The Hastings store chain —with more than 100 locations—appear to be the first large chain bookseller to announce a chain-wide midnight release of A Dance with Dragons. According to their press release:
Fans are encouraged to join their local Hastings for a midnight release party on Monday, July 11, 2011. Festivities for the night will begin at 9:00 P.M. and will end after the book goes on sale at Midnight. A Dance With Dragons, the fifth installment in the acclaimed A Song of Ice and Fire series, will be on sale for $18.99.
Fans enjoying the festivities and awaiting the release of the book will be able to take advantage of special promotions and activities including giveaways, prizes, 30% off used video games and CDs, 50% off select Blu-ray movies, 25% off used graphic novels and manga, and 50% off Hardback Coffee Cafe Drinks (where available). Select George R.R. Martin paperback books will also be on sale for $5 and $10.