September's READ THIS! Q&A Deets, DragonCon Pics, and Lots More!

Hey Honies, I'm Home! For A While... I'm home from DragonCon (and my recap is below) and it was excellent. World Fantasy Con isn't for a while, so I actually get to be home for a good bit, which is great for many things (yes, yes, writing in particular). There's lots going on so, after you get all the deets for this month's READ THIS! Q&A, be sure to scroll through the rest of the blog for all the other things! So let's get right to it, shall we? We shall! _______________________________________________________________

Read Out Loud! Do you have your copy of the Touched by an Alien audiobook yet? If not, why not? Grab it today!

September 2022 READ THIS! Author Q&A

September's READ THIS! author Q&A with The Confederacy of the Quill will be on Thursday, September 15, 2022 from 9pm-10pm Eastern. Access to Discord is available worldwide, and everyone is invited to attend! You do not need to be a Discord member/user to attend: Use this link https://discord.gg/MnQDEKFYjU to go directly to the chat room! (You also don't need to have finished the book to join in the fun. We authors know that everyone reads at their own pace and we just want to hang out with you guys and have some good times!) Once in, you'll get to join in the fun of asking authors about their "process" and more. PLUS, one lucky winner will get October's READ THIS! selection for FREE! I know! It's too happy to be true! But true it is, so don't miss out! (You must be present in the chat to win. Physical copies U.S. only; ebook copies worldwide.)

September 2022 READ THIS! Selection

The READ THIS! Selection for September 2022 is:  SylverMoon Chronicles, Volume 1 By Confederacy of the Quill Gini's Take: A very cool ten-volume short story anthology in the genres of Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction -- you know, things I love. Come on in, take a stroll in the light of the SylverMoon. (And yes, I did sing "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" at least once while reading, because it's me.) About the Author: It is a myriad of people who contribute to every work of art, regardless of the medium. Here at SylverQuill Press, we acknowledge and honor all those that came before us as well as all those who make what we do possible... And for those of us here, no matter the number of works produced, we are a family. Together, we make up the Confederacy of the Quill! Reach them at confederacyofthequill@gmail.com.

October's READ THIS! Selection   And Remember: One Lucky Q&A Participant can win it early!

The READ THIS! Selection for October 2022 is:    NOIR featuring "I Am the Ink" By Hal Bodner

The Yap is large and in charge over at Canvas Rebel, so check out their latest questions and my latest answers!

Because I get asked this daily (often multiple times daily)... Yes, Aliens Like Us IS coming, but... No, Aliens Like Us still isn't ready for Prime Time, but... I'm on Version 5 of the rewrite process. Does every book take me this long? No. Will all the others in the series take this long? Likely no. Life has tossed a lot at me and mine and that's made some things a struggle, but... Kitty is always with me, and she's not going to let the bad things win, in any universe. So...Watch this space for more updates as I have them. And keep those digits crossed for the hope that my shouting "the end!" comes sooner as opposed to later. P.S. I am definitely heading towards the end game. I realize that's vague, but it means that I think we'll be shouting "hurrah" somewhere in the nearish term. Digits crossed, at any rate... P.P.S. Watch this space, I'm hoping to share happy news soon.

We're Almost Out Of Kickstarter Time!

It's the last few hours (less than 2 days to go!) for the next round of Zombies Need Brains anthologies to get funded. This is the publisher's 10th anniversary and there will be four new anthologies, not just the usual three. I'll be in Dragonesque, IF WE FUND! I'm co-writing my story with Bebe Bayliss and let's just say that all y'all should really take advantage of seeing how we write together by supporting this Kickstarter, if only with a minimum "get the ebook" bid. For the future, and all that. The story will be a standalone but already it feels like the start of a new series, and we have one tuckerization left, so get your name in now, while the getting is good! Plus there are tons of other cool offers from the publisher and other authors, especially stretch goal rewards should we make it past minimum funding (and they are super cool) so check it out and get in now!

Speaking of Zombies Need Brains... A reminder that the lastest anthologies, the ones funded last year, are here and just waiting for you to grab them! I'm in Brave New Worlds, which you should, of course, get right now, but there are awesome stories and authors in each volume. Our own Hal Bodner is in Noir (and, if you paid attention, that's the next READ THIS! selection) and Jose Pablo Iriarte is in Shattering the Glass Slipper, so it's a regular READ THIS! cornucopia out there! So remember, you gotta get 'em all!

DragonCon 2022 Recap! I had a great time at DragonCon and, as with GenCon, was so busy that I had no time to do my normal updates on Facebook or Twitter. So all the updating will be here, 'cause I'm a giver, me.

The con started out excellently with the Page to Stage contest where, yes, as a judge I had to dress up as a pirate (don't ask, but it was fun). GREAT event and AMAZING cosplay! <-- Moi with the 3rd and 1st place Invitational winners   <-- The Page to Stage Invitational winners  The next day, the con became totally Made of Awesome as my first sale in the dealer's hall was to the ever-awesome Patricia Briggs! We haven't been in the same place with enough time to see each other in ages, so it was super to get to hug like you hug your friend when you haven't seen her in ages. What did she buy? Why Random Musings from the Funny Girl, of course, because she had to read my take on how she punk'd me many moons ago (and so do you if you haven't grabbed that bookie wookie yet). And, for those keeping score at home, yes, Patty is totally as wonderful as you think she is. vv

^^ various pics of some of my favorite more obscure (and award winning for Wilhelmina Wonka) cosplays The cosplay game is strong at this con, and these pics are just a small sampling. Speaking of sampling, the Fantasy Dating Game was awesome. I was the character bachelorette and Kitty (I mean, who else would I be channeling) decided to go for the gusto and choose all three of her bachelors! Reverse Harem for the win! Awesome authors Chris Jackson, Doug Burbey, and Michael "America's Ass" Chatfield were all great sports and great representations of their characters (buy their books) and it could not have been more fun to play the game with them! vv The celebration of the end of the Fantasy Dating Game. Now you know why Michael will have that nickname forever...

See The Me! The Hermitage Is Over! Now that we've done the DragonCon roundup, there's only one more con on my dance card. Schedule still to come, but if you're going to be in NOLA, be sure to come to: World Fantasy Con New Orleans, LA November 3-6, 2022

We're STILL Number One!  Predator: Eyes of the Demon has hit number 1 at Audible AND in Paperback for multiples weeks! I'm super stoked to be in this anthology and that it's doing so well and is so well-received by fans. Haven't checked it out yet? Now's the time to get on the bandwagon and get your copy today!

His Highness crossed the Rainbow Bridge in July, and I still miss him terribly. If you'd like, check out Requiem for a Heavyweight here at the Blah, Blah, Blah Blog.

So many bookie wookies, so much time to catch up on all of them while waiting for Aliens Like Us and the next READ THIS! selection. Check out my Bookstore and Bibliography for all the things!

That's it for today, but, never fear, another Update, including details for the next READ THIS! selection, will be arriving in a couple of weeks! In the meantime, stay safe and healthy, remember we're all in this together, be kind to one another, give love and support to all those who are on the front lines in any capacity, and let's be readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch all y'all on the flip side! Love, Gini

Gone But Not Forgotten

Happy Monday! Well, I've been gone, but I hope you haven't forgotten me! *sniffle* Connectivity issues at the 'rents' house in SoCal prevented a lot of interaction while I was getting the chicklet settled into USC (Go Trojans! Brought to you by Len and Kyle.)

But I'm back...at least, for a few days. Then it's off to CopperCon...but more on that later. Let's get caught up on goings ons whilst I was away, shall we? We shall.

First up, check out the awesome contest running over at Bibliognome. For the price of a haiku, you can get entered to win some amazing prizes, featuring coolness from moi, Carolyn Crane, Anton Strout, and Beth Revis. Truly, you don't want to miss out! Contest runs through August 31st, so enter today!

Speaking of winning, remember that there's an ARC of Alien vs. Alien up for grabs at Goodreads. Yes, you'll get another chance at more of them later, but if you want to increase your odds, hit Goodreads and get entered today.

Speaking of winning in a different way, if you've missed it somehow, check out this hilarious video, "We're NASA and We Know It" sent to me by alert Alien Collective Member in Very Good Standing Shawn. And let's not forget to have a moment of silence and a lot of reflection of amazing accomplishments for the passing of Neil Armstrong, who went to join ACE's collective consciousness last week.

Now, onto some reviews. See what boeklogboek and Mixed Book Bag think of The Night Beat. Then check out Heroes and Heartbreakers and chime in on what you read when you've finished with the latest great book from Patricia Briggs.

After that, head over to The Night Bazaar, where I'm running the yap about How to Con for Fun and Profit.

As mentioned earlier, I'll be at CopperCon this coming Labor Day Weekend. And I have my schedule, so if you're in or around the Greater Phoenix Metro Area, come by and hang out with me and other awesome authors like Marsheila Rockwell, Jordan Summers, Ari Marmell, and Saul Garnell. This year's con appears to be a Night Owl's Delight, too...and so, I give you: My Schedule

Friday, August 31
7-8pm How NOT to Get Published
9-10pm Creating Alien Characters
Saturday, September 1
1-2pm It's a Weird World of Contemporary Fantasy
4-5pm Autograph Session
6-7pm Are Space Adventure Stories Still Viable?
Sunday, September 2
4-5pm Guilty Pleasures
7-8pm Reboots: Do They Work?
9-10pm Writing Erotica
Monday, September 3
1-1:30pm Reading (and yes, it might be a reading from Alien vs. Alien...you never can tell...)
3-4pm It Started With Lovecraft

And that's just MY schedule. So, don't miss out, come to CopperCon this weekend and have a blast!

There's a lot more coming this week, including an exciting sales opportunity (starting tomorrow!), but I'll leave you with this news: There's something starting next week, with lots of winning attached to it, so check out Invasion of the Blog Tour and get ready for some winning fun!

Until next time, peace out, my li'l gangstas and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

The Dazzlers Explain it All For You

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I give you: My Dinner With Patty.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It was a really great con.

Love,
Gini

Coppery Friday

Are you ready for the weekend? I am! I'm heading off to CopperCon 31 in a few hours, but, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, before I go, wanted to share the latest with all of you.

First up, head over to Fictitious Musings and see what they have to say about "Alien in the Family".

Then, hit the Alien Collective Virtual HQ, where they have the world premiere of the cover of "The Royal Scam", my upcoming release from Musa Publishing. There's also a discussion thread in the Forum.

All the winners have checked in for the Comic-Con Swag Packs, but never fear. I'm going to a con this weekend, remember? So you KNOW that means another contest is on the near horizon. Plus, I have that nifty first-in-a-new-series release coming and I'm sure I'll have to have a contest in its honor.

Trying to pick one con to go to? Wondering if there's one that'd be worth the time and money? Hit this year's TusCon 38, Nov. 11-13 -- you'll get me AND Patricia Briggs, plus a host of other awesome authors. You can't go wrong with this one!

If you're an author and looking for a good writer's conference, come to the 2012 Desert Dreams Writer's Conference, April 27-29. Tons of published authors, agents, and editors will teach, review, take pitches, and more. The networking alone is worth it, and you'll get a ton out of this weekend, no matter what writing level you're at.

Once again, enjoy your weekend, and those Alien Collective Members in Very Good Standing in the U.S., enjoy your long weekend! I'll catch you on the flip side, so peace out, my li'l gangstas!

Love,
Gini