You Asked, I Wrote

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a fun and restful weekend and are ready to roll right into all the fun this week's gonna hold! So, let's not delay and get right to the good stuff.

You asked, nay begged, demanded, guilted, and in some cases requested very politely, for a new installment of "The Creation Agent". For those who haven't really searched the website (and, in that case, I have to ask, "Why NOT?"), "The Creation Agent" is an online, serialized novel for my web readers only. And, yes, the long-awaited latest installment is up at Expanded Universes. Check it out, and if you haven't read it yet, now's the time to get caught up. (You can fill the time waiting for "Alien in the Family" with catching up on "The Creation Agent". I'm a giver, me.) There are also a plethora of humor shorts in "The Misadventures of Kiki" and "Random Musings" up at Expanded Universes as well.

Next up, check out a lovely review of "Alien Tango" from Mark of the Stars. Then head to Aria's Dark Musings... to see what she thought of "Touched by an Alien". Leave some Alien Collective love while you're visiting!

Then check out what the Order of Smut Vixens has going for Valentine's Day. Yes, Jeff Martini is involved in some way, as are a whole lot of other book hotties, so don't miss out!

If you haven't yet, check out the Dueling Authors interview with me and Joshua Palmatier/Benjamin Tate over at DAW Community Blog. And you still have time to get entered into the drawing for an "Alien Tango" notebook and pen over at Book Lovers Inc., not to mention the main prize drawing.

Speaking of winning, we have a lot of it coming in February. Stay tuned -- tomorrow brings a new kind of interview along with a fun contest with an assortment of prizes you're sure to love. Trust me, you're gonna love 'em.

Of course, the phrase "first contest" indicates there is another contest coming. There is, indeed. It's the ARC Giveaway for "Alien in the Family", as a matter of fact. But...it's for Hook Me Up! subscribers only.

Not on Hook Me Up! yet? Now's the time to fix that, and fast. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line. That's all there is to it. You'll be "in", get all the news first and fastest, have access to all those exclusive contests, and more. Such a deal! And, did I mention the Hook Me Up! exclusive "Alien in the Family" ARC Giveaway? I did? Good, good.

Love,
Gini

Yapping Yaps of Yappingness

Happy Friday!

Hope everyone had a wonderful week and has an even better weekend planned. As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, my exciting plan is taking The Prince of Purrsia, Squirrel and Big Baby in for routine vet checkups. Won't THAT be fun? (It'll be more fun than taking the entire Canine Death Squad and all the Killer Kitties in at once, I can tell you that.)

But enough about my Busy, Busy Afternoon. We have STUFF to get to! As mentioned and promised, we have a lot going on today, but most importantly, my first ever dual interview, where awesome author Joshua Palmatier interviews me and I interview him. We ask each other the hard questions (like, What do you drink? and, How early do you start?) so you don't want to miss Dueling Authors at the DAW Books Community Blog. Head over, leave some Alien Collective love, you know the drill.

Next, head over to Lynette's Two Cents and see what she had to say about "Alien Tango". Then hit Book Rants where she's got a review of Tanya Huff's "Summon the Keeper". Why am I mentioning this? I love Tanya, and per the reviewer, if you like my series, you'll like this book, too! Then hit Escape Between the Pages and see what she's looking forward to reading most in 2011.

There's more coming next week, including the next installment of "The Creation Agent" (yes, it's TRUE!), a very special interview, and the start of a new contest, so stay tuned. Until then, keep on reading and get down with your bad selves!

Love,
Gini

Character Interview & Mega Prizes

Today's blog is pubbing a little later than usual 'cause, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, I spent the morning chatting it up and sharing spoilers at the 2nd Birthday Chat. But, despair not if you missed it, 'cause there're other cool happenings today, too!

Head right over to Tigris Eden's Forbidden Blog and check out the second part of the two-part interview...this part with characters from the Alien series taking the mic, so to speak.

Leave a comment, and then be sure to leave a comment on yesterday's interview and review of "Alien Tango" combo post, too. Why? Because there are some amazing prizes being given away, but only to those who leave comments on BOTH blog posts.

What prizes, you ask? Well, let me tell you!

The Grand Prize: Signed, Limited Edition Gini Bag; Signed & personalized copy of "Touched by an Alien"; Signed & personalized copy of "Alien Tango"; Full set of cover postcards (3); Full set of cover magnets (3); Set of Gini Koch & Anita Ensal flyers (one each signed & personalized); Alien Tango pen; Alien Tango mousepad; Alien Collective baseball cap; Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, and Alien in the Family cover flats, all signed & personalized; Team Martini magnet (winner can swap for Team Christopher or Team Gator instead)

Collective Pack: Alien Collective totebag; Alien Collective mousepad; Alien Collective baseball cap; Alien Collective pen; Full set of cover postcards (3); Full set of cover magnets (3); Set of Gini Koch and Anita Ensal flyers (one each signed & personalized); Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, and Alien in the Family cover flats, all signed & personalized; Team Martini magnet (winner can swap for Team Christopher or Team Gator instead)

Once you're all entered, head over to Mark of the Stars and check out her interview with awesome author Amber Scott, who lists some of her inspirations, as well as sharing an excerpt from her latest, "Love Lust".

Remember that you still have time to get entered to win an "Alien Tango" spiral notebook and pen if you leave a comment at my Guest post at Book Lovers Inc.

That's a lot of winning going on. So go forth and good luck to all!

Love,
Gini

Live Chat!

To make it even easier to join the live chats, we have a lovely linky to said chatroom on the Newsy Stuff page.

Scroll down below the counter for "Alien in the Family" and click on Gini's Chatroom. The registration box will pop up -- if you've registered already, put in your name and password. If you haven't, just click the Connect button. Once in the chat, you can select the Options tab at the lower right, and choose Change Nickname. As long as the name you've chosen isn't already taken, you'll be able to change your nickname to whatever you want.

See you there, where the Yap Runs Live!

Love,
Gini

Yap Chattin'

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and rested up their fingers, 'cause, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, the Yap Chats tonight and tomorrow! But, before we get to that, and all the fun stuff and prizes surrounding it, let's get caught up on everything else going on!

First off, we have some new reviews. Check out what the I Smell Sheep gang and The Bilbiophilic Book Blog think of "Alien Tango". Then head over to see what Escape Between the Pages and Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell think of "Touched by an Alien".

Then see what the Book Lovers Inc. are all anticipating, their fave reads, and more. And don't forget that you can still win by posting a comment at my Guest Blog at BLI as well!

In anticipation of tonight's chat, check out what Hanging with Bells has posted to whet the ol' appetites.

And now for tonight's main event. Head over to Tigris Eden's Forbidden Fruits & Carnal Pleasures and check out the first of a two-part interview with moi as well as her review for "Alien Tango". Part two of the interview, which includes characters from the series, will be posted tomorrow. Then come back tonight and/or tomorrow, and participate in my first EVER live chats as an author. It's my birthday, and you guys get the presents!

All the deets are at the site under the Contests & Goodies and believe me, there are goodies galore being given away, including a Limited Edition Gini Bad loaded with swag. Don't miss this event! Chat and contest are both international.

Chat Times:
Jan 24/evening
5pm PST/6pm MST/7pm CST/8pm EST/UK 1AM/Asia Pacific 10AM

Jan 25/morning
8:30AM PST/9:30AM MST/10:30AM CST/11:30 EST/UK 4:30PM/Asia Pacific 1:30AM

To Sign Onto the Chats
Instructions to chat:
Link to Chat
Click Sign in - Don't need a Password (unless you're already registered with the site, then you can enter your user name and password)
Then on the right hand side of the chat (once logged in) you will see the "List Rooms", Click on that
Will take you to a forum
You will see a box then to the right of that it will say Join Room
In the box type the Room Name which is Gini_Koch_ (type in exactly, with both underscores)
Click Join Room and Viola you're in
Click on Options Drop down Arrow to change your name
In the Options menu choose Change Nick Name as long as the name has never been used it's good...

Be there or be parasitic superbeing bait!

Love,
Gini

The Yap Talks Cats

Happy Thursday! Miss me? Yeah, I know, I've been hiding in the Cage (what we sort of fondly call my small office) because, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, my galley edits on "Alien in the Family" were due...fast. I'm done now, and, with the help of time, alcohol, Coca-Cola and the kindness of strangers, I might recover soon from doing three full detailed edits on a 460 page book in less than a week. Soonish. Somewhere before the end of first quarter, anyway.

But enough about that, other than to mention that "Alien in the Family" cover flats are on their way so those of you who want one should keep an eye on the Free Stuff page.

There's been a ton that's gone and is going on, so let's get all caught up on that! First off, head on over to Book Lovers Inc. where they're having their blogoversary and there's not only a guest blog from moi, but also several chances to win some swag. Don't miss you chance to win -- head over and comment right away!

Next, head over to Parajunkee's View and check out her review of "Alien Tango". Then head to Pages of Forbidden Love and check out her review of "Touched by an Alien". Then go to A Buckeye Girl Reads and see Part 1 of her review of "Love and Rockets", where my Anita Ensal short, "Wanted", gets reviewed.

My 5 Monkeys has a Twitter & Authors post up. The Dragon Page Podcasts has new things in. A Buckeye Girl Reads did a lovely giveaway of "Touched by an Alien", and many congrats to the winner! And check out what Bookworm Lisa got in her mail.

There's lots new up at the website. Check out Bookstore, Accolades for both "Touched by an Alien" and "Alien Tango" (if you've done a review of either book and your review is not listed here, please let me know so we can rectify), Extra Me! including a new Ask Gini Q&A, and Sightings in the Wild.

Reminder that I'll be doing my first live chats ever over at Tigris Eden's Forbidden Fruits & Carnal Pleasures on Monday, Jan. 24th and Tuesday, Jan 25th -- times are listed at the site. In addition to the chats themselves, there will be lots of cool prizes you'll want a shot at, so get registered and mark your calendars (oh, and no questions are off limits, either ;-D).

Lots more on the way, including the Dueling Authors interview with me and Joshua Palmatier on Friday, Jan. 28th, but I think that's enough for today. So, until next time, have a wonderful weekend, keep on reading, and I'll yap ya on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Thursday Roundup

Happy Thursday!

Well, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, my big news is that I didn't have to go to Jury Duty yesterday. Yes, truly, I was all prepared -- heavy pen, iPod, hairspray, bad attitude -- but I was released from bondage the night before, and so got to spend the day doing crazy things like writing. I know! What was the courts system thinking?

But enough of my dashed dreams of stopping a forming superbeing or getting to explain the real reasons no one wants me on their jury to a bunch of lawyers and a judge, let's get onto the newsy stuff.

Examiner.com Tucson has an interview up with yours truly regarding the Tucson Festival of Books. If you're planning to attend the 4th largest festival in the country, be sure to let me know you're coming, catch my panel, and find me at the Mysterious Galaxy booth! More details as we get closer to the date.

In review news, Night Owl Reviews has a new review of "Alien Tango", and Errant Dreams Reviews has a great review up of "Boondocks Fantasy" (where I have a short story included under my Anita Ensal pen name).

BookMom has now added photographic proof to show that her purse really is like Kitty's. And My 5 Monkeys is chatting about what books various bloggers are buzzing about. And, because I cannot help but share this, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith has a Q&A article about American Idol and, what interests me more, Aersomith up at AZCentral.com. There's a new Aersomith album coming, which makes me the happiest author around! (Though it's like the worst pic of him they could possibly find...what's up with THAT newspeople?)

Coming up, on Jan. 20th I'll be guest blogging at Book Lovers Inc. for their blogoversary. On Jan. 24th & 25th it's my first EVER live chats over at Tigris Eden's Forbidden Fruits & Carnal Pleasures -- remember you need to register for the chat -- that's also loaded with awesome giveaways. And on Jan. 28th the Dueling Authors interview with me and Joshua Palmatier will go live at the DAW Books Community.

The website is getting a much-needed updating. New things are up at Free Stuff, the Alien Collective Depot, Cool Links, Sightings in the Wild, and the Blog Roll (see the sidebar...the now very, very LONG sidebar :-D). More updates to come. (Yes, we're keeping Team Gini busy!)

Speaking of busy, my galley edits for "Alien in the Family" should be arriving shortly. So while you may not hear a ton from me next week (um, 'cause I have a week to do said edits on the longest book by far in the series), know that I'll be thinking of all of you. And only spending some of that time wishing you could help me with the editing.

In case I don't yap at you all before then, everyone have a wonderful Martin Luther King, Jr. day and remember to be good to one another!

Love,
Gini

The Yap Has a Drink or Two

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a fun weekend! As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, I sure did, especially because I was hanging out on The Galaxy Express chatting it up with my gal pal Agent Z and tossing back a few. Check out the transcript and see what happens when someone gives me truth serum.

After that, head over to Simply Books for a new review of "Touched by an Alien". Then hit Mixed Book Bag for a new review of "Alien Tango".

Then check out the blog hopping and following and what new series they lead to over at That Bookish Girl and Parajunkee's View. Then see the Top 5 Book Covers that Larissa's Bookish Life is anticipating for 2011 -- yes, "Alien in the Family" is on that list!

Finish up by checking out what all Book Mom carries in her purse, which she swears isn't the same size as Kitty's purse (though I have my doubts).

Remember that my first live chats EVER will be going on January 24th & 25th over at Tigris Eden's Forbidden Fruits & Carnal Pleasures. You need to register for the chat, so get that taken care of, because in addition to getting to talk to moi live and in real time, there are a TON of awesome prizes that are going to be given away and you won't want to miss out (trust me on this one). Chat times and some, but not all, of the prizes are listed on the page.

Until next time, spread that Alien Collective love and enjoy!

Love,
Gini

Thursday Roundup

Well, the new year's off to quite the start, isn't it? It's been busy at the casa, what with the new furry family members creating their own kind of havoc, "Boondocks Fantasy" releasing, and the smell of (many) deadlines in the air. Or maybe that's just the Canine Death Squad. But at any rate, 2011 is off to an exciting beginning and it looks like it's gonna be a contender.

First up today, as my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, we have some new reviews. Check out what Book Mom has to say about "Alien Tango" and what Ramblings of a Book Bitch thinks of "Touched by an Alien".

Then check out what books are the paperback bestsellers at Mysterious Galaxy right now! (Hint: one starts with Alien and ends with Tango).

There are new pics up at Sightings in the Wild. Have a shot of you with any of the books or swag? Send it in and have your pictures live on in infamy!

A couple of head's up notices. On Sunday, Jan. 9th my latest interview with Agent Z from The Galaxy Express will be large and in charge. And on the 24th and 25th I'll be doing my first live chats over at Tigris Eden's Forbidden Fruits & Carnal Pleasures that will also include a big international giveaway. All info, including times of the chats, is listed on the contest page. There's more in between those two, but we like to leave you wanting more.

And on that note...we leave you now and remind you to have a wonderful weekend gettin' down with your bad selves!

Love,
Gini

Welcome, Mr. New Year!

Happy first blog of 2011! Hope you all had a fun, happy, safe and healthy New Year's weekend. Now, it's back to business! And what's our business? The business of fun! At least, that's how I see it.

As my Hook Me Up! subscribers already know, a lot went on out in the Greater Blogosphere Area over the past few days, so let's get right to it!

First off, the urban/rural fantasy anthology, "Boondocks Fantasy", releases today from DAW Books. I have a short story in it under my Anita Ensal pen name, "Being Neighborly", and there are other great stories, too, by authors like Gene Wolfe, Timothy Zahn, Anton Strout, and more. It's available in mass market and ebook formats, so get your copy today! DAW Books Review has a full listing of all of today's DAW releases, as well as a teaser for some fun things to come. (Yes, said fun things include moi.)

On the exciting news front, The Salt Lake County Library System does a Reader's Choice award yearly, and "Touched by an Alien" has been nominated! Results announced in April, but it's definitely a thrill to be on the list! Confessions of a Book Habitue has the full listing of nominated books.

Speaking of lists, we've got some more Best Of 2010 for you. Check out what Thrifty Reader, Ex Libris, Books, According to Nicole, and Novel Reaction all loved for 2010.

This is also the time for Anticipations for 2011 lists. Check out what Mixed Book Bag and Nothing but Reading Challenges on Goodreads are looking forward to this year. And The Galaxy Express has a current listing of all 2011 SFR releases.

The Monthly Aspectarian has an interesting article on SFR, SF/F and other things, including "Touched by an Alien".

Then, the I Smell Sheep crew have some cool pics, including one of awesome author Amber Scott hangin' in Syndey, Australia in her stylin' Sheeped by an Alien t-shirt and holding this season's must have accessory, "Alien Tango". And speaking of pics, there are new ones up on Sightings in the Wild -- check 'em out and send in any of your own for the Book Walls!

Finally, for those keeping score at home, Catfest 2010 ended with a purr, not a caterwaul. The Interlopers have been accepted as Junior Members of the Killer Kitties League, and Mr. Fluffykins, after ruining one of my fave purses and showing me in some other ways that he never wants this kind of disruption again, has decided to forgive me. Dementia Kitty is her usual self and back on her feeding schedule. Lapcat and Squirrel are enjoying livin' large. And the Canine Death Squad have grudgingly accepted that they now have to wait TWO CATS LONGER to get their breakfast and have also settled down. So, all is calm and animal-laden in the casa. I think a breakfront of cat condos looks swell in the living room. The hubs is not so sure, but has learned when not to argue.

So, goodbye 2010 and Happy 2011 to all! Now, get on with your bad selves and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini