Our Blog

New From Quirk Books: William Shakespeare’s American Hustle, The Fast & the Furious, & More

Here at Quirk, we like to give readers what they want, so when one of our books gains a mass audience we sit up and take notice.

That's why we're proud to announce a new series, which we imagine will be more successful that we can even imagine. Read on for the exciting details!

Posted by Rick Chillot

The Empire Striketh Back: Join Us For An Epic “Yoricking” Contest With The 501st Legion

When William Shakespeare's Star Wars came out last year, we had a great time teaming up with The 501st Legion. We ran some fun giveaways with them, and they even made Ian Doescher an honorary member of the legion. They're a great group of passionate fans, and we're really excited to be working with them again with this fun contest. 

Quirk and the 501st would like to challenge you to take the best Star-Wars-themed "Poor Yorick" photo you can. Or as we're calling it… Yoricking. 

See, there's a scene in William Shakespeare's Star Wars that involved Luke holding up a stormtrooper helmet. He says:

Posted by Eric Smith

#TwitterFiction Festival is March 12-16! Check Out Our Authors’ Stories

Here at Quirk, #we #love #Twitter. (Psst. Come follow us!) So we're incredibly excited to have three Quirk writers participating in the #TwitterFiction Festival 2014: Ben H. Winters (The Last Policeman), Ian Doescher (William Shakespeare's Star Wars), and Eric Smith (The Geek's Guide to Dating).

Read on to find out more and learn how you can write your own #TwitterFiction!

Posted by Blair Thornburgh

Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions with the Power of the Force

New Year’s resolutions are hard to keep. Feel the Force flowing through you this year with these helpful Star Wars quotes to keep you going when you’re heading into an asteroid field of challenges or sinking into a Dagobahn swamp of self-doubt!

"Do… or do not, there is no try."
Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back

Ever hear someone make a resolution they aren’t going to keep? You can hear it in their voice. They say they’ll try, but they’re really saying "I won’t do it, but I'll throw some effort at it and see what happens." This is how a 900-year-old Jedi master calls you out on your Bantha fodder. Yoda isn’t saying “Don’t try if you think you might fail.” He’s saying “Don’t stop at trying, keep doing it till it’s done.”

"Stay on target!"
Gold Five, A New Hope

Distractions are everywhere. But you? You’re not distracted. This year, you are in the trench run heading for that one goal. Does your morning routine help you reach that goal? What about the other tabs in your browser? Build in leisure and time to relax, but always be heading toward that thermal exhaust port.

"But I was going into Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!"
Luke Skywalker, A New Hope

This is what you sound like every time you whine. If that’s not enough motivation to quit whining and get on with it, remember what Uncle Owen says: You can waste time with your friends later. Distractions won’t help you seize the day, they’ll help you seize something easier than the work you're doing. You've got droids to clean up and galaxies to save!

"What's in there? Only what you take with you."
Luke Skywalker & Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back

Ok, this one's deep. The hardest thing about change is facing yourself, with no one else to protect you. What will you take with you when you face your demons? Will you bring hope and confidence? Or anger, fear, and aggression? Make your mantras positive. Instead of "Gotta lose weight… because I’m gross" try "Gonna lose 5 pounds by March… because I'm getting healthier and stronger." Face your demons with strength and kindness, because they're a part of you.

"Never tell me the odds."
Han Solo, The Empire Strikes Back

Changing behavior is hard, and by making a resolution, you’ve decided to go for it anyway. But right when you’re feeling good about your decision, Time Magazine and Forbes are ready to remind you that only 8% of people who make new year’s resolutions stick to them. Do you give up? No, of course not. Because the odds are not important, and you’re not gonna leave room for that kind of worrying. So shut up, Goldenrod, you’ve got this.

"Your Tauntaun will freeze before you reach the first marker!"
"Then I'll see you in Hell!"

Tauntaun Handler & Han Solo, The Empire Strikes Back

Naysayers gonna naysay. And maybe, as in this case at Echo Base, the naysayer has a point. But does that point matter to you? Does it matter enough to give up on your goal? It’s not like Han didn’t know it was cold outside, and as it turned out, his Tauntaun did freeze. But he rescued his friend – and used that naysayer's caution to help him… if the Tauntaun hadn't died, where would he have stashed Luke? Egh…

"Well somebody has to save our skins. Into the garbage, fly-boy!"
Princess Leia, A New Hope

Stormtroopers on both exits, no droids, no lightsaber, no plan and no escape. Somebody does have to save our skins, and this year, it's going to be you. It’s always a good idea to plan ahead, but know that at some point you’re going to have to make a snap decision. A choice moving toward your goal is almost always the right decision, even if you do discover some amazing smells along the way.

"Don't just stand there!"
Princess Leia, A New Hope

You've been working so hard. All that work to get to Alderaan, and it gets blown away. You run from stormtroopers, get shot at, land in garbage, get attacked by a garbage monster, and suddenly the walls start closing in. You're within your rights to feel a little defeated at this point. But don't. Try to brace it with something. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't, but don't meet the end gaping at the wall in a puddle of garbage water. Do something about it. And please, remember to turn your communicator back on.

Keep your resolutions going all year by surrounding yourself with things that inspire you! We all need a Yoda now and then telling us what to do, or folks from the rebel alliance to show us how it’s done. Look for inspiration to stick to your guns, and be proud of what you accomplish (it’s ok to get a little cocky, kid).

And remember,

The Force will be with you. Always.

Posted by Margaret Dunham

14 Star Wars and Shakespeare Crafts to DIY

When Quirk unveiled William Shakespeare’s Star Wars by Ian Doescher, the DIYer in me couldn’t decide whether I wanted to crochet a Yoda or embroider a Shakespeare quote onto my pillow.
For those of you who feel the same, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite Shakespeare and Star Wars crafts from around the web. Bonus points if you can find a way to combine them. Perhaps a Death Star vase with a Shakespeare quote etched into it or a Chewbacca doll wearing a ruff? We’ll leave it up to you.
DEATH STAR VASES: You’ll never purchase another store-bought vase after you mix your own concrete and pour it in a special Death Star silicone tray. There are also instructions for making Storm Trooper faces that can be used as drawer pulls, magnets, and wall hooks.
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU WALL ART: If you’re not the kind of Star Wars fan to proudly line your shelves with collectibles, this unassuming wall art project is perfect for you. The eye-chart style makes it blend in with your other decor, and the words are applied using Mod Podge and letters printed right from your home computer.
ROMEO & JULIET CROSS STITCH: Cross stitching is one of the most traditional ways to display your favorite quotes. This Romeo and Juliet cross stitch was made using a vintage pattern, but if you’re an expert cross-stitcher you could easily stitch your favorite Shakespeare quote.

Posted by Ashley Little

Celebrating Star Wars Reads Day, Plus Win Some William Shakespeare’s Star Wars Posters!

This Saturday, the bookish community will be celebrating the literary world of Star Wars, and we’re super excited to be a part of it. Hooray for Star Wars Reads Day!

Posted by Eric Smith