Timothy Zahn

Timothy Zahn (born September 1, 1951) is an American writer of science fiction and fantasy. He is known best for his prolific collection of "Star Wars" books, chiefly the "Thrawn" series, and has published several other series of sci-fi and fantasy novels of his own original creation, in addition to many works of short fiction.
Early life.
Zahn grew up in Lombard, Illinois and attended Glenbard East High School in Lombard. He then went on to Michigan State University, before working towards a doctorate in physics at the University of Illinois.
Career.
Zahn's novella "Cascade Point" won the 1984 Hugo Award. He is the author of the "Blackcollar" trilogy and the "Cobra" series (eight novels so far), fourteen "Star Wars" expanded universe novels, including ten novels featuring Grand Admiral Thrawn: the "Thrawn" trilogy, the "Hand of Thrawn" duology, "Outbound Flight", "Choices of One", ', ', and ".
Lucasfilm at times referred to some of the more detailed " supplements from West End Games, and when Zahn started work on a new trilogy of "Star Wars" books, boxes of West End sourcebooks were delivered to him. At the time, Zahn was writing what would become known as the "Thrawn" trilogy, the first book of which was "Heir to the Empire" (1991). In turn, West End released sourcebooks for Zahn's three novels from 1992–1994.
The "Thrawn" trilogy marked a revival in the fortunes of the "Star Wars" franchise, bringing it widespread attention for the first time in years; all three "Thrawn" trilogy novels made the "New York Times" Best Seller List, and set the stage and tone for most of the franchise's expanded universe content. Zahn also wrote the young adult Dragonback series and the popular "Conquerors" trilogy.