In With The New

Happy New Year! Hope everyone's had a wonderful end to 2012. It's been a great year here at the Casa, and 2013 looks to be even better, and I wish the same for all of you!

But before we roll into 2013, let's get caught up on some goings on first. As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, Preditors & Editors along with Critters Workshop are having a last poll on favorites of 2012. Alien Diplomacy is up for Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Novel and I'm up for Best Author Published in 2012. Needless to say, your votes are appreciated :-D. Voting is open through January 14, so please check it out and vote for your faves in every category!

Then, check out the latest Covers Redux over at awesome author Jim Hines's site as he does Cover Posing for a Good Cause. The cover for Alien Diplomacy is up now, so check it out, and if you're able, donate to this good cause as well.

Next up, head over to Larissa's Bookish Life and see what she chose as her Favorite Reads of 2012 and the Top Books she's dying for in 2013. Then see which books Bibliognome chose as her faves of 2012. And check out what Fresh Fiction thought of Alien vs. Alien.

Haven't somehow caught a glimpse of the cover for Alien in the House yet? Not to worry, it's here, there, and everywhere with other new covers as well over at Under the Covers, Larissa's Bookish Life, The Qwillery, and Nite Lite Book Reviews. Nite Lite hasn't read the series yet, btw, and is asking for comments about it -- any Members of the Collective able to share thoughts about it with her?

Phoenix Comicon has announced a variety of guests, including moi. A nice write up detailing several author guests who will be in attendance, on panels, and signing books is over at DAPs Magic Disney News. Make your plans to come to Phoenix Comicon over Memorial Day Weekend NOW. This is a great con, loaded with awesome guests, and not so huge that you won't get to meet said guests.

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. I'll talk to all y'all next year, and until then, let's be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Big Thing Monday

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Mine was busy, filled with Alien in the House and Alien Collective (no, we never sleep here at Team Gini). But things roll on and we like to keep you advised of them. And since many of them involve winning, we know you want to know.

First off, head over to The Qwillery where there's not only a review of Alien vs. Alien, but a chance to win signed copies of Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, and Alien in the Family. "Oh, pshaw," I hear you say. "I have signed copies already." Maybe you do. But do you have them signed by moi AND awesome artist Daniel Dos Santos? No, you do not. But one of you will, if you race over and get entered today!

Speaking of reviews, check out what Kirkus Reviews thought of Alien vs. Alien. And speaking of winning, head over to For What It's Worth where she's giving away two boxes full of books, one of which contains Touched by an Alien and Alien Tango.

Remember that on this Friday, December 14th, I'll be at Barnes & Noble Desert Ridge, in Scottsdale, AZ, from 7-8:30pm, so come for the next Alien vs. Alien release month extravaganza and get your bookie wookies signed!

Next up is the Next Big Thing. I know, I promised it on Friday, but I got around to it today. So sue me. Check out some insights into Alien in the House, and be sure to read 'til the end, 'cause there's more info after the, um, info.

What is the working title of your book?
Alien in the House, and it's not a working title, it's the title that's coming out May 7, 2013.

Where did the idea for the book come from?
It's the next in my Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series, and it came from events that have happened in the series already, so to speak.

What genre does this fall under?
Science Fiction (with a lot of romance, action, and humor)

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie version?
This answer changes all the time, and is dependent upon a lot of things. Today I'd pick Emma Stone for Kitty and Chris Hemsworth for Martini, but, as always, Matt Bomer for Reader.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of the book?
When a newly elected Representative dies under mysterious circumstances while at the American Centaurion Embassy, it’s up to Kitty Katt-Martini and the rest of the Diplomatic Corps to find out how and why and stop the killer, before the rest of the U.S. House of Representatives become casualties, particularly the replacement Representative -- Jeff Martini.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Repped by my wonderful agent and coming from the ever-awesome DAW Books.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Longer than either I or my editor wanted.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Um, the other books in this series. LOL I haven't had time to do anything but write madly for a while now, so I can't do a good comparison. I leave that to my readers.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My characters and my contract.

What else about your book might pique the interest of readers?
I consider this the team's first official murder mystery story. Of course, it's a murder mystery in Kitty's world, so it won't be easy to solve. But the view to a kill, as always, will be good. Oh, and one other thing: Jeff Martini in a trench coat and fedora. Enjoy the visualization! Trust me, Kitty does. ;-D

And now, a confession.
This is supposed to be a chain letter of sorts. But as anyone who's known me a while knows, I am the Chain Letter Killer, wanted in at least fifteen states and territories for my abject apathy when it comes to passing things along, rules or no rules. My BFF, awesome author Marsheila Rockwell, tagged me, and then between her and other awesome author Yvonne Navarro, who tried to tag me, they covered all my first easy picks. I could ask others to do this. I could, especially if I had more time. OR I could finish my edits on Alien in the House. (Ah, good, I see we agree.)

BUT, never fear, I've covered it. In a way. Tomorrow, we're going to turn the Spotlight on excellent author Caris Roane, who is not only going to share tidbits, but also has an A-MA-ZING contest going that you will NOT want to miss. (See? I knew you'd forgive me for breaking the chain.)

So, that's it for today, but we'll see you tomorrow. Until then, enjoy the beginning of another great week, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

New Day, New Yap

Well, as we get closer to the weekend, let's turn our thoughts to all the fun things we'll be doing. Reading, going to movies, reading, hanging out with friends, reading, running errands, reading, and, of course, reading. So, in that light, let's get some pre-weekend reading in and head on to the latest around the interwebs!

First off, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, the yap is large and in charge again, this time over at The Qwillery talking about Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch (yes, that's moi), and other things related to writing and how I do it, and also offering yet another chance to win the bookie wookie, so don't miss out!

Speaking of Alexander Outland, check out the nice things Memoir has to say about it.

And now for something a little bit different, a video review of Alien Diplomacy from Remaking ME!. This one definitely made me giggle, so give it a watch! Before you leave that page, also check out the teaser Remaking ME! has about both the video and other things moi.

That's it for today, but as always, more's coming soon. So, let's be readers out there, and, to honor one of the fallen greats, let's all read something by Ray Bradbury this weekend. Me, I'm choosing Something Wicked This Way Comes, because that book affected me as a kid, and still affects me now, as an adult. Choose your Bradbury, re-read it with love, and treasure it. Peace out, my li'l gangstas.

Love,
Gini

Release Day! Release Day!

Happy Release Day! Yes, as no one who knows me could have possibly missed, today is the day "Alien Tango" AND "Love and Rockets" release. Both are available in all book stores and online so be sure to get your copies today!

But that's not all we have going on today. Oh no, far from it! Head on over to Fiction State of Mind for a new interview and an international giveaway -- your choice between "Touched by an Alien" or "Alien Tango"!

Then hit the Penguin Community for today's blog from moi. The newest post *should* be up and if not up right now, then soon.

Speaking of new releases, The Qwillery has a nice listing of what's coming this week.

The Combo-Con Hook Me Up! exclusive contest is still going on. Registration is open until the last day (Dec. 15th), so if you're not on Hook Me Up! now's the time to get on. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and get in on the winning!

Searching for the Combo-Con blog posts? Here you go!

Combo-Con Blog 1
Combo-Con Blog 2
Combo-Con Blog 3

In Person Event Reminders:
December 8, 2010 -- Writer's Workshop Wednesdays at Borders Waterfront, Scottsdale, AZ, 7PM-8:30PM; I'll be presenting "Walking the Line in SFR" as well as signing "Alien Tango", "Touched by an Alien" and, as Anita Ensal, "Love and Rockets".
December 11, 2010 -- spotlight author at the Mysterious Galaxy Holiday Party, San Diego, CA, 6PM - 9PM. Come get your copies of "Alien Tango" and "Love and Rockets", get them signed, and hang out with yours truly at the coolest bookstore around.

So, enjoy "Alien Tango" and remember...it's all about the 'gators, baby!

Love,
Gini