a novel and magazine collectors' series?

[F. King Daniel]

In the UK years ago, we had the "Star Trek: The Collectors Edition" DVD and magazine series, encompassing TOS, TNG and the first 10 movies. Each issue came with either 3 episodes or a movie, and the magazines had some recycled (and updated) Fact Files info relating to the episodes and well as some new(?) behind-the-scenes info.

Would something similar with novels be at all feasable? A novel a month, picked somewhat randomly, with a magazine of related Trek info, as well as interviews with the authors and stuff about how the book fits into the overall Trek tapestry, including discontinuities etc. Older, smaller novels could be doubled up, like "Spock Must Die!" and "Spock, Messiah!" being smushed into one volume. And, of course, some totally awesome spine-art to make the whole collection (which would be complete around 2161, in time for the founding of the Federation) looks great on a shelf.

Too niche? Too expensive to make?

 

[BillJ]

Not enough demand. So much of the information that would make up the magazine is now freely available on the interwebs.

 

[8of5]

Not enough demand. So much of the information that would make up the magazine is now freely available on the interwebs.

Not enough demand for a novel-based one agreed, that's a niche (part work magazines) of a niche (tie-in novels) of a niche (Star Trek)! But I don't think the internet would be such an issue; the last part work, The Collector's Edition, only finished in 2008, and that managed to sell even when the vast majority of the contents was not only available on the internet, but reprints of the Fact Files material.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Would something similar with novels be at all feasable? A novel a month, picked somewhat randomly, with a magazine of related Trek info, as well as interviews with the authors and stuff about how the book fits into the overall Trek tapestry

Similar things have been tried (Agatha Christie novels, Brit Lit classics, etc), but people do like to riffle a book before purchase and these known classics had an in-built expectation of content not as hampered by being packed in a sealed plastic bag. That's probably why the magazine/DVD sets work better. You can't riffle a DVD.

Even the original "Fact Files" partworks weren't wrapped, allowing casual browsing. The later sealed magazines meant that one couldn't even judge how much info was updated and how much was recycled, unless you bought them first. The only magazine/DVD set of interest to me was "Nemesis", since that movie wasn't covered by the "Fact Files".

BTW, one month, the UK edition of "Star Trek Magazine" once offered a bonus book from Pocket ST with an issue one month. I already had all the choices, but I recall "The Case of the Colonist's Corpse" was one. And the Guinan novel from "Stargazer".

 

[Mysterion]

^^^
That magazine was distributed here in the US, as well. My copy came with Dayton Ward's In The Name of Honor.

 

[JD]

^Now more of that would be pretty cool. Especially if they tied the novel into the cover story. For example the last issue had a story for the 25th (I think) anniversary of The Voyage Home, so they could have given away the TVH novelization.

 

[Therin of Andor]

For example the last issue had a story for the 25th (I think) anniversary of The Voyage Home, so they could have given away the TVH novelization.

Except they'd have to do a special print run to have enough copies. The month they did the six or so ST novels as randomly packed giveaways, I think they were probably clearing out leftovers from the warehouse. The ST IV novelization has probably been out of print for decades.

 

[F. King Daniel]

Would something similar with novels be at all feasable? A novel a month, picked somewhat randomly, with a magazine of related Trek info, as well as interviews with the authors and stuff about how the book fits into the overall Trek tapestry

Similar things have been tried (Agatha Christie novels, Brit Lit classics, etc), but people do like to riffle a book before purchase and these known classics had an in-built expectation of content not as hampered by being packed in a sealed plastic bag. That's probably why the magazine/DVD sets work better. You can't riffle a DVD.

Even the original "Fact Files" partworks weren't wrapped, allowing casual browsing. The later sealed magazines meant that one couldn't even judge how much info was updated and how much was recycled, unless you bought them first. The only magazine/DVD set of interest to me was "Nemesis", since that movie wasn't covered by the "Fact Files".

BTW, one month, the UK edition of "Star Trek Magazine" once offered a bonus book from Pocket ST with an issue one month. I already had all the choices, but I recall "The Case of the Colonist's Corpse" was one. And the Guinan novel from "Stargazer".

I'm trying to think of some way to do it what wouldn't require a bag....

What about jettisoning the magazine altogether and having the magazine bit with the interviews and info printed before or after the novel? It'd give it kind of a "Best of Trek" feel.

 

[JD]

For example the last issue had a story for the 25th (I think) anniversary of The Voyage Home, so they could have given away the TVH novelization.

Except they'd have to do a special print run to have enough copies. The month they did the six or so ST novels as randomly packed giveaways, I think they were probably clearing out leftovers from the warehouse. The ST IV novelization has probably been out of print for decades.

Ah, I didn't realize that.

 

[Therin of Andor]

What about jettisoning the magazine altogether and having the magazine bit with the interviews and info printed before or after the novel? It'd give it kind of a "Best of Trek" feel.

As much as I loved getting a new "Best of Trek" volume, this kind of fan commentary stuff is what many of us do online these days. Things like my "Andor Files" Rogues' Gallery of every Andorian appearance, mini-reviews of themed novels, the TrekLit FAQs, the Timeliners' Novel Timeline, banter with the authors, Christopher's answers to people's science questions, and everyone's attempts at new "Star Trek Mysteries - Solved".

Do we really need that stuff time-delayed by publication in mass market paperback?

As for "having the magazine bit with the interviews", this is something Marco tried with the seven "Signature Edition" omnibuses. There wasn't sufficient interest in these reprints, despite the great new material.

 

[F. King Daniel]

You're right. And, with my phone, I can even read them in bed just as well as a "Best of Trek"

While I agree that as standalones (or duels, in the case of the "Signature Edition" reprints), interest wasn't high, but I think a subscription-based "Complete novel collection" might have a little bit more appeal. People love to have all of something.

Although, I agree with everyone. It wouldn't be enough. Even with awesome spine-art.

 

[Daddy Todd]

...I think a subscription-based "Complete novel collection" might have a little bit more appeal...

That was also tried, back in the late '90's, as "The Starfleet Library," hardcovers in blue foil-stamped leather. Four volumes were printed and distributed (sort of distributed -- I never heard of the project until years after the fact) but subscriptions were apparently not strong enough to continue.

Best Destiny, The Final Reflection, Imzadi and Fallen Heroes were the four volumes published before the plug was pulled on "The Starfleet Library."

 

[Therin of Andor]

People love to have all of something.

I already have all of that something. And a new one every month.

 

[F. King Daniel]

...I think a subscription-based "Complete novel collection" might have a little bit more appeal...

That was also tried, back in the late '90's, as "The Starfleet Library," hardcovers in blue foil-stamped leather. Four volumes were printed and distributed (sort of distributed -- I never heard of the project until years after the fact) but subscriptions were apparently not strong enough to continue.

Best Destiny, The Final Reflection, Imzadi and Fallen Heroes were the four volumes published before the plug was pulled on "The Starfleet Library."

Wow. I had no idea it had already been tried. And, if it wouldn't work during the Trek boom of the 90's....

 

[Relayer1]

What about jettisoning the magazine altogether and having the magazine bit with the interviews and info printed before or after the novel? It'd give it kind of a "Best of Trek" feel.

I like that idea - afterward from the author, an essay by a Trek scholar, some illustrations, ship plans, annotations and references etc. would all be great. Maybe even new material added.

Also it's a chance to redo or even replace some of the worst covers - i.e. Ghost Walker, Tears of the Singers etc. I'd change most of the pre relaunch covers in one way or other - new layouts, fonts and even new art...

Do Comets Dream and Garth of Izar type covers would please me.

Won't happen...

 

[terpette]

As much as I loved getting a new "Best of Trek" volume, this kind of fan commentary stuff is what many of us do online these days. Things like my "Andor Files" Rogues' Gallery of every Andorian appearance, mini-reviews of themed novels, the TrekLit FAQs, the Timeliners' Novel Timeline, banter with the authors, Christopher's answers to people's science questions, and everyone's attempts at new "Star Trek Mysteries - Solved".

See, what I need is a list of blogs and sites that have this sort of material, both for my own personal reading and to share with the folks in my fan group. Many of them are surprisingly ignorant of the vast array of Trek resources available online.

Karen

 

[Therin of Andor]

See, what I need is a list of blogs and sites that have this sort of material, both for my own personal reading and to share with the folks in my fan group. Many of them are surprisingly ignorant of the vast array of Trek resources available online.

Before search engines were so efficient (and you had to actually send your URL to a web spider to get it listed anywhere), there was a place called "The Mining Company", which catalogued and reviewed science fiction media websites - but, these days, ST resource websites are only a Google search away.

 

[Idran]

Search engines are only really useful if you know what you're looking for, though. If you're looking for a specific piece of information. They aren't entirely a substitute for word of mouth, "I'm interested in this kind of stuff, can you give me some suggestions"-type recommendations.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Search engines are only really useful if you know what you're looking for, though. If you're looking for a specific piece of information. They aren't entirely a substitute for word of mouth, "I'm interested in this kind of stuff, can you give me some suggestions"-type recommendations.

Really?

If I'm "interested in stuff", I go Googling for a few minutes - and am amazed that someone has usually already dedicated an extensive website to the topic. If not, I do one myself.

Hence, "I wonder if anyone out there customizes their own action figures?", "I wonder if anyone has attempted to catalogue every Andorian?", "I wonder if there is a website dedicated to 'Number 96', the Australian prime time soap opera of the 70s?" and "I wonder if anyone else out there likes collecting 'Kooky Spookys'?"

 

[Trek Survivor]

In the UK years ago, we had the "Star Trek: The Collectors Edition" DVD and magazine series, encompassing TOS, TNG and the first 10 movies. Each issue came with either 3 episodes or a movie, and the magazines had some recycled (and updated) Fact Files info relating to the episodes and well as some new(?) behind-the-scenes info.

Would something similar with novels be at all feasable? A novel a month, picked somewhat randomly, with a magazine of related Trek info, as well as interviews with the authors and stuff about how the book fits into the overall Trek tapestry, including discontinuities etc. Older, smaller novels could be doubled up, like "Spock Must Die!" and "Spock, Messiah!" being smushed into one volume. And, of course, some totally awesome spine-art to make the whole collection (which would be complete around 2161, in time for the founding of the Federation) looks great on a shelf.

Too niche? Too expensive to make?

Cool idea. I think it would be too niche for Trek, but the CONCEPT is sound.

As you'll probably know, we in the UK have just got the "Ultimate Marvel Graphic Novel Collection" partwork; every fortnight, a Marvel graphic novel released with some background info, interviews etc included. They are released in exclusive hardback-type format.

I'd love this for Trek novels (inc. the hardback bit, with connecting spines etc), and actually think if - well chosen - there would be some demand for it. It would need to be timed for a big Trek event e.g. next movie.

As for the internet... I think it spells the death knell for the Magazine (sorry Titan!) because stuff like news and so on is out of date before its printed; but something like a partwork collection might have legs, esp. if they're able to get exclusive content (e.g. author interviews).