MOVERS and SHAKERS: Steve Alten, Author of The Meg which inspired #1 movie in the world @Themeg2018 Our Coverage Sponsored by Cosmopolitan Dental, Official Dentist of Whom You Know @GaroNazarianDDS #cosmopolitandental #loveyoursmile
Steve Alten
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Steve Alten grew up in Philadelphia, earning his Bachelors degree at Penn State University, a Masters Degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Delaware, and a Doctorate of Education at Temple University. Struggling to support his family of five, he decided to pen a novel he had been thinking about for years. Working late nights and on weekends, he eventually finished MEG; A Novel of Deep Terror in September 1996.
On September (Friday) the 13th, 1996, Steve lost his general manager's job at a wholesale meat plant. Four days later his agent had a two-book, seven figure deal with Bantam Doubleday. MEG would go on to become the book of the 1996 Frankfurt book fair, where it eventually sold to more than twenty countries. MEG hit every major best-seller list, including #19 on the New York Times (#7 audio), and became a popular radio series in Japan.
On August 10, 2018, Warner Bros. released The MEG directed by Jon Turtletaub (National Treasure) and starring Jason Statham. In less than a month the movie has been 1 in the U.S. and the world, earning in excess of $500 million dollars:
Before it was publicly released, Whom You Know viewed and recommended it through our relationship with Warner Brothers Pictures:
After we published it, we “met” Steve Alten through Twitter.
Steve’s second release, The TRENCH (Meg sequel) was published by Kensington/Pinnacle in 1999 and was also a best-seller. His next novel, DOMAIN and its subsequent sequels, RESURRECTION and PHOBOS: MAYAN FEAR were published by St. Martin's Press/Tor Books and were runaway foreign best-sellers (#1 in Spain, Mexico, & Argentina) with the rights sold to more than twenty countries. To date, Steve has published 18 thrillers and a comedy including four NY Times best-sellers and four international best-sellers, with three titles petitioned for TV and/or movies.
Over the years, Steve has been inundated with e-mail from teens who hated reading ...until they read his novels. When he learned high school teachers were actually using his books in the classroom (MEG was a top selection by Y.A.L.S.A.) Steve launched Adopt-An-Author, a nationwide non-profit program designed to encourage students to read. Teachers who register for the program (it’s free) receive giant shark posters, free curriculum materials, student-author correspondence, an interactive website, and classroom conference calls/visits with the author. To date, over 10,000 teachers have registered, and the success rate in getting teens to read has been unprecedented. For more information click on www.AdoptAnAuthor.com.
As an author, Steve has two goals: First, to continue to work hard to become a better storyteller and create exciting page-turning thrillers. Second, to remain accessible to his readers. Steve reads and answers all e-mails, holds character contests for his readers in his free monthly newsletter (circ. 27,000 +) and hires readers as editors, depending on their particular field of expertise. We are so pleased to present Steve Alten as our latest Mover and Shaker! Peachy Deegan interviewed Steve for Whom You Know.
Peachy Deegan: What is your first memory of sharks?
Steve Alten: I
saw Blue Water - White Death when I was fairly young. Lots of waiting until the Great Whites finally showed up.
What about sharks fascinates you?
Voracity, lack of a soul, and teeth.
Did Jaws influence your writing at all and what did you think of this movie?
JAWS got me interested in Great White sharks, which led to a fascination with Megalodon.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what five books that you didn’t write yourself would you like to have and why?
I’ll take a book on starting fires, building boats, farming, shelters, and a copy of Penthouse.
Our friend and master hairstylist Edward Tricomi was telling us about Saturday Night Live’s rendition of Land Shark from the 1970’s. Did this influence your writing of the Meg and how did you like what they did?
God, no. But Chevy Chase was great. And I learned candy grams are dangerous.
What should everyone know about Philadelphia and the State of Pennsylvania?
Philly is a blue collar city of passionate sports fans who don’t put up with bullshit. As for PA., I only know from State College (Happy Valley… Penn State Proud) east to NJ.
Why does it take so long for a book to be turned into a movie?
I can only speak to the MEG movie. The rights were optioned by Hollywood Pics (Disney) before the pub rights were sold. Unfortunately the scripts were subpar and the head of the studio was fired a year after the rights were optioned – killing the deal. That was in 1996-98. Then New Line optioned it in 2004/5. Too many warring chiefs and not enough Indians combined with a horrible script and rewrites from a screenwriter who ignored the source material. The rights reverted in 2007, at which time I optioned MEG to producer Belle Avery. She singlehandedly saved the franchise, bringing in Gravity Pictures to raise the funds privately based on a new script we wrote together. Twenty-two long stress-filled years from the day the first option took place, The MEG became the #1 movie in the world.
How involved were you with the making of The Meg movie?
Belle and I co-wrote the script that raised the funds, otherwise no involvement.
Did you have any creative input into the making of The Meg movie aside from writing the book?
Nope.
What defines you as an author?
My close relationship with my readers.
What inspires you as an author?
Inspiration can come from anywhere.
What makes one a great author?
Define great. Everything is subjective. Do sales make one a great author or the quality of the writing? Can one exist without the other? Yes. Which would I choose? To be honest, the last 22 years of struggles might push me to choose sales, but I strive for both.
What or who has had the most influence on your pursuit of excellence?
My father. He was in advertising and won many awards for his ads and commercials. More important, he was the best person I ever knew. I miss him every day.
What are you proudest of and why?
My non-profit teen reading program, Adopt-an-Author. We’ve inspired so many students to read.
What would you like to do professionally that you have not yet had the opportunity to do?
American gigolo, however age and health have kept me focused on writing.
What honors and awards have you received in your profession?
Temple University recently nominated me for their Gallery of Success.
What one word best describes you and why?
Resourceful.
What do you take your sense of identity from?
That’s a mixed bag of good combined with several challenges… family and friends, my work, financial hardships and the daily battles with Parkinson’s Disease.
What is your favorite place to be in Manhattan?
Central Park.
And in Pennsylvania?
I miss Happy Valley. Penn State was an amazing place to go to school.
What is your favorite shop in Manhattan?
Barnes & Noble.
And in Pennsylvania?
The Eagles Pro Shop.
If you could hire anybody who would it be and why?
Michael J. Fox. I’d him to fund natural cures for Parkinson’s versus focusing on synthetic drugs which treat vs cure diseases and cause serious side-effects. The extracts found in plants, vegetables, and fruits can reverse diseases like PD and cancer – I know because I know a brilliant scientist who is doing it – only he’ll never receive the funds needed to win the battle because NATURAL cannot be patented. Sadly, cures must be profitable first, and that leaves out natural. It’s all about the money.
What is your favorite drink?
Pure water. I don’t drink. Never have.
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a cocktail party?
At the MEG premiere, after the movie let out, my friend Mark pointed to Larry David. Being a huge fan, I went up to him and said, “Larry! I have to get a photo with you as my wife thinks I act just like you.” I put my arm around him and someone snapped a photo. Turns out it wasn’t Larry David.
What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan? And in Pennsylvania?
My favorite restaurant is in Atlantic City: The White House Sub Shop. Best cheesesteaks on the planet.
What is your favorite Manhattan book or favorite character in Manhattan literature?
Shep, the protagonist in GRIM REAPER: End of Days by Steve Alten. That one will scare the Manhattan out of you.
And in Pennsylvania?
Gunnar Wolfe in GOLIATH, same author.
Who would you like to be for a day and why?
God. I’d cure all diseases, eliminate pain and suffering, end war and famine and call it a day.
If you could have anything in Manhattan named after you what would it be and why? And in Pennsylvania?
I wouldn’t. I’m just not into the big ego gratification b.s. Look at Donald Trump… no, thanks.
What has been your best Manhattan athletic experience? And in Pennsylvania?
Haven’t had one in Manhattan, but in PA. that’s easy… Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champions!
What is your favorite thing to do in Manhattan that you can do nowhere else?
In Manhattan… visit my daughter.
And in Pennsylvania?
Attend a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park.
If you could have dinner with any person living or passed, who would it be and why?
Moses. He had conversations with God…nuff said.
What has been your best Manhattan art or music experience? And in Pennsylvania?
I just don’t frequent Manhattan enough to render an intelligent answer, but watching the opening concert for the Rolling Stones Steel Wheels tour in the first row at the Vet was #1 in PA.
What do you personally do or what have you done to give back to the world?
My Adopt-an-Author program, my relationship with my readers, but I need to work harder on being a better husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle. The latter is far more important.
What do you think is most underrated and overrated in Manhattan? A
nd in Pennsylvania?
In Manhattan, I think it’s amazing to have so many diverse cultures living in relative peace on one small island... that is underrated. Overrated is the living accommodations.
In PA., I think the Steelers may be overrated this year and my Eagles underrated.
Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite WhomYouKnow.com column and what do you like about it?
What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
I personally answer each and every email I have ever received since 1997.
How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
My personal and only email address is Meg82159@aol.com or try www.SteveAlten.com
