OT: Trek authors do ZORRO!

[Greg Cox]

Inspired by KRAD's "Doctor Who" thread, I can't resist plugging another upcoming short story collection featuring several notable Trek authors (including myself).

TALES OF ZORRO, edited by Richard Dean Starr, features new stories by such authors as Peter David, A. C. Crispin, Bob Greenberger, Andy Mangels, and others. There are also stories by the likes Max Allan Collins, Loren Estleman, and other writers.

I believe the book is due out from Moonstone sometime in March.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

People still like Zorro?

*flees*

 

[ronny]

I've got a question for Greg that will drag this even more off topic. After seeing this post I went to your website to see what else is up and I see you're coming out with a 4400 book.

I haven't finished watching season 4 but I understand everything is not wrapped up and there's not going to be a 5th season. Is your book part of an on-going series or is it a one off and does it pick up where the series left off and answer some questions? Basically, is the thing going to be wrapped up in the books?

 

[Greg Cox]

I can't speak for future books in the series, but my own novel is a standalone adventure set about halfway through the 3rd Season (before Jordan Collier returned from the dead). It was written before we found out that, alas, there wasn't going to be a 5th Season.

I like the idea of wrapping things up in the books, though. I even have the perfect title: "Welcome to Promise City."

That's not up to me, though.

What I'd really like, of course, is a four-hour miniseries resolving the story of the 4400. Like "Peacekeeper Wars" did for FARSCAPE.

 

[Smiley]

That Zorro collection sounds pretty cool. As someone who knows very little about Zorro continuity, do these stories relate to any of the TV shows or movies, or do they take the central Zorro idea and have fun with it?

 

[Defcon]

The second 4400 novel will be written by Dayton Ward & Kevin Dilmore.

Dayton's announcement a week or so ago.

 

[Greg Cox]

The Zorro people actually put together a nice timeline that incorporates elements of the previous versions: the prequel by Isabel Allende, the original novel by Johnston McCulley, the Disney TV series from the 1960's, the Antonio Banderas movies, etc. That way we were all working from the same continuity.

(The Allende novel is really good, btw.)

 

[LightningStorm]

Defcon said:
The second 4400 novel will be written by Dayton Ward & Kevin Dilmore.

Dayton's announcement a week or so ago.

OMG! I'm floored by this news. Ecstatic about the fact that there are to be 4400 novels! I had no idea this was the case. Then I read Dayton's blog... the DAMNED SHOW WAS CANCELED???? Not happy about this one, and this too is news to me.

So yes I just experienced the full range of emotions about this one. From Ecstatic to Pissed in 0.2 seconds.

 

[Greg Cox]

Tell me about it. The plan was for my 4400 novel to debut in July, just in time for the Fifth Season . . . .

Arrgh.

(Oh well. At least it will be out in time for Shore Leave.)

 

[Christopher]

Greg Cox said:
The Zorro people actually put together a nice timeline that incorporates elements of the previous versions: the prequel by Isabel Allende, the original novel by Johnston McCulley, the Disney TV series from the 1960's, the Antonio Banderas movies, etc. That way we were all working from the same continuity.

Please tell me it doesn't include George Hamilton's Zorro, the Gay Blade or the Zorro and Son sitcom.

And what about Filmation's animated Zorro (played by Henry Darrow, aka Chakotay's father)? I imagine that isn't well-enough remembered to be counted, although it has recently come out on DVD, I believe.

 

[Trent Roman]

Christopher said:
Please tell me it doesn't include George Hamilton's Zorro, the Gay Blade...

You know, I'd noticed that Zorro never put his sword into a scabbard...

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[JD]

Wow, you guys are making it harder and harder for me to start reading less tie ins. If I have to money and time I will definitely be checking these out.

 

[EliyahuQeoni]

Great! Can't go wrong with more Zorro!

And I agree, Isabel Allende novel is fantastic!

 

[ronny]

Greg Cox said:
What I'd really like, of course, is a four-hour miniseries resolving the story of the 4400. Like "Peacekeeper Wars" did for FARSCAPE.

That would get my vote as well. I plan on buying the books. I'm really looking forward to both yours and the Ward/Dilmore books.

I started watching season 4 but we upgraded our TIVO and the shows were all on the TIVO that's now not plugged into anything and it seemed like too much of a pain to deal with. I'm waiting for the Season 4 DVD's to come out in May and will catch up then. So I don't know how it runs out and what plot lines have been left unresolved.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Christopher said:
And what about Filmation's animated Zorro (played by Henry Darrow, aka Chakotay's father)? I imagine that isn't well-enough remembered to be counted, although it has recently come out on DVD, I believe.

Oh no! Another "Is Filmation stuff canonical?" debate!

 

[TGTheodore]

I had a very nice discussion with the Zorro licensing people about three years ago.

Willing to listen to ideas and always willing to help you make your project work. The nicest licensing people I've ever encountered.

--Ted

 

[Greg Cox]

Christopher said:

Greg Cox said:
The Zorro people actually put together a nice timeline that incorporates elements of the previous versions: the prequel by Isabel Allende, the original novel by Johnston McCulley, the Disney TV series from the 1960's, the Antonio Banderas movies, etc. That way we were all working from the same continuity.

Please tell me it doesn't include George Hamilton's Zorro, the Gay Blade or the Zorro and Son sitcom.

And what about Filmation's animated Zorro (played by Henry Darrow, aka Chakotay's father)? I imagine that isn't well-enough remembered to be counted, although it has recently come out on DVD, I believe.

Don't worry. Those are no longer canon.

(Ohmigod, I can't believe I actually used the c-word!)

 

[OmahaStar]

TG Theodore said:
I had a very nice discussion with the Zorro licensing people about three years ago.

Willing to listen to ideas and always willing to help you make your project work. The nicest licensing people I've ever encountered.

--Ted

I love reading posts like that. It's all too infrequent, hearing positive things about licensing people.

 

[Greg Cox]

I've actually been dealing with the Zorro people for years, ever since I edited a short-lived line of ZORRO novels for Tor Books, and can confirm that they were always very pleasant to work with. In fact, I recommend Sandra Curtis's book on the history of the Zorro franchise (the name of which escapes me at the moment). Very interesting stuff.

 

[Therin of Andor]

OmahaStar said:
It's all too infrequent, hearing positive things about licensing people.

I've never heard someone say too many harsh words against Paula Block of CBS Consumer Products, and she's been responsible for ST since at least 1991, no?