i've read a handful of star wars tie-in novels over the last year or so, and i can say with full confidence that there are better versions of almost all of them on ao3. more compelling plots+worldbuilding, stronger characterization, more memorable original supporting casts. etc.
people diminishing fanfic writers for using characters that already exist instead of โcoming up with something newโ but i think it is a genuine skill the way some authors can so accurately interpret a pre-existing character and extrapolate with that