VJ Books Features Steve Alten!

Steve Alten is a native of Philadelphia.  He earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Health and Physical Education at Penn State University, a Masters degree in Sports Administration from the University of Delaware, and a Doctorate of Education in Sports Administration from Temple University.

In the summer of 1995, struggling to support a family of five and unhappy in his job, Steve decided to pen a novel he had been thinking about for years.  Because he worked days and evenings, the only time he could write was from ten at night until three in the morning, and on weekends.  Neverthless, in eight months, he finished the manuscript that would eventually be called MEG: A Novel of Deep Terror, a page-turner about Carcharodon megalodon, the 70-foot, 70,000 pound prehistoric cousin of the great white shark.

Steve’s novels are action-packed and very visual. He has optioned Domain, MEG and The Loch to film producers. Steve has written six original screenplays. His comedy, Harlem Shuffle was a semi-finalist in the LA screenwriting contest, his comedy Mintz Meats was selected as a finalist at the Philadelphia film festival as was his psychological thriller, Stranglehold.

In August 2001, in response to receiving so many e-mails from teenagers who had "hated reading" until they read MEG (named the #1 book for reluctant readers by the Young Adult Library Services Association), Steve launched the Adopt-An-Author program.  Teachers who use Meg or any of Steve's books in the classroom receive giant shark posters, free curriculum materials, student-author correspondence, an interactive website, and classroom conference calls with the author.  The program is free to teachers and schools, paid for by Steve and his sponsors.  To date, over 4,500 teachers have registered and student response has been tremendous.  For more information, go to 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, uses the names and descriptions of his loyal fans as characters in all his novels, and even hires readers as editors, depending on their particular expertise.

The Shell Game Signed First Edition

Goliath Signed First Edition

Primal Waters Signed First Edition

Hell's Aquarium Signed First Edition

The Loch Signed First Edition

Phobos Signed First Edition

Steve Alten Bibliography

Megalodon series

1.     Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror (1997)

2.     The Trench (1999)

3.     Meg: Primal Waters (2004)

4.     Meg: Hell's Aquarium (2009)

5.     Meg: Night Stalkers (2011)

6.     Meg: Origins (2011)

Domain Trilogy

1.     Domain (2001)

2.     Resurrection (2004)

3.     Phobos (October 11, 2011)

Other Novels

·         Goliath (2002)

·         The Loch (2005)

·         The Shell Game (2008)