TheForce.net has interviewed Del Rey editor Shelly Shaprio. Here’s an excerpt. Read it all at TheForce.net’s Jedi Council.
What is the process for choosing an author to write a Star Wars novel?
Generally, I propose authors I feel would work well, and Lucasfilm reads them and approves or disapproves. The basic rules of thumb are that the author must have a track record in publishing, and must be a Star Wars fan—at least enough that he or she is really going to be excited about working in the Star Wars universe.On average, how long does it take to edit a novel?
That’s hard to answer, as each book is an individual case. Generally speaking, each Star Wars novel is read several times at different stages: for development, for approval, for line-editing. Any way you slice it, it’s time consuming.Which book has been the most enjoyable to work on?
I can’t answer that. It’s like asking a parent to choose her favorite child! Each book has had its up sides and some have had some down sides. They’ve all been a challenge and, largely, fun to work on.What has Del Rey / Lucasfilm got upcoming for fans?
Can’t say much about that. Of course we’ve got the NJO to finish, and the era of the “prequel†movies to explore. There’s lots of fodder for books now and in the future!