Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Ghostly Yapping

Happy Halloween! I actually have a lot of Halloween stories -- my fave being when I was in NYC, in a cab, with a cabbie who'd been in the U.S. exactly 2 weeks...you try explaining what Halloween is to someone who barely speaks your native tongue and thinks it's the most bizarre religious practice he's ever seen -- but today's story will be a tad more recent.

However, before we get to that, there's other things to get to first! The yap is yapping in not one but TWO interviews, and one of those interviews is bi-lingual, so it's almost like three interviews, if two of them said the same thing but in different tongues. Which they do.

So, head over to Lazy Literature where you can catch the latest interview with moi. For those who read German you can enjoy the same and let me know if the jokes translate.

Then head over to ALPHA Reader where Kitty and Martini are offering their tips for a healthy relationship.

Didn't win an ARC of Alien vs. Alien? Not to despair -- ALPHA Reader has you covered, with a contest to win an ARC of, you guessed it, Alien vs. Alien. Short window, so get entered to win today! And if you missed it from yesterday, check out ALPHA Reader's review of Alien vs. Alien while you're there.

Last but not least, hit My 5 Monkeys to see another great shot of how to be Kitty for Halloween. (Is this THE most comfortable costume ever? My vote is yes.)

Speaking of voting, a reminder that Alien Proliferation is nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Science Fiction and it needs all your votes to have a chance against the really impressive competition. Thanks to all of you whose reviews of the bookie wookie gave it this honor in the first place, and thanks to all of you who have or will vote.

And now, the ghost story I promised you.

As you know, I was in Douglas, AZ earlier this month at the Hotel Gadsden. The Gadsden has a rep as a haunted hotel. I've been to many haunted hotels. Never been haunted. Perhaps because I was never alone in a room at these hotels, perhaps because they're not all that haunted. Perhaps because they're not the freaking most haunted joint around.

The Hotel Gadsden is gorgeous -- marble columns, stained glass windows, very Old West and Roaring 20's feel. Elevator has to be operated or you take the stairs. I'm given Room 334. (This will be important later, so remember it.) I get onto the hall and it just feels creepy. The lobby did not feel creepy. But I'm on the 3rd floor waiting for a kid on a tricycle to come by saying "Redrum, redrum." I decide my active imagination is in overdrive and ignore.

Get into my room. As many (aka anyone who's ever stayed in a hotel room with me) can attest, even if I'm only there for 1 night, I hang stuff up and put it away. It's just my "thing". I'm here for 2 nights. I open the closet, decide it feels creepier than the hallway, shut the door and hang nothing up. I don't put things into the chest of drawers, either. Realize I need an extra pillow, check the creepy closet, there's one in there, grab it, and slam the closet door shut again.

The bathroom is directly across from the closet. I don't like being in this bathroom. I tell myself this is just because it's small and that imagination of mine is in hyperdrive. Of course, the creepy closet is across from the bathroom and you can see it in the mirror. I watch that closet in the mirror every time I'm in the bathroom.

It's a 4+ hour drive from Phoenix to Douglas and I was up late every night the week before. I decide I'm tired as hell and go to bed early. Not too much trouble falling asleep. Somewhere after midnight but before 4am, I wake up, feeling pressure and a tingling all over my body, but especially from the waist up and on my face. Come fully awake and realize the feeling is real.

I manage to say, "Shove off, this is my bed." Nothing changes. I then say, "NO. Get OFF. This is MY bed now." And the pressure stops. Yahoo. I roll over and go back to sleep.

I'm all jazzed about this the next day -- I've been haunted! Whoo! I figure it was someone lying down to go to bed; maybe two someone's because the pressure was REALLY strong. But whatever.

Now, Weston Ochse and Yvonne Navarro are also at this event. We have dinner together and are hanging out after in their suite on the 4th floor. The 4th floor is not creepy. At all. It's cozy. Wes and Yvonne have just gotten back from a Haunted Writer's Retreat in a confirmed as VERY haunted mansion. We're discussing this, and Wes shares that he's extremely affected physically by the paranormal.

As we go on, we realize Yvonne's seen what we're fairly sure is a full body apparition. On the 3rd floor. I mention my experiences. Yvonne says I can sleep on their pullout bed. Wes and I chuckle. I mean, nothing bad happened and it could still have been my imagination. But, to ease my mind, Wes offers to take a looksee.

Keep in mind that Wes has spent a career in Covert Ops. This is the man you want to be near whenever stuff gets real, because he's the most calm, in command, and unflappable person around. So, I figure, Wes will check out my floor and room, declare me a Silly Writer Girl, and we all go to bed.

We get onto the 3rd floor, and Wes agrees this place feels creepy, but we both think it's the tile on the floor and the lighting. And then Wes gets near my room. "WHOA!" He's covered with goose-pimples. "There's something here."

We get into my room, and Wes gets into the Closet of Creepiness. And turns white. And more goose-pimply. "There is something in here. And it's malevolent."

You do NOT need to tell me twice. When the guy who is the least likely person in ANY room and ANY situation to be scared is scared for you and suggesting you come right back up and ensure he and the wife cannot have sexy times because he'd rather you were alive the next day, you freaking back your bags and RUN.

I do just that -- run into the bathroom that's a lot less scary 'cause Wes is here, change into my nightclothes, grab my pillows and grab what I need for the night, while Wes grabs the blankets. I mention that I've taken the one pillow out of the closet. Wes grabs the pillow, tosses it back IN the closet, and says these words to live by, "When you open a closet and feel Satan inside, do NOT take a pillow out of it and put it on your bed!"

Up in the safety of the cozy 4th floor with Wes & Yvonne, it dawns on me that there's one other thing that could have been why I felt so much pressure -- if someone was on top of me, smothering me with a pillow. I'm an asthmatic. It doesn't take much to stop us from breathing.

Fully creeped out, the next day, Yvonne goes down with me. It's daylight, and she opens the curtains so sunlight's streaming in. She feels nothing. Could sleep in the closet it's so nothing. So, I have her trot off while I get dressed and pack. She's not gone 10 minutes when the creepy feeling comes back. "Aha," I say with false bravado. "You're afraid of Yvonne. She's a ray of light. Well, leave me alone or SHE'LL BE BACK!"

When I check out, I tell this story. They LOVE to hear how you've been haunted at the Hotel Gadsden because everyone gets haunted there. It turns out that the most haunted room in this place is Room 333. You know, RIGHT NEXT DOOR to my room. And all the closets in that area creep out everyone who stays there. "Could the closets be a portal?" the desk clerk asks me. "Maybe to Hell or another dimension?"

I was too busy running to my car to reply.

For those who indulge, have a happy, fun, and above all safe Halloween. And let's be readers of ghost stories and monster stories and things that go bump in the night stories out there!

Love,
Gini

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Aliens vs. Sandy

Happy Day After Tomorrow, Everyone!

First off, hoping that all Members in Very Good Standing of the Alien Collective and their families and friends weathered, and will weather, the Tropical Cyclone Formerly Known as Hurricane Sandy and her BFFs Frankenstorm and Bride of Frankenstorm. Let us know you're okay, you know how we worry. (We worry a LOT.) And thanks to Twitter, where the news came first, fastest, and despite some fake pics, accurately.

For those of you with power and the urge for distraction, fun, games, and voting (not that kind of voting), there's a lot going on, and I was gonna wait until tomorrow but there's just too much, too much I say! So we're going to get to some of it today.

I mentioned voting. Yes, yes, everyone who's registered should vote in the upcoming elections, for whoever you like or dislike the least, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm thrilled to announce that Alien Proliferation has been nominated in the Science Fiction category for the Goodreads Choice Awards! It's got some stiff competition, so any votes given will be greatly appreciated!

After you cast your votes, head over to Pearls Cast Before a McPig and get a teaser from Alien vs. Alien. Then see what ALPHA Reader and boeklogboek thought of Alien vs. Alien. Rumor also has it (with many thanks to Alert Member of the Alien Collective Lori W.) that RT Book Reviews has given Alien vs. Alien 4.5 stars and named it a Top Pick! Only those with physical copies of the magazine can confirm this rumor, but Mr. Joel Oliver says it's true.

But wait, there's more! See what DAW Books Review thought of Alien Proliferation (ooh look, a tie-in to the voting part...and it wasn't even planned!). Then check out what Fantasy Book Reviews and Nocturnal Book Reviews thought of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, by G.J. Koch (yes, that's moi).

Then head over to Midnyte Reader and see what My 5 Monkeys says Halloween is to her.

In Person Reminder: I'll be one of the 13 multi-published authors speaking on various aspects of writing and the publishing business at the 7th Annual Free Fall Writer's Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 10th, in Scottsdale, AZ. The program runs from 9:30-4:30 and is always a fabulous, learning-filled day well spent. And yes, despite us having NYT Bestselling authors and all sorts of other bestselling authors there, it's really and truly FREE. Such a deal. Hope to see a lot of you there, too!

That's it for today, but more's on the way. So sit tight, everyone stay safe (we really do worry a lot), and let's be readers, even if we must be readers by candlelight, out there!

Love,
Gini

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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Winners and Other Lovers

Happy Hump Day! Well, the votes are in and the Gods of Random have made their selection. But, of course, I'm gonna make you wait for it. Just a little bit, though.

So, first off, we have a couple of reviews. Check out what boeklogboek thought of the first installment of The Martian Alliance, The Royal Scam, then see what A Buckeye Girl Reads thought of installment number two, Three Card Monte.

Then check out who My Five Monkeys is dressing up as for Halloween. And if you recently asked me a question via email (or even if you didn't), check out Ask Gini in Extra Me! for the latest Q&A additions.

I was going to fill you in on my haunting experience at the Hotel Gadsden, but then it occurred to me that Halloween is just around the corner. So, I'm gonna trick you a little longer and make you wait for the treat, so to speak. (And my being in the throes of writing Alien in the House had absolutely nothing to do with this decision. The major power spike that caused a lot of electronics to go kaput and an emergency run to Best Buy? Now that might have had a hand in the decision. But I'm not saying for sure.)

The Mysterious Galaxy Eat! Read! Party! Holiday Event date's been set -- Saturday, Dec. 1st -- but the time wasn't. And now it is! Come see the me from 3pm-6pm (give or take on the end time). It's also been confirmed that MG will have Alien vs. Alien in stock and able to be sold! (So you can get your copy a few days early and lord it over those who have to wait for Dec. 4th.) San Diego (and SoCal in general) Area Alien Collective Members in Very Good Standing: let me know if you also want to meet up before or hang out after.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...the winners of the Alien vs. Alien ARCs!

In no particular order of luckiness, they are:
Jessica Whitfield
rissatoo
Michelle Watson
bejeweledcat

Special winner of the Snort Coke Through My Nose Award goes to our ancient, but hilarious, oldster:
ratkin638 (rumor has it the numbers represent his real age)

NOTE FOR THE WINNERS: You have until Sunday, October 28th to check in by sending an email to gini@ginikoch.com with your full name and physical mailing address; any ARC not claimed by then will be pulled back by the Gods of Random and a new winner(s) will be chosen.

Well, that's it for today. But as always, more's on the way. Congrats to the winners, everyone enjoy the downward slide to the week, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

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Friday, October 19, 2012

Military Yapping

Happy Friday! Hope everyone had a wonderful week and we're all heading towards great weekends. I'm beavering away on Alien in the House but there's things going on so must catch everyone up, right? Of course right!

First up, head over to Living Dangerously where, in honor of his upcoming release of SEAL Team 666, awesome author Weston "My Winston" Ochse has asked me some pertinent questions, which I, of course, have answered pertinently.

Remember that the Alien vs. Alien ARC contest only runs through this weekend; it ends Sunday, October 21st. It's still for Hook Me Up! only, so if you're not on, now's the time to fix that error. Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be in and sent the contest rules.

After you get yourself registered to win an ARC of Alien vs. Alien, hit boeklogboek and see what she thought of Being Neighborly by Anita Ensal (yes, that's moi).

Next up, my alert assistant, Colette found that I'm Loving Books has a great set of banners for the Alien/Katherine "Kitty" Katt series for the taking. They have other series banners, too, so have fun searching up all your faves!

Several Alert Members of the Alien Collective have sent me the link to An Extraordinary Discovery which is the fact that Earth has finally discovered there's a planet in the Alpha Centauri system. For us, yes, this is old news, but it's nice to see science catching up. Me, I'm waiting until they discover all the others...and identify that some are inhabited...

Aren't going to be in or near the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area December 4th and want to be sure you don't miss the Livestream of my signing party for Alien vs. Alien at the Poisoned Pen? Then you'll want to put this handy dandy thingie -- it's a technical term! -- on your website.

Campaign for the American Reader and The Page 69 Test asked me to participate to see if Page 69 of one of my books was indicative of the rest of the book. We decided to go with what started it all, Touched by an Alien. So, take a walk down memory lane and see if Page 69 is like the rest of the book or not.

That's it for today, but as always, more's coming, including the announcement of the lucky winners of one of four Alien vs. Alien ARCS. So, get entered to win right away, and have a wonderful weekend. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

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Monday, October 15, 2012

Alien vs. Alien ARC Contest

HOOK ME UP! EXCLUSIVE CONTEST

International Contest

It's time to get your win on and grab an ARC of Alien vs. Alien while the grabbing's good! There are 4 (that's right, FOUR) ARCs up for grabs, which means lots of opportunities to score an early Advanced Reader Copy of Book 6!

So, Hook Me Up! subscribers who have sent in your proper entry emails, riddle me this: When things are blowing up all around you, what's your go-to strategy and why?

Love,
Gini

LEGALESE
Contest will run from Monday, October 15, 2012 through Sunday, October 21, 2012. Winners will be announced week of October 22nd. Winners will have until Sunday, October 28th to check in; any ARC not claimed by then will be pulled back by the Gods of Random and a new winner(s) will be chosen.

This an international contest -- as long as you're on Planet Earth, you can enter and win. You must have a deliverable address, though - no P.O. boxes. Prize may take 2-4 weeks to ship; it may take 6-8 weeks for international or longer.

This is a contest for Hook Me Up! subscribers only -- if you're not on, send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be sent the contest entry rules.

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Haunted Monday

Happy Monday! This is coming out a little late, but that's because I'm still recovering from my weekend of BEING HAUNTED -- for reals -- at the Hotel Gadsden in Douglas, AZ. The Authors and Artists Centennial event was great, and I'll be filling you all in later this week on Gini Gets a Ghost Story, but there's a lot going on today, so let's belay my scary weekend and get right to it.

First up, as promised, yes indeed, the Alien vs. Alien ARC Contest will be starting later today. As always, it's for Hook Me Up! only. Not on Hook Me Up! yet? Rectify now! Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line, and you'll be in with the in crowd and able to get in on the winning!

Next up, just got confirmation that I'll be at the Mysterious Galaxy Holiday Party in San Diego on December 1, 2012. And that means, if you come to see the me, you can get Alien vs. Alien 4 days before it officially releases. I know! It's too happy to be true! But it is, so see you there!

Now, let's check out some reviews. See what Pearls Cast Before a McPig and Mixed Book Bag thought of Three Card Monte. Then see what At Random thought of Touched by an Alien. Then see which authors or series make Larissa's Bookish Life forget about or ignore her TBR pile.

That's it for today. Well, you know, other than the Alien vs. Alien ARC Contest. Starting...soon, very, very soon...

Love,
Gini

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

And the Winners Are...

Okey dokey, the Gods of Random have spoken, and the Necropolis Blog Tour Winners have been chosen!

First up, winning an e-copy of The Night Beat is: Squenn, woot woot!

Many congrats!

And now, the lucky winner of the Grand Prize Pack, which is a a Howl with the Night Beat Totebag, stuffed with:
--a signed, personalized copy of The Night Beat
--an I Heart Werewolves Night Beat T-Shirt (size L only)
--a Night Beat Pen
--a Night Beat Mousepad
--a signed, personalized copy of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch
--a signed, personalized copy of winner's choice of Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, Alien in the Family, Alien Proliferation, or Alien Diplomacy
--and...a signed, personalized Advanced Reader Copy of Alien vs. Alien!

*drum roll please*

Sullivan McPig, come on down!

Winners: You have a week to send me an email (gini@ginikoch.com) confirming acceptance of your prize. If I don't hear from you by Wednesday, Oct. 17, the Gods of Random will snatch your prize away and demand a new winner be chosen.

Congrats to all the winners at all the stops on the Necropolis Blog Tour!

Bummed you didn't win? Not to worry. Something's coming next week that will give you all reason to hope again. But it'll be for Hook Me Up! subscribers only, so if you're not on, send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line, so you'll be in and ready for what's coming on Monday. And trust me...you want to be ready...

Love,
Gini

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Yapping for the Win

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone's weeks are going great and everyone has a wonderful weekend to look forward to. I'll be in Douglas, AZ this weekend, at the Authors and Artists Centennial celebration, October 13th, hosted at the (haunted!) Hotel Gadsden. If you're anywhere nearby, come on down, it's gonna be a lot of fun!

But before the weekend hits, there's a lot to get caught up on. First off, head over to Readaholics Anonymous for their Hallows Madness event which today features the first ever exclusive interview with Victoria Wolfe from The Night Beat. You can also get entered to win a copy of The Night Beat while you're there!

Speaking of winning, go to Book Lovers Inc. where they have an ARC of Alien vs. Alien up for grabs!

Speaking of yapping, visit SF Signal (winner of a 2012 Hugo for best fanzine!) where the yap joins the conversation about Holding Out For A Hero. This site LOVES readers to make comments and really get involved in the discussion, so head over, read what I and other authors have to say about heroes, and add in your own thoughts to the theme!

Next up, see what Tynga's Reviews thought of Touched by an Alien. Then check out what series Scooper Speaks is getting caught up on.

You might have heard -- Alien vs. Alien releases December 4, 2012. Please do your girl a solid and pre-order, because pre-orders MATTER. And, if you'd like to come and join me ON release day, head to The Poisoned Pen where, from 7-8:30pm, I'll be yapping about writing in some way and doing a book signing. Can't come in person? No worries! The Poisoned Pen is going to do a Livestream of this event! So, you can come to see the me even if you can't actually come to see the me!

The Poisoned Pen also has the uber cool Autographed Editions program where you can get your books signed AND personalized by the authors. So, if you want to order your books from the Pen, you can watch me sign them via Livestream, so it's really like you're there. And yes, they ship internationally. (And yes, they have all my books, including The Night Beat and Alexander Outland: Space Pirate.)

I'll also be at the Barnes & Noble Desert Ridge Marketplace in December, but stuff happens and the date has changed. Come see the me there on Friday, December 14, 2012, from 7-9pm. And, as with the other bookstores, if you pre-order from the B&N, I'll be able to sign & personalize your books, just let them know you'd like to wait to get your books picked up or sent until after the author's signing.

Speaking again of releases, a reminder that Three Card Monte, #2 in The Martian Alliance, is now available at Musa Publishing. Get caught up with what DeeDee, Roy, and the rest of the crew of the Hummingbird are doing and what scam, royal or otherwise, is on.

Speaking again of winning, I'll be announcing the winner of my prizes for the end of the Necropolis Blog Tour in just a few minutes, so stay tuned!

That's it for me this week (at least, supposedly, but it's me, so you never can tell). See some of you in Douglas, all of you have wonderful weekends, and let's be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

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Friday, October 5, 2012

Psst...Release Day

Happy Friday! Yeah, I know, I know. Yesterday I said I wouldn't be yapping at you until next week. But...um...I sort of forgot...a couple things. *cough* Hey! I was busy! Working on Alien in the House and all that! *ahem* Anyway...

Today is the release day for The Martian Alliance #2: Three Card Monte! (Yes, that's right...I forgot about my own release day. I mentioned I was busy and writing and all, right?)

And, in honor OF said release, there are interviews with moi over at Pearls Cast Before a McPig and A Buckeye Girl Reads.

VVB Reads would like to remind you that her contest stop on the Necropolis Blog Tour ends today, so enter today to win a copy of The Night Beat! And speaking of winning, you have until the end of Sunday, October 7, to enter to win the huge Grand Prize prize pack (which includes an ARC of Alien vs. Alien) right here at the Blah, Blah, Blah Blog -- click this Prize Post link or scroll down a bit.

Okay, that's really it for this week (well, other than reminding you that I'll be in Sedona, AZ tomorrow, doing a workshop and book signing at The Well Red Coyote -- but you already knew that, right?), so have FAB weekends, and I'll really catch you on the real flip side this time! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and let's be readers out there!

Love,
Gini

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Thursday, October 4, 2012

Craving the Winning

Happy Thursday! Hope everyone's had a great week and we're all looking at what will be a great weekend. I'll be at The Well Red Coyote in Sedona, AZ on Saturday the 6th from 2-4pm. So if you're in that area, come on by! But there's even more going on this week than a book signing, so let's get to it!

Head over to Paranormal Cravings where, in honor of their Gotta Have Shifters and Weres event, we have their review of The Night Beat, along with a chance to win the book, and a lot of other cool prizes. It's going on all month, so don't miss out!

Speaking of reviews of The Night Beat, check out the reviews over at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks and Bitten By Books.

Have you entered to win the Grand Prize of the Necropolis Blog Tour yet? No? Well, don't miss out! The Grand Prize includes a Howl with the Night Beat Totebag, which will be stuffed with:
--a signed, personalized copy of The Night Beat
--an I Heart Werewolves Night Beat T-Shirt (size L only)
--a Night Beat Pen
--a Night Beat Mousepad
--a signed, personalized copy of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch
--a signed, personalized copy of winner's choice of Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, Alien in the Family, Alien Proliferation, or Alien Diplomacy
--and...a signed, personalized Advanced Reader Copy of Alien vs. Alien!
That's a LOT of winning stuffed into one totebag! This contest ends Sunday, October 7th, so truly, click this Prize Post Link or scroll down a little and get entered to win right now! And yes, it's open internationally.

There's still time to enter at the last stops of the Necropolis Blog Tour, as well, so you increase your chances of winning a copy of The Night Beat. Don't miss: Stop 12/Book Lovers Inc., contest ends Oct. 6; Stop 13/VVB Reads, contest ends Oct. 5; and Stop 14/Book & Movie Dimension a Blog, contest ends Oct. 6.

John Scalzi has a great haul of ARCs he's showing off over at Whatever. My 5 Monkeys weighs in on blog envy and a few books she likes to hide behind. And speaking of My 5 Monkeys check out her latest cover lust, too.

On Twitter? Like attending Twitter hashtag chats? (#subject) Then hit #scifichat tomorrow, Friday, October 5th, from 2-4pm Eastern, where the yap will be tweeting about keeping multiple series going (Hint: Alcohol is likely involved.) as the SciFi Chat guest of honor. It's always fun, so drop by and join in!

That's it for this week's update. Is more coming? But of course! See some of you at The Well Red Coyote, tweet with some of you at #scifichat, and wish you all a wonderful weekend. Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

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