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Meyer says goodnight to Twilight

01.09.08

Bestselling US children's writer Stephenie Meyer has announced that she is scrapping the fifth and final episode in the Twilight series after an unfinished draft was leaked on the internet. In an updated posted on her website,  Meyer said that she could not continue with the final book after the leak. "I feel too sad about what has happened to continue working on Midnight Sun, and so it is on hold indefinitely."

The decision will come as a disappointment to her publishers. The latest book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, has become one of the quickest selling books ever, following it release in the summer. Meyer said that she would now concentrate on some other writing projects.

Meyer's update stated: "I have a good idea of how the leak happened as there were very few copies of Midnight Sun that left my possession and each was unique. The manuscript that was illegally distributed on the internet was given to trusted individuals for a good purpose. I have no comment beyond that as I believe that there was no malicious intent with the initial distribution."

She added: "I did not want my readers to experience Midnight Sun before it was completed, edited and published. I think it is important for everybody to understand that what happened was a huge violation of my rights as an author, not to mention me as a human being. Unfortunately, with the internet, it is easy for people to obtain and share items that do not legally belong to them. No matter how this is done, it is still dishonest."

Meyer has now posted the draft on her website, which she describes as "a fragment".

Stephenie Meyer website

children's Home Stephenie Meyer Breaking Dawn Twilight

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Comments on this article

By Jonathan Ruppin

What a shoddy way to treat young readers. It's hard enough getting them to read as it is without having to explain to them that the author has thrown a strop and doesn't feel like finishing the story in which they've invested so much time and money. I hope her US publisher puts as much pressure on her as possible to complete the series.

01 Sep 08 13:00

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By downbythebeach

Ridiculous that the author should be blamed. She might be under contract, but it's not a production line. There's no doubt a lot of people at fault here, clearly whoever posted it, but questions must obvioulsy be asked of her publisher for allowing this to happen. If she does finish it, and I hope she does, it will surely not be by being accused of throwing a strop.

01 Sep 08 13:29

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By BellaFan

Although I understand that Stephenie must be devastated, I hope she changes her mind and chooses to continue the story and get it published. She has many, many fans out there who will queue all night to buy a copy to complete their collection.

01 Sep 08 14:28

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By WanderingVaguely

I feel for her personally. It must be really hurtful for the people that she trusted, and should have her best interests at heart, to 'accidentally' let slip her manuscript so that it was in a position to be copied and distributed. I'm sure she will return to finish the series eventually but I don't blame her for putting the brakes on it at this point.

01 Sep 08 14:57

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By Edward fan

I hope that Stephanie changes her mind about Midnight Sun being finished and published. I have referred her other four books to everyone I know and every single person has fallen in love with them. She has such a gift. It would be such a shame to have the final book never appear on book store shelves.

19 Oct 08 01:51

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