NuTrek lit?

[Thrawn]

^ It is true, though, that an awful lot of Trek authors either are only published in Trek or are only published in Trek and other tie-in properties. David Mack's first original novel is only now coming out, you've had a few original short stories, KRAD has had one original novel published also well after he began tie in work, Dayton has had two original novels published also after he began his career with Trek (far fewer than the number of his tie-in novels), and the list goes on.

I believe your advice to be correct, but I think one could be forgiven for seeing all of this and assuming the way to get to be a professional Trek writer is just to write Trek and nothing else.

[Christopher]

^It's not just about career success, though, it's about the breadth and variety of one's own work. If all you ever do to develop your craft is Trek, Trek, Trek, then you don't really bring anything fresh to the franchise if you do get hired to write Trek fiction. Keep in mind that most of what a novice author writes will never be sold. Most of it will end up being for practice rather than profit, for honing one's craft and discovering one's voice. I've written a whole lot more original fiction than I've sold, and the experience I gained and the concepts I developed in the process have been an important part of my voice and style as a Trek author.

[Rush Limborg]

^Thanks for the tips, Chris! I'll take it to heart.

[Extrocomp]

Maybe NuTrek will be like the Marvel movies. Apart from novelizations and the occasional comic adaptation or comic prequel, they don't have an expanded universe.

Or NuTrek might be like Star Trek Nemesis. Nemesis came out in 2002 but the first post-Nemesis novel came out in 2005.

[JD]

Somebody just posted about the first nuTrek novel 7 posts up.

[David Mack]

Thrawn wrote:

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^ It is true, though, that an awful lot of Trek authors either are only published in Trek or are only published in Trek and other tie-in properties. David Mack's first original novel is only now coming out (...)

This is true, but I had other credentials coming into the process. First, by the time I got the go-ahead to write my first solo work of Star Trek fiction, I had 10 years of professional experience as an editor and as a freelance writer of nonfiction articles for magazines and newspapers; I had co-written two produced episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; I had spent six years working as a freelance slush reader and uncredited reference-material writer for Pocket Books; and I had worked on a number of Star Trek CD-ROM and computer games. My ratio of Star Trek-specific experience to general writing experience was about 1:1.

Also, my résumé tends to be the exception rather than the rule in these matters...

[Thrawn]

David Mack wrote:

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This is true, but I had other credentials coming into the process. First, by the time I got the go-ahead to write my first solo work of Star Trek fiction, I had 10 years of professional experience as an editor and as a freelance writer of nonfiction articles for magazines and newspapers; I had co-written two produced episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; I had spent six years working as a freelance slush reader and uncredited reference-material writer for Pocket Books; and I had worked on a number of Star Trek CD-ROM and computer games. My ratio of Star Trek-specific experience to general writing experience was about 1:1.

Also, my résumé tends to be the exception rather than the rule in these matters...

Fair enough

And I am, of course, eagerly awaiting The Calling. Though, speaking of which, I think this is a long shot but do you have any idea if they're planning an eBook version? Amazon doesn't list one yet.

(Sorry for running off-topic...)

[David Mack]

^ No idea whether there will be an eBook version of The Calling. I certainly hope so, as every sale is precious with an original. If you enjoy it, please consider giving new copies as gifts...

[JD]

I'm certainly going to read it, and I'll probably be recommending to my family and any coworkers who see it.

[Thrawn]

David Mack wrote:

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^ No idea whether there will be an eBook version of The Calling. I certainly hope so, as every sale is precious with an original. If you enjoy it, please consider giving new copies as gifts...

For the record, Amazon just listed a Kindle version for pre-order as well. Which is outstanding. I can't wait to read it.

[Deranged Nasat]

David Mack wrote:

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^ No idea whether there will be an eBook version of The Calling. I certainly hope so, as every sale is precious with an original. If you enjoy it, please consider giving new copies as gifts...

I have to read it. I read the first chapter you provided...somewhere..and I must find out if

that poor child

ends up okay.

[Amy Sisson]

No spoilers here, I promise.... but I read The Calling on the plane home from Shore Leave yesterday, and it is well worth reading. I really enjoyed the hell out of it.

[David Mack]

^ Thanks, Amy! Glad to hear you dug it.

[Defcon]

Deranged Nasat wrote:

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I have to read it. I read the first chapter you provided...somewhere..and I must find out if

that poor child

ends up okay.

Not sure if that specific spoiler is mentioned there again since I don't read excerpts anymore, but David also has excerpts from chapters 2 & 3 on his website.

[Deranged Nasat]

Defcon wrote:

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David also has excerpts from chapters 2 & 3 on his website.

Oooh. Thank you. I shall read them.