Is there any interest in a Lower Decks book?

[ColdFusion180]

Perhaps an anthology of Lower Decks short stories? That might allow a greater range and flexibility in plot lines, character arcs, writers and artists (if a graphic novel).

Or an audio format similar to the “Spock vs. Q” series? With or without the live audience.

 

[The Wormhole]

Perhaps an anthology of Lower Decks short stories?

You may have noticed there hasn't been any Star Trek short story anthologies for a decade now.

 

[Charles Phipps]

I write rapid paced comedy novels so it certainly can be done.

More Pratchett than Asimov.

 

[Therin of Andor]

You may have noticed there hasn't been any Star Trek short story anthologies for a decade now.

Ah, but one is coming!

A hardcover coming next year: "'Star Trek Explorer' Presents the Short Story Collection, Volume 1", reprinting the "Star Trek Online" computer game exclusive tie-in fiction from Titan's "Star Trek" magazine. 19 illustrated stories!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1787738612

 

[Allyn Gibson]

There's a difference between a reprint volume and an original anthology, though. One's basically found money (the material's already paid for), one has significantly more cost and risk attached to it.

 

[Therin of Andor]

There's a difference between a reprint volume and an original anthology, though. One's basically found money (the material's already paid for), one has significantly more cost and risk attached to it.

Sure, but then where is the final batch of SCE eBooks in hardcopy? They have already been paid for.

 

[DGCatAniSiri]

Sure, but then where is the final batch of SCE eBooks in hardcopy? They have already been paid for.

For the record, I am still waiting for these and the Slings and Arrows series to see a hard copy release. Y’know, if anyone’s unsure about a market.

I mean, it’s been a decade since their original release, so I’m not holding my breath on this, but I am waiting. It’d be nice to see those fill a gap in a month without a completely new novel.

Also on the subject of Star Trek Online, I’d still be interested in some full original novels that tie in to the game and its continuity, beyond “The Needs of the Many.”

 

[Allyn Gibson]

Sure, but then where is the final batch of SCE eBooks in hardcopy? They have already been paid for.

They're orphaned projects. It's an old story in publishing, one of the oldest. If S&S's current editors were interested in reprinting them, they'd be reprinted. But the material originated elsewhere, by editors no longer with S&S. It's not on their radar. They have other things to work on. Why should they care?

 

[The Wormhole]

Likewise, given that STO anthology is being published by Titan, I'm not sure what bearing that has on S&S's decision to do or not to do new anthologies.

 

[Steve Roby]

The idea that we might have a Star Trek series that doesn't generate any books is just plain wrong and does not bear thinking of.

One thing that would be fun to see, but it'll never happen: a Lower Decks novel that treats the show as being as serious as any of the other Trek shows. The occasional bit of character-based humour, but for the most part playing it straight, complete with, say, the real Tawny Newsome in a Starfleet uniform on the cover.

Much more likely: things like the Kirk-Fu book. Boimler's Guide to Getting Ahead in Starfleet, anyone? Tendi's Cerritos Orientation Manual, with her (and the others') handwritten notes over a semi-serious ship guide. Captain Freeman's Guide to Parenting in Starfleet. There's a lot of fun ideas that could work.

A making of/art of Lower Decks coffee table book seems like an obvious choice.

I'd love some proper Lower Decks fiction, too, but sustaining the tone for a full novel might be a bit much. An anthology, as others have suggested, maybe. Or the occasional ebook novella, though they haven't done any of those lately. But we've got to get something.

 

[Tim Thomason]

I still own Warped, Mike McMahan's guide to the unreleased TNG Season 8. The spiritual predecessor to Lower Decks. I can only imagine that McMahan will continue to release publications following his tenure as showrunner.

And, of course, future writers will be compelled to give nods and allusions to the series, if not outright continue to develop the characters in the larger Novelverse-to-come (once Lower Decks proper is over and they have knowledge of the characters' fates relative to the show).

 

[ColdFusion180]

Is anyone interested in writing Lower Decks fiction?

 

[Christopher]

Is anyone interested in writing Lower Decks fiction?

I might be, if they asked me.

 

[JD]

The idea that we might have a Star Trek series that doesn't generate any books is just plain wrong and does not bear thinking of.

One thing that would be fun to see, but it'll never happen: a Lower Decks novel that treats the show as being as serious as any of the other Trek shows. The occasional bit of character-based humour, but for the most part playing it straight, complete with, say, the real Tawny Newsome in a Starfleet uniform on the cover.

Much more likely: things like the Kirk-Fu book. Boimler's Guide to Getting Ahead in Starfleet, anyone? Tendi's Cerritos Orientation Manual, with her (and the others') handwritten notes over a semi-serious ship guide. Captain Freeman's Guide to Parenting in Starfleet. There's a lot of fun ideas that could work.

A making of/art of Lower Decks coffee table book seems like an obvious choice.

I'd love some proper Lower Decks fiction, too, but sustaining the tone for a full novel might be a bit much. An anthology, as others have suggested, maybe. Or the occasional ebook novella, though they haven't done any of those lately. But we've got to get something.

I've probably already said it, but I think comics are the way to go. We already have a steady flow of Trek comics, and quite a animated series haven gotten them, including The Simpsons, Futurama, Rick & Morty, Bob's Burgers, and Invader Zim.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

a Lower Decks novel that treats the show as being as serious as any of the other Trek shows. The occasional bit of character-based humour, but for the most part playing it straight

I would LOVE to see that.

 

[mastadge]

One thing that would be fun to see, but it'll never happen: a Lower Decks novel that treats the show as being as serious as any of the other Trek shows. The occasional bit of character-based humour, but for the most part playing it straight, complete with, say, the real Tawny Newsome in a Starfleet uniform on the cover.

That would be fun. My other thought was one of those "doubles". Read it through, it's a straight Trek story, maybe mostly focusing on the bridge crew. Turn it upside down and read from the other direction, it's the story behind the story of the Lower Decks hijinks.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

My other thought was one of those "doubles". Read it through, it's a straight Trek story, maybe mostly focusing on the bridge crew. Turn it upside down and read from the other direction, it's the story behind the story of the Lower Decks hijinks.

Dude! That's brilliant! I'd buy that in a heartbeat!