First-time author, unassuming cover and a title that didn’t reveal much of anything. When it was published on October 5, 2005, Twilight was already at a disadvantage. But within several weeks, Stephenie Meyer’s nearly 500-page supernatural tale — introducing the tension-filled romance between Bella Swan (human, age 17) and Edward Cullen (vampire, age 104) — had made its way onto The New York Times bestseller list. It’s no understatement to say their love story defined a generation (while also putting rugged, rainy, forest-covered Forks, Washington, on the map).
Who Was Involved
Meyer, now 51, had barely written anything before waking up from a “very vivid” dream in 2003 that became the basis for the book. After long days (and nights) of writing while mothering her three children, she started sending around her manuscript, titled Forks. Enter literary agent Jodi Reamer, who helped get the novel to the major publishing houses. Megan Tingley from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers took a chance on Meyer’s “imaginary friends,” as the author called her characters on her blog, and things changed forever.
“For a very long time, I was convinced it was a really cruel practical joke,” Meyer wrote. “But I couldn’t imagine who would go to these wild extremes to play a hoax on such an insignificant little hausfrau.”
Why We Remember It
The dangerous passion! On the page, Bella explains it perfectly: “About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him — and I didn’t know how potent that part might be — that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”
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Key Details
Twilight was always meant to be a book series. After finishing the first title, Meyer “started writing epilogues … lots of epilogues,” she has said, which is how New Moon — hello to Edward’s rival, werewolf Jacob Black! — came to be in 2006. It was followed by 2007’s Eclipse and 2008’s Breaking Dawn.
Naturally, the most memorable parts of the saga — vampires sparkling, the Renesmee of it all and the Volturi, for example — have become cemented into pop culture.
The Aftermath
The books’ massive success paved the way for a 2008 big-screen adaptation led by Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson — ever heard of them? They starred in five films overall, and their onscreen chemistry translated into a very high-profile, real-life romance from 2009 to 2013.
“I didn’t go into a supermarket for about six years,” Pattinson has said of his fame at the time.
Oh, and fun fact: E L James’ notorious Fifty Shades of Grey evolved from her erotic Twilight fan fiction!
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A New Perspective
In 2020, Meyer flipped the franchise, rewriting Twilight from Edward’s POV as Midnight Sun.
Asked to reconsider the central relationship in the post-#MeToo era, she told the Times, “I’ve had feedback from the very beginning with people who reacted to some things and didn’t like them at all, which I absolutely can see.”
But she noted that Edward isn’t “someone who follows human rules” and continued, “This is a fiction book that’s not even set in a realistic world. It’s fantasy.”
Where Are They Now?
The Arizona-based Meyer is joining her devoted fans this month in Washington state to celebrate Twilight’s 20th at the Forever Twilight in Forks Festival. (Watch for new editions of the books plus a rerelease of the film.) She’s also working with Netflix to adapt Midnight Sun as an animated series.
