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Steve Alten grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Health and Physical Education at Penn State University. Upon graduating in 1981, he attended the University of Delaware where he earned a Masters degree in Sports Administration, then went on for a final four years at Temple University to receive his Doctorate of Education in Sports Administration.

After graduation, Steve decided to accept a business opportunity and opened a water treatment franchise with a partner. When the business failed, he moved to Florida to start a new career.

Struggling to support a family of five, unhappy in his job, he decided to become an author and 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. Nevertheless, in eight months, he finished the manuscript that would eventually be called MEG;A Novel of Deep Terror.

Steve sent two-page query letters to every literary agent who handle fiction. His most positive response was from a Los Angeles agent (Ken Atchity) who saw promise of both a book and movie, but knew the manuscript needed editing. After selling his prized possession to pay for editing fees (his 1971 Chevy Malibu convertible his dad bought for him as a 17 year old) Steve, Ken, and AEI editor David Angsten worked on the novel together.

On September the 13th, (Friday the 13th, no less) Steve showed up at the wholesale meat plant where he was working, only to learn he had lost his job. Broke, he returned home, less than $45.00 in the bank. Four days later, Ken Atchity had a two-book deal with Bantam Doubleday.

MEG would go on to become the book of the 1996 Frankfurt book fair, where it was sold to more than a dozen countries. It hit every major best-seller list, including #19 on the New York Times list. To date, approximately 1 million copies have been sold worldwide.

As an author, one of Steve Alten's commitments is to make himself readily accessible to his readers. Several years ago, he began receiving e-mails from teenagers who had hated to read. . . until they read MEG; A Novel of Deep Terror. As word spread, the book took on an almost cult-like status among teens, and high school English and Reading teachers began using it in their classrooms. After MEG was named the #1 book for reluctant readers by the Young Adult Library Services Association, Steve formalized the Adopt-An-Author program, designed to make the reading experience even more rewarding for students. He now devotes two to three hours a daay answering e-mail and helping students.

After box offices disappointments Godzilla and Mighty Joe Young, Hollywood Pictures chose to pass on MEG, feeling the timing was not right for another "creature-feature." Steve and Atchity Editorial/Entertainment International maintain rights to MEG and are waiting for the right producer/studio to turn the best-seller into a blockbuster motion picture.

As an author, Steve has two goals. First, to continue to work hard to become a better storyteller and create 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 his books, and even hires readers as editors, depending on their particular expertise. To date, he has worked with a submarine expert, United States Army Ranger, Maximum Security Prison Guard, technician on the X-33 project, a Physics & Chemistry Professor, a former NASA rocket scientist, a nano-computer expert, a technician at the Kennedy Space Center, and one very crazy parachute enthusiast.

Steve has also started a program called Adopt-An-Author. Steve feels it's a way he can contribute his time to a very worthy cause plus get his books into the schools. This program encourages students to read and offers fun projects plus Steve actually interacts with the students. His program also offers a scholarship award to the student with the best essay and also allows the opportunity for their work to be published.