Steve Alten's September Newsletter | |
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MEGheads, Readers, Family & Friends:
It was on August 10, in 2018 that The MEG movie debuted in U.S. theaters. What follows was my message of love &appreciation to all:
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MEGheads:
By the time you read this, there will be less than a week to go before the Monday August 6th premiere in Los Angeles followed by the Aug. 9th showing in Wilmington, Delaware which some of you won passes to, followed by the Aug. 10th world-wide showing... followed on August 21st with a private showing in Boca Raton for my Florida family and friends.
As these moments approach, I am overwhelmed and absolutely humbled by the blessings God has bestowed upon me. My wife, Kim, who has been with me since the day I announced exactly 23 years ago after reading an article in TIME magazine about the Mariana Trench that I was going to be an author... and, oh yeah, honey, I'll be working nights from 10 pm thru 3 am and on weekends for the next year while I take over the living room. Kim was there with me in the movie theaters as I blathered on during the coming attractions about how, "one day we'll be watching Meg's coming attractions." She was waiting for me in our rental home on September 13th, 1996 (Friday the 13th) when I was fired from my job as GM of a wholesale meat company with $45 in the bank, and she was there 6 days later when Meg garnered a 2 book, 7-figure deal from Bantam/Doubleday following a first-look movie offer from Disney's Hollywood Pics.
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Thirteen months later, the MEG hardback sold 96,000 copies in the U.S. We had just moved our family out of a small rental into our dream house - which we enjoyed for 3 months - until I had handed in the last third of FATHOM.
In December, Doubleday stopped taking my calls. Two weeks later we learned they had cancelled my second book only days before they were contracted to pay me $800,000. The novel, entitled FATHOM, was supposed to be about the Mayan Calendar's doomsday prophecy, only the president of Doubleday had flown down to S. Florida to see me nine months earlier, informing me that I was being positioned to be the next Peter Benchley (what was wrong with the old one?) She left me by repeating that if I wanted to be paid, that Mayan Doomsday event had better take place on an ocean… huh?
Later that same year, the president of Hollywood Pictures was fired and the Meg movie rights reverted back to me. Those two deals cost me $1.5 million and our new home and strapped my career to a roller coaster that has included 18 novels, 8 publishers, 4 NY times best-sellers, 4 international best-sellers, 4 am death threats (see The SHELL GAME), 2 cancelled movie deals, and 2 upcoming major motion pictures... all of which has no doubt contributed to my Parkinson's Disease (diagnosed in 2007) after I spent two years writing The Shell Game... only to learn no mainstream publisher would touch it. I ended up selling it to Tim Schulte, a fan of mine who was the sales manager at Cedarfort Books, a Mormon pub who had never published fiction. The book hit the NY Times best-seller list twice. Tim went on to open Variance Publishing and published MEG: Hell's Aquarium and Grim Reaper.
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I'll carry all of that with me - good and bad - as I walk with Kim and our daughter and son down the red carpet in Los Angeles on August 6th. Belle Avery - my close and trusted friend and the MEG producer who made all of this possible will be with us, as will the partners at A&M Publishing - including my "brother" Mark, whose love and financial support kept my family going while the movie was in pre-production. Mark and I have been close friends for 40 years; we met when we played basketball together at PSU-Ogontz in 1978 when we were 18/19.
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 |  | From L.A. we'll travel to Philly for an August 9th private showing in Wilmington, Delaware, hosted by my "brother" Art and his wife, Trish, and his law firm. Art and I trace our friendship to first grade. We became close friends in 6th grade and reunited in the high school band in 10th grade and stayed close. We were roommates at PSU main campus, along with Mark. Art and I were roommates again in Delaware when I was getting my masters degree at the University of Delaware while he attended Widener Law School. His first job was with his future partner, Bob, who I met playing softball for the firm's team. Bob is extraordinarily generous and has shared his beach house with my family for the last 25 years. My Mom will drive in with my sister, Abby and her family, as well as my friend, Ed and his wife Tonja. Ed published both The LOCH and MEG at Tsunami books back in 2005 after he bought the rights from Doubleday, anticipating a movie deal at New Line Cinema. The deal happened, but was cancelled two years later after a horrible script was (thankfully) rejected. As soon as I got the movie rights to Meg back, I optioned them to Belle Avery.
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And then it's south to Boca Raton for a birthday showing of MEG for family and friends - an event hosted by my "brother" Jeff and his law firm to help raise money for foster care. Jeff and his wife, Gay generously commit their time, money, and love as foster parents. Jeff and I met as camp counselors when we were 18/19. Basketball reunited us 12 years later on the hardwood of the Boca JCC and we've stayed close ever since (Kim and I were married in his back yard in 1992). We'll be joined by one more brother from Philly, my friend and his wife, Andrea and my sister, Sue and her family, my daughter Amanda, and my three granddaughters, Savannah, Leyanna, and Alex...
And now you know why I am humbled. Not because of a movie, but because of family and friends with whom I get to share it with. We lost my father while MEG was still at New Line, but his younger brother (my Uncle Harvey), his older brother (Uncle Jerry) and their families --. along with my friend Ed saw the movie and LOVED IT. We lost Ed, and my two uncles between the two MEG movies... but I know they would have enjoyed The TRENCH.
There is, however one element of family and friends that made this journey of 22 years possible - YOU. For the last 22 years you have supported my work. You've shared your stories with me, and your ups and downs, births and weddings and losses. And now we get to share this event TOGETHER.
This is NOT my movie... it is OUR MOVIE!
I received the first proof of this newsletter about five minutes after I received an email from a number of MEGheads, urging me to check out "The Official Steve Alten MEG Movie Franchise Page Public Group.
Oh boy...
QUESTION: How can something be "official" if I've never been to the site?
My Unofficial official Review of MEG:2: The TRENCH, will be posted on Monday on my real official swear to G-d this is me, Steve Alten (except when it is Esteban Balboa (long story).
Until then -- NO FIGHTING ye little bastards!
With love, appreciation, and humility,
--Steve Alten
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MEG: Legacy
yes, we have financing options including
paypal’s 6 months zero percent
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We have now added LOW to ZERO percent interest options to finance your purchase of Collector Edition hardbacks sets sold at www.MEGlegacy.com. A trial run indicated the most popular option (Lizzy) is to pay for books 2 thru 7 interest-free over six months. TO ACCESS CHECKOUT where finance options are listed: CREDIT CARD… DEBIT… PAYPAL OPTIONS. As far as a delivery date we’re pushing for Volume 1 to be delivered in late November 2023 & possibly MEG LEGACY volume 2.
I realize the postage fees to the U.K are outrageous. Years ago, London Meghead Keri Brunt worked out an arrangement to take orders directly from readers overseas. If anyone is interested in using their shipping company to sell directly to MEGheads in the UK & Europe let me know by e-mail MEG82159@aol.com & I will make it profitable for you. I anticipate ending all preorders on Volume 1 before September 30, 2023. Keri,-let me know please.
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For Labor Day thru Halloween: Two highly recommended reads: | |
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For adults:
Five Years After by William R. Forstchen, the New York Times bestselling author of the One Second After series. Five years after The Final Day, the Republic of New America has all but collapsed into regional powers and the world at large is struggling to remain stable as regional conflicts ravage the post EMP landscape. After several years attempting to lead a quiet life, John Matherson receives the news that the President is dying from a possible assassination attempt, and is asked to step in to negotiate with what appears to be a new military power hidden in the wreckage of the world. Pulled back into the fray, John struggles to hold the tottering Republic together. Facing threats on multiple fronts, he races against time to stop another EMP attack on the former United States and China, putting years of progress at risk. With so much of his work under threat, John must find the strength within to start over, so that he can save the country and the people that he holds dear from even greater calamity.
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And, for Young Adults, the debut novel from my Writing Coach pupil, Rande Godwin, entitled, “The Witchfinder’s Serpent.”
When fifteen-year-old Nate Watson moves to Windsor to live with his mysterious Aunt Celia, the last things on his mind are witches, magick and ancient vendettas. While Nate focuses on building a new life for himself and his younger brother, making new friends and adjusting to a new high school, he can’t escape the feeling that something isn’t as it seems.
Nate’s search for answers leads him to a forbidden, locked door in Aunt Celia’s mansion. Inside, he finds a witch’s workshop full of mystical artifacts, some dating back to the time of the earliest Puritan settlers. It’s no coincidence that Nate is now living in the very same town where, forty-five years before the Salem witch trials, Also Young was hanged as America’s first witch.
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Could magic be real? Nate remains skeptical until he picks up the witchfinder’s serpent—a powerful, demonic bracelet that wraps itself around his arm and permanently imbeds itself into his flesh. Now Nate must confront the truth about Aunt Celia’s unlikely ancestry—as well as his own. And with her help, he must find a way to remove the bracelet before the serpent’s previous owner returns—an ancient and powerful enemy who will stop at nothing to get it back. | |
When can I expect to receive The LOCH-3: Heaven Lake? | |
Many thanks to Larry Paschelke for the bounty of info. | |
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Great white sharks are washing up on Canadian beaches — but experts claim this could be a good thing
Read the Full Article Now
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And from Dr. Michael Newman: | |
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Zoom call with Steve Alten
Saturday September 23, 2023 at 3pm ET.
Please reserve your spot with Barbara Becker at barbara@seamonstercove.com
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MUSIC VIDEO of the Month:
When I’m 64. by The Beatles
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On August 21st, I turned 64… What the heck happened? | |
How to celebrate? If I only had a recipe for Blueberry Maple Pecan Cinnamon Buns… | |
Recipe of the Month:
Blueberry Maple Pecan Cinnamon Buns
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Recipe basic sweet yeast dough (see below)
1/2 cups maple sugar (or white or brown)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup wild blueberries
1/2 cup pecans (toasted and chopped)
1 batch maple cream cheese glaze (see below)
Directions:
Punch down the dough. and knead for 30 seconds. Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a 24″ by 12″ rectangle. Mix the sugar and the cinnamon and sprinkle it onto the dough followed by the blueberries and pecans. Roll the dough into a log and pinch and cut it into 12 even slices. Arrange the buns in a greased pan, cover in plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Bake in a 375F/190C preheated oven until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. Top the buns with the glaze and enjoy. Punch down the dough. and knead for 30 seconds. Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a 24″ by 12″ rectangle. Mix the sugar and the cinnamon and sprinkle it onto the dough followed by the blueberries and pecans. Roll the dough into a log and pinch and cut it into 12 even slices. Arrange the buns in a greased pan, cover in plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Bake in a 375F/190C preheated oven until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. Top the buns with the glaze and enjoy.
For glaze:
4 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup maple syrup (or to taste).
*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.
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There were two church-going women gossiping in front of the store when a dusty old cowboy rode up. He tied up in front of the saloon, walked around behind his horse, lifted its tail and kissed the horse full on its rectum. Repulsed, one of the women asked, "That's disgusting, why did you do THAT?" To which the cowboy replied, "I've got chapped lips." Confused, the women continued, "Does that make them feel better?"
"No, but it stops me from licking them!"
What’s the difference between a wife and a girlfriend? 45 pounds.
What’s the difference between a husband and a boyfriend? 45 minutes.
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.
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Steve Alten/A & M Publishing schedule: | |
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The LOCH-3: Heaven Lake
Part three of The LOCH series. Be sure to re-read The LOCH (part 1), and VOSTOK (part 2) to enhance the experience before feasting on Heaven Lake. All hardbacks will be First-Editions and must be pre-ordered at the e-store at www.SteveAlten.com
STATUS: I expect to complete the manuscript in the next sixty days 2023). Each prior draft was edited so any new changes should be completed relatively quickly. Senior editor Barbara Becker will complete one last visual inspection. Once B.B. is satisfied she will upload the file to our printer in California while I contact our webmasters (Doug & Lisa @ MTR WEB Solutions) and have them cease all pre-sales of LOCH-3: Heaven Lake. The manuscript will then be sent to my long-time literary agent and friend to locate a publisher interested in purchasing the audio, ebook, mass market, and trade hardback rights. (A & M no longer sells to bookstores due to one-sided return policies.
MEG-7: Purgatory
The seventh and final novel in the MEG series is NOT out yet; it is still being written. I expect to complete it in late 2014. First edition hardbacks with extras included must be pre-ordered at either the e-store at www.SteveAlten.com or at the e-store at www.TheSteveAltenProject.com .
MEG: Legacy Seven Volume Collector Edition set:
Exciting News! We have added several financing options – paypal offering six months for zero percent interest -- reducing the monthly payment to less than a trade paperback. See info at www.MEGlegacy.com
Timetable:
The first volume is always allotted more time to hit the targeted print run. Once Vol. 1 is ordered to our printer, Vol. 2 can be ordered, etc. From that point, allow 10-12 weeks for printing and 2-4 weeks delivery.
NOTE: From Vol. 2 on, we expect to launch the next Volume every 3-4 months.
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Stay safe, and know I appreciate you,
Sincerely,
-Steve Alten
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