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August 22, 02012
My essay “Defining the Jedi Order” was just published in the Scarecrow Publishing anthology Sex, Politics, and Religion in Star Wars.
In a nutshell, my essay discusses how George Lucas and his backstory of the Jedi Order in Episodes I - III has influenced (and not influenced) the public’s perception of Star Wars. It is one of over 20 essays written on popular culture topics that range from film criticism to ethical philosophy to politics and sex.
The original inspiration for this essay came from a chapter in my monograph about lightsaber fighting. Doug Brode, the anthology’s co-editor, wanted to use the chapter in a class he was teaching at Syracuse University. When he finished, Professor Brode decided that there was plenty of interest in a collection of academic essays on Star Wars. So he contacted me, as well as other writers and academics, to contribute to what would eventually become a two-volume collection of essays that is now available from Scarecrow Publishing, as well as online stores like Amazon.com.
I haven’t actually read the other essays, yet. But there is some significance to the placement of my essay as the next to last in the two-book series – a position that is usually reserved as a counterpoint to the final essay that acts as the “last word” in the collection. I’m thinking that my anti-Joseph Campbell stance has something to do with it, as I find that Star Wars-as-a-modern-myth is a philosophical assumption that I find among about 85% of SW academic essayists and probably 99% of officially-approved LFL writers.
The real story, however, is my appreciation for everyone who has bought my previous book or read my other writings. In fact, it was Prof. Brode’s reading of my book that led to my invitation to contribute. I am also grateful to at least one of the essayists in the anthology who cited my book in his own essay. Without their consideration, my academic writing would have less scholastic value.
And lastly, I thank you, my fans, for your patience in the deliberateness of my writing output. I have a personal project that I have been working on for the last year, but I am starting to move back to more public writing projects. That’s the nice thing about writing – it's okay for projects to gestate. My next significant goal is still to publish my first novel, but I am in no immediate hurry, as a writer has only one chance to write the breakout novel that will get him or her on the publishing map. And I want that book to blow people away.
You’re always invited to e-mail (click on the Contact Tab to the left) or Facebook me (Nick P Jamilla). If you have fifty bucks to spare for Brode’s essay anthology, I encourage you to buy it. I’m still saving up for the first volume, though I did get a copy of the book that includes my essay gratis.
Again, a big thanks to everyone for your support.
Nick Jamilla
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