The second of two collections of scholarly essays I’ve co-edited with Dr. Amy H. Sturgis is now released: Star Wars: Essays Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away was published in July by Vernon Press and is now available in hardcover and e-book formats! (See below for purchasing info and a discount code.) The first of our co-edited collections was released in May: a “twin” volume to this one, dedicated to Star Trek (check out my blog announcement with all the details on that volume by clicking here.) And importantly, you’re invited to some fabulous, virtual book launch events to celebrate! See below for all the details.
About the book
The book is a collection of ten essays exploring Star Wars from many different angles: from the evolution of how Twi’leks are treated in the franchise (and what that says about Star Wars‘ relationship to “the Other”) to how Star Wars and Harry Potter use similar storytelling devices to set their heroes on their destined paths, to the invented languages of Star Wars, to the way Star Wars tie-in media (books, comics, etc.) has developed over time and why that’s important. These essays are engaging, insightful, accessible, and as up-to-date as we could possibly make them, with significant treatments of new shows like Andor and The Book of Boba Fett. It also contains a beautiful foreword written by Ian Doescher, author of the Shakespearean Star Wars adaptations (which are brilliant, in case you’ve never read them).
I’m particularly excited about this book’s release because not only was I the lead editor for it, I also have a chapter in the book on a topic I am very passionate about: the influence of an obscure, 1964 art-house film, Arthur Lipsett’s 21-87, on Star Wars. In my chapter, I demonstrate how the central message of Lipsett’s film–a dire warning about the encroachment of technology on humanity’s ability to connect with nature, each other and the divine–becomes a central concern in all eras of Star Wars storytelling, from A New Hope to The Bad Batch and Andor (especially Andor!). Check back on the blog for more posts about Lipsett’s work and its importance to Star Wars that follow on from my chapter in the book.
How to purchase the book
You can purchase the book on Vernon Press’ website (click here to be taken to the book’s page) and through other major booksellers. Fair warning: it is an academic text, and the publisher’s market is academic institutions (libraries, college bookstores, etc.), so the price point is high, as books go. But if the $91 hardcover price is too steep for you, you can request that your local library (public or academic) purchase the book for your borrowing pleasure. Also, Vernon Press is offering a 24% “new release” discount for a limited time; use code CFC10822213C4 at check out.
Virtual book launch events!
Excitingly, friends near and far can join us for a weekend of virtual events celebrating the release of these two exciting anthologies from Vernon Press.
Official Star Wars Book Launch: September 9 at 12pm ET (2023). The official book launch for Star Wars: Essays Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away will be hosted by the Digital Cultural Studies Cooperative on Saturday, September 9 at 12 Noon Eastern. All are welcome to join Amy, me and some of the book’s contributors for an interactive discussion of academia in a galaxy far, far away. This is a free event, but registration is required for access. Click here for the Star Wars anthology book launch event registration.
Pub Night celebrating two out-of-this-world anthologies: September 10 at 6pm ET (2023). The Mythgard Institute at Signum University’s “Mythgard Miscellany” Pub Night will host a celebration of both our Vernon Press anthologies, Star Trek: Essays Exploring the Final Frontier and Star Wars: Essay Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away. Join us for live discussion and Q&A with Amy, Emily and other contributors to these anthologies on Sunday, September 10 at 6pm Eastern. This is also a free event, but registration is required. Click here for the Mythgard/Signum event registration.
The beautiful cover art for both books was created by artist Emily Austin, whose full collection can be found at here website: emilyaustindesign.com.