Interview with Gini Koch for the Alien Collective Blog Tour

When asked to participate in this blog tour, of course I jumped in at once. I love Gini Koch's books and especially her sense of humor. Gini writes a lot of different series, under multiple names, and one of those is the amazing Alien series, a science fiction romance series filled with gorgeous aliens, non stop action, lots of witty humor, great music and complicated complots and conspiracies from lots of bad guys.

Gini also writes short and long stories under pennames like Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, J.C. Koch, G.J. Koch, and A.E. Stanton. And especially the short stories make me think: what if?



I was very happy to receive an ARC of Alien Collective last month, the ninth book in the Alien series, which I reviewed here. The official release date was yesterday, May 6, so if you didn’t pre-order it, what are you waiting for? I really enjoyed this great addition to the series and already am looking forward to the next book. If you are new to this series, please start with book 1 or you will be hopelessly lost.

Aurian: Hi Gini, welcome to Boeklogboek again. Thank you for writing such awesome books! Could you please tell me and my readers what your plans are for the Alien series at the moment? How many books have you planned and plotted already? I know people can find all that information on your pretty and easy to navigate website, but I also know, people (like me) are lazy and like to be told.

Gini: It’s great to be here again, thanks for having me! And I’m so glad you enjoy the bookie wookies! I’m currently contracted through Book 13 in the series, but I’d like to get to 16-20. Frankly, the characters feel that they’re nowhere close to retirement age and that they’ll be having adventures for a long time to come, so here’s hoping. :-D

As for plotting…um…I really don’t. I’m an extreme linear writer. Meaning I start with the title, then the first line, and when I get to the end…I stop. That’s pretty much my “process”. Of course, with a long-running series I do have some things mapped out, but my version of mapping doesn’t have a lot in common with what most would consider mapping or outlining. I have my titles, meaning, for me, that I know what’s supposed to happen, and I have a general idea of certain things, a firm idea of several key things, and the rest is all liquid and can alter as it needs to.

For example, I’d originally planned to bring the Peregrines and the Princesses into the series in Book 5/Alien Diplomacy. They didn’t fit in there, at all. The Peregrines did fit into Book 6/Alien vs. Alien, but the Princesses had to wait for Book 7/Alien in the House. But I knew, once I’d created them, that they’d make an appearance down the road – I just wasn’t sure where down the road until it happened.

Aurian: I love the many different animals you use in the Alien series, you have some great alien ones, especially the poofs and the peregrines, but you also have cats, dogs, alligators, and a parrot named Bellie, who is in love with Jeff Martini. To the dismay of Kitty, as that love is completely mutual. And I agreed with Kitty, that bird was psycho, but in Alien Collective, she really gave up the goods that saved the day, I really liked that twist.
Do you have any more (alien) animal surprises for us?

Gini: Probably. LOL I say that because, as I said before, I’m and extreme linear writer and that means I honestly have no idea what’s coming until I write it. But I’m sure another alien animal of some kind will work its way in… I can probably say that in Book 11/Alien Separation, that it’s an almost 100% certainty that there will be new alien animals.

Aurian: I have been racking my brain trying to find out who the Mastermind is. Did you leave clues in the books for your readers to find, so I will slap myself when it is finally revealed or don’t you know yet yourself?

Gini: I know who the Mastermind is and have known since well before readers, or Kitty & Company, have even had a clue that there WAS a Mastermind. I also have absolutely left clues since Alien Diplomacy and…wait for it…a GIGANTIC red herring in one of the last 4 books. While I AM an extreme linear writer, I “see” the upcoming books as I’m writing “this one” and I realized I was going to have to really work to keep the Mastermind hidden. The bad guys have had to work extra hard to come up with things to cripple the good guys, and they’ve done a masterful job. (Heh, did you see what I did there? LOL Oh, I slay me.)
Aurian: Okay, now I need to re-read those books to see if I can find one of those clues.

Aurian: I still want to know, any chance you can come to a convention in Europe someday? I would love to meet you in person, and I know many of my bookish friends would love to as well. We promise we will reward you with the best of the Dutch cookies, Belgian chocolates and whatever else you like.

Gini: I love all things European, my fans especially, and would LOVE to come to a con in Europe. Sadly, finances being what they are, said con would need to bring me out in order for me to attend. But it’s something I truly hope will happen, sooner as opposed to later, too!

Aurian: Thanks Gini! I am very glad you will be keeping me in books for a long time to come.

Giveaway time!
Gini is giving away the winner's choice of one book out of the first 8 books in the series (Touched through Research), along with magnets and postcards. Open internationally.
How can you win this? Just leave a comment for Gini on this post, and do not forget to add your broken up email address as I will not search for it.
Giveaway open until May 14, the winner will be notified by email.


If you want to know more about Gini Koch and her books, you can find her here:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GiniKoch
Website: http://www.ginikoch.com
Blog: http://ginikoch.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gini.Koch
Facebook Fan Page, Gini Koch: Hairspray & Rock 'n' Roll: https://www.facebook.com/GiniKochAuthor
Official Fan Site, Alien Collective Virtual HQ: http://aliencollectivehq.com/?page_id=21
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ginikoch/



Gini Koch lives in Hell’s Orientation Area (aka Phoenix, AZ), works her butt off (sadly, not literally) by day, and writes by night with the rest of the beautiful people. She writes the fast, fresh and funny Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books, the Necropolis Enforcement Files series, and the Martian Alliance Chronicles series for Musa Publishing. As G.J. Koch she writes the Alexander Outland series. She also writes under a variety of other pen names including Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch. She speaks frequently on what it takes to become a successful author and other aspects of writing and the publishing business. She is also the Lead Editor at Raphael’s Village, an online, nonpaying ’zine. Because she wasn’t busy enough, Gini’s added on featured guest columnist, reviewer, and webcaster for Slice of SciFi and It’s Comic Book Day. She can be reached through her website at www.ginikoch.com.

© 2014 Reviews by Aurian