In A Galaxy Not So Far Away...

[ARParr]

In A Galaxy Not So Far Away...
The Star Wars Filming Locations of the United States


Hello all. Yes, I'm new, and yes this is a plug. But it's not spam, and it's not corporate. It's legitimate,
and it's a fan project. My name's Adam & I used to run StarWarsFan.org & Prequel Watch from 1997 through 2005. I've taken a break from the fan community for a while, but I now have some huge news to share.

I have a SW book coming out this Fall, and I want you to know about it.

My book about the Star Wars filming locations is hitting the streets Dec 1! It's a complete reference guide to all the shooting locations, (and many other SW-related spots), in the US. We did all the research, travel & photography ourselves. We've been to all the locations multiple times and have put together a book which has no rival. We provide detailed routes & directions, reference photographs & illustrations, maps, travel tips, personal experiences, historical background info & much more.

Visit and "Like" my book's page on Facebook at the link below. I've begun to post some photos, and will be sharing more images & info in the weeks to come! Take a look at it and spread the word to anyone you know who might be interested in this book as well! Thanks a million in advance.

In A Galaxy Not So Far Away...
The Star Wars Filming Locations of the United States

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

Sounds good - How much will the book retail at? Liam

 

[Frunkstar]

& more importantly will forum members get a discount :mrgreen:

 

[ARParr]

Hey guys! Hot damn, a little bit of interest. That makes me happy as hell. Bear with me through a somewhat long post as I try to explain some of the background here.

Okay, about the price. My publisher and I decided quite a while ago that it has to be kept somewhere in the neighborhood of $15. The primary retail sources will be the Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. We're also going to offer it in e-book format for multiple readers.

It's going to be big enough to show some good color images, but just small enough so that it can still serve as a very practical field guide. (It's nearly 200 pgs, and covers all the shooting locations, plus many other SW-related locations in the U.S. There's nothing else like it out there.)

Now, about the discount thing. I have incurred a lot of costs from artwork, publishing & printing setup, state incorporation, lawyers, marketing & promotion, etc. So... this thing has always been a labor of love, but it definitely has come out of my pocket. I'm publishing it not so much because I want to make money, but because no such book exists and I've always wanted to contribute something like this to the SW fan community which has shaped so much of my life. And at this point, I've invested so much time, effort and money into this project that it just HAS to get published. (And it will be. Publisher has agreed to front the money for these costs, but they will have to be reimbursed before I ever see a dime. The book goes to the printer for setup on Nov 1.)

Having said that, I'm starting a fundraising effort at Kickstarter.com to pay for production costs I've already incurred. (The kickstarter page isn't live yet.) If you pledge, you'll get a reward. First, either a discounted book, or a free one, depending on the pledge. Other rewards will be signed books, signed location photographs, permanent recognition and thanks on StarWarsRoadTrips.com (which I'm developing right now), various reward combo packages, and for the fan who decides he wants to bankroll the whole thing, a guided tour of some or all of the U.S. locations themselves. Bottom line is, getting this book published has proven to be quite expensive because I couldn't get Lucasfilm to pick it up as a licensed piece. They said "we don't wanna do it, but you have our blessing."

So there you have it. The financial landscape of this book that's been almost ten years in the making. I can't wait for it to be released, and I'm really hoping that I can get the word out to enough fans who will "Like" and join the Facebook page, visit the Kickstarter page when it's live, pledge a contribution, and ultimately want to buy the book.

In the end, it's a multi-part vision. This first edition in Dec 2011, combined with StarWarsRoadTrips.com for ongoing fan stories, photos, articles, forums, etc., convention booths, continued trips to the locations, and ultimately, a second edition covering the shooting locations overseas like Spain, Italy & Tunisia. I'm going through the hardest part of the whole thing right now though. The final push prior to the publishing and release of the first edition.

So guys, if any of this sounds remotely interesting, please "Like" and join the Facebook page. In the next couple of weeks, more photos & teaser stories will be going up there, and you'll get alerts. If you dig what I'm doing with this thing, spread the word. I will be in your debt eternally.

Sincere thanks to you all in advance.

(And no, I'm not going away after posting a plug like this. I'm looking forward getting to know you guys. Cheers.)

- Adam

Here's the book's Facebook page:
In A Galaxy Not So Far Away... The Star Wars Shooting Locations of the United States

 

[Frunkstar]

Add another like to your facebokk page I'm No 40

Best of luck with your project, must have been an interesting 10 years, saw the guys on long way down (motorbike TV series) visit the Tunisia location, turned in to a bit of a tourist trap by the looks of it, but at least its helping the local community there.

I will be following your facebook page with interest, do stick around as its a good forum here with some friendly folk.

 

[ARParr]

Liam & Frunk -

Thanks a ton for the interest. It's appreciated more than you know. (And, if you get a chance, spread the word about the book and its Facebook page.)

On another subject, what do you guys think about the blu-rays? (I still haven't bought them. I know that's sad, but I've already got so many damned versions of the films, and I was pretty disappointed by a lot of the news that leaked just prior to release of the discs. I'll probably pick them up on ebay at some point, but i mean, come on. With Episode I in 3D coming out theatrically in Feb 2012, at least in the US, we KNOW there's going to be a 3D blu-ray release. So it's far from over. I just can't get excited about buying yet another version considering the price right now. What do you guys think? What's the general consensus on the site? I'm going to go read other threads about that on here now!!)

Cheers.

Adam

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

No Problem Adam! Just Liked the FB page. I am number 42! Liam

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

No Problem Adam! Just Liked the FB page. I am number 42! Liam

 

[Capetown]

And you're 43 too Liam. :lol:

 

[ARParr]

Liam gets extra credit for enthusiasm! Here here.

My God, it's good to be back in the fan community. After running StarWarsFan.Org for almost ten years, and everything that went along with it, I was really burnt out and badly in need of a break. After RotS, I pretty much turned Star Wars off in my life for the first time ever. I can honestly say that I'm refueled and very much glad to be getting back into the swing of things, so to speak. It's been too long. I'm really glad to have found this place.

(And that figures into, i suppose, a big part of the reason why I hope this book project does well. For a long time, I've wanted to give something back to the fan community that would have some impact and some lasting value to people. Something that will allow folks to have some fun, and do a little more with their fandom, so to speak, should they choose to. This book seemed like the perfect way to do that. I really am hoping that it's a hit, not really for the money. That was never the goal. And believe me, if it had just been about the money, this project would have drawn its last breath years ago, and just died on the vine. It's been a very time-consuming and very costly labor of love. Costly in many ways, not just financially. For one thing, there's no love lost between my wife and this book, I can tell you that. :wink: ;-) )

 

[Frunkstar]

Saw subject so - "tin hat on" -

I for one am not getting caught up in the Blue Ray generation, I did VHS - used to buy out all the small retailers when the huge chains first set up & amassed a huge personal collection of vid's, then cam along DVD which I have resentfully switched to & now have a 500++ collection of those, did this with music to - LP's to Tapes to CD's, it has to end somewhere & until you can no longer get DVD's from the video loan shop I will be sticking with DVD's as I am sick to the bloody back teeth with the consumer orgy that is format! - "tin Hat off"

Back to the book, I can imagine its been rather a long & arduousness journey as far as family are concerned, but I am sure in years to come they will look back & appreciated all the time effort & work went in to it for the right reasons, that's 2 SW books I am looking forward to seeing in print now, must say I for 1 am not surprised that the Lucas empire had no interest in funding or backing something that would go toward helping the SW community, more is the pity.

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

And you're 43 too Liam. :lol:

Not a FB regular! :lol:

 

[ARParr]

Hey Everyone,

It's been a long time coming, but my book is finally available for order! The page on Kickstarter.com went live last night so check it out now! Signed copies are available, along with many other cool items:

Kickstarter Book Page

There you'll find great insights into the content & style of the book itself, including sample pages & photos. Monument Press really did a fantastic job with the layout & design. The final product is really beautiful. We definitely achieved our goals with regard to the book's style & substance. We've put together the reference book that's been missing from the selection for 30 years. This complete body of information isn't presented anywhere else, period. Also, we've managed to weave in the story of the making of the films themselves, as well as our personal adventures & connections to the movies & the locations. And we managed to do it in a way that pulls the reader in visually from the very first page.

Signed first edition copies are available now ONLY on the Kickstarter page, along with many other very cool & exclusive rewards that will only be available for the next 30 days. This project hasn't been cheap, as you can imagine. We've encountered quite a number of substantial production costs and we need your pledges, purchases & help in a big way. Visit the Kickstarter page now, make your pledge, and get your signed copy!

Thanks to everyone for sticking with us through the recent delays, and for supporting the project now that it's finally off the ground.

Also, be sure to check out both our Facebook page & our permanent web page, (currently being developed):

StarWarsRoadTrips on Facebook

StarWarsRoadTrips.com


Thanks a million, in advance,

Adam