Well in my own opinion.. Yes, it's wasted. It's much better if the author will know that what they write will truly impact the Trek universe. Something I really appreciate now with Star Wars. They check every litterary work but once released, you will know that this really happened.
As I already said and seem to make some people upset, and I apologize for that, but a book which isn't canon is worth just as much as fanfiction. Sure the quality might be better but the impact is exactly the same.
Take The Final Reflection. A great book but the story is meaningless.
