And Yet...More Winning

Happy Friday! Yes, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, it's true -- you just can't stop the winning signal. We've had 9 winners of a copy of The Night Beat, and one lucky winner of a copy of both The Night Beat and Skein of Shadows by Marsheila Rockwell.

But, it's not over yet! That's right, the second half of the Double Kickass Heroines contest is on! Just leave a comment on this blog post with your name and email address, which also notes who YOUR fave kickass heroine is any time from today, Friday, July 27, through Sunday, August 5th. One winner will receive an ebook copy of BOTH books, to be announced in the week of August 6th. And yes, the contest is open internationally.*

I know! It's too happy to be true! But it is, so get some more win on and get your bad selves entered to win! Yes, contest is open to everyone. So...who's YOUR favorite kickass heroine?

Love,
Gini

Note: Not all the winners of The Night Beat Hook Me Up! exclusive contest have checked in yet, so if you entered, check yesterday's Blah, Blah, Blah Blog lest you not claim your prize in time and therefore forfeit it to someone else.
*International winner will only get a copy of The Night Beat, due to restrictions the authors have no control over.

Winner, Winner, Undead Dinner

Well, as I'm sure you've guessed by the title, the votes are in, the Gods of Random have spoken, and the winners of The Night Beat are ready to be announced. But first, let's get caught up on some business, shall we?

Congrats are in order to Jo Jones, who won a copy of both The Night Beat and Skein of Shadows by Marsheila Rockwell. Never fear, though...there's another chance to win, both books, and it's coming soon.

But before then, see what both Larissa's Bookish Life and Calliope's Domain chose as the top 5 fictional houses they'd like to live in. Then see what Guys Lit Wire thought of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch (yes, moi, in case you've forgotten ;-D). And last but not least, head over to My 5 Monkeys and catch the start of Loki's Alien vs. Alien Pre-Release Tour.

And now, y'all want the winners, don't you? Well, wait no more! In no particular order of greatness ('cause they're all great), here are the winners of a copy of The Night Beat:

1. writewithbutterflywings

2. Adrian Payne

3. Denise Z.

4. Victoria Slobada

5. Krissa Klein

6. Linda J./Guinan

7. Terri Waddell

8. Bananas in the Void

9. Scarlett

WINNERS TAKE NOTE: Remember that all winners MUST send an email to gini@ginikoch.com by Tuesday, July 31 (extended from prior notices), or your prize will be forfeited and the Gods of Random will choose another recipient. In the email, if you live outside the U.S., please provide what e-version you want/need. If you're within the U.S., please advise if you want electronic or trade paperback, and, if electronic, what e-version you want/need, or, if trade paperback, your full mailing address (including first & last name, please).

Congrats to all the winners, and, until next time, aka tomorrow, when yet another contest will be announced and you just might finally get my Comic-Con Recap, peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Workin' for the Weekend

Honies...I'm ho-ome!

Happy Friday! Hope everyone had a fab time while I was off in beautiful San Diego with just a hundred and fifty thousand of my friends and colleagues. Comic-Con was, as always, awesome (and yes, I brought home goodies that will go into the big Combo Con Contest that's coming sometime soon).

But a lot's been going on while I was off checking out Avengers costumes and trying to get close enough to kidnap Nathan Fillion (sadly, I was thwarted AGAIN...it's as if they KNOW I'm trying to catch him or something) all while getting to do two awesome panels and a super book signing and MORE, so let's get to all that went on whilst I was away, shall we?

First off, a reminder that you only have through the end of TODAY, Friday, June 20th, to get your entries in for a chance to win a copy of The Night Beat. It's for Hook Me Up! only, so if you're not on, be quick like a bunny and send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line. You'll be in and get the info for how to register to win!

You also only have until July 23 to enter to win two books -- The Night Beat, and Skein of Shadows by Marsheila Rockwell. Head over to They're Biodegradeable and get entered now, before it's too late!

Now, onto some reviews! Check out what Bibliognome, Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, and Readaholics Anonymous thought of The Night Beat. Not yet convinced to grab The Night Beat today? Check out Bibliognome's Sentence Sneak Peek to whet your appetite. Then see what Gameolosophy thought of Touched by an Alien, and what Long and Short Reviews thought of Hotter Than Hell, by Jemma Chase (yes, yet another side of moi).

Next, see what Larissa's Bookish Life picked as her Favorite Names of Female Characters.

Reminder that the next stop on the Split Personality Summer Signing Tour will be August 5, 2012, from 2:00-4:00 at The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, AZ. I'll be signing Alien Diplomacy, Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, and The Night Beat, and whatever else you have on you. Don't miss out, because I sign AND give you chocolate, and that's a hard combination to beat.

Now, I'd like to take a moment to thank a couple of the Members of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing. There was a pirate attack of the most plagiaristic (is too a word) kind while I was at Comic-Con. It affected me and several very impressive authors (so, I was in rather stellar company, which was flattering, in its way). You can get a run down on what happened at John Scalzi's blog, Whatever and also get an identity on the plagiarist/pirate/thief (hey, should you see his name, anywhere, know that it's attached to someone else's work that he's trying to steal). But I'd like to thank Nicole Snyder and Colette Chmiel for leaping into action when they discovered what was going on and going down, and getting it stopped, pretty close to immediately. My title (Alien in the Family) was "saved" the fastest of all the books, and it's because of these two wonderful gals who were ever vigilant for pirate-plagiarist danger. (Extra A-C clones to those women! On the double!)

My Comic-Con wrap up will be long, so I think we'll save it for another day, when there's a little less excitement going on. So, enjoy the tour around the interwebs, have wonderful weekends, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

GMail (Hates Me)

Not sure how those affected will see this, but hope likes to spring eternal. Apparently Gmail has, in at least some instances, decided that my emails are evil spam. So, if you're on Hook Me Up! and haven't heard from me (or are waiting for a reply and haven't heard from me) and you're on Gmail, check ye olde spamme filters and folders for my missives, because chances are good that they're in there.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

Love,
Gini

Last One for the Road

Hope everyone had a great weekend and a good Monday (or, well, you know, as good a Monday as it's possible to have). Mine was spent being very busy because, as you know, I'm heading to San Diego Comic-Con in a matter of hours. But before we go to radio silence (other than the occasional Twitter update), I wanted to get you all caught up on the latest going's ons.

First up, check out what Larissa's Bookish Life and Calliope's Domaine say are the top 5 book covers so far of 2012. And see who Bibliognome picked as the top 5 favorite fictional families.

Now for some reviews. See what Geek Dad at Wired.com thought of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch (yes, moi), check out what Calliope's Domain thought of Alien Diplomacy, and then see the first review for The Night Beat up at Amazon.com.

The next stop after Comic-Con on my Split Personality Summer Signing Tour will be August 5, 2012, from 2:00-4:00 at The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, AZ. I'll be signing Alien Diplomacy, Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, and The Night Beat, so be there or miss out on the signing frenzy (and yes, chocolate will also be making an appearance).

Can't make it to the Greater Phoenix Metro Area next month? No worries, The Poisoned Pen has you covered. I'm totally excited to announce that The Pen's just added moi to their exclusive Autographed Editions Program where you can not only buy the books (and yes, they ship internationally) and get them signed, but you can also get them personalized, just like you were here, or there, or...well, I think you know where I'm going with this. BTW, check out the other authors on the program, because I'm sure you'll recognize their names and books.

And, to complete The Poisoned Pen Trifecta, Alexander Outland: Space Pirate was chosen as a Staff Pick by the discerning and wonderful Pat King! But that's not all! To add to the coolness and discerningness of charming guys named Patrick, Alexander Outland: Space Pirate was also chosen as a Staff Pick by Patrick Heffernan at Mysterious Galaxy Books! So, clearly, if your name is Pat, you're gonna love this book, but I think those with other names will enjoy it, too.

Contest Reminders:
The Hook Me Up! exclusive contest for The Night Beat is still going strong. If you haven't entered yet, fix that situation right away! Not on? Don't delay, the contest ends July 20th. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line, you'll be subscribed and the contest entry rules will be sent to you, easy peasy.

Also, awesome author Marsheila Rockwell and I are doing a dual book giveaway. You can win a copy of The Night Beat AND a copy of Skein of Shadows. First chance to win a set is at They're Biodegradeable. Get entered now, contest ends July 23rd.

Well, all that should keep all y'all busy until I get back. So, have a great rest of this week, weekend, and start of next week, and I'll catch you way on the flip side. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's remember to be readers out there!

Love, 
Gini

Weekend Roundup

Happy (late) Friday! By the time most of you read this, it'll probably be Saturday. But hey, I have an excuse. I had to visit the doctor, aka the Vampire Squad, earlier this week and what with all the blood they drained, I was out of it for about a day and a half. But I feel great now! Ahahahahaha! I don't even look all that pale any more! *thud* No, no, really. I feel awesome. Honest. *double thud*

But I digress, and since there's plenty going on, let's stop talking about the "fun" I've had the last couple of days and get onto the more interesting stuff, shall we? We shall.

First up, head over to Literary Escapism where the potentially most in-depth and accurate round-up of releases new and coming exists. Catch lots of info on books you might not have realized were out or about to be out, as well as contests, interviews, etc.

Then it's on to the reviews. See what Fantasy Literature and catty-wumpus thought of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch (yes, moi), what A.B. Keuser thought of Alien Proliferation, and what Alien Invasion at Science Fiction Reviews thought of When Josie Comes Home by A.E. Stanton (yes, also moi).

Then see what My Not So Vacant Shelf read in June and how she ranked and rated her reads. And Fictitious Musings shares a little more about the new cover for Alien vs. Alien.

Contest Reminders
There's a lot going on, contests-wise. There's still time to get entered to win one of 9 copies of The Night Beat that are up for grabs. True, the contest is for Hook Me Up! subscribers only. Not on? Get on! Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be in and on your way to winning!

Marsheila Rockwell and I are doing a joint giveaway this month and two lucky winners will get both a copy of The Night Beat AND a copy of Skein of Shadows! The first half of the giveaway's large and in charge at her site (the second half will be at mine), so head over to They're Biodegradeable share which kick-ass heroine is your favorite, and get entered to win. Yes, is IS that easy!

In Person Reminders
San Diego Comic-Con. Me. There. Find me if you'll be there, too. Find me how? Look for the gal in the pink, sparkly cowgirl hat. But find me specifically at these events:
Guerrilla Marketing Panel, 8pm Saturday, July 14, Room 9
Stunted Fools and Scary-Ass Clowns Panel, 10am, July 15, Room 25ABC
Book Signing, 11:30am-12:30pm, July 15, Autograph Area, Table AA04

I'll be at CopperCon 32 from August 31-September 3. Lots going on, so if you're in or around the Greater Phoenix Metro Area, definitely make plans to join us on Labor Day Weekend!

It's quite a ways away, but I'll also be at Arizona Dreamin' May 31-June 1, 2013. Great event, lots of one-on-one time with a LOT of authors. Ticket prices start climbing bit by bit on August 1st, so if you're planning on attending, get your tickets now.

That's it for today. I hope to yap at you once more before I hit the road for Comic-Con and all that is great and good and massive about geekdom. So, have wonderful weekends and I'll catch you on the flip side! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

Just Another Winning Release Day

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a fab weekend and is ready for a great week ahead. I myself saw Magic Mike with the chicklet, and we both agreed Rock of Ages was better, probably showed as much skin, and was a much more fun experience. (It's true -- they had the nerve to give Magic Mike a PLOT and it was a DOWNER plot, at that. Oh, the humanity.) But enough of my cinematic disappointments (particularly the disappointment of not nearly enough screen time for Matt "James Reader" Bomer, which was the biggest travesty of all in regards to Morose Mike) because there's a lot going on. So let's get to it!

First off, as I mentioned last week and the subject line reiterates, the first book in my new Necropolis Enforcement Files series, The Night Beat, officially releases today. And while I want you all to rush right out and get your copies -- at Amazon, B&N.com, or Smashwords -- there's a Hook Me Up! exclusive contest going on right now. Of course, if you're not on Hook Me Up! you can't enter. So fix that problem and send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and get in with the winning in crowd.

Want a little info about The Night Beat? Check out the alert at Pearls Cast Before a McPig.

But, there are other releases this week, and therefore MORE ways to win! Yes, it's true! My BFF Marsheila Rockwell's next awesome book, Skein of Shadows, releases tomorrow, July 3. And, to celebrate, Marcy and I are doing a double Kick-Ass Heroines giveaway. You can win a copy of her book AND my book, and you'll get chances to win both at both of our sites. So, head over to They're Biodegradeable and get entered to win for the first half of this giveaway.


Also, during this month, you'll get to hear from me and Marcy about what it's like "behind the scenes" when we're at cons. Or, rather, you'll hear from Margi Kochwell, who'll tell it like it REALLY is.

Next up, a Member of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing has just launched a blog, so head over to Bama's Book Ramblings and give her blog some brand new love.

Speaking of families that get created, see which fictional families Larissa's Bookish Life thinks are tops.

In Person Reminder -- I'll be at San Diego Comic-Con from July 11-15. Look for the gal in the pink, sparkly cowgirl hat. But find me specifically at these events:
Guerrilla Marketing Panel, 8pm Saturday, July 14, Room 9
Stunted Fools and Scary-Ass Clowns Panel, 10am, July 15, Room 25ABC
Book Signing, 11:30am-12:30pm, July 15, Autograph Area, Table AA04

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

Love,
Gini