7pm CST/8pm EST/UK 1AM/Asia Pacific 10AM

Jan 25/morning
8:30AM PST/9:30AM MST/10:30AM CST/11:30 EST/UK 4:30PM/Asia Pacific 1:30AM

To Sign Onto the Chats
Instructions to chat:
Link to Chat
Click Sign in - Don't need a Password (unless you're already registered with the site, then you can enter your user name and password)
Then on the right hand side of the chat (once logged in) you will see the "List Rooms", Click on that
Will take you to a forum
You will see a box then to the right of that it will say Join Room
In the box type the Room Name which is Gini_Koch_ (type in exactly, with both underscores)
Click Join Room and Viola you're in
Click on Options Drop down Arrow to change your name
In the Options menu choose Change Nick Name as long as the name has never been used it's good...

Be there or be parasitic superbeing bait!

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

Can't Stop the Yap Signal

Well, here we are, a week after "Alien Tango" has hit the shelves! And while things are a little slower today than they were yesterday, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, the whirlwind is still going strong! There's lots of fun stuff ahead, so let's get to it!

Head over to Hanging With Bells where she has a new interview with yours truly. And, it just so happens, Kitty, Martini, and Reader, too. You also have a chance to win both "Touched by an Alien" AND "Alien Tango", so check out the Share the Love post while you're there. Contest ends Monday, Dec. 20th.

Speaking of winning and end dates, time's running out on some great contests. Today, Dec. 14th, is the last day to enter to win either "Touched by an Alien" or "Alien Tango" from Fiction State of Mind. You have until tomorrow, Dec. 15th, to win a signed copy of "Alien Tango" from The Amber Scott Project, until Friday, Dec. 17th, to win a signed copy of "Alien Tango" from Larissa's Bookish Life, and until Saturday, Dec. 18th, to win a signed copy of "Touched by an Alien" from Book Lovers Inc.

Speaking of which, tomorrow, Dec. 15th, is the last day to enter for the Combo-Con contest. If you haven't gotten your registration entries in, now's the time, and it's also the time to add on some extra blog entries to increase your chances of winning.

Combo-Con Blog 1
Combo-Con Blog 2
Combo-Con Blog 3

That's it for today. Catch you on the flip side, get those contest entries in, enjoy the interview, and keep on reading!

Love,
Gini

Yet More Manic For Our Monday

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I did, and it was great to see many Alien Collective Members in Very Good Standing over the weekend and at Mysterious Galaxy on Saturday (*waves madly to one and all of my SoCal peeps who were there*). The Holiday Party was great, the other authors were cool, and I got a couple of signed bookmarks to add into one of the Combo-Con Packs...but there, I'm getting ahead of myself.

It was a busy weekend everywhere, at least as far as my inbox shows me. So let's get to it, 'cause, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, there's a lot of Alien action going on!

First up, check out Hanging With Bells, because she's doing an awesome Alien giveaway! Speaking of giveaways, there are some good listings for such at Bea's Book Nook, Contests and Freebies, and Just Contest Stuff.

There are a lot of great new reviews of "Alien Tango"! Start with ALPHA Reader, then go to What Book Is That?, head to The Discriminating Fangirl, hit several at once at Amazon.com, and finish up with 25 Hour Books.

If you missed them, check out my last two Penguin Community blogs, Metamorphosis and Non-Threatening Science Fiction.

Then check out what Pages of Forbidden Love, That Bookish Girl, Escape Between the Pages, and Books, Books and More Books got in their mailboxes.

Get some updates on a variety of things from A Genteel Black Hole, see what true confessions The Order of Smut Vixens has to share, check out which hot characters author KT Grant would want at dinner over at Writings of a Wicked Book Addict, and get a round up of new SF/F releases at SFF Chat.

I mentioned it earlier, but with all that blog hopping, it may have slipped your minds. However, the Combo-Con contest is still going strong, AND I have two autographed bookmarks to add into one of the Packs. The autographs are from Sophie Littlefield and Juliet Blackwell. But if you're not on Hook Me Up!, you can't find out which Pack will get the autographs, let alone have a chance to win them and the other awesome prizes. So rectify! Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and get ready to win! Contest ends on Dec. 15th, so you still have time to get on Hook Me Up!, register for the contest, and get extra blog entries to win.

Blogs are all likely off the main page now, so if you want to see what you can win and/or just get some more blog entries in, here are the links (I'm nice that way):
Combo-Con Blog 1
Combo-Con Blog 2
Combo-Con Blog 3

I'll do a better round up on the Mysterious Galaxy Holiday Party later. I think we have more than enough for today! So, enjoy the linking and the hopping, the reading and the entering, and I'll catch all y'all on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Whole Lotta Tango Goin' On

Happy Hump Day! Well, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, the "Alien Tango" love is starting to roll in! We have not one but two advanced reviews today.

Check out Larissa's Bookish Life for her take and rating on the next adventures of Kitty and Company, and then check out what Hanging with Bells has to say! Leave some Alien Collective love while you're at it.

Speaking of the Alien Collective, Dark Wyrm Reads has a lovely Gratitude Giveaway going on, which includes "Touched by an Alien" as well as some other cool books. And remember, my interview at The Book Pushers is still large and in charge -- complete with "Alien Tango" excerpt!

That's it for today. But I promise you...I'll be back. Soon. So, until then, enjoy the downward slide towards the weekend and the anticipation of 19 days until "Alien Tango" can be in your hands! (BTW, it's never a bad time to pre-order both "Alien Tango" AND "Alien in the Family". Just sayin'...)

Love,
Gini

Strangeness Afoot!

Last week, I recieved quite the honor. Our own beloved Sullivan McPig awarded me with the Strange Men in Pinstripe Suites Blog Award. Seeing as I am strange (and mysterious! Let's not forget mysterious!), I see this as an acceptance of my general skills. So, without further ado, here's what all the blah, blah, blah's about!


Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits Award

What it's about:

This award is based on the release of Cate Gardner's short story collection, Strange Men in Pinstriped Suits. The book is available for pre-order and at a discount of $1.99 off of the cover price. To help celebrate this release, Cate and Strange Publications have a contest with two prize packages to choose from.



The 'Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits' award is given to only the strangest of folk, and as the recipient of such you are deemed very strange indeed.

Congratulations.

Now you must go forth and celebrate the strangeness of friends (and strangers - strangers are always allowed) by nominating blogs run by strange folk. *Beware, some people don't like you to refer to them as strange…Try to avoid them if possible.

Some rules:

1. Add the logo of the award to your blog post.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you (don't mess with strange people).
3. Nominate seven other blogs telling us why you think the recipient is strange enough to deserve the award.
4. Leave a message for those nominated on their blogs.
5. And, if you email catephoenix(at)gmail(dot)com and tell her you've received the award for your strangeness, she'll enter you in the biggest kick-ass Strange Men competition ever. Details over at strangemeninpinstripesuits.com (click on the award link on the home page)

So, now it's time for moi to pick 7 strange friends. The challenge isn't in coming up with 7. The challenge is STOPPING with 7. (Those left out, no fear -- I still love you and your fuzzy li'l strange hearts all to bits...but rulez is rulez.) So, in no particular order of strangeness, I give you:

Melting Before Your Eyes - Because she's a dancing hippo in granny panties.
Lilium's Realm - Because she mothered Grasshopper and Minion.
That's QUEEN Bitch to You - Because you always have to recognize the Queen.
Hanging with Bells - Because she rocks the hottie pics.
I Smell Sheep - Because, well, they smell sheep...I think they potentially OWN this award, for all time.
Amber Scott Project - Creativity in action.
June "Bug" Kramin - 'Cause you never forget your first Bug.

Of course, those awarded may choose to ignore their strangeness and/or the award, but I suggest embracing it and passing it along!

Short and Sheep and Read All Over

Happy Monday! As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, that title's not filled with typos. Today's blog is gonna be short. And sheep. And read all over again. (We believe in truth in advertising here at Team Gini.)

First off, the gang at I Smell Sheep have come up with a little funny that made me laugh a lot. Check it out -- I think it's pretty darned clever.

And, that's not quite all. Hanging With Bells has seen fit to share a little Martini loving (as in, excerpts from Ch. 21). In case you don't have your copy of "Touched by an Alien" handy, and even if you do, check it out...she didn't give the full chapter, so you can fill in the blanks your own bad selves.

Tomorrow we'll have me running the yap again (I know, I know, do I ever shut up? Well, honestly...no...) over at Lilium's Realm. So, you know you're gonna hear from me tomorrow, with that and potentially other news, same Bat Time, same Bat Channel. Or something like that.

Love,
Gini

More Yap!

As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, it's short and sweet today.

As promised, in addition to giving away a copy of "Touched by an Alien", there's also an interview with yours truly large and in charge over at Hanging with Bells.

And the interview isn't only with me. Kitty and Martini show up to answer some questions, too, including questions about "Alien Tango".

So, check it out! You'll be glad you did.

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

Lucky Friday the 13th

Happy Friday, everyone, and an especially lucky Friday the 13th is it, too!

Well, here we are, the end of another wild week. But, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, things aren't slowing down. No, they're heating up! So, let's get to it!

First up, we have another review of "Touched by an Alien" over at Freaking Bookworm. Head over, share the Alien Collective love, you know what to do.

There are some new avatars up on the Free Stuff page. (And, yes, it's easy to spot what Team Gini favors out of Alien Tango...go see for yourselves!)

Now, I told you there'd be more winning, and there is! Hanging with Bells is doing a book giveaway of "Touched by an Alien"! Starts today. And come Tuesday, she'll have a NEW interview with yours truly. So, hit the blog, leave the Alien Collective love, mark your calendars for the interview!

Winning Reminder 1: the interview with me and the "Touched by an Alien" giveaway over at the Bibliophilic Book Blog is still going on. If you haven't visited there yet, rectify that situation pronto!

Winning Reminder 2: the big book giveaway at Larissa's Bookish Life, of which "Touched by an Alien" is a part, is also still going on. Again, if you haven't visited there, rectify!

Winning Reminder 3: this is the last day to get your entries and extra chances to win in on my Hook Me Up! exclusive Comic-Con Swag Pack Giveaway. To enter you have to be a Hook Me Up! subscriber. Not on yet? Rectify NOW. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be in.

I'll be tallying entries this weekend, then doing the random selects and announcing the winners in the week of 8/16. So if you want in, and really, these Packs are so worth it, sign up today!

Finally, I have lots of news that I can't officially share with you guys. Yet. Hoping I can share it soon. And, of course, the moment I CAN share it, you guys will be the FIRST to know! However, I can offer a tidbit.

Those of you who will be at CopperCon 30 over Labor Day Weekend will get to experience two things: my first public reading, ever, and a preview sketch of the cover for "Alien in the Family"! And, seriously, if you think the covers for "Touched by an Alien" and "Alien Tango" rock...well, you ain't seen nothin' yet! And, unless you're at CopperCon, you still won't. For a while.

Love,
Gini

Contests! And More

As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, there's more contests afoot! And not just mine. I know! The giving out there right now is amazing. So, let's get in on it!

First up, though, let's take care of that "more" in the headline. There's more swag for your perusing pleasure up at the Alien Collective Depot as well as a new, more interesting look to the launch page. Team Gini worked hard on it, so check the new look and the new stuff out!

Now, onto the contest info! The Book Lovers Inc. is doing a big giveaway, and on their list of prizes are not one but TWO copies of "Touched by an Alien"! Along with some other really cool prizes! So head over, show some Alien Collective love, and get yourselves entered!

Next, this is more of an "early excitement" alert. I know for a fact that several members of the Alien Collective in excellent standing are planning a few cool things this month -- interviews with moi, giveaways, etc. (*cough* The Bibliophilic Book Blog *cough* Hanging with Bells *cough* and more *cough*) So, keep your eyeballs peeled 'cause my inside scoop says things are starting this week -- in some cases, already started.

Speaking of already started, my awesome Hook Me Up! exclusive Comic-Con Swag Pack Giveaway started last week. For those of you who came in late, here's the rules: You have to be on Hook Me Up!

Yes, it's true. If you're not on Hook Me Up! yet, you can't enter, 'cause only my Hook Me Up! gang knows what to do and how to do it (in SO many ways). So, rectify your situation and send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line, so you can get in on the biggest contest around!

Love,
Gini

Another Friday = More Yap

Happy Friday to one and all! As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, it's a cheerful, and busy, Friday over here in Gini Land! Let's get right to it!

The Yap Runneth Again, over at 1st Turning Point, where authors teach other authors. See what I have to say about Generating the All-Important Buzz and feel free to offer up any tips yourselves.

After you check that out, race on over to The Amber Scott Project where she's got the P.P.I.F. Party (Project Pay it Forward) on the launch pad. See what's happening with the copies of "Touched by an Alien" that are heading out into the world. And, for those of you who've already joined in, please share what you've done with the copy/s you've sent out into the wild. This is such an amazing and awesome thing -- I'm thrilled with the idea itself, and beside myself that "Touched by an Alien" was chosen to be the inaugural book, so please share some Alien Collective love and all your various stories!

But wait, there's more. The polls are still open on the official Badge of Honor for the Alien Collective and we need all your votes coming in! Option 2 is only slightly ahead of Option 3 this morning, so if you love one more than the other (or just like one more than the other), please cast your vote ASAP. Do it on the Blah, Blah, Blah Blog, on my Facebook Fan Page (Hairspray and Rock 'n' Roll), or by sending me an e-mail (gini@ginikoch.com). Because we're in a dead heat, polls will likely stay open throughout the weekend, but the sooner you vote and we have a clear winner, the sooner I can announce the NEXT cool stuff coming down the pike. So, see? There's some incentive for you!









Haven't checked out the latest reviews? Well, what are you waiting for? Give Hanging with Bells some Alien Collective love (and, you know, while you're there, she puts up some LOVELY shots of hunks on a very regular basis...just saying'...), and give the DAW Books Discussion on "Touched by an Alien" some love and support.

And that's not all! Check out the Bookstore for an awesome quote about "Touched by an Alien" from my new most favorite bookseller. Then, after refreshing your pages (trust me, if you can't see what I'm saying, refreshing is your friend), check out the two NEW pages -- Accolades and Free Stuff. Not much there yet, you say? Well, just wait...we're going to be busy at Team Gini, and those pages are going to be filled with stuff, and that soon!

Not on Hook Me Up! yet? You just don't want to have a shot at exclusive contests, offers, and info? Well, for those who DO, just send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be all set. And you want to do it soon...'cause the Hook Me Up! only contest is just around the corner.

There's more, so much more, but I'm going to make you wait until next week for it, just 'cause I can.

Love,
Gini

More Good Stuff

Well, today brings some new “stuff”. I was so excited about the fact that we had Alien Collective Logos to vote on, that I forgot to share some exciting news. For the week ending 4/18/10, “Touched by an Alien” was #44 on the Barnes & Noble Bestsellers List! That’s 5 slots up from where it had been the week prior! Whoo hoo! I’m so excited and it’s all because of all of you! *Virtually hugs the Collective tight*

In addition to this, there’s another nice review up at Hanging With Bells blog, so head on over and give the review some Alien Collective love. There are also some more great reviews for “Touched by an Alien” up on Amazon.com, Borders.com and Barnes & Noble.com.

But wait, there’s more? Indeed there is. Keep your eyes peeled for a LOT on Friday -- I know, it’s the end of the week, but it’ll be hopping in Gini Land. But before then, The Galaxy Express is helping Jess Granger launch her book, “Beyond the Shadows” with a cool cyber release party -- and a copy of “Touched by an Alien” is one of the prizes! Head on over and check it out!

It’s a never-ending cornucopia of exciting things going on here, so stay tuned…more IS to come!

Love,
Gini