November Newsletter
To my MEGheads and cherished readers:

As you know, a few months ago I finished the first chapter of MEG: Purgatory, a novel I won’t be working on full-time until The LOCH: Heaven’s Lake is finished and sent off to the printers. But I have to admit, it was fun to write. And with my wife now working full-time and going to bed early, it gives me a few extra late night hours to start a new project (after working on LOCH-3 all day, I need a break to refresh). Novels take me almost a year or more to write. A few weeks ago my editor suggested putting out a series of MEG novellas – 80 to 120 page novels. That got my creative juices flowing…

There is a 4 year gap between MEG #1 & The TRENCH. This was done to allow the captured albino pup to grow into the 70-foot terror known as Angel – the Angel of Death. As I started putting ideas to paper, I realized Jonas, Mac, Terry, and Masao must have faced some serious challenges in those early days. First off, the lagoon is massive, built to accommodate whales migrating south along the Pacific coast. It’s far too big for a six foot shark. And how and what will she eat? And how can they afford to feed her? All sorts of crazy scenes and new characters started pouring out… Plus, there is an opportunity to flesh out the cast. Take Jonas. In a short span he has learned his wife was having an affair with a friend, he witnesses her being eaten, then he gets eaten and escapes… and now what? He wakes up in a decompression chamber seriously f—ked up. The adult MEG is dead so for now there's no attraction, maybe the pup survives, but for now Jonas has no job, no wife, no life, and the cute Asian chick whose brother was eaten is coming on strong… what would Mac say? Run, JT!

And so, I have begun a new series of stories called MEG: Angel of Death. The first will be MEG: Angel of Death 1.1 Survival. It will only be sold as an ebook and audio and will be launched for pre-sale on November 1st, with a targeted release date around X-Mas . Why order early? Because the first 500 people who order will get some extra goodies, including entry into a second character contest (the first is still running – anyone who orders a #3 MEGhead supersize package after Oct. 15 automatically makes it into the book. There are a few spots still available - see store at SteveAlten.com). I am also working on some really fun holiday bonuses and gifts. Some will be freebies, some serious collector’s items – but ALL will cater again to the first 500 MEGheads who pre-order MEG: ANGEL OF DEATH 1.1 SURVIVAL and/or The LOCH: Heaven’s Lake in November (those who already ordered will receive signed hardbacks.)

The LOCH: Heaven’s Lake … when will it be finished? I am pushing for January. It’s a much more layered story and far longer than A.O.D. 1.1 and it may also serve as the source material for The LOCH-2 movie, so I want it perfect.

Enjoy the rest of your update.
 
Steve Alten
LATE OCTOBER SPECIAL BONUS:
Purchase any Vintage package or MEG: Purgatory special gift from Oct 20 - Oct. 31st or the new ANGEL OF DEATH special gift and receive a Vintage 1997 MEG original bookmark signed by the author (these are double-sided gloss hard stock)... a $30 value, yours FREE (while supplies last). Be sure to email me at [email protected] with your full name, mailing address & personalized message for your MEG: Purgatory or A.O.D. personalized gift, along with the receipt #.



For a limited time I am offering to send out personalized, signed, and bound copies of the MEG: Angel of Death chapters. Makes a one-of-a-kind keepsake you’ll have forever.
Do You Have Friends or Family serving in the U.S. Military?
As a special holiday gift A & M Publishing stands ready to donate boxes of The MEG (40 books per case = $640 value) and/or DOG TRAINING THE AMERICAN MALE (40 books to a case = $400 value) to your loved ones and their fellow commandos serving in the Armed Forces for FREE if you will cover the $50 in shipping and handling to their FOP or the S & H to whatever destination you send to us. Email me the info at [email protected] SUBJECT: Books for Soldiers. (See my MILITARY SALUTE at SteveAlten.com ).

The books are brand-new, no limit on how many you want sent... for now.
MEG: Angel of Death 1.1 Survival
First Chapter!
Looking for a one-of-a-kind special gift?

You can order a commemorative copy of this sneak preview with your unique message, signed by the author for only $29.95 and receive a vintage 1997 MEG book mark (a $25 value) FREE while supplies last.

Living Tips:
Watching this video could save your life!
This is an EFFECTIVE and simple way to save yourself if you're alone and choking. Demonstrated by a Fire fighter/Paramedic.
Scientists in New Zealand agree with Zachary Wallace: Loch Ness monster is a giant eel
Better late than never… The LOCH debuted in 2005. Scientists from New Zealand who completed the most extensive study ever of the famous lake and its mythical beast found an overwhelming amount of eel DNA – leading them to conclude (drumroll please) the fabled Loch Ness Monster could in fact be a giant eel. (Geez, I could have saved you a lot of money just in airfare).


and here is an article from the New York Post: Read Now
China Might Have Its Own Chinese Nessie
And when I finish The LOCH: Heaven’s Lake in January, you’ll know what it is, and how it got there. Remember, like MEG: Generations you must pre-order a hardback at SteveAlten.com to own a hardback of LOCH- 3.

Check out the articles from MSN and from the BBC
Find out how your Facebook profile may have all the information a fraudster needs to steal your sensitive information.
Joke Of The Month
Archaeologists in France discovered traces of copper wire located in a thousand year old cave and announced it was really a French scientist who invented the telephone. Upon hearing this, British archaeologists located traces of plastic in a 2,000 year old cave and declared an English scientist had discovered fiber optic cable 2,000 years ago. Not to be outdone, Israeli archaeologists investigating a 5,000 year old cave found nothing - declaring ancient Jews had discovered wireless communications 5,000 years ago.
    
IF YOU HAVE A JOKE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, please e-mail to me at  [email protected]  Put JOKE in the subject line.
Recipe of the Month:
Spooky Witches Fingers for Halloween
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup whole almonds
1 (.75 ounce) tube red decorating gel.

Directions:
Combine the butter, sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat together with an electric mixer; gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt, continually beating; refrigerate 20 to 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.

Remove dough from refrigerator in small amounts. Scoop 1 heaping teaspoon at a time onto a piece of waxed paper. Use the waxed paper to roll the dough into a thin finger-shaped cookie. Press one almond into one end of each cookie to give the appearance of a long fingernail. Squeeze cookie near the tip and again near the center of each to give the impression of knuckles. You can also cut into the dough with a sharp knife at the same points to help give a more finger-like appearance. Arrange the shaped cookies on the baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven until the cookies are slightly golden in color, 20 to 25 minutes.

Remove the almond from the end of each cookie; squeeze a small amount of red decorating gel into the cavity; replace the almond to cause the gel to ooze out around the tip of the cookie.

Thanks to AllRecipes.com

IF YOU HAVE A RECIPE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, please e-mail to me at [email protected] Put RECIPE in the subject line.
Finally... 
Jon Stewart used to close The DAILY SHOW with his moment of Zen; I offer you this Halloween moment of The 3 Stooges
Stay safe, and know I appreciate you, . 
 
 -Steve Alten
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