Star Wars Ebooks Pack 3 43 Epub Converter. 5/11/2018 5/11/2018. Pack 3 43 Epub Converter. Star wars collection – 321 books Books list: File name Size.
Usually when an envelope arrives from your publisher during royalty time, it’s a happy event. This time, not so much. A quick glance at the statements revealed that Bantam Spectra chose, during the second half of 2010, to let my Star Wars™ X-wing novels go out of print. Getting the news that such a decision had been made that way is kind of like learning your dog has been killed by seeing his squished body in the road in front of your house.
Not really a good feeling. Publishers make such decisions for economic reasons. Clearly they didn’t think enough copies were selling to justify reprints—though other books of mine selling roughly 20% of what the X-wing books do each month are still in print. (Or maybe are on their way out, too? I don’t know.) Publishing is a business, so it doesn’t matter to the beancounters that the X-wing books are the ones that many fans cite as being among their favorites, or that a lot of fans credit with having gotten them started on reading Star Wars™ novels. It doesn’t matter to them that readers have read the books multiple times, or have purchased multiple copies because they’ve worn the other ones out. And it doesn’t matter to them that a lot of young readers—their future customers—have come to reading through the X-wing novels.
(I guess they assume that novels about sparkly vampires and emo girls will turn 12 year old boys on to reading go figure.) It’s funny that I learn this now. Just last Saturday I gave a talk before a local chapter of the American Association of University Women. It was at their Author’s Luncheon where they raised a lot of money to give scholarships to women going to college. I’d been asked to speak, in part, about my Star Wars novels. It gave me a chance to relive some of the memories; like getting a 7 AM call from my agent saying, “Bantam just offered you four Star Wars novels, I said, ‘Yes.'
” Writing the Star Wars™ books—especially the X-wings—was an incredible amount of fun. The folks at Lucasfilm were incredibly generous with me. They literally let me get away with things I’d not have let me get away with were I running the show.
And they were very supportive behind the scenes when contracts and writer politics and publishing all got tangled up at one point and a lot of other writers were very angry with me. They continue to be great and supportive—even though my last Star Wars™ novel came out in 1999, I was invited to the Sneak Peek showing of the Clone Wars™ Season Three opener here in Phoenix. That sort of courtesy and care is rare in business, and bespeaks an incredible amount of class.
Star Wars™ books let me build a friendship with one of my best friends in the business: Timothy Zahn. The hours we spent on the phone passing ideas back and forth when writing books, or collaborating on short stories, were a lot of fun. And the trips and conventions we’ve done are just magic.
And being able to bring Aaron Allston into the fold with his X-wing books was incredibly gratifying. I’d known Aaron for years, and when Tom Dupree suggested he could take over for me while I wrote I, Jedi, my response was a very enthused, “Oh, hell yeah!” And Aaron, God love him, hit it out of the park and has just kept going. The number of people who have told me, down through the years, that Corran is one of their most favorite EU characters is astounding and humbling. I remember, when I got started, I read Tim’s novels.
I thought to myself, “These books are the high water mark. This is what I have to aim for.” Talon Karrde and Mara Jade were iconic. I hoped maybe one of my characters might be mentioned as a good utility infielder backing up such an allstar lineup, but to have him voted onto the team, I mean, wow.
And to have had some of my characters made into action figures: double-wow. And seeing folks designing and wearing costumes for characters or squadons I created I can’t even begin to explain how cool that is. I think the thing that saddens me the most is that I had young readers who picked up an X-wing novel and reported that it was the first novel they’d ever read “all by myself.” The X-wing books were not only portals to Star Wars™, but to reading itself. New kids coming up aren’t going to have that chance. Likewise, the soldiers, sailors and airmen (and women) who snagged those books as an escape when the mission ends or the shooting stops won’t have that haven anymore. When folks only look at the numbers, when they only see people as vehicles for transporting credit cards to stores, they lose sight of humanity and the importance of story to all of us.
We need story to help us cope. I remember a young man writing about the fact that he was away at college and had a steady girlfriend back home, but on campus a girl was coming on to him.
He said he was really tempted to go with the girl on campus, but then he remembered what Corran Horn did in I, Jedi. Because of that, because of Corran’s example, he remained faithful. I certainly never expected something like that to happen when I was writing I, Jedi, but that it did points to the power of stories that some folks only see as numbers in a spread sheet. Since I mentioned the X-wing situation on Twitter, a few folks have asked whether or not the books will be reprinted or made available as ebooks. I don’t know on either count.
I did mention, however, that if Lucasfilm decides to follow in the footsteps of the Ian Fleming estate and publish ebook editions independently, I’d be more than happy to offer my expertise in setting up an ebook publishing program. Some other very kind people have asked what the X-wing book status means for me financially. I really appreciate the concern, but I’m doing just fine. My last paper novel, At The Queen’s Command, blew out the doors at Night Shade Books, earning out its advance in the first six weeks of sales. In addition to that, sales of my digital original novel, In Hero Years I’m Dead, have been unbelievably robust. Digital sales for the and versions of the book have further convinced me that the digital revolution is over and won; and now we’re in that phase of rebuilding publishing in a way that benefits authors and readers alike. (And if you’ve not seen In Hero Years I’m Dead, you can click either of the above links to snag a copy, or to go to the first of three sample chapters.) I really want to say thank you to all of you who have expressed, over the years; in person and through notes or comments, how much the X-wing books meant to you.
Especially gratifying are the parents who’d shared them with their children and grandchildren. Sharing the love of reading is likely the greatest gift we can give another person (that doesn’t include tissue typing and matching). That my books have been a part of that; that you have enjoyed and trusted my work enough to share it with your friends and families, is incredible. I am at a loss for words to explain how deeply this touches me. Hey, Michael. I have to say that your books are some of the best I’ve ever read. I have read the entire X-Wing series probably 20 times and I’m actually going through it again right now.
I love the way you took characters that were an after thought at most to most people, and made them just as important or noteworthy as the other characters. If you’re still in contact with LucasFilm, I would love to see Clone Wars-type show (maybe a little less cartoony) of the X-Wing series. That would be great.
Thanks for such great stories and memorable characters. Rogue Squadron was the first “real” novel I ever bought, when I was eleven years old and had gone through everything on the kids’ bookshelf. It more or less blew my mind, and I snatched up each subsequent book as it came out. I’ve probably read the series a dozen times, and I, Jedi is still in a 3-way tie for my all-time favorite book (along with Dune and Ender’s Game). In fact, your stories played a major role in my deciding to become a writer myself. Sad to hear that today’s eleven-year-olds won’t have the same experience. But here’s to hoping they come out as ebooks by the time that becomes the standard reading choice for kids.
Hi Michael, I’m one of those kids who got into reading through the X-Wing series. It was my brother who got me Book 4: The Bacta War for Christmas one year. I didn’t know it was Book 4 at the time, but it got me hooked. So much so that I became a Star Wars fan through the book and repayed my brother for his kindness by hogging the computer playing his X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter game that he got for Christmas that year so much that he gave up on Star Wars and became a Star Trek fan. ? Now I’m writing, in part due to that book.
I’m working on becoming a professional freelance author, setting my work hours like a pro author, and hopefully writing books that will one day reach the caliber of the books you’ve written that have entertained me. I’m sure one day there will be a space combat series as well.
So Michael, thanks. It is truly amazing how our writing positively affects others’ lives in ways we couldn’t have anticipated. I’m very much looking forward to that feeling in my own career. Your X-Wing novels are the reason why I own every other novel you’ve written (with the exception of some out-of-print Battletech stuff); they’re indirectly responsible for much of the way I write novels (X-Wing led to Mike Stackpole led to the Secrets); they’re the books I recommend when a friend who likes Star Wars but doesn’t have the time to wade into the massive EU wants to know where to start; and they’re what led to me realizing what a good story is – do I care about what happens the characters?
Unless I’m misremembering, yours are the fist Star Wars novels that told an entire story without the focus on movie characters (apologies to Denis Lawson, but you did not have his characterization to lean on). It started a trend carried on by Karen Traviss that some of the best stories in the EU are about characters that never saw celluloid (again, with apologies to Mr. The EU owes you thanks for that. Thank you for writing them, they remain my favorites.
Maybe now it’s time for a full length Shadowrun novel? That franchise could certainly use some of the old talent. The X-Wing books are my favorite of all of the Star Wars books. Like you mentioned about Mara Jade, characters like Corran and company had to meet high expectations. I especially enjoyed hearing what the average soldier thought of galactic events. It made the saga more realistic for me. I’m a junior high librarian and your books get checked out routinely.
My guys love the action. I told them that you played the old LucasArts games and used those experiences in your writing.
That elevates you far past any angsty undead in their eyes. I’m a little stressed now to think about replacing the books when they get worn down.
Unrelated: do you have the comm number for Wraith Squadron? I have a certain clandestine mission for them that in no way involves the stealing of books.
I was really saddened when I saw the Rebel Legion retweet the news that your books were going out of print. Many have been the days I’ve spent in one place or another reading and rereading the adventures of the pilots of Rogue Squadron and Aaron Allston’s Wraith Squadron; in fact not only did I have my parents ship me my well-loved copy of “I, Jedi” right before I graduated from U.S. Army Basic Training, the Rogues and the Wraiths both came with me, tucked into the few cubic inches I had for personal gear during deployment, and on a couple of occasions, I would sit in the rec centers the USO set up with one of those books and have someone – twice a Marine, once a Seabed, and once a member of the British Army – mention how much they liked that book. Just shows how far they spread. Speaking for myself, if ever I get the opportunity to get the X-wing books on my Kindle, it’ll happen as fast as I can shift electrons. Book 2 wedges gamble was the first SW novel I got my parents to buy for me after watching the original movies when I was 11 (now 26) it got me into reading SW books and just books in general and my book shelf is struggling to hold up my own little library now thanks Michael! Cant recall how many times I have re read the series and enjoy them every time.
Book 2 has managed to survive the early years at school in my pencil case and backpack and is looking a bit sorry for itself but I would not replace it for anything. I feel sorry for future generations missing out on this awesome series! My future kids will be passed these treasures of mine when they are able to read for themselves to enjoy the rich universe that you helped shape and mold and hopefully bring as much enjoyment to there childhood as it did mine. Your one of my favorite authors Michael and I will happily continue buying your printed books in the future.
Michael, While I’ve read a lot of Star Wars novels, yours were among the first (I can’t actually remember for certain what my first Star Wars novel was, but it was either the X-Wing series or Heir to the Empire series) and going back, they’re still my favorites. I Jedi is probably my favorite Star Wars novel I’ve read. Your books were among the few I enjoyed in the NJO series that followed (which, incidentally, I stopped reading after they killed off the most interesting character not many books afterward – tried to continue through the next book, but Corran was gone and so was Anakin and I just didn’t care enough about any of the other characters). It was due to enjoying your Star Wars novels so much that got me into Talion: Revenant and later the Dragoncrown series and Once a Hero.
(Quick note on the middle one there: I’ve really enjoyed your Fortress Draconis podcasts, is there any chance you’ll ever create audiobooks of any of your other books for sale?) All of them were very enjoyable. So all that to say thanks for all the memories and happy trails. I read your weblog, but I don’t often comment. But I had to pop up for this, for obvious reasons I met my evil twin because of the X-Wing books, among so many other friends. (Hi, scifantasy.) In a comment above DC said “The EU owes you thanks” and he/she is completely right. Both for the stories and for the characterization.
(Especially for Tycho Celchu, but that’s my personal preference) Add me to the list of people fervently hoping for e-book editions. “There’s the right wing, there’s the left wing, then there’s Wedge: Antilles/Celchu 2012.”.
Mike, just another voice to say that your X-WING books are by far my favorites of the EU. When I was jonesing for a little of that old-time STAR WARS feel of high adventure, I was delighted when I found them, and thankfully they’re sitting in my garage right now patiently waiting for my son to get old enough to have them handed down to him (he is definitely NOT too old to begin the training). Here’s hoping they’ll be available for download to his datapad or retinal implant (iEye?) or whatever he’ll be using to read with in four or five years’ time.
Okay, I normally never comment on anything, but I couldn’t let this go unsaid. Like so many other people, the X-wing series are what got me really into Star Wars. I saw the movies for the first time when I was twelve, and randomly picked Rogue Squadron out of the stack of EU books a friend of mine had. And absolutely fell in love.
I honestly don’t think it would have happened if I started anywhere else. I devoured the rest of the series as fast as I could get them, and can’t even count how many times I’ve reread them over the years. They’ve gotten me through some rough times–whenever I’m feeling down or upset, I curl up with one of them and it’s like I’m flying with Wedge and the boys. I’ve had to replace almost every single one of the series multiple times from lending them or simply wearing them out. So like everyone else has said, thank you.
Thank you for truly introducing me to something that has become such a huge part of my life. And now it’s time to run to the bookstore and buy back-up copies. Michael, I’ll stand in line with the rest of your fan base to tell you that I love the X-wing series. At a yard sale in nineteen-ninety-something I picked up a handful of well-used books and Wedge’s Gamble was among the lot. It was the first Star Wars book that I had read and it hooked me forever on the franchise. I have the entire series, including Aaron’s contribution and I can not count the number of times I have read them start to finish. Your stories and characters are engaging and I can not wait to introduce them to my son when he is born.
Thank you, – An avid fan Justin (Currently using 21 Days to a Novel and loving it.) P.S. Wedge’s Gamble makes more sense when you read Rogue Squadron first.
Just my 2 cents. The X-Wing series were among the first real novels I’d read. It’s up there with LOTR, and I have a copy of I, Jedi hidden in the dining room table where I do my homework. Mike’s style has deeply affected my own writing and my ideas about what stories can and should be like. I still have all of them, and await the day when I can find hardcovers of them alland yes I know that you still have some copies of I, Jedi kicking around(requested twice as presents, got In the Name of the Queen instead- good fun, and educational to boot, as I’m Canadian and did not know so much about US history). If you’re ever up in the great white north, drinks on me.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks. 06. Apr, 2011 Michael Stackpole reflects on what being its author meant (and still means) to him on his blog, Stormwolf. It’s a worthy read that highlights how books open worlds and impart intangible gifts that.
06. Apr, 2011 in the world of Star Wars books today. Michael Stackpole, the author of the X-Wing series, tweeted (and then blogged about) the unceremonious way in which he found out that the X-Wing series is officially out of. 06. Apr, 2011 author Michael Stackpole talked about the effect his novels have had, and conversely, how he feels about reactions he has gotten some. 06. Apr, 2011 on my Rogue Squadron review and write the first draft of Wedge’s Gamble, I come across this blog of Michael.
07. Apr, 2011 Michael Stackpole’s X-Wing Series out of Print. 11. Apr, 2011 X-Wing novels going out of print, Stackpole blogs about it here. Apr, 2011 is a few days old, but on April 6th, author Michael Stackpole notified his fans via his blog that Bantam Spectra chose, during the second half of 2010, to let his X-wing novels go out of. 11.
Apr, 2011 week, NJOE ran an article about the believed cancellation of printing of the X-Wing novels, as stated by Michael Stackpole. Today, he recalled that post. From Stackpole’s blog: I got an email.