The Yap Gets Wooly

Well, I planned to send this out hours ago, but, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, my PC had other plans. Nefarious plans. Time-wasting nefarious plans. But that's all in the past! Right PC? RIGHT? At any rate, let's get to all we would have gotten to earlier, if my PC had been in the mood to cooperate.

As those of you keeping an eye on my Datebook know, I've just come back into town and am heading out again for TusCon in a day or so. But fear not -- I'll be coming back with even MORE stuff for the ComboCon Contest (again, you should really say that three times fast). And just look what we have to tide you over!

First up, head over to I Smell Sheep where the yap is running wild and free. There's also a chance to win the newest Sheeped Shirt as well as a signed copy of "Alien Tango", so be sure to leave a comment and be entered to win.

Next, check out who Larissa's Bookish Life has chosen as the Top 5 Gun-Toting Heroines. Then, head over and join the discussion of the Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series at Goodreads.

Next up, check out what Paranormal Haven thought of "Hotter Than Hell". And check it out over at Musa Publishing if you haven't yet gotten your copy.

Speaking of copies and getting and all that jazz, "The Disciple" by Jemma Chase and "When Josie Comes Home" by A.E. Stanton are also available now from Musa. And don't forget to pre-order "Alien Proliferation" and "Alien Diplomacy", because yes, pre-orders really do matter.

Aspiring authors in or near the Greater Phoenix Metro Area should check out, and attend, the Free Fall Writer's Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 19th. I'll be there as will a slew of other published authors, each teaching on different aspects of the "how to get published" business.

Last but in NO way least, I'm excited to share that "Alien in the Family" has made it onto the RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Awards! I'm in such great company, it's really thrilling. Also excited to share that my friends Jennifer Ashley/Allyson James, Caris Roane, and Diana Rowland are also nominated! (Check out their books if you haven't yet -- all great reads!)

There's more coming -- new releases, the ComboCon Contest (truly, say it three times fast, fast, fast), and all that jazz, but that's all for today. Have a great rest of the week and weekend, and I'll catch you on the flipside. Peace out, li'l gangstas!

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

Humping Towards the Weekend

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone's weeks are going well. As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, it's still bedlam as viewed from the air over here, but I did want to stick my head up out of the pile to update you on the latest. So let's get to it!

First off, keep your eyes on the website, since, with all the recent new sales, things are adding on all over the place. Playlist, Accolades, and Author Splash have all been updated, and there's more to come!

Next, head over to Fictitious Musings and check out what they're waiting on.

I'll be at CopperCon this weekend. If you're nearby, stop in! I'm on panels, doing a reading, doing a signing, and running the Sidekick Smackdown. Truly, you don't want to miss it!

Other upcoming appearances:
Sept. 13 - Queen Creek Writer's Group, Queen Creek Library
Sept. 21 - Foxy Dahlings Book Club
Oct. 27-31 - World Fantasy Con
Nov. 11-13 - TusCon 38
Nov. 19 - Desert Rose Fall Writer's Workshop, Scottsdale Civic Center Library
Apr. 27-29 - Desert Dreams Writer's Conference

Last days to enter the Cravings contest over at the Alien Collective Virtual HQ. Don't miss out on the overall Big Arrival contest, because there are lots of awesome prizes to be won!

Both "Alien Proliferation" and "Alien Diplomacy" are available for pre-order. Yes, pre-orders matter, a lot, so do your girl a solid and pre-order both today.

Enjoy the downward slide towards the (long in the U.S.) weekend, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Combo-Con Pack 3 - Sword and Sorcery

HOOK ME UP! EXCLUSIVE CONTEST

I went to World Fantasy Con and all I came home with were tons of books. Then I went to TusCon 37 and all I came home with were lots of posters. So I thought to myself, “Self, I think it’s time to do another giveaway. After all, the Swag Hounds expect.”

So, here it is, the Combo-Con Contest, in honor of the release of “Alien Tango” (‘cause, you know, I don’t have nearly enough going on RIGHT NOW).

Combo-Con Pack 3 -- Sword and Sorcery
Again, loaded with posters, from “Resident Evil” to “Sherlock Holmes” to “Tangled” (13 posters in all!) and also containing a full set of “Twilight: Eclipse” posters, this pack is loaded with 4 sword and sorcery and other fantasy books, including “Warbreaker” by Brandon Sanderson, "Night of Knives" by Ian C. Esslemont, "The Sword-Edged Blonde" by Alex Bledsoe, and "Children No More" by Mark L. Van Name. Also comes with a signed Gini Koch 2011 calendar to call your very own -- which, since it's a poster, will make 14 posters in all. Sure it's less posters than the other packs, but you'll be so swept away on these fantastic journeys that you won't notice.

In order to get those needed extra entry points, answer this question: If you could go anywhere with me, where would we go and what would we do when we were there?

Love,
Gini

(Not on Hook Me Up! yet so you don't know what's going on? Hit Win Stuff and get signed up NOW!)

Combo-Con Pack 2 - Horror

HOOK ME UP! EXCLUSIVE CONTEST

I went to World Fantasy Con and all I came home with were tons of books. Then I went to TusCon 37 and all I came home with were lots of posters. So I thought to myself, “Self, I think it’s time to do another giveaway. After all, the Swag Hounds expect.”

So, here it is, the Combo-Con Contest, in honor of the release of “Alien Tango” (‘cause, you know, I don’t have nearly enough going on RIGHT NOW).

Combo-Con Pack 2 -- Horror
Also loaded with posters, from “Saw” to “Robin Hood” to “RED” (24 posters in all!) and also containing a full set of “Twilight: Eclipse” posters, this pack is loaded with 4 books living on the dark and weird side, including “Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters” by Jane Austen and Ben. H. Winters, "Pallid Light: The Walking Dead" by William Jones, "Living Shadows" by John Shirley, and "The Word of GOD" by Thomas. M. Disch. Also comes with a signed Gini Koch 2011 calendar to call your very own -- which, since it's a poster, will make 25 posters in all...it's only 1 poster less than Combo-Con Pack 1...and who needs the poster for "Devil" when you have these books to cover the creepy?

In order to get those needed extra entry points, answer this question: If you could be on a panel with me at a con, what would our topic be, and why would you be considered expert enough to run the yap with me about it?

Love,
Gini

(Not on Hook Me Up! yet so you don't know what's going on? Hit Win Stuff and get signed up NOW!)

Combo-Con Pack 1 - Urban Paranormal

HOOK ME UP! EXCLUSIVE CONTEST

I went to World Fantasy Con and all I came home with were tons of books. Then I went to TusCon 37 and all I came home with were lots of posters. So I thought to myself, “Self, I think it’s time to do another giveaway. After all, the Swag Hounds expect.”

So, here it is, the Combo-Con Contest, in honor of the release of “Alien Tango” (‘cause, you know, I don’t have nearly enough going on RIGHT NOW).

Combo-Con Pack 1 -- Urban Paranormal
Loaded with posters from “Devil” to “Salt” to “Legion” and MANY more (25 posters in all!) and also containing a full set of “Twilight: Eclipse” posters, this pack is also loaded with 4 Urban Paranormal books, including “Afterlife” by Merrie Destefano, "Shadow Blade" by Seressia Glass, "The Secret History of Moscow" by Ekaterina Sedia, and "White Cat" by Holly Black. Also comes with a signed Gini Koch 2011 calendar to call your very own -- which, since it's a poster, will make 26 posters in all...such a deal, how can you resist?

In order to get those needed extra entry points, answer this question: If you could tag along with moi at any con, which one would you pick and why?

Love,
Gini

(Not on Hook Me Up! yet so you don't know what's going on? Hit Win Stuff and get signed up NOW!)

Hump Day Comes Early/TusCon Roundup Comes Late

I know, I know, it's only Tuesday, but here in the States, with Thanksgiving on Thursday, many of us are only working a 3-day week. (Not me, of course. I work a 24/7 day week, but that's 'cause I'm crazy.) So, even though it's Tuesday, it's really the middle of this shorter week, so today is the REAL Hump Day of Beverly Hills. Or something like that.

But don't let that rambling opener fool you -- as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we have lots going on today. First up, check out June "Bug" Kramin and what she's busy pimping. It's a double pimp, too, which should earn her some extra Alien Collective points.

Next up, my somewhat belated TusCon Roundup. It was a great con, and I had a blast. Some of the Alien Collective were in attendance (waves madly to all who were there) and attended my "Alien Tango" reading, kept me company at the mass book signing, and hit my panels, too. Always awesome to see you guys!

Speaking of panels, I was on a lot, and had a blast with them. I didn't get to panel with the awesome Marsheila Rockwell but we audienced for each other.

I did have the pleasure, in no particular order of pleasure 'cause they're all awesome, of getting to be on panels with Jeff Mariotte, Adam Niswander, Shannon Butcher (who is a lovely, gracious lady whether on a panel or at breakfast), Janni Lee Simner, John Vornholt, Jordan Summers, Larry Hammer, Lee Whiteside, Ed Bryant, Jill Knowles, and Sam Sykes. Yeah, that's a lot of folks, I know. And that's not everyone who was there. TusCon draws a LOT of authors.

I was supposed to be on a panel with Jim Butcher, but he had the nerve to bow out because he still had a line of people waiting for him to sign their books, and he chose his fans over the panel. The nerve! LOL From what I saw and heard, he's a great guy, and we all know he writes great books. (Access Hollywood-ish type fact: Jim's cut his hair, very short -- it looks good, but made it hard to recognize him unless he was with Shannon.)

Got to hang with Yvonne Navarro and pet two of her awesome rescued Great Danes, Goblin and Ghost. Weston Ochse was supposed to be there but was in Romania instead (don't ask me, that's what his blog and Facebook page are for). And the ever awesome Mysterious Galaxy and the lovely Maryelizabeth Hart were on site, selling books, which is what they do so very well. And I got to catch up with one of my writing mentors, Stephen Mertz and have that rare but wonderful pleasure of having a mentor tell me he's proud of what I've achieved. That was truly a con highlight for me.

That's all for today. Will there be more tomorrow? Well, there IS that contest I've been talking about. Might want to let y'all know what it's about...

Oh, and 13 days until "Alien Tango" releases. Have you pre-ordered YOUR copy yet?

Love,
Gini

BREAKING NEWS

As the title indicates, I have some big news for y'all.

My Hook Me Up! subscribers, of course, already know what it is. But I couldn't really wait any longer to share with the rest of you.

So...here 'tis!

My awesome agent just called to share that DAW has confirmed they're buying Books 5 & 6!!! Meaning "Alien Diplomacy" and "Alien vs. Alien" will be coming in the nearish future to bookstores and eReaders near you! (You know, right after "Alien Tango", "Alien in the Family" and "Alien Proliferation".)

Par-tay! Par-tay! Par-tay!

*cough* Yeah, um, I'm cool, calm and collected.

There may be more yap forthcoming later today (I head to TusCon tomorrow, so we'll be on radio-other-than-Twitter silence until Tuesday the 16th), or there may not (lots of things to do, like, um, pack), but needless to say, this news could NOT wait!

Now, I have to go jump up and down for a while. And then, um, get to work. Because deadlines wait for no one. And I have two new deadlines rolling. WOOT!

Love,
Gini

The Yap Rides Again

Isn't it a lovely day? Well, it is here. And let's make it lovely wherever you are, too. As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we have a combo today -- a new interview with moi WITH an excerpt of "Alien Tango" in it.

Head on over to Alien Collective Member in Very Good Standing A Buckeye Girl Reads and check out the latest running of my yap, as well as an excerpt you (guaranteed) haven't seen before. Unless you read the interview before I sent this out. In which case, you have. But I digress...

Read the interview, leave some Alien Collective love, you know the drill.

And, just 'cause it's so beautiful, hit Wicked Scribes where they have cover love going for "Alien in the Family" (and who can blame them?).

By then, hopefully I'll have managed to get my TusCon 37 schedule up at BookTour.com. And my mass signing notice (Friday, Nov. 19th) along with some other appearance information. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I've been slow with all this. But what can I say? I've been busy. (Psst: Finalizing "Alien Proliferation" to go to my editor.)

So, until next time, tune in, check it out, read on, and hang loose!

Love,
Gini

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, I was going to do my World Fantasy Con roundup today, but, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, a massive number of deadlines earned at WFC combined with some "fun" computer issues has put me behind, and my roundup isn't ready. I know, I know, crushing disappointment from all, I'm sure, but hey, there's other stuff going on, so let me catch you up quickly on all that, and then, NEXT time, the roundup, cross my heart and hope to be whisked away by an A-C.

What other stuff, you ask? Why our Alien Collective Member in Very Good Standing and "Alien Tango" ARC winner My 5 Monkeys has her review up. And lest anyone think "Touched by an Alien" has been forgotten, Book Crazy Scrapbook Mama has her review going strong. Hit them both, leave some Alien Collective love, you know the drill.

Smootchies and thank yous to Dark Wyrm Reads and Tempting Persephone who are encouraging one and all to take a look at the excerpt from "Alien Tango" that's up on the Deathless Prose page. If you haven't checked it out yet, don't delay! Head over and whet the ol' appetite for Kitty, Martini, and the rest of the gang. And smootchies to all on Twitter and Facebook who are also spreading the excerpt love. Y'all rock!

Speaking of advanced reading opportunities and My 5 Monkeys (ooh, a DOUBLE), check out who's getting to borrow her "Alien Tango" ARC. Congrats to those who are getting to paw the precious! Hope you all enjoy it as much as Julie did!

Site updates are going on all the time in the background. If you've reviewed "Touched by an Alien" or "Alien Tango" (woot!) and don't see your review listed on the Accolades page, let me know so we can rectify.

In Person/Con Reminder: I'll be in Tucson for TusCon 37 from November 12-14th. If you're in or around the Greater Tucson area, try to stop by. I'm doing a large number of panels and, if memory serves, a reading, as well as partaking in the book signing. Plus, many other of my fave awesome authors will be there. You'll be glad you made the trip, I promise.

Also, aspiring authors in the Greater Phoenix Metro Area, don't miss the Fall Writers Workshop at the Scottsdale Public Library on Saturday, Nov. 20th. I'll be there, leading a session with the awesome Erin Quinn on "Two Faces of Paranormal", and there's much, much more. And it's FREE. Chance to meet a ton of authors? Check. Chance to learn a lot? Check. All for free? Double check. So, hope to see you there!

That's it for today. Enjoy the slide to the weekend and keep it alien! Peace out, li'l gangstas!

Love,
Gini

Friday Fun

Happy Friday! One big flurry on Monday and then...silence? What's up with THAT? Well, prepping and packing up 12 awesome prizes and then heading them to the Post Office takes a lot out of a girl. But as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we have lots of fun stuff to get to today, so let's roll!

First up on today's hit parade is the announcement of the winners from the Janice Hardy interview and giveaway. The Gods of Random have made their choice, and here are the two lucky winners who get to pick which of her two awesome books, "The Shifter" or "Blue Fire", they want:

*drum roll, please*

Lisa Dovichi and Becky Boyer!

Ladies, respond on the blog or send me an email to confirm and I'll be sending you Janice's email address. Just tell her which book you want and she'll get it out to you!

Next, check out what Parajunkee's View is waiting for (hint: I think it starts with "Alien" and ends with "Tango"). Then bop over to My 5 Monkeys for her Friday fun...don't worry, she doesn't rub in TOO much that she's the winner of the "Alien Tango" ARC.

Have you been reading the cool, fun takes on all sorts of urban legends for the Spooky Legends event going on at Dark Faerie Tales and All Things Urban Fantasy? If you have, keep going, the event doesn't end until Oct. 31. If you haven't, check 'em out! And remember, my take on the UFO rumors goes up at Dark Faerie Tales on Sunday, Oct. 24. You don't want to miss it, especially since there's a contest attached to win a copy of "Touched by an Alien". (The giving ABOUNDS this month, dunnit?)

Event Reminders:
I'll be doing a table topic for my Desert Rose RWA chapter on Characters and Characterizaion at Macayo's Depot Cantina in Tempe, AZ on Tuesday, Oct. 26, starting at 5:30. I'll be at World Fantasy Con in Columbus, OH from Oct. 27th through Nov. 1st. And I'll be at TusCon in Tucson, AZ from Nov. 12-14.

Any aspiring or beginning authors in the Greater Phoenix Metro Area should plan to attend the Desert Rose Writers Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 20th. It's an all day event, with published authors as the only speakers, and...it's FREE. Even readers who are interested in the publishing industry and how writers write will find something for them, and again, it's FREE. This is the best deal around, so if you're in the area, make plans to attend.

That's it for today, I think. But no worries...there's always more coming, right? Of course right!

Love,
Gini

And the Yap Runs On

Well, as the blog title indicates, and my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we have another interview with moi large and in charge. But there's more than just an interview with moi out there. AND more things to win. So let's get to all the news, shall we?

First off, Alien Collective Member in Very Good Standing Larissa's Bookish Life has an interview with yours truly. There's also a chance to win a signed copy of "Touched by an Alien". Head over, learn yet more about me and my so-called "process", leave a comment, you all know the drill.

Next up, there's another interview, but it's not with me (though I did get a lovely shout-out). Alien Collective Members in Very Good Standing I Smell Sheep have interviewed Alien Collective Member in Very Good Standing and awesome author Amber Scott. There's a chance to win a copy of "Play Fling". So, head over, read the Sheep Girls' first interview, check out Amber's much more of a real process, leave a comment, again, y'all know the drill.

Now, head over to another Alien Collective Member in Very Good Standing, the Bibliognome Blog, and check out the contents of the Comic-Con Ultimate Swag Pack Becky the blog owner won from yours truly. Then check out her listings of free things available out there -- my Free Stuff page and contents get a lovely shout out.

Speaking of winning, my latest contest, the CopperCon Movie Poster Pack Giveaway is closed to entries. We'll be tallying the entries and have the winners for you tomorrow. (So, you know, stay tuned and all that.)

Speaking of Comic-Con, the pictures are finally up. Well, some of them are up. Team Gini's threatening to add some catchy captions to them, but so far my threats of retaliation have worked. Sorta. Check it all out at Sightings in the Wild.

Finally, a reminder for those Alien Collective members in or around the Tucson and Phoenix, AZ and Columbus, OH areas. I'll be at several cons and workshops through the end of the year. All info is on the Datebook page, but here's the relevant info:

RinCon 10, Tucson, AZ - Oct. 8-11
World Fantasy Con, Columbus, OH - Oct. 27-Nov. 1
TusCon 37, Tucson, AZ - Nov. 12-15
Desert Rose Writers Workshop (FREE event), Scottsdale, AZ - Nov. 20
Author Workshop & Book Signing (FREE event), Borders Scottsdale Riverfront, Scottsdale, AZ - Dec. 8

So, until next time (yeah, yeah, tomorrow, when I announce the CopperCon Poster Pack winners), remember that nothing says "I love you" like pre-ordering "Alien Tango". (I did warn y'all that the drumbeat for pre-orders was starting...but don't worry, the moment you've all confirmed your pre-ordered status, I can stop.)

Love,
Gini

Mixed Nuts

Happy Friday! Well, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we have a grab bag for you to roll into the weekend with, and since I'm clearly on the "slow and steady manages to get updates out sometime" plan, let's just get right to it all.

First up, Alien Collective Member in Very Good Standing Life According to Nicole has a CopperCon recap, complete with pictures. And, if that's not enough, she's also participating in Blog Fest 2010 and has some really cool prizes, including a signed copy of "Touched by an Alien".

The Vampire Wire girls have a couple of interesting articles going that include
discussions of "Touched by an Alien", covers and cover artists, and the best part, prizes: Contest Weiners & Catsup'ing Up! & Alien Gropers, and
Cover Artists & Contest for Ghost Ocean by S.M. Peters & Disco Thursday.

Next, awesome author Weston Ochse has also done a CopperCon recap complete with different pictures. Check it out, it's funny and, to lure some of the Alien Collective over, he writes about zombies.

So, yes, everyone else has done a more comprehensive CopperCon recap than moi. Hey, I was busy getting posters and divvying them up!

Speaking of which, as a reminder for the new folks, there's still time to get in on this contest -- IF you're on Hook Me Up! If you've somehow resisted the lure, resist no longer! Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line. You'll be in, and learn how you can win!

Oh, and for those of you trying to keep score at home, I just got invited to TusCon 37, Nov. 12-14, in Tuscon, AZ. And I forgot to mention that I'm also going to be at the Tucson Festival of Books, Mar. 12 & 13, in Tucson, AZ. Yes, that does mean I'm going to, at last count, a zillion cons. But hey, I love cons, so it's all good! Check the Datebook and my page at BookTour.com for full details, and if you're going to be anywhere near any of the cons I'm going to, let me know 'cause I'd love to hang with any and all of my Alien Collective.

So, have a wonderful weekend, and let's be winners out there!

Love,
Gini