Michael A. Stackpole

Michael A. Stackpole, born in 1957, is an American author recognized for his contributions to science fiction and fantasy literature, most notably his works within the Star Wars and BattleTech universes. Before establishing his writing career, Stackpole was involved in the design of role-playing games, starting in 1977. He contributed to systems like Tunnels & Trolls and Wasteland, and worked for companies such as Flying Buffalo and Coleco. His early career also included writing for gaming magazines.

Stackpole also became a public advocate for the role-playing game community, defending it against accusations of promoting harmful behavior. He published articles and engaged in debates to counter misinformation, analyzing statistical data to support his arguments. This period highlights his engagement with societal perceptions of gaming and media representation. His writing career, which began with the novel Talion: Revenant, gained significant traction with his work on the BattleTech series for FASA, followed by numerous novels set in the Star Wars universe for Bantam Books. He has also penned original fantasy series like the DragonCrown War Cycle and the Age of Discovery trilogy, and contributed to the World of Warcraft novel series.

Michael Stackpole's career began in game design, starting with solo adventures for the Tunnels & Trolls system and contributing to magazines like Sorcerer's Apprentice. He played a role in developing the computer roleplaying game Wasteland and its sequel. During the 1980s, he became a vocal defender of the role-playing game community against accusations linking games like Dungeons & Dragons to societal problems. Stackpole published articles, such as "Devil Games? Nonsense!" and "The Truth about Role-Playing Games," and engaged in public debates to counter these claims, using data to challenge the perceived negative impacts of gaming.

Stackpole's first novel, Talion: Revenant, faced initial publication challenges before its release in 1997. He achieved significant recognition with his BattleTech novels, beginning in 1988, which were instrumental in shaping the universe's narrative. His success continued with his work on the Star Wars franchise, writing novels and comics that expanded the established lore, including stories involving characters like Corran Horn and Mara Jade. Beyond these established universes, Stackpole has created original fantasy series, such as the DragonCrown War Cycle, which explored unconventional fantasy elements like firearms, and the Age of Discovery trilogy, noted for its unique approach to magic. He also contributed to the World of Warcraft novel series with "Vol’jin: Shadows of the Horde."

Beyond his published novels, Michael Stackpole produces a bi-weekly subscription-based newsletter titled "The Secrets," which offers guidance on fan fiction writing, world-building, and navigating a writing career. An audio version, "The Secrets Podcast," serves as a companion, initially drawing from newsletter content before developing its own distinct material. Stackpole also co-hosts "The Dragon Page Cover to Cover," a show focusing on fantasy and science fiction literature and interviews. Additionally, he has been involved with the Phoenix Skeptics as executive director since 1988, reflecting an interest in skepticism and critical thinking.