#The Stackpole Legend

[mandirapattnaikwriter]

WINNER OF 2025 O. Henry Prize for Short Fiction BUSTS SOME WRITING MYTHS

in spite of bending and breaking quite a few rules of literary fiction writing, “The Stackpole Legend” manages to be a hugely satisfying read “The Stackpole Legend” (Wendell Berry, The Threepenny Review) is not your conventional short story. Reading it can be revealing, especially to new and emerging writers. I say this because it busts so many myths early writers accept as gospel truth. Let us…

[holonetwork]

George Lucas and the Bantam era Part of a series I’ve put together focusing on the history of the EU. Sources: Tom Dupree (1, 2), Drew Struzan (1, 2), Michael A. Stackpole, Kevin J. Anderson, Dave Wolverton (1, 2, 3), Pablo Hidalgo (The Essential Reader's Companion), Michael P. Kube-McDowell (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), A.C. Crispin (1, 2, 3), & Roger MacBride Allen

[mythosaur00]

"This is the Ministry of Planning and Zoning. Construction Droid Foursixnine, do you have a problem? We are showing a deviation of your course. "

Wedge hit the reply button. " No problem here, we just have new plans. With Coruscant being under new management, we wanted to get things started early to ease the transition."

"What are you talking about? Who is this? "

"Rogue Squadron Contracting. X-wings far faster, but they don't build things as nicely as this does. Antilles out."

- A conversation between someone at the Ministry of Planning and Zoning and Wedge Antilles.

Wedge's Gamble, Book 2 of the X-wing series. Page 306

[bitter69uk]

Born 102 years ago today: wondrous operatic Peruvian High Empress of Exotica Yma Sumac (née Zoila Emperatriz Chavarri Castillo, 13 September 1922 - 1 November 2008). All these decades later, Sumac’s divine superhuman voice still inspires awe! I revere all of Sumac’s recordings, but Legend of the Sun Virgin (1952) is a particular favourite. Pictured: portrait of gorgeous young Yma Sumac by Peter Stackpole for LIFE magazine (1950).

[unabashedllamamusic]

Jagged Fel should have been a butch lesbian. Discuss.

[fakewedge]

actually let's loop back around. what did he mean by this <- knows what stackpole likely intended (it was the 90s) <- still. there are other phrases that convey especially close or important friendships that also don't connote all that. many of them, in fact

[jkcorellia]

In terms of having their collective shit together, Alphabet Squadron makes Wraith Squadron look like Rogue Squadron

[checkoutmybookshelf]

You Have My Attention: X-Wing Series First Lines

In the many, many series that comprise the Star Wars EU (the Legends Canon since Disney decanonized it in 2014), the X-Wing series is an interesting case because it is fairly cleanly bifurcated between two X-wing squadrons and two authors, and yet the series as a whole--and the characters who cross over between authors--feel remarkably consistent. That's a feat in and of itself, as anyone who has read over the shift from Robert Jordan to Brandon Sanderson in the Wheel of Time can attest.

My clear preference is for Aaron Allston's writing style and the Wrait Squadron missions, but I know readers who dearly love Stackploe's Rogue Squadron as well. So let's take a look at how these authors grab readers with their first lines!

"You're good, Corran, but you're no Luke Skywalker."

-- Rogue Squadron

"Even before his X-wing's sensors had time to scan and identify the new ship, Corran Horn knew he was in trouble."

-- Wedge's Gamble

"Commander Wedge Antilles would have preferred the ceremony to be private."

-- The Krytos Trap

"Somehow the dead of night amplified the lightsaber's hiss, allowing it to fill the room."

-- The Bacta War

"Twelve X-wing snubfighters roared down into the atmosphere."

-- Wraith Squadron

"He made no pretense at being fully human."

-- Iron Fist

"Naval Lieutenant Jart Eyan looked rested and cheerful."

-- Solo Command

"Sithspawn! When his X-wing reverted to realspace before the countdown timer had reached zero, Corran Horn knew Thrawn had somehow managed to outguess the New Republic yet one more time."

-- Isard's Revenge

"She was beautiful and fragile and he could not count the number of times he had told her he loved her."

-- Starfighters of Adumar

"Imperial Admiral Kosh Teradoc paused, irritated and self-conscious, just outside the entryway into the club."

-- Mercy Kill

[barstoolblues]

i know that bacta was invented by lucas as some handwavy magic healing liquid but it is fascinating how fans and creators of different sw media treat bacta in their canon/fanon projects. idk if its ever even shown in prequels apart from vader in rots yet its name dropped every few episodes in tcw, where its some unlimited resource (which, is a fair handwave in cartoon-land). in the ot its really only used in esb, and naturally in legends the lore around it expands thanks to the bacta war novel, where you learn that its a high-demand product produced only on thyferra by subjugated non-human workers and is tightly controlled by the planetary government, which causes scarcities. idk how much if any of that has been incorporated into disney canon, but it would be cool to see, especially the whole idea of bacta allergies and what that means for your in-universe healthcare options like ton phanan

[holonetwork]

[bitwhizzle]

Yesterday was Aaron Allston’s birthday. He would’ve been 64.

Aaron gave us the wonderful Wraith Squadron and imbued Wedge and the rest of Michael Stackpole’s Rogue Squadron with immense humour, and wit, and life!

Michael and Aaron gave the Star Wars EU a new viewpoint, that of the pilots - no Jedi powers (well…we’ll ignore Corran as one does 😆) - just soldiers who were sacrificing their all for this Rebellion. Pacifists, Imperial defectors, idealists, wash-outs - the Rebellion was made up of all kinds, but united by their struggle against the Empire and desire for democracy and justice.

Wedge and Hobbie and Wes and Tycho were the Everyman. They had their flaws, they weren’t perfect, but they were honest. And I love the Fab Four so much!

I reread the X-Wing series often, they are my favourites of the now-Legends books, and I wistfully bemoan the stories that could’ve been - stories that Michael and Aaron could’ve contributed to the now canon universe.

Happy birthday Aaron. Thank you for Face and Ton, and Piggy and Kell, and Tyria and Myn and Cubber and Runt and Emtrey and and and…

You are very much missed. May the Force be with You.

[from-a-legends-pov]

Star Wars Legends Spotlight: The Wedding of Luke and Mara

In this last week of writer signups for the From a Legends Point of View fanfiction event, we’ll be celebrating Legends by spotlighting some key events, characters, and moments from the Legends continuity.

Writers: Help us add to the story! Sign up to write for the From a Legends Point of View fanfiction event now through June 2. Together, we’ll build a collection of Star Wars Legends fanfiction set during the time of the Original Trilogy. Use our Signup Form to pitch your story concepts (Signup Guidelines available here) and please encourage your favorite writers to participate!

Our first spotlight is the wedding of the galaxy’s most eligible Jedi bachelor, Luke Skywalker, with former Emperor’s Hand and current Jedi Master Mara Jade in 19 ABY on Coruscant.

Why is this important?

Luke and Mara are in many ways the power couple of Star Wars Legends (along with Leia Organa and Han Solo). While Leia and Han were shown as a committed couple by the end of Return of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker spent a fair amount of the Legends continuity in various ultimately doomed love affairs. Mara Jade, one of the most prominent characters to originate in Legends, was introduced in the Thrawn trilogy and clearly had some chemistry with Luke from the start, as well as going on her own journey from Emperor’s Hand to smuggler to Jedi knight to Jedi master before ending up with Luke.

How does it happen?

The engagement takes place toward the end of Timothy Zahn’s novel Vision of the Future, appropriately happening in the middle of a life-or-death situation. The room they are in is filling up with water, and Luke asks Mara to marry him. She says, “You mean, if we get out of this alive?” and he says, “I mean regardless.”

The wedding and the leadup take place in Star Wars: Union, a four-unit comic series written by X-Wing series writer Michael Stackpole. Most of the series deals with the more mundane events leading up to any wedding— choosing a dress, the bachelor / bachelorette parties, the wedding itself, and moments from the reception— but the happy couple being who they are, of course there is danger, intrigue, and shenanigans. There are actually two weddings: a Jedi wedding only attended by members of the Jedi Order early in the series, and a formal wedding that serves as a major event for the New Republic.

The Jedi portion of the wedding largely goes off without a hitch, but the New Republic ceremony is where the shenanigans come in.

We see Mara attempt to “say yes to the dress” only to be confronted with some of the worst fashion crimes imaginable, then find her dream designer out in the alley, having been originally prevented from preventing her designs by her evil boss.

Luke’s bachelor party at the Red Rancor (attended by Han Solo, Wedge Antilles, Chewbacca, Gavin Darklighter, Talon Karrde, Wes Janson, Derek “Hobbie” Klivian, Tycho Celchu, Kam Solusar, Corran Horn, Booster Terrik, and Lando Calrissian) ends in a bar fight instigated by a Moff who is trying to kill Luke / prevent the wedding.

Meanwhile, the women (Mara, Leia, Tionne Solusar, Winter Celchu, Mirax Terrik Horn, and Iella Wessiri Antilles) have a spa day and then kick some ass in a slingball game.

The day of the ceremony is a major New Republic event, with people like Mon Mothma in attendance and Admiral Ackbar presiding. A Moff is determined to interrupt the ceremony and violently prevent the festivities, but Chewie, the Jedi, and the Rogues take care of that while those with parts in the ceremony carry on. Meanwhile, Booster Terrik has been tasked with keeping the children quiet during the ceremony, including his grandson Valin Horn as well as Myri and Syal Antilles and Jaina, Jacen, and Anakin Solo.

Finally, we see the happy couple wed:

…And various other couples at the ceremony get nostalgic about their own weddings as they enjoy the reception.

[skywalking-through-life]

I know I usually ask about PJO stuff here, but what are some Star Wars stuff you like and opinions you have? Maybe a specific ask, but do you have any feelings on Mara Jade and Winter Celchu? Any other less known characters you feel strongly about?

Oh my friend, this is a GREAT ask. No one ever asks me about Star Wars, and Star Wars was probably my first fandom! Because I just cannot abide the discourse, I haven't been as involved in it since the sequel trilogy came out, but I still have deep, deep affection for the galaxy far, far away. I, like everyone, have my opinions about which parts of the various universe I love and which parts I don't love as much, but my hottest take on it is that I enjoy pretty much all of it, lol.

I grew up on the Original Trilogy and Prequels, but also on the old EU (now Legends) stories. So I am THRILLED that you mentioned Mara Jade - she is one of my all-time favorite characters. Like. Ever. In any media. I know for a fact that she was a formative character in my life, and she and Luke's amazing, heartbreaking, swoon-worthy relationship continues to be one of the two OTPs that I still have. (The other, of course, being percabeth, lol.) I don't love Winter quite as much as I love Mara, probably because I have always been mildy horrified and saddened by her perfect memory - there's a line in Heir to the Empire, I think, about how she will feel the pain Alderaan's destruction perfectly, forever that really gets to me - but she is a fascinating character I have a soft spot for. As far as other characters I really love: I'm a BIG Talon Karrde fan, and love his thing with Shada, and the Rogue Squadron guys and gals will never fail to make me laugh. I re-read Starfighters of Adumar any time I need a pick-me-up. Wes Janson, you goofy charmer, you. Honestly, I love every character Timothy Zahn or Aaron Allston or Michael Stackpole ever created. 🥹

I could literally exclaim delightedly about the old EU forever though, so I'll shut up now. 😂

[ariesgamesandminis]

Shrapnel Issue 19 is now available along with a major restock on novels for BattleTech!

A Question of Survival A Rock and a Hard Place Betrayal of Ideals Blood of Kerensky - Book One - Lethal Heritage Blood of Kerensky - Book One - Lethal Heritage - Limited Edition (Leather Soft) Blood of Kerensky - Book One - Lethal Heritage (Hardcover) Blood of Kerensky - Book Three - Lost Destiny - Limited Edition (Leather Soft) Blood of Kerensky - Book Three - Lost Destiny (Hardcover) Blood of Kerensky - Book Two - Blood Legacy - Limited Edition (Leather Soft) Blood of Kerensky - Book Two - Blood Legacy (Hardcover) Blood of the Isle Blood Will Tell Crimson Night: The Rogue Academy Trilogy, Book Three Decision at Thunder Rift Elements of Treason: Duty Elements of Treason: Honor Elements of Treason: Opportunity Fall From Glory (Founding of the Clans Book One) Fox Tales Front Lines: BattleCorps Anthology, Volume 6 Gray Death Rising Grey Watch Protocol Heir to the Dragon Hour of the Wolf In the Shadow of the Dragon Jaguar's Leap Land of Dreams (Founding of the Clans Book Three) Legacy: A BattleTech Anthology Legend of the Jade Phoenix - Book One - Way of the Clans Legend of the Jade Phoenix - Book One - Way of the Clans - Limited Edition (Leather Soft) Legend of the Jade Phoenix - Book One - Way of the Clans (Hardcover) Legend of the Jade Phoenix - Book Three - Falcon Guard Legend of the Jade Phoenix - Book Three - Falcon Guard - Limited Edition (Leather Soft) Legend of the Jade Phoenix - Book Three - Falcon Guard (Hardcover) Legend of the Jade Phoenix - Book Two - Bloodname Legend of the Jade Phoenix - Book Two - Bloodname - Limited Edition (Leather Soft) Legend of the Jade Phoenix - Book Two - Bloodname (Hardcover) Marauder Mercenary's Star No Greater Honor No Substitute for Victory Paid in Blood Redemption Rites Shrapnel Issue #1 Shrapnel Issue #2 Shrapnel Issue #3 Shrapnel Issue #4 Shrapnel Issue #5 Shrapnel Issue #6 Shrapnel Issue #7 Shrapnel Issue #8 Shrapnel Issue #9 Shrapnel Issue #10 Shrapnel Issue #11 Shrapnel Issue #12 Shrapnel Issue #13 Shrapnel Issue #14 Shrapnel Issue #15 Shrapnel Issue #16 Shrapnel Issue #17 Shrapnel Issue #18 Shrapnel Issue #19 The Damocles Sanction The Mercenary Life The Price of Glory The Proliferation Cycle The Quest for Jardine The Warrior Trilogy - Book One - En Garde Limited Edition (Leather Soft) The Warrior Trilogy - Book Three - Coupe Limited Edition (Leather Soft) The Warrior Trilogy - Book Two - Riposte Limited Edition (Leather Soft) Trial by Chaos Visions of Rebirth (Founding of the Clans Book Two) Without Question Wolves on the Border

[kanerallels]

Forgot to post the link until now but here's my Secret Santa gift for @accidental-spice!! First lines under the cut!!

“And now, for the final subject of this briefing.” Wedge Antilles said, lifting his gaze from the datapad before him and studying the group of men and women scattered throughout the room. 

While Wraith Squadron was far from as rigidly structured as most squadrons—Wes Janson, for instance, was sprawled across a chair like a smuggler or a printer’s apprentice, feet twiddling in the air. Kell Tainer was sitting with his chair backward, arms propped on the back of his chair, and Shalla Nelprin was sitting on the ground, legs crossed—the group was still listening attentively. The sharpening of their interest at his last words was almost tangible, and Wedge held back a sigh. Oh, this is gonna end well.

“Life Day,” he said, and the chuckles, grins, and groans of the squadron filled the air. “Now, I’m sure we all remember the fiasco that was last year—”

“I wouldn’t call it a complete fiasco,” Kell said, grinning at Tyria, who flushed a little but grinned back.

Wedge leveled a quelling look at him. “As I was saying. This year, there will be some rules.”

“What?” Phanan looked horrified. “There are no rules on Life Day.”

[maryellencarter]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Star Wars Legends: X-Wing Series - Aaron Allston & Michael Stackpole Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Iella Wessiri Antilles/Wedge Antilles, Wedge Antilles/Tycho Celchu/Wes Janson/Derek "Hobbie" Klivian Characters: Wedge Antilles, Tycho Celchu, Wes Janson, Derek "Hobbie" Klivian, Iella Wessiri Antilles Additional Tags: Established Relationship, adding Iella to the polycule, post-Starfighters of Adumar Summary:

Wes put his finger to his lips. "It's a secret," he said with his deliberately cutest smirk. "It's a surprise party. You can't throw a surprise party without a surprise."