We linked you to Stephenie Meyer’s post the other day about project “Save the Book Babe”. The project is an unprecedented gathering of authors and individuals involved in publishing to support Faith Hochhalter, AKA “The Book Babe” as she undergoes cancer treatment.

Many of you who attended the Eclipse Prom two years ago met Faith ( Pictured left at the Eclipse Prom as she escorted “Edward” to the stage.).  At the time she worked at the Changing Hands bookstore in Tempe, AZ, one of the best independent bookstores in the country. I know she helped many of you obtain tickets, answer questions, etc.  She was one of the many unsung heroes that day who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the event a success.

A lot of you have been asking, “I can’t go to Arizona, but what can I do to help?” Well the answer is that shortly the Save the Book Babe site will have a donation button up, and there are other organizations rallying to help.  One of those organizations, who was also a major player at E-Prom as it was the early days of their business back when they ran it off their dining room table, was Twilight Teez. Here’s the info they just sent us.

Twilight Teez is joining the cause for helping out Book Babe, Faith Hochhalter.  We’re offering a Save the Book Babe t-shirt fund raiser for sale as of right now.  The shirt will be used to help raise funds for Faith’s medical bills, who is also a good friend and previous coworker of our in-house artist, Daymond Hoffman.  Proceeds will be donated to ProjectBookBabe.com.

Both Pel and Be My Escape are going to fly out to Arizona to attend this event and lend support.  Of course we want to see Stephenie Meyer at this event, but we are also big Shannon Hale and  James A. Owen fans too. Most importantly we want to support Faith who James Owen fabulously described here.

We are anxious to see which items from each author go up for bid. Pel has been feeling the calling of a certain dress mentioned by Stephenie on her website, and a little birdie told her that a nameless Lexicon site member and mod *coughDANOcough* is interested in it too, the gauntlet has been thrown…what’s a little bidding war between friends for a great cause.  🙂

Unfortunately Catherine was talking into the side of her mic instead of directly into it like Edi was, so you really have to struggle a bit to listen. Parts one and two, with more to come soon.

A big thank you to Lexicon member SSVD and her daughter who attended the signing event on Tuesday.  Check out there write up of events below and stay on the look out for the video of all the action!

My daughter and I arrived in Santa Monica at 6pm and were greeted by Ann-Laurel  from Barnes and Noble, given our red VIP bracelets and then introduced to Elizabeth, Stephenie Meyer’s publicist, who showed us to our seats right up front.

Catherine Hardwicke and actor Edi Gathegi were already on stage rehearsing certain portions of the up coming show. Then with the help of the Santa Monica High School video department, they set up the boat scene where James, Victoria and Laurent attack and kill Charlie’s friend, Waylon who is played by Ned Bellamy.

It was quite a surprise to see Ned on stage dressed in his green “Kiss me I’m Irish” T-shirt, (how appropriate for St Patrick’s Day!) and scuffed up leather jacket. (By the way, Ned has a wonderful singing voice!).

Three lucky Santa Monica High students were chosen to play the parts of James, Victoria and Laurent.

Once the introductions between actors were made, Catherine then went about setting up the shots, re-setting the shots, giving advice and then overseeing the scene. After this was all set, and rehearsed a couple of times, it was time to let the crowd in. When the audience was settled in, amid much screaming and shrieking, John from Barnes and Noble introduced Edi Gathegi who then served as MC throughout the rest of the evening.

Catherine was very warm and friendly and has a great sense of humor. It was clear to see she loves her job and had a wonderful adventure in filming Twilight and working with the marvelous cast. The questions she answered were all chosen earlier so I didn’t get a chance to ask any that were submitted, sorry. If you haven’t had a chance to pick up her book about the making of the movie, I can tell you it’s full of fun notes, off the wall trivia, sketches and pictures galore.

After Catherine and Edi thanked the audience for coming out, everyone lined up and lucky me… I was the first to have my book signed. Squeee! (I can tell you that will never happen again!)

Last year Twidork (better known as Randi) was our go-to gal for all things actor related. Someone would be cast and the next thing we knew we had a banner. Well, she has out done herself, hope you all agree.

Clockwise from bottom left:

Alex Meraz as Paul
Tinsel Korey as Emily Young
Chaske Spencer as Sam Uley
Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black
Tyson Houseman as Quil Ateara
Bronson Pelletier as Jared
Kiowa Gordon as Embry Call

See her full gallery here.

MTV’s Larry Carrol caught up with Catherine Hardwicke at her Director’s Notebook signing yesterday.

This just in from Hot Topic:

Hey Twilighters,

We are super glad you figured out the answer for our Twilight code word game!  A Taylor Lautner autographed poster is pretty exciting especially for you “pup” lovers out there.  Don’t forget, one lucky customer from each Hot Topic store that attends the party will get to take home that awesome Taylor Lautner autographed poster!

Did you think that was all we were going to be giving away during the party?  Of course not!!!  We will be having exciting raffles during the release parties.  Want to know what you can win?  Two limited and exclusive Twilight keepsakes and for you Edward Cullen fans…an awesome 6’1” Edward Cullen standee! Exciting right?

Wait, there’s more!  We will be giving out ShockHound.com  FREE download cards with bands/artists: This Providence, Versaemerge, Rocket to the Moon, The Friday Night Boys, White Lies, Asher Roth, and Cinema Bizarre at the parties when you receive your Twilight DVD. Last but not least, Blue October will be appearing at Hot Topic in Hollywood and Highland – Tuesday, March 24 at 5:30 PM! Make sure to Pre-order the new Blue October CD “Approaching Normal” or purchase any Blue October t-shirt at the Hollywood and Highland Hot Topic and receive a wristband that guarantees the opportunity to meet the band!

Hope to see you at the release parties!

Mark Malkin promises more later, “Click above for my video blog for a quick preview of my chat with Hardwicke. But make sure to come back later today for even more Twilight scoop.”

Lainey  Gossip has been busy.  She has now revealed a cast list to go along with the pictures she posted yesterday.

Jacob Black-Taylor Lautner

Sam Uley-Chaske Spencer

Quil Ateara-Tyson Houseman

Paul-Alex Meraz

Jared-Bronson Pelletier

Embry Call-Kiowa Gordon (I forgot him earlier sorry)

Emily Young-Tinsel Korey

TY to CV

This just in from Stephenie Meyer’s website:

TWILIGHT at MIDNIGHT : 03-20-09

On Friday, March 20, 2009, from 10PM until 12 midnight, Summit Home Entertainment and retailers across the country will provide TWILIGHT fans with the chance to celebrate the midnight DVD release of the film that has unanimously been described as a “full-blown pop culture phenomenon.” Participating retailers will stay open late as fans line up to purchase the DVD of the epic romance at midnight parties. While there, contests, autographed merchandise raffles, giveaways, limited edition merchandise including collectable clothing and memorabilia will all be available!

In addition, TWILIGHT actors and filmmakers will be making surprise appearances at select locations throughout the country!

Visit TwilightTheMovie.com to locate a release party near you!

Lana Veenker, the location casting director and the Northwest casting director of the speaking and featured roles extras casting director for Twilight, put this cryptic message up on her blog tonight. Yes, we tried to pry it out of her. No, it didnt work. Can’t blame us for trying. Anyone want to take a guess at what Lana is teasing us about?

“We’re about to make an announcement that we think our Twilight fan base will be interested in…plus a contest that I think all you Twihards will want to participate in (especially those based in the NW).

Stay tuned and check in often!”