2020 titles announced

[Christopher]

And you'd probably know more about the chances of future TNG novels than I would so I'd put more stock in your opinion than mine.

Not really, since I only seem to be doing TOS stuff these days, and I don't really hear anything about what's going on outside my wheelhouse.

It's just a feeling I have based primarily on the number of novels per year right now and the number of current shows on the air.

Which is probably correct when it comes to DS9, VGR, ENT, and book-only series. But TOS and TNG are the standouts, the two that sell most reliably, so it stands to reason that if they keep one, they'll keep the other too.

 

[Damian]

Not really, since I only seem to be doing TOS stuff these days, and I don't really hear anything about what's going on outside my wheelhouse.



Which is probably correct when it comes to DS9, VGR, ENT, and book-only series. But TOS and TNG are the standouts, the two that sell most reliably, so it stands to reason that if they keep one, they'll keep the other too.

I do find it interesting the IDW continues to put out comics based on those other series though. I'm not a comic book reader (hence my rather embarrassing snafu a while back when I mixed up DC and Marvel comics ) but I sometimes wonder, is there still a market for books based on DS9, Voyager and Enterprise? If there is enough for them to continue comic books on those series, why not novels?

I mean, I can even go for the idea you once mentioned about e-book only entries for those series if it was just an issue of production costs (despite my preference for printed books--e-books are better than nothing after all).

 

[Christopher]

If there is enough for them to continue comic books on those series, why not novels?

Have they, though? By my count, IDW has done something like 20 standalone TOS-related miniseries (not counting Kelvin), at least 10 standalone TNG miniseries, but only two standalone DS9 miniseries, and they've only just announced their first VGR miniseries. Most of IDW's output has been TOS, TNG, and Kelvin, and more recently DSC/PIC. So the novels and comics have very similar focuses.

 

[Damian]

Have they, though? By my count, IDW has done something like 20 standalone TOS-related miniseries (not counting Kelvin), at least 10 standalone TNG miniseries, but only two standalone DS9 miniseries, and they've only just announced their first VGR miniseries. Most of IDW's output has been TOS, TNG, and Kelvin, and more recently DSC/PIC. So the novels and comics have very similar focuses.

Oh, ok. I see on Memory Alpha sometimes about the comics, and the upcoming Voyager comics. I guess I thought they were more prevalent than they really are.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

Oh, ok. I see on Memory Alpha sometimes about the comics, and the upcoming Voyager comics. I guess I thought they were more prevalent than they really are.

They're not. The new DS9 mini-series is IDW's first such series in a decade.

 

[Christopher]

And Voyager has been almost completely absent from comics since 2001, while Enterprise has had virtually no comics presence ever, since it was released at a time when nobody held the comics license.

 

[The Wormhole]

Hmm. I just have my doubts that we'll see that happen. There are less than 12 books a year, numerous TV series now all which will likely have their own tie ins, and probably at least 2 to 3 original series novels a year. I just don't see S&S publishing any future TNG-only books. I think any TNG based books would more likely be tied to Picard in some fashion and used to build more back story to that show, which is why I think they would carry the Picard title.

Sure, if it were a book that took place during the series run with little ties to Picard it would likely carry TNG banner. I just don't see S&S commissioning a book of that nature for the foreseeable future. That's just my opinion of course. I'd love to be proved wrong. But I think it just comes down to simple numbers. If nothing else TNG-only novels would just get squeezed out and when it comes down to it I don't see S&S squeezing out a new Discovery, Picard or even original series novel for a TNG-series based novel not tied to Picard enough to be marketed as a Picard novel.

I mean, personally, I already said I'd love to see tie-ins to all the currently run series, continuation of all the relaunches of all the prior spin-offs, more NF books, more Seeker novels, more original series novels, the occasional tie in to the prior spin-offs during the series run. I mean, under that scenario we'd likely be back to 24 books a year and needing about 50 new authors to take up all that extra work----and I'd love it all. But in reality I know that's just not going to happen. So it's not about personal preferences.

In a hypothetical scenario, if we assume 2021 has eight novels, among them two Disco novels, two Picard and an SNW novel. That's five right there, with three empty slots, I can easily see being taken up by two TOS and a TNG novel.

Even then, there's no reason to assume there will be two Disco novels or two Picard. Either or both could just get one novel. In fact, SNW might not even premiere until 2022, in which case, that's another novel slot opened up. Bottom line, getting TV series era TNG novels is a very realistic possibility. Hell, TNG is on people's radars again because of Picard. If one were to release a new novel with the TNG logo on the cover along with the Enterprise D and/or TNG characters in the seasons 3-7 uniforms, I'm fairly certain it would do as good sales as the various TOS novels do.

 

[JD]

Hmm. I just have my doubts that we'll see that happen. There are less than 12 books a year, numerous TV series now all which will likely have their own tie ins, and probably at least 2 to 3 original series novels a year. I just don't see S&S publishing any future TNG-only books. I think any TNG based books would more likely be tied to Picard in some fashion and used to build more back story to that show, which is why I think they would carry the Picard title.

Sure, if it were a book that took place during the series run with little ties to Picard it would likely carry TNG banner. I just don't see S&S commissioning a book of that nature for the foreseeable future. That's just my opinion of course. I'd love to be proved wrong. But I think it just comes down to simple numbers. If nothing else TNG-only novels would just get squeezed out and when it comes down to it I don't see S&S squeezing out a new Discovery, Picard or even original series novel for a TNG-series based novel not tied to Picard enough to be marketed as a Picard novel.

If anything, I would think Picard would make a TNG novel a lot more likely, it's brought a lot of attention to it and I could see that really raising interest in some new TNG novels.

 

[Greg Cox]

And Voyager has been almost completely absent from comics since 2001, while Enterprise has had virtually no comics presence ever, since it was released at a time when nobody held the comics license.

A Seven of Nine comic-book series, spinning off from PICARD, might be the most
commercial prospect at this point.

 

[JD]

A post over at Trek Collective reminded me of another comics kind of annoucement from IDW panel. John Barber said that they have something planned for after the TOS: Year Five series hits the end of Year Five. He didn't say what, just that they have "some ideas of where to go after that". Sounds to me like it's going to lead into some kind of Lost Years style series, but we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Damian]

In a hypothetical scenario, if we assume 2021 has eight novels, among them two Disco novels, two Picard and an SNW novel. That's five right there, with three empty slots, I can easily see being taken up by two TOS and a TNG novel.

Even then, there's no reason to assume there will be two Disco novels or two Picard. Either or both could just get one novel. In fact, SNW might not even premiere until 2022, in which case, that's another novel slot opened up. Bottom line, getting TV series era TNG novels is a very realistic possibility. Hell, TNG is on people's radars again because of Picard. If one were to release a new novel with the TNG logo on the cover along with the Enterprise D and/or TNG characters in the seasons 3-7 uniforms, I'm fairly certain it would do as good sales as the various TOS novels do.

I wouldn't rule out the possibility of books based on the new animated series, which could eat up another slot or two.

 

[The Wormhole]

I wouldn't rule out the possibility of books based on the new animated series, which could eat up another slot or two.

I really don't see a half-hour animated sitcom getting a 350 page trade paperback novel.

 

[Christopher]

I really don't see a half-hour animated sitcom getting a 350 page trade paperback novel.

It might be an interesting challenge to do a Lower Decks/TNG crossover novel or something of the sort.

 

[tomswift2002]

I really don't see a half-hour animated sitcom getting a 350 page trade paperback novel.

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Trek_Log_7

How about a 184 page (or is it was printed nowadays probably closer to 210 with a larger font)?

 

[Mysterion]

A post over at Trek Collective reminded me of another comics kind of annoucement from IDW panel. John Barber said that they have something planned for after the TOS: Year Five series hits the end of Year Five. He didn't say what, just that they have "some ideas of where to go after that". Sounds to me like it's going to lead into some kind of Lost Years style series, but we'll have to wait and see.

A "Phase II" type thing could be interesting, IMO.

 

[Greg Cox]

I really don't see a half-hour animated sitcom getting a 350 page trade paperback novel.

Then again, there were plenty of GET SMART tie-in novels back in the sixties, not to mention BRADY BUNCH novels, PARTRIDGE FAMILY novels, at least one THAT GIRL novel, etc. And more recently there were at least a couple of young-adult GLEE novels. They weren't 350 pages, but maybe any LOWER DECKS books could be a bit slimmer than the usual Trek book. Or more heavily illustrated? Or maybe you go with humor volumes like tongue-in-cheek parody of a technical manual or training guide or whatever.

 

[JD]

Even if we don't get novels for Lower Decks, I'm pretty confident we'll be getting comics. A ton of similar animated sitcoms have gotten comics, Bob's Burgers, The Simpsons, Futurama, Rick & Morty, ect. so if those shows can get comics, Lower Decks definitely can.

 

[Damian]

I really don't see a half-hour animated sitcom getting a 350 page trade paperback novel.

Isn't Lower Decks supposed to be a more adult-oriented animated show (or more mature at least)? I think it depends on how they approach that show. IIRC there is another animated show coming out more geared towards children. In that case you might see young adult/kids books for that one. But I think it's at least possible you might see a Lower Decks novel--I don't think as many as Discovery, Picard or the original series necessarily, but here and there. I wouldn't rule it out. And as Christopher noted, perhaps linked to another show.

Maybe that's one way they could get a DS9 relaunch finale (hahahahaha---had to throw that in ).

 

[JD]

If you want to see how Lower Decks is being approached, the trailer released last week gives a pretty good idea.

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[Damian]

If you want to see how Lower Decks is being approached, the trailer released last week gives a pretty good idea.

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So sort of like a sitcom.

Still, I wouldn't rule out the occasional novel--if the show pans out like the trailer it would be a much different type of Star Trek novel, a comedic one. It might be a fun novel to write for the right author.

Who knows, maybe one of our resident authors would jump at the chance to write that type of novel.