The State of Star Trek Literature

[Therin of Andor]

one thing that helped star wars is that most of the time they have had younger characters that actually appealed to those under 21.

Exactly. Which is why Walter Koenig suddenly found himself a 60s pin-up boy in "Tiger Beat" and "Fifteen", a feat repeated by Wil Wheaton in the 80s.

while star trek and especially tng had a far more sketchy history with this.

According to Richard Arnold, fan mail for Wil Wheaton, at one point, was more than all the other regulars combined. It was the adult fans saying to "push Wesley out an airlock".

This is also why we saw Jake Sisko as a part of DS9, although the writers didn't give him as much to do, and Nog ended up overshadowing him without even being in the opening credits.

 

[Lt. Brannigan]

one thing that helped star wars is that most of the time they have had younger characters that actually appealed to those under 21.

Actually I was far more drawn to Star Trek then I ever was to Star Wars. In my opinion Star Trek has always had the stronger characters, and the captured my imagination far more than the competition.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Actually I was far more drawn to Star Trek then I ever was to Star Wars. In my opinion Star Trek has always had the stronger characters, and the captured my imagination far more than the competition.

Sure, which is why most of us are here. But get a random group of kids talking about science fiction media and they'll be more likely to be more knowledgeable and animated about SW.

 

[Vestboy]

I was gonna say, this place ain't exactly an unbiased sample in terms of Star Trek vs. Star Wars.

 

[Lt. Brannigan]

..get a random group of kids talking about science fiction media and they'll be more likely to be more knowledgeable and animated about SW.

That unfortunately is quite true, most children I know are absolutely enthralled with Star Wars. I guess they like the outlandish and and sometimes overly broad character types.

I regret opening my big old yapper now, as I have only repeated information already spoken in this thread.

I was gonna say, this place ain't exactly an unbiased sample in terms of Star Trek vs. Star Wars.

This is very true, but I would like to think that people can be objective and discuss both sides of issue objectively. I like to think of myself as a somewhat reasonable person capable of calmly but intelligently trying to get my point across.

 

[Dayton Ward]

This is very true, but I would like to think that people can be objective and discuss both sides of issue objectively. I like to think of myself as a somewhat reasonable person capable of calmly but intelligently trying to get my point across.

You're new to the internet, aren't you?

 

[Lt. Brannigan]

This is very true, but I would like to think that people can be objective and discuss both sides of issue objectively. I like to think of myself as a somewhat reasonable person capable of calmly but intelligently trying to get my point across.

You're new to the internet, aren't you?

No.. I am just hopelessly optimistic at times.

 

[Dayton Ward]

^ A noble trait.

But don't forget your body armor.

 

[Lt. Brannigan]

^ A noble trait.

But don't forget your body armor.

I have a set made out of adamantium or should look for a better set?

 

[Arix]

1. How do you feel the Trek book line has done in the last 12-15 months?

I think it was doing pretty well up until the start of this year, the only Trek book I want to buy in the next few months is the Seven Deadly Sins Anthology, and I'm eagerly awaiting the Typhon Pact series but feel the gap was a bit too long.

In 2009 I bought, A Singular Destiny, Over a Torrent Sea, Full Circle, Losing the Peace, The Soul Key, The Never-Ending Sacrifice, Unworthy and Synthesis. I think it was an excellent year for TNG, DS9, Voyager and Titan books (which are the main Trek book series I'm interested in).

I also especially liked the linking together of the series. As someone who reads all TNG-era novels, I really enjoyed Destiny and its aftermath.

2. What specifically have you liked in regards to the entire Trek book line in that time? Any favorite novels?

I liked all the books I bought in 2009, I loved Destiny and feel that post-Destiny TNG novels have been fantastic (I did not like many of the post-series TNG novels, and especially hated the post-Nemesis pre-Destiny TNG novels).

I like the direction the universe has taken post-Destiny, and am eagerly awaiting the Typhon Pact miniseries.

I also loved the return to Voyager! I read and enjoyed all 4 Voyager relaunch novels written by Christie Golden, but think the Beyer novels surpassed hers in quality and feel they've set the series back on track.

I loved the Never Ending-Sacrifice. If any future DS9 books are set during the series, then I sincerely hope they follow NES's example!

I liked the return to the DS9 relaunch in the Soul Key, especially as it seems to be a conclusion to the Mirror Universe arc.

3. And what specifically have you disliked in regards to the Trek book line of the last year or so? Any bad or disappointing novels?

I dislike the lack of DS9 relaunch novels! There has been a very slow trickle of new books in the DS9-R, with a new book being released every few years, and its quite disappointing! Especially when you compare it to the rest of the relaunch, which is mostly comprised of a duology, tetralogy and trilogy.

I was particularly distraught to find out that you're jumping the DS9-R ahead 5 years! As much as I want to see DS9 join up to the rest of the post-Destiny novels, and am looking forward to its Typhon Pact novel, I am very disappointed that we're missing out on 5 years! The relaunch was an opportunity to continue the story, and it did a great job of creating a Season 8, I feel that jumping ahead to 'season 13', without any indication of what's happened in the meantime, is a grave mistake.

I also disliked the tone of Synthesis, while I can understand that its supposed to be a side effect of the post-Destiny Federation it just felt too... angry and unhappy. I loved the plot, but the crew's reactions to the Titan avatar and White-Blue felt very... un-Trek. I hope future Titan novels can return to the optimism that Trek is known for, while still reflecting the current state of the Trek universe. (For example, I didn't have the same problem with Losing the Peace, so I don't believe the problem is inherently linked to the post-Destiny state of the Federation.)

4. Any new recurring trends or themes in the last 12 months have you noticed? Anything you've liked or disliked about them?

I like the exploration of the post-Destiny Federation, the implication of those events for our main characters has been very interesting and I hope that continues in future novels. I think the most interesting aspect has been the formation of the Typhon Pact, and I hope that we continue to learn more about it following the mini-series at the end of the year.

5. What editorial decisions and changes from the last 12-15 months have you like or disliked?

As others have already said, the editor 'musical chairs' has been a bit annoying, though I've only really felt the effects recently (in 2010). I'm looking forward to next year and hoping things will settle down now.

6. What changes would you like to see in the Trek book line? Be it production choices or story editorial decisions?

I'm going to agree with something Thrawn said -

I personally would love to see groups of authors get together and plan out arcs for the next few years of each of the 24th century series a little more strongly.

Especially in light of the Typhon Pact, I think the novels would really benefit from some strong planning. I'd especially love to see more duologies and trilogies. And I think the Aventine should become a new series.

Having each series eventually lead up to another 'big event' (featuring the Typhon Pact) ala Destiny would also be pretty awesome, though I think that shouldn't be for a few more years... But planning for it now could help strengthen the future novels (for example, slowly making references to it, or leading up to it).

The main 'change' I'd make is of course the DS9 relaunch. I'm all for having a Typhon Pact book featuring it, and I'll even agree to moving it ahead to post-Destiny. But I think what's really needed is to have at least one trilogy to cover the events of the 5 years we're skipping through. Ideally, a duology or trilogy covering the events of each year, would be much appreciated. If there can be 15 (or so) books detailing the events of a single year, then 1-2 per year shouldn't be a big ask.

But overall, I've very much enjoyed the past few years of Trek novels, and hope that the trend of interesting, well written TNG, DS9, Voyager and Titan novels continue.

 

[ClayinCA]

Is everyone else really excited about the Typhon books coming up? I thought at the time that killing off the Borg was a brave move but that it would leave a pretty good gap. Namely a really good threat. The rebuilding aspect is great, and like others have said before I think its important we see the UFP rebuild and grow again. But a good threat is needed for the books too

I'm excited about the Typhon books, but I'm not sure I agree that "a good threat is needed for the books" (emphasis mine); that's not what Star Trek is about, or at least it's not always what Star Trek is about, and I think that in any case, we've had so many of the post-Nemesis-timeline novels dealing with an imminent Borg threat of some kind that I feel like there have been enough novels dealing with some kind of Big Bad to last awhile. Individual antagonists in individual books is one thing, but I wouldn't want Star Trek to go down the road of another Big Enemy.

 

[elaithin]

I don't think they're going to be a Big Enemy, actually. A new power, yes, but that doesn't immediately make them enemies.

 

[pookha]

they may not turn out to be enemies but the tholian ambassador has already described themselves as being "hostile".

 

[Christopher]

they may not turn out to be enemies but the tholian ambassador has already described themselves as being "hostile".

Yes, the Tholians are hostile, but that doesn't mean the whole Pact is. These are six notoriously independent civilizations that are only beginning to try out the idea of working collectively. Is it realistic to expect they'd all instantly start sharing the same agenda just because they signed a treaty?

 

[Starbreaker]

Guess we'll have to read the books and find out!

 

[Ferd Burfel]

My apologies if I repeat anyone else, but in my zeal to respond I jumped to the end.

I too was weary of all things Destiny and the unity of all the books. Destiny was well written, I just really REALLY hates the Borg. Now more than ever. But I'm embracing what I see as the silver lining.

Some have pointed out that ey really enjoy divergent and varied Trek. I think we are getting this and going to be getting more now that things have been "reset". Destiny changed everything, but already have seen Titan out doing exploring again. Picard and crew, as the Flagship, are gonna do some cleanup. DS9? Well as soon as we purge this mirror fixation, they can return to life on the frontier again.

I see the Typhon Pact as an opportunity. They are the anti-Federation. The Dominion were labeled as that before, but the Pact is much truer to that definition. They will have growing pains to deal with, which will no doubt create story opportunities. If these books dominate all lines I will be disappointed, but I think after they are set up, we'll see more normalcy in our universe again. To some this is all taking too long, which I can see and understand, but I've got plenty else to do in the meantime.

As far as individual series, I do have some criticism (of course). I'm growing weary of reading Titan books and not getting any damn Riker! He's a minor character in his own series! I don't mind each new book exploring a new character, but explore him too! I keep thinking to myself "something important/important decision must be made so here comes Riker" and then he's gone again! Destiny had way more Riker than his own series does! And I really hate Vale now. She's just become so whiny and annoying. All i read about her is her dislike of Riker and Troi's marriage and her questioning of his decisions. It's quite old. And quit going out of your way to throw Titan's diversity in my face. i get it! I got it 5 books ago. All in all I like the series a lot even after all that criticism. I'm in the middle of Torrent right now.

I agree Picard is too whiny and pitiful now. He used to be the best captain because he was so sure and such a good leader. Now he's just disposable. Make him great again. And I agree, bring back Data. It is possible. Extremely possible. If any of our great writers can't figure that out, we're in trouble. Ask any of us fanboys, we've already figured it out. We brought Spock back. He was part of the Trinity. Data is part of the dynamic duo. And in the meantime, USE Geordi! Such a great character doing NOTHING right now. I know more about "Miranda" than i currently do about Geordi. Just sad. Oh yeah, I generally enjoy the TNG books as well.

Have all the Voyager books but haven't read them.

DS9. ENOUGH MIRROR STUFF. I want DS9 again. This is what got me back into Trek lit. This is why I now collect Trek books and have the goal of owning every book every written. What inspired me to have a bookcase with over 300 Trek books on it. I want to be inspired by this again. I LOVED the Gamma and other relaunch books. Give me more of that. MUCH more of that. And don't skip time to bring me up to speed with the other series. Don't cheat me. I wanna read those adventures.

Vanguard has been great. Have them all but have only read three. No complaints here.

All in all i don't mind a central theme or unity, but don't forsake individuality in the lines simply to keep them cogent. Explore the unique traits of each series with the underlying background they share. I don't mind a crossover every now and then during the season, but I want 18 of my 22 episodes JUST dealing with the characters within that show itself.

That is all.

P.S.
The iPad keyboard is great except the spacebar. My apologies over Apple's inability to make it work. That is truly all.

 

[Thrawn]

Incidentally, the next Titan book after Sea will I think address both your criticisms of that series; the next TNG book (Losing The Peace) restores Picard to being an amazing leader; one of the new announcements for next year is a Geordi-centered epic; and the Voyager books you haven't read are probably the highlight of the year.

So a solid 2/3 of your problems are already fixed or on their way... and you'll be happy to know Vanguard stays just goddamn awesome

 

[Ferd Burfel]

I've read Losing the Peace and it was better, I did like that book. But one book could be a fluke. I don't mean to be so critical (really), but like others I feel Trek lit has gotten away from certain aspects of storytelling that make it great versus even the the stuff on film.

And I await reading the next Titan book. None of them have been bad so to speak, but there are areas I think could be better. I don't mind exploring the diverse crew, but it feels so forced at times. And in my opinion, the most interesting character they created they killed off. I'm being patient, as I see early Titan as akin to the first season. It has to find it's niche and flow. But give me more Riker! Don't just keep telling me he loves to explore, SHOW me.

I have no qualms with Vanguard. At has been a great series. I also love the Gorkon/Klingon Empire stuff.

 

[Lonemagpie]

And in the meantime, USE Geordi! Such a great character doing NOTHING right now. I know more about "Miranda" than i currently do about Geordi. Just sad. .

Hm, if only there was some kind of book coming in the spring, that headlines Geordi (along with Scotty, Nog and Guinan, FWIW)....

Oh, wait, there is!

 

[Christopher]

I'm growing weary of reading Titan books and not getting any damn Riker! He's a minor character in his own series! I don't mind each new book exploring a new character, but explore him too!

Titan is an ensemble series, not a star-driven series. The emphasis varies from book to book. And I think Riker's been as much a featured player as anyone else. I certainly focused on him prominently in both my TTN novels.