The book, as we know now, was “Meg” and the author was Steve Alten. And what a thrill ride “Meg” was! From the opening scene, where the prehistoric shark rises from the sea to snag a T-Rex, to the closing…this book was “Jaws”, if Peter Benchly had injected steroids and crank into the work. It rarely let up. And it introduced us to (and may in fact have started the craze) the Megalodon.
Of course Steve has shifted his focus to several other areas as well – the Mayan calendars and other doomsday scenarios – but I think there’s still a fondness for the megs. Or at least there should be. So far the series has four entries and each seemingly gets better and takes the stakes further. You’d think after the second or third, the adventures of the Jonas Taylor would start to feel a little watered down and redundant. In Hollywood perhaps this would be the case. In Alten’s world, he does well to showcase the fear of a 70 foot prehistoric shark as well as the fear of the economic climate. Over the first three of the Meg books, the Taylor story arc is pretty complete (as is Tanaka’s).
When I got the go ahead to ask a few questions, first and foremost I wanted to know how Alten keeps his books from dipping into cheese and schlock. Let’s face it, it’s a fair question since the SyFy channel has nearly become the “Mega-Shark” channel. We talk prehistoric sharks, his latest book “Grim Reaper”, his “Adopt-an-Author” program, and I ask if it’s okay to dub him the “Michael Bay” of literature.
Eric Mays: Steve, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions today. I appreciate it. To start off, have you ever been called the “Michael Bay of Literature”? If not, can I call you that? I don’t mean it as an insult. In fact, that’s how your books read – bigger, louder, badder – like an action-packed movie.
Steve Alten: You are the first. Sure, you can call me that, if you call him the “Steve Alten of Cinema”. (That’s probably insulting.)
SA: “Meg: Hell’s Aquarium” was intended to be the last, but I had so much fun writing it and exploring new characters (Megs included) I decided there will be one more novel. I’ll time the release of “Meg: Night Stalkers” with a movie (God willing).
EM: It’s easy to see why “Megs” are so fascinating. I worked for the National Aquarium in Baltimore on their Shark Quest exhibit and was instantly drawn in. But there are other fantastical aquatic giants. Why Megs?
SA: Megalodon was a 70-foot Great White – it was the most ferocious animal ever to have existed on the planet. Period. ‘Nuff said.
EM: Peter Benchly once said he felt bad for the environmental impact of “Jaws”. In fact, he spent his latter years as a vehement shark conservationist. Any guilt of striking fear of venturing into the ocean? And, what kinds of conservation efforts do you enjoy?
SA: As I tell people, when the Meg movie is made, I give you my word not one Megalodon will suffer harm as a result of my work. Actually, I believe strongly in protecting sharks and our oceans and I try to build those themes into the storylines. I also discuss it with students in the schools I visit.
EM: I’m not sure if you 100% believe in the existence of an actual Megalodon in these days, but if you do, could you send one to tackle BP?
SA: I was thinking of having a Meg eat a BP exec and Sarah Palin and her “Drill, baby, drill” crowd, but that would be cruelty to animals.
SA: I saw it. I think you really have to want to make something that bad on purpose. And casting Debbie Gibson? She probably took the role in exchange for her parking validation. Had I written the script the Meg would have eaten her while she was singing “You Light Up My Life”. Burp.
EM: Out of the fish that have not faced extinction, the Goblin shark is a favorite of mine. Any particular faves?
SA: Great Whites have always been my favorites, though I have zero desire to cage dive.
EM: At one point in time, tons of names were attached to the “Meg” adaptation. Wasn’t the latest Jan de Bont? Where is a “Megalodon” movie at this point (besides SyFy)?
SA: First, never confuse anything on SyFy with my franchise. A lot of schlock producers tried to cash in on my success, all are cheap and dumb. One film even credited me, which I had to threaten to sue to remove my name. As for the real Meg movie, we have funding ($150 million), we have an amazing script, and we are looking for the right A-list director. This is no reflection on Jan de Bont, who I think is amazing. But, studios and investors want the latest “hot” director.
EM: Okay, enough with the Megs, Steve. Sorry. Let’s focus on something a little more upbeat. You say the world will end in 2012. That’s two years to get stuff in order.
SA: It was the Mayans, not me. I only write about it.
EM: The Mayan Calendar has always been a fascinating thing. I agree that there might be something that happens in 2012, but I think ultimately it will be more like Y2K. As a writer you have to create fascinating scenarios. But in reality, what do you think we can expect (on a scale of apocalypse to status quo)?
SA: I think 2012 is a fork in the road for humanity. However, having just penned “Phobos”, part 3 of the series, I have very serious concerns over an extremely real threat hanging over out heads that could literally wipeout the planet. Seriously. And I am in communication with physicists about it.
SA: I have a sequel in mind for both “Goliath” and “The Loch”. Right now, I am letting the film side dictate the next book (after Phobos).
EM: And now you’ve got “Grim Reaper: End of Days” upcoming. Tell me about this one. The art on the website for it looks very, very good, by the way.
SA: “GRIM REAPER: END OF DAYS”, set to release October 2010, was inspired by Dante’s “Divine Comedy”, one of the most revered works in literature. Divided into three distinct parts (Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven) the poem describes Dante’s journey through Hell, depicted as nine circles of suffering. GRIM REAPER takes us on a classic hero’s journey of good versus evil, transformation and redemption. The modern day story set in Manhattan, New York, draws frightening parallels between the lack of morality that corrupted Europe preceding the Black Death (France, 1347) and the present day greed, deception, and cruelty that has mired our own society in economic collapse, two endless wars and our own self-destruction. The monumental task of weaving these concepts into a modern day story that meticulously parallels “Inferno” took me two full years to complete.
The planned trilogy begins with “GRIM REAPER: END OF DAYS” in which microbiologist Mary Klipot develops a bio-defense weapon for the Defense Department called “Scythe,” a modern-day version of the Black Plague which “God” commands her to release in Manhattan.
In Manhattan’s VA hospital, Iraqi war veteran Patrick “Shep” Shepherd is recovering from an explosion that took his arm and the memories of his estranged wife and daughter, whom he has not seen in eleven years since the war began. Selected by unscrupulous politicians looking to use him as the poster boy for the country’s war efforts, Shepherd is immediately fast tracked with a private room, a prosthetic arm, and desperately needed psychological guidance by Virgil Shechinah, an elder man whose stabbing analysis of Shep’s woes strike deep into his tortured soul. Meanwhile two floors down, a plague-ridden Mary Klipot gives birth to her “Christ child,” and in her delirium instructs Shep’s physician where to find the Scythe antidote. When Shep overhears a telephone conversation by the Secretary of Defense talking about the virus that has hit the streets of Manhattan, he breaks free with the antidote, escaping armed troops, piloting a Medi-vac chopper in an attempt to deliver the cure to his wife and daughter, now living in Battery Park. But Manhattan has been isolated by the military and Shep’s chopper is shot down over Inwood Hill’s forest. Like Dante, our hero awakens in a dark, strange wood, aided by his new psychiatrist, Virgil. On his harrowing journey through the plague-ridden streets of New York City, Shep must descend into his own Nine Circles of Hell in order to reunite with his family, cleanse his soul, and save humanity from the Angel of Death – the Grim Reaper stalking him throughout Manhattan – the military intent on “sterilizing” the Big Apple at dawn.
EM: Okay, Steve, I’ve got a confession. You’re a hero, of sorts, in my world. I find your Adopt-An-Author program to be one of the best literacy promotion programs out there. Just about every author I’ve interviewed has had to endure my ranting on literacy in America. How and why did this come about?
SA: The program was actually started by students and teachers. After “Meg” came out, I became inundated with email from high school students who said they hated reading…until they read Meg. Then teachers began emailing me, telling me they were using “Meg” in class with amazing results. Then I learned that “Meg” had been named the #1 book for reluctant teen readers by the Young Adult Library Services Association. Realizing something important was happening, I created the non-profit program: Adopt-An-Author. This was an attempt to pool curriculum materials and provide support to teachers and librarians. Ten years later we have over 10,000 registered teachers. All receive posters, free tests, quizzes, projects, plus students who email me, receive personal replies and I visit and call into classrooms throughout the school year. Oh yeah…everything is free.
EM: What authors are a part of the program? And, how can other authors get involved (or is this like the Skulls)?
SA: Besides myself, we have about six to eight other authors participating. We only add books that we know students will want to read on their own, while avoiding books that really don’t need the program (like “Twilight”).
EM: With the literacy crisis, do you feel the publishing industry is collapsing?
SA: Not really. I think the poor economy simply lowers the tide for all boats.
EM: I’ve got one last Meg question: Who wins? Mega Shark or Giant Octopus? Tiffany or Debbie Gibson (since they’ve opted to star in these schlock fests)?
SA: No squid could stop a Meg. As for Debbie Gibson…God bless her, maybe schlock will do for them what the grill did for George Forman.
EM: Now the obligatory: what’s next on tap?
SA: “Grim Reaper” is the big release on 10-10-10. Then “Phobos” perhaps Summer 2011. I am excited about both stories, definitely my best work to date.
I also invite the public to contact me at Meg82159@aol.com or visit my website at http://www.stevealten.com/. Teachers can register for the Adopt-An-Author program at http://www.adoptanauthor.com/.
If you’re looking for the next Pulitzer Winner, I’ll advise you to steer away. If you’re looking for a book that captivates your attention and holds it until the bitter end (and possesses higher quality than most books on the current Bestsellers lists) you should definitely check out Steve Alten. Within each of his books, the reader is immersed in the action, but gains massive knowledge along the way. The research is pretty solid; Steve knows his stuff and presents it in a casual manner, as opposed to beating you over the head with it. Also, there's a pretty cool contest on the website for "Grim Reaper". Visit http://www.stevealten.com/ for more information.
I’m going to keep my fingers crossed that there will, indeed, be a Meg movie. Call me a nut, but I get giddy over stuff like “Deep Blue Sea” and “Jaws”. Now splice that with Jurassic Park and it’s a concept that’s begging for a summer release. Until that day comes, though, I’ll keep you posted on his release – Grim Reaper – and all other things Steve Alten. No worries.
Next week we’ve got a frenzied look at all kinds of things. Bizarro author Bradley Sands will be joining us. Bradley is the editor of “Bust Down the Door and Eat All the Chickens” as well as author of the two books: “It Came From Below the Belt” and “My Heart Said No, but the Camera Crew Said Yes”. We’ll chat bizarro, spotlight some of Sands’ comedic works.
We’ve also got author Michael Spradlin with us. Besides Michael’s YA fiction, Michael released a book of zombie Christmas Carols this past year. If you didn’t catch it, you truly missed out.
And, we’ll have a new Must Read.
Until then, keep reading.
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