Halloween Sensations

Hey there, everyone! Hope everyone's had wonderful weeks so far! It's been busy over here, you know, as per usual, in part with all the handing out of prizes from the last contest and whatnot. However, much is going on and all y'all need to know about it!

First up, in honor of Halloween, there's a new flash fiction short story of mine, "Moonlight Becomes You", over at Books Make Me Happy as part of their week-long celebration. There's also lots of other shorts from other UF/PNR authors there, and prizes, so go have some fun!


After that, check out what Collings Notes has to say about the A Darke Phantistique anthology, which features "Outsiders" by moi writing as J.C. Koch. Then, for those Members of the Alien Collective in Very Good Spanish Reading Standing, check out what Fantástica – Ficción has to say about Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets, featuring my story "All the Single Ladies".

Speaking of A Darke Phantastique, if you're in SoCal, don't forget to come see the me, and at least ten other awesome authors, at the mass signing on Thursday, November 6, 2014, at the Mystery and Imagination Bookstore. The party starts at 5:30 and rumors have it that there will be cake and wine. And who can so no to cake AND wine? Many, I'm sure, but I'm not one of them. And remember to bring any books of mine that you have to the event so you can get your bookies wookies signed and such!

2D - Innit beautiful? (Ralph says, "Hi.")

Speaking of irresistible things, check out what's coming your way in November, on the 17th to be exact. That's right, the Sensational Six: Action and Adventure in Sci Fi, Fantasy and Paranormal Romance ebook boxed set! Featuring stories from Sasha White, Jordan Summers, Vivi Anna, Caris Roane, Marsheila Rockwell & Jeff Mariotte, and, of course, moi. That's six great stories from seven authors, or as I think of us, Six Gals and a Guy. (I think we have a TV show in the making here...)

And how much will this sensational set be? For a limited time it's going to be a whopping $0.99. YES, less than a DOLLAR for six great stories! For full details on each author and story included (and blog tour spots, if you're a blogger who'd like in on the action) check out the cool page NK Book Tours set up!

3D - so cool! (Ralph says, "Buy this set!")

And, yes, the book of mine that'll be included in this set is The Night Beat, Necropolis Enforcement #1. For those of you who already have The Night Beat, don't think you'll miss out. First off, there will be those five other awesome stories. And...there will be a very good-sized excerpt of...wait for it...yes...Necropolis Enforcement #2, aka Night Music. (Yes, it's coming to you early in 2015...and this time that's a firm promise.) This is the only place you'll find this excerpt until Night Music releases, so if you want to catch up on what Victoria and her team of ready and willing undeads are up to, this boxed set is the only way to get a Necropolis fix for a while. Bottom line: Don't miss out on this one!

Speaking of missing out, did you, on the Temporally Out of Order anthology Kickstarter? Well, fear not! You can actually get in on pre-orders and other goodies via the publisher, Zombies Need Brains -- scroll down to the bottom of the page for details on how to pre-order this exceptionally cool antho, loaded with exceptionally cool authors, including moi.

We move from issues with time travel and its related issues to some shenanigans. Apparently there's some woman named Jody Wallace who's written some kind of book thing that parodies lots of  other book things. And she apparently even found a way to get me to give her a blurb for this book thing of hers. (I was probably drinking.) Check out her extremely suspect interview over at SF Signal where she and Heather Massey discuss the very suspect Mari Shu series. (BTW, Jody Wallace is NOT moi -- seriously, she's not -- though I hear she likes to pretend she is late at night when no one else is looking...at least when she THINKS no one else is looking...ha ha ha Jody, I have friends at the NSA!)

And now, for some science! Science that is determined to prove that I write nonfiction, to be exact. Check out what Scientific American has to say about quantum worlds and universes and all that cool jazz. ACE, Sandy, and Algar all say you should get educated, lest what happens to Kitty in Universal Alien happens to you.

Speaking of Universal Alien, have you done your girl a solid and pre-ordered that puppy yet? If yes, many {HUGS} and *smootchies*. If no, what, really, are you waiting for? Pre-orders matter, hugely, and you can pre-order copies to be sent right to you or to be picked up at your favorite bookstore, whatever you like best. 

Last but not least, for those participating, have a very fun, happy, and above all, safe Halloween. Remember to keep your eyes open for all the little A-Cs out there, and also please be vigilant with pets -- yours and anyone else's -- especially those with black or dark fur. Enjoy the candy comas, and let's be sugared up readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Winner, Winner, Antho Dinner

Happy Monday! The entries are tallied, the lists are in, and the Gods of Random have spoken and declared their winners! (And, BTW, I loved all the blog comments, and all y'all had some really good ideas that are now percolating. :-D)

So, without further ado, let's have our drum roll and share the lucky 20 (yes TWENTY) of you who won prizes! (Hey, I told you there'd be extras.)

U.S. Physical Copy Winners -- signed and personalized copy of Unidentified Funny Objects 3 (featuring my story, "Live at the Scene"):

Tess Wooten
Blanca Bernal
Nancy Spradling
Jo Jones 

Honorable Mention U.S. Physical Copy Winner -- for sheer dedication to the cause in terms of meaningful blog comments: 

Shelia Horne

U.S. and International eBook Winners -- winner's choice of one ebook copy of either Unidentified Funny Objects 3 (featuring my story, "Live at the Scene") or Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets (featuring my story, "All the Single Ladies):
Shavana Merrick
Chrysta Stuckless
Kim Roper
Ronald Southwell
Arielle Rae Aguilar
Tamara Baker
Dawn Murphy
Shawn Sumrall
Lori Joyce Parker


Honorable Mention eBook Winners -- Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters (featuring my story, "With Bright Shining Faces", writing as J.C. Koch):
Lynn Crain
Deanna Russell
Matt Payne
Michelle Willms
Christina Callahan
JoAnna Becker

ALL WINNERS PLEASE NOTE: You need to send me an email with specific information outlined in Monday's (10-27) Hook Me Up! newsletter by end of day on Friday, October 31st -- yes, at midnight on Halloween your prize turns into a pumpkin and is reassigned to someone else because the Gods of Random have standards.

Congrats to all the winners and, once again, if you didn't win, take heart. Another contest is coming soon, and it's gonna be out of this world. (Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more, say no more.) (If you get my drift.)

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

Anthologies Contest!

HOOK ME UP! EXCLUSIVE CONTEST

It's time for the first contest of Contest Season! (Well, that's what I call this time of year, and who are you to argue?)

My lovely editor for Unidentified Funny Objects 3 sent me some extra physical copies so I'm giving them to some of you! In addition, I also have e-copies of UFO3 AND Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets to give away as well. I know! It's too happy to be true!

The contest is open to U.S. and international -- Six (6) international winners will get their choice of either UFO3 or 221 Baker Streets in eformat (only, for this one, for international). Two (2) U.S. winners will also get their choice of either UFO3 or 221 Baker Streets in eformat. Four (4) U.S. winners will get a signed and personalized physical copy of UFO3. That's a dozen winners! (And it's me, and there are usually extra prizes lurking around. Just sayin'...)

Contest will run from Wednesday, October 15, 2014 through Friday, October 24, 2014. Winners will be announced in the week of October 27th. Winners will have until Friday, October 31st, to reply -- any prize not claimed by Halloween will be pulled back by the Gods of Random and a new winner(s) will be chosen.

So, Hook Me Up! subscribers who've entered the contest (you know how and it's not via the Blog) answer me one of these questions three:
--Who is your favorite funny SF author of all time?
--Who is your favorite Holmes villain?
--What supporting character from the Alien series, who hasn't already "had their day" do you most want to see a short story about?

Love, Gini

Not on Hook Me Up! and wondering how to get entered to win? Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line. You'll be in with the in crowd and have the rules sent to you.

The Yap Talks Mysterious Aliens

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far. I am, and there's much going on, including something I promised all y'all last week, so let's get to it, shall we? We shall!

First up, the Yap is large and in charge over at the Abaddon Books Blog where I'm talking about my favorite mystery anthology, Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets...and how I met my editor.

After you learn yet another one of my not-so-secret secrets, head over to SF Signal where I'm in a Mind Meld about Successful Alien Characters. Join the discussion over there and talk about the aliens you think work and those who don't.

Next up, let's check out some reviews. See what Falcata Times thought of Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets, and what The BookBeard's Blog thought of my story, All the Single Ladies, in particular. Then see what DAW Books Review and K.D. Did It Takes On Books thought of Alien Research.

Speaking of Alien Research, remember to do your girl a solid and pre-order Universal Alien from any physical bookstore or online retailer. Yes, pre-orders matter, more and more. Even if you plan to come get your bookie wookie at one of my Book Tour stops, pre-order it from that bookstore. It helps them, it helps me, it helps DAW, and it ensures your book is there for YOU and you alone. Not in the states I'll be for the Tour? Not to worry -- you can always pre-order AND get your books signed at every bookstore I'll be hitting, and most of them ship for free or very little.

Now for some exciting news, though it's not exactly new news. However, it bears repeating, as so many things do. I'll have my next Alien series short, Alien Pick-Up, in the November issue of Penumbra eMagazine. Mark your calendars, and to avoid missing out, why not get a subscription to Penumbra today? You'll get a monthly set of great short stories set around cool themes, from current and up-and-coming authors. Truly not to be missed! Especially the November issue...just sayin'...and, of course the May and July issues which contained Alien on the Runway and Mr. Dash Saves the World. And yes, you can get all the back issues of Penumbra, including the ones I'm in, directly from their website.

Speaking of exciting news -- I'm going to be part of a boxed set coming out November 17th, alongside awesome authors Caris Roane, Jordan Summers, Vivi Anna, Marsheila Rockwell & Jeff Mariotte, and Sasha White. So, get ready for Sensational Six:  Action and Adventure in Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Paranormal
Romance! I'll give you more details soon, but get ready, 'cause it's gonna be awesome and you won't want to miss out on this one!


And now, something you've all been waiting for -- the next contest! In honor of my many anthologies out and coming out, and because the editor of Unidentified Funny Objects 3 is awesome and sent me some extra books for giveaways, we're gonna do a giveaway! BUT, as always, it's for my Hook Me Up! subscribers only. Not on? Rectify immediately if not sooner, by sending an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line. You'll be in with the in crowd, get the rules, and be able to get the winning going!

That's it for today, but as always, more's on the way. So enjoy the downward slide toward the weekend, get your entries going because this is just the start of the contests that'll be coming, and let's be winning readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Winding My Way Down On Baker Streets

Happy Thursday! Hope everyone's had a wonderful week! It was great chatting with some of you over at Night Owl Reviews with the Paranormal Romance Dream Team, and also on Reddit with other authors who'll be in the Temporally Out of Order anthology. We'll get to more on that in a bit.

But first up, the latest anthology to have a story by moi within its illustrious pages has hit the shelves! And check out what's being said about Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets, and many times my story, "All the Single Ladies", over at VENTUREREADLAXRE, Second Bookshelf on the Right, Criminal Element, Reading Bitfrost, Bibliognome, and A Fantastical Librarian.

If those reviews don't tempt you to grab this awesome anthology right away, check out the guest post over at The Book Beard's Blog and interview over at Tea Talks Books, both featuring the antho's wonderful editor, David Thomas Moore.

Speaking of interviews with editors, the Temporally Out of Order Kickstarter is in its last days for funding. We've hit the first goal -- hurray! -- but there are so many wonderful stretch goals that we're truly hoping we'll exceed and reach them all. And to tell you more about it, editor Joshua Palmatiere visited SF Signal and the Press & Sun-Bulletin to share more details about the anthology. BTW, there's still one tuckerization of mine left, and should all three be taken, I have a special surprise for the three buyers. So, if you're wavering, or know someone who's thinking about it, go for it, because you'll like the surprise, trust me.

Of course, there's another anthology I'm in that just came out, too -- Unidentified Funny Objects 3. Don't miss out on picking up this cool and hilarious collection, in part because you don't want to miss my story, "Live at the Scene".

Next up, check out who Larissa's Bookish Life chose as her Top 5 favorite female book characters. Then see what Medusa's Library picked up at her favorite used bookstore.

And now for some Science! Check out the cool news about the U.S. and India that Raj feels his behind-the-scenes maneuvering helped create over at WSJ.com. Then see what NASA astronaut, and beloved "member of the team", Reid Wiseman has to say about life in space over at NBC.com.


Can't wait for the release of Universal Alien? Me either! Neither can The Poisoned Pen, where I'll not only be kicking off my book tour for said bookie wookie with quite the party -- games, prizes, cake -- but where I'll also be doing a LiveStream broadcast at the same time. If you can't be with me in person, make plans to be with me virtually! Those of you who've tuned in before in the past know it's a good time, so mark your calendars now -- December 2nd is when Universal Alien releases and we party all around the world!

BTW, yes, pre-orders do matter, a whole heck of a lot. So if you haven't pre-ordered Universal Alien yet, do your girl a solid and get to ordering now. Remember that you can pre-order from any bookstore, including ones I'm making book tour stops at, such as The Poisoned Pen, Mysterious Galaxy, and Barnes & Noble. Even if you're planning to attend the signings, pre-orders help me and the bookstores both. And check out the newly reformatted Datebook for a smoother way to get all the information in order to come see the me all over!

That's it for today -- I know, amazing, right? But never fear, more's on the way, including a contest that will be, as they usually are, for my Hook Me Up! subscribers only. Not on Hook Me Up! yet? Now's the time to rectify that error! Send an email to gini@ginikoch.com with "Hook Me Up!" in the subject line and you'll be in and all ready for what's looking to be Contest Season around here.

So enjoy the downward slide towards the weekend and let's be pre-ordering anthology readers and supporters out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Monday: Night Owl Yapping

Happy Sunday!

Go me for late notice and all that, but I wanted to advise all y'all that I'll be live chatting -- along with awesome authors Erin Quinn, Erin Kellison, and Caris Roane, aka The Paranormal Romance Dream Team -- over at Night Owl Reviews this Monday, October 6 at 5pm Pacific / 6pm Mountain / 7pm Central / 8 Eastern. International attendees are encouraged to join us, too!

The chat room will appear on the scheduled chat day (like magic, apparently). Chat Schedule, all times Pacific, is:
(5:00 PM) Erin Quinn
(5:15 PM) Gini Koch
(5:30 PM) Caris Roane
(5:45 PM) Erin Kellison

Oh, and, lest we fear it's all just yap, there will be prizes, too. Knowing the four of us, lots of prizes.

You will need to RSVP by 4pm Pacific on the 6th in order to be entered for prizes. Details for how to RSVP are on the event page.

Hope you're all having great weekends and I also hope to see a bunch of you at the Night Owl Reviews chat on Monday evening!

Love,
Gini