Many different authors have written Star Wars books over the years, both movie novelizations and original stories. The books are split between the older “Legends” continuity and the current “Canon” line.
Movie novelizations
Several well-known fantasy and science‑fiction authors wrote the film novelizations.
- The original 1977 movie novelization, first published as “Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker,” was ghostwritten by Alan Dean Foster but credited to George Lucas.
- The Empire Strikes Back was novelized by Donald F. Glut, and Return of the Jedi by James Kahn.
Prequel and sequel novelizations
Later film eras also had different writers.
- The Phantom Menace was novelized by Terry Brooks, Attack of the Clones by R. A. Salvatore, and Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover.
- The sequel trilogy novelizations include The Force Awakens by Alan Dean Foster, The Last Jedi by Jason Fry, and The Rise of Skywalker by Rae Carson.
Major Legends authors
The old Expanded Universe (now called Legends) featured many original novel series.
- Timothy Zahn (the Thrawn trilogy and other Thrawn books), Michael Stackpole (X‑Wing), Aaron Allston, James Luceno, and Drew Karpyshyn (Darth Bane trilogy) are among the best‑known names.
- Other notable Legends authors include Kevin J. Anderson, A. C. Crispin, Kathy Tyers, and Troy Denning.
Major Canon-era authors
Since 2014, new novels have formed the current Canon timeline.
- Key Canon authors include Claudia Gray, John Jackson Miller, Delilah S. Dawson, Alexander Freed, Cavan Scott, Charles Soule, and Adam Christopher.
- These writers have covered eras from the High Republic to the original trilogy and beyond, often focusing on side characters, new heroes, and villains.
Quick reference table
Category| Example books/series| Some authors
---|---|---
Original film novelization| Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker|
Alan Dean Foster (credited to George Lucas)45
Original trilogy novels| ESB, ROTJ novelizations| Donald F. Glut, James Kahn29
Prequel novelizations| The Phantom Menace, AOTC, ROTS| Terry Brooks, R. A.
Salvatore, Matthew Stover269
Legends EU| Thrawn trilogy, X‑Wing, Darth Bane| Timothy Zahn, Michael
Stackpole, James Luceno, Drew Karpyshyn39
Canon novels| Lost Stars, Bloodline, Phasma, Alphabet Sq.| Claudia Gray,
Delilah S. Dawson, Alexander Freed, John Jackson Miller39
If you say which specific Star Wars book or series you mean, a more focused list of authors can be given.
