Sounds like they're educating themselves, even bothering to consider books "canon" (an impossibility if you take it literally, but some books have good ideas such as Diane Duane on Vulcans). My main objection to writers breaking canon is when it's done in a lazy, ignorant fashion. Knowingly breaking canon for a good reason is perfectly okay (if they're using good judgment and, most importantly, if I
agree with their judgment
).