And here I was about to go to bed… Drew K is on for a third Bane novel. (Will it involve Waru?!?) How many more authors will reveal themselves by morning? Quick, start combing the LiveJournals!
A new author reveals himself: Paul S. Kemp
On his Livejournal, Forgotten Realms author Paul S. Kemp has revealed that he too will be writing an upcoming (2010) Star Wars novel:
The novel, currently untitled, will be a standalone, occurs after the events of the Legacy of the Force series, and will feature a Jedi who has been mentioned by name only a handful of times in previous Star Wars novels, and who has (as far as I know) never been developed at all (I tried very hard to convince the Del Rey editors to allow me to use a previously unused character, and they were gracious in that regard; the story is also entirely of my own creation, so that’s pretty cool, too).
The plot thickens! (via)
EU newsbits: Order 66, Ultimate fizzles, the ins and outs of publishing imprints
- Order 66: StarWars.com has an except; Karen Traviss writes about finishing up the series on her blog.
- Comics: Remember the Ultimate Star Wars Graphic Novel Library? Well, it appears to have been canceled.
- Publishing: Learn a little more about what’s going on behind-the-scenes at Random House with Sarah Weinman’s Publishing Imprint Report Card.
Out this week: TFU, O66, KOTOR
Stuff is sure to blow up real good in Tuesday’s releases. First off is the much-hyped game that has been impossible to avoid lately, The Force Unleashed. You can even pick it up tonight if the mood strikes. For those who prefer their ass-kicking without the baggage of required hardware, tomorrow also sees the release of the fourth and final Republic Commando novel, Order 66.
Meanwhile, comic fans can expect Knights of the Old Republic #33 on Wednesday.
Cunningham gives Blood Oath time period, hints
We may not have an official announcement, but thanks to a post on Elaine Cunningham’s blog we do now have a few more ideas of what to expect from Blood Oath! First off all, it’s post-LOTF, set in the “early days” of the Fate of the Jedi. However:
Blood Oath is a self-contained story, rather than an episode within a larger tale. While both have their place, I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to tell a largely self-contained story.
I wonder if this only the first of several paperback tie-ins to the main series? Shades of the original plan for the NJO, perhaps? Intriguing!
Upcoming releases: Fun with street dates
I’ve been doing a bit of work on our book release schedule over the last few days, adding all all the recently announced and (hopefully) soon-to-be announced-because-they’re-in-the-catalog books. But there’s always more going on…
- Zee Zee noticed that the The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia has been pushed back a few weeks from November 18 to December 9. At least it’s still in time for Christmas?
- And the (US?) paperback of Order 66 has been set for May 19, 2009; UK readers may note some funny business – the book isn’t coming out in hardcover there at all, and will be instead released as a paperback on October 2, 2008.
Yet another The Force Unleashed roundup
- Ten things parents should know about The Force Unleashed. It’s based on novels and comics? Heh. But overall, good things for those raising gamer padawans to know.
- The Sunday Herald Sun has an interview with Haden Blackman (though their quote marks have gone MIA) and a couple of videos.
- TFU Xbox and PS3 producer Cameron Suey addresses PC gamer concerns.
- The fiction: Speaking of Aussies, The Force Unleashed novel is The Sunday Times’ latest book club selection, and Sean Williams will out and about at some of their events. Meanwhile, IGN reviews the comic adaption.
- People: Actress Nathalie Cox (Juno Eclipse) will be at a live webchat with FemaleFirst next Friday.
- Midnight events Gamestop stores across the US will be open at midnight for The Force Unleashed. Check their PDF for locations. The thing is almost forty pages and has very small type, so chances are one will be open by you.
- Concept art: Chin Ko’s Raxus Prime and Darth Vader on Kashyyyk by Amy Beth Christenson.
- Fun: Top 5 Ways I’d Misuse The Force.
Confirmed: Del Rey has the Star Wars license through 2013; Fate of the Jedi series is post-LOTF
The contract renewal we’ve all been expecting has finally been announced, (45 books: 35 novels!) along with the Fate of the Jedi series which has been burning up all the rumor mills. Aaron Allston, Troy Denning, and SW newcomer Christie Golden will be handling author duties on the post-LOTF series, but perhaps the biggest surprise here is that it will be entirely in hardcover. The first book, Allston’s Outcast, will be out in April.
Also name-dropped is The Making of The Empire Strikes Back coming in 2010, though whether it’s a reprint or reworking of previous material we’ve yet to learn.
There’s no mention of several other projects we’re awaiting official word on, like Cunningham’s Blood Oath or Traviss’ Fett standalone, but further Essential Guides are mentioned.
Looking ahead: December comics, Insider
StarWars.com has Dark Horse’s solicitations for December 2009, including the Vector finale (aka Legacy #31,) The Clone Wars #3, Knights of the Old Republic #36, the fifth Legacy collection and a couple of Indiana Jones titles.
Coming to stores a bit sooner (September 16th) is Star Wars Insider #104 with a heavy focus on (of course) The Clone Wars and The Force Unleashed. Other content? A look back at Star Tours, the Holiday Special and an interview with Dennis Muren.
EUC talks to Elaine Cunningham
EU Cantina got hold of author Elaine Cunningham, who confirmed that the book Blood Oath is for real, and a few more hints:
This will be a very different story from DARK JOURNEY. Obviously, I can’t give any details at this point, but I can confirm that it’s a stand-alone book, rather than an episode in a larger story arc.
She also says we might be getting some kind of announcement soon, but don’t hold your breath.