Post-Destiny Myriad Universe story?

[SicOne]

Since the Myriad Universe line (what I would label the "What If'?" of the Trek universe) allows writers much more leeway in drastic changes and events, is there any word on some MyriadU story that chronicles how the events of the "Destiny" trilogy didn't turn out quite as well and the Alpha and Beta Quadrants fell to the Borg? I knew there was supposed to be a third MyriadU book due out sometime this year, but I've heard nothing.

I seem to recall some dialogue between Picard and some admiral during the final book of the trilogy, when the Borg were closing in on Earth, that suggested/ordered surviving ships to flee Federation space in some mass exodus. Surely that would make for rich storytelling?

Surely someone's either working on it, has it done already, or has discussed it elsewhere in TrekLit. I know I can't be the only person who has thought of the ramifications of a failed Destiny. Links to previous discussion of this topic, or even to fanfict, would be appreciated.

 

[Christopher]

I think it's probably best if MyrU stories base their divergence points on familiar events in the televised and filmic continuity, for the sake of maximum audience accessibility. Even granted that the MyrU books would have limited appeal outside the audience that already reads Trek Lit, I doubt every Trek Lit reader has read Destiny or any other single story.

Besides, pretty much the only story to be told if the Borg had won would be "Everybody dies, the end." Unless you want to do a story about a ragtag, fugitive fleet of survivors on a lonely quest for a new home while a relentless robotic horde pursues them bent on their annihilation. Which has kinda been done already a couple of times.

(And just a reminder, let's take care to avoid getting specific about story ideas.)

 

[Stevil2001]

Since the Myriad Universe line (what I would label the "What If'?" of the Trek universe) allows writers much more leeway in drastic changes and events, is there any word on some MyriadU story that chronicles how the events of the "Destiny" trilogy didn't turn out quite as well and the Alpha and Beta Quadrants fell to the Borg? I knew there was supposed to be a third MyriadU book due out sometime this year, but I've heard nothing.

For what it's worth, the book is on-track for December. We recently approved our back cover blurbs, so I imagine they'll be released into the wild sometime soon.

 

[JD]

So you guys actually got to write the blurbs this time? I've never understood why they don't always let you guys write them. To me it makes the more sense to let the person who wrote the damn thing do them, instead of some flunky who's probably never even read the book.

 

[William Leisner]

Surely that would make for rich storytelling?

Surely someone's either working on it, has it done already, or has discussed it elsewhere in TrekLit.

Actually, no. And stop calling me Shirley.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ I just want to tell you authors good luck. We're all counting on you.

 

[Christopher]

So you guys actually got to write the blurbs this time? I've never understood why they don't always let you guys write them. To me it makes the more sense to let the person who wrote the damn thing do them, instead of some flunky who's probably never even read the book.

Actually I think it's usually the editor who writes the actual cover blurbs if the author doesn't do it. What you're describing would be more the case for the promotional blurbs in the catalog, but those are a) meant for bookstore owners rather than the general public and b) written before there's a finished manuscript and thus subject to change. And they are based on the author's outline, at least.

And even if the author does participate in the process, it's subject to revision by the editor. After all, a blurb is promotional copy, and promotion is more the editor's department than the author's. While the author could make sure the blurb is accurate, they might not be able to make it as effective at selling the book as the editor could.

 

[Defcon]

FWIW for me it sounded more like Steve (and Michael and the other authors involved) were given the blurbs for approval/comments, not like they've written them.

 

[MichaelS]

Indeed. We did suggest a few minor changes, but the actual blurb was written by somebody else.

 

[Stevil2001]

Indeed, we suggested that the reference to Sulu's dance-off with Chancellor Gorkon to determine the ownership of Nimbus III was a bit of spoiler. Especially that it was going to be to "Evacuate the Dance Floor."

 

[MichaelS]

I thought I'd cut that scene...did you put that back in before submitting it to Jaime?

 

[JD]

So you guys actually got to write the blurbs this time? I've never understood why they don't always let you guys write them. To me it makes the more sense to let the person who wrote the damn thing do them, instead of some flunky who's probably never even read the book.

Actually I think it's usually the editor who writes the actual cover blurbs if the author doesn't do it. What you're describing would be more the case for the promotional blurbs in the catalog, but those are a) meant for bookstore owners rather than the general public and b) written before there's a finished manuscript and thus subject to change. And they are based on the author's outline, at least.

And even if the author does participate in the process, it's subject to revision by the editor. After all, a blurb is promotional copy, and promotion is more the editor's department than the author's. While the author could make sure the blurb is accurate, they might not be able to make it as effective at selling the book as the editor could.

Ah, that's actually not so bad then. I had assumed it was just somebody from the marketing department who wrote them. I didn't realize you authors and the editors did have involvement with them.

FWIW for me it sounded more like Steve (and Michael and the other authors involved) were given the blurbs for approval/comments, not like they've written them.

Indeed. We did suggest a few minor changes, but the actual blurb was written by somebody else.

Oh, ok.

 

[Dayton Ward]

Ah, that's actually not so bad then. I had assumed it was just somebody from the marketing department who wrote them. I didn't realize you authors and the editors did have involvement with them.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends on the editor, but in recent years the level of author involvement for creating and/or verifying the cover blurbs has definitely increased, at least in my personal experience.

That said, writing an effective blurb can be tricky. There are folks who do that sort of thing for a living, and I'm usually happy to defer to their expertise while helping to ensure the info's accurate/etc.

 

[Thestral]

Indeed, we suggested that the reference to Sulu's dance-off with Chancellor Gorkon to determine the ownership of Nimbus III was a bit of spoiler. Especially that it was going to be to "Evacuate the Dance Floor."

... Gorkon's the blonde chick, isn't he?

 

[TerraUnam]

No, that's Garak.

 

[SicOne]

I think it's probably best if MyrU stories base their divergence points on familiar events in the televised and filmic continuity, for the sake of maximum audience accessibility. Even granted that the MyrU books would have limited appeal outside the audience that already reads Trek Lit, I doubt every Trek Lit reader has read Destiny or any other single story.

Besides, pretty much the only story to be told if the Borg had won would be "Everybody dies, the end." Unless you want to do a story about a ragtag, fugitive fleet of survivors on a lonely quest for a new home while a relentless robotic horde pursues them bent on their annihilation. Which has kinda been done already a couple of times.

(And just a reminder, let's take care to avoid getting specific about story ideas.)

Well, yes...AND no.

As a fan of TOS, TNG, and latter seasons of DS9 and VOY as well as the movies, I had a nodding familiarity with the most of the points of divergence. I had to borrow a friend's boxed set of ENT Season 4 and watch "Terra Prime" to get the full effect of the Enterprise story. Various and sundry sources (TrekPedia and Memory Alpha) filled in most of the rest of the details.

And again, with no solid sales figures to back up this assertation, I will nonetheless say that the Destiny trilogy was the most anticipated and discussed TrekLit event of the last eighteen months (I know; Mack grins as he rolls about in a swimming pool filled with royalty monies, the rest of you boo and hiss as you consume your Ramen noodles and engage in post-Destiny cleanup...). I'm just saying, I suspect that most MyriadU readers have also in all likelihood also read Destiny. And have probably thought, "What if..."

Just because the Borg "win" doesn't necessarily mean they have really won. I think Guinan said something about that while the Enterprise-D was hiding in the nebula during "The Best Of Both Worlds", to the effect that as long as there were a handful of humans left, humanity would prevail even if it took a millenia. Wiping out 95%, or even 99.99% of a species doesn't necessarily make them utterly extinct, especially if the few who are left are canny, resourceful, and vengeful...I doubt you would see the hand-wringing of Geordi LaForge over the dubious morality of thalaron-based weaponry, etcetera, at that point.

I understand your Galactica reference; believe me, that was the first thing I thought of when pondering this possibility, but I was thinking more about all of the other Federation ships that were too far away to be recalled to participate in these events, as well as Federation outposts and those ships and stations of other Alpha/Beta Quadrant powers far enough removed to have time to pack up and flee...and plan. Certainly someone more imaginative than I (like you frackin' guys...) could find a way to tell such a story without siphoning off Galactica.

Christopher, I remember your aforementioned caution about discussing specific story ideas from a thread about a year ago and I appreciate you mentioning it again for all of us...but a Myriad Universe story based off the rich possibilities of the Destiny events just smacks of (and envision early Steve Martin stand-up comedy here...)"Duh-UH-uhhhh!"-class obviousness.

Frankly, I'm surprised that Mack didn't hand over a Myriad Universe Destiny novella after the third Destiny book went to press, a la a Director's Cut DVD "alternate ending".

Of course, he was probably too busy purchasing his yacht and a helicopter to bother with it...

 

[SicOne]

Steve, thanks for the third Myriad Universe book update.

William,

 

[captcalhoun]

i think you severely over-estimate how much money Mack's made from Destiny.

i'd be surprised if he got enough to buy a car, never mind a yacht.

 

[Christopher]

I just want to point out once again... the word "myriad" means "uncountably many," and so it makes no sense to use it with a singular noun. It's Myriad UniverseS. Sorry, pet peeve.

 

[SicOne]

(accepts gentle rebuke...and begins writing "Myriad UniverseS" a hundred times on the blackboard)