Shane Johnson (Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise)
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Thank you for your kindness...my Alamo build was a labor of love, and I was honored to be able to create it for the University.
Visiting all of you on this board is a pleasure. I'm happy to answer any questions I can
Lora
Oh, one little note...
In a thread somewhere on this board (I think it was), someone assumed I didn't like the TMP uniforms because they were omitted from Mr. Scott's Guide. Quite the contrary...those are my favorite of the film uniform designs, and TMP (the Director's Edition DVD, not the unfinished theatrical release) is my favorite of the original-cast films.
Unfortunately, Pocket Books got cold feet early in the writing of the book and asked me to cut the page count from the 160 pages I had proposed down to 128. A lot of things, including those uniforms and fold-out deck plans of the ship, were dropped in order to reduce printing costs as much as possible. The books surrounding the release of TMP had sold dismally (that is why there were so few publications supporting Wrath of Khan two years later), and the publisher was unsure whether things had improved much in the six years since.
As it turned out, pre-sales for Mr.Scott's Guide were so good that it went into a second, larger printing before the book was even released. So, technically, the first and second printings were both 'first printings' that shipped on the same day. The book spent a respectable period of time on the New York Times bestseller list, went on to enjoy several more printings, and proved that Star Trek books were viable once more.
Lora
PS -- There was only one edition of Mr. Scott's Guide. While the red page headers were later dropped in favor of black ink and a heavier paper stock was used, every printing of the book included the Star Trek IV logo at the bottom of the front cover and the appendix section dealing with the 1701-A. I've seen people state that these were later additions, but both were there right from the beginning.
In a thread somewhere on this board (I think it was), someone assumed I didn't like the TMP uniforms because they were omitted from Mr. Scott's Guide. Quite the contrary...those are my favorite of the film uniform designs, and TMP (the Director's Edition DVD, not the unfinished theatrical release) is my favorite of the original-cast films.
Unfortunately, Pocket Books got cold feet early in the writing of the book and asked me to cut the page count from the 160 pages I had proposed down to 128. A lot of things, including those uniforms and fold-out deck plans of the ship, were dropped in order to reduce printing costs as much as possible. The books surrounding the release of TMP had sold dismally (that is why there were so few publications supporting Wrath of Khan two years later), and the publisher was unsure whether things had improved much in the six years since.
As it turned out, pre-sales for Mr.Scott's Guide were so good that it went into a second, larger printing before the book was even released. So, technically, the first and second printings were both 'first printings' that shipped on the same day. The book spent a respectable period of time on the New York Times bestseller list, went on to enjoy several more printings, and proved that Star Trek books were viable once more.
Lora
PS -- There was only one edition of Mr. Scott's Guide. While the red page headers were later dropped in favor of black ink and a heavier paper stock was used, every printing of the book included the Star Trek IV logo at the bottom of the front cover and the appendix section dealing with the 1701-A. I've seen people state that these were later additions, but both were there right from the beginning.
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Wait - there were to be fold-out DECK PLANS? Now I feel really cheated!
You don't happen to have any extracts from there that you'd be willing to share, by any chance do you?
No, those items were cut very early on and never produced. The deck plans, however, were updated and completed (with the help of David Ziels, Tim Palgut and David Schmidt) and I'd love to find a way to get them published
Lora
No, those items were cut very early on and never produced. The deck plans, however, were updated and completed (with the help of David Ziels, Tim Palgut and David Schmidt) and I'd love to find a way to get them published
Lora
I'm hoping beyond hope and wishing every wish that the members of this board could help make a new expanded and updated edition a reality.
Wait, what? A new manual?
Lora, welcome! I'm a little late to the party, but a question, please?
At the end of the guide, it says that 1701-A was renamed thusly from the USS Ti-Ho. Had you meant a fictional Ti-Ho, or had you meant Taiho, which I believe was a Japanese warship from World War 2 era?
And there was also fan speculation that 1701-A was a renamed USS Yorktown as well. I was curious as to your take on that.
At the end of the guide, it says that 1701-A was renamed thusly from the USS Ti-Ho. Had you meant a fictional Ti-Ho, or had you meant Taiho, which I believe was a Japanese warship from World War 2 era?
And there was also fan speculation that 1701-A was a renamed USS Yorktown as well. I was curious as to your take on that.
The Ti-Ho was a Federation starship a dear friend of mine designed in the 1970s. Angular and streamlined, it varied somewhat from the few we had seen in Star Trek. I named the 1701-A's origin ship after it as a tribute to my friend, who had died in an auto accident a few years earlier. The entire book was dedicated to him, as well.
He collected waterline models of WWII ships, and I believe the name was indeed derived from the Japanese aircraft carrier.
At the time of Mr. Scott's Guide's writing, no name had yet been determined for the source vessel, leaving one of many gaps I had to fill in creating a fluid narrative. For several years following the book's publication date, Ti-Ho was 'official.' The Yorktown nomenclature came later.
So, it may no longer be considered canon by a lot of people, but for me the ship began as the Ti-Ho and I will always think of her that way.
Lora
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The Ti-Ho was a Federation starship designed by a dear friend of mine in the 1970s. Angular and streamlined, it varied somewhat from the few ships we had seen in Star Trek to that point. I named the 1701-A's origin ship after it as a tribute to my friend, who had died in an auto accident a few years earlier. The entire book was dedicated to him, as well.
He collected waterline models of WWII ships, and I believe the name was indeed derived from the Japanese aircraft carrier.
At the time of Mr. Scott's Guide's writing, no name had yet been determined for the source vessel, leaving one of many gaps I had to fill in creating a fluid narrative. For several years following the book's publication date, Ti-Ho was 'official.' The Yorktown nomenclature came later.
So, it may no longer be considered canon by a lot of people, but for me the ship began as the Ti-Ho and I will always think of her that way.
Lora
Excellent explanations! My condolences for your friend; that's quite the way to honor him, incorporating "his" ship. I wasn't sure when the Yorktown thing came into play, but Ti-ho works for me. Thanks!
I can't begin to tell you the hours that I spent pouring over the technical details and nuances of this book as a child. I've been looking for a copy at a local used book store weekly for a couple of months.
Last week I got lucky, and found a hardcover and a mint condition paperback. I bought both!
Doug
Last week I got lucky, and found a hardcover and a mint condition paperback. I bought both!
Doug
Excellent find! My copy of the Guide - still proudly accessible on my bookshelf - followed me around on many a family roadtrip and convention excursion. It was one of the formative parts of my fandom headcanon and I can't imagine how so much of my inner nerdity could have survived without reading it a million times.
Actually - I challenge everyone to post a picture of their Guide. I wanna see how my copy measures up.
Actually - I challenge everyone to post a picture of their Guide. I wanna see how my copy measures up.
Hi...
Earlier in this thread, a question arose about my Mr. Scott's Guide floor plan of the Deck 8 docking port/airlock. As I now recall, my forward bulkhead for that room was based on the brilliant (and fascinating) Kimball cutaway poster of the ship, which was the only reference for it I had at the time. A widescreen copy of the film would really have come in handy back then
Lora
Earlier in this thread, a question arose about my Mr. Scott's Guide floor plan of the Deck 8 docking port/airlock. As I now recall, my forward bulkhead for that room was based on the brilliant (and fascinating) Kimball cutaway poster of the ship, which was the only reference for it I had at the time. A widescreen copy of the film would really have come in handy back then
Lora
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I snapped this picture a couple of weeks ago but forgot to upload it... My rather well read copy
In a bit of a sorry state now and is most certainly the Star Trek book of mine which got read the most and it shows!
Watched the NEP interview with Lora earlier, found it really interesting hearing about the obstacles that were in front of you in writing this and what it could have been if the Publisher had given you the book as originally planned. As is obvious from the condition of my copy this was my favourite bit of background literature on I would assume most peoples favourite Starship and if only they would get in touch with you to create them a version 2.0 (lets call it a Writers Cut) with everything you wanted the first time round (not to mention that rumoured 1701-A follow on).
Im assuming there is a part 2 based on title of the podcast, looking forward to hearing more!
In a bit of a sorry state now and is most certainly the Star Trek book of mine which got read the most and it shows!
Watched the NEP interview with Lora earlier, found it really interesting hearing about the obstacles that were in front of you in writing this and what it could have been if the Publisher had given you the book as originally planned. As is obvious from the condition of my copy this was my favourite bit of background literature on I would assume most peoples favourite Starship and if only they would get in touch with you to create them a version 2.0 (lets call it a Writers Cut) with everything you wanted the first time round (not to mention that rumoured 1701-A follow on).
Im assuming there is a part 2 based on title of the podcast, looking forward to hearing more!
That was awesome to listen to, looking forward to part 2! My appreciation for MSGttE grows knowing what a struggle it was to get done on time!
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