Look up host in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

The term host is most often used to describe a male (hostess in feminine form) presenter for an event.

Host or hosts may refer to:

• A person who provides hospitality
• Host or sacramental bread
• Host (biology), organism harboring another organism on or in itself
• Host (psychology), "personality" emphasized in treating dissociative identity disorder
• Host (radio), the presenter or announcer on a radio show
• Host, headwaiter (Maître d' or Maître d'hôtel) of a restaurant or hotel
• Host, Pennsylvania

In computing[link]

• Host (network), a computer connected to the Internet or another IP-based network
  • Hosts file, a computer file to be used to store information on where to find an internet host on a computer network
  • host (Unix), a command-line Unix command
  • Internet hosting service, a service that runs Internet servers allowing organizations and individuals to serve content to the Internet
  • Virtual host, allowing several DNS names to share the same IP address
• In cross-compilation, the host machine is the computer the compiler is running on
• Terminal host, a multi-user computer or software providing services to computer terminals, or a computer that provides services to smaller or less capable devices, for example an xhost (X Window host)
• Virtual machine host, a computer within which another computer is emulated and hosted by virtualization
• Homeland Open Security Technology (HOST), a project to promote the creation and use of open security and open-source software in the United States government and military

An army, group, or formation[link]

• Cossack host, was the administrative subdivision of Cossacks in Imperial Russia based on their location. There were:
  • Amur Cossack Host
  • Astrakhan Cossack Host
  • Don Cossack Host
  • Kuban Cossack Host
  • Orenburg Cossack Host
  • Semiryechye Cossack Host
  • Terek Cossack Host
  • Transbaikal Cossack Host
  • Ural Cossack Host
  • Ussuri Cossack Host
  • Danube Cossack Host, an Imperial Russian Cossack Host formed from descendants of the Zaporozhian Cossacks
  • Zaporozhian Host, the Zaporozhian Cossacks who lived in Zaporizhia, in Central Ukraine
• Furious Host or the Wild Hunt, a European folk myth
• Heavenly host, an "army" of good angels in Heaven
  • Lord of hosts, a common expression in the Old testament

Fictional military hosts[link]

• The Hosts of Rebecca, a 1960 novel by Alexander Cordell about the Rebecca Riots
• Avenging Host, a group of characters in Marvel Comics Earth X series of comic books
• Rutan Host, fictional aliens from Doctor Who
• In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional Middle-earth, several armies are Armies and hosts of Middle-earth warfare, referred to as hosts
• In George R. R. Martin's fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, armies are often referred to as hosts.
• Hosts (World of Darkness), fictional characters in game Werewolf: The Forsaken

Titles of expressive works[link]

• Host (Paradise Lost album), 1999
• Host (Critters Buggin album), 1996
• Hosts (novel), a 2001 book written by American author F. Paul Wilson
• Host, a 1993 book by Peter James
• Host, the third novel in the Rogue Mage series by Faith Hunter

Other[link]

• Host station, railway stations in Melbourne, Australia with toilets etc.
• Host, an author abbreviation in botany for Nicolaus Thomas Host

See also[link]

• Hosting (disambiguation), various meanings
• The Host (disambiguation)
• Hostess (disambiguation)

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Saoirse Ronan
Ronan at 2008 City of Ember Belfast Premiere
Born	Saoirse Una Ronan[1] (1994-04-12) 12 April 1994 (age 18)[2] New York City, New York,[3] U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2003–present

Saoirse Una Ronan (Irish pronunciation: [ˈsˠiːɾˠʃə]; roughly SEER-shə; born 12 April 1994^[1]) is an Irish film actress. She began her career as a child and came to international prominence in 2007 after co-starring in the film Atonement, which gained her nominations for a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.^[4][5][6][7]

Ronan has since appeared in several Hollywood films, including the children's Christmas story The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey (2007), with Tom Berenger and Joely Richardson, the romantic comedy I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007), the film adaptation of the science fantasy Young Adult novel City of Ember (2008), Death Defying Acts (2008), the war drama film The Way Back (2010) and Hanna (2011). She was awarded a Saturn Award and a second BAFTA Award nomination for her portrayal in Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones (2009).

Personal life[link]

Born in New York City, Ronan is the only child of Irish parents Paul and Monica Ronan – the former an actor^[8] – who were living in New York at the time.^[3] Her family is Catholic.^[9] She was raised in County Carlow, Ireland, having moved there when she was three years old.^[10] She is currently home schooled and lives in County Carlow.^[11][12] As a baby, she sometimes accompanied her father on the set when he was working on such films as The Devil's Own^[13] and Veronica Guerin (film).

Ronan supports the Irish Blue Cross, as the charity had reunited her with her runaway dog Sassie.^[14] On her name, she said, "'Seer-sha' is how Irish people pronounce my first name, but I would pronounce it 'Ser-sha,' like 'inertia'. It's Irish for 'freedom.' I recently found out that my middle name, Una, means 'unity' in Ireland. And I think my last name means 'seal.' So I’m a free, unified seal."^[1]

Career[link]

2003–2008[link]

She made her screen debut on Irish public service broadcaster RTÉ, in the 2003 primetime medical drama The Clinic and the 2004–2005 mini-serial Proof.^[15] During the same time, Ronan auditioned to play Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, a role she eventually lost out to Evanna Lynch.^[16]

Ronan in 2007.

At the age of twelve, Ronan was asked to attend a casting call for Joe Wright's 2007 film adaptation of Ian McEwan's 2001 novel Atonement.^[17] She auditioned for and won the part of Briony Tallis, an aspiring 13-year-old novelist, who irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit. Starring alongside Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, Wright grew more and more impressed with Ronan on-set, who declared her role a "fantastic part [to play]."^[17] Budgeted at US$30 million, the film became a financial and critical success, resulting in a worldwide box office total of US$130 million and various awards, including the BAFTA Award for Best Film, Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Drama, and an 2008 Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.^[18] Ronan herself received rave reviews for her performance, with Ty Burr of the Boston Globe calling her "remarkable [and] eccentric,"^[19] and was subsequently nominated for a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, ranking her among the youngest persons ever to be nominated for the latter.^[20]

Ronan's next film was Amy Heckerling's often-delayed romantic comedy film I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007). Initially shot in mid-to fall 2005 in Los Angeles and London, the film went straight-to-DVD in the United States and other major market territories after it had struggled to attract financing and several deals disintegrated during its post-production in spite of its budget of US$25 million.^[21] In the film, Ronan portrayed the character of Izzie Grossman, the pubescent daughter of a television show screenwriter, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, who falls for a younger man (Paul Rudd), while Izzie falls in love for the first time herself. Upon its release, the independent project garnered generally lukewarm reviews, with Joe Leydon of Variety summing it as "a desperately unfunny mix of tepid showbiz satire and formulaic romantic comedy."^[22]

In 2008, Ronan starred in both Death Defying Acts and City of Ember. In Gillian Armstrong's supernatural romantic thriller Death Defying Acts, she played Benji McGarvie, the daughter of an impoverished and uneducated psychic, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, who begins a passionate affair with legendary magician Harry Houdini at the height of his career. Ronan was awarded an Irish Film & Television Award for her performance.^[20] Released to a mixed reception,^[23] the film was not a success at the box office, barely grossing US$8.3 million worldwide.^[24] In Gil Kenan's City of Ember Ronan starred as Lina Mayfleet, a teenager who must save the people of the fictional underground city named Ember. The fantasy film, based on the 2003 novel by Jeanne DuPrau, received mixed reviews from critics,^[25] and grossed US$17 million worldwide, well below its US$55 million budget.^[26]

2009–present[link]

Ronan at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival

In 2009, Ronan appeared alongside Rachel Weisz and Stanley Tucci in Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones (2009), an adaptation of the same-titled book by Alice Sebold. In the film, Ronan plays 14-year-old Susie Salmon, who, after being murdered, watches from the "in-between" as her family and friends struggle to move on with their lives while she comes to terms with her own death. Ronan and her family were originally hesitant for Ronan to accept her role in the film because of its subject matter, but agreed after meeting with Jackson, who described her as "just amazing on-screen."^[27] The Lovely Bones was released to mainly mixed reviews from critics,^[28] who criticised the film's story and its message.^[29] Praised for the acting however, particularly of Ronan, whose performance Richard Corliss of Time commented as "magic,"^[29] the film garnered various accolades, winning Ronan a Critics' Choice Award, a Saturn Award and a second BAFTA Award nomination for her portrayal the following year.^[20]

In 2010's The Way Back, directed by Peter Weir, Ronan played the character of Irena, a Polish orphan, who joins a group of prisoners who escape from the gulag in Siberia in 1940 and attempt to make a 4,000 mile trek to India. Shot on location in Bulgaria, India and Morocco alongside Jim Sturgess, Colin Farrell and Ed Harris,^[30] the war drama film received generally positive reviews,^[31] with The Telegraph calling it "a journey that feels awful and heroic and unfathomable – and one you’ll want to watch again."^[32] Her performance in the film garnered Ronan her fourth Irish Film & Television Award.^[20]

In 2011, Ronan starred in the title role of the action thriller film Hanna, which marked her reunion with Atonement director Joe Wright.^[13]

In November 2011, Ronan took part in a promotion for the Irish Film Institute Archive Preservation Fund, in which she was digitally edited into popular Irish films of the past, such as Once and My Left Foot, as well as documentary footage on the arrival of John F. Kennedy at Dublin Airport and the GAA All-Ireland finals.^[33]

As announced, Ronan will play a teen assassin in Geoffrey Fletcher's directing debut Violet & Daisy.^[34] In addition, she will star as Melanie Stryder in Andrew Niccol's film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's novel The Host,^[35][36] and appear in director Neil Jordan's adaptation of the play Byzantium.^[37] As reported, Ronan is in talks to play Daisy in the film adaptation of the 2004 novel How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff.^[38]

Filmography[link]

Further reading[link]

• Cluain Dolcain: A Brief Note, Charles Doherty, in Seanchas: Studies in Early and Medieval Irish Archaeology, History and Literature in Honour of Francis John Byrne, pp. 182–188, edited by Alfred P. Smyth, Four Courts Press, Dublin, 2000. ISBN 978-1-85182-489-2

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Saoirse Ronan

• Saoirse Ronan at the Internet Movie Database

Jacob Allen "Jake" Abel (born November 18, 1987) in Canton, Ohio is an American model and actor. He is known for playing Luke Castellan in the 2010 film adaptation of Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief and Mark James in the 2011 film adaptation of I Am Number Four .

Career[link]

Abel first landing role was in the Disney Channel Original Movie Go Figure playing Spencer. He later had a recurring guest role on CBS's short live science fiction series Threshold.He had a numerous guest starring roles including Cold Case and ER. He was honored with a Rising Star award at the 16th Hamptons International Film Festival in October, 2008 for his work in the film Flash of Genius. In 2009, Abel shortly appeared in Peter Jackson's filmed The Lovely Bones based on the Alice Sebold novel. He also secured a regular role in the web series Angel of Death which run in 10-episodes. In February 2009, Jake was cast in a multiple guest arc on The CW hit series Supernatural playing the 19-year old Adam Milligan, he is expected to appear at least three episodes. In 2010 Abel secured a role in the film adaptation of Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief playing Luke Castellan which released on February 12, 2010. Afterward in 2011 once again Abel starred in the live-action film I Am Number Four playing Mark James. Abel starred on the social thriller film Inside co-starred by Emmy Rossum which release in July 25, 2011. He is also recently appeared on ABC's medical drama Grey's Anatomy in the episode "Poker Face" playing Tyler Moser.

In 2013 Abel was chosen to play Ian O'Shea in the film adaption of The Host based on Stephanie Meyer's novel which plan to release in March 29, 2013. He is also set to return in the sequel of Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters which also based on the novel set to be released in March 27, 2013.

Filmography[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jake Abel

• Jake Abel at the Internet Movie Database

Maximilian Paul Diarmuid "Max" Irons (born October 17, 1985) is an English film actor and model.^[1] He is perhaps most noted for his leading role in Red Riding Hood.^[2]

Personal life[link]

Irons was born in Camden, London,^[3] and is the son of Irish-born actress Sinéad Cusack and English-born actor Jeremy Irons, and the grandson of the South African-born actor Cyril Cusack.^[4][5] He attended the Dragon School in Oxford^[6] and graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2008.^[7] Irons also suffered from dyslexia through his school years and his father discouraged him from going into an acting career. It is hard for him to read and memorize lines.

Career[link]

Irons has modelled for companies including Burberry and Mango. He was voted number 2 out of 10 Best New Actors In Hollywood Revealed by the News Junky Journal in 2011, partly due to this role.^[8]

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Max Irons at AllRovi

This article about an English film actor or actress is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Stephenie Meyer
Stephenie Meyer in April 2009
Born	Stephenie Morgan (1973-12-24) December 24, 1973 (age 38) Hartford, Connecticut
Occupation	Novelist, producer
Nationality	American
Genres	Vampire romance, young-adult fiction, science fiction
Notable work(s)	The Twilight series
Influences Orson Scott Card, Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, Maeve Binchy, Brontë sisters, Daphne du Maurier, L. M. Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, Eva Ibbotson, William Goldman, Janet Evanovich
Influenced Aprilynne Pike
Signature
www.stepheniemeyer.com

Stephenie Meyer (née Morgan;  /ˈmaɪ.ər/ MY-ər; born December 24, 1973) is an American children's author and producer, best known for her vampire romance series Twilight.^[1][2][3] The Twilight novels have gained worldwide recognition and sold over 100 million copies globally,^[1][4] with translations into 37 different languages.^[2][3] Meyer was the bestselling author of 2008 and 2009 in America, having sold over 29 million books in 2008,^[5][6] and 26.5 million books in 2009.^[7] Twilight was the best-selling book of the year.^[8]

Meyer was ranked #49 on Time magazine's list of the "100 Most Influential People in 2008",^[9] and was included in the Forbes Celebrity 100 list of the world's most powerful celebrities in 2009, entering at #26. Her annual earnings exceeded $50 million.^[10] In 2010, Forbes ranked her as the #59 most powerful celebrity with annual earnings of $40 million.^[11]

Early life[link]

Stephenie Meyer was born in Hartford, Connecticut, to Stephen and Candy Morgan. She grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, with five siblings: Seth, Emily, Jacob, Paul, and Heidi. She attended Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. She then attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where she received a B.A. in English in 1997.^[12] Meyer met her husband Christiaan when she was 4 years old in Arizona, and married him in 1994 when they were both 21. Together they have three sons: Gabe, Seth, and Eli. Christiaan Meyer, formerly an auditor, has now retired to take care of the children.^[13]

Meyer is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; she has stated that she is strait-laced about her beliefs and does not drink alcohol or smoke.^[14] Meyer had never written even a short story before Twilight and had considered going to law school because she felt she had no chance of becoming a writer; she later noted that the birth of her oldest son Gabe changed her mind, saying, "Once I had Gabe, I just wanted to be his mom."^[14] Before becoming an author, Meyer's only professional work was as a receptionist in a property company.^[13] Meyer lives in Cave Creek, Arizona,^[15] and also owns a home on Marrowstone Island, Washington.^[16]

[edit] The Twilight series

[edit] Twilight

Meyer says that the idea for Twilight came to her in a dream on June 2, 2003.^[17] The dream was about a human girl and a vampire who was in love with her but thirsted for her blood.^[17] Based on this dream, Meyer wrote the draft of what is now Chapter 13 of the book.^[18] In a matter of three months she had transformed her dream into a complete novel,^[1] though she claims that she never intended to publish Twilight and was writing for her own enjoyment.^[19] Her sister's response to the book was enthusiastic and she persuaded Meyer to send the manuscript to literary agencies.^[13]

Of the 15 letters she wrote, five went unanswered, nine brought rejections, and the last was a positive response from Jodi Reamer of Writers House.^[20] Eight publishers competed for the rights to publish Twilight in a 2003 auction.^[20] By November, Meyer had signed a $750,000 three-book deal with Little, Brown and Company.^[21] Twilight was published in 2005 with a print run of 75,000 copies.^[20] It reached #5 on the New York Times Best Seller list for Children's Chapter Books within a month of its release,^[22] and later rose to #1.^[23] Foreign rights to the novel were sold to over 26 countries.^[24] The novel was named the Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year and a New York Times Editor's Choice.^[25]

Subsequent novels[link]

Following the success of Twilight (2005), Meyer expanded the story into a series with three more books: New Moon (2006), Eclipse (2007), and Breaking Dawn (2008). In its first week after publication, New Moon reached #5 on the New York Times Best Seller List for Children's Chapter Books, and in its second week rose to the #1 position, where it remained for the next 11 weeks. In total, it spent over 50 weeks on the list.^[26] After the release of Eclipse, the first three "Twilight" books spent a combined 143 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list.^[1] The fourth installment of the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, was released with an initial print run of 3.7 million copies.^[27] Over 1.3 million copies were sold on the first day.^[28] The novel won Meyer her first British Book Award, despite competition with J. K. Rowling's The Tales of Beedle the Bard.^[29] The series has sold over 100 million copies worldwide^[4] in 37 languages.^[30] In 2008, the four books of the series claimed the top four spots on USA Today's year-end bestseller list, making Meyer the first author to ever achieve this feat as well as being the bestselling author of the year.^[5] The Twilight novels held the top four spots on USA Today's year-end list again in 2009.^[31]

Meyer, November 2008

In August 2009, USA Today revealed that Meyer broke J.K. Rowling's record on their bestseller list; the four Twilight books had spent 52 straight weeks in the top 10.^[32] The books have spent more than 143 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List. Upon the completion of the fourth entry in the series, Meyer indicated that Breaking Dawn would be the final novel to be told from Bella Swan's perspective.^[33] Midnight Sun was to be a companion novel to the series. It would be a retelling of the events of the novel Twilight, but from the perspective of Edward Cullen (as opposed to Bella Swan).^[34] Meyer had hoped to have Midnight Sun published some time shortly after the release of Breaking Dawn, but after an online leak of a rough draft of its first 12 chapters, Meyer chose to delay the project indefinitely.^[34][35] Meyer has decided to pursue non-Twilight related books as a result of the leak, she made the rough chapters of "Midnight Sun" available on her website.^[34]

Inspiration[link]

Meyer cites many novels as inspiration for the Twilight series, including Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.^[36] Each book in the series was also inspired specifically by a different literary classic: Twilight by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice; New Moon by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet; Eclipse by Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights; and Breaking Dawn's theme by Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice^[37] and A Midsummer Night's Dream.^[38] Meyer said, "I've been reading books for adults my entire life. Growing up I was an avid reader—the thicker the book, the better."^[39] She also said she is a huge fan of Orson Scott Card, and "can't go through a year without re-reading" Jane Austen's books.^[39]

She also says that her writing is strongly influenced by music, and she posts playlists on her website of songs which specifically inspired her books. Bands included most often in her playlists are Muse, Blue October, My Chemical Romance, Coldplay and Linkin Park.^{[40][41][42][43]} As a Mormon, Meyer acknowledges that her faith has influenced her work. In particular, she says that her characters "tend to think more about where they came from, and where they are going, than might be typical."^[44] Meyer also steers her work from subjects such as sex, despite the romantic nature of the novels. Meyer says that she does not consciously intend her novels to be Mormon-influenced, or to promote the virtues of sexual abstinence and spiritual purity, but admits that her writing is shaped by her values, saying,

"I don't think my books are going to be really graphic or dark, because of who I am. There's always going to be a lot of light in my stories."^[45]

Film adaptations[link]

Summit Entertainment optioned Twilight in April 2007. Catherine Hardwicke directed the film and the screenplay was written by Melissa Rosenberg.^[46] It stars Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan, Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen and Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black.^[47] The movie was released on November 21, 2008.^[48] Meyer makes a brief cameo appearance in a diner scene.^[49] Following the success of Twilight, Summit greenlit a film adaptation of the sequel, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, in November 2008.^[50] Chris Weitz directed the film,^[51] which was released on November 20, 2009.^[52] Summit confirmed an adaptation of the third book in the series, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, in February 2009.^[53] David Slade directed the film, which was released on June 30, 2010. Summit also obtained the rights to Breaking Dawn in November 2008,^[54] and approved a two-part adaptation in June 2010 that was scheduled to start production in late 2010.^[55] The first part was released on November 18, 2011, and the second part is scheduled for November 16, 2012.^[56]

Analysis[link]

Reception[link]

Meyer on her book tour for Eclipse in 2007.

Entertainment Weekly has stated that Meyer is "the world's most popular vampire novelist since Anne Rice",^[57] while The Guardian described her as an "imaginative storyteller, a prolific author and a newly powerful figure in the publishing market."^[58] Wayne Janes of Toronto Sun agreed, saying "Meyer's success points up another trend — the virtual domination of the best-seller lists the last few years by what would normally be classified as young adult fiction," and noted,

"In the absence of a new Harry Potter adventure, teens, fantasy enthusiasts and women (sales are mostly to females) who swoon at the idea of a virginal James Dean-ish vampire made Meyer the go-to gal for chaste love."^[59] Tymon Smith of The Times has described her as the "superstar of young adult fiction".^[60]

Meyer was named USA Today's "Author of the Year" in 2008,^[61] and one of MSN Lifestyle's "Most Influential Women of 2008" where she was described as a "literary luminary".^[62] She was also ranked #49 on Time magazine's list of the "100 Most Influential People in 2008",^[9] and was included in their list of "People Who Mattered", with Lev Grossman noting, "Maybe Americans aren't ready for a Mormon presidential nominee yet. But they're more than ready to anoint a Mormon as the best-selling novelist of the year."^[63] Meyer was included in The Arizona Republic's "Valley's Most Fascinating People" in December 2008.^[64]

Novelist Orson Scott Card said, "[Stephenie Meyer] writes with luminous clarity, never standing between the reader and the dream they share. She's the real thing".^[65] Scott described Meyer as an "amazing phenomenon".^[66] In an interview with Newsweek, author Jodi Picoult said, "Stephenie Meyer has gotten people hooked on books, and that's good for all of us."^[67] Meyer was ranked #5 on Forbes' list of "Hollywood's Top-Earning Women", the only author on the list, and it was noted that the "Twilight series of young-adult vampire books have taken the publishing and film worlds by storm."^[68]

She was ranked #82 on Vanity Fair's list of the "Top 100 Information Age Powers" of 2009.^[69] Meyer was featured in an issue of the biographical comic Female Force, a Bluewater Productions title which celebrates influential women in society and pop culture.^[52] The comic has previously published biographies of women such as Oprah Winfrey and Princess Diana.^[52] In 2011 CEOWORLD Magazine ranked her among CEOWORLD magazine's Top Accomplished Women Entertainers.^[70] Meyer was the second bestselling author of the decade, according to a list published by Amazon, beaten by JK Rowling.^[71]

Fan following[link]

Meyer has gained a following among young adult readers of her Twilight novels, which are set in the small town of Forks on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. Forks has thus received attention from fans, and celebrates "Stephenie Meyer Day" on September 13, the date of character Bella Swan's birthday.^[72] Fans express themselves in other ways: "[They] dress up like her characters. They write their own stories about them and post their tales on the Internet. When she appears at a bookstore, 3,000 people go to meet her. There are Twilight-themed rock bands."^[73]

Criticism[link]

Comparing Meyer to J. K. Rowling, Stephen King stated, "the real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer, and Stephenie Meyer can't write worth a darn. She's not very good."^[74][75] King went on to say that

"people are attracted by the stories, by the pace and in the case of Stephenie Meyer, it's very clear that she's writing to a whole generation of girls and opening up kind of a safe joining of love and sex in those books. It's exciting and it's thrilling and it's not particularly threatening because it's not overtly sexual."

He further explains,

“A lot of the physical side of it is conveyed in things like, the vampire will touch her forearm or run a hand over skin, and she just flushes all hot and cold. And for girls, that’s a shorthand for all the feelings that they’re not ready to deal with yet.”^[75]

Meyer has been criticized by feminists^[who?] who consider Meyer an anti-feminist writer, saying that the series romanticizes a physically abusive relationship, pointing to red flags that include Bella's entire life revolving around Edward; never being in control of her own life; being absolutely dependent on Edward’s ability to protect her life, her virginity, and her humanity; and the physical injuries Bella suffers from finally consummating her relationship with Edward.^[76][77][78] Meyer has dismissed such criticisms, arguing both that the books center around Bella's choice, and that her damsel in distress persona is due only to her humanity.^[79]

Film producer[link]

Meyer is also a film producer. Meyer started her own production company in 2011 with producer Meghan Hibbett. The company is called Fickle Fish Films. Meyer spent much of 2011 producing both parts of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn as well as the film adaptation of Shannon Hale's novel Austenland. On February 12, 2012, Meyer announced on her personal website that filming for The Host, for which she is also a producer, would begin Monday, February 13, 2012. In April 2012, Meyer announced that she would be producing a film adaptation of Lois Duncan's Down a Dark Hall.^[80]

Other works[link]

One of Meyer's short stories was published in Prom Nights from Hell, a collection of stories about bad prom nights with supernatural effects. Meyer's story "Hell on Earth", was about a demon named Sheba and a half-angel named Gabe who fall in love with each other. Other authors who contributed to the collection are Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe and Lauren Myracle. Prom Nights from Hell was released in April 2007.

In May 2008, Meyer's adult sci-fi novel The Host, was released by the adult division of Little, Brown and Company. It follows the story of Melanie Stryder and Wanderer, a young woman and an invading alien "soul," who are forced to work as one. The Host debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list^[81] and remained on the list for 26 weeks.^[82] In March 2008, Meyer said she was "almost done" writing a possible sequel to The Host, entitled The Soul.^[83] If she were to continue the series, the third book would be called The Seeker.^[84]

Meyer mentions having several other book ideas on file, including a ghost story titled Summer House and a novel involving time travel,^[85] as well as another about mermaids.^[86][87] On August 28, 2008, it was announced that Meyer had written the treatment for Jack's Mannequin music video "The Resolution", which she co-directed the following week.^[88][89]

In 2009, Meyer teamed with the skateboard and clothing company Hobo Skate Company to produce her own clothing line, consisting of a line of T-shirts and skateboards related to her science-fiction novel The Host.^[90] On March 30, 2010, it was announced that Meyer had written a 200-page novella The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. The book was released on June 5, 2010, by Atom and was available for free between June 7 and July 5 on the official website.^[91][92]

In April 2009, Meyer took part in Project Book Babe, a benefit designed to help pay her friend Faith Hochhalter's medical bills after Hochhalter was diagnosed with breast cancer. Meyer donated many advance reader copies and original manuscripts for auction.^[93][94] The same year, Meyer teamed up with Hobo Skate Company to auction off a The Host-themed skateboard, which sold for $1500 that was donated to charity.^[90]

Publications[link]

Twilight series

1. Twilight (2005)
2. New Moon (2006)
3. Eclipse (2007)
4. Breaking Dawn (2008)

• The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (2010)
• The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide (2011)

Other books

• Prom Nights from Hell (section, 2007)
• The Host (2008)

References[link]