It's Lit: Alyssa Wong Is a High Republic Author and Somehow, John Jackson Miller Has Returned
This week in Star Wars book news is so lit, I had to bring this series back.
When I interviewed John Jackson Miller for the 10th anniversary of the Kenobi novel, I did not know what he knew—most of us did not. The entire time we talked, he kept a secret from me. Which he had every right to do, because I am just an independent journalist with an affinity for books about past space skirmishes. He is a renowned science fiction writer whose stories have left a monumental impact on Star Wars publishing. He wins this round.
Miller announcing his grand return to Star Wars was not the only good thing that happened in the Star Wars book world this week, however. Not only did Tales of Light and Life finally release into the world — writer Alyssa Wong also made their High Republic debut.
Alyssa Wong Goes ‘Rogue’
Although Escape From Valo does not release until January 2024, Wong’s debut High Republic short story “Rogue Element” was published in the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition of the short story anthology. It features Crash from Midnight Horizon. It is very good.
(I want you to buy the book, not just because of the cover and the additional story but also because collecting different versions of Star Wars books is fun. Otherwise I would tell you more about the story. I just want you to experience it for yourself.)
Wong is best known in Star Wars publishing for their Doctor Aphra (2020) comic series, which was largely responsible for establishing my love of comics, because it’s Aphra and she’s an icon.
Warmly welcome them into The High Republic, because there are few more deserving of the chance to write with the brilliant team of Luminous authors.
John Jackson Miller Embodies The Living Force
Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the original release of The Phantom Menace. And what better way to celebrate time passing than a novel about the Jedi Council—or, rather, all 12 Jedi Council members who served the Order around the time Anakin Skywalker first showed up?
It’s been almost 10 years since Miller published a Star Wars novel—A New Dawn released in 2014. He contributed a short story in The Legend of Luke Skywalker and was part of the 40-author roster for the first From A Certain Point of View book. But his return to long-form Star Wars storytelling is now less than a year away.
The Living Force takes place a year before The Phantom Menace, and is the first canon novel to shed light on different points of view from all 12 Council members in the same story. It is set to release in April 2024, just before the anniversary of the movie.
I may not have known about this book when we talked, but that’s actually a good thing. It means I have an excuse to invite the author back to the show to celebrate the book, and his return, and how much it means to him and me and all of us.
He wrote on Twitter: “I am BOWLED OVER by the reception to the news of this book — and so appreciative. I feel it very much does what I set out to do with it, while including all the elements that have always made the Galaxy Far, Far Away fun for me to work in. May the Force be with you all!”
The excitement is palpable and delightful and I want the book in my hands immediately, but again, I’m just a thirtysomething with a podcast, I deserve nothing.
Tom From Del Rey, Editor of Worlds
Of everyone I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with in the year since I launched Now This Is Lit, Tom is the most “chill” expert I’ve invited onto a Zoom call.
“Chill” is good. Chill means that Tom logged onto this call both ready to talk about making books and excited to be a guest instead of a listener. I often forget he listens to the show. I have likely said things while recording that I would not say in front of a professional book editor. But Tom is chill. Tom listens to the show despite how frequently I forget that more than two random people are listening.
“Do you know how many Star Wars books you’ve edited?” I ask this question for a cold open, though I never know if the edit will keep the beginning threads of every new conversation. Later Tom would mention that he hadn’t even realized the interview had started; we were just talking. The secret to a good interview is making sure it does not feel like one.
It is a very challenging thing to accomplish. I have unique skills. Talking to people is uncomfortable for me, so I strive to make it comfortable for anyone forced to join me in conversation. I ask Tom about his Star Wars edit count (over 50), I explain why I call him “Tom From Del Rey” (because it’s fun). Then we start talking about how the From A Certain Point of View series happened. It’s his favorite story to tell.
Something you learn, when you’ve begged enough people to be on your show, is that people who are healthfully obsessed with their work are the most interesting to talk to. Anyone can be an expert at something, but not everyone is an enthusiast. Tom From Del Rey is the leader of the Star Wars Book Enthusiasts Association. This does not actually exist, but if it did, he would be at the front of the room. He doesn’t just work on Star Wars books; he loves them. Not every journalist gets to talk with people who genuinely love their jobs. I feel lucky. I’ve had plenty of bad luck this year, but this interview renewed my faith in luck, at least a little bit.
You can listen to our full conversation in Season 2, Episode 2: “Tom, From Del Rey.” I’m usually bad at episode titles; it’s why I recruited a producer. But I’m quite fond of this one.
Star Wars books are always; they will never stop. We are blessed.