While struggling to support a family of five and working in a job he disliked, Steve Alten decided to write a novel. He spent what spare time he could on writing and in eight months he finished his manuscript, which eventually became MEG; A Novel of Deep Terror.
Four days after Steve lost his job as the GM of a meat company, six of the biggest publishing houses fought in a bidding war for his novel. Bantam Doubleday won and MEG went on to become the book of the 1996 Frankfurt book fair, where it sold to more than fifteen countries. As his novel hit the domestic market it reached the best-seller list on the New York Times and several other outlets.
Since MEG, Steve has written several other novels including 3 sequels to MEG and his latest and most controversial, the Shell Game. Steve has also written several screenplays and formed the Adopt-An-Author program, which is a national non-profit program designed to help young adults become, "interested in reading and writing through the use of best-selling thrillers, heroic non-fiction stories, motivational books and direct contact with the authors via personal appearances, phone calls, emails, and interactive websites." ~AdoptAnAuthor.com
C. L. Vaughn: Hi Steve,
Before we take the readers through the questions and answers I wanted to share with you how much of a treat this interview is for me. Since I found your first novel, MEG, in a used book store you´ve quickly become one of my top two favorite authors. This is not only because of your writing style and plots, but because of how personal you are with your fans. I´ve emailed on a few occasions and each time you´ve responded back, even giving me your suggestions on entering a writing contest.
With that out of the way I´ll start by asking about your latest novel, Shell Game. How has the book marketing been going? It seems that you´ve gained a huge new readership from the book. Mind telling us a little about the book?
Steve Alten: The SHELL GAME is far more than a thriller, it is a MUST-READ cautionary tale that exposes the truth behind the war in Iraq, Peak Oil, and the next "9/11" – an event designed to justify a retaliatory strike on Iran. Although the novel is written as fiction, it is filled with all-too-real details provided by insiders in the oil industry, military, and Middle Eastern affairs that extrapolates real events from the past and present that could propel us farther down this path of self-destruction...unless we stop the insanity now. The success of the book could cause a public outcry during the most important election in our nation´s history. Many reviewers are calling The SHELL GAME our generation's 1984.
C. L. Vaughn: While doing some research for this interview I watched a video of you being interviewed on Chanel 6 ABC Philadelphia. You mentioned during the interview that the stress caused by writing the Shell Game was extremely high and that shortly after publishing the book you were diagnosed with Parkinson´s. Do you feel that the extra stress may have contributed to the diagnoses? What made writing the Shell Game more stressful than the other novels?
Steve Alten: The stress definitely played a big part in the advancement of Parkinsons. Perhaps I would have gotten it like most patients after age 70, or not at all. The stress was related to the extensive research and private interviews with insiders on what REALLY happened during the events of September 11th and a potentially new event, staged by neocons in our own government, that will result in a nuclear suitcase attack on a major US city…blamed on Iran.
C. L. Vaughn: One of the great things you´ve been able to accomplish since selling your first novel is the Adopt-An-Author program. Can you explain to the readers what the program is about and how, if possible, other authors can help?
Steve Alten: Adopt An Author was first created by high school teacher who realized MEG was perfect for getting reluctant teen readers to read. I formalized the program by pooling together free curriculum materials, tests, quizzes, and really everything a teacher could possibly use to create an exciting unit. Plus AAA adds the dimension of having the students communicate directly with myself and other authors via e-mail, classroom calls, and visits. We are now in over 8,000 schools and the program absolutely gets teens to read. For more info or to register go to www.AdoptAnAuthor.com
C. L. Vaughn: I saw a photo of you standing with former President Clinton, it must be pretty exciting to meet such influential people. Who´s been the most memorial for you?
Steve Alten: Ha! That was a cardboard poster a neighboring booth had at Book Expo a few years back. I have one of Bush too, though I won´t show it.
C. L. Vaughn: You´ve also written several screenplays. Which is easier for you to write, a screenplay or a novel? Have you ever considered writing a nonfiction book?
Steve Alten: Screenplays are faster, though in many ways tougher to do right. I haven´t come across a compelling non-fiction idea yet. Fiction is best for me.
C. L. Vaughn: What was the hardest book for you to write and which was the easiest and most fun?
Steve Alten: MEG: Hell´s Aquarium was the most fun. It will be out Summer 2009 and is by far the BEST in the MEG series. The Shell Game was the hardest. Almost 30 months.
C. L. Vaughn: With it becoming a traditionally published author being so challenging, a lot of authors are turning to self publishing and print on demand to get into the literary world, present company included. What are your opinions on self publishing?
Steve Alten: You do what you have to do. I admire all writers who persevere.
C. L. Vaughn: On your website you mention in your bio that you started to write your first novel later in life. What compelled you to write and try to become published? Have you always been interested in writing?
Steve Alten: When I was at Penn State, I nearly switched from Phys. Ed. To journalism. So yes, I was very interested. I finally wrote Meg at age 35 because I hated my job and needed a new career. The big shark saved me.
C. L. Vaughn: If you were given the opportunity to travel into the Mariana Trench, would you go?
Steve Alten: Hell, no. One screw up and you implode!
C. L. Vaughn: What´s next for Steve Alten, Any new projects under construction?
Steve Alten: The LOCH debuts in mass market paperback on Halloween. Then MEG: Hell´s Aquarium in summer 2009. Hopefully a few movie projects during that time span!
C. L. Vaughn: Thank you again for taking the time to conduct this interview. Do you have any last thoughts you´d like to share with your readers before we end this Q&A?
Steve Alten: My pleasure. To contact me, your readers can go to www.SteveAlten.com and click on the e-mail link. Be sure to sign up for FREE UPDATES and you might earn a chance to be a character in an upcoming novel!
Four days after Steve lost his job as the GM of a meat company, six of the biggest publishing houses fought in a bidding war for his novel. Bantam Doubleday won and MEG went on to become the book of the 1996 Frankfurt book fair, where it sold to more than fifteen countries. As his novel hit the domestic market it reached the best-seller list on the New York Times and several other outlets.
Since MEG, Steve has written several other novels including 3 sequels to MEG and his latest and most controversial, the Shell Game. Steve has also written several screenplays and formed the Adopt-An-Author program, which is a national non-profit program designed to help young adults become, "interested in reading and writing through the use of best-selling thrillers, heroic non-fiction stories, motivational books and direct contact with the authors via personal appearances, phone calls, emails, and interactive websites." ~AdoptAnAuthor.com
C. L. Vaughn: Hi Steve,
Before we take the readers through the questions and answers I wanted to share with you how much of a treat this interview is for me. Since I found your first novel, MEG, in a used book store you´ve quickly become one of my top two favorite authors. This is not only because of your writing style and plots, but because of how personal you are with your fans. I´ve emailed on a few occasions and each time you´ve responded back, even giving me your suggestions on entering a writing contest.
With that out of the way I´ll start by asking about your latest novel, Shell Game. How has the book marketing been going? It seems that you´ve gained a huge new readership from the book. Mind telling us a little about the book?
Steve Alten: The SHELL GAME is far more than a thriller, it is a MUST-READ cautionary tale that exposes the truth behind the war in Iraq, Peak Oil, and the next "9/11" – an event designed to justify a retaliatory strike on Iran. Although the novel is written as fiction, it is filled with all-too-real details provided by insiders in the oil industry, military, and Middle Eastern affairs that extrapolates real events from the past and present that could propel us farther down this path of self-destruction...unless we stop the insanity now. The success of the book could cause a public outcry during the most important election in our nation´s history. Many reviewers are calling The SHELL GAME our generation's 1984.
C. L. Vaughn: While doing some research for this interview I watched a video of you being interviewed on Chanel 6 ABC Philadelphia. You mentioned during the interview that the stress caused by writing the Shell Game was extremely high and that shortly after publishing the book you were diagnosed with Parkinson´s. Do you feel that the extra stress may have contributed to the diagnoses? What made writing the Shell Game more stressful than the other novels?
Steve Alten: The stress definitely played a big part in the advancement of Parkinsons. Perhaps I would have gotten it like most patients after age 70, or not at all. The stress was related to the extensive research and private interviews with insiders on what REALLY happened during the events of September 11th and a potentially new event, staged by neocons in our own government, that will result in a nuclear suitcase attack on a major US city…blamed on Iran.
C. L. Vaughn: One of the great things you´ve been able to accomplish since selling your first novel is the Adopt-An-Author program. Can you explain to the readers what the program is about and how, if possible, other authors can help?
Steve Alten: Adopt An Author was first created by high school teacher who realized MEG was perfect for getting reluctant teen readers to read. I formalized the program by pooling together free curriculum materials, tests, quizzes, and really everything a teacher could possibly use to create an exciting unit. Plus AAA adds the dimension of having the students communicate directly with myself and other authors via e-mail, classroom calls, and visits. We are now in over 8,000 schools and the program absolutely gets teens to read. For more info or to register go to www.AdoptAnAuthor.com
C. L. Vaughn: I saw a photo of you standing with former President Clinton, it must be pretty exciting to meet such influential people. Who´s been the most memorial for you?
Steve Alten: Ha! That was a cardboard poster a neighboring booth had at Book Expo a few years back. I have one of Bush too, though I won´t show it.
C. L. Vaughn: You´ve also written several screenplays. Which is easier for you to write, a screenplay or a novel? Have you ever considered writing a nonfiction book?
Steve Alten: Screenplays are faster, though in many ways tougher to do right. I haven´t come across a compelling non-fiction idea yet. Fiction is best for me.
C. L. Vaughn: What was the hardest book for you to write and which was the easiest and most fun?
Steve Alten: MEG: Hell´s Aquarium was the most fun. It will be out Summer 2009 and is by far the BEST in the MEG series. The Shell Game was the hardest. Almost 30 months.
C. L. Vaughn: With it becoming a traditionally published author being so challenging, a lot of authors are turning to self publishing and print on demand to get into the literary world, present company included. What are your opinions on self publishing?
Steve Alten: You do what you have to do. I admire all writers who persevere.
C. L. Vaughn: On your website you mention in your bio that you started to write your first novel later in life. What compelled you to write and try to become published? Have you always been interested in writing?
Steve Alten: When I was at Penn State, I nearly switched from Phys. Ed. To journalism. So yes, I was very interested. I finally wrote Meg at age 35 because I hated my job and needed a new career. The big shark saved me.
C. L. Vaughn: If you were given the opportunity to travel into the Mariana Trench, would you go?
Steve Alten: Hell, no. One screw up and you implode!
C. L. Vaughn: What´s next for Steve Alten, Any new projects under construction?
Steve Alten: The LOCH debuts in mass market paperback on Halloween. Then MEG: Hell´s Aquarium in summer 2009. Hopefully a few movie projects during that time span!
C. L. Vaughn: Thank you again for taking the time to conduct this interview. Do you have any last thoughts you´d like to share with your readers before we end this Q&A?
Steve Alten: My pleasure. To contact me, your readers can go to www.SteveAlten.com and click on the e-mail link. Be sure to sign up for FREE UPDATES and you might earn a chance to be a character in an upcoming novel!
