Moesta, Rebecca 1956- (K.J. Anderson, a joint pseudonym, Gabriel Mesta, a joint pseudonym)

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Moesta, Rebecca 1956- (K.J. Anderson, a joint pseudonym, Gabriel Mesta, a joint pseudonym)

Personal

Born November 17, 1956, in Heidelberg, Germany; surname pronounced "MESS-tuh"; daughter of an English/theology teacher and a nurse; married (divorced, 1991); married Kevin J. Anderson (a writer), 1991; children: Jonathan. Education: California State University—Los Angeles, B.A., 1980; Boston University, M.S.B.A., 1985.

Addresses

Home—c/o Anderzone, P.O. Box 767, Monument, CO 80132. E-mail—[email protected].

Career

Writer. WordFire, Inc. (editorial, publishing, and publicity company), chief executive officer.

Writings

Little Things (based on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series), Simon Pulse (New York, NY), 2002.

Contributor to periodicals, including Analog.

"JUNIOR JEDI KNIGHTS" SERIES

Anakin's Quest, Berkley (New York, NY), 1997.

Vader's Fortress, Berkley (New York, NY), 1997.

Kenobi's Blade, Berkley (New York, NY), 1997.

WITH HUSBAND, KEVIN J. ANDERSON

Star Wars: The Mos Eisley Cantina Pop-up Book, illustrated by Ralph McQuarrie, Little, Brown (Boston, MA), 1995.

Star Wars: The Jabba's Palace Pop-up Book, illustrated by Ralph McQuarrie, Little, Brown (Boston, MA), 1995.

Titan A.E.: Akima's Story, Ace (New York, NY), 2000.

Titan A.E.: Cale's Story, Ace (New York, NY), 2000.

Supernova (movie novelization), 2000.

(Under joint pseudonym Gabriel Mesta) Starcraft: Shadow of the Xel'Naga (video game tie-in), 2001.

Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Gorm Crisis (graphic novel), illustrated by Igor Kordey, WildStorm/DC Comics (La Jolla, CA), 2001.

(Under joint pseudonym K.J. Anderson) League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (movie novelization), 2003.

Crystal Doors: Island Realm, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 2006.

Crystal Doors: Ocean Realm, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 2006.

"YOUNG JEDI KNIGHTS" SERIES; WITH KEVIN J. ANDERSON

Heirs of the Force, Berkley (New York, NY), 1995.

Shadow Academy, Berkley (New York, NY), 1995.

The Lost Ones, Berkley (New York, NY), 1995.

Lightsabers, Berkley (New York, NY), 1996.

Darkest Knight, Berkley (New York, NY), 1996.

Jedi under Siege, Berkley (New York, NY), 1996.

Shards of Alderaan, Berkley (New York, NY), 1996.

Diversity Alliance, Berkley (New York, NY), 1997.

Delusions of Grandeur, Berkley (New York, NY), 1997.

Jedi Bounty, Berkley (New York, NY), 1997.

The Emperor's Plague, Berkley (New York, NY), 1997.

Return to Ord Mandel, Berkley (New York, NY), 1998.

Trouble on Cloud City, Berkley (New York, NY), 1998.

Crisis at Crystal Reef, Berkley (New York, NY), 1998.

Sidelights

Rebecca Moesta knew early on that she wanted to be a writer and she loved reading and watching fantasy and science-fiction television programs as early as the sec-

ond grade. Moesta was an early fan of the movie Star Wars, and among her many collaborations with her husband, writer Kevin J. Anderson, are several novels that take place within the "Star Wars" universe. Collaborating with Anderson on several novelizations and movie tie-ins, Moesta has also penned a novel in the ongoing "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" series, and has written several "Star Wars" novels for middle-grade readers.

Crystal Doors: Island Realm, a novel co-authored with Anderson, is Moesta's first fantasy novel set in an independent universe. The first in a trilogy, Crystal Doors: Island Realm focuses on teen cousins Gwen and Vic as they become involved in a battle between sea-people and their land-dwelling enemies. When Gwen's parents are mysteriously killed and Vic's mother vanishes shortly thereafter, Gwen goes to live with Vic and Uncle Cap. When she and Vic wander through one of her uncle's experiments with crystals, the two teens find themselves transported to the alternate world of Elantya. The Elantyans are land-dwelling magic users that are being threatened by sea folk called merlons, who are stopping travel between worlds. The novel "combines science, myth and magic, engaging characters, and a touch of mystery," according to Michele Winship in Kliatt. A Kirkus Reviews contributor noted the "likable teen characters and exciting plot," and Saleena L. Davidson wrote in School Library Journal that the coauthors' "protagonists are realistically drawn and the adventures exciting."

When asked by an online interviewer for TheForce.net how she keeps her perspective when writing for a younger readership, Moesta explained: "I have a son, nieces and nephews, friends who have teenagers, friends who are teenagers, etc. I talk to them and try to find out what they think about." Along with continuing her writing, Moesta works as the CEO of WordFire, an editorial and P.R. company she owns with Anderson, and has served as a judge for the Writers of the Future contest.

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Booklist, July 1, 2006, Diana Tixier Herald, review of Crystal Doors, p. 51.

Kirkus Reviews, June 1, 2006, review of Crystal Doors: Island Realm, p. 577.

Kliatt, May, 2006, Michele Winship, review of Crystal Doors: Island Realm, p. 11.

Publishers Weekly, June 5, 2000, Karen Raugust, "Life after Earth," p. 25; July 15, 2002, Melissa Mia Hall, "WordFire and False Summits," p 50.

School Library Journal, September, 2006, Saleena L. Davidson, review of Crystal Doors: Island Realm, p. 212.

Voice of Youth Advocates, May, 2006, Arlene Garcia, review of Crystal Doors: Island Realm, p. 500.

ONLINE

DragonCon Web site,http://www.dragoncon.org/ (August 6, 2007), "Rebecca Moesta."

TheForce.net,http://www.theforce.net/ (August 6, 2007), "Rebecca Moesta."

Rebecca Moesta Home Page,http://www.wordfire.com (August 6, 2007).

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Moesta, Rebecca 1956- (K.J. Anderson, a joint pseudonym, Gabriel Mesta, a joint pseudonym)

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