Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Warfare Author's Cut, a series of blog posts in twelve parts, was released on the Star Wars Blog. The series started on September 27, 2013. Jason Fry, the author of The Essential Guide to Warfare, and Erich Schoeneweiss, an editor from Del Rey, presented content that was cut from The Essential Guide to Warfare, which was written by Fry, Paul R. Urquhart, and Michael Kogge.
The initial installment focused on "The Vanished," the intended prologue for the book. This section covered a briefing concerning the Celestial wars and potential surviving elements, along with "Traces of the Celestials," which described some discovered artifacts.
The second installment delved into the guide's segment on ancient Coruscant, the Zhell, and Taung. Additionally, it included a removed segment about the Sun Guard.
The third installment explored Xim the Despot and his involvement in pre-Republic conflicts. It also featured the poem "The Gleam of Kiirium," penned by Michael Kogge as the fifth segment of The Despotica.
The fourth installment provided insight into The Watchman's Tale, the Waymancy Storm, and the establishment of the Rocket-Jumper Elite Advance Units. Overall, it chronicled the ascent of the Galactic Republic.
The fifth installment scrutinized the more reprehensible deeds of the Hutts, particularly their actions in the Rim during the Republic era. It also included details about Irmenu and a war that transpired during that period, an alternative interpretation of the Battle of Ruusan, and the peak of the Galactic Republic's dominance.
The sixth installment examined the events of the Invasion of Naboo, featuring a section that elaborated on the Trade Federation before its fall to corruption. It also presented an account of the ground battle from a Naboo veteran who opposed droids, and a war portrait of Captain Panaka, revealing his first name.
The seventh installment focused on the Grand Army of the Republic, covering the cloning technology and process, as well as the procedures for providing medical attention to injured clones.
The eighth installment addressed events from the latter stages of the Clone Wars, including the utilization of propaganda during this era. It also explored shockball's connections to the Separatists, an account from a gunship pilot during the First Battle of Geonosis, and a war portrait of Kligson.
The ninth installment explored various battlefronts of the Clone Wars, including the Battle of Kashyyyk. It also detailed instances of clone troopers disobeying Order 66 and their subsequent fates, along with a history of the Battle of Metalorn.
The tenth installment analyzed the ascent of the Galactic Empire, presenting an exposé on the TIE Pilot philosophy, an Imperial propaganda piece about the 181st squadron, and a soldier's narrative regarding the failed blast shield and his motivation for resigning.
The eleventh installment provided details about service within the Galactic Empire, including the background of Valance the Hunter, an account of the ion cannon striking the Star Destroyer Tyrant during the Battle of Hoth, and a war portrait of Admiral Motti.
The twelfth and concluding installment described occurrences within the New Republic, featuring a War Portrait of Bey, an account of the Battle of Balmorra, a story from a Yuuzhan Vong captive, and a returning soldier's account of the devastation from the Battle of Coruscant. It also included a comprehensive list of planned elements for The Essential Guide To Warfare itself, encompassing concepts that were ultimately excluded from the Author's Cut.
According to Jason Fry, Leland Chee reviewed this content to ensure continuity.