Steve Alten Newsletter


March 2009
In This Issue
Change is coming...
Four Alten novels to be released between April - Sept. 2009
New Angel's Lair E-Store now open
Attention Shark Conservationists
Living Tips: THIS COULD SAVE YOUR CHILD'S LIFE!
WRITING COACH: Are you serious about being published?
RECIPE of the Month: Hot Mussels Marinara

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Dear Leisa,

WE WELCOME our TEACHERS in the ADOPT-AN- AUTHOR PROGRAM!

Our apologies for the delay in adding your e-mails to our monthly newsletters. If you wish to have your students receive these free updates, please have them go to www.SteveAlten.com and click on FREE UPDATES. It takes less than 30 seconds!

Change is coming...
I'm often asked by fans of DOMAIN if I believe humanity will really suffer a calamity in 2012 (The Mayan Calendar predicts doomsday on 12-21-12). My answer is: Change is coming, we need to be ready. What sort of change? Energy, money, food, It's not a coincidence The SHELL GAME and GRIM REAPER all take place in 2012. Change can be painful, but sometimes you need to suffer to get to the good. For instance, I would never have become a writer had I not hated my job, unable to pay my bills. Suffering forced me to find new options. On another level, it was only eight years of radical Bush policies that made Obama's election possible. Yes, the world really is changing before our eyes, the stress mounting, the tide threatening to sweep us away. What we need to survive is a good tiller. If you have never read it, read THINK AND GROW RICH by Napoleon Hill. It certainly helped inspire me. There are several opportunities for go-getters in this newsletter, and a MUST-READ Living Tips for parents! Remember, if you know a flood is coming, build a boat and bring along a good book!

Four Alten novels to be released between April - Sept. 2009
Some interesting developments: Tor/Forge is releasing a special trade paperback issue of DOMAIN in late April, along with the debut of THE LOCH in mass market. (Teachers take note!!) Then, in mid- May, the big one comes out - MEG: Hell's Aquarium (Variance). And on September 11, 2009, Sweetwater will publish the mass market of THE SHELL GAME, only I am rewriting major sections of the book to account for the effects of an Obama Administration in power when the poop hits the fan.

New Angel's Lair E-Store now open
at SteveAlten.com

There are some very cool new MEG clothing and souvenirs at www.SteveAlten.com under the E-Store. All new logos and items, using top quality U.S. manufacturers. The new MEG poster for 2009 is also available. Proceeds from items sold support the Adopt-An-Author program, a free nationwide non-profit that encourages teenagers to read. SPECIAL IN March; Buy one poster and receive a FEEDING TIME poster free!

Attention Shark Conservationists
Hello, friends and fellow fans of Steve Alten! My name is David Shiffman, and my love of sharks isn't just limited to the Meg series. I'm a marine biologist focusing on shark conservation. I have two projects I'm working on and I would love your help! 1) I am writing a book about shark conservation. The book will be equal parts shark biology, the economic and ecological importance of sharks, the threats they face, and how you can help. A major component of the book is interviews with people who care about sharks. You don't have to be an expert, you just have to care. Please e-mail me at David.Shiffman@gmail.com if you would be willing to answer a short e-mail questionnaire. If I like what you have to say, your words will appear in my upcoming book! 2) I would be thrilled if some of you who are interested in learning more about sharks and shark conservation would bookmark my blog, check it regularly, and COMMENT as much as possible. I write as WhySharksMatter on www.SouthernFriedScientist.wordpress.com If anyone has any questions, please direct them to David.Shiffman@gmail.com

Living Tips: THIS COULD SAVE YOUR CHILD'S LIFE!
From Simon Sudman: Every year, 7,000 - 10,000 children die from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). That means that almost 20 children drop dead every day. On January 24, 2005, it was our child. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a condition in which the heartbeat stops abruptly and unexpectedly. When this happens, blood stops pumping and the person collapses. Usually, SCA this is caused by an abnormality in the heart's electrical system, which stems from a structural or electrical defect. Cardiomyopathy is the most prevalent condition related to a structural heart defect. The heart is too big and cannot work properly. Long QT Syndrome is the most prevalent condition related to an electrical heart defect. This causes the heart to get out of its normal rhythm. What are the Symptoms? Fainting (syncope) and shortness of breath is the most common symptom and can be fatal. Fainting usually occurs during or immediately after physical activity, or as a result of emotional excitement/distress/surprise, like during your child's soccergame. An unexplained death of a family member under the age of 50 is another warning sign.

How is it Diagnosed?

For most children, an electrocardiogram (ECG), evaluated by a cardiologist, is the first step to diagnose a problem with the heart. An echocardiogram (ECHO) is the next logical step. How is it Treated? Most children can be treated with medication called beta blockers. More severe cases are treated by a pacemaker, implanted defibrillator (ICD), or corrective surgery. For more information click the link below.

Correction From February Tips

Last month a reader sent me info about cough CPR, a resuscitation technique described in an email that began circulating around 1999, in which by coughing and deep breathing every 2 seconds a person suffering a cardiac arrhythmia immediately before cardiac arrest can supposedly keep conscious until help arrives (or until the person can get to the nearest hospital). Although the technique is in fact taught to doctors, nurses and paramedics, this widely- circulated email confuses the difference between a "heart attack" and a "cardiac arrest". Cough CPR is intended only for imminent cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association does not endorse cough CPR during a heart attack.

Read more on Simons Fund...

WRITING COACH: Are you serious about being published?
Have you written a manuscript that you feel could be published with the right professional help? Do you have an idea for a story that needs direction? My schedule has allowed me to reopen the WRITING COACH PROGRAM. The program (open to manuscripts and screenplays) involves:

* Brainstorming sessions by phone.
* Developing a strong BEAT SHEET.
* Developing characters.
* Strengthening creative elements and character arcs.
* Editing the manuscript.
* Preparing a 2 page query letter for agents.
* Helping sell your manuscript.

This is a PAID FOR program. The fee is $4,500. (I paid $6,000 back in 1996 when I wrote MEG). Payment is up front. I will consider two payments. If you are interested, send me (in the body of the e-mail, not as an attachment) a one-page synopsis of your story to my e-mail at MEG82159@aol.com . Mark the subject line: WRITING COACH SUBMISSION. I will respond to all submissions. If I am interested, I will ask for a sample chapter to evaluate your writing ability. Then we'll talk by phone to set some goals. There are NO GUARANTEES that your work will be published (there are no guarantees my work will get an offer). However, so far, two of the first classes five clients have received publishing deals, and my just-added clients all look awesome!

RECIPE of the Month: Hot Mussels Marinara
This is so simple it's almost embarrassing. 1 bag Mussels (farm raised, New Zealand, any kind.) Tug off any little "beards" they may have, but the bagged mussels are usually pretty clean. 1 jar Fra Divolo Sauce (I use Rao's brand, slightly more money, but worth every bit.) Little butter (1 tbs?), olive oil, White Wine (Optional), Crusty French or Italian bread.

Melt the butter and a little olive oil in a large fry pay that has a lid to fit. Put mussels into pan (be sure to remove any broken ones or any that won't close. Any mussels which are slightly opened can be rubbed by hand to close them - sometimes they "sleep" when they are cold and the rubbing will warm them slightly to close again.) Pour jar of sauce over the mussels. Add some white wine - this is optional, I'm Italian so wine goes in everything. Put cover on pan and cook over medium to low flame. You don't want to boil the sauce, just heat it slowly and the mussels will open up from the steam created in the covered pan. When all the mussels are opened, take off flame, discard any that didn't open. Plate to a large shallow bowl or platter and serve with crusty bread to soak up sauce. You can vary this by adding any of the following:

Chopped onion, chopped or whole garlic, some heavy cream turned into the sauce when almost finished (thus making a "pink" sauce. Diced pepper, chopped Kalamata olives (pitted, of course). Diced Tomato Crushed Red Pepper (the dry spice) to make them spicier! These can also be cooked in Lager Beer (instead of Sauce and wine)

Enjoy! Joanne Van Loo

*IF YOU HAVE A RECIPE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, please e-mail me at MEG82159@aol.com Put RECIPE in the subject line.

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That's all for now. Stay well, stay safe and know this author appreciates you very much.

Sincerely,

Steve Alten