Universal Word of the Covers

Happy Friday! Well, here we are, at the end of the week already. And yet, there's still tons going on that I have to tell you all about before we all race off for the weekend. So, let's roll right to it!

We actually have two stops on the Universal Alien Top 10 Blog Tour today. Well, okay. We really only have one, but I wasn't able to get to yesterday's tour stop on yesterday, so we're getting to it today! Follow that? No? Well then...

First off, head over to Under the Covers where they have the top 10 ways to survive in the Kittyverse. After that, hit Word of the Nerd where they have both the top 10 things you'll never hear Kitty and Company say AND an early review of Universal Alien. Both stops have yet another chance each for you to win a copy of one of the first 9 books in the series, signed and personalized, and open internationally.

There are still more Tour stops to come, and you can still get entered to win at the prior stops as well. Some of the contests are over and some end SOON, so hurry up and get entered to win so you don't miss out!

Top 10 Blog Tour Stops
11-10 Pearls Cast Before a McPig, contest ends Nov. 28th
11-11 Larissa's Bookish Life, contest OVER
11-11 Feeling Fictional, contest ends Nov. 30th
11-11 Gizmo's Reviews, contest OVER, winner announced
11-12 A Buckeye Girl Reads, contest OVER winner announced
11-13 Bibliognome, contest OVER
11-14 boeklogboek, contest ends Nov. 25th
11-17 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell contest ends Nov. 30th
11-18 I Smell Sheep, contest ends Nov. 25th
11-19 Lu's Buchgefluster, contest ends Nov. 28th
11-20 Under the Covers, contest ends Nov. 25th
11-21 Word of the Nerd , contest ends Nov. 28th
12-01 Books-n-Kisses
12-01 Readaholics Anonymous
12-02 Smart Girls Love Sci Fi

After getting entered all over to win one of the first books in the series, check out what Lu's Buchgefluster thought of the book that started it all, Touched by an Alien. The review is in German, but for those of you who can't read German, Google translate handles it really well.

Sensational Six: Action and Adventure in Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance is burning up the charts! Many thanks to all who've grabbed it up already. But for those of you who haven't, seriously, what are you waiting for? It's got 6 great stories of various lengths, from Six Gals and a Guy -- awesome authors Caris Roane, Jordan Summers, Vivi Anna, Sasha White, Marsheila Rockwell and Jeff Mariotte, and moi. My entry is The Night Beat, Necropolis Enforcement Files #1, and right now this boxed set is the only place you can get it. And that's not all. Sensational Six is also the only place where you can get a long excerpt for Night Music, Necropolis Enforcement #2...until it releases in early 2015!

Want to see Night Music's cool cover? Hit my Premieres page and check it out!

And how much does all this awesomeness cost you? $0.99. YES! Less than one dollar! So, really, do your Six Gals and a Guy a solid and grab this while it's at this low, low price. 

Get your copies of Sensational Six right here!

Kobo
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon Canada
Amazon Australia
iTunes
Barnes and Noble

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. The Universal Alien Top 10 Blog Tour is taking next week off because it's Thanksgiving in the U.S. next week and the Casa will be filled with people and I'm still on deadline for Alien Separation and all that jazzy stuff. But I promise some fun stuff early next week before we go to radio silence.

So, everyone have wonderful weekends and let's be Universally Sensational readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

I Ain't Ded

Hola! I know...long time no see. So...to explain for those who somehow have't read Terry Pratchett's DiscWorld series, the subject line is also a sign Granny Weatherwax, a powerful witch, holds when she goes wandering outside of her body. And it's been a month since you've heard from me, and...well...I was sorta wandering outside of my body.

As most of you probably do not know, I got back from San Diego Comic-Con and promptly got sick. And then got hospitalized. And then got my gall bladder removed. And then got to recover (which I am still doing). So, it's been an exciting kind of time at the Casa.

But, I'm back finally JUST in time to head off to CopperCon this weekend. And check out what AZ Central has to say about the con, which includes some quotes from yours truly. Yes, I'm still recovering, but the con is nice and intimate and the venue is nice and small, and I plan to not race around and all should be well. Plus, I have panels and readings and signings to go to, yes I do. In fact, for those of you coming to the con, here's my schedule:

Fri 5p-6p, Everybody Kills Somebody Sometime, Avondale 4
Fri 6p-7p, Point of View and Pacing, Avondale 3
Fri 730p-9p, Meet the Pros, Avondale 3

Sat 1p-130p, Reading, Boardroom
Sat 130p-230p, Autographing, Merchants Room
Sat 3p-430p, Meet Our Guest: Gini Koch, Avondale 4
Sat 6p-7p, Structure of a Story, Avondale 3

Sun 11a-Noon, Does It Matter Where We Publish?, Boardroom
Sun 1230p-1p, Reading, Boardroom
Sun 1p-2p, Autographing, Merchants Room

But of course, with me being "gone" for a month, there's a LOT to catch up on. So let's do that, shall we? We shall.

First up, exciting news. I've been moved from Book 3 to Book 1 of the X-Files anthology series! So, am madly and excitedly working on my story and can't wait to give all y'all the expected pub date!

Next up, let's catch up on some reviews. See why Night Owl Reviews gave Alien Collective a Top Pick! Then see what Word of the Nerd thought of Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens, featuring my Alien series short story, "A Clockwork Alien"; Amazing & Waiting: Two Novelettes by moi writing as Jemma Chase; and A Cup of Joe by moi writing as Anita Ensal. After that, see what Sand Between the Pages thought of Touched by an Alien. And last but in no way least, check out this triple review of Unidentified Funny Objects 3 from Tangent.

Speaking of UFO3, you can pre-order it now! And while you're at it, do your girl another solid and pre-order Universal Alien. And why do pre-orders matter? Let Musing and author Tony Earley explain it all for you.

After all the pre-ordering and learning and such, head over to see what Larissa's Bookish Life chose as the top 5 series she'd give as a gift. Then check out The Tex Files and see what moi and some other authors taught her about The Swan Song for Anonymity. And see who the gals at Sci-Fi Romance Quarterly like to interview, and more, over at USA Today.

For those of you not able to attend CopperCon and see the me and hear the dulcet tones of my voice, check out the interview I did with Two Gay Geeks, and my video interview with InD'Tale Magazine. Then, check out the full interview at InD'Tale Magazine -- the subscription is free and you get a real in-depth interview of moi (albeit with a few errors that talking into a voice recorder can cause), plus more, so don't delay, get your copy today!

Amazingly enough, that's it for today. I will try not to be gone for so very long and you all try to forgive me for being gone so long and we will all remain healthy, right? Of course right. Enjoy the downward slide to the weekend and let's be readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Collectively Catching Up

Hey there! Hope everyone had a wonderful past couple of weekends and past week, and I hope all the moms of all kinds out there had perfect Mother's Days. I had a fantastic time at both Mysterious Galaxy bookstores and all over the rest of SoCal! It was great seeing so many of the Alien Collective these past days. But, I'm back home and much went on while I was gone, so let's get all caught up, shall we? We shall!
First up, and speaking of the Alien Collective, the last stop on the Alien Collective Blog Tour is large and in charge. Head over to Word of the Nerd for your last chance to enter to win your choice of one of the first 8 books in the series (Touched through Research), signed and personalized. Open internationally.

And don't forget about the other stops that have come before! Most have interviews and/or reviews and all have chances to win. And all are open internationally. So if you've missed a stop that's still open, rectify!

Remaining open contests:
-- Pearls Cast Before a McPig, ends May 25
-- Gizmo's Reviews

Speaking of rectification, here's a special prize available, at every stop on the Tour but it's for my Hook Me Up! Subscribers only. Not on? Perhaps now's the time to rectify that mistake. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be in and sent the special instructions!

Once you've entered to win, see what Word of the Nerd though of Alien Collective. Then see what Bitten by Books, A Buckeye Girl Reads, and Bring on the Books thought of it as well!

Then see who Larissa's Bookish Life chose as her favorite fictional mothers. And check out T.L. Smith's article at Slice of SciFi where she asks 5 friends what they'd take to colonize a new world -- and since those friends include moi, L.E. Modesitt, Jr., Weston Ochse, Bruce Davis, and Ben Bova, you know you want to check it out!

Phoenix Comicon is just around the corner, and you NEED to make plans to be there. Why? In addition to seeing the me and other amazing authors, there are some seriously cool media folks that will be there as well, including Nathan Fillion, Stephen Amell, Cary Elwes, Bruce Campbell, Stan Lee, and Danny Glover...and TONS more! Be here June 5-8, 2014 and have the time of your pop cultural life!

Remember that the Brenda Novak auction is still going on through the rest of the month Check out my fantastic Alien Pack -- and bid early and often!

I've also been announced as an Author Guest at CopperCon Fantasm, August 22-24, 2014, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Avondale, AZ. Make your plans to come to a fun, intimate con with a ton of great authors and fans!

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So let's be winning, con-going readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Collectively Yapping & Winning

Hey there! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that everyone's week is starting out great. There's a lot going on, much of which can make many of your weeks even greater, so let's get to it, shall we? We shall!

First up, the yap is large and in charge all over the place. And many of those places have chances for you to win books. First up, head over to Paranormal Haven and see what Kitty would do on a Spring Vacation. There are also 3 prize packs to be won, so don't forget to enter while you're there!

After that, race right on over to Larissa's Bookish Life for a brand new interview with moi. You can also win your choice of one of the first 8 books in the Alien series. Open internationally. And, there's a special extra, but only for my Hook Me Up! subscribers. Not on yet? Now's the time to fix that. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be in, and told what the special secret extras actually are!

After that, head over to Bibliognome for her Pre-Review Ravings about Alien Collective.

Next up, head over to Word of the Nerd, where they have reviews that include interviews with moi for Alien vs. Alien, Alien in the House, and Alien Research. Hey, I told you the Yap was running strong.

Remember that my mini book tour for Alien Collective starts this Saturday. That's right, three days prior to Alien Collective's official release! So, come see the me at The Poisoned Pen on Saturday, May 3, from 2-3pm, and get your bookie wookies before anyone else! Also, many times the Pen does a Livestream of my author events, so you may want to check in a little before 2pm Pacific time on Saturday to see if you really get to see the me, even if you're not in the store!

Also, for those of you not in Phoenix but in SoCal, some see the me, and a bunch of other awesome authors, and get your copy of Alien Collective -- and birthday cake! -- at Mysterious Galaxy San Diego for their 21st Birthday Bash on Saturday, May 10. The party runs from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and while I'll be there the whole time, my official presentation and signing is from 1:00-2:00pm. And/or, come see me up at Mysterious Galaxy Redondo Beach on Monday, May 12, from 7:30-8:30pm, where it's just me, and all my books.

If you're not in AZ or SoCal and still want in on the fun, and the signed book action, remember that both The Poisoned Pen and Mysterious Galaxy have great signed book programs, and they ship internationally.

Speaking of opportunities to hear the dulcet tones of my voice (trust me, we were), The Blog Goddess is running a replay tonight of the interview I did there a couple months ago, so if you missed it, check it out now!

Today in Science, and potentially Today in Upcoming Books, astronomers have found a new sun close by. Check out the info on Earth's Fourth-Closest Neighbor. Thanks to alert Member of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing Michelle for the astrological head's up!

And last but in no way least, check out my Alien Pack over at Brenda Novak's Auction. Bidding starts May 1st, so don't miss out on your chance to win a whole lotta goodies!

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So get ready for Alien Collective and let's be winning readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Just Can't Hide It

Happy Friday! Hope everyone's had a wonderful week and has an even better weekend in store! It's been busy over here, but that's good, right? Of course right! There's lots going on, but first, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we have a big announcement, and I'm so excited about it! (Points to those who now get the point of the headline.) (Extra points to those who got it before reading this paragraph.)

The votes are in for the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Awards and guess what won Best Futuristic Romance? Go on, guess! Oh, I can't wait for you to guess -- it's Alien in the House! I'm extremely thrilled that it won, especially considering the awesome books it was up against. Check out all the winners and nominees in all the categories -- there's a lot of great reading there!

Speaking of great reading and the Alien series, I'll have 3 Alien Series short stories in Penumbra eMagazine this year; the first one comes out in next month's/May's issue. The magazine sells for $3.99 an issue, and I suppose you could just buy the three I'll be in. But, each month there are great stories, and Penumbra has a special offer for you, all because of moi. 'Cause I'm a giver, me.

Right now, you can get The Gini Special -- instead of paying $3.99 an issue, you'll get a year's subscription for just $24.00; that's half price. But there's more! You'll also get the Best of Penumbra 2012 AND 2013. That's a full year's subscription for half price plus two free Best Of collections and three Alien series shorts that will only be available in Penumbra...as long as you use this coupon code (exactly as shown here) when you order: 2014Gini

This offer is good only through August 1, 2014, so don't miss out and get your subscription going today!

Speaking of the Alien Series (no, we haven't really stopped), check out the Table of Contents for Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens. Should be coming in May (could be delayed due to printer issues, but the publisher is still hoping for May), and it contains "A Clockwork Alien", which is the first Alien Series short I've ever written (and the story that started the craze, so to speak).

Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens Table of Contents
Introduction by Patricia Bray
“The Cavorite Job” by Ian Tregillis
“Gracie’s Fire” by Leah Cutter
“Quinta Essentia” by Bradley P. Beaulieu
“When Comrade Ekaterina Died for the Motherland” by J.R. Hargenrader
“A Clockwork Alien” by Gini Koch
“Heart of the Empire” by Jason Palmatier
“The Red Queen and the White” by C.B. Pratt
“The Wizard of Woodrow Park” by Jean Marie Ward
“Of War and Wings” by Tansy Rayner Roberts
“Airship Down:  A Sound and Fury Adventure” by Gail Z. Martin & Larry N. Martin
“Steamsuit” by David J. Fortier
“Fingers of Steam, Veins of Gold” by Brad Hafford
“Heart of Clockwork” by S.C. Butler
“Lady Antheia’s Guide to Horticultural Warfare” by Seanan McGuire

Don't those all sound great? Yeah, I can't wait for this book, either! If you weren't part of the Kickstarter campaign, you can pre-order from Zombies Need Brains to be sure you get your copy!

Speaking of not waiting, see what Bibliognome is going to be reading this weekend. And then, check out the first review of Alien Collective over at boeklogboek! After that, see what Word of the Nerd thought of Alien Diplomacy. Finish up over at my Deathless Prose page, where you can get the prologue and first chapter of Alien Collective for your teaser reading pleasure!

Whew! That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So let's be winning readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Word is the Word that You Heard

Happy Hump Day! As promised yesterday, there's big news today! So let's get right to it, shall we? We shall!

As shared by Word of the Nerd, the audio rights for Touched by an Alien have been sold and the audiobook will be available a week from today, April 16, 2014! So, all of you who've asked me over the years when the audiobook would be available, the answer is -- this month!

Rights for the rest of the series have not been bought yet, so if you want to hear all the books "live", you need to do your girl, and yourselves, a solid and support this one. It will be available for download from Audible and iTunes, and available for CD and MP3 purchase from most major retailers. The Word of the Nerd article has all the current buy and pre-order links. And yes, requests to your local libraries to stock copies are as greatly appreciated as purchases. Get the word out so we can, um, get the words out!

Speaking of words, see what Word of the Nerd thinks of Alien in the Family and Alien Proliferation.

After that, head over to see what Gizmo's Reviews has stacking the shelves. Then hit the Spacefrieghters Lounge and cast your vote for covers with or without shirtless heroes. I confess to being on the side of shirted heroes, and NOT just because Alien Tango is one of the covers supporting that side. But it helps.

As many of you have reminded me, Alien Collective will release in less than a month. I know many of you are also bitter that you didn't win the flash contest. However, once my author copies arrive, I promise another contest will be on the way. But, if you aren't willing to risk it all on the Gods of Random, a reminder that I'll be at these fine bookstores in early May, so don't miss your chance to see the me and get the bookie wookie signed and personalized and all that lovely jazz! (And remember that all 3 bookstores take pre-orders, will get the books signed for you, AND will ship to you. So if you can't be there in person, you can still get your book signed by moi.)

Mini Book Tour Dates:

Saturday, May 3rd, 2:00-3:30pm
ADVANCED BOOK RELEASE PARTY for Alien Collective -- it's rare to get your publisher to allow you to release your book in advance of official release day, but the Pen and I did it, so make sure you make your plans to come party with us! And get YOUR book DAYS before everyone else!
The Poisoned Pen
4014 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251, 480-947-2974/888-560-9919

Saturday, May 10th, 10:00am-5pm
Signing Alien Collective & all the other bookie wookies
My spotlight will be at 1:00pm with official signing immediately after (and after that there will also be...CAKE!)

Mysterious Galaxy Birthday Bash 

Mysterious Galaxy San Diego
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite #302, San Diego, CA 92111, 858-268-4747

Monday, May 12th, 7:30-8:30pm
Signing Alien Collective & all the other bookie wookies
Mysterious Galaxy Redondo Beach
2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90278, 310-542-6000
That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's be listening readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Funny Fest

Happy Friday!

Well, I'm about to head to Tucson Festival of Books but before I go, there's been a lot going on, so I'm going to catch all y'all up before I hit the road. 'Cause I'm just that nice a girl.

First up, it's been Gini Week over at Word of the Nerd. Check out a cool interview with yours truly combined with their review of the Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters anthology, which includes "With Bright Shining Faces" by moi writing as J.C. Koch. Then check out their reviews of Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, and my newest release, Random Musings from the Funny Girl, which is my first ever humor collection, available now!

Then, still on reviews, see what Daydreams of a Cluttered Mind thought of Alien Tango, what Swept Away Again thought of The Night Beat and several other January reads, and which 5 books Bitten By Books honored for Flashback Thursday. And check out the latest bestsellers from Locus Online where Alien Research is making a move up!

Now, check out the io9 feature on the "One Way" web comic, created by my good friend and all around awesome guy Christopher Baldwin. And check out his comics -- they're subversively funny and wickedly cool. 

For those of you making the trek to one of the largest book fairs in the country, aka the Tucson Festival of Books, be sure to come see the me while you're there!

My schedule:
Saturday
9:30 am - 12:30 pm Valley of the Sun Booth #s 107, 108, 109, 118, 119, and 120
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm How Do You Do It? Writing Fast and Writing Well, Koffler Room 216
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Signing area: Sales & Signing Area #6 - Koffler Patio
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm A Knight, a Zombie and a Klingon Walk into a Bar: Writing Genre Comedy, Integrated Learning Center Room 150
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Sales & Signing Area #4 - Integrated Learning Center 
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Werewolves, Witches and Aliens: Putting the Magic in Romance, Integrated Learning Center Room 141
5:00 pm - 5:30 pm Sales & Signing Area #4 - Integrated Learning Center
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm Valley of the Sun Booth #s 107, 108, 109, 118, 119, and 120

Sunday
9:30 am - 11:30 am Valley of the Sun Booth #s 107, 108, 109, 118, 119, and 120
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Poisoned Pen Bookstore, Booth #270, 271, 272
1:30 pm - 6:00 pm Valley of the Sun Booth #s 107, 108, 109, 118, 119, and 120

That's it for today, but more's on the way! See some of you at the Festival this weekend, all of you enjoy the slide into the weekend, and let's be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini