Brand New Twilight Movie Images

Got some new pictures from the upcoming adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling book, Twilight.
The new images seem to offer a glimpse at some of the more climatic parts of the film. One picture shows a bunch of pasty people in baseball uniforms looking vexed about… something. The last two are of bad-boy vampire James (Cam Gigandet) about to chow down on Bella’s (Kristen Stewart) hot blood, while good-boy vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson) sprints through the forest, probably trying to save the day.

Rest assured, now that Meyer’s fourth and final installment of the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, has flown off bookstore shelves at record pace, the Twilight movie is going to bigger than Dracula.
Seriously though, it will be interesting to see how the Twilight films stack up against the Harry Potter films at the box office–though Harry has the distinct advantage of having his creator get better with every book she completed. (That Half-Blood Prince trailer looks pretty sick!)
Twilight is set for a December 12, 2008 release. It’s directed by Catherine Hardwicke. Check out the pics below, and be sure to check out Screen Rant’s Twilight crib sheet if you’re over the age of seventeen and have no idea what all this hoopla is about.

We’ll keep you posted as more Twilight news rolls in.

Undead and super sexy

Bared fangs don't draw women to Stephenie Meyer's Twilight books - fans fall for the vampire with the 'crooked smile' who can love forever, writes Siri Agrell
Even though he is only 19 years old, Kaleb Nation says his mother raised him to treat the ladies right.
But if he needs another model for a healthy approach to romance, he has one: Edward Cullen, a dreamy 17-year-old vampire from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series of young adult novels.
"I think more guys should read the books," Mr. Nation said. "They might not enjoy the romance parts very much, but there's a lot to learn."
The Texas resident, who maintains a blog about the series at KalebNation.com, is definitely on to something.

Within 24 hours of its Saturday release, Breaking Dawn, the fourth book in the Twilight series, sold more than 1.3 million copies - more than 110,000 of them in Canada.
The books are a publishing sensation, due in large part to a devoted following of female fans from all age groups.
But most women are not drawn to the genre out of a desire to see bared fangs - they want to see emotion laid bare.
The only stakes being driven through hearts are the pangs of teenage heartbreak.
"Only a vampire can love you forever," said Twilight fan Mahdis Aruni, a 20-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont.
"Because he is a vampire and loves her so much, he puts himself though so much pain to be with her. Not that we want Edward to be in pain, but it shows how much he loves her."
The appeal of this kind of undying (but usually unconsummated) love has caught the eye of Hollywood.
A movie based on the series will make its debut in December, and 2009 will see the release of Jennifer's Body, a teenage vampire flick written by Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody.
And next month, HBO will launch a vampire series called True Blood, directed by Six Feet Under creator Alan Ball.
At the recent Comic-Con convention in San Diego, Calif., Mr. Ball and the show's cast discussed "fangbangers" - humans who have a thing for immortal bloodsuckers.
"Apparently, sex with vampires is really kind of great," Mr. Ball said. "When you have sex with a vampire, it can be very romantic. It doesn't have to be violent."
Nicole DeCaria, a 22-year-old student at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ont., began reading the Twilight series after working her way through a series of Anne Rice books, and said she has been into vampires since she was a child.
"As I got older it's more the sexual aspect of it," she said. "They have that seductive side but in an instant they can be all, like, feral. You secretly want something a little dangerous, a little exciting to spice up your life."
Ms. DeCaria is not alone in her romantic obsession with the vampire set. The Internet is alive with talk of the undead, with groups such as TwilightMoms.com, a website where older women discuss their crushes on Edward.
On the social networking site Facebook, hundreds of groups are dedicated to vampire love, and its effect on real life romantic encounters.
Ms. Aruni is one of the administrators for a group called "Because I read Twilight I have unrealistic expectations in men," which has more than 55,000 members.
When it comes to falling for a vampire, Ms. Aruni said many women are probably drawn to Edward's "perfect body" or his "heart-melting crooked smile."
"Or maybe it's that he is always there when we need him, no matter what. Maybe it's that he is capable of love that we mere humans would never be able to comprehend," she said. "Maybe it's that we not only want someone to save us, but we want someone to save as well."
Angela Miles, a professor at the University of Toronto who has studied popular romance novels, said this kind of infatuation is a form of regression, but not necessarily an unhealthy one.
"It's quite a deep psychological escape, so when they're reading this formula, women really are in another world," she said. "They're very comforting in a strange way."
Mr. Nation said many readers of his blog are 12 or 13 years old and looking for a hopeful model of romance, and see themselves in the Twilight series' female main character, Bella, who is 16 when the books begin.
"They see a girl that's clumsy and depressed and they think, I'm better than she is," he said. "It's a boost of self-confidence to see that someone like Bella can get someone like Edward who's good and true and unselfish."
And he does not believe it is incongruous to put so much romantic stock in a character that drinks blood to sustain his own life. Edward, he notes, only consumes animal blood. And his love affair, while supernatural, is also chaste.
"You would think that a vampire's evil, but he actually has morals," he said. "He could very well do what he wants with her, because she would let him. He's set on doing what's best for Bella."
Ms. DeCaria agrees with Mr. Nation's analysis, and said the books can be a primer in romance for men.
"I can really relate [the books] to my relationship and maybe give my boyfriend some pointers," she said. "Read the book: Get some ideas."

Twilight Trailer

It’s Tuesday mi gente, so you know what that means…

More Twilight trivia para ustedes! This week MTV Tr3s caught up with hottie Cam Gigandet and learned why he’s the bad guy you love to hate. The Washington native is well known for his role as surfer Kevin Volchok in the uber-popular FOX TV series The O.C. He’s also starred in the film Mistaken and recent fighting drama Never Back Down in 2008. However, the most notorious character this 25-year-old has played got us drooling through our sharp, fanged mouths… Cam will play evil vampire “James” in the December teen thriller Twilight.

A very clean cut Cam (unlike his shaggy-haired character), told us why he enjoyed playing the villain in Never Back Down, what his most memorable moment on set for Twilight was thus far, and how he keeps that fine body of his in shape. He also has a special message for anyone attending the premiere - all we can say is watch your back audience members!

Check out the video aquí.

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'Twilight' author ready to face a new dawn

Stephenie Meyer, the Twilight Saga author, appeared Tuesday at the Harris Theater on her “Breaking Dawn” tour, which also featured Justin Furstenfeld.



She's been trumpeted as the next J.K. Rowling, although author Stephenie Meyer deals with adolescent, blood-gorging vampires instead of meek and wizardly orphans. Meyer herself resists the comparisons to the English author, but with the release of the fourth and final entry of her hit Twilight Saga series, the sheer delirium when she appeared Tuesday night at Harris Theater was something even Draco Malfoy couldn't have conjured up.
To promote her new book, Meyer has launched the "Breaking Dawn" tour, which features the author fielding fans' questions and a performance by Justin Furstenfeld of the group Blue October.


Outside the Harris, a sea of teenage girls formed a line on Randolph Street that stretched toward Michigan Avenue. With copies of Breaking Dawn in hand and T-shirts inscribed with "I heart Edward Cullen" and "Team Jacob," they engaged in high-pitched chatter that just would not cease. The young-lit critics were eagerly voicing their own reviews.
Chelsea Bliefernicht from Watertown, Wis., "liked the book because it was a kind of a happy ending," and because she's "a hopeless romantic." Megan Vaughn from Hyde Park was "completely blown away by Breaking Dawn. Another fan named Megan, who flew in from Augusta, Ga., didn't equivocate and declared it to be "the most amazing thing" she'd ever read. Several young males with copies clutched to their chest refused to be quoted or give out their names.
As the fans headed indoors, camera phones and Nikons went berserk while piped-in Alanis Morissette and Interpol pumped up the crowd. When 7:10 p.m. rolled around, Furstenfeld, the musical guest and inspiration for the Twilight Saga, began to strum six songs on his guitar (three by himself, three sitting next to the author). Furstenfeld described himself as a "drama king" and that also might describe his mercilessly achy ballads such as "Hate Me," "My Never" and "Sound of Pulling Heaven Down."
When the Queen of the Undead herself strolled onstage, hysteria ensued. For 20 minutes, she fielded questions ranging from the book's controversial ending to the role of sex in her books.
Now that the devout Mormon is moving beyond her Bella/Edward saga, she's already mapping out some new ideas. "My whole life isn't vampires," she said. "I want to explore ghosts, mermaids and time-travel, too."
Meyer then braced herself for the task of signing nearly every one of the sold-out crowd's books. Now here's an author as rabidly devoted as her fans.
Bryant Manning is an editor at TimeOut Chicago.




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Young readers crave tales of vampire love

By Laura YaoThe Washington Post

MEYERExcited fans anticipating last Friday’s midnight release of Stephenie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn participated in lively debates about the book’s themes at Borders in New York City.
PR NEWSWIRE
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This is all sounding a little too familiar. Here’s how the story goes:
A mother with no writing experience is struck by inspiration. She sits down one morning and starts to jot down a story. She creates characters and sketches out a whole world for them, full of magic and danger and dramatic rescues. Her characters are almost ordinary, which is their charm, except for the fact that they are (fill in the blank: wizards or vampires). She sends the story to a publisher, not expecting much in the way of a reply, but soon finds herself writing a successful multi-book series and earning millions of dollars.
Yes, the creation of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga series, and its subsequent arc toward fame, recall J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter success story to no small extent. Last Friday night, Breaking Dawn, the fourth and final book in Meyer’s series, was released at midnight, with a first printing of 3.2 million copies. There are already nearly 10 million of her books in print. There are hundreds of fan sites dotting the Internet. At Borders bookstores across the country, release parties for Breaking Dawn produced the same costumed fans, trivia contests and debates that a year ago heralded the release of the last Harry Potter book. The Twilight movie hits theaters in December. And Meyer’s books are also thick as doorstops.
If you haven’t heard yet, Twilight and its sequels are vampire romance novels for teenagers. But the series is only nominally about suave, bloodsucking representatives of the undead. After all, Meyer is a devout Mormon from Phoenix, and her books are squeaky clean.
Meyer’s vampires don’t hail from Anne Rice’s world of darkness; the Cullen family of the Twilight series comprises seven vampires who exercise great self-control by not drinking human blood, because it’s immoral. They rely on the less nutritious, less delicious blood of animals; Edward has a predilection for mountain lions, while his brother Emmett prefers grizzly bears.
So in Meyer’s books, nobody sucks anybody’s neck, let alone gets stabbed through the heart with a wooden stake. And while they’re first and foremost romance novels, nobody has premarital sex.
Instead, in a departure from the more action-packed halls of Hogwarts, discussions of feelings and emotions and such fill Meyer’s tomes. The Twilight books are written from the perspective of Bella Swan, a high-schooler who is in love with classmate Edward Cullen, a 107-year-old vampire; Meyer lingers for pages at a time on their exchanged looks, passionate declarations and innocent touches. They can’t be together that way because he might kill her by accident, but she loves him unequivocally, even though he’s a monster, and he loves her back, even though she’s klutzy. The adolescent yearning is palpable.
This could explain why the Twilight readership is predominantly female.
“It’s much more of a girl’s book — it appeals to a female readership in the same way Jane Austen does,” says Amy Clarke, who teaches an undergraduate Harry Potter course at the University of California at Davis. “I’m not putting it in the same class of literature, but it has a lot of similarities.”
Clarke says her two teenage sons, both of whom read the Harry Potter series several times, refuse to read the Twilight books. “They gag when we go by the movie poster,” she says. (Megan Tingley, Meyer’s publisher and the senior vice president of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, says she’s noticed more boys reading the books and showing up at Meyer’s events. “Girls are making their boyfriends read it,” she explains.)
Fans insist that the Twilight series defies classification, that they are not girl books or boy books, not vampire thrillers or romance stories. Elysa Montfort, a 21-year-old student at St. Mary’s College of Maryland who started the fan site Twilight Source, has read Rice’s novels and says Twilight is nothing like them.
Tingley says she wouldn’t have published the book had it really been a vampire romance. “I don’t publish genre fiction,” she says. But when she read the manuscript in 2003, “I had such a strong response to it that I knew other people who wouldn’t identify themselves as vampire or romance fans would feel the same way I did.”
The themes in the books, in Tingley’s view, are ageless. At its core, the story is about choice. The Cullens choose not to prey on humans; Bella must choose whether to become immortal. Though the Twilight series is marketed in the industry’s young-adult category (age 12 to 18), Meyer tackles issues of identity and relationships in a way that appeals to 50-year-olds and 10-year-olds alike.
But while moms approve of its message of abstinence and acceptance — the series makes the reading list of almost every mother-daughter book club out there — is the storyline as empowering as it seems?
The biggest question, which Breaking Dawn will finally put to rest, is whether Bella will become a vampire and marry Edward. “Do we really want our daughters reading books about a girl like Bella who is always needing to be saved, who is willing to give up her mortality for a boy?” Clarke says. Bella is initially fascinated by Edward because he, like all vampires, is beautiful, godlike in appearance. She needs constant assurance from him that he really does like her, that she is special.
Girl power it isn’t. But the series has become a worldwide phenomenon; the rights for Twilight, the first book, have been sold in 37 countries. The first printing for Twilight was 75,000 copies, small potatoes compared with Breaking Dawn’s first run. When Montfort tried to reserve an advance copy at Borders, she was told that she might not be able to get it at midnight because demand had been so high.
Fans will flock to bookstores for their coveted copies of Meyer’s lastest tome. They will stay up all night to read it. And they will discover, finally, whether it’s better to be beautiful, strong and immortal, or to be just plain ordinary

'Breaking Dawn' with Stephenie Meyer

'
I may not get the appeal of the whole vampire lit thing -- much like I don't get NASCAR or the movie "Borat," the 84 most unfunny minutes in the history of cinema -- but I do recognize its wild popularity. Ever since Anne Rice came on the scene with Interview With the Vampire and "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" became must-see TV for teens everywhere, beautiful bloodsuckers have filled many a pocket paperback.
Author Stephenie Meyer seems to have tapped into an even greater audience with her young adult "Twilight" series, which features beautiful teenagers -- some vampires, some not -- who share all the angst of high school, along with a few more otherworldly pressures.
In grand Harry Potter fashion, bookstores nationwide stayed open late last Friday night to host "Twilight" parties in anticipation of the release of Breaking Dawn (Little, Brown, $22.99), Meyer's fourth and final installment in her vampire romance series. (Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse are the first three.)

And today the Associated Press reports that the book sold a whopping 1.3 million copies in the first 24 hours of its release -- not nearly as much as the final Harry Potter book (8.3 million), but huge nonetheless.
If you missed CBS's "Sunday Morning" yesterday, here's the show's segment on the Mormon housewife and her rise to literary stardom:

MTV coverage of Breaking Dawn Events in NYC

MTV has a few videos up of spotlighting the Breaking Dawn related events that took place in NYC. There is footage of fans on the bus from the Nokia theatre to Borders, the first two fans to purchase Breaking Dawn, as well as the panelists from the TST podcast which includes our very own Be My Escape.

Poor Bella and Edward...

It's just sad. Holy Christ.I feel like I'm in some weird alternative universe where this actually can't be happening; BD could not have been this bad. I adored the wedding.The honeymoon: I wish SM had chosen to explore the intimacy of their first time together, rather than choosing to skim over it, but again, I'm ultimately at peace with this. I'm very NOT OK with SM's decision for Bella to become pregnant, and then quickly proceed to make the men in her life into manipulative jerks. For Edward and Jacob to scheme about what decisions Bella should make regarding her pregnancy is unacceptable. Yes, I understand Edward's need to protect Bella, but scheming with another guy about letting him impregnate his wife with other babies is just, well, it's just disrespectful. Instead of writing an intelligent scene where Edward and Bella discuss their feelings about the pregnancy, Edward's fears, Bella's desire to keep the baby, etc., we get some macho display of the boys trying to make decisions for her. Again. We're talking about trying to influence a woman's decision about whether she should keep/not keep a baby WITHOUT HER CONSENT. This is unacceptable, and I can't believe SM wrote that scene with such blatant disrespect of this issue.And then I thought, OK, Bella's going to be pissed that these guys are trying to manipulate her decision making process, and instead she spews some crap about not being good enough to deserve the goodness of Edward and Jacob. They're looking out for her. Yes, this is what they're trying to do, but SM, honey, trying to manipulate a woman's decisions is NOT looking out for her. Loving that woman is NOT going behind her back and trying to get her to do something she does not want to do. So, now I'm a little stuck. I stopped a couple chapters into Jacob's book. BF and I looked ahead, looked at some spoilers and discussions online and have a general idea about what happens later. He says Part 3 is better, more like the characters we know and love, but I'm left with this feeling that Edward and Bella have been cheated. Gosh, I feel cheated and disillusioned with this fandom that I've dived into the past months

http://blog.mlive.com/projectmayhem/2008/08/grand_rapids_taylor_lautner_la.html
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Twilight-Character-Posters-9709.htmlhttp://www.joblo.com/arrow/index.php?id=13225
http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/07/stephenie-mey-1.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/07/30/DI2008073001550.html
हटp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/01/should-the-fourth-twilight-book-be-two-फ़िल्म
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http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/26150219.htmllocation_refer=Movies
ह्त्त्प//www.popmatters.com/pm/article/61609/fans-eagerly-await-last-twilight-book/
http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1504053/bookstores_planning_to_party_til_dawn/
http://panther.iclips.net/breakingdawn
ह्त्त्प्व्व्वew.com/ew/article/0,,20215861,00.html?iid=top25-20080801-%27Breaking+Dawn%27+concert+live%21

Breaking Dawn Concert NYC Blue October (Ugly Side

Vampire series finale draws crowds

Bruce Ackerman/Star-Banner Kaitlin Tidwell, 14, left, and Jasmine Lovelace, 15, right, leave the store with copies of "Breaking Dawn" after the release of the book at Books-A-Million on Southwest College Road in Ocala on Saturday. Breaking Dawn is the fourth and final book in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer that is told from the perspective of Bella Swan and Jacob Black. It was released on Aug. 2 at midnight

Published: Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. Last Modified: Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 9:05 a.m.
OCALA -Young vampires, romantics and bookworms flooded two local bookstores late Friday night with one burning question on their minds: Will it be Edward or Jacob?

Bruce Ackerman/Star-Banner
Kaitlin Tidwell, 14, left, and Jasmine Lovelace, 15, right, leave the store with copies of "Breaking Dawn" after the release of the book at Books-A-Million on Southwest College Road in Ocala on Saturday. Breaking Dawn is the fourth and final book in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer that is told from the perspective of Bella Swan and Jacob Black. It was released on Aug. 2 at midnight.
Many bookstores across the nation kept their doors open late Friday for the midnight release of "Breaking Dawn," the much-anticipated fourth and final book in Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" vampire romance series. The first book in the series was released in 2005, gaining a fast and fanatical following that has been compared to the Harry Potter craze. Further fanning the fervor, the "Twilight" movie is scheduled to open in December.
Written for young readers but loved by many adults as well, the novels chronicle a love triangle between a teen named Bella, a vampire named Edward and a werewolf named Jacob.
Ocala's Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million stores held book-release parties that included trivia and costume contests. Collectively, the events attracted nearly 500 people. The festivities began in the Books-A-Million parking lot at 4 p.m. with a blood drive.
"That kids are still expressing so much excitement about a book with all the video games and things is great," said Deborah Roth, donor development coordinator for Florida's Blood Centers, noting the bloodmobile did not encounter any vampires but did pick up 12 donors.
At 10:30 p.m., when Barnes & Noble is usually quiet, teens, tweens and young adults buzzed about with excitement. A group of girls chatted wildly while waiting in line; their matching purple shirts read "Team Edward," a nod to the their preferred suitor for mortal Bella.
Meagan Williams wore a cape made from a garbage bag tied around her neck. The 15-year-old said she was so anxious to know the love triangle's outcome that she planned to read the ending of the novel first, she said.
"It better be Edward," she said.
A similar scene unfolded just a few blocks away at Books-A-Million, where fans waited for the stroke of midnight in a line that stretched the length of the store. As winners of the store's "Twilight" costume contest, Morgan Goss, 13, and Sarah Gonzales, 20, were awarded the first spots in the line.
"I can't wait," said Morgan, who wore a red, floor-length gown. "The first chapter always just grabs you're attention."
Blair Wilson, a "Twilight follower," believes the fantasy series has been wildly successful because its characters are "relatable," she said.
"It feels so real. The book is done so well you feel like it can actually happen," said Wilson's friend, an event volunteer who identified herself only as Sparkle Star. "Any girl who has ever felt like she couldn't be with who she wants to be with can relate."
The stores had nearly 200 pre-orders each for "Breaking Dawn."
Just before midnight, Books-A-million cashiers prepared for madness. High-pitched squeals leaked from the line as employees rolled out carts filled with books.
At midnight at Books-A-Million, the line surged forward after Morgan received the first copy, threw her hands in the air and screamed. Soon thereafter, more than 100 readers followed suit, grabbing their books and exiting the store while reading the opening pages.
More information about the "Twilight" series and the upcoming movie can be found at www.stepheniemeyer.com.

One ‘Twilight’ Fan — And MTV Intern — Has Night To Remember At Stephenie Meyer Concert Event
Published by MTV Movies Team on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 2:22 pm.
By Nicole Guanlao

Top 10 Book-to-Movie Adaptions

They may not be as good as the book, but they make tons more money!

Robert Pattinson is Plain Gravy

Robert Pattinson is Plain Gravy

Harry Potter star Robert Pattinson, aka Cedric Diggory, rocks out a Plain Gravy t-shirt at the T-Mobile Sidekick LX ‘Tony Hawk’ edition launch party held at 6121 Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles on Friday night.
The 22-year-old rising British actor will soon portray Edward Cullen in the film adaptation of Twilight, a novel by Stephenie Meyer. Here’s a plot synopsis via IMDB: Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is a girl just trying to survive Forks, Washington- the town with the worst weather in the United States- because her mother’s just married a baseball player. Edward Cullen (Pattinson) is one of five teenagers adopted by the amazingly intelligent and handsome Dr. Cullen, and all he wants is to guard his eerily beautiful family’s secret- that they’re all vampires who’ve given up hunting humans. Can Edward keep up the “vegetarian” lifestyle when he falls for Bella, whose blood has a scent sweeter than anyone on the planet’s? Or, more importantly, can he protect her from others who don’t have the same amount of self-control?
Twilight is set to open nationwide on Friday, December 12.

VIDEO

'Twilight' Mania Kicks Into Full Gear In NYC With The Release Of 'Breaking Dawn'

Fans kept themselves busy before the midnight release with a podcast panel, concert and Edward vs. Jacob debates.NEW YORK — With "Breaking Dawn," the final installment of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" vampire series, set to hit stores at midnight (and the first night of the "Breaking Dawn" concert series set to premiere at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square), the city seemed to be filled with homemade Cullen T-shirts in support of the first vampire family of teen fiction.
And in the midst of all the excitement, one important question was on everybody's minds and lips: Edward or Jacob?

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At noon, the TwilightLive! podcast began recording at the Borders in Columbus Circle. Various heads of the top "Twilight" fan sites — from Twilight Lexicon to Twilight Moms — discussed fandom, the "Twilight" movie and what readers would find in "Breaking Dawn." And, of course, most of the event centered on panelists and audience members speculating about whether series heroine Bella would choose the vampire Edward or werewolf Jacob. One Twilight Mom spoke up and said, "I have daughters, and I've been thinking about this a lot. And if they were faced with this decision, I decided that at the end of the day, I just want them to be happy." To which a panelist replied, "Do you think they'd be happy as part of the undead?"
After the podcast taping, which had almost 100 people in attendance and hundreds more listening online, the panelists gathered to talk to MTV News about how excited they were for the new installment and what they would ask Meyer if given the chance. Those questions included the expected "Edward or Jacob?" and the slightly alarming "Will you adopt me?" (Just kidding, NoMoreMarbles.)
Back in Times Square by 4 p.m., the line for the concert had stretched from the entrance on 44th Street to well around Broadway and continued on for blocks. Inside the venue, talent and crew gathered for rehearsals at 5, with Meyer and Blue October singer Justin Furstenfeld giggling together nervously as they ran through their cues and listened to the stage direction. Before the show started at 7 p.m., Justin told MTV News that he had finished "Twilight" and was working on the second book in the series, "New Moon." Getting to know Stephenie and her series had definitely influenced him, as he hinted at a "vampire love song" fans could look forward to on the forthcoming Blue October album.

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The thousands of attendees who had bought every last ticket for the show were quick to pack the theater. A few minutes after 7, MTV News correspondent Kim Stolz took the stage to host the event, and her first order of business was introducing Justin, who came out and said that "this is the coolest thing I've ever done, by far." He performed three Blue October songs solo with acoustic guitar. Finally, the guest of honor was brought out. Meyer took the stage to thunderous applause that erupted with every self-effacing joke and sly spoilery hint she made. She answered numerous fan questions that had been submitted online at the MTV Movies Blog, including some insider ones like "What was Jacob's game plan that Edward admitted might have worked?" or more predictable ones like "If you were Bella, would you want to be turned into a vampire?"

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After the show, audience members were invited to wait in line to have special "Breaking Dawn" bookplates autographed by Stephenie. Unfortunately, some of the members hadn't stayed adequately hydrated to remain in a packed audience and several fainted before getting the chance to meet their beloved author.

From the Nokia, fans headed 10 blocks down to the Borders at Penn Plaza. Based on the wristbands given, fans were either in the A line downstairs, B line upstairs, or C and D lines outside. To entertain the hundreds of eager buyers, the store provided Edward vs. Jacob debates, trivia contests and -- because, why not? -- snow cones and cotton candy.

After shrieking in anticipation for several minutes leading up to midnight, the patient customers stormed the cash registers to buy their just-unpacked copies of "Breaking Dawn." One girl was so excited to find out which man Bella chose that she immediately sat down on the floor by the front of the line and began reading. It seems fans will find out all the answers to their burning questions soon enough.

Every Tuesday is "Twilight" Tuesday here at MTV News! Check back here each and every week for the hottest scoop on the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's beloved vampire series, and we'll still bring you breaking "Twilight" news throughout the rest of the week. And make sure you check out the MTV Movies Blog for our ongoing "Twilight" discussions each and every day.

Check out everything we've got on "Twilight."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Fans celebrate release of 4th "Twilight" book

Vampires are known to come out at night, and so do their fans. Hours before the highly anticipated release of Stephanie Meyer’s fourth and final installment of the young adult “Twilight” series went on sale at midnight, fans gathered at Borders, wearing homemade T-shirts with quotes from the books on them, answering trivia questions and debating which guy the heroine of the series should choose.
The “Twilight” series, about a teen girl who falls in love with a vampire, has filled the void since Harry Potter defeated Voldemort. Ms. Meyer has been hailed as the next J.K. Rowling, and the first three books in the “Twilight” series have sold 7.5 million copies in the United States. Bookstores across the country hosted midnight release parties.
St. Joseph Borders manager Melissa Frakes said they could have had as many as 300 to 400 fans show up at the store’s party before the night was over.
“Vampires are all the thing,” she said.
And though the books were written for teens, they’re appealing to an older audience as well.
“It’s really widespread,” Ms. Frakes said. “There are going to be almost as many adults that read it as teenagers.”
Borders employee Tracie Hicks said she became interested in the books when her 18-year-old daughter recommended them to her.
“They’re very engaging and believable,” she said.
The vampire trend isn’t contained to just books. HBO is debuting “True Blood,” this fall, a TV series based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries books by Charlaine Harris. And Ms. Meyer’s first “Twilight” book is being adapted into a movie, set for release this December.
Caroline Hammond says the “Twilight” series drew in a lot of Harry Potter fans, which could account for some of its popularity. And as word continues to spread of the series, she expects to see the legion of vampire fans grow.

Just a normal mom created the popular 'Twilight' vampires

Rob Schumacher
"Breaking Dawn," Stephanie Meyer's fourth and final book in her "Twilight" series, came out today.

CAVE CREEK, Ariz. -- Stephenie Meyer is the most famous writer you've never heard of.


But not for long. Meyer's growing popularity is like a flashing billboard on our pop culture landscape.

The 34-year-old creator of the "Twilight" teen vampire series is so sizzling hot, it's not a stretch to suggest she's heir apparent to J.K. Rowling, who gave the world Harry Potter.

The self-assured Meyer doesn't seem rattled by the comparison.

"There will never be another J.K. Rowling. That's a lot of pressure on me, isn't it?" says Meyer, curled up on a leather sofa in her airy adobe-style home in this community north of Phoenix. "I'm just happy being Stephenie Meyer. That's cool enough for me."

"Breaking Dawn," the fourth and final book, is out today, and the movie hits theaters Dec. 12.

The series involves an otherworldly love triangle: human teenager Bella Swan, her hunky vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen and Jacob Black, the irascible werewolf who also loves her. Meyer says her inspiration came from a dream about a vampire she had five years ago.

The stay-at-home Mormon mother of three sons was so moved by the dream she began writing "Twilight "that day. She submitted the manuscript to literary agencies whose addresses she found online. "Twilight" was plucked from one agency's slush pile, submitted to publishers and bought by Little, Brown, which paid $750,000 for three books.

"The nice thing is that 95 percent of the time, I'm just Mom, and we're just doing the normal thing, and I'm here, and it's good."

The biggest change is that Pancho, her husband of 13 years, quit his job as an auditor to care for Gabe, 11, Seth, 8, and Eli, 6, when Meyer is on the road promoting the book.

Her Mormon faith, she says, is of intense interest to the news media, but to her, it's just who she is. "It seems funny that it's still a story," she says, "because you didn't hear people saying, 'Jon Stewart, Jewish writer,' when his book came out. I guess being a Mormon is just odd enough that people think it's still a real story. Obviously, to me, it seems super normal. It's just my religion."

Meyer, who says she finds it hard to keep secrets, was coy in a pre-publication interview about the plot, but she did reveal this startling element: Her editors asked her to tone down the violence in "Breaking Dawn," which she did, and discussed putting an age warning on the book, which she says she supported, although it didn't happen.

"I was for an age limit of 15 or 16 and a warning," says Meyer. "I think the content is just a little harder to handle, a little bit more grown-up for really young kids. I have 9-year-old readers, and I think it's too old for them. Some of it's violence, and some of it's just mature themes."

Not that the first three books -- told from Bella's point of view -- have been particularly bloodthirsty. Forget Dracula or Anne Rice's metrosexual creatures of the night. Meyer's good vampires, like Edward, satisfy their blood lust by hunting wild animals. No human blood for them.

Little, Brown publishes the series under its Books for Young Readers division, but many adults are fans.

"I was instantly hooked," says Lisa Hansen, 35, of Utah County, Utah, a mother of children ages 5 and 9. She created twilightmoms.com, a fan site where thousands of adults discuss the books.

"I feel an emotional connection with the characters," says Hansen. "It's almost like a realistic relationship that you would have with somebody."

For younger readers, the appeal is "the combination of the love story, the action and the danger," says Marie Southard, 17, of Forked River, N.J., who was obsessed with "Harry Potter "before she became hooked on "Twilight".

Meyer says she owes a lot to her fans, but when the hoopla surrounding "Breaking Dawn" and "Twilight" the movie settles down, she's looking forward to doing what she loves best -- writing more books.

"I'm just going to try and stay home and write five books next year," Meyer says. "It may not happen, but that's my goal. And I'm not going to let anyone see them. It's just going to be about sitting home and writing."

Twilight Creator Tackles “Breaking Dawn” Controversy

We all know Twilight’s creator Stephenie Meyer sparked some caliente controversy surrounding the cover of her fourth published series “Breaking Dawn.” MTV News is satisfying all your Twilight cravings by talking to Meyer about all the hype:

It’s kind of like ‘Ouch!’ because I really had a lot to do with this cover. But I think when I can finally explain what it means, people will be like, ‘Oh yeah, OK.’

She sure knows how to keep us on our toes! What do you think is the meaning behind the book’s cover? ¿TE GUSTA?

Check out the entire interview and more here.












Character Name Actor/Actress
Bella Kristen Stewart
Edward Robert Pattinson
Charlie Billy Burke
Alice Ashley Greene
Rosalie Nikki Reed
Jasper Jackson Rathbone
Emmett Kellan Lutz
Carlisle Peter Facinelli
James Cam Gigandet
Jacob Black Taylor Lautner
Jessica Anna Kendrick
Mike Newton Michael Welch
Eric Justin Chon
Angela Christian Serratos
Billy Black Gil Birmingham
Esme Elizabeth Reaser
Laurent Edi Gathegi
Victoria Rachelle Lafevre
Renee Sarah Clarke
Tyler Gregory Tyree Boyce
Waylon Forge Ned Bellamy
Phil Matt Bushell
Mr. Molina Jose Zuniga

'Breaking Dawn' to end Twilight saga

GRANT JEFFERIES
A display of the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, at the Little Bookworms, on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. A Little Bookworms Vampire Ball will be held August 1 at 10pm until midnight celebrating the release of the final book in the series, Breaking Dawn. GRANT JEFFERIES/gjefferies@bradenton.com.
Buy it: Order this photo now

By TIFFANY ST। MARTIN

tstmartin@bradenton.com

When it comes to teens Amanda Capp's age, readers are the "large minority."

Most of 16-year-old Amanda's friends aren't big on books, but even those who aren't avid readers are "Twilight" groupies.

Mormon housewife Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight," the book about a romance between a teenage girl, Bella, and a vampire, Edward, came out in 2005.

"New Moon" and "Eclipse" followed, and "Breaking Dawn," the fourth and final book of the series, comes out Aug. 2. Both Little Bookworms in Lakewood Ranch and Books-A-Million in Bradenton will host release parties 10 p.m. to midnight Aug. 1.

Between the release parties, the young readers and the movie - "Twilight" will be in theaters in December -the saga is Harry Potter-like in its popularity, though some say it doesn't have the same reach as J.K. Rowling's series.

So what is it about wizards and vampires that gets kids reading?

A lot of it has to do with the "Twilight" series' love story, Amanda said. Some critics have called it "Anne Rice lite" because the romance takes precedence over the vampire stuff.

"I love 'Twilight' because it's an awesome romantic series, but it's not a fluff teen angst story," she said. "It's fantasy, adventure, romance. Plus Stephenie's an incredible author."

Amanda may be the exception to the rule, as she hasn't met a book genre she doesn't like and often reads more than one book at a time. But as is common with trends, "Twilight" became popular through word-of-mouth and friends passing it to friends.

The series has attracted quite an audience, from middle schoolers to teenagers to teachers and other adults. Some of its followers were readers pre-"Twilight," while it drew others into the wide world of reading, said Heidi Allwood, who co-owns Little Bookworms with her mom, Holly Baracchini. Both of them are fans of the books, as is Books-A-Million kids' specialist Vickie Scout.

"It's just a page-turner; it's a really fun book to read," Allwood said. "Once you start it, you really don't want to put it down."

And she finds once people pick it up, they can't wait to get their hands on the next one.

There are differing opinions on how Meyer chose to end the saga. It looked like Bella and Edward were headed toward the aisle at the end of "Eclipse," Allwood said, and the biggest unknown is whether Bella will become a vampire (what she wants) or stay human (what Edward wants).

Amanda doesn't want Bella to turn into a vampire or be with Edward. Instead, she hopes the character will end up with her friend Jacob. She's in the minority, as is Allwood, who speculates Edward will die in "Breaking Dawn."

"There are so many things to tie up, being it's an epic love story," Allwood said.

Readers will get their answers first thing Aug. 2, but before then they can immerse themselves in "Twilight" fever.

Books-A-Million will have a makeup table at which people can transform into vampires, and a fitting bloodmobile will be outside the store 6-11 p.m.

Promgoers at Little Bookworms can dance to tunes courtesy of a DJ, predict what will happen in the final novel, bob for apples while wearing vampire fangs and plan Bella's wedding.

Little Bookworms is taking pre-orders for "Breaking Dawn" until Thursday; one pre-order per family guarantees admission into the ball. Books-A-Million's party is open to the public.

Tiffany St. Martin, Herald reporter, can be reached at 708-7918. Dawn breaks soon

Women eager to sink teeth into hot teen vampire novel

Breaking Dawn," Stephenie Meyer's latest vampire romance novel, goes on sale tonight - and women are already swooning.

By KIM ODE, Star Tribune

Last update: August 1, 2008 - 5:31 AM

Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series, whose fourth installment, "Breaking Dawn," goes on sale at midnight, is about a romance between high school students, the vampire Edward and ordinary Bella, and is being marketed to teenagers.

But woe to the 14-year-old who finds herself between the book display and a grown woman intent on getting at least half the chapters read before her kids wake up Saturday.

Many grownups have never heard of these young adult books, yet they've sold more than 5 million copies since the first, "Twilight," appeared in 2005, followed by "New Moon" and "Eclipse." A movie comes out in December.

At www.Twilightmoms.com, thousands of women have embraced Meyer's books with a heartfelt ferocity, their re- ignited memories of first love softening the edges of mortgages and soccer practice.

These women, mostly in their 30s, seek to reassure themselves that they're not the only ones who have "imagined your husband is a vampire (or werewolf) and suddenly have the libido of a newlywed again," said website founder Lisa Hansen.

"I'm for sure putting in back-to-back videos for the kids on Saturday," said Stacey Erickson, an Eagan mother of three and Twilight Mom who, at age 35, has found herself head-over-heels in love with -- well, love. Meyers, she said, "just captures that feeling of having such a crush on some boy, that if he ever even brushed against you, you would shiver."

"There's just this amazing sense of newfound love," Erickson continued. "Most of us, we're married, and that's just not our lives any longer. It's not that we don't love our spouses. We really do! But she captures that feeling of being so in love with somebody and so hyper-aware of his existence that ..."

Sigh.

The story revolves around Bella, a teenage girl who moves to Forks, a small town on a rainy (read: moody, moory) peninsula in Washington. There, she falls in love with Edward, a rich and impossibly gorgeous teen, only to learn that he's really a vampire, albeit a recovering bloodsucker. He loves Bella, too, but must fight his feelings because he knows that he could kill her.

Still, they love each other so much. With "Breaking Dawn," fans will learn whether or not the two will marry. It's worth noting that through three books, the two have done nothing more than kiss, and this romantic restraint holds a lot of appeal for some moms, especially moms of daughters.

"I know for some of my friends, the books have been real springboards for discussions with their daughters about physical attraction, about things that your body wants and how to resist those things and why," Erickson said.

Mothers aren't the only older women ga-ga over these books. Julie Price is 35 and single and loves them "because they remind you of being young again, of how intense your feelings are when you're a teenager. It makes your heart race."

Price also voiced a common refrain among Twilight's older readers: She had never before read a vampire story, only to find herself hooked. "There's something very appealing about the culture of the vampire," she said. "They're so beautiful and untouchable. And how Edward is overcoming his vices, his natural tendencies, makes him even more exciting. He could kill her, but he loves her."

Erickson and her kindred Twilight Moms plan on making a night of it in Edina, going to the movie "Mamma Mia," then eating dinner at The Cheesecake Factory before getting to the bookstore by midnight.

Price and a like-minded friend will be at their neighborhood bookstore in Eagan at midnight, then head home for a sleepover where, just like teenagers, they'll get very little sleep.

Kim Ode • 612-673-7185

Of Vampires and Werewolves: Breaking Dawn hits bookstores

At 12:01 A.M. Saturday morning the fourth and likely final installment in the wildly popular Twilight series hit bookstores. The series -- which follows the adventures of teenage Bella, the vampire Edward, and the werewolf Jacob -- is being heralded as a successor to Harry Potter by booksellers. There are over 5 million copies of the previous three titles -- Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse -- in print. Parties were held at bookstores across the country to celebrate the release of Breaking Dawn. A movie version of the first novel is due in December is directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen) and stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Nikki Reed.

Talk With Fellow 'Twilight' Fans

Fourth Book in Vampire Series Released Saturday
Georgia Cranston, Kaleb Nation and Kimmy West
"Twilight" Bloggers
Friday, August 1, 2008; 1:00 PM

Last summer, Harry Potter fans lined up to be among the first to get their hands on the last in the series of novels about the young wizard. This summer, it's Twilight's turn. On Saturday, Breaking Dawn, the fourth and final volume of Stephenie Meyer's bestselling Twilight series hits the bookstores. If you haven't heard of the books, check out today's Washington Post story about the Twilight phenomenon and the primer at EntertainmentWeekly.com

Teen-vampire movie 'Twilight' almost didn't see the light of day

The back story involving the film version of Twilight, due in theaters Dec. 12, is almost as convoluted as the novel itself.

According to Variety, Paramount optioned the rights to the novel when it was first published in 2005 but then allowed the option to expire. An upstart company called Summit Entertainment stepped in and acquired the rights, even though Twilight had sold only about 10,000 copies.

The novel finally caught fire, and now Summit is releasing what many expect to one of the biggest hits of the holiday season.

If you haven’t already seen the trailer on YouTube, Bella is played by Kristen Stewart, best known for Into the Wild, where she played Emile Hirsch’s folk-singer love interest. Edward, meanwhile, is played by Robert Pattinson, who was featured as the swoon-worthy Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

The most promising news of all: The film is directed by McAllen-born, UT-educated Catherine Hardwicke (thirteen, Lords of Dogtown).

Hardwicke was all wrong for the inert and bloodless The Nativity Story — she’s much craftier at tales of out-of-control teenagers, not pious ones. But she’s got a terrific visual sensibility (she got her start as a production designer on movies like Vanilla Sky and Three Kings) that should bring Twilight to vivid life.

— Christopher Kelly

Bitten And Smitten

Readers Crave Stephenie Meyer's 'Twilight' Tales of Vampire लव

By Laura YaoWashington Post Staff Writer Friday, August 1, 2008; Page C01
This is all sounding a little too familiar. Here's how the story goes:
A mother with no writing experience is struck by inspiration. She sits down one morning and starts to jot down a story. She creates characters and sketches out a whole world for them, full of magic and danger and dramatic rescues. Her characters are almost ordinary, which is their charm, except for the fact that they are [fill in the blank: wizards or vampires]. She sends the story to a publisher, not expecting much in the way of a reply, but soon finds herself writing a successful multi-book series and earning millions of dollars.
Yes, the creation of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight Saga" series, and its subsequent arc toward fame, recall J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" success story to no small extent. Tonight, "Breaking Dawn," the fourth and final book in Meyer's series, will be released at midnight, with a first printing of 3.2 million copies. There are already nearly 10 million of her books in print. There are hundreds of fan sites dotting the Internet. At Borders bookstores across the country tonight, release parties for "Breaking Dawn" promise the same costumed fans, trivia contests and debates that a year ago heralded the release of the last Harry Potter book. The "Twilight" movie hits theaters in December. And Meyer's books are also thick as doorstops.
If you haven't heard yet, "Twilight" and its sequels are -- wait for it -- vampire romance novels for teenagers. But the series is only nominally about suave, bloodsucking representatives of the undead. After all, Meyer is a devout Mormon from Phoenix, and her books are squeaky clean.
Meyer's vampires don't hail from Anne Rice's world of darkness; the Cullen family of the "Twilight" series comprises seven vampires who exercise great self-control by not drinking human blood, because it's immoral. They rely on the less nutritious, less delicious blood of animals; Edward has a predilection for mountain lions, while his brother Emmett prefers grizzly bears.
So in Meyer's books, nobody sucks anybody's neck, let alone gets stabbed through the heart with a wooden stake. And while they're first and foremost romance novels, nobody has premarital sex.
Instead, in a departure from the more action-packed halls of Hogwarts, discussions of feelings and emotions and such fill Meyer's tomes. Ick. "Twilight" is written from the perspective of Bella Swan, a high-schooler who is in love with classmate Edward Cullen, a 107-year-old vampire; Meyer lingers for pages at a time on their exchanged looks, passionate declarations and innocent touches. They can't be together that way because he might kill her by accident, but she loves him unequivocally, even though he's a monster, and he loves her back, even though she's klutzy. The adolescent yearning is palpable.
This could explain why "Twilight's" readership is predominantly female.
"It's much more of a girl's book -- it appeals to a female readership in the same way Jane Austen does," says Amy Clarke, who teaches an undergraduate Harry Potter course at the University of California at Davis. "I'm not putting it in the same class of literature, but it has a lot of similarities."
Clarke says her two teenage sons, both of whom read the Harry Potter series several times, refuse to read the "Twilight" books. "They gag when we go by the movie poster," she says. (Megan Tingley, Meyer's publisher and the senior vice president of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, says she's noticed more boys reading the books and showing up at Meyer's events. "Girls are making their boyfriends read it," she explains.)
Fans insist that "Twilight" defies classification, that it's not a girl book or a boy book, not a vampire thriller or a romance story. Elysa Montfort, a 21-year-old student at St. Mary's College of Maryland who started the fan site Twilight Source, has read Anne Rice's novels and says "Twilight" is nothing like them. And her Twilight Source co-founder, Laura Thompson, a 19-year-old student at McDaniel College in Maryland, says simply, "I don't keep romance novels on my shelves." Both love the books for the richness of the characters, and for Meyer's suspense-filled storytelling.
Tingley says she wouldn't have published the book had it really been a vampire romance. "I don't publish genre fiction," she says. But when she read the manuscript in 2003, "I had such a strong response to it that I knew other people who wouldn't identify themselves as vampire or romance fans would feel the same way I did."
The themes in the books, in Tingley's view, are ageless. At its core, the story is about choice. The Cullens choose not to prey on humans; Bella must choose whether to become immortal. Though the "Twilight" series is marketed in the industry's young-adult category (age 12 to 18), Meyer tackles issues of identity and relationships in a way that appeals to 50-year-olds and 10-year-olds alike.
But while moms approve of its message of abstinence and acceptance -- "Twilight" makes the reading list of almost every mother-daughter book club out there -- is the story as empowering as it seems?
The biggest question, which "Breaking Dawn" will finally put to rest, is whether Bella will become a vampire and marry Edward. "Do we really want our daughters reading books about a girl like Bella who is always needing to be saved, who is willing to give up her mortality for a boy?" Clarke says. Bella is initially fascinated by Edward because he, like all vampires, is beautiful, godlike in appearance. She needs constant assurance from him that he really does like her, that she is special.
Girl power it isn't. But the series has become a worldwide phenomenon; the rights for "Twilight," the first book, have been sold in 37 countries. The first printing for "Twilight" was 75,000 copies, small potatoes compared with "Breaking Dawn's" first run. When Montfort tried to reserve an advance copy at Borders, she was told that she might not be able to get it at midnight because demand has been so high.
Tonight, at the witching hour (vampiring hour?), fans will converge inside Borders stores for their coveted copies। They will stay up all night to read them. And they will discover, finally, whether it's better to be beautiful, strong and immortal, or to be just plain ordinary.

Teen-vampire movie 'Twilight' almost didn't see the light of day
The back story involving the film version of Twilight, due in theaters Dec. 12, is almost as convoluted as the novel itself.

According to Variety, Paramount optioned the rights to the novel when it was first published in 2005 but then allowed the option to expire. An upstart company called Summit Entertainment stepped in and acquired the rights, even though Twilight had sold only about 10,000 copies.

The novel finally caught fire, and now Summit is releasing what many expect to one of the biggest hits of the holiday season.

If you haven’t already seen the trailer on YouTube, Bella is played by Kristen Stewart, best known for Into the Wild, where she played Emile Hirsch’s folk-singer love interest. Edward, meanwhile, is played by Robert Pattinson, who was featured as the swoon-worthy Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

The most promising news of all: The film is directed by McAllen-born, UT-educated Catherine Hardwicke (thirteen, Lords of Dogtown).

Hardwicke was all wrong for the inert and bloodless The Nativity Story — she’s much craftier at tales of out-of-control teenagers, not pious ones. But she’s got a terrific visual sensibility (she got her start as a production designer on movies like Vanilla Sky and Three Kings) that should bring Twilight to vivid life.

— Christopher Kelly

Celebrate release of final 'Twilight' book with midnight masquerade and more

04:50 PM CDT on Thursday, July 31, 2008
By KATELYN SMITHERMAN / The Dallas Morning News ksmitherman@dallasnews.com
Fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight book series have been counting down the days until the release of the fourth and final installment, Breaking Dawn.

Bookstores can't begin selling Breaking Dawn until 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, but the fun starts Friday.
View larger More photos Photo store
Area bookstores are eagerly awaiting it, too, with many opening their doors for themed release parties full of games, contests and anticipation about what the latest vampire-and-werewolf novel will bring to the saga's two star-crossed lovers.
Stores can't begin selling the book (list price $22.99) until 12:01 a.m. Saturday, but to keep checkout lines orderly, some will distribute wristbands or tickets ahead of time to buyers.
Here's a rundown of plans at press time. All of these parties are Friday, and all are free. For late-breaking news about other release parties, check our Texas Pages books blog.
Barnes & Noble
Release parties are planned at more than a dozen area Barnes & Noble stores. To find the one nearest you, click on "Stores & Events" on the company's Web site, www.barnesandnoble.com, and enter your ZIP code. Here are some to consider:
LINCOLN PARK The store will host a release party beginning at 10 p.m. Fans are invited to dress in costume for a night of trivia contests, crafts and themed activities, such as designing Bella's wedding dress and making Breaking Dawn predictions. Bring a camera so you can have your Breaking Dawn prom photo taken.
•7700 W. Northwest Highway (directly across from NorthPark Center). 214-739-1124.
PRESTON ROYAL SHOPPING CENTER Starting at 8 p.m., customers can enjoy refreshments and compete in a costume contest while waiting for midnight to strike.
•616 Preston Royal Shopping Center (near Royal Lane). 214-363-0924.
PRESTON AND PARK The store is hosting an engagement party for Bella and Edward beginning at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to study up on their Twilight trivia, dress creatively, come hungry and bring a camera. Wristbands will be distributed starting at 9 a.m.
•2201 Preston Road (at Park Boulevard), Plano. 972-612-0999.
PRESTONWOOD The location is throwing a Breaking Dawn prom beginning at 10 p.m. Attendees can make their own corsages or boutonnieres, compete in the best-dressed contest, play human chess and take photos with vampires and werewolves.
•5301 Belt Line Road (at Prestonwood Boulevard). 972-980-0853.
STONEBRIAR CENTRE The store is celebrating with an Edward's icy kisses booth, a costume contest and a picture-and-quote wall where guests can quote their favorite characters and draw pictures inspired by the books. Bring a camera for photo opportunities. The fun starts at 10 p.m., but wristbands will be given out as early as 9 a.m.
•2601 Preston Road (at State Highway 121), Frisco. 972-668-2820.
CREEKWALK VILLAGE The store is throwing a vampire prom party beginning at 9 p.m., complete with costume contest, games and crafts. Bring your camera. Wristbands will be distributed starting at 9 a.m.
•801 W. 15th St. (west of Alma Drive), Plano. 972-422-3372.
FIREWHEEL TOWN CENTER The store invites all Twilight fans to a Midnight Masquerade Ball at 9 p.m. Wear your best black and red masquerade attire or dress up as a character from the Twilight Saga to enter the costume contest. Enjoy activities inspired by the books, including "blood tasting," a debate between Edward much more. Tickets to purchase books will be distributed starting at 9 a.m.
•Firewheel Town Center, 190 Cedar Sage Drive, Garland. 972-496-2000.
The Bookworm
This independent bookstore in Frisco will reopen at 11:30 p.m. in preparation for the release. Refreshments will be served. Reserving a copy of the book in advance is highly recommended, a store spokesman says.
•3245 Main St. (at Teel Parkway), Frisco. 972-712-1455. www.friscobookworm.com.
Borders, Waldenbooks
Borders and Waldenbooks stores are hosting parties with the theme "From Twilight to Dawn: A Night With Bite." They will kick off at 9:30 p.m. with "So You're in Love With a Vampire" trivia questions from the editors of TwilightLexicon.com. Guests are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite character from the series and participate in the "Supernatural Soiree" costume contest, and they'll even get to state their case in the "Love is Perfectly Paranormal" debate over whether Bella will choose Jacob or Edward. Fans can win prizes, souvenirs and a chance to be one of the first in line at the register at midnight.
To find the Borders or Waldenbooks location nearest you, click on "Store Locator" on the company's Web site: www.borders.com. Participating locations include:
•10720 Preston Road (south of Royal Lane). 214-363-1977.
•3600 McKinney Ave. (at Lemmon Avenue). 214-219-0512.
•5500 Greenville Ave. (north of Lovers Lane). 214-739-1166.
•2709 N. Mesquite Drive (near Interstate 635 and Town Centre Drive), Mesquite. 972-279-5203.
•1601 Preston Road (at Park Boulevard), Plano. 972-713-9857.
•Collin Creek Mall, 811 N. Central Expressway, Plano. 972-423-2429.
BOOKS TO SINK YOUR TEETH INTO
For those who have (somehow) missed the buzz about the Twilight Saga teen-lit phenomenon, there is still time to catch up on the story of forbidden love between the shy Bella and Edward the vampire.
Since the release of the first book, Twilight, in 2005, the series by Stephenie Meyer has grown tremendously in popularity. All three novels so far (Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse ) have been New York Times best-sellers, and Eclipse knocked Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows out of the No. 1 spot last summer.
When Ms. Meyer began the series, she says, it was nothing more than a story for herself. Three years later, the final Twilight Saga novel is set to be released, but she's already working on Midnight Sun, which will tell the story from Edward's perspective.
Katelyn Smitherman
.