Fall is Almost Upon Us and I have No Idea Where August Went...

Greeting and Salutations good people... 'tis Ro again bringing you more updates from the land of Gini.

I hope the latter half of August continued to treat you kindly as we rocket (seriously I need maybe a month back) toward the official first day of Fall. And for those of you returning small humans -- or not so small humans, yay college -- to educational establishments...congratulations! Hat tip to you for making it through summer (hopefully) relatively unscathed... 

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Moving on to the comings and goings in the Giniverse:

Gini's Coming to a Venue/Event Near(ish) You! 

Gini is an author in demand (as fans we know and applaud this -- unless there's a deadline looming then we -- ok, I -- tend to get an urge to deploy duct-tape-to-chair measures). Which means there are some great opportunities coming up for you to come spend some time, ask a question or seven, get a signature or two, and *cough cough* buy some books from the lady herself this Fall: 

October

Saturday, October 1, 10:00am - 4:00pm: Gini will be a Main Tent Speaker at the inaugural High Desert Book Festival in Victorville, CA. She's presenting "Worldbuilding" at 1:30pm, followed by a Main Tent book-signing. Gini will also be at the book fair all day signing the bookie wookies and giving out hugs as is her wont.

She'll be doing book signings in the area as well, so SoCal, West AZ, and Vegas peeps keep your eyeballs peeled, we'll be updating shortly!

If you live on the east coast, your only opportunities in 2016 to see Gini in 3D will be at these next two events.

Friday-Sunday, October 14-16:  the 14th Annual James River Writers Conference in Richmond, VA, where she's a Featured Faculty Member. Gini will be teaching workshops on Friday the 14th and doing panels and signings on the 15th & 16th. Be sure to check the site and register for the Conference if you want the opportunity to talk writing with Gini and other authors in the quest to hone your own craft!

Sunday, October 16, 3pm: Book signing at Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA. This is open to the public, you do NOT need to attend the JRW Conference to attend.

November 
Friday-Sunday, November 4-6, 2015: Tucson Comic-Con
Gini will have a table in the exhibit hall selling and signing all the bookie wookies. Museum of Robots will be there with her, selling all the cool swag. Panel details to come.

DECEMBER
Book Tour for Alien Nation!

Saturday, December 10th: Mysterious Galaxy Holiday Party, San Diego, CA
Saturday, December 17th: Amazing Wyked Writers Mass Holiday Signing, Barnes & Noble, Henderson NV  

More stores and dates (and urls and all that jazz) to come. 

NEXT YEAR
 
July 1-4, 2017: Gini will be the Local Author Guest of Honor at ConAlope/Westercon 70 in Tempe, AZ. The con is focused on all things alien, so you know why they tapped our girl to do the LGoH gig!

Have no fear there will more places for me to loop you into with prime opportunities for Gini-sightings in the wild.

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The  Zombie Needs Brains Kickstarter launches at 12 pm EST August 31st, as in TODAY! 

Three new anthologies -- SUBMERGED (SF and F stories set underwater), ALL HAIL OUR ROBOT CONQUERORS! (SF stories with robots harkening back to the 50's/60's), and THE DEATH OF ALL THINGS (SF and F stories with Death as a character). Tons of special reward levels (tuckerizations, signed copies of books, etc.) and Early Backer and High Backer Incentives (free ebooks, bookmarks, postcards, etc), including many things being given by Gini. 

Gini is writing stories for two of these anthologies -- Submerged and All Hail. She's got tuckers available (Team Tuckerization, start your engines) and will be doing a horror short for Submerged, writing as J.C. Koch, and an Alien series short for All Hail. Don't miss out on your chance to get two new stories by Gini into your library!

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Help Member of the Collective, Lori, journey to the Last Thing She'll Ever See: This gofundme supports Lori on her way to making a beautiful memory before her eyesight fails completely. Sometimes, the best thing to do when faced with the inevitable is make it an adventure. 

Animal kids need love too!

If you know Gini at all (which of course you do), then you know she's all about saving the nanimals; as are many of members of the Collective. If you're looking for a place to show your support, in remembrance of our fallen member of the Alien Collective, please consider making a donation to one of Beth Vrabel's favorites: Odd Cat Out Sanctuary.

 

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Reviews and Raves From Around the Interwebs:

We know what we like about the works of Gini. I'm sure, you like me, have your favorites from amongst the clan.  

Once you've picked up your Z’porrah Power Cube Pendant from Museum of Robots (yes, I'm still fangirling over the swag) you should see what reviewers and publications have to say about some of Gini's books. 

Leave me a comment, let me know if you agree or disagree and what your favorite story is: 

Barnes and Noble included Camp Alien in their May New Book Roundup: "Koch is a master of the fine balance between the tense action and a hilarious one-liner."

Touched by an Alien makes Book Riot's June list of "10 Excellent Paranormal and Science Fiction Romance - "I didn’t know I wanted a Men in Black-inspired romance, and then I read this."

Musings and Ramblings: "I stayed up way past my bedtime reading this book. And no shame in my game, I enjoyed every minute of it" about Camp Alien.

Jean from Xtreme Delusions says: "I already know that I’m prone to fall into her books and get totally lost in the world of her characters. Camp Alien was no exception." 

Becky B from bibliognome says of Camp Alien: "Humor + Serious Situations + Aliens aplenty + Blasts from the Past = a tremendous read with more than enough momentum to keep dashing forward into the foreseeable future."

The People's Daily Morning Star declares: "Perhaps some purists will blanch at the liberties taken [in alt.sherlock.holmes] but I think most Holmes fans will enjoy seeing the essentials of the Baker Street legend illuminated anew by being shown from such different perspectives."

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Thinking of picking up a new show or catching a movie? Let Gini be your guide! Head over to Slice of SciFi and Pop Culture Geeks and check out her latest reviews:

• Killjoys (Season 2) 
• Ben-Hur  

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And last but certainly not least -- I feel I just have say BECAUSE SCIENCE!: 

How many of you good folk saw the ScienceAlert report about an Earth-like planet found in our closest system?

Image: ESO./L. Calçada/Nick Resigner 

I don't know about you, but I now dearly want to visit Proxima b (yes I know it's 4.2 light years away) as it may support life. I hereby volunteer as tribute for the cryo-chamber! That is, of course, AFTER the James Webb Space Telescope confirms the planet isn't dead and airless...

In other news of "matter is neither created nor destroyed:" Research recently published in The Astrophysical Journal indicates that the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way is an active hungry exploding thing. Seems the missing Milky Way mass was either consumed by the black hole or blown away leaving only a gaseous substance behind...here's hoping she doesn't feel the need to be that active or hungry again any time soon.

Ever since Jodie Foster sat in a field and listened to the silence from the stars only to have it one day talk back (yes, I did indeed make a Contact reference soooo *blink blink*) I've been WAITING for an announcement that some station SOMEWHERE in the real world picked up a signal. Well, it seems over a year ago a Russian radio did pick up an unexplained signal. Now that the information's been shared around (we'll just look past that whole waiting a year part) two SETI research groups turned the scopes to observe the star in question. Am I the only one hoping they conclude it was terrestrial interference?  *looks around* ok, so maybe it's just me, *skips away singing you are not alone, I am here with yoooou..."

*This moment in geekiness brought to you by too much surfing the interwebs in the predawn hours...while awaiting explanations in Alien Nation.

Cheers,

Ro

Update To Begin All The Updates...

Howdy all, Ro here... new member from the land of Team Gini.

My mission (which I accepted prior to getting the "to do" list) is to try and catch up the Giniverse news so someone *ahem* can keep her butt-in-seat and focus on all that writing we do so love reading. Have no fear, The Gini is alive and sassy just like we like her. 

So without further ado, let's commence the updating...

Coming soon to (another) a Kickstarter campaign near you! 

"Submerged" by Justin Adams, Varia Studios

Zombies Need Brains launches the mother of all campaigns for THREE new sci-fi/fantasy anthologies on August 31st! Each anthology's set to feature 14 new stories from some of our favorite sci-fi/fantasy authors. That's right,  no reprints, no re-releases, all new stories for you to peruse.  

The picture featured to the right is the cover art for Submerged. The artwork for all three campaigns, including this piece, comes courtesy of Justin Adams of Varia Studios.

Gini's contributing stories to two of the anthologies: All Hail Our Robot Conquerors and Submerged. Just to keep everyone on their toes. Team Tuckerization, start your engines, and anyone else who wants to be in a story of hers (the Submerged story will be horror, the Robot story will be an Alien series short) get ready.  Check out the campaign page for further info. They're planning a serious mix of prize goodness, including ebooks from Gini, at various backer times and levels. Be an early backer...you know you want to. 

New way to keep in the loop on the Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series news AND MORE: 

Gini's publisher for the Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series, DAW, launched a new newsletter.

 The DAW newsletter features: new releases, e-book and back-list promotions, giveaways, especially exciting media hits DAWthors have in the preceding month, and other most excellent news. 

To take advantage of this direct from the publisher way to add to your Giniverse news stream, SIGN UP, then watch your inbox!  

Swag from the Giniverse: 

If you haven't had a chance to swing by Museum of Robots  and check out the collection of items available from the multi-verse of Gini you're totally missing out!  

You know you need a Poof tote. ...just look at it. 

I won't lie, I waved the Poof in many a person's face at SDCC this year. It's not my fault Mous-Mous felt feisty. I just facilitated the attitude. I mean, who am I to deny a Fluff Baby?

                                                                                                                 

Interviews around the Interwebs: 

As you're aware, Gini's been out and about this summer. All that go-go-go equals plenty of interviews to be found online.

In May: 

In betwixt holding court and signing all the things, Gini took a timeout during the Mysterious Galaxy birthday bash to sit down with geekitude to chat about the goings on in the Giniverse.

Gini also spent some time with Creative Play and Podcast chatting about "her writing trials and tribulations," her book, Plush Life, and the Kickstartered anthology MECH: Age of Steel.


 
If you've not had a chance to meet the Gini in the wild (or even if you have), here's the video of her full talk during the signing for Camp Alien at The Poisoned Pen on May 23rd:

and then comes...July: 

If you ever had a question you wanted to ask Gini but didn't feel you could (although, let's face it you can always ask...and you know she always answers) check out a her interview Q and A from Writerly Things. Mayhap author Tristan Vick already asked it for you. 

And to give you a wee taste of the goings-on from SDCC 2016, watch the video from the Worldbuilding panel wherein Gini and her fellow authors: Jon Skovron, Claudia Christian, Seanan McGuire, Brandon Mull, and Scott Sigler, with moderator Cindy Pon, discuss how they build a living, breathing environment for their characters.

Early August feature: 

Since the Giniverse transcends borders (and time...) check out this interview with Zwartraafje. (Yes, it's in Dutch, but don't worry -- there's an English translation included. Just scroll down...all the way down...and it'll be there.) The interview celebrates all things Gini and, who knows, you may learn something you'd yet to discover.  Gini guarantees that you will, since there were some very new questions asked.

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I know, you're wondering if any movie-going or TV watching went on in the time of silence; this is Gini, so OF COURSE movies happened. If you missed any reviews head on over to  Slice of SciFi and Pop Culture Geeks check out what she thought of: 

• Warcraft
• Finding Dory 
• The Legend of Tarzan
• The Secret Life of Pets
• Ghostbusters
• War Dogs

And now a few for moments in SCIENCE: 

This week at NASA we reexamine when a supernova actually happened in our galaxy. Give it a read and see why their findings stripped away the exploded planet's connection to an event previously recorded by the Chinese, thereby kicking it from the annuls of history. 

For those of you following all things Planet Nine (I still say we're up to planet ten because number nine is Pluto now and forever-My Very Educated Mother Just Served U Nine Pickles!- yes, I hold a grudge against Pluto Killers dangit), I hope you caught the Science Alert piece on what Physicists think Planet Nine really is back in June. 

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I'd hate for you to be tired of me all in one go so I think that's it for now. Have no fear there's more to come ( I didn't even get to the part where I clue you in to the things coming [back] to the Giniverse (there's this Instagram account just SITTING there...) or all the latest places you can find reviews and commentary on the works of Gini around the webisphere or who she wants to shout out and support. 

Leave me a comment below, let me know what you'd like to be kept up-to-date about or things you'd like to see added to the news blasts.

So stay tuned, more to come, and I'll catch you on the flip side (I do hereby solemnly swear I used this phrase before ever meeting Gini, talking to Gini or reading her blog...blame Rocco from Boondock Saints).

Ro

Requiem

This was supposed to be an update to recap SDCC and about things going on and contests starting and whatnot. But it's not going to be that thing after all.

R.I.P. Beth, you are & will be missed

We lost a Member of the Alien Collective in Very Good Standing, Elizabeth "Beth" Vrabel, last night to a sudden, unexpected, massive heart attack. She was in her late 40's, making this loss even more shocking. Her best friend, Tera Ireland, has shared what happened on Facebook if you want the full details.

Beth has been a part of the Alien Collective for so long that I can't remember when she joined up -- in my memory, she's just always been there, being cool and fun and encouraging. We talked all the time on Facebook and in emails, she was part of Team Tuckerization because she was always supporting any Kickstarter I was in, and she was looking into coming to Westercon 70 next year so we could finally meet in person. And now that will never be.

Beth was a fun, cool, funny, and loving person, and she will be greatly missed. She loved many things, but animals -- her cats in particular -- were number one. If you'd like to make a donation in her name (since she was clear that she didn't want flowers or similar), please consider one of her favorites, the Odd Cat Out Sanctuary or any no kill shelter, animal rescue, or wildlife fund you personally support.

Also, if you're in the Portland, Oregon area, Beth's three cats are currently with Tera but will need to be re-homed as Tera's cats are indoor/outdoor and Beth's are indoor only. If you are able to take one or (hopefully) all 3 of them, please keep a lookout -- Tera will be handling their placement, probably starting next week (and I'll send out that information as I get it). Right now, things are too raw and she doesn't want to do something out of grief that might not be best for Beth's beloved furbabies who are all very confused and missing their Furmom.

Hug the people you love and like, call those you can't hug in person, don't put off until tomorrow sharing what someone means to you. In case all y'all weren't sure, I love and appreciate each and every one of you and am glad you're in my life in whatever way you are. Stay you, stay strong, stay together.

Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side.

Love,
Gini