SWBC: My first story for 'Star Wars Insider'
Plus: Book recommendations for 'Star Wars: Outlaws' and 'Ahsoka.'
My first story for Star Wars Insider
Some personal/professional news — my first story for Star Wars Insider is officially out in the world.
Star Wars Insider 219 is out now in bookstores and comic shops everywhere. It features my exclusive interview with Zoraida Córdova, where we talk about Convergence, A Crash of Fate, and writing romantic fantasy stories in the Star Wars universe.
To say I’m proud of myself for this accomplishment is an understatement. My name and words are in the official Star Wars magazine, which I got to pick up at Barnes & Noble. I can’t thank you all enough for the support over the last year as I keep building up this community and hitting my own professional goals.
I’m certainly not done. I have another Star Wars Insider story coming in issue 220 (August) — an interview with author Lydia Kang.
And I’ll keep on manifesting and working towards achieving my next goals: writing for StarWars.com and writing something officially in the Star Wars universe.
Pick up a physical or digital copy of Star Wars Insider from Titan Comics.
Coming soon: bookmarks!
I’ve been thinking about this and tinkering with designs for a while, but I’m so excited to finally have the first batch of bookmarks printed and ready.
A new Etsy shop will pop up soon — as soon as I can take and upload photos. Currently, I have 10 each of the following bookmark designs:
The Force Will Be Free/Path of the Open Hand
“But it was so artistically done” from Thrawn’s last words
“Love can ignite the stars” from Revenge of the Sith
“For Light and Life” from The High Republic
Naboo-themed Theed Royal Library in Padme’s lake dress colors
More designs are coming soon, and I’m always open to ideas or quotes you’d like to see.
Stay tuned to the Space Wizards Book Club and my Instagram page for updates on when you can get your hands on these bookmarks and more.
Star Wars Outlaws
With the reveal of a brand-new game, the Star Wars community has been obsessing for days. During an Xbox showcase on Sunday, the first open-world Star Wars game was finally revealed — Star Wars Outlaws.
In the game set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, players step into the world of Kay Vess (voiced by Humberly González), a clever and charming space scoundrel preparing to attempt one of the biggest heists in the Outer Rim. She wants to do this because she wants to start a new life, of course.
Along for the adventure are her adorable pal Nix (who looks like a furry space axolotl puppy) and a trench coat-wearing BX-commando droid ND-5 — whom everyone is thirsting over.
Lucasfilm Games, Ubisoft, and Massive Entertainment are behind the highly-anticipated game, which now has a trailer and a gameplay video to gush over.
The period between TESB and ROTJ wasn’t nearly as explored as other Star Wars eras. But in recent years, new stories and characters are filling in the gaps, especially with the current run of Star Wars comics from Marvel.
Star Wars Outlaws arrives in 2024, but if want to dive into this world now, here are some comics and books with stories set between the two films.
Star Wars comics:
Star Wars (2020): Follows original trilogy characters Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, and Lando Calrissian following the events of The Empire Strikes Back.
Darth Vader (2020): A deep dive into Vader’s psyche and motivations after TESB, and also features the return of Sabe, one of Padme’s former handmaidens and closest friends.
Bounty Hunters (2020): Follows bounty hunters like Boba Fett, Bossk, and Beilert Valance after TESB.
Crimson Reign: Follows Qi’ra and her Crimson Dawn syndicate after the events of War of the Bounty Hunters, which saw Boba Fett and others fighting to claim Han Solo frozen in carbonite.
Lost Stars: The genre-defining young adult novel spans much of the reign of the Empire, the rise of the Rebellion, and the destruction of both Death Stars.
Shadows of the Empire: Features Leia embarking on a rescue mission to save Han Solo, Darth Vader hunting for Luke Skywalker, and crime lord Xizor’s attempt to overthrow Vader to become Palpatine’s right-hand man.
Moving Target: The junior novel set between TESB and ROTJ follows Princess Leia and a group of rebels on a decoy mission against the Empire.
Battlefront: Twilight Company: A military strategy-heavy novel follows the dedicated soldiers who are fighting in the trenches against the Empire’s forces. Features stories before, during, and after the events of A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.
Ahsoka gets a premiere date
We finally have a premiere date for Ahsoka — Aug. 23.
A more detailed book and TV episode recommendation list is coming soon, but for now, here are a few things to add to your TBR to prep for Ahsoka.
Ahsoka: This E.K. Johnston young adult novel is set pretty soon after the events of The Clone Wars and Revenge of the Sith. Post-Order 66, Ahsoka Tano is just trying to stay under the radar of the new Jedi-hating Empire. But she can’t stay hidden for long.
Thrawn and Thrawn: Treason: The first in the new Timothy Zahn trilogy sees Thrawn’s rise to power in the Empire’s ranks. And the third book follows his conflicting loyalties between the Empire and his people of the Chiss Ascendancy. Treason is also a solid lead-up with Thrawn to the events of the final episodes of Rebels.
Star Wars: Thrawn: The limited comic series illustrates the events of Thrawn (2017), charting his journey from exile to an enigmatic authority figure in the Empire.
Alphabet Squadron: The Alexander Freed-penned trilogy follows General Hera Syndulla and the ragtag Alphabet Squadron pilots in the years following Return of the Jedi. Through three books, Rebel/New Republic leaders struggle to fully stamp out the Empire’s grip on the galaxy.
Aftermath: This Chuck Wendig trilogy follows a story happening roughly at the same time as Alphabet Squadron. But the Aftermath trilogy shows the perspectives of Wedge Antilles, Imperial Admiral Rae Sloane, and other new and iconic characters from the original trilogy. These books chart the end of the Empire, but the rise of the First Order.
Star Wars books and comics out this week
June 13
Star Wars Insider #219
June 14
Sana Starros #5
Darth Vader #35
HELL YES
Super excited for Outlaws. It'll be The One.