Writer Question

[Tennisacer]

Anybody know how the process works for becoming a ST writer? I know certain authors have moved into the ranks from the Strange New Worlds series, but as someone interested in jumping in the TTN series (or relaunch TNG series) while they are fresh...is there any way in the door? I'm guessing probably not, but then again I worked my way into sportswriting by asking around. Thanks!

And yes I read the FAQ, which answered a lot of questions I had about the ST books...but not this question from left field.

 

[Seven of eleven]

The best place to ask would be in the Star Trek Literature forum. But SNW is your best bet to start unless you're already published.

Welcome to the TrekBBS!

 

[doubleohfive]

You might try asking this in the Trek Lit forum, where many established Trek authors regularly post.

 

[Defcon]

Seven of eleven said:
The best place to ask would be in the Star Trek Literature forum. But SNW is your best bet to start unless you're already published.

Welcome to the TrekBBS!

SNW has been dicontinued. 2007'S SNW 10 was the final installation.

@OP:
Here you'll find Pocket Books Submission Guidlines. There also has been a thread in Trek Literature recently about this topic.

 

[Bob Greenberger]

I've always found that leaving an envelop stuffed with cash on Marco's desk gets his attention.

 

[Richard White]

Damn, I knew I forgot something when I sent in my pitch.

Sassenfrassen rassenfrats.

 

[Dayton Ward]

To answer the original question, there is no one "process" for becoming a Trek writer, or a writer for any other media tie-in property. Everyone who does this seems to have their own story about how they got started.

As for the new writer with no prior pro fiction writing track record, breaking into tie-in writing is -- generally speaking -- not easy. Whether it's Trek or some other property, editors are usually looking for established writers who've demonstrated an ability to hit deadlines, work effectively with several "masters" (the editor along with the licensing reps from the studio, etc.) as well as with other writers - something that's particularly important when dealing with ongoing series such as Titan or DS9. Editors can and do take chances on new folks from time to time, but it's the exception rather than the rule, and not all results end up being equal.

Strange New Worlds once provided a conduit for some fortunate folks to make the jump to writing for other parts of the Trek line (including the bonehead who's writing this right now), but the contest has shut its doors for now. Hopefully, something like it will return one day.

Until that happens, the most commonly-traveled route to getting your Trek story in front of one of Pocket's editors is liable to be the one outlined in Pocket's Star Trek Novel Submission Guidelines.

Probably not the coolest answer in the book, but hopefully it's not a discouraging one.

 

[Scott Pearson]

Bob Greenberger said:
I've always found that leaving an envelope stuffed with cash on Marco's desk gets his attention.

Oh, I've finally got it straight. Now I understand why haven't heard from him since The Sky's the Limit . . . I got him a cache stuffed with envelopes instead.

 

[Tennisacer]

Thanks everyone. I had not heard that SNW was discontinued, so that saves looking for that (unfortunately). We'll see what I can do using the more traditional route. And on the bright side, I found an awesome messageboard if nothing else!

 

[garamet]

Scott Pearson said:

Bob Greenberger said:
I've always found that leaving an envelope stuffed with cash on Marco's desk gets his attention.

Oh, I've finally got it straight. Now I understand why haven't heard from him since The Sky's the Limit . . . I got him a cache stuffed with envelopes instead.

Note to self: Stop at the ATM this afternoon...

 

[Lonemagpie]

Scott Pearson said:

Bob Greenberger said:
I've always found that leaving an envelope stuffed with cash on Marco's desk gets his attention.

Oh, I've finally got it straight. Now I understand why haven't heard from him since The Sky's the Limit . . . I got him a cache stuffed with envelopes instead.

Or one could always try applying a cosh...

 

[Scott Pearson]

Lonemagpie said:Or one could always try applying a cosh...

That sent me to the dictionary . . . nice one. You British have a different word for everything . . .

 

[Richard White]

Marco: "Ow, where did this lump come from?"

Sneaky Writer: "You slipped on some ice on the floor. Are you O.K.?

Marco: "Yeah, yeah, I think so."

Sneaky Writer (hiding cosh behind back): "So, Marco, before you slipped we were discussing my new book. I like the suggestions you had for it. When will you be sending the contract?

Marco: "Wha . . . ?"

 

[Lonemagpie]

Scott Pearson said:

Lonemagpie said:Or one could always try applying a cosh...

That sent me to the dictionary . . . nice one. You British have a different word for everything . . .

I was about to ask "what do you colonials call it?" but then I remembered it's a sap, isn't it?

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Dayton Ward said:
As for the new writer with no prior pro fiction writing track record, breaking into tie-in writing is -- generally speaking -- not easy. Whether it's Trek or some other property, editors are usually looking for established writers who've demonstrated an ability to hit deadlines, work effectively with several "masters" (the editor along with the licensing reps from the studio, etc.) as well as with other writers - something that's particularly important when dealing with ongoing series such as Titan or DS9. Editors can and do take chances on new folks from time to time, but it's the exception rather than the rule, and not all results end up being equal.

Which is true of any genre and not just media-tie ins. It's also true for finding an agent. One, generally speaking, needs to have an arsenal of previously published work in order to captivate the eye of a publisher or agent.

There are also other contest besides SNW to submit original SFlit work, but I would recommend reading the SFWA's page on contest as a way of determining if a contest is legit and not out for your submission fee. Here is the link: Contest Awareness.

Is it possible to do these things without a publishing history and an agent? Sure, I'd like to think so. After all, there are always possibilities.

Writing is hard work. I am currently forging through my first novel and completing an MFA, and there are days when I wish there was some secret handshake to get into the club. But there isn't. There is no replacement for getting the job done by yourself, because no one else will do it for you.

Of course, there are ways to make contacts and so forth but that only goes so far if there isn't the sweat, blood and tears of actual work done.

 

[Scott Pearson]

Lonemagpie said:I was about to ask "what do you colonials call it?" but then I remembered it's a sap, isn't it?

That, or a blackjack.

 

[Dayton Ward]

middyseafort said:
Which is true of any genre and not just media-tie ins. It's also true for finding an agent. One, generally speaking, needs to have an arsenal of previously published work in order to captivate the eye of a publisher or agent.

True, but I was replying to the specific question about Trek writing.

And I'm quoting the following for truth, because they bear repeating:

Writing is hard work.

There is no replacement for getting the job done by yourself, because no one else will do it for you.

Word.

 

[Geoff Thorne]

garamet said:

Scott Pearson said:

Bob Greenberger said:
I've always found that leaving an envelope stuffed with cash on Marco's desk gets his attention.

Oh, I've finally got it straight. Now I understand why haven't heard from him since The Sky's the Limit . . . I got him a cache stuffed with envelopes instead.

Note to self: Stop at the ATM this afternoon...

BURNING DREAMS is AWESOME!

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Dayton Ward said:

middyseafort said:
Which is true of any genre and not just media-tie ins. It's also true for finding an agent. One, generally speaking, needs to have an arsenal of previously published work in order to captivate the eye of a publisher or agent.

True, but I was replying to the specific question about Trek writing.

No doubt. Just wanted to put out there that what you said also applies to other genres as well.