Darth Lars said:

When I say "fan", I am talking about people who are real fans, not just people who like Star Wars. Practically everyone likes Star Wars, but not everyone is a fan. The fan community is so much larger than the OT-diehards on this forum who see Star Wars as being only the three original movies.

Every person that I know personally who I would classify as being a Star Wars fan has read at least one book in the post-ROTJ EU continuity. People know and like these characters. For example, in my local 501st Garrison alone, there is soon to be a third Mara Jade costumer.

Star Wars fans tend to buy not only books but a whole lot of other merchandise, and that has provided for a a significant portion of Lucasfilm's revenue in-between the movies.
That is why I say that I think that Lucasfilm would be disrespectful to the fans if they just ditched the post-ROTJ EU continuity outright.

Could you give us a clearer rubric of what makes people a real fan? I'd hate to think I'm associating with fake fans. Perhaps a questionnaire, or a quiz. Is it a binary REAL/FAKE or can their be a sliding scale, perhaps 1-5? Does the thickness of the books they read matter? The Battle-Star Medic books were kind of thin. Do they count as much as "I, Jedi?"

Please let us know. Your categorizing of Star Wars enthusiasts is vital to the ongoing health of the fandom.