July Newsletter
To my readers:

Is it really July? The last eleven months feel like a blur. I spent September thru January working on a screenplay adaptation for my rom-comedy (written as L.A. Knight) for DOG TRAINING THE AMERICAN MALE, the last six months on The LOCH: Heaven’s Lake. Much of that time was devoted to research. 
The novel is really shaping up nicely; I anticipate finishing my first draft in late September, an edited (polished) manuscript in October, the printing in mid-October (at which time all orders must cease), with the books shipping and arriving to you in December before Christmas. Things can change, but right now that is the plan.
 
It’s now critical for me to drive sales. Like MEG: Generations this is a Special Collector’s Edition hardback. Why a Collector’s Edition? Because the moment it is published it will go up in value as only those readers who pre-ordered it will own it. The hardback will NOT be sold in stores or on Amazon, nor will it be available in libraries (unless my librarian readers purchase a few for their libraries). The only way to obtain a copy in December is to pre-order the book at the SteveAlten.com e-store. With less than 5,000 in print, they will increase in value.
 
Small print runs like these are very expensive. My goal is to pre-sell 4,000 books by mid-September. So far just over 1,000 copies have been sold. Everyone who orders a book before July 15 will receive a signed copy.
SPECIAL BONUS:
If and WHEN a total of 4,000 copies of The LOCH: Heaven’s Lake are pre-sold, EVERYONE who ordered a book will receive a color glossy mini-poster of the never-before-seen cover art of MEG: Purgatory… one for each hardback ordered!
 
If and WHEN a total of 4,500 copies of The LOCH: Heaven’s Lake are pre-sold, I will sign these mini-posters.
 
What will the Purgatory cover art look like? Erik “Rembrandt” Hollander and I are designing it now.
 
Finally…
Order books between July 1st & July 15th and your name will be entered in a drawing. Eight winners will be chosen on July 16 (see rules blow), to be written as characters in The LOCH: Heaven’s Lake.
 
Good Luck

--Steve Alten
Do your Christmas/Holiday shopping
July 1st – 15th and be a character in The Loch!
I am using characters at a faster pace than I expected. Knowing I’ll need more, I have an offer that is one of the best opportunities I’ve ever offered my readers!
 
Purchase one copy of The LOCH: Heaven’s Lake between July 1st thru July 15th, and your name will be placed in a drawing. Five winners will be selected on July 16 to be minor characters in the novel.
 
Better yet:  
 
Purchase 3 or more copies of The LOCH: Heaven’s Lake between July 1st thru July 15th, and your name will also be placed in a second drawing for every book purchased. Three more winners will be selected on July 16 to be MAJOR characters in the novel.
 
So, by doing your holiday shopping now, you could avoid long lines in December, give your loved ones (or boss or employees, teacher, karate instructor, security guard) a signed collector’s edition hardback of one of the best novels they’ll ever read WHILE increasing your chances of being a character in the story. By Christmas, The LOCH movie should be announced, making Heaven’s Lake one hell of a great offer. 
The LOCH: Heaven’s Lake book trailer!
Another masterpiece created by James “Spielberg” Gelet.
The LOCH: Heaven’s Lake free sneak peek:
I promised this in the June newsletter and posted a rewrite of the Prologue. In case you missed it.

Click on the Image to download.
 
Look for an all-new chapter in early July, posted on my faceback site:
MEG Graphic Novel Comic Update:
The artist (Mike Miller) that took over the project from Dabel Brothers emailed me the following: 
 
Steve,

“Please let the MEGheads know that all is well and we are waiting for the final pre-press proofs. I’ll keep you updated.”
 
I know this is frustrating (I ordered copies too) however Mike has assured me this is his #1 priority and I believe him. The comics were very well done and the graphic novel is essentially all of the comics bound together. Updates as soon as I receive them!
LIVING TIPS: How to Escape from being trapped inside the trunk of a car.
Recipe of the Month:
Secret Fuddruker Burgers for July 4th
INGREDIENTS:  
2 pounds ground beef
2 teaspoons of paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons of ground black pepper
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

PREPARATION :  
Combine ingredients in a bowl, makes 8 patties. Grill and enjoy.

*IF YOU HAVE A RECIPE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, please e-mail to me at  MEG82159@aol.com  Put RECIPE in the subject line.
Joke Of The Month
After nearly 50 years of marriage, Ted was lying in bed one evening, when his wife felt Ted begin to massage her in ways he hadn't in quite some time. It almost tickled as his fingers started at her neck, and then began moving down past the small of her back. He then caressed her shoulders and neck, slowly worked his hand down, stopping just over her stomach. He then proceeded to place his hand on her left inner arm, working down her side, passing gently over her buttock and down her leg to her calf. Then, he proceeded up her thigh, stopping just at the uppermost portion of her leg. He continued in the same manner on her right side, then suddenly stopped, rolled over and became silent. As she had become quite aroused by this caressing, she asked in a loving voice, "Honey, that was wonderful. Why did you stop?";  To which he responded, "I found the remote..."
 
Thanks to Steve Swisher. 
    
IF YOU HAVE A JOKE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, please e-mail to me at  MEG82159@aol.com  Put JOKE in the subject line.

Finally... 
Jon Stewart closes The Daily Show with his moment of Zen, I offer you my moment of Curly... 
Stay well, stay safe... and know this author really appreciates you. 
 
Sincerely,
 -Steve Alten, Ed.D.
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