2011 marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn , the #1 New York Times hardcover bestseller that relaunched the entire Star Wars publishing program.. 2011 marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn , the #1 New York Times hardcover bestseller that relaunched the entire Star Wars publishing program.