Festival Roundup

Well, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, I'm back from Tucson. Okay, okay, I was back on Monday. But, you know, things got busy. But, never fear, the Tucson Festival of Books Roundup is coming. But first, let's get to the latest news.

First up, head over to Fictitious Musings and see what they thought of Alien Proliferation. Then head to Book Talk with the Woodridge Public Library and check out which books they've enjoyed so far this year.

Check out the nice things Spacetrawler has to say about the series -- and check out the fun, funny, and cool comic strip while you're there. Then head over and see the interesting things awesome author June Kramin has to say over at Romance Lives Forever.

Now, for the TFOB Roundup! First off, much love and many thanks to all of the Alien Collective who came by to see me (and especially to Koren for the DELISH cookies and The Bookpushers for the awesome Festival Survival Kit!) at panels and at my signing at the Mysterious Galaxy booth. It was great seeing all of you, and I wish we'd had more time to hang out and visit.

But the Festival is always busy and jam-packed with things to do! Among the things I did was panel with some awesome authors -- Lorelie Brown, Karen Hawkins, Dennis McKiernan, Robin Hobb, Sam Sykes, and Maxwell Alexander Drake. (Some of you will recognize Drake from my first Comic-Con contest, as he provided several signed flyers and posters. And yes, he's still a cool, fun dude.) I also got to hang out with the ever-awesome Erin Quinn. So it was a fabulous event all the way around.

Next up for me is the Jambalaya Writers' Conference in Houma, LA, which is about an hour outside of New Orleans. It's not only a great chance to see me, but also see a lot of other awesome authors, like Heather Graham and Rick Bragg, and the cost is beyond reasonable. So, if you're in the area on March 31, be sure to come on by! I'll be the one in the pink sparkly cowgirl hat. You know, like always.

Everyone have a fabulous weekend and enjoy a fun and safe St. Patrick's Day weekend. I'll catch you on the flip side, and let's remember to be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Hump Day Comes Early/TusCon Roundup Comes Late

I know, I know, it's only Tuesday, but here in the States, with Thanksgiving on Thursday, many of us are only working a 3-day week. (Not me, of course. I work a 24/7 day week, but that's 'cause I'm crazy.) So, even though it's Tuesday, it's really the middle of this shorter week, so today is the REAL Hump Day of Beverly Hills. Or something like that.

But don't let that rambling opener fool you -- as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we have lots going on today. First up, check out June "Bug" Kramin and what she's busy pimping. It's a double pimp, too, which should earn her some extra Alien Collective points.

Next up, my somewhat belated TusCon Roundup. It was a great con, and I had a blast. Some of the Alien Collective were in attendance (waves madly to all who were there) and attended my "Alien Tango" reading, kept me company at the mass book signing, and hit my panels, too. Always awesome to see you guys!

Speaking of panels, I was on a lot, and had a blast with them. I didn't get to panel with the awesome Marsheila Rockwell but we audienced for each other.

I did have the pleasure, in no particular order of pleasure 'cause they're all awesome, of getting to be on panels with Jeff Mariotte, Adam Niswander, Shannon Butcher (who is a lovely, gracious lady whether on a panel or at breakfast), Janni Lee Simner, John Vornholt, Jordan Summers, Larry Hammer, Lee Whiteside, Ed Bryant, Jill Knowles, and Sam Sykes. Yeah, that's a lot of folks, I know. And that's not everyone who was there. TusCon draws a LOT of authors.

I was supposed to be on a panel with Jim Butcher, but he had the nerve to bow out because he still had a line of people waiting for him to sign their books, and he chose his fans over the panel. The nerve! LOL From what I saw and heard, he's a great guy, and we all know he writes great books. (Access Hollywood-ish type fact: Jim's cut his hair, very short -- it looks good, but made it hard to recognize him unless he was with Shannon.)

Got to hang with Yvonne Navarro and pet two of her awesome rescued Great Danes, Goblin and Ghost. Weston Ochse was supposed to be there but was in Romania instead (don't ask me, that's what his blog and Facebook page are for). And the ever awesome Mysterious Galaxy and the lovely Maryelizabeth Hart were on site, selling books, which is what they do so very well. And I got to catch up with one of my writing mentors, Stephen Mertz and have that rare but wonderful pleasure of having a mentor tell me he's proud of what I've achieved. That was truly a con highlight for me.

That's all for today. Will there be more tomorrow? Well, there IS that contest I've been talking about. Might want to let y'all know what it's about...

Oh, and 13 days until "Alien Tango" releases. Have you pre-ordered YOUR copy yet?

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!