July's READ THIS! Q&A and A WHOLE Lot More!

I'm Almost At SDCC! San Diego Comic-Con has a special place in my heart. It's the first con I ever paneled and signed at as a published author (Touched by an Alien had come out 3 months prior) and, other than last year, I've paneled and signed at every one since. It's the giant of giants, the biggest magilla of the gorillas, but it's still the one that matters most to me, because of all the "small con" experiences I've had there and all the folks I've met and the friends I've made along the way. Lots will be going on besides SDCC, as you'll see as you scroll through the newsletter (which is loaded with things), including the next READ THIS! Author Q&A. It's just a few days away and because I and my regular guest host, Hal Bodner, will both be on a panel together at SDCC at that time, we have a special guest host and I really want all y'all to attend and make her, and our Author Guest, feel loved and supported. Plus, it's going to be a really good one you won't want to miss, so let's get right to it, shall we? We shall!

July 2022 READ THIS! Author Q&A

July's READ THIS! author Q&A with Guest Host Jean Marie Ward featuring author Sharon Skinner will be on Thursday, July 21, 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 August'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.)

July 2022 READ THIS! Selection

The READ THIS! Selection for July 2022 is:  The Healer's Legacy By Sharon Skinner Gini's Take: The start of a super-cool YA trilogy with a heroine who you not only root for, but kind of envy. I mean, the heroine talks to animals and has awesome animal companions while she does her best to save the day...sound like anyone you know? ;-D About the Author: Sharon Skinner holds a BA in English, an MA in Creative Writing and is a Certified Book Coach and freelance editor, who helps writers weave their words into stories that shine. She mainly writes fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and the occasional steampunk, for audiences of all ages. Skinner is an active member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and serves as the Regional Advisor for SCBWI AZ. She also served aboard the USS Jason, the first US Navy vessel to take women to sea (WestPac cruise). But that’s another story. To learn more, visit sharonskinner.com or bookcoachingbysharon.com.

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

The READ THIS! Selection for August 2022 is:    The Happy Acres Haunted Hotel for Active Seniors By Gini Koch

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.

More Yapping!   That's right, more yapping from me and other awesome authors over at ConTinual. The latest offering is A ConTinual Special Mystery Event: The Game is Afoot - Sherlockian Universes and I have a lot to say on the subject! So head over and watch and have some fun along with the rest of us at ConTinual! And don't miss these other cool panels I've run the yap on: Breaking Down the Genres Economics in World Building Horror and Romance Sherlockian Mystery Sherlock Returns Christmas in July Holiday Short Reads Hot off the Press #54 Characters in the Public Domain Zombies! Holiday Special Event 2021 Christmas & New Years in Film Holidays Real and Imagined Favorite Holiday Episodes in SciFi and Fantasy Series Holiday Action-Adventure Hot Off the Press #64 Weird Westerns Pets and Familiars Intellectual Property for Creatives Separating Problematic Creators from Their Work Selling At Conventions Scarred For Life How To Write Animals Hot off the Press #72 Unicorns And Other Fantastic Creatures Tinkerers and Inventors There's a whole lot more over at the ConTinual YouTube page, so browse around and get your panel fixes in!

It's Kickstarter Time!

There's still (a little) time for you to support the new Unidentified Funny Objects anthology and get in on all the goodies via the Kickstarter, but only for a few more days!  I'm offering tuckerizations (where you get to have your name in lights) as well as a planet-naming tuckerization (where you get to name a planet), plus there's lots more cool offerings. So, don't delay any longer -- check out the Kickstarter for Unidentified Funny Objects 9 and let's get this puppy funded so all y'all get more great, funny SF/F stories! Win-Win all the way!

See The Me! The Hermitage Is Over! Here are the upcoming cons I am confirmed to be going to this year. Panels, readings, signings, and such will be updated as I have the info, but I will definitely be at these places and hope to see some of or all y'all there!    San Diego Comic-Con San Diego, CA July 20-24 Wednesday, July 20 through Sunday, July 24 Table D-10 in the Exhibit Hall (Exhibit Hall Hours, other than where noted below). Come see the me, get your hugs, and get all the wordy and pretty things! Thursday, July 21 11:30am-12:30pm - Panel: Authors on the Best Advice They Ever Got, Room 10. Authors Wesley Chu (The Art of Prophecy), Gini Koch (Alien novels), Sarah Kuhn (Heroine Complex), and Sangu Mandanna ( The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches) talk about the best writing advice they ever got, and what advice they would give to an aspiring writer. Moderated by Tricia Narwani (editor-in-chief, Del Rey Books).   1-2pm - Signing: Authors on the Best Advice They Ever Got, Sails Pavilion AA05. Gini Koch (Alien Novels), Sarah Kuhn (Heroine Complex), Sangu Mandanna (Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom). 3:30-4:30pm - Signing: Breaking in Via Anthologies, Sails Pavilion AA09. (Note: Due to time constraints, this signing takes place BEFORE the panel). Featuring authors Gini Koch (Touched by an Alien, Aliens Abroad), Hal Bodner (Bite Club, Fabulous in Tights), S.G. Browne (Breathers, Less Than Hero), Jonathan Maberry (Kagen the Damned, Empty Graves), and Lisa Morton (Haunted Tales: Classic Stories of Ghosts and the Supernatural, Weird Women: Classic Supernatural Fiction by Groundbreaking Female Writers). 5:30-6:30pm - Panel: Breaking in Via Anthologies, Room 29CD. Anthologies are still alive thanks to Kickstarter and small and micro-presses, and many pay pro rates. Authors Gini Koch (the Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series), Hal Bodner (the Whirlwind superhero series), S. G. Browne (Less Than Hero), and author/editors Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger) and Lisa Morton (multiple Bram Stoker winner) share their tips and techniques for getting into anthologies, and why they think it's worth it. Moderated by Jeffrey Twohig (Fuzzy Logic Media).  Friday, July 22 4-5pm - Panel: Small Press Comics, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor, Omni Hotel. So you want to produce your own comic or graphic novel? Hear about the trials and experiences these creators have encountered. Moderated by Gini Koch (Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series), with panelists Johnny "Johnny C" Cavooto (Sartana, Surrounded by Death), Jeff Rider (Gravity Matters, Major Holmes and Captain Watson), and Jeffrey Twohig (Indie publisher and small print expert). GenCon Indianapolis, IN August 4-7, 2022 Thursday, August 4 9-10am - Opening Ceremonies, Marriott Ballroom 2. 10-11am - Workshop: Finding Your Voice, Marriott Ballroom 2. Come let me teach you how to discover your writer's voice or voices! 1-2pm - Panel: Blurbs, Marriott Ballroom 4. What is a good blurb, where does it go, and how do you get one? Gini Koch, Michael R. Underwood, C. S. E. Cooney 2-3pm - Panel: Rated R, Marriott Atlanta. Writing Sex Scenes. Jennifer Brozek, Gini Koch, Chris A. Jackson 3-4pm - Panel: POV Pandemonium, Marriott Ballroom 1. How many points of view does your story really need? Katherine Monasterio, Richard Byers, Gini Koch, Erin M. Evans, Bryan Young 4-5 pm - Panel: Trouble...Or Paradise?, Marriott Ballroom 4. Dystopia vs. utopia, which is better/more fun to write and why? Gini Koch, Erik de Bie, Nick Martell 5-6pm - Panel: Empathy for Your Other, Marriott Austin/Boston. Dan Jolley, Gini Koch, Chris A. Jackson, Richard Byers, John Wiswell 8pm-Midnight, Meet the Pros Author Signing Extravaganza, ICC Wabash Ballroom 1. Come see the me and get your FREE copy of Touched by an Alien! (While supplies last.) Friday, August 5 10-11am - Workshop: Writing the Dreaded Synopsis, Marriott Ballroom 2. Let me teach you how to write the thing most authors dread: a good synopsis. 11am-12pm - Panel: Picking Your Path as a Creator, Marriott Austin/Boston. Michael R. Underwood, Gini Koch, Gregory A. Wilson, Marie Bilodeau 1-2pm - Signing with Gregory A. Wilson, Exhibit Hall behind Entertainer's Avenue. Come see the me and get your FREE copy of Touched by an Alien! (While supplies last.) 2-3pm - Panel: My Book Has a Soundtrack, Marriott Austin/Boston. Toiya Kristen Finley, Gini Koch, David Mack 4-5pm - Panel: Writing in 3D, Marriott Austin/Boston. How to make sure your scenes have a feeling of physical space Jennifer Brozek, Gini Koch, Erin M. Evans, Patrick S. Tomlinson 6-10pm - D&D with Authors Liveplay Event, Marriott Ballrooms. Saturday, August 6 1-2pm - Signing with Bradley P. Beaulieu, Exhibit Hall behind Entertainer's Avenue. Come see the me and get your FREE copy of Touched by an Alien! (While supplies last.) 2-3pm - Panel: Quiet Fantasy, Marriott Atlanta. What are the stakes in a low-violence story? Brandon O'Brien, Cat Rambo, Gini Koch, John Wiswell, Karen Bovenmyer 3-4pm - Panel: NTFs, Marriott Atlanta. NFTs and the future of fiction. Can writers benefit from trying to introduce NFTs into their fiction writing? Cat Rambo, Gini Koch, Lucien Soulban, Jason Sanford, Chris Bell (M) 4-5pm -  Panel: Imagining Alternate Futures, Marriott Atlanta. How to extrapolate a future for your setting Gini Koch, Donald J. Bingle, Paul Weimer, Jason Sanford 8-11pm - Writers Symposium Social Event, ICC Wabash Ballroom 1. Sunday, August 7 12-1pm - Closing Ceremonies, Marriott Ballroom 1.   DragonCon Atlanta, GA September 1-5, 2022 Thursday, September 1 Hyatt International South Ballroom is the location for the Page to Stage Costume Contest, and check out which character of mine is going to be up for cosplaying (probably not who you're expecting)! Prejudging starts at 5:30, judging at 8:30, and yes, I plan to be there! Register to participate in this cosplay event here. Friday, September 2 8pm-12am, Fantasy Gather, Hyatt Hanover C-E Come hang out with me and a plethora of other authors. Find books and have fun!   *Note: this is not my full DragonCon schedule. As events confirm, I'll list them here, so watch this space!   World Fantasy Con New Orleans, LA November 3-6, 2022

Support the Team! Probably my favorite shot from LibertyCon (I wonder why?). Yes, these shirts (as modeled by Member of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing Cisca Small) are available. Yes, you can get them from me if you want to show your Team Gini-ness. Yes, we have men's/unisex and women's sizes. If you want one, drop me a line (gini@ginikoch.com) and we'll get you hooked up. (See what I did there? ;-D)

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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 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

Gini, Coming to a Book Festival near...Victorville

Hail and well met members of the Collective! You have some great opportunities to see the Gini, speak with the Gini, and buy new works by the Gini coming your way.

See, I know what's important...it's the Giniverse and our sassy author friend in a signature pink cowgirl hat.

Quickly Approaching Opportunities To See Gini in 3D:

Join Gini at the Barnes and Noble in Victorville Mall on Friday, September 30th, 3 pm to 7 pm. She'll be speaking and signing copies of the latest release from the Alien series: Camp Alien - as well as all of her other book-shaped offerings.

If you can't make it to the mall - or you just feel the need to capitalize on all chances of a Gini sightings - you should stick around and head out to the inaugural High Desert Book Fair on Saturday, October 1, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm also in Victorville.

Gini will be a Main Tent Speaker with Q&A at 1:30 pm, followed by a Main Tent book signing. Have no fear, Gini will be around all day signing and giving out hugs in grand Gini-style.

And don't forget that Gini's ONLY East Coast appearances this year will be in Richmond, VA, at the James River Writers Conference, October 14-16, and at Fountain Bookstore, October 16. If you're even close to nearish to the area, don't miss out on your only chance to see our girl up close and in person!

New Releases featuring stories by Gini:

 Zombie Needs Brains produced anthologies Alien Artifacts and Were- released in trade paperback and ebook on September 15th

If you missed out on supporting this Kickstarter, here's your chance to nab these books. Alien Artifacts stories are about humanity discovering what aliens have left behind, and  Were- is about were-creatures other than werewolves.

 If you've devoured these stories already please do our author a solid post a review on goodreads, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.

Gini's story in Artifacts is an Alien series short, "Alien Epilogue", that goes into what happened to the folks in Bizarro World after "the switch." Gini's story in Were- is her very first YA, "Missy the Were-Pomeranian vs. the Masters of Mediocre Doom". You know you want them, so get them, now!

Spread the word; book-pushing is a kindness...really, friends don't let friends miss great stories. 

10 days left to support Robots, Water and Death Anthologies!

The latest Zombies Need Brains Kickstarter to fund 3 new science fiction fantasy anthologies: Submerged (stories set underwater), All Hail Our Robot Conquerors! (stories with robots harkening back to the 50's/60's), and The Death of All Things (stories with Death as a character) is $4197 away from its initial production goal. 

Don't miss out on the opportunity for a new J.C. Koch horror story in Submerged and a new short story set in the universe of the Alien series in All Hail Our Robot Conquerors!  AND, don't miss out on a chance to be a character in one of Gini's stories -- there are still tuckerizations left for her story for Submerged, so check it out and get your name in lights. So to speak.

Also don't forget to check out the different rewards for backing this project. There are zombie goats as a prize available people; ZOMBIE GOAT PLUSHIES.

Gini's excited to write new stories for two of the anthologies and let's not forget it's another opportunity for you to have yourself written into the Giniverse. So stop on by check out the campaign and become a backer! 

A new place to nab a piece of Alien series inspired artwork:

If you're anything like me - god help you if so I'm a wee bit nutty - then you've tried to picture what characters from stories look like while you're reading. One of my favorite things to do is surf the interwebs for fan art. 

Ever wondered what the Peregrine species from the Alien series might look like?  Well, talented artist and the Head of Team Gini Lisa Lingenfelter Dovichi has made her imaginings of Bruno the Peregrine available for purchase in her new Esty store PrintsCharmingbyLisa. Check out Bruno and her other artwork - it's: "Where Watercolors and Zentangles Collide."

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Last but not least, remember that now's the time to be sure that you pre-order Alien Nation from your favorite bookstore or online retailer. More and more, pre-orders matter to publishers and, therefore, to authors and, by extension, readers. We want the Alien series to go on forever and ever, right? Then pre-orders are a must! So, do our girl a solid and get those pre-orders in pronto!

Now, if anyone knows who's got the 2016 remote, let me know because I really should be the operator.

Ro

Update To Begin All The Updates...

Howdy all, Ro here... new member from the land of Team Gini.

My mission (which I accepted prior to getting the "to do" list) is to try and catch up the Giniverse news so someone *ahem* can keep her butt-in-seat and focus on all that writing we do so love reading. Have no fear, The Gini is alive and sassy just like we like her. 

So without further ado, let's commence the updating...

Coming soon to (another) a Kickstarter campaign near you! 

"Submerged" by Justin Adams, Varia Studios

Zombies Need Brains launches the mother of all campaigns for THREE new sci-fi/fantasy anthologies on August 31st! Each anthology's set to feature 14 new stories from some of our favorite sci-fi/fantasy authors. That's right,  no reprints, no re-releases, all new stories for you to peruse.  

The picture featured to the right is the cover art for Submerged. The artwork for all three campaigns, including this piece, comes courtesy of Justin Adams of Varia Studios.

Gini's contributing stories to two of the anthologies: All Hail Our Robot Conquerors and Submerged. Just to keep everyone on their toes. Team Tuckerization, start your engines, and anyone else who wants to be in a story of hers (the Submerged story will be horror, the Robot story will be an Alien series short) get ready.  Check out the campaign page for further info. They're planning a serious mix of prize goodness, including ebooks from Gini, at various backer times and levels. Be an early backer...you know you want to. 

New way to keep in the loop on the Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series news AND MORE: 

Gini's publisher for the Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series, DAW, launched a new newsletter.

 The DAW newsletter features: new releases, e-book and back-list promotions, giveaways, especially exciting media hits DAWthors have in the preceding month, and other most excellent news. 

To take advantage of this direct from the publisher way to add to your Giniverse news stream, SIGN UP, then watch your inbox!  

Swag from the Giniverse: 

If you haven't had a chance to swing by Museum of Robots  and check out the collection of items available from the multi-verse of Gini you're totally missing out!  

You know you need a Poof tote. ...just look at it. 

I won't lie, I waved the Poof in many a person's face at SDCC this year. It's not my fault Mous-Mous felt feisty. I just facilitated the attitude. I mean, who am I to deny a Fluff Baby?

                                                                                                                 

Interviews around the Interwebs: 

As you're aware, Gini's been out and about this summer. All that go-go-go equals plenty of interviews to be found online.

In May: 

In betwixt holding court and signing all the things, Gini took a timeout during the Mysterious Galaxy birthday bash to sit down with geekitude to chat about the goings on in the Giniverse.

Gini also spent some time with Creative Play and Podcast chatting about "her writing trials and tribulations," her book, Plush Life, and the Kickstartered anthology MECH: Age of Steel.


 
If you've not had a chance to meet the Gini in the wild (or even if you have), here's the video of her full talk during the signing for Camp Alien at The Poisoned Pen on May 23rd:

and then comes...July: 

If you ever had a question you wanted to ask Gini but didn't feel you could (although, let's face it you can always ask...and you know she always answers) check out a her interview Q and A from Writerly Things. Mayhap author Tristan Vick already asked it for you. 

And to give you a wee taste of the goings-on from SDCC 2016, watch the video from the Worldbuilding panel wherein Gini and her fellow authors: Jon Skovron, Claudia Christian, Seanan McGuire, Brandon Mull, and Scott Sigler, with moderator Cindy Pon, discuss how they build a living, breathing environment for their characters.

Early August feature: 

Since the Giniverse transcends borders (and time...) check out this interview with Zwartraafje. (Yes, it's in Dutch, but don't worry -- there's an English translation included. Just scroll down...all the way down...and it'll be there.) The interview celebrates all things Gini and, who knows, you may learn something you'd yet to discover.  Gini guarantees that you will, since there were some very new questions asked.

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I know, you're wondering if any movie-going or TV watching went on in the time of silence; this is Gini, so OF COURSE movies happened. If you missed any reviews head on over to  Slice of SciFi and Pop Culture Geeks check out what she thought of: 

• Warcraft
• Finding Dory 
• The Legend of Tarzan
• The Secret Life of Pets
• Ghostbusters
• War Dogs

And now a few for moments in SCIENCE: 

This week at NASA we reexamine when a supernova actually happened in our galaxy. Give it a read and see why their findings stripped away the exploded planet's connection to an event previously recorded by the Chinese, thereby kicking it from the annuls of history. 

For those of you following all things Planet Nine (I still say we're up to planet ten because number nine is Pluto now and forever-My Very Educated Mother Just Served U Nine Pickles!- yes, I hold a grudge against Pluto Killers dangit), I hope you caught the Science Alert piece on what Physicists think Planet Nine really is back in June. 

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I'd hate for you to be tired of me all in one go so I think that's it for now. Have no fear there's more to come ( I didn't even get to the part where I clue you in to the things coming [back] to the Giniverse (there's this Instagram account just SITTING there...) or all the latest places you can find reviews and commentary on the works of Gini around the webisphere or who she wants to shout out and support. 

Leave me a comment below, let me know what you'd like to be kept up-to-date about or things you'd like to see added to the news blasts.

So stay tuned, more to come, and I'll catch you on the flip side (I do hereby solemnly swear I used this phrase before ever meeting Gini, talking to Gini or reading her blog...blame Rocco from Boondock Saints).

Ro