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. Active in sports, Steve played high school and college hoops, his career goal at the time-to coach Men's Division I college basketball. As a graduate assistant at Delaware, he had the opportunity to coach the Blue Hens junior varsity and assisted the varsity. Moving on to Temple, Steve continued his basketball education under the tutelage of the great John Chaney, learning more from the coach than he did from all his course work combined. 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 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 handled 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. When the first 100 pages were completed, Ken and movie agent/producer Warren Zide (American Pie) offered a first-look deal to Disney (Hollywood Pictures) who snatched up the rights. Final contracts would not be completed for several months. 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, seven figure 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. 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. The graphic artwork and original drawings appearing in DOMAIN were completed by MEG readers Matt Herrmann (Villain Design) and Bill McDonald (Argonaut-Greywolf@home.com.) The website was created and is maintained by Robert Marlin, another Steve Alten reader. "I am so very grateful to my readers and fans who have taken the time to share. Rest assure, I will continue to work hard to earn your loyalty." -Steve Alten