LucasBooks Editor Sue Rostoni Retires in July

June 9, 2011 at 6:55 pm | Posted in Star Wars News | 1 Comment

The official site announced that LucasBooks’ Executive Editor Sue Rostoni will be retiring in July 2011.  For twenty years, Sue Rostoni has worked on the Star Wars franchise, getting her start in the classic The Thrawn Trilogy.

“I have enjoyed the best job in the world with the most wonderfully creative people,” said Rostoni. “I’m so grateful to have been a part of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones programs these past years — it’s been the most challenging and rewarding time of my life.”

Del Rey Editor-at-Large Shelly Shapiro,  Lucas Licensing President Howard Hoffman, and Dark Horse’s Randy Stratedy share their experiences working with Sue Rostoni here.

Posted by: Dancelittleewok

Star Wars: Riptide Mini-Excerpt #1

June 9, 2011 at 1:21 pm | Posted in Books, Star Wars News | Leave a comment

Star Wars Books Facebook page released the first excerpt for Riptide:

Khedryn cleared his throat. “So, then, do you have a plan? What do we do about the escaped clones?”

“We find them,” Jaden said.

“Yeah, I figured that. I’m all ears about how.”

“First I need to speak to Grand Master Skywalker.”

Riptide goes on sale October 25, 2011.

Posted by: Dancelittleewok

Daniel Jackson Was Right. God, Gobekli Tepe and Mankind

June 9, 2011 at 12:30 pm | Posted in Science News | 1 Comment
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Okay, I stretched the truth a bit.  Daniel Jackson was only half right.  It’s not the pyramids that are 10,000 years old.  However, the ancient ruins at Gobekli Tepe, Turkey are.  In fact, they’re at least 11,000 years old, the oldest religious temple ever found. And they’re turning traditional theory about how civilization came to be on its head.

Traditional thought goes like this: about ten to twelve thousand years ago, man figured out wild grain.  This discovery basically turned mankind from nomadic hunters to eventually farmers of domesticated grain.  Everything else sprang from that: pottery, written language, government and religion. In short, civilization.  However, Gobekli Tepe predates everything but the religion.  The ancient temple was built by nomads using flint tools.  If you think that’s impressive, these nomads also moved ten ton stones to build this temple.  Clearly religion was important to a mankind who hadn’t yet developed a written language.  It appears that it was religion that paved the way for eventual civilization. 

How do we know the builders were nomads?  Well, the age of the temple predates mankind settling into communities.  More interesting and more concrete is the fact that no evidence of a permanent community was discovered in the area around the temple.  Nomads gathered at this place, erected a temple on a hill, held rites and departed, only to return again and again.  They built several rings of temple structure, and erected at least 50 columns.  On some of those columns they carved images, and from the images left behind by these nomads we see an astonishing religious viewpoint.  These people believed they were made in their deity’s likeness.

Don’t underestimate the importance of this discovery.  It predates all other discoveries of civilization.  Gobekli Tepe is 7 millennia older than the pyramids.  It predates Stonehenge.  It predates our civilization.  It’s an amazing find.

For more on Gobekli Tepe check this out.

Posted by Synlah for Roqoo Depot

Special Heir to the Empire: 20th Anniversary Edition book plates

June 9, 2011 at 12:15 pm | Posted in Books, Star Wars News | Leave a comment

On his Facebook page, Timothy Zahn has exciting news in the light of the delay for Heir to the Empire: 20th Anniversary Edition:

As you all probably know, the Heir 20th release date has been moved to September 6. Since this is too late for my summer events, Del Rey has decided to print up some special 3″x6″ bookplates (see the picture in my “Photos” section) which I’ll be bringing to my convention and tour appearances. Once September rolls around, you can stick the bookplate inside the cover, and voila! — an autographed book.

Photograph of the Heir to the Empire: 20th Anniversary Edition book plate below:

He can only reserve copies for book tour and convention attendees, but hopes the book plates will be successful enough so that he can offer them by mail.

Next time you see Timothy Zahn at Dragon*Con or San Diego Comic Con be sure to pick one up!

Posted by: Dancelittleewok

Wild Theory of the Day: Abeloth on the cover of Apocalypse?

June 9, 2011 at 10:22 am | Posted in Books, Speculation | 5 Comments
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When StarWars.com unveiled the cover of Troy Denning’s Fate of the Jedi: Apocalypse many fans were a little deflated that Luke Skywalker was on another cover. Some fans quickly rallied once they realized Luke was on the first (Outcast) and middle (Allies) covers, thus creating a nice harmony for the series as a whole. However, after further examination it’s been noticed that half of Luke’s face appears strange on Apocalypse. The left side of Luke’s face (from his perspective) actually appears to have some scars or wounds on the cheek and his eye looks swollen or…dare I say it…moon like. The other side of his face is also peculiar in the fact that he looks so youthful. All of these facts have swayed me to the opinion that Luke is not on the cover of Apocalypse. I think the being on the cover of Apocalypse is really Abeloth and that she is impersonating Luke, hence the reason he looks so youthful as well as the reason we see the possible glimpse of her moon eyes and maybe, just maybe the hint of a tentacle curled in shadow across her left cheek.

Take a closer look at the image and let us know what you think. Apocalypse may have a big surprise in store for us.

Posted By: Skuldren

My Dream Job: Lucasfilm Ltd: Senior Editor

June 9, 2011 at 10:19 am | Posted in Miscellaneous | 2 Comments
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Job Requirements:
BA in English, Journalism, or related field.
5-7 years of publishing experience and 3-5 years as an editor.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Keen attention to detail.
Solid knowledge and demonstrated interest in Lucasfilm brands
Solid knowledge of SW fiction (expanded universe).
Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Team player – must work well with internal and external partners.

Okay so I only meet one of the requirements (and team player isn’t it), but someone who meets all the criteria could find themselves working for LFL.  That someone would be responsible for all aspects of development, editing and approvals for adult fiction and comic books.  If you have what it takes, check this out.  Who knows?  The job could be yours.

Just to quell any rumors, this is not Sue Rostoni’s position.  She’s the Executive Editor at LFL.

Posted by Synlah for Roqoo Depot

Star Wars Day this Saturday in Appleton, Wisconsin

June 9, 2011 at 8:34 am | Posted in 501st, Events, Star Wars News | Leave a comment
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Star Wars author and comic writer John Jackson Miller posted on his site yesterday that he’ll be heading to Appleton, Wisconsin Saturday for a Star Wars event at the Appleton Public Library. He’ll be there from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM signing autographs and talking about his work, so if you’re in the area, be sure to stop by.

Saturday evening in Appleton will also be Star Wars Night at the Timber Rattler’s game with the 501st Legion in appearance. Both the Midwest and Wisconsin Garrison will be there.

Posted By: Skuldren

Happy Birthday, Natalie Portman

June 9, 2011 at 12:01 am | Posted in Birthday, Movies, Star Wars News | Leave a comment
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Today Roqoo Depot wishes a very happy birthday to actress Natalie Portman. Star Wars fans will forever remember Natalie in her role as Padme Amidala in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. However Natalie has firmly established herself in her acting career. She recently won an Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in the film Black Swan.

Natalie was born in Jerusalem (Israel). Her father (a doctor born in Israel) and mother (an artist born in Cincinnati, Ohio) later moved to America while Natalie was still young. She did very well in school and was able to attend Harvard. However her acting career happened at an early age when she got the role of Mathilda in The Professional, which landed her roles in other movies like Heat, Beautiful Girls, and Mars Attacks. Landing the role of Padme Amidala in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy gained her global recognition, and her career has soared since then.

Posted By: Skuldren

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