Did you know that Stephenie Meyer, the author behind the iconic Twilight series, was inspired by a vivid dream? This single moment of inspiration led to a monumental writing career that has captivated millions around the globe. With over 250 million copies sold and adaptations into a five-part film series, Meyer has left an indelible mark on the literary world. She has not only created a beloved series but also expanded her repertoire with novels like The Host and The Chemist, showcasing her versatility as a writer.
Born on December 24, 1973, in Hartford, Connecticut, Meyer has come a long way from her humble beginnings. Growing up in a large family as the second of six children, she developed a passion for reading early on, which paved the way for her writing career. Meyer’s journey is a testament to the power of inspiration and the creativity that can emerge from the most unexpected places.
As we explore the life and works of Stephenie Meyer, we will delve into her early life, marriage, family, and the incredible success of her Twilight series. Each of these elements contributed to her development as an author and her impact on popular culture.
Biography Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Stephenie Meyer |
| Birth Year | 1973 |
| Birth Date | December 24 |
| Birth City | Hartford |
| Birth State | Connecticut |
| Country | United States |
| Gender | Female |
| Best Known For | Twilight book series |
| Astrological Sign | Capricorn |
| Education | Brigham Young University |
Table of Contents
- Who Is Stephenie Meyer?
- Early Life
- Marriage and Family
- Inspiration for Twilight
- Commercial Success and Twilight Films
- Midnight Sun
- More Books: The Host and The Chemist
- Fickle Fish Films Production Company
Who Is Stephenie Meyer?
Stephenie Meyer is the best-selling author of the Twilight book series. Inspired by a dream, she wrote the first book and attracted the attention of agent Jodi Reamer, who secured her a three-book publishing deal. The books have sold more than 250 million copies, been translated into 37 languages and adapted for a five-part hit film series. Meyer has also published the novels The Host (2008) and The Chemist (2016) and launched her own film production company.
Early Life
Meyer was born Stephenie Morgan on December 24, 1973, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Stephen and Candy Morgan. Meyer has called the uncommon spelling of her first name a gift from her father, who added the letters "i" and "e" to the end of his name to create "Stephenie."
Four years after Meyer’s birth, her family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. As the second of six children, Meyer took on the duties associated with being an elder sibling in a large Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints family. Between caring for her younger brothers and sisters, she developed a passion for reading, becoming an avid fan of classic authors Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and Margaret Mitchell, among others.
Though Meyer felt out of place among the privileged population of Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, she was an excellent student. Graduating from the school in 1992, her high marks earned her a National Merit Scholarship. She used the award to attend Brigham Young University, where she majored in English literature.
Marriage and Family
In 1996, between her junior and senior years at Brigham Young, Meyer became re-acquainted with childhood friend Christian "Pancho" Meyer (the two had grown up in the same social circles). The reunited friends soon began dating and were married less than a year later, when Meyer was just 21 years old. Meyer graduated from Brigham Young University in 1997. That same year, she gave birth to her first son, Gabe. Sons Seth and Eli followed, and Meyer experienced a busy life as a stay-at-home mom.
Inspiration for Twilight
On June 2, 2003, Meyer became an author in earnest. Following a compelling dream — the inspiration for the Twilight book series, and the basis for Chapter 13 of its first book — Meyer began a frenzied writing spree. The series' early chapters explored the romance between Edward Cullen, a vampire, and Bella Swan, a human girl. Influenced by authors like William Goldman, Orson Scott Card, and Douglas Adams, Meyer worked diligently to flesh out the story, often writing while her children slept.
Within three months, Meyer had created a 500-page manuscript and begun searching for a publishing contact. Using advice taken from author Janet Evanovich's website, she was eventually contacted by Jodi Reamer, a literary agent at Writers House. Reamer and Meyer worked together to polish the manuscript — among other things, Reamer insisted that Meyer change her first title, Forks, to the current title — and the book was soon presented to publishing houses. Not long after, Reamer secured a three-book deal from Little, Brown and Company, which included a $750,000 advance — the highest sum the publishing house had ever paid a new writer at the time.
Commercial Success and Twilight Films
Twilight was released in 2005 to rave reviews, quickly becoming a best seller. An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Meyer had eschewed strong sexuality in her writing, supplanting it with florid sensuality — a draw for her numerous (and primarily female) readers. Like J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter franchise, Meyer’s book bridged the gap between teen and adult fiction. She also increased her popularity through her online accessibility and frequently made herself available to her fan base.
Twilight was honored as a New York Times Editor's Choice and as Publishers Weekly's Best Book of the Year. The following year, Meyer published her sophomore effort, the sequel New Moon, and sold the film rights to Twilight. With the third and fourth installments, Eclipse (2007) and Breaking Dawn (2008), Meyer’s series has sold more than 250 million copies and has been translated into 37 languages.
The books were also adapted for a film series amassing five installments, including The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2, released in November 2012. Grossing more than $3 billion globally, the Twilight film series stars Kristen Stewart (Bella Swan), Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen), and Taylor Lautner (Jacob Black).
Midnight Sun
In May 2020, following a dramatic countdown on her website, Meyer announced that she was publishing the long-awaited Midnight Sun, a retelling of the Twilight story from Edward's perspective. The author had abandoned the project after the manuscript was leaked online in 2008, before resuming work on it years later.
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