|
|
Dear Readers:
Lots going on this month.
 First and foremost is the debut of VOSTOK, the long-awaited sequel to The LOCH (and the prequel to MEG: NIGHTSTALKERS. VOSTOK is being called my best novel by critics - and they may be right. Enjoy the book trailer, and please post it to your social media sites.
Then there's the Special Anniversary Edition of MEG: A Novel of Deep Terror, which has been rewritten and combined with the never-before-printed prequel, MEG: ORIGINS. I've also included 17 original interior images contributed over the years by my artists. The result is a completely different reading experience and a book that we believe will become a collector's item. Only 5,000 copies of the hardback were printed, each individually numbered, so if you haven't ordered yet or would like to give away copies as gifts - this may be your last chance.
I am also offering an opportunity to be a major character in my next novel. I've never done this before with a major character, and the winner could end up not only being immortalized in a book but in a movie! It takes 5 minutes to enter, but either a creative genius or social media god to dominate the contest (see below).
The MEG MOVIE? At the risk of sounding like the boy who cried wolf (or shark) final details are being negotiated as of this week. I wish I could say more, but after waiting this long - hang in there with me.
With that, here's your update.
|
VOSTOK book trailer: Enjoy, and please spread the link around!
| |
The story takes place right after THE LOCH and really takes off.
 | | VOSTOK BOOK TRAILER |
|
|
Scientists shocked to discover fish living beneath Antarctic ice
|
I really must start sending my manuscripts to Scientific American... it would save so much research time.
|
|
Are you a character in VOSTOK?
|
The following made the cut. If you think you were supposed to be a character and were left out, email me at [email protected] Congrats to: Sam Mannino, Caner Gokeri, Kyle Trunk, Alexander MacDonald, Eric Schager , Chris Plumley, Mark Plumley, Esther Jacobs, George McFarland, Rehan Ahmed, Gabor Szeifert, Thomas Nilsson, Benjamin Hintzmann, Dan Porter, Mikhail Kopilevich, Susan McWhite, Kevin Coolidge, Helmi Jokinen, Zeb Gnehm, Jim Clancy , Cassandra Boyd , Scott Schwartzberg, Jaqui Billups, Dawn Warfield, Jaime Watkins, Lorey Schmidt, Justin Willems, James Hinks, Peter McLaughlin, Brian Ullom, Martin McCandless, Magdalena Hicklen, Lorey Schmidt, Ernest Lazano, Chris Stewart, Joe Tkalec, Cyel Reed , Dawn Marie Hurtienne , Tyler Bohlman , Melody Matney , Victor Lopez, Stephen Vacendak, Issac Pringle, Ashlynn Archer, Jenni Backman.
|
|
Do you want to be a MAJOR CHARACTER in my next novels?
|
 I am concurrently working on 2 big stories. This contest is for UNACKNOWLEDGED, a thriller I am writing with Dr. Steven Greer, the foremost authority on extraterrestrials. I need about 7 - 10 major characters. To select these leading men and women, I'm offering the spots to the fans who can garner the most views of my VOSTOK trailer on THEIR youtube posting.
HOW TO ENTER:
1. Send me an email at [email protected] (SUBJECT: UNACKNOWLEDGED).
2. I will email you the VOSTOK TRAILER file.
3. Upload it to your youtube channel as many times as you want, then send me the link so I can keep track of views.
The top viewers by March 1, 2015 will be immortalized in the novel! It's a big one, with movie potential, so who knows!
VERY IMPORTANT:
To send your upload into BIG views requires a title for your upload that is clever and attracts public interest. BE CLEVER! Be CREATIVE. Then post the link to your entire social network and ask them to spread the link around!
|
|
|
MEG: Special Anniversary Edition Hardback - Order Here
|
When I first spoke to the publisher about combining the prequel,
MEG: ORIGINS with the original MEG, I had no idea the endeavor would take me over two months to complete. Once I began the edit, I realized two things - that adding the prequel changed the original, and that, in terms of writing, the original needed a serious polish. I am simply a much better writer today than the rookie who penned MEG twenty years ago. And so I rewrote the entire story. You can order as many copies as you like. You can resell them on ebay if you want - it's up to you. I'm using a percentage of my proceeds to fund research into finding a cure for Parkinsons, which I was diagnosed with 8 years ago... so by all means, buy as many copies as you'd like. I do feel the value will go up, especially with a MEG movie announcement forthcoming. Books should arrive in late January or early February. Each will be numbered and sent out based on the order they were purchased. |
|
All-New MEG book trailer:
| |
|
|
Are you serious about being published in 2015?
| |
Twenty years ago, I had an idea for a book about a giant prehistoric shark. Because I had a day job (a Just-Over-Broke) I had to work nights and weekends. Six months later I had a manuscript which needed serious help. Thankfully, I found an interested Literary Agent who saw potential... but first we needed to make the manuscript publishing-worthy. He taught me how to write and edit for $6,000 (I sold my prized possession - a 1971 Chevy Malibu convertible) and that investment led to MEG and 16 published novels to follow.
One of the things I enjoy most is helping aspiring authors get published. My WRITING COACH program has launched the careers of at least 8 new authors - and for 2015 I'm offering an opportunity for three more writers at a discounted price - one payment of $2,995 or 3 payments of $1,600.
Here's the catch - you have to have an idea worth publishing, you have to be able to write, and you have to be dedicated. If you qualify then email me at [email protected](SUBJECT: WRITING COACH) with your name and a short synopsis about your book. If I see potential I'll arrange a call to brainstorm the idea. If we both like the conversation and direction I'll send you a contract that commits me to working with you at your schedule. A year from now we may be reading YOUR published title.
TESTIMONIALS (and some new authors to enjoy!)
Edward S. Brown
Steve's Writing Coach program helped me get my start! The program went well beyond my expectations. Steve helped me revise my manuscript into a finely tuned, professionally written novel, which saw publication last October!
 Josh ViolaI worked with Steve on my debut novel. It went on to win 17 awards. I'm now in the midst of working on my 6th book.
Brian Ullman
I can personally attest to the value of your Writing Coach. A few years back, I sent Steve a jumbled draft of Darwin's Race, my  first novel. Within a few months, Steve helped shape that into a manuscript that was eventually published. It's no exaggeration to say that my career as an author is due largely to Steve's expert guidance. For those of you who dream of being a writer, I'm not sure there's a better investment than Writing Coach. Happy writing, all!
David McCaffrey  Steve was my writing coach for my debut novel. His patience, expertise and mentoring skills cannot be equaled, and Hellbound would not even be half the book it is if not for him. It has received great reviews, has allowed me to be invited to crime book events and has opened doors to a whole new world, all because of Steve. If you are remotely interested in writing, then you will not find a better coach than Steve Alten. Terry Zavecz
My wife was a great fan of Steve's (and I am now) and she steered me into an offer similar to this. I was a first reluctant but took the plunge. What an eye-opener. I did not understand just what the reader was looking for. How to lay out your plot, configuring the storyline and most of all, how to write in a way that captures the reader and holds them to the plot. We're nearing completion of the work right now and I can see the difference in this novel from my earlier stories. If you are serious about writing, consider getting a coach. Writing may be the first step in giving a piece of yourself to the world. Do it properly, learn to build a good, solid base from this personal trainer. It'll be an investment you never regret. Michael Hale
I'm one of Steve's students right now. It's taken me a lot longer than most I am sure (2 plus years), but only because of life events. He will not rush you or make you feel like you should be doing more and he will make you do it right. He will not accept a chapter until he is comfortable it is well written. I am on my last two chapters and hope to finally complete my first novel in the next few weeks. I am getting really excited! It may never sell a copy, but this has been a 25 year idea in my head and it is finally in words. My motto is, if you want literary genius, read Tolstoy, if you want a good story, read Hale! Thanks Steve! |
|
Living Tips - Protect your home from fire!
|
 | | Kids and Character Fire Safety Introduction - video 1 |
|
|
Laugh of the Month - You know you're an extreme redneck if...
|
 1. You let your 14-year-old daughter smoke at the dinner table in front of her kids.
2. The Blue Book value of your truck goes up and down depending on how much gas is in it.
3. You've been married three times and still have the same in-laws.
4. You think a woman who is out of your league bowls on a different night.
5. You wonder how service stations keep their rest-rooms so clean.
6. Someone in your family died right after saying, 'Hey, guys, watch this.'
7. You think Dom Perignon is a Mafia leader.
8. Your wife's hairdo was once ruined by a ceiling fan.
9. Your junior prom offered day care.
10. You think the last words of the Star-Spangled Banner are 'Gentlemen, start your engines.'
11. You lit a match in the bathroom and your house exploded right off its wheels.
12. The Halloween pumpkin on your porch has more teeth than your spouse..
13. You have to go outside to get something from the fridge.
14. One of your kids was born on a pool table.
15. You need one more hole punched in your card to get a freebie at the House of Tattoos.
16. You can't get married to your sweetheart because there's a law against it.
17. You think loading the dishwasher means getting your wife drunk.
And in closing.... Two good ol' boys in a Alabama trailer park were sitting around talking one afternoon over a cold beer after getting off work at the local Nissan plant.
After a while the 1st guy says to the 2nd, "If'n I was to sneak over to your trailer Saturday & make love to your wife while you was off huntin' and she got pregnant and had a baby, would that make us kin?"
The 2nd guy crooked his head sideways for a minute, scratched his head and squinted his eyes thinking real hard about the question. Finally, he says, "Well, I don't know about kin, but it would make us even!" Thanks to Rick M. for sending these jokes in.
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: Crusted Lamb with Garlic
| |
 Ingredients:
3 extra-large bulbs of fresh garlic (approx 6 oz.)
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 cup olive oil
1 leg of lamb.
DIRECTIONS: Separate garlic into cloves and take off the skins. Place garlic, parsley and olive oil in a blender or food processor and mix until a paste is formed. Get rid of excess fat from meat. Spread garlic mixture on all sides of meat. Bake uncovered in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes per pound. This garlic mixture can also be used on other cuts of meat.
Thanks go to Erin at Real Health Foods.
*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 closes The Daily Show with his moment of Zen, I offer you my moment of Curly... (I defy you to watch this and not smile)
 | | The Curly Shuffle |
Stay well, stay safe... and know this author really appreciates you.
Sincerely,
|
|
|
