Author Interview ~ Steve Alten, Part I

Philadelphia native, Steve Alten, holds a Bachelors degree in Physical Education from Penn State University, a Master in Sports Medicine from the University of Delaware, and a Doctorate degree in Sports Administration from Temple University. His first book, MEG; A Novel of Deep Terror hit the N.Y. Times bestseller list, and was sold in more than a dozen countries.

What book or project is coming out or has come out that you’d like to tell us about?

The SHELL GAME. It’s about the end of oil and the next 9/11 event that will be “allowed” to happen so we can invade Iran.

Tell us about your journey to publication. How long had you been writing before you got the call you had a contract, how you heard and what went through your head.

I wrote MEG, my first novel, basically from ten at night until three in the morning for about a year. Six days after I lost my job at a wholesale meat company I signed a two-book deal with Bantam/Doubleday and a movie option with Hollywood Pictures.

MEG would go on to become the book of the 1996 Frankfurt book fair, where it eventually sold to more than a twenty countries. It hit every major best-seller list, including #19 on the New York Times list (#7 audio), and was even a popular radio series in Japan. Despite MEG’s success, Bantam Doubleday abruptly cancelled my second book, and the President of Hollywood Pictures was fired, canceling the movie option…all of which sent my career on a wild rollercoaster ride.

Six months later I bounced back with The TRENCH (Meg sequel) which was released by Kensington/Pinnacle in 1999 where it also hit best-seller status. My next novel, DOMAIN and its sequel, RESURRECTION were purchased by Tor/Forge, along with GOLIATH and the third book in the MEG series, MEG; Primal Waters.

In April of 2005, I optioned MEG to New Line Cinema, which (we hope) will release the movie in Summer 2008. Jan de Bont (Twister) will direct, Larry Gordon and Lloyd Levin to produce. My seventh novel was The LOCH, perhaps my best novel to date. Dramatic Rights are already being packaged. I just finished my eighth novel, The SHELL GAME, a thriller about the end of oil and the next 9/1 event, hopefully slated for early 2008.

You’ve had an interesting journey getting your novel, MEG into theaters. Tell us about that and where things stand now.

We just received a rewrite from the screenwriter, Shane Salerno, which has gone to budget. Hopefully we’ll have good news soon.

What are the elements of a good thriller?

Story, plotting, character development.

Do you still experience self-doubts regarding your work?

I am confident what I am writing is good, but I lose confidence in my ability to get a publishing deal when I take a book out. I absolutely believe The SHELL GAME will be very successful, yet I am having a hard time selling it. It’s very different. Publishers want monsters from me.

What’s the best advice you’ve heard on writing/publication?

The best thing I can offer is to write NOT what you know, but what others want to read. Become an expert by doing research.

What’s the worst piece of writing advice you’ve heard?

Give it up, the odds are too great on being published.

What’s something you wish you’d known earlier that might have saved you some time/frustration in the publishing business?

I am with a solid publicity firm now, but it took the years to find them, so that would have helped.

What are a few of your favorite books? (Not written by you.)

Dracula, Ian Fleming’s 007 series, Thomas Harris books.

What piece of writing have you done that you’re particularly proud of and why?

I recently finished a comedy script and a horror script and I love them both.

Do you have a pet peeve having to do with this biz?

I hate not getting called back. That’s mostly a Hollywood deal. I make it a point always to respond to calls and e-mails.

Can you give us a view into a typical day of your writing life?

East breakfast while I read the newspaper front to back. Answer e-mails for an hour. Then I edit yesterday’s work before beginning anew. Lunch when I feel my attention sagging, then more e-mail and back at it. Sometimes I will also work a late night shift.

What’s most important is that I am always thinking about the story. Always.

Do you have a dream for the future of your writing, something you would love to accomplish?

I have goals. I want to be #1 on the NY Times best sellers list. I want to see my books and scripts turned into movies. That’s a start.

You say on your website that you personally answer all of your email. Doesn’t this eat into your writing and family time?

It is a necessary part of my writing time, there is nothing so important. I have met some amazing and very talented people in their own fields who lend me their expertise. Plus my readers deserve a personal reply, without them I am nothing. The day may (hopefully) come when I can’t keep up, but I will still communicate via newsletters, myspace, etc.

How do you handle the fans who step over the line of appropriate behavior?

To be continued tomorrow ...