Timothy Zahn

"It was just after four o'clock on November 6, 1989, and I was three days into writing my first novel for my new publisher, Bantam Books, when the phone rang. It was my agent. "Tim," he said after the usual pleasantries, "we have a very interesting offer here.""

- Timothy Zahn

Timothy Zahn is a science fiction novelist. He is best known for the Thrawn Trilogy (consisting of Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command) which picks up where Return of the Jedi left off. These books spawned a slew of other Star Wars novels and story collections by authors such as Kevin J. Anderson and Michael A. Stackpole. Zahn also wrote two additional Star Wars novels, collectively called The Hand of Thrawn Duology (consisting of Specter of the Past, and Vision of the Future). Recently he wrote the stand-alone novels Survivor's Quest, Outbound Flight, and Allegiance. He has also contributed to the script of several comics and short stories over the years, including Mara Jade: By the Emperor's Hand.

Zahn's work is not limited to Star Wars. He has also written the widely popular Conquerors' Trilogy, which tells the story of a war between Humans and a race of aliens that have indestructible spaceships and never die.

Zahn agreed to pose as his character, Talon Karrde, for the Star Wars Customizable Card Game&mdash;although hair extensions were needed.

In April 2009, it was confirmed that Zahn had been signed to write a new Star Wars novel set shortly after Allegiance, which will feature Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, Mara Jade, Thrawn and the Hand of Judgment, to be released in the fall of 2011, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Heir to the Empire.

The Thrawn Trilogy

 * Heir to the Empire
 * Dark Force Rising
 * The Last Command

The Hand of Thrawn Duology

 * Specter of the Past
 * Vision of the Future

Other novels

 * Survivor's Quest (2004)
 * Outbound Flight (2006)
 * Allegiance (2007)
 * Untitled novel (2011)

Comic books

 * Mara Jade: By the Emperor's Hand (graphic novel) with Michael A. Stackpole
 * Mara Jade: A Night on the Town, comic in Star Wars Tales 1
 * Specter of Thrawn (cancelled)

Short stories

 * "First Contact", short story in Tales from the Empire
 * "Side Trip," with Michael A. Stackpole, novella in Tales from the Empire
 * "Jade Solitaire," short story in Tales from the New Republic
 * "Interlude at Darkknell," with Michael A. Stackpole, novella in Tales from the New Republic
 * "The Saga Begins," short story in The DarkStryder Campaign
 * "Mist Encounter," short story in Star Wars Adventure Journal 7, later printed in the paperback version of Outbound Flight
 * "Command Decision," short story in Star Wars Adventure Journal 11
 * "Hero of Cartao," short story in Star Wars Insider
 * "Changing Seasons," short story in Star Wars Insider
 * "Fool's Bargain," short story in e-book format, later printed in the paperback version of Survivor's Quest
 * "Judge's Call," short story on Del Rey's website.
 * "Duel," short story / Hasbro tie-in.
 * "Handoff," short story in Star Wars Gamer
 * "Hammertong," short story in Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina
 * "Sleight of Hand," short story in Tales from Jabba's Palace

Roleplaying scenarios

 * The Kaal Connection in Star Wars Adventure Journal 7
 * The DarkStryder Campaign

Future possibilities
Prior to being contracted to write a ninth novel, Zahn had expressed an interest in writing more Star Wars novels and specified a number of plot ideas:

1.Tales/Novels of the Skywalker family(Luke,Mara and Ben set before LOTF.

2.Further adventures of the Hand of Judgement stormtroopers.

3.More of Thrawn and Mara's backstories.

4.A story deatailing the war between the Empire of the Hand and the Yuuzhan Vong. http://theforce.net/jedicouncil/interview/timothyzahn.asp
 * In The Force.net podcast he said he would like to write a story about the Hand of Judgment being kidnapped by Thrawn and joining the Empire of the Hand.
 * He has stated that he's written a story detailing how Baron Soontir Fel leaves Imperial service and joins the Chiss Ascendancy, but it has yet to be published.

Notes and references
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