A core memory for most millennial fantasy readers is going to the midnight movie releases of Harry Potter. Parents who didn’t want to leave their kids unattended at midnight were gracious enough to go acquire the book from Walmart or Target. Midnight movie releases involve teenagers who are dressed as characters and accompanied by their younger siblings. A few parents who were fans joined in the fanfare. 

Harry Potter was a cultural worldwide experience for millennials. It continues influencing the next generation as fans share the series with their children. There hasn’t been as big of a cultural phenomenon since the last movie premiered in 2011.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was the one that had the most potential. I feel like the movies almost reached Potter level, but I remember the books gaining popularity after they released the last book in 2010. The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth also had potential in 2011 but never reached as much popularity as Harry Potter. 

Midnight movie screenings became a staple for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, midnight book release parties faded into the background. Everyone just preordered from their preferred seller. Then, they discussed it when they found fellow readers.

Nostalgia With a Twist

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros has captured the hearts of millions. The story is about a young woman, Violet Sorrengail who lives at Basgiath War College, a military college in Navarre. They can choose one of four quadrants:  Infantry, Scribes, Healers, or the most prestigious and deadly, The Rider’s Quadrant. You fly a dragon, or you die. Her mother, a commander in the army, forces Violet to join the Riders. The only problem is she has a connective tissue disorder, so she trained her whole life to be a Scribe. She learns that she doesn’t know the world around her.

The publisher of Fourth Wing, Red Tower Books, is having book release parties around the country for the debut of Iron Flame, the second book in the series. Some bookstores are having them at midnight. A handful of them will have Rebecca Yarros present at their event. She will be in New York City for the midnight release party at Barnes and Noble. I’m excited for all the fans attending that event.

Red Tower Books’ Marketing Genius.

Music artists like Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Taylor Swift have changed the game in marketing entertainment forever with their surprise releases with little to no marketing. Red Tower Books took a page from their books. This company posted an Untitled Red Tower Release on Amazon and other book-selling sites with a release date of November 7, 2023. It hits shelves the same day as Iron Flame. Untitled Red Tower Release has no information and booksellers know nothing about it other than it is available for preorder, and to purchase it because people are going to love it. An untitled book is currently #1 on the Best Sellers List on Amazon because fans speculate it may be a companion book to Fourth Wing. They will reveal the title on November 1st, 2023. Red Tower Books is a publishing imprint to watch. Hopefully, the quality of their work continues to be amazing.