It's All About the Book

Happy Friday! Wowza, hearing from me twice in a week. I know, it's shocking, right? It's like the old days of, you know, last year. But today it's a short and sweet one, so let's get to it so we can all get to the weekend!

The yap is large and in charge over at Tome Tender where not only am I sharing three never-before-revealed things about moi, but there's also a chance to win your choice of one of the first ten books in the Alien series (Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, Alien in the Family, Alien Proliferation, Alien Diplomacy, Alien vs. Alien, Alien in the House, Alien Research, Alien Collective, or Universal Alien). And of course it's open internationally. Contest runs through May 4th, so get your entries in today!

And why is this happening? Leading up to the release of Alien Separation on May 5th, of course! And, to see what's coming -- and why RT Book Reviews made Alien Separation a Top Pick -- check out the review of said bookie wookie over at Larissa's Bookish Life.

After that, check out the headers (look up) all over the website, including Newsy Stuff that has new, um, newsy stuff. There's also a new Playlist to check out as well. And, while you're at it, hit Deathless Prose where the prologue and first chapter of Alien Separation are there for your reading pleasure and enticement.

BTW, I hear tell that a Hook Me Up! exclusive contest is on the horizon. Not on Hook Me Up! yet? Now's the time. Just send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be in with the in-crowd and all set for the winning.

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So enjoy the downward slide into 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

Hump Day Catch Up

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone had a great week and weekend last week and that this week's going swimmingly, too! Tucson Festival of Books was fantastic -- I had wonderful panels with awesome authors Dennis McKiernan, Gail Carriger, Erin Quinn, and Cynthia Garner, plus got to see many of the Alien Collective -- but it does take a lot out of a person, and then there was all the catching up and such, and basically, the time flew. However, we have a lot that's going on, so let's get all caught up, shall we? We shall!

First up, the Kickstarter for Unidentified Funny Objects 4 is halfway through, but we're only a little over halfway funded, too. This makes me sad, because this is going to be another great collection, and there are still a ton of cool levels that you can support in order to get another awesome humor collection created. If you haven't looked, take a gander right now. And remember, I still have one tuckerization left, meaning there's one more chance to get into an Alien series short story (and the related stories that come after)!

Speaking of UFO4, check out the latest Mind Meld over at SF Signal where I and many others discuss our favorite short humor stories. And feel free to add yours in the comments! After that, read what Crain's New York has to say about my UFO editor, Alex Shvartsman.


Next up, The Disciple and Other Stories of the Paranormal is live at all outlets including Amazon, Smashwords, BandN.com, and CreateSpace. So, get your copies today! And, for those of you coming to see the me this weekend, I will have copies in my paws for my signing this Saturday, March 28, at The Book Vault at 2055 S. Power Road, Entrance #3, Mesa, AZ. Be there from 12-4pm and see moi along with four other awesome authors, Alan Black, Kris Tualla, Deena Remiel, and Melanie Tighe. And if you haven't given them a try, don't delay, get their books today!

Speaking of upcoming books, remember that pre-orders matter hugely to authors and publishers, so please do your girl a solid and pre-order Alien Separation and Alien in Chief from your favorite bookstore (including any bookstore where I'll be going live and in person during Book Tour) or online retailer. And while you're at it, pre-order The X-Files: Trust No One, where you'll get a ton of great, creepy fiction, including my story, "Sewers".

My book tour for Alien Separation is getting solidified. I'll be at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego, CA on Saturday, May 9th, at Barnes & Noble in Henderson, NV with the Arizona Wyked Writers on Sunday, May 17th, and at The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, AZ on Monday, June 8th. There will be a Livestream of the event at the Pen, so if you can't see the me in person, make plans to watch me live and get in on the fun (and the winning) that way! Full details to come soon!

Speaking of Alien Separation, see what books Larissa's Bookish Life is most looking forward to in her TBR pile!

Then see what SF Reader thought of Alien Collective.

Next up More Geek Than Gay is back! So, check out Episode 96 and Episode 97 and get caught back up on the fun. After that video fun, check out the rollicking podcast interview at Drinking with Jason #6 where fun, cool author S.P. Durnin chats lots of stuff, much of it zombies (because he writes about them), but also including Aliens, Game of Thrones, and Star Wars.

Speaking of fun, have you gone to see the live action Cinderella yet? If not, check out my review over at Slice of SciFi. And if you have, join in on the comments! Same again for Galavant, where I have my 5 Episodes In review up at Slice. Join in the comments there, too!

Last but not least, we have some science! IFL Science shares that Alliflash and Gigantagator had some very cool, and rather scary, ancestors.

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 pre-ordering and Kickstartering readers out there! Peace out my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Super Team Gini Go!

Happy Friday! Hope everyone had a fantastic end of January, enjoyed Super Bowl parties (how about those commercials and dancing sharks, huh?), and that February's going great for one and all. As always, of course, there's a lot going on in Gini Land, so let's get to it, shall we? We shall!

Had a wonderful time at Mysterious Galaxy signing with the ever awesome Erin Quinn. For more pics, check out the photo gallery over at Demotix taken by Stephen Prendergast.

The San Diego State University Writer's Conference was awesome as well. In addition to getting to do a panel with The Awesome Editor and workshops with Marsheila Rockwell, I got to hang out with the wonderful Jonathan Maberry, which was excellent icing on an already delicious cake.

I have an announcement I'm dying to tell all y'all, but I can't do it just yet. But there's another announcement I CAN do right now, but that'll come a little bit later.

Before then, head over to Bull Spec and check out which anthologies The Exploding Spaceship thought were the best of 2014, which includes Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets, that has my short story, "All the Single Ladies" in it.

Then see what Night Owl Reviews thought of Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets, too.

After that, head over to Larissa's Bookish Life and see who she picked for her Top 5 Favorite Heroes from Books, Movies, and TV. Then see who she chose as her Top 5 Favorite Villains from Books, Movies, and TV, too. Also, Larissa's mom has been ill, so any good thoughts and such that the rest of the Alien Collective could send to her would be really great.

And, let us once again gaze upon the wonder that is the Alien Tango cover over at Fantasy Art Village, just because we can.

Speaking of announcements, The Night Beat was off the market other than in the Sensational Six boxed set. While the boxed set is still around for a very limited time, in honor of Night Music showing up soon, the second edition of The Night Beat is now available at all the usual suspects (Amazon, B&N.com, Smashwords, Kobo, iTunes, Mysterious Galaxy, The Poisoned Pen, anywhere I am, and so on).

Next up, it's time for some science! Check out the hugely exciting Super Saturn over at Science Alert. Then go to IFL Science and read about an asteroid so big it has its own moon -- and they both flew past Earth. Lastly, head over to Truth Code and find out about the second Earth some scientists have found.

Hugo Nominations are open, and great author and wonderful editor Joshua Palmatier has some suggestions for nominations. If you're eligible to nominate, please remember that many of your favorite authors, like moi, have plenty of books and shorts we'd love to get recognition. And if you're nominating, let me encourage you to nominate Sheila Gilbert from DAW Books for Best Editor, Long Form. Because she is.

Now it's time for the announcement I can actually make right now. Team Gini is expanding! This is a great thing in that it's going to give me more writing time, meaning I will have more output (at least, that is the sincere hope) to keep all y'all in reading matter. So more of the team are taking Front Line Duties.

First off, Team Gini now has an official email address: TeamGini @ ginikoch .com. You can reach any and all the team using this email. Team Gini also has a Twitter account: TeamGini @RealTeamGini. Again, you can reach everyone via this Twitter handle. We're continuing to use the Facebook Fan Page, Gini Koch: Hairspray & Rock 'n' Roll (https://www.facebook.com/GiniKochAuthor), as the main coordination area on Facebook.

Now, for the Team itself:
--Joseph Gaxiola, my Personal Assistant. Joseph's going to be taking over some of my social media (though all y'all will still be able to reach me any time of the day or night just like always, LOL), and all personal appearance on-site coordination should run through him (joseph @ ginikoch .com).
--Colette Chmiel, my Distance Assistant. Interview requests, guest post requests, and appearance requests should be sent to Colette (colette @ ginikoch .com), with a cc to Joseph (joseph @ ginikoch .com). Have a con or an event you'd love to have me at? Send Colette the information and she'll make the inquiries.
--Kelsey Rowe, aka The Sightings Girl. Yes! Sightings in the Wild is actually being updated on a regular basis now! So, any pics you've taken of me, with me, or of the bookie wookies or swag in the wild should be sent to Kelsey. If you include your name and location of the pic, she'll add that on, too, and get them up onto the site in a timely manner (kelsey @ ginikoch .com).
--Glenard Malcom, aka our Newest Techno Mage. Glen is handling all things website other than the Sightings updates, so if there's a problem you spot on the website, Glen's your mage (glenard @ ginikoch . com).
--Edward Pulley, aka the Poof Factory. All Poof (and other Depot) orders will still run through the website, but I just wanted to be sure Edward got his Poofy Making due. And yes, while we make no promises, we are considering some of the Specialty Poof Requests some of you have made.
--Lisa Dovichi remains the Head of Team Gini, and she still won't tell you what's coming in all the books, but she's also still really open to being bribed. Just sayin'... (lisa @ ginikoch .com).

Please welcome the new Team Gini members (via their own special emails, not mine, please and thank you, from them AND me, LOL) and enjoy fantastic reading weekends. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Tours of Duty

Happy Veteran's Day! Hope Monday treated everyone well and we're all fully into the flow of the week. For those of you off work today, enjoy the time! For everyone, though, today is Veteran's Day in the U.S., and everyone, worldwide, should take a moment to thank those who have served in your country's armed forces, especially those who gave all. William Cox, Michael Gower, Gladys Gower, Naomi Gower-Reynolds, and Fuzzball salute all those who served and the memories of and families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

The Universal Alien Top 10 Blog Tour is going strong, with three stops today!

Head over to Larissa's Bookish Life for my Top 10 Fave TV Shows and a chance to win one of the first 9 books in the Alien series. Then hit Feeling Fictional for my Top 10 SciFi Heroes, and another chance to win. And last but not least, hit Gizmo's Reviews for Christopher's Top 10 Kitty-isms, and yet another chance to win! All contests are open internationally.

And, while you're over there, check out what Gizmo's Reviews thought of Universal Alien.

Blog Tour Stops:
11-10 Pearls Cast Before a McPig, contest ends Nov. 28th
11-11 Larissa's Bookish Life, contest ends Nov. 18th
11-11 Feeling Fictional, contest ends Nov. 30th
11-11 Gizmo's Reviews
11-12 A Buckeye Girl Reads
11-13 Bibliognome
11-14 boeklogboek
11-17 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
11-18 I Smell Sheep
11-19 Lu's Buchgefluster
11-20 Under the Covers
11-21 Word of the Nerd
12-01 Books-n-Kisses
12-01 Readaholics Anonymous
12-02 Smart Girls Love Sci Fi

Speaking of blog tours and upcoming releases and all that jazz, a reminder that the blog tour for Sensational Six: Action and Adventure in Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance is going strong. Check out NK Blog Tours for info on all stops -- all of which have prizes! And remember to be ready to order this great set of six super stories from seven writers (aka Six Gals and a Guy) coming on Nov. 17th for the ultra-low price of $0.99! That's right, a ton of great reading for less than a dollar! Including The Night Beat, Necropolis Enforcement Files #1. AND a long excerpt from Night Music, Necropolis Enforcement Files #2, in the only place you're going to get it until Night Music releases in early 2015! SUCH a deal, you don't want to miss out!

Speaking of tours, yet another stop on my upcoming December Book Tour has been confirmed! Here are all the Tour dates so far, one of which (Dec. 2nd) includes a webcast event so that everyone can join in, even if you can't be with me in person!

Tuesday, December 2nd
Universal Alien Release Day Signing and Party
Cake, readings, signings, games and prizes!
7pm, The Poisoned Pen
4014 N. Goldwater Blvd., #101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-947-2974
Additional LiveStream Event runs concurrently, so even if you can't be here in person you can still join in the fun!

Saturday, December 6th
Universal Alien Signing and Party
2pm, Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
5943 Balboa Ave., Suite 100
Balboa Mesa Shopping Center
San Diego, CA 92111
NOTE: Mysterious Galaxy has moved! New location listed above. See you there!

Saturday, December 13th
Universal Alien Signing and Wycked Women Who Write Party
Come Party With Us From
1-4pm, Barnes and Noble Bookstore
567 North Stephanie
Henderson, NV 89014
702-434-1533

Wednesday, December 17th
Universal Alien Signing and Party
7:00pm Barnes and Noble Bookstore
Desert Ridge Marketplace
21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 42
Phoenix, AZ 85050
480-538-8520

More dates may be coming, so keep watching the Datebook for updates!

Have you gotten your November issue of Penumbra eMagazine yet? If not, why not? You're missing out on "Alien Pick-Up", and you know you don't want to do that! Also, if you've missed the May issue, featuring "Alien on the Runway", and/or the July issue, featuring "Mr. Dash Saves the World", you want to get those, too. And you can, easily, because Penumbra has all their back issues for sale, too.

That's it for today, but as always, especially during Tour Time, there's more on the way. So let's be honoring readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Tour the Universe

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a great week and a wonderful weekend. I had a fantastic time in Los Angeles for the A Darke Phantastique mass signing. Check out the recap from author E.E. King for deets.

I got to celebrate a fun, fast in-and-out trip to SoCal by being back home to see the Cardinals beat the Rams (yes, I'm a football fan, but, seeing as I'm a Cardinals fan, I tend to fly under the radar...but this year, wowza!) live and in person. But there's lots going on, and lots to come in the next few weeks, so let's get to it all, shall we? We shall!

First up, the Universal Alien Top 10 Blog Tour begins today! Head on over to Pearls Cast Before a McPig to see what Jeff & Kitty's Top 10 Vacation Spots are AND get entered to win one of the first 9 books, signed and personalized! Contest open through Nov. 28th.

The rest of the stops are:
11-11 Larissa's Bookish Life
11-11 Feeling Fictional
11-12 Gizmo's Reviews
11-13 A Buckeye Girl Reads
11-13 Bibliognome
11-14 boeklogboek
11-17 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
11-18 I Smell Sheep
11-19 Lu's Buchgefluster
11-20 Under the Covers
12-01 Books-n-Kisses
12-02 Smart Girls Love Sci Fi

Every stop has either a new Top 10 List or an interview, and every stop has prizes to be won, so make sure you hit 'em all! And remember to do your girl a solid and pre-order Universal Alien online or from your favorite bookstore, including any bookstore where I'm making a Book Tour stop.


And don't stop there! See what Pearls Cast Before a McPig thought of Universal Alien. Then, check out Bibliognome's Pre Review Ravings and Favorite Quotes/Lines are from Universal Alien.

Next up, see what Books-N-Kisses thought of Alien Research, and what Feeling Fictional thought of Unidentified Funny Objects 3.

Then see which Top 5 Characters Larissa's Bookish Life would like to hang out with!

See any movies last weekend? If you missed Big Hero 6, check out my review at Slice of SciFi to see if you should see it or not. (Spoiler: you should see it.) Agree? Disagree? Join the discussion over at Slice!

Amazingly enough, that's it for today, but based on the fact that the Top 10 Blog Tour is large and in charge, expect to hear from me a lot in the upcoming days. So get ready to start the latest rounds of winning, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Winding My Way Down On Baker Streets

Happy Thursday! Hope everyone's had a wonderful week! It was great chatting with some of you over at Night Owl Reviews with the Paranormal Romance Dream Team, and also on Reddit with other authors who'll be in the Temporally Out of Order anthology. We'll get to more on that in a bit.

But first up, the latest anthology to have a story by moi within its illustrious pages has hit the shelves! And check out what's being said about Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets, and many times my story, "All the Single Ladies", over at VENTUREREADLAXRE, Second Bookshelf on the Right, Criminal Element, Reading Bitfrost, Bibliognome, and A Fantastical Librarian.

If those reviews don't tempt you to grab this awesome anthology right away, check out the guest post over at The Book Beard's Blog and interview over at Tea Talks Books, both featuring the antho's wonderful editor, David Thomas Moore.

Speaking of interviews with editors, the Temporally Out of Order Kickstarter is in its last days for funding. We've hit the first goal -- hurray! -- but there are so many wonderful stretch goals that we're truly hoping we'll exceed and reach them all. And to tell you more about it, editor Joshua Palmatiere visited SF Signal and the Press & Sun-Bulletin to share more details about the anthology. BTW, there's still one tuckerization of mine left, and should all three be taken, I have a special surprise for the three buyers. So, if you're wavering, or know someone who's thinking about it, go for it, because you'll like the surprise, trust me.

Of course, there's another anthology I'm in that just came out, too -- Unidentified Funny Objects 3. Don't miss out on picking up this cool and hilarious collection, in part because you don't want to miss my story, "Live at the Scene".

Next up, check out who Larissa's Bookish Life chose as her Top 5 favorite female book characters. Then see what Medusa's Library picked up at her favorite used bookstore.

And now for some Science! Check out the cool news about the U.S. and India that Raj feels his behind-the-scenes maneuvering helped create over at WSJ.com. Then see what NASA astronaut, and beloved "member of the team", Reid Wiseman has to say about life in space over at NBC.com.


Can't wait for the release of Universal Alien? Me either! Neither can The Poisoned Pen, where I'll not only be kicking off my book tour for said bookie wookie with quite the party -- games, prizes, cake -- but where I'll also be doing a LiveStream broadcast at the same time. If you can't be with me in person, make plans to be with me virtually! Those of you who've tuned in before in the past know it's a good time, so mark your calendars now -- December 2nd is when Universal Alien releases and we party all around the world!

BTW, yes, pre-orders do matter, a whole heck of a lot. So if you haven't pre-ordered Universal Alien yet, do your girl a solid and get to ordering now. Remember that you can pre-order from any bookstore, including ones I'm making book tour stops at, such as The Poisoned Pen, Mysterious Galaxy, and Barnes & Noble. Even if you're planning to attend the signings, pre-orders help me and the bookstores both. And check out the newly reformatted Datebook for a smoother way to get all the information in order to come see the me all over!

That's it for today -- I know, amazing, right? But never fear, more's on the way, including a contest that will be, as they usually are, for my Hook Me Up! subscribers only. Not on Hook Me Up! yet? Now's the time to rectify that error! Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be in and all ready for what's looking to be Contest Season around here.

So enjoy the downward slide towards the weekend and let's be pre-ordering anthology readers and supporters out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Collectively Catching Up

Hey there! Hope everyone had a wonderful past couple of weekends and past week, and I hope all the moms of all kinds out there had perfect Mother's Days. I had a fantastic time at both Mysterious Galaxy bookstores and all over the rest of SoCal! It was great seeing so many of the Alien Collective these past days. But, I'm back home and much went on while I was gone, so let's get all caught up, shall we? We shall!
First up, and speaking of the Alien Collective, the last stop on the Alien Collective Blog Tour is large and in charge. Head over to Word of the Nerd for your last chance to enter to win your choice of one of the first 8 books in the series (Touched through Research), signed and personalized. Open internationally.

And don't forget about the other stops that have come before! Most have interviews and/or reviews and all have chances to win. And all are open internationally. So if you've missed a stop that's still open, rectify!

Remaining open contests:
-- Pearls Cast Before a McPig, ends May 25
-- Gizmo's Reviews

Speaking of rectification, here's a special prize available, at every stop on the Tour but it's for my Hook Me Up! Subscribers only. Not on? Perhaps now's the time to rectify that mistake. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be in and sent the special instructions!

Once you've entered to win, see what Word of the Nerd though of Alien Collective. Then see what Bitten by Books, A Buckeye Girl Reads, and Bring on the Books thought of it as well!

Then see who Larissa's Bookish Life chose as her favorite fictional mothers. And check out T.L. Smith's article at Slice of SciFi where she asks 5 friends what they'd take to colonize a new world -- and since those friends include moi, L.E. Modesitt, Jr., Weston Ochse, Bruce Davis, and Ben Bova, you know you want to check it out!

Phoenix Comicon is just around the corner, and you NEED to make plans to be there. Why? In addition to seeing the me and other amazing authors, there are some seriously cool media folks that will be there as well, including Nathan Fillion, Stephen Amell, Cary Elwes, Bruce Campbell, Stan Lee, and Danny Glover...and TONS more! Be here June 5-8, 2014 and have the time of your pop cultural life!

Remember that the Brenda Novak auction is still going on through the rest of the month Check out my fantastic Alien Pack -- and bid early and often!

I've also been announced as an Author Guest at CopperCon Fantasm, August 22-24, 2014, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Avondale, AZ. Make your plans to come to a fun, intimate con with a ton of great authors and fans!

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So let's be winning, con-going readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Yapping to Win

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that the start of the week is treating all y'all well. I had a fantastic early release party at the Poisoned Pen, and am sending much love to all the Members of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing who came and made it so fantastic! But we have a ton coming this week, so let's roll, shall we? I know, I sound so "street" when I say that...

First up, the Alien Collective Blog Tour rolls, and yaps, on! Head on over to Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell for the latest interview and review of Alien Collective along with yet another chance to win a copy of your choice of Books 1-8. Open internationally, ends May 18.

There's a special prize available, here as well as at both Bibliognome (contest ends May 15) and Larissa's Bookish Life  (contest ends May 6), but it's for my Hook Me Up! Subscribers only. Not on? Perhaps now's the time to rectify that mistake. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be in and sent the special instructions!

Alien Collective releases tomorrow, and so do several other great books from DAW. So check out the DAW Books Review and see what else you should be grabbing at the bookstores tomorrow!

Get the May issue of Penumbra eMagazine so you, too, can read the first Alien series short available, "Alien on the Runway". The other stories in this issue are da bomb, as well. And, if you want to keep up and get the rest of the Alien series shorts I'll have in Penumbra later this year, get a subscription! If you use 2014Gini when you order, you'll get the subscription for half price AND get the Best Of issues for 2012 and 2013, too! Offer ends August 1, and the May issue is available right now, so don't wait, get your deal, and your monthly great reading, going today!

Also, the bidding is going strong at the Brenda Novak auction. Check out my fantastic Alien Pack -- and bid early and often!

Make your plans to see the me, and get your signed copies of Alien Collective and all the other bookie wookies, at Mysterious Galaxy San Diego, on Saturday, May 10, from 10am-5pm, I'll be speaking and signing from 1-2pm, but will be around all day; and/or see the me at Mysterious Galaxy Redondo Beach, from 7:30-8:30pm on Monday, May 12. A good time shall be had by all at each location, so don't miss out! Hey, even the papers are talking about it!

Last but not least, I lurched into action and have many new things up at Pinterest so if you want to see some pretty pictures of things like covers, who I see as the characters, and more, check it out! And the website has its latest facelift that includes many little new things here and there, should you wish to peruse and see what you may have missed recently. 

That's it for today, but there's more -- MUCH more -- on the way for the rest of the week, including more Blog Tour stops, many more interviews, some live and some written, and, of course, more ways to win. And, you know, a little thing like Alien Collective being available. So, peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's collectively be winning readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Collective Offerings

Happy Friday! Hope everyone had a wonderful week and that the weekend is full of fun and rest and all that good stuff. The weekend is full of book signing for me, and I hope to see a lot of you at The Poisoned Pen on this Saturday, May 3, from 2-3pm. Prizes, fun, and Alien Collective three days earlier than you can get it anywhere else! So, come see the me and get your bookie wookie before everyone else can!

But that's not all that's going on. No, indeed, we have the Alien Collective Blog Tour in full swing! Head over to Bibliognome and see what she thought of Alien Collective. Then, check out her stop on the Alien Collective Blog Tour & Giveaway where there's a little interview with moi AND winning. That's right, you can enter to win your choice of one of any of the first 8 books in the series, signed, personalized, and with accompanying swag. Open internationally.

And the same contest is still going on at Larissa's Bookish Life as well, so don't miss out on even more chances to win!

There's a special prize, at both Bibliognome and Larissa's Bookish Life, but it's for my Hook Me Up! Subscribers only. Not on? Perhaps now's the time to rectify that mistake. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be in and sent the special instructions!

After you've entered to win, check out what Bring on the Books thought of Random Musings from the Funny Girl.

But wait, there's more! The May issue of Penumbra eMagazine went on sale yesterday, and within its pages is the first Alien Series short available, aka the story of When Reader Met Gower, aka "Alien on the Runway". Want more reasons to get this issue? Check out the Big News -- complete with, yes, more yapping from moi -- at the Penumbra blog.

So, have you bought your subscription to Penumbra eMagazine yet? If not, what are you waiting for? I've read this issue and every story in it is great. But that's just a reason to get May's issue, right? BUT, I have two more shorts coming in Penumbra this year. And, sure, you could just buy each issue separately for $3.99 each.

Still need a little more convincing? Well, how about this -- there's a special deal going. Right now, you can get The Gini Special -- instead of paying $3.99 an issue, you'll get a year's subscription for just $24.00; that's half price. But there's more! You'll also get the Best of Penumbra 2012 AND 2013. That's a full year's subscription for half price plus two free Best Of collections and three Alien series shorts that will only be available in Penumbra...as long as you use this coupon code (exactly as shown here) when you order: 2014Gini This offer is good only through August 1, 2014, so don't miss out and get your subscription going today! Right now. Hurry up, before the stories get read by everyone other than you.

Oh, and lest we forget, the bidding opened up at the Brenda Novak auction yesterday, and will be going on all month. Check out what my offering is -- a fantastic Alien Pack -- and bid early and often!

Lest we forget #2 -- Have you gotten Touched by an Alien in audio format yet? Well, if not, join the aural party! Available from Audible, Amazon, Tantor Audio, and other fine retailers all over.

Lest we forget #3 -- I'll be in SoCal for the rest of my mini book tour. Saturday, May 10 at Mysterious Galaxy San Diego, party goes from 10am-5pm, I'll be speaking and signing from 1-2pm, but will be around all day. Monday, May 12 at Mysterious Galaxy Redondo Beach, from 7:30-8:30pm.

That's it for today but, trust me, more, a lot more, is on the way. So enjoy the downward slide into the weekend, see some of you on Saturday, enjoy "Alien on the Runway" as an appetizer for Alien Collective, and let's be winning readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Collectively Yapping & Winning

Hey there! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that everyone's week is starting out great. There's a lot going on, much of which can make many of your weeks even greater, so let's get to it, shall we? We shall!

First up, the yap is large and in charge all over the place. And many of those places have chances for you to win books. First up, head over to Paranormal Haven and see what Kitty would do on a Spring Vacation. There are also 3 prize packs to be won, so don't forget to enter while you're there!

After that, race right on over to Larissa's Bookish Life for a brand new interview with moi. You can also win your choice of one of the first 8 books in the Alien series. Open internationally. And, there's a special extra, but only for my Hook Me Up! subscribers. Not on yet? Now's the time to fix that. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be in, and told what the special secret extras actually are!

After that, head over to Bibliognome for her Pre-Review Ravings about Alien Collective.

Next up, head over to Word of the Nerd, where they have reviews that include interviews with moi for Alien vs. Alien, Alien in the House, and Alien Research. Hey, I told you the Yap was running strong.

Remember that my mini book tour for Alien Collective starts this Saturday. That's right, three days prior to Alien Collective's official release! So, come see the me at The Poisoned Pen on Saturday, May 3, from 2-3pm, and get your bookie wookies before anyone else! Also, many times the Pen does a Livestream of my author events, so you may want to check in a little before 2pm Pacific time on Saturday to see if you really get to see the me, even if you're not in the store!

Also, for those of you not in Phoenix but in SoCal, some see the me, and a bunch of other awesome authors, and get your copy of Alien Collective -- and birthday cake! -- at Mysterious Galaxy San Diego for their 21st Birthday Bash on Saturday, May 10. The party runs from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and while I'll be there the whole time, my official presentation and signing is from 1:00-2:00pm. And/or, come see me up at Mysterious Galaxy Redondo Beach on Monday, May 12, from 7:30-8:30pm, where it's just me, and all my books.

If you're not in AZ or SoCal and still want in on the fun, and the signed book action, remember that both The Poisoned Pen and Mysterious Galaxy have great signed book programs, and they ship internationally.

Speaking of opportunities to hear the dulcet tones of my voice (trust me, we were), The Blog Goddess is running a replay tonight of the interview I did there a couple months ago, so if you missed it, check it out now!

Today in Science, and potentially Today in Upcoming Books, astronomers have found a new sun close by. Check out the info on Earth's Fourth-Closest Neighbor. Thanks to alert Member of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing Michelle for the astrological head's up!

And last but in no way least, check out my Alien Pack over at Brenda Novak's Auction. Bidding starts May 1st, so don't miss out on your chance to win a whole lotta goodies!

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So get ready for Alien Collective and let's be winning readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Collective Partying

Happy Friday! Hope everyone had a wonderful week, Happy Belated Passover to all those who celebrated, and I hope those who had good weather (like we did) got to see the Blood Moon. I know -- last week, I'm all over the place and this week...silence. Hey, I've been busy, what can I say? (Taking crappy pics of the Blood Moon with my phone took EFFORT, darn it!) But, while I've been busy, lots has been going on, so let's get to it, shall we? We shall!

First up, we have the next early reviews of Alien Collective! See what Pearls Cast Before a McPig and Larissa's Bookish Life thought of it. Then see what Sporadic Reads thought of Touched by an Alien. And last but in no way least, see what The Nameless Zine thought of The Night Beat. Then head back over to Larissa's Bookish Life see which books always make her laugh out loud.

May's going to be a busy month. Have I mentioned that I'll be having an early release party for Alien Collective at The Poisoned Pen  on Saturday, May 3rd? I have? Have I mentioned that it's a rare occurrence? Or that the Pen had to get Special Dispensation from Penguin to do this AND that any copies of Alien Collective not sold on May 3rd have to go back in their boxes to wait for Tuesday, May 6th? So it's extremely special. And have I perhaps mentioned that they ship all over including internationally meaning that you can get a signed, personalized book regardless of where you happen to live?

How about this? Have I mentioned that it's gonna be a PARTY, and that I'm going to be giving out prizes? Well it is and I am. So, let's make all the maneuvering and begging the Pen had to go through worth it and pack the house! Party is from 2:00-3:00pm. Come a little early to see what the prizes will be, and stay a little late to hang out.

Have you ordered your year's subscription of Penumbra eZine yet? If not, what are you waiting for? In addition to a whole magazine of great fiction, May's issue brings the short story all y'all have been waiting for -- how Reader met Gower. "Alien on the Runway" is coming in May, but it will only be the first of three Alien series shorts that will be in Penumbra this year.

The magazine sells for $3.99 an issue, but right now, you can get The Gini Special -- instead of paying $3.99 an issue, you'll get a year's subscription for just $24.00; that's half price. But there's more! You'll also get the Best of Penumbra 2012 AND 2013. That's a full year's subscription for half price plus two free Best Of collections and three Alien series shorts that will only be available in Penumbra...as long as you use this coupon code (exactly as shown here) when you order: 2014Gini  This offer is good only through August 1, 2014, so don't miss out and get your subscription going today!

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. Enjoy the weekend, wishing a very Happy Easter to all those who celebrate, and let's be chocolate bunny eating readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side.

Love,
Gini

Catching Up...and So Much More!

Hey there! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and a good start to the week. I know, I know, I've been silent since Tucson Festival of Books. It was awesome, and I'll tell you all about it, but the chicklet was home for Spring Break and writing and family stuff took the wheel. But she's back carrying on the family tradition of causing havoc in SoCal and I'm back with lots going on. So let's get to it, shall we? We shall!

First up, there's a big giveaway going on tonight on Facebook, and you're all invited! Ragnarok, the publisher responsible for Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters, is throwing a party -- It's a Dead West Party to be exact! Running today/Tuesday, March 25th, from 8-11pm Eastern, there are prizes being awarded every 15 minutes or so, plus a ton of authors hanging out and chatting, including moi. So, carve out some time and get in on the winning, which includes a copy of my latest, Random Musings from the Funny Girl.

Speaking of Random Musings, check out the nice little piece Operation Awesome did on the book. Then get your own copy at Amazon, B&N, or Smashwords.

Now, it's time for some reviews. See why Night Owl Reviews made Alien Research a top pick! Then see what Bitten By Books thought of The Royal Scam, part one of my Martian Alliance series.

Next up, head over and see what Larissa's Bookish Life thinks are the top covers of 2014 so far. Then see who she says are Auto-Buy Authors.

Have you seen Divergent yet? I have, and my review is up at Slice of SciFi. Agree or disagree? Join the conversation at Slice!

Moi & many of the Bookie Wookies

Now for the fast Tucson Festival of Books update. It was totally awesome. Weather was great, and it was fantastic to get to see so many of the Alien Collective in attendance. Including but not limited to Andrea & Duncan, Adrian & Lisa, Matt & Sasha, Koren (bearing yummy gifts!), Jan (bearing emergency sustenance), Sarah & Lacy, Danielle, Diane, Dan & Emily, and many more.

My panels were awesome -- got to panel twice with MaryJanice Davidson and she is made of hilarious awesome! One panel was just me and MaryJanice cracking wise about how to write a lot and that quickly, and the other included Brandon Sanderson, who was fun and gracious, and Issac Marion who was very sweet for a guy writing about zombie apocalypses, wherein we all shared how to write the funny. I also had a fun panel with Frankie Robertson wherein we ate the yummies provided by Koren (and did not share, because we are EVIL) and yapped about many things paranormal.

Marcy & Moi

I also got to spend some time with my BFFs Marcy Rockwell, and

Dianne & Moi

Terry Smith, as well as get a quick catch-up with my NOLA BFF Dianne de Las Casas. Huge thanks to my PA, Joseph, in part because without whom I would still be setting up and/or tearing down my part of the booth, and also without whom there would be little to no photographic proof. Had a fun signing at the Poisoned Pen's tent, and generally got sunburned despite The Hat and had a rollicking good time all weekend. And took a week to recover. I'm a party animal, me.

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. See you on Facebook for many giveaways, peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's be winning readers out there!

Love,
Gini