Recap Roundup

Happy Friday! Hope everyone had a great last weekend and a wonderful week. I had a blast at Phoenix Comicon, and we'll get to that recap, along with other things, right now!

Phoenix Comicon was, without a doubt, made of awesome! I had a blast on my panels, the Food With Fans event, and the Evening Erotica event. And the exhibit hall was totally fun and jam packed with things to do and things to buy.

Of course, the highlight was getting to see so many Members of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing both from near and afar (waves to Missy, Paul, and Linda who all came from states away to be with us).

I got to panel with some really awesome authors including -- M.L. Brennan who is a hoot AND a half, Yvonne Navarro, Stephen Blackmoore, Paul Cornell, Richard Kadrey, and Joe Nacisse. I ended up paneling with M.L. Brennan not once, not twice, but three times, and all three of them were tons of fun. She is hilarious!

Photo courtesy of J. Armentani

I got to enjoy the Steampunk Tea Room and ninety minutes in an oasis of relaxation and civilization with BFF Sharon Skinner and Viola Carr and her totes adorbs Aussie accent. Many thanks to Dee Astell and her team for putting on such a lovely event.

I was in the Author's Alley portion of the Artists Wing with new author Austin Aslan, David Lee Summers, Tom Leveen, Michael Stackpole, Weston Oches, James A. Owen, and Paul Cornell, Joe Nacisse and the Lovely Miss Yvonne Navarro again.

Bought some cool jewelry from Geekbella and some cool artwork from Kaiju Rising artist and total sweetie Robert Elrod. (Wanted to shop more but had no time to do so.) And I got to visit with the ever awesome Jonathan Maberry and talk X-Files and Out of Tune 2, and Jamie Wyman and talk about our Holmes novellas coming out this summer. (Jamie's is out in June/July, my "A Study in Starlets" will be out in August, and the third novella will be out in September.)

Food with Fans was at Province in the Westin and the restaurant really rallied when we called two hours before the dinner to share that we, ah, um, had more than double, closer to triple, the number of people that we'd given for our reservation. Food and service were wonderful, and we will definitely be back (and I can heartily recommend Province to anyone who might be coming into town, too).

Photo courtesy of J. Gaxiola

But what, WHAT, was the Evening Erotica event like, asks you? Three hours of raucous hilarity, says I. I recruited M.L. Brennan to join me and she was more than game. And this year we went to Mardi Gras (thanks to MotACiVGS Shawn Sumrall) and it was amazing. We had assistance from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the newest super-group, the Bead Boys.

"The Bead Boys", photo courtesy of M. Katano

Great audience and some excellent euphemisms were had this year, everyone went home with at least one prize, and to the man who wanted to shut us down when we were supposed to stop but let us run an hour over 'cause it was what the crowd demanded -- we're sorry, you're beautiful, and thanks, we won't run over again. Until next time.

I'd tell you more, but most of it's not repeatable in polite company. So make your plans to be with us next year!

Gini & 2 Bead Boys, photo courtesy of M. Katano

From a sales standpoint, it was pretty exciting, too, since I sold out of several titles including Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters, A Mother's Wisdom, and The Happy Acres Haunted Hotel for Active Seniors, and came dangerously close to selling out of Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets, Touched by an Alien, and Alien Separation.

As always, couldn't have done it without my fabulous all volunteer crew -- Joseph, Duncan, Andrea, Missy, Brad, Cathy, Edward, and Paul, and many thanks for food, drinks, and sundries to Anne, Janet, Jan, and many of the con staff (who I won't name 'cause they weren't sneaking food & drinks to everyone) (just the sexy people) who kept us going when the booth was hoppin'. And if I've forgotten anyone, blame Con Brain, 'cause I still haz it.

Did you miss seeing the me at Phoenix Comicon somehow? Missed me on book tour? Did not get your hands on a copy of Alien Separation while you were at the con? Well, fear not. Your last chance (for right now, anyway) is just around the corner. On Monday, June 8th, to be exact. Come see the me and get your hands on any and all of the bookie wookies, Alien Separation included (and Happy Acres, for those who wanted a copy after we'd sold out), at the Poisoned Pen from 7-8pm for the End of Tour Party. Which will, yes, include cake (and the cake will not be a lie) and prizes!

For those of you who can't attend in person, the event will be shown via LiveStream, and you'll be able to win prizes, too. Really, there's no excuse not to attend either in person or virtually!

Speaking of which, contest winners have been notified and checked in, for both the Alien Separation contest and the Unidentified Funny Objects 3 contest. But never fear if you didn't win (and never fear if you did), more contests will be on the way!

Amazingly enough, that's it for today. But as always, more's on the way. So 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

Festival Bound!

Happy Friday! Well, I'm heading off to Tucson for the weekend, but before I go, there's something you have to see!

Check out the awesome cover for the X-Files anthology my story "Sewers" is in, Trust No One, coming April 7, you can pre-order the audio version at Amazon right now. (No idea when book pre-orders will be available.)

Speaking of pre-orders, The Disciple and Other Stories of the Paranormal by moi writing as Jemma Chase is available for pre-order from Amazon. The book will release on March 20th.

The Kickstarter for Unidentified Funny Objects 4 is still underway and going strong, but it's not funded yet! Check it out -- it's going to be a good one. Also, I have one tuckerization left available. You'll be in "Support Your Local Alien", the Alien series short that's the next adventure for the characters from my steampunk universe first introduced in "A Clockwork Alien", part of the Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Zombies anthology.

I'll be signing that, Unidentified Funny Objects 3, and Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets, not to mention all the Alien series, including Universal Alien, and more bookie wookies besides, at the Tucson Festival of Books this weekend, Saturday March 14 and Sunday March 15. When not on panels or at signings, you can find me at Booth #106.

My panel and signing schedule is:
--Saturday, March 14, 4-5pm - Making Magic Real: Suspending Reader Disbelief, Integrated Learning Center Room 130; signing immediately after Sales and Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center  
--Sunday, March 15, 11:30am-12:30 pm - I Got Nuthin' – Battling Writer's Block, Integrated Learning Center Room 141; signing immediately after Sales and Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center  
--Sunday, March 15, 2:30-3:30pm - Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, and Sci-Fi, Koffler Room 216; signing immediately after Sales and Signing Area - Koffler Patio

But I can't leave you without some science! Per Huff Post Science, there's a diamond planet out there. Oh, the story possibilities this creates! Also, Scientific American shares that we've got one heck of a new and improved particle accelerator on the way. This will give scientists a way to study things we haven't been able to before (and, you know, potentially get to say hi to ACE, Algar, and Sandy and the Superconsciousness Seven).

Well, that's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So enjoy the weekend, hope to see many of you at the Festival, and all of you be universally happy readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Whole Lotta Lotta Goin' On

Happy Friday! Hope everyone had a wonderful week! I've been hugely busy -- how the heck IS it Friday already, anyway -- and, as you'll soon see, we have an absolute tonnage going on, so let's get to it already!

First up, the Yap is large and in charge over at KickAss Chicks. Then, check out what Heroes and Heartbreakers has to say about Comedic Sci-Fi Romance. Um, yeah, they may have mentioned Touched by an Alien.

Next, I have some good news and some bad news. Bad news first. It's now March and, as I'm sure all y'all are aware, Night Music is not in your hot little hands. All I can say is that concussions are not a writer's friend, and that I am still beavering away on it, and many other things that are also due (and, sadly, also late), and you shall have it soon, VERY soon, I swears it! *sobs* Victoria's chomping at the hambone to take you on her next wild adventure, so never fear, it'll be here as fast as I can manage. (Hey, you've been waiting a long time for it already, what's another month, right? Right? *runs*)

Now, for the good news.  What I do have coming this month is a collection of paranormal stories I've written as Jemma Chase to give you a paranormal fix until Night Music is ready -- The Disciple and Other Stories of the Paranormal. That's right, Strange Protection, Hotter Than Hell, Waiting, Amazing, and The Disciple are all together in one volume! And you can pre-order that puppy right now, too, over at Amazon. The book will be available on Friday, March 20th, and will be up at all the other retailers at that point. And yes, for those of you who only want physical books, it will be available in physical format as well. I got ya covered!

Speaking of which, according to an article at the Huffington Post, there are 9 reasons why print books are better than ebooks. I'm all for however you want to read the bookie wookies, but I found the article interesting all the same.

Speaking of found things, alert Member of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing Bibliognome has spotted that, for the first time ever, one of my books is up at NetGalley. Yes indeedy dee, if you're a reviewer, you can get to read Alien Separation ages before everyone else!

And speaking of pre-orders (we were, trust me, we were), you can pre-order Alien Separation from your favorite bookstore or Amazon or any other online retailer. Pre-orders help more than you realize, so do your girl a solid and pre-order Book 11 (and beyond, if they let you, LOL) because the publishers CARE about pre-order numbers. And so do I.

AND you can also pre-order the X-Files anthology my story, "Sewers" will be in, X-Files: Trust No One, at good ol' Amazon as well. Pre-orders for everyone!

Now for some reviews. See why Night Owl Reviews made Universal Alien a top pick!

And, while I'm still waiting to give you that news I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, in the meantime, see what the San Francisco Book Review said about the Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets anthology, which has my story, "All the Single Ladies" in it.

Then see what boeklogboek had to say about my humor collection, Random Musings from the Funny Girl.

Speaking of funny, check out SB Nation's take on Reviewing the Terrifying Dogs in Westminster's "Working Group". It's a hilarious look at the various breeds. The Big Fella was a Komondor, and quite frankly, this article got him right.

And now for some science! Frankly, lots and lots and LOTS of science. Hey, it's been a busy week for science (and it's damn fine butt), what can I say?

First off, the Red Velvet Oreos Member of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing Michael Shelton sent to me were AWESOME. So, if you like red velvet anything, these are a total winner in Oreos' growing bid to literally be put into every marketing textbook ever written under the heading "company most dedicated to brand extension in the history of the world".

Next up, things are looking up for Pluto, at least according Discover. Then Space.com has an awesomely cool series going about what it would be like to live on the other celestial bodies in our solar system.

Then we have just a tonnage of articles doing their best to prove that I'm actually an investigative reporter writing non-fiction pieces. Check out Higher Perspective's article about the possibility of aliens having "seeded" the Earth; possible water (or life forms signalling us with mirrors) on Ceres over at Mashable; NASA's findings about black hole families (Algar says hi); and, according to Yahoo Finance -- yes, you read that right, this was in the Finance section, go figure -- apparently we have a "second moon" and it orbits in a *cough* kind of figure-8 patter or similar.

A big reminder for my upcoming in-person schedule of events, because most of them are happening NEXT WEEK!

Monday, March 9, 5-6pm PST/8-9 EST - I and the rest of the Paranormal Romance Dream Team will be be participating in another Night Owl Reviews live chat. Last time we gave out lots of prezzies, and I'm sure this time will be no different. The chat will run from 5-6 pm PST/8-9 EST. Don't miss out, it's sure to be a blast and a half! 

Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15 - I'll be at the Tucson Festival of Books. It's the fourth largest Book Fair in the country, so you don't want to miss out. When I'm not doing panels or signings, you can find me at The Dreams Booth, Booth #106.  

My current TFoB schedule: 
--Saturday, March 14, 4-5pm - Making Magic Real: Suspending Reader Disbelief, Integrated Learning Center Room 130; signing immediately after Sales and Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center  
--Sunday, March 15, 11:30am-12:30 pm - I Got Nuthin' – Battling Writer's Block, Integrated Learning Center Room 141; signing immediately after Sales and Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center  
--Sunday, March 15, 2:30-3:30pm - Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, and Sci-Fi, Koffler Room 216; signing immediately after Sales and Signing Area - Koffler Patio 

Saturday, March 28, 12-4 pm - mass author signing at the Book Vault, 2055 S. Power Road, Entrance #3 in Mesa AZ, featuring moi along with awesome authors Alan Black, Kris Tualla, Deena Remiel, and Melanie Tighe.  

Speaking of the Tucson Festival of Books, if you missed the interview they did with me, check out their Festival Blog where you'll find my interview and a ton more. Also speaking of TFoB and the University of Arizona, I may miss seeing the wonderful Eric Penner Haury (grandson of The Real Most Interesting Man in the World, nephew of The Silver Fox, aka Ted Danson, and a wonderful author in his own right) at the Festival. Why? Because he's going to be in Tucson the week before, for a ceremony for his step-grandmother, Agnese Nelms Haury who's donated a tremendous amount to various institutions and bequeathed some wonderful things to UofA. She was an amazing woman, and her legacy will live on, which is fantastic.

New Sightings in the Wild are up at the website. Have pics to send in? Send 'em to our SuperSightingsGirl, Kelsey, at kelsey@ginikoch.com. She LIVES to get your pics, yes she does!

Last but in no way least, the Spectrum 22 award nominations are in, and many congrats to my fantabulous cover artist, Dan Dos Santos, and Dave Palumbo (who worked with Dan on the Alien Diplomacy cover), since they're both nominated! Check out the artwork from the nominees -- it's gorgeous. I don't envy whoever has to choose the winners (though, OBVIOUSLY Dan should win) (not that I'm biased) (maybe a little), because each piece is amazing.

Well, don't faint, but that's it for today. But never fear, as always, more's on the way. So, enjoy your weekends, chat with some of you on Monday, see some of you next weekend, and all of you let's be science-loving, art-enjoying, book pre-ordering, coolest of the cool readers out there. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Universally Speaking

Happy Weekend! I'd meant to have this to you on Friday, but Blogger was not cooperating, so, as with so many things Gini, it's coming out a little late. But you know what's not going to be late? Universal Alien, that's what!

First up, check out what Larissa's Bookish Life and Bibliognome list as their Top 5 Most Anticipated Books of the latter half of 2014. While you're at Bibliognome, check out what she got in her Mail of the Week. Then see what Gizmo's Reviews has Stacking the Shelves.

Now, look at what RT Book Reviews has to say about it's Top Pick, Universal Alien! "The tenth outing of Koch’s insanely fun Alien series illustrates perfectly the 'be careful what you wish for' theme." Can't wait? Pre-order today, from any bookstore, including the ones I'm making Book Tour stops at. See the Datebook page for Tour details.
 
Speaking of reviews, see what Readaholics Anonymous thought of Alien Collective.

My story, "Sewers", for the X-Files anthology is turned in, edited, and all set to go, as is the rest of the first volume! Coming from IDW Publishing, most likely in Spring 2015!

I know, I know, that's so far away. However, "Alien Pick-Up" is also done and turned in and coming to you very soon in the November issue of Penumbra eMagazine. And if you missed "Alien on the Runway", May 2014 issue, or "Mr. Dash Saves the World", July 2014 issue, never fear -- you can get all the back issues of Penumbra just as easily as the newest!

Next up, head on over to Slice of SciFi to see what I think of the first season of Gotham and the second season of Sleepy Hollow now that we're 5 Episodes In. And feel free to chime in about your thoughts on these shows over at Slice -- conversation is always welcomed and encouraged!

Now, check out what Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell thought of Unidentified Funny Objects 3.

Speaking of which, all the entries are in, and I'll be announcing the lucky winners of the Anthologies Contest next week. Remember that you'll only have a few days to check in to claim your prize, and then, if it goes unclaimed, the Gods of Random will snatch it back and demand a new sacrifice. So, if you entered, stay ever vigilant!

And, if you didn't win or didn't enter, never fear. There's another contest coming soon, very soon. Like as soon as I get certain items in my possession soon.

But, that's all I'm going to say about that today. So, enjoy your weekends and let's start the new week bleary-eyed but satisfied from all the reading. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Anthos for the Win!

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I did! I finished my X-Files story for the anthology...and now the longwinded that is moi must edit it down to fit. (So, you know, I'll be whining to my crit partner a lot over the next day or so.) But the new week's here, and with it, some cool stuff, so let's get to it! (And, for those of you wondering what went on with this post going haywire -- hey, it's a Monday...so forgive the bizarre spacing...it was 99% perfect, I tried to fix one tiny thing and now? Monday.) 

First up, as I mentioned last week, there's a new Kickstarter in town -- Temporally Out of Order and I'm in it, along with a host of other awesome authors. I'm also offering 3 tuckerizations (where you get to give me a name and I make a character in the story with it -- and while most kill their tuckers, I tend to become attached to mine and keep them alive), 1 of which is already gone. I'm ALSO offering free ebook specials for certain dollar pledges, so definitely check out Temporally Out of Order and get in on this Kickstarter now!

After you've checked that out, head on over to Two Gay Geeks where they've jumped on the Alien train and have reviewed Touched by an Alien. And remember that there's chances to win cool stuff over at Shooting Stars and Bad Guys, open through 9-17, and at Books-N-Kisses, open through 9-30.  

Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens, featuring my short story, "A Clockwork Alien", is available right now, so if you don't have your copies, get them today. Also, a reminder that you can preorder a variety of works right now as well: Universal Alien; Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets, featuring my short story, "All the Single Ladies"; The Madness of Cthulhu Vol. 1, featuring my short story, "Little Lady", written as J.C. Koch; A Darke Phantastique, featuring my short story, "Outsiders", written as J.C. Koch; and Unidentified Funny Objects 3, featuring my short story, "Live at the Scene". Preorders matter more and more to authors and publishers, so if you're planning to buy, please do your girl some major solids and preorder today!

In Person Update

I'll be in Chicago from 9-25 through 9-30. Trying to figure out a meet up, so if you're in Chicago or surrounding areas, let me know so you're on my list to contact when we finally figure out what we're doing. And yes, that includes signings. (Surgery sort of derailed good Chicago planning, so now we are on Seat of the Pants Chicago Planning, which is way more exciting. LOL)

I'll be a Featured Speaker at the Greater Phoenix MENSA RPG, so if you're in the Greater Phoenix Metro Area over Thanksgiving weekend, come on by and see the me!

I'm finalizing details for my December Book Tour, but I will definitely be at Mysterious Galaxy San Diego on December 6th, party starting at 2pm. And it will BE a party, with readings, games, and prizes, so make your plans to be there now!

In January 2015 I'll be teaching workshops at the San Diego State University Writer's Conference. This is a wonderful writer's con, loaded with successful authors, agents, and editors, so if you're only going to be able to go to one writer's conference, make this the one -- you'll be glad you did.

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So have wonderful weeks, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Schedules & Covers & Announcements, Oh My!

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone's been having a great week. I sure am! The edits for Universal Alien are done and it's turned in to the awesome editor, and I have a fun weekend planned with my crit partner, who's visiting Hell's Orientation Area in the middle of the monsoon season because, um, I'm worth it. (Yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking with it.) But there's lots going on, so let's get to it!

To start us out, it's official -- I'm going to be one of the authors in an upcoming X-Files anthology set, edited by Jonathan Maberry! There are just a TON of awesome authors included in this anthology set, and so far, there are 3 volumes planned, and I'll be in Vol. 3. Jonathan's shared the full list at Facebook if you want to peruse and see what other fave authors of yours are going to be a part of this. I'm really excited about being able to become a little part of the X-Files mythology, and while I can't say much about my story yet, I think it's safe to say that those of you who have a fondness for Gigantagator and Alliflash will enjoy it. ;-D

Another cool anthology I'm in, this one writing as J.C. Koch, is The Madness of Cthulhu Volume 1, edited by S.T. Joshi. This Lovecraftian anthology is coming October 7, 2014. But as we know, it's never too early to pre-order, so check out all the awesome authors in this with me and get your copy lined up today! I mean, did you check out the names on this cover? Look at them! (I'll wait.) SEE? It's a darned exciting anthology, this one, and your library won't be complete without it!

This will be one of three anthologies I'm in that are all coming out in October. In addition to The Madness of Cthulhu, I will also have a story in Unidentified Funny Objects 3, and Two Hundred and Twenty-One B Baker Streets. UFO 3 is edited by Alex Shvartsman and is filled with funny SF stories, and 221B is edited by David Moore and is filled with Sherlock Holmes stories set anywhere, any time, and anyhow, and both of them are made of awesome. And you can pre-order BOTH of them right now! I mean, why not be sure you have lots of fun things to read in October?

Also, lest you think that I'm only in these upcoming anthologies, I'm also in A Darke Phantastique, writing as J.C. Koch again. This another cool Lovecraftian and horror collection, edited by Jason Brock. The link is for the collector's edition, but there will be other editions coming down the line. And don't forget Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens, edited by Joshua Palmatier, and featuring "A Clockwork Alien". This one has been a little delayed, but should be out later this month.

After you've gazed at all these pretty covers, remember that the July issue of Penumbra eMagazine, featuring my next Alien series short, is on sale now. Don't miss out on "Mr. Dash Saves the World", and also don't miss out on the Gini Special, where you can get a full year's subscription for half price, plus the 2012 and 2013 Best Of issues. Use 2014Gini when you order to get the deal!

Next up, see what Larissa's Bookish Life chose as the top five book covers of the first half of 2014! And speaking of book covers, while I can't show it to all y'all yet, I've seen the final art for Universal Alien and Dan Dos Santos has done it yet again! The cover is GORGEOUS and I can't wait to share it with you the moment I'm allowed to!

Now it's time for my upcoming appearances schedule!

First up, San Diego Comic-Con! I'm there for the whole con, but here are my scheduled appearances:
Thursday, July 24 -- PANEL: World Building and Storytelling, Room 32AB, 7pm-8pm
Saturday, July 26 -- BOOK SIGNING, Mysterious Galaxy Booth #1119, 2:00pm - 2:30pm
Saturday, July 26 -- PANEL: Small Print 101 (Indie/Small Print Run Comics), Room 9, 8pm-9pm
Sunday, July 27 -- BOOK SIGNING, Penguin Booth #1028, 3:30-4:00 pm (Note: Penguin will be giving away 48 copies of Touched by an Alien -- you'll need to get tickets for that prior to the signing; I'll also be signing any other books anyone has with them.)

San Diego Peeps: Make sure to let me know if you'll be at SDCC so we can all meet up!

Saturday, August 2: I'll be signing at the Cosplay/Superhero Day at Dog-Eared Pages from 2pm-4pm.

Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 24: CopperCon FANtasm. I'm one of the author guests and this is a great, intimate con, where you get to hang out with all the guests and talk all things geek all weekend.

Late September: I'll be in the Chicago area. Appearance dates to come.

Friday, November 28 and Saturday, November 29: Greater MENSA Regional Gathering, Phoenix Phiesta XXXII -- "Phifty Shades of Mensa", at the Hilton Garden Inn in Central Phoenix. I'll be presenting on both days and non-MENSA members are encouraged to attend (and take the MENSA test, too!)

Saturday, December 6: Mysterious Galaxy San Diego, time TBD. I'll be signing Universal Alien either alone or at the MG Holiday Party. Hey, it's months away...plans change, but not this date, 'cause it's set. I'll have details on the rest of my book tour in a few weeks (but Las Vegas, there's a really excellent chance that I will be in you in December...just sayin'...)

Amazingly enough, I think that's it for today. But, as always, more's on the way. So 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