Star Wars: Splinter Of The Mind’s Eye

Splinter Of The Mind's EyeSplinter Of The Mind’s Eye, the first print fiction follow-up to George Lucas’ Star Wars, is published by Ballantine Books. Written by Alan Dean Foster – who had ghost-written the novelization of Star Wars published under Lucas’ name – “Splinter” originates as a concept for a low-budget movie follow-up in the event that the movie bombs. By the time of its publication, it’s readily apparent to all that the movie has succeeded, and that a sequel will be coming, leaving “Splinter”‘s status in the storyline uncertain. The cover artwork is by Ralph McQuarrie, whose pre-production illustrations were of vital importance during the making of the original movie. Read more Hear about it on the Sci-Fi 5 podcast

Han Solo and the Lost Legacy

Han Solo and the Lost LegacyBallantine Books publishes the third in a trilogy of original novels based on the Star Wars characters Han Solo and Chewbacca, Han Solo and the Lost Legacy by Brian Daley. All three books chronicle the misadventures of everyone’s favorite Corellian smuggler and his Wookiee sidekick – and avoid clashing with the recently-released sequel The Empire Strikes Back by setting these events before Star Wars itself. Hear about it on the Sci-Fi 5 podcast

Star Wars: The Original Topps Trading Card Series, Volume One

Star Wars: The Original Topps Trading Card Series, Volume OneAbrams Books publishes Star Wars: The Original Topps Trading Card Series, Volume One by Gary Gerani, which both reproduces and reviews every card in the Topps trading card set chronicling the first Star Wars film. Read more

A Disturbance In The Force: How And Why The Star Wars Holiday Special Happened

A Disturbance In The ForceApplause publishes Steve Kozak’s non-fiction book A Disturbance In The Force: How And Why The Star Wars Holiday Special Happened, a behind-the-scenes chronicle of the cultural, legal, and technical hurdles that led to the infamous 1978 variety special often considered one of the Star Wars franchise’s lowest moments. The book is a companion to the documentary film of the same name, with which the author was also involved. Read more

The Star Wars Radio Dramas: Brian Daley and the Serialization That Saved NPR

The Star Wars Radio Dramas: Brian Daley and the Serialization That Saved NPRMcFarland publishes the non-fiction book The Star Wars Radio Dramas: Brian Daley and the Serialization That Saved NPR by Maria Jose Tenuto and John Tenuto, briefly tracing the history of public radio in the United States and then focusing on the outsized role that NPR’s 1980s Star Wars radio dramas played in helping to establish a firmer financial footing for the network. Read more