Wrapping Up the Roundup

Happy Monday and Happy New Year! Hope everyone had lovely holidays, took some time off, and had a wonderful first week of 2012. I was busy with galley edits on Alien Diplomacy...and speaking of Alien Diplomacy, we have some exciting news for you. But first, let's get all caught up on what's been going on, shall we?

First up, check out what My 5 Monkeys, Mark of the Stars, and Redlines and Deadlines considered the Best of 2011. Then see what Cybermage finished out the year reading.

Then, hit Goodreads and vote for your most anticipated book of 2012 (I won't complain if you pick Alien Diplomacy, of course). After that, see if your list matches the most anticipated books over at Larissa's Bookish Life.

Head over to The Galaxy Express to get an updated idea of what's coming in SFR in 2012.

Now, let's check out some reviews. See what Short & Sweet Reviews thought of Alien Tango. Then check out what Feeling Fictional and Fresh Fiction thought of Alien Proliferation.

Now, to clarify that Alien Diplomacy tease from earlier. My Advanced Reader Copies arrived, and you know what THAT means...that's right! The Alien Diplomacy ARC Contest is going to start THIS WEEK. This one's going to move fast -- but like all the best contests, it's for Hook Me Up! subscribers ONLY. Not on? Rectify immediately by sending an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line. Then get ready to get your win on!

Love,
Gini

Kitty Yaps Holidays

Happy Monday! Well, with the release of "Alien Proliferation" only one (ONE!) day away, we're still wildly busy this week. There's tons going on (including the start of the long-awaited Combo-Con Contest), so let's get on with the countdown!

First up, Kitty, with Martini's help, will be talking about the Holidays over at Mark of the Stars as part of the SFR Light up the Holidays celebration. Check out all the other cool stuff going on while you're there!

Next, head over to ALPHA Reader to see what her top books of 2011 were. Then see what Larissa's Bookish Life chose as her top book covers of 2011.

Next up on the hit parade, see what I and a lot of other proud geek-girls said about being, well, proud geek girls over at The Galaxy Express. Share what it means for you to be a geek girl (or guy!), too.

Did you enter the Alien Proliferation Extravaganza over at the Alien Collective Virtual HQ? If you did, hurry on over, because the winners are announced and need to claim their prizes by the 9th, or the Gods of Random will be choosing again! Even if you didn't enter, check it out and congratulate the winners, register for the Forum, hang out and chat a bit with other Alien Collective Members in Very Good Standing.

After that, see what Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind thought of "Alien Proliferation", what A Buckeye Girl Reads thought of "Hotter Than Hell" by Jemma Chase, and what Cybermage thought of "Touched by an Alien".

Then, head over to Living Dangerously the website for author Weston Ochse, and check out some more of the fun we had at TusCon (there's also a cool pic of me, Wes, Patty Briggs and Marcy Rockwell).

This Wednesday, Dec. 7th, in addition to many other goings-ons, 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!

Last but not least, a reminder that 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!

Remember that you must be on Hook Me Up! in order to participate in the Comb0-Con Contest. If you're not on, now's the time. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line...and do it today, because the contest WILL start this week.

That's all for today, but don't worry -- we have more coming this week, including, oh, as mentioned before, the release of "Alien Proliferation". Hope your weeks have all started well, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Lotsa Linking Going On

Well, as promised (threatened? forewarned? whatever...) we have a LOT going on today. So, rather than hold up the Lots of Links feature, let's get right to it, shall we?

As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, reviews and giveaways are going on all over the place. Check out what Bring on the Books and Calliope's Domain have to say about "Touched by an Alien".

Then see what The Bibliophilic Book Blog, MyShelf.com, I Smell Sheep, and Penny Pimpin' have to say about "Alien in the Family".

WINNING: Check out what Aria's Dark Musings..., Mark of the Stars, and Love To Read For Fun have to say about "Alien in the Family", and also get entered to win a copy of the book! Each blog is giving away a copy so get entered at all three and increase your chances!

In case you missed it, The Galaxy Express has a nice little write up on what's going on with "Alien Tango" in Germany. Check out what's coming this month over at I Smell Sheep. And give some big congrats to Alien Collective Member in Very Good Standing Jessica Subject who just signed her first author contract!

Upcoming In-Person Events:

Book signing, with author Erin Quinn
May 21, 2pm-4pm
Barnes & Noble Dana Park
1758 South Val Vista Drive
Mesa, AZ 85204
480-545-8507

Phoenix Comicon
May 26-29
Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, AZ

Desert Rose RWA
Presenting: How to Have a Good Author/Agent Relationship
(with my own awesome agent!)
May 31, 7pm (meeting starts at 5pm)
Monti's La Casa Vieja
100 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ

Arizona Dreamin' Reader Event
June 4
INN SUITES Hotel Tempe/Phoenix Airport, AZ

Queen Creek Writer's Group
June 14, 5pm
Presenting: Writing From the Hindbrain
Queen Creek Library, Queen Creek, AZ

San Diego Comic-Con
July 21-24
San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA,

If you're looking at coming to Arizona Dreamin', I have a special offer for TWO attendees. Whoever lets me know they're coming first can get the $39 buffet dinner registration for the $20 price. (If you've already registered, let me know what date and what name.) This offer is first come, fist served. If you're bringing a friend along, and are first in, yes, that deal can cover 2 of you.

Lots of things updated at the website including but not limited to Newsy Stuff. Last but in no way least, remember that the interview and giveaway with author Diane Dooley is still live and goin' on one post below this one. Have a read and a laugh, leave a comment, get entered to win!

Love,
Gini

Busy, Busy, Busy

Happy Monday!

Well, I'm still back on the east coast, but, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, that doesn't mean things are quiet on our Alien front. There is, as always, much going on!

First off, did you miss the signing in NYC last Saturday? Fear not -- RT Book Reviews was on the scene. Check out the interview/book signing article from the lovely and personable Morgan Doremus! Don't forget to leave a comment (so RTBR knows the Alien Collective is aware, alert, and on the case). And check out the pic of some of the Alien Collective members in attendance at the event!

Next, head over to Examiner.com and check out their review of "Alien in the Family". (Leave a comment -- they get picked up on ALL the news feeds...see your name and thoughts in print all over the globe! ;-D)

Want to hear the melodious tones of my voice? Want to ask me questions I might possibly answer? Want to hear how jetlagged I am and/or place bets on how loopy I sound or what strange answers I give? Then be sure to catch me on live chat sponsored by Literary Escapism and Larissa's Bookish Life THIS Friday, April 22nd, at 9PM Eastern time. Call Info -- Call-in Number: 724.444.7444; Call ID: 93065

A short and sweet review of "Alien in the Family", as well as other reviews in brief, is over at Library Journal.com.

Many pages on the website have been updated, at least, so Team Gini assures me. I haven't had time to actually look, but I trust them. (And as I think of it, hope they haven't added something really strange somewhere, like pictures of me when I first get out of bed or something. Nah, I'm sure I'm safe...)

Smackdowns are still going on. If you haven't voted yet, I need YOU to rectify immediately! "Alien Tango" needs your support over at Bitten By Books and my general awesomeness needs some serious support over at I Smell Sheep. No anonymous comments please -- said votes are NOT counting! (The horror...the horror...)

Speaking of things still going on, the Mark of the Stars Blogoversary is still going strong, which means there are still ways, and much cool stuff, you can win. Check out my interview & swag giveaway where you just need to leave a comment to be entered. Then to get a chance to win a three-book set + swag and another swag giveaway (Prizes #1 & #6) of mine, let alone many more prizes, head to the Blogoversary Prizes listing where you must fill out the form to be entered -- but check out all you can win! There's 30 days' worth of prizes, so, seriously, get over there and get entered to win!

Is there more? Yes, but the likelihood that I can tell you about it before Friday (if even then) is slim. I do head home on Thursday, so we're probably back to full radio silence until then, you know, barring Twitter (I'm not an addict...I can quit Twitter any time I like...I just don't choose to like right now...) and some Facebook (see, I do less FB...that means I'm not addicted to it less...or something like that...).

So, until next time, check out all the latest cool, read "Alien in the Family", pre-order "Alien Proliferation", keep it real, and get down with your bad selves. Peace out, li'l gangstas!

Love
Gini

Yappin' for the Weekend

Happy Friday!

Yes, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, you read that right. MORE yap today. I know! It's too happy to be true! But would I lie to you, babies?

As you know, I would not. Head over to Mark of the Stars and check out my latest interview that's inaugurating her 1 year blogoversary. There are prizes to be won if you leave a comment, but there are even more prizes to be won all month, including more Alien Collective swag, so don't miss out! Once you've read and entered to win, jump to Dirty Sexy Books to see what she's anticipating in April.

That's it for today, but don't despair. There's a lot more coming next week...including the release of "Alien in the Family". So have a great one, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love, Gini

Time for a Quickie?

Happy Hump Day! (Made you look.)

Lots of links today, but, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, still somehow short and sweet. Don't thank me...it's just how we roll around here.

Fist up, check out some awesome new reviews of "Alien Tango" at Book Noise and Publishers Weekly: Beyond Her Book.

Then, see what books Mark of the Stars and Ex Libris are waiting on.

Tor.com has an in-depth look at the science fiction releases for April (yes, "Alien in the Family" among them). And check out Anna's Book Blog and Wicked Little Pixie for comprehensive listings of what's coming next month.

That's it for today, but there's lots more coming (including new opportunities for the yap to run), so stay tuned!

Love,
Gini

You Asked, I Wrote

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a fun and restful weekend and are ready to roll right into all the fun this week's gonna hold! So, let's not delay and get right to the good stuff.

You asked, nay begged, demanded, guilted, and in some cases requested very politely, for a new installment of "The Creation Agent". For those who haven't really searched the website (and, in that case, I have to ask, "Why NOT?"), "The Creation Agent" is an online, serialized novel for my web readers only. And, yes, the long-awaited latest installment is up at Expanded Universes. Check it out, and if you haven't read it yet, now's the time to get caught up. (You can fill the time waiting for "Alien in the Family" with catching up on "The Creation Agent". I'm a giver, me.) There are also a plethora of humor shorts in "The Misadventures of Kiki" and "Random Musings" up at Expanded Universes as well.

Next up, check out a lovely review of "Alien Tango" from Mark of the Stars. Then head to Aria's Dark Musings... to see what she thought of "Touched by an Alien". Leave some Alien Collective love while you're visiting!

Then check out what the Order of Smut Vixens has going for Valentine's Day. Yes, Jeff Martini is involved in some way, as are a whole lot of other book hotties, so don't miss out!

If you haven't yet, check out the Dueling Authors interview with me and Joshua Palmatier/Benjamin Tate over at DAW Community Blog. And you still have time to get entered into the drawing for an "Alien Tango" notebook and pen over at Book Lovers Inc., not to mention the main prize drawing.

Speaking of winning, we have a lot of it coming in February. Stay tuned -- tomorrow brings a new kind of interview along with a fun contest with an assortment of prizes you're sure to love. Trust me, you're gonna love 'em.

Of course, the phrase "first contest" indicates there is another contest coming. There is, indeed. It's the ARC Giveaway for "Alien in the Family", as a matter of fact. But...it's for Hook Me Up! subscribers only.

Not on Hook Me Up! yet? Now's the time to fix that, and fast. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line. That's all there is to it. You'll be "in", get all the news first and fastest, have access to all those exclusive contests, and more. Such a deal! And, did I mention the Hook Me Up! exclusive "Alien in the Family" ARC Giveaway? I did? Good, good.

Love,
Gini

Character Interview & Mega Prizes

Today's blog is pubbing a little later than usual 'cause, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, I spent the morning chatting it up and sharing spoilers at the 2nd Birthday Chat. But, despair not if you missed it, 'cause there're other cool happenings today, too!

Head right over to Tigris Eden's Forbidden Blog and check out the second part of the two-part interview...this part with characters from the Alien series taking the mic, so to speak.

Leave a comment, and then be sure to leave a comment on yesterday's interview and review of "Alien Tango" combo post, too. Why? Because there are some amazing prizes being given away, but only to those who leave comments on BOTH blog posts.

What prizes, you ask? Well, let me tell you!

The Grand Prize: Signed, Limited Edition Gini Bag; Signed & personalized copy of "Touched by an Alien"; Signed & personalized copy of "Alien Tango"; Full set of cover postcards (3); Full set of cover magnets (3); Set of Gini Koch & Anita Ensal flyers (one each signed & personalized); Alien Tango pen; Alien Tango mousepad; Alien Collective baseball cap; Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, and Alien in the Family cover flats, all signed & personalized; Team Martini magnet (winner can swap for Team Christopher or Team Gator instead)

Collective Pack: Alien Collective totebag; Alien Collective mousepad; Alien Collective baseball cap; Alien Collective pen; Full set of cover postcards (3); Full set of cover magnets (3); Set of Gini Koch and Anita Ensal flyers (one each signed & personalized); Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, and Alien in the Family cover flats, all signed & personalized; Team Martini magnet (winner can swap for Team Christopher or Team Gator instead)

Once you're all entered, head over to Mark of the Stars and check out her interview with awesome author Amber Scott, who lists some of her inspirations, as well as sharing an excerpt from her latest, "Love Lust".

Remember that you still have time to get entered to win an "Alien Tango" spiral notebook and pen if you leave a comment at my Guest post at Book Lovers Inc.

That's a lot of winning going on. So go forth and good luck to all!

Love,
Gini

Goodbye, Mr. Old Year

Happy New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and 2011! While we bid farewell to Mr. Old Year of 2010 and say Hey Sailor to Mr. New Year of 2011, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, I have some reflections going on. (Don't faint. I do, occasionally, reflect, and not just in mirrors or shiny surfaced.)

But first, head over to RT Book Reviews and check out the Women of Urban Fantasy article, featuring our girl Kitty and Jace of the Bloodhound Files series by DD Barant!

Then, let's check out others' 2010 Best Of reviews. Head over to The Book Pushers, Tigris Eden, Nice Girls Don't Read Naughty Books, Mark of the Stars, Birdstar, Yolanda Sfetsos, Opinions of a Wolf, and Love To Read For Fun to see what they liked best in this last year.

Now, it's my turn. 2010 has been quite the year for me, almost all of it chronicled through Hook Me Up! emails and the Blah, Blah, Blah Blog. So, what were the highlights?

Well, obviously, having "Touched by an Alien" debut, and debut well, was awesome. That "Alien Tango" has gotten the same kind of love was a double win. Short stories sold into anthologies, conferences, Comic-Con, speaking engagements, contests, new friends, DAW buying Books 3-6, even Catfest 2010...all of that was great in its own way.

But what I'm most appreciative of, and what I'll really remember 2010 for, is all of you.

From the first fans to ever send me an email praising "Touched by an Alien" (*waves madly to Carien and Erin*) to the folks who listed "Touched by an Alien" and/or "Alien Tango" on their Best Of lists; from the first folks who loyally read the Blah, Blah, Blah Blog when I mostly had nothing of too much import to report (*waves madly to Willie and Adrian*) to those who stumbled upon it today; from the first people to join Hook Me Up! I didn't know personally (*waves madly to Tessa, Wendy, Pam, and Jo*) to the folks who just joined five minutes before I started writing this; from all of those on Hook Me Up!, to all my Twitter followers and Facebook friends -- you guys have been both the biggest surprise and the most joyous part of this roller coaster ride.

To the book review bloggers who've told the world they loved my books and encouraged so many to read them; to those who've interviewed me or had me do guest blogs, have given my books away in contests, as gifts, as "you gotta read this" pass-alongs; to those who've told me my books made you laugh, made you happy, made a difference in your lives; to the fans who came, many times more than once, to see me at a con or a signing; to the other authors who helped, encouraged, pimped my books as much as their own, and supported me -- to all of you I say thank you, for making such a huge, positive impact in my career and my life. You've made all of these things sparkling diamonds in my memories of this year.

Yes, I'd write without all of you. I'm a writer, it's what I do. I've said it before and I know I'll say it again, but that's because it's true -- I'd do it without you all, sure, but it wouldn't be nearly as much fun without my beloved Alien Collective. You, truly, complete me. You bring the process of writing and publishing full circle and make me want to write even more than I thought I did already.

So to you and yours I wish that 2011 will bring you joy, strength, health, contentment, success, and especially love. You absolutely have all of mine.

Love,
Gini

The Last Hump

I, of course, mean the last hump day of 2010, that is. But you knew that, right?

And, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, what a busy day it is, too! First off, we have some new reviews of "Touched by an Alien". Check out Tigris Eden's Forbidden Fruit & Carnal Pleasures, The Book Pimp Blogs, Mark of the Stars, Yolanda Sfetsos' Other Worldly Tales, and An Abundance of Books to see what they had to say about our favorite aliens.

But what would anything be this time of year without more Best Of lists? And we have some great ones today. Hit Reading on the Dark Side, Dren's B-Spot, Reading Amidst the Chaos, and Babbling About Books to see what they liked in 2010 and how much they liked it!

For those of you who also write or are pursuing writing, check out the latest great post from Jacqueline Lichtenberg over at Alien Romances. It's in-depth, but you'd pay money for this info elsewhere, so take advantage of it here for free! Plus, it's interesting, so it's a double win.

Like the rest of the year, Catfest 2010 seems to be winding down. Whether this means it will go out with a bang or a whimper, or a huge caterwaul of a cat fight, remains to be seen. Suffice to say that the Interlopers have appeased He Who Rules All, aka Mr. Fluffykins, and appear to be allowed to live. Dementia Kitty ignores them when she's in the "now" and shrieks and hisses when she's off in kitty la-la land, but otherwise, they're cool. The Interlopers have also discovered the doggy door, and are livin' large by going in and out. And in and out and in and out and...hey, they're babies. The Canine Death Squad, realizing that the kittens are both here to stay and, like the other cats, getting fed first, have all decided that sulking and clinging to Mommy are the way to go, Big Baby in particular. It's not easy to work in a small space with 3 large dogs and 4 demanding cats with you, but I'm making do.

But as 2010 winds down, 2011 gets going! Check out the great 2011 Anticipation list from ALPHA Reader! And there's more -- and I don't just mean the release of "Boondocks Fantasy" (Jan. 4th) and "Alien in the Family" (Apr. 5th).

Tigris Eden's Forbidden Fruits & Carnal Pleasures is doing it up big for my birthday, and lots of lucky folks will be getting the presents. There will be not one but TWO live chats with yours truly on Jan. 24th and Jan. 25th, along with a wickedly huge giveaway you do NOT want to miss! Stay tuned for more as we get closer to the dates, but be sure to mark your calendars -- there shall be winning, and yapping, afoot!

Love,
Gini