Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books, the Necropolis Enforcement Files series, and the Martian Alliance Chronicles series. Alien in the House, Book 7 in her long-running Alien series, won the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award as the Best Futuristic Romance of 2013. Book 14, Alien Nation, won the Preditors and Editors Reader’s Choice Award for Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Novel of 2016. Alien Education releases May 2, 2017, and DAW Books has just contracted through Book 20 in the Alien series.Gini Koch lives in Phoenix, Arizona and writes the bestselling fast, fresh and funny
For full details on all releases, all the news about Gini’s books, signings, events, excerpts, and more, visit her website: http://www.ginikoch.com.
Thank you for interviewing with us today, Gini. Tell us about your upcoming release Aliens Abroad.
Kitty and Company are on a road trip. It’s like National Lampoon’s Vacation or Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, but without all the weed and poop jokes. Basically, the gang are forced to save the day all over the place in order to have a hope of ever getting back to Earth…or to keep on having a galaxy to live in.
What was the best and worst part writing Aliens Abroad?
Best part was getting to take the characters on a galactic road trip. Worst was being really late turning the book in.
How would you describe the Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series to those who are unaware it exists?
Kitty discovers that the Roswell rumors are true, but with a twist – the aliens are here to help us and, as a side benefit, they’re all gorgeous. She gets involved in the fight to protect the Earth from all the internal and extremely external things trying to destroy it and ends up saving the day with her knowledge of pop culture, comics, hairspray, and rock ‘n’ roll.
How do you get to know your characters?
They talk to me. All the time. All. The. Time. Getting to know the characters is, for me, the easy part. And if I’m writing them wrong, they let me know that, too.
What is your favorite part about the romance in the story?
That I’m allowed to show a variety of stable relationships that still have hotness and romance within them. Because I don’t believe you stop being romantic, sexy, or fun just because you’re married or have kids, and I enjoy getting to show that, mostly through Kitty and Jeff but also through the supporting characters, too.
What is your writing process? (Pantser, plotter, or both?)
I’m an extreme linear writer. I start with the title, then the first line, and when I get to the end…I stop. I also need music playing at all times, anything in the spectrum but usually pop, rock, or alternative. Many times I have to put more effort into finding the right music than anything else, though Smash Mouth, Fall Out Boy, and Panic! At the Disco routinely save my writing day. I can sort of outline, in my head, for short stories, but that’s it. If I know everything about the story I don’t care about writing it anymore.
What kind of research do you do for your series?
It depends on the book. Lots of space research, ways to kill people, animal traits, and so on. Whatever the particular book or short story demands. For Alien Research I had Google Maps drilled down on Guantanamo Bay for six months, so, like most authors, I’m sure I’m on some interesting government watch lists.
Where do you see your series going in the next few years?
All over the multiverse, with Kitty continuing to do what she does best – kicking butt while keeping the bad guys monologuing and always keeping the sarcasm up to eleven.
Can we get a peek of your writing space?
Are there any authors who have inspired you to write?
Many, really. I think Madeleine L’engle, Terry Pratchett, Robert Benchley, O. Henry, and A. Conan Doyle would probably be the biggest inspirations, but I think that every book/author you read – whether you enjoy the book or not – inspires you in some way.
What is your writing kryptonite and how do you overcome it?
Procrastination. I am a lifetime gold medalist in the sport of procrastination. I overcome it by sitting my butt in my chair, putting my hands on the keyboard, and forcing myself to start writing. Music helps a lot with this. So does alcohol.
Any advice for fellow writers?
Never give up, never surrender.
And now for a handful of fun questions 🙂
If you could assign a theme song to Aliens Abroad, what would it be?
So many songs could work, but probably “The Answer to Our Life” by the Backstreet Boys. (Enjoy figuring out why as you read the book.)
What is your favorite word?
Contracts, as in, having them.
If you had to describe a sunset to a blind individual, how would you do it?
I wouldn’t. I’d read “Sunset” by Rainer Maria Rilke, “A Sunset” by Victor Hugo, and “Sunset” by Jessica Millsaps to them. Some things are best left to the experts aka the poets.
What are you reading right now?
My deadline due dates…it’s a very scary read and makes me want to hide under the bed while drinking copious amounts of coffee and tequila.
If you could name a drink after your books, what would it be?
There’s already at least two – a Dry Martini and Sex on the Beach. ;-D
A lemur walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he/she/they say and why is he/she/they here?
She says hi to Kitty and shares that there’s trouble on her planet and they’ve requested the Savior of the Galaxy to come help save the day, meaning Kitty & Company need to roll into action yet again. Or, as Kitty calls it, Tuesday. Or, potentially, Alien Galaxy (Book 19).
HUNGRY FOR MORE ALIENS ABROAD? VISIT http://www.ginikoch.com/
Be sure to check out our review of Aliens Abroad.