tie-in novels
Licensed story extensions
Tie-in novels are books based on existing media properties—films, television series, video games, or comic book universes.
They extend storylines or explore characters from the source material: Star Wars tie-in novels, a tie-in novel set between seasons two and three.
Publishers commission them to capitalize on established fan bases.
Quality varies widely, and literary critics often dismiss them, but devoted readers consume them voraciously.
- franchiseLicensed business operation
- Star WarsIconic space fantasy franchise
- Star TrekSpacefaring TV franchise
- canonAccepted authoritative works
- expanded universeAdditional official franchise content
shared universe · spin-off · adaptation · licensed · merchandise · media · companion · prequel · sequel · book series · fandom · fan fiction · paperback · beach read · series · continuity · crossover · trilogy
literary prestige and authorial autonomy
tie-in novelsliterary fiction
Prose emphasizing craft and depth