Sue Rostoni, when asked about future plans for the Expanded Universe, said this today:
Honestly, we’re not presently looking at another long series — more stand-alones, duologies, and trilogies. At least that’s where we’re headed today.
After Legacy of the Force’s Mando-derailing and a (sorry) lackluster start to Fate of the Jedi, I’m all for something on a smaller scale, at least for a while.
StarWars.com offers a first look at Rebel Force: Uprising, but the real news here is that it will be the last book of the series. I remember hearing at one point that the series was planned for ten books, but can’t find any official confirmation. They didn’t quite seem to take off with the fandom, so can’t say I’m too surprised…
Random House’s Summer 2010 catalog has surfaced, and naturally, it contains some Star Wars items. Mostly old news, like for Fate of the Jedi: Allies (page 81,) but the listing for Sean William’s Old Republic novel (page 89) has a summary:
Smuggler Jet Nebula has stumbled across a treasure richer than he ever dreamed. The Hutts want to auction it to the highest bidder, be it the Republic or the Empire, both of whom hope to bolster their chances in the coming conflict. But the Sith are interested, too, and they don’t bargain with anyone; the Jedi High Council is sending someone to investigate; a mysterious Mandalorian is chasing something connected to a long-forgotten crime; while a spy plays every side at once. What Jet has unearthed will surprise all of them, and leave none of them unchanged.
(‘Jet Nebula’? Really?)
There’s also a cover for the book, but don’t get too excited. It’s ‘for solicitation only’ and the art looks like a still from the MMO’s trailer. And given that the listing doesn’t use the full title (Star Wars: The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance) its possible that some of the catalog info may already be outdated.
Also making a showing is Star Wars Generations (page 91) and Clone Wars Gambit: Siege (page 97.)
Sue Rostoni said today that LucasBooks is indeed planning to “move forward” with post-Traviss Imperial Commando novels. (They were just considering it last time.) I wouldn’t go counting chickens yet, but this is a good sign for (some) fans of the first book.
There are no new novels this week (next up is Crosscurrent on January 26) but you may find a pair of trade collections in comic stores on Wednesday: The eighth Knights of the Old Republic collection and a Shadows of the Empire omnibus. The latter omnibus contains a reprint of Mara Jade: By The Emperor’s Hand.
StarWars.com has some of Dark Horse’s solicitations for April and June, including Purge: The Hidden Blade (above,) Legacy #47, The Clone Wars: In Service of the Republic and a Marvel omnibus.
Gambit: Siege. The official site has brewed up the summary for Karen Miller’s final Clone Wars novel. Beware of spoilers: The book is a direct sequel to next month’s Gambit: Stealth.
Today brings our first novel of the new year: Paul S. Kemp’s 
Random House’s 