New Clone Wars Character Encyclopedia

A much-needed update to a book that taught me a valuable lesson as an author

So I have a new Star Wars book out today! The Clone Wars Character Encyclopedia: Join the Battle, from DK, is a much-needed update of the original CWCE, published way back in 2010. There’s a hardcover edition and a paperback one — use those links and you’ll support the Jason Fry Beer & Mortgage Fund. (We sincerely thank you for your patronage.)

The trim size looks smaller but don’t be fooled — we packed the pages full of characters, covering all seven seasons of The Clone Wars. Jedi! Separatists! Bounty hunters! Pirates! Mandalorians! Helpful droids! Simple people trying to make their way in the universe!

On a personal note, the first CWCE was a book that taught me writing for kids came with a responsibility I hadn’t thought about. Starting around 2012, I’d be at cons and a kid would bring up a falling-apart, round-cornered copy of the CWCE to be signed. The parents would usually be apologetic about the state of the book, and I was always quick to reassure them that few things make an author happier than being asked to sign a book so obviously well-loved.

A couple of times, those parents said something else — that their son or daughter hadn’t been a reader until the Character Encyclopedia grabbed their attention, and now they read everything. Which made me so happy — particularly the “everything” part. For the right kid, I realized, even something as simple as a reference book about a TV show could be a gateway that opened up a whole new world. That was a responsibility, but it also felt like an honor.

So I hope I see copies of Join the Battle! at cons and signings soon. Bring ‘em my way — the more tattered and battered, the better.