Discovering Fantasy Worlds With Author Kelly Knox

How can you make your Star Wars fandom into a career?

Kelly Knox is a writer and author in the Seattle area. She's a frequent contributor to the websites for pop culture powerhouses like Star Wars, DC Comics, Crunchyroll and more. Knox is well known for her Star Wars crafts and engaging meme content on Twitter. I sat down with Kelly Knox to talk Star Wars inspiration and how it can lead to a full-time career.

Goldie Chan: Hello Kelly, thank you for being here. We’d like to start with an overview of your career path.

Kelly Knox: My first job out of college was as a technical writer, and I’ve been writing professionally ever since–about increasingly more fun things! (No offense, database software.) I spent a few years as a video game tester and community manager before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Eventually, I became a freelance writer and more recently an author for my favorite pop culture franchises.

Chan: With a winding career path like that, what has been your favorite project that you’ve worked on?

Knox: I’ve been so fortunate in my career that picking just one favorite project is a challenge. Be More Obi-Wan, my book from DK Publishing, was my first Star Wars project as an author so I have to choose that. Also, a friend told me that my personality comes through in that book, which was a surprise to hear. I’m not sure she could have paid me a better compliment.

Chan: What is a Star Wars story or movie that had a deep impact on you?

Knox: The first Star Wars has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’m old enough where the only copy we had was a VHS tape with the movie recorded off HBO. I watched it so many times that I have almost every line and musical cue memorized; when I hear the soundtrack, it’s almost like I can see the scenes. It sounds cliché, but Star Wars always gave me hope and comfort when I needed it, making me feel like no matter how hard things get, the good guys will win in the end. In time I’d get the incredible opportunity to work on Star Wars professionally not once, but twice: first as a community manager on MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies and now as a freelance writer and author.

Chan: I know you’re always writing but can you share what are you currently working on?

Knox: I’m currently wrapping up two book projects, one for Marvel (Be More Spider-Man) and one for Star Wars. I’m also pitching, pinging, writing, pinging some more, promoting–the typical life of a freelancer.

Chan: What is a dream project you’d love to work on or a collaborator that you’d love to partner with?

Knox: I really enjoyed working with Ashley Eckstein on the crafts for Insight Editions’ Star Wars Everyday, and my dream is to work on another craft book. Spooky season is my favorite time of year, especially DIY pumpkins and other crafts, so I’d love to put together an all-Halloween craft book.

Chan: What is your favorite part of your community?

Knox: Star Wars fans are all about the details. That weird guy in the background, that spaceship you see for 4 seconds, that unnamed alien species–if it’s anywhere in Star Wars, someone somewhere is a fan of it. In fact, they probably have a podcast or Twitter account dedicated to it! The Star Wars community is generous with both their time and their love of the galaxy far, far away.

Chan: Any last branding or career advice?

Knox: Don’t be afraid to be your own biggest supporter. Unless your mom is on social media (which is its own set of problems), no one is going to consistently pump up you and your work. So it’s all up to you. Even though it might feel vain or boastful – and it’s not – hype up your work because it deserves to be seen. You never know who might come across it. That’s how I got my second shot at Star Wars!