366: Helicopter Parents of the Galaxy
Literary Treks: A Star Trek Books and Comics Podcast
Release Date: 08/13/2023
Literary Treks: A Star Trek Books and Comics Podcast
In 1997, Pocket Books began releasing novels in a new series - one not based on a Star Trek television series. The brainchild of then-editor John J. Ordover and author Peter David, Star Trek: New Frontier was a way to have a series of novels with its own continuity, independent of the shows still on the air. Spanning over 20 novels, numerous short stories, and even some graphic novels, the series lasted until 2015. In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan discuss 2001's Cold Wars, the sixth book in the Gateways saga. We discuss the New Frontier series and...
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Gateways: No Man's Land. At one time, Christie Golden was the preeminent author in the Star Trek: Voyager novel line with 13 of her 16 Star Trek stories being with the crew of Voyager. In fact, even Kirsten Beyer hasn't surpassed Golden's contributions to the series. In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan discuss No Man's Land. Topics include characterizations, Janeway-Chakotay shipping, Seven instigating a slave uprising, not one but two murder mysteries, and, oh yeah, the gateways. Plus, we ask a very important question: What happens...
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Gateways: Demons of Air and Darkness. Star Trek literature’s mission was to expand the universe of the series beyond what was seen on screen, so in doing that the books continued series that had ended as well as created characters to follow; the Gateway series brought all of those together in one massive crossover. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan talk about Demons of Air and Darkness. We discuss title questions, the opening, the treat of the book, Kira’s leadership, the “threat”, Shar and Nog, Quark, Ro, the reveal, the same...
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James Swallow: Toward the Night. One of the beauties of tie-in fiction is to do exactly what the name implies, to tie in to the show or universe and add details that the films or shows just don’t have time to do. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan welcome author James Swallow to talk about his Star Trek: Strange New Worlds novel, Toward the Night. We discuss the genesis of the book, the focus, introductions, dynamics, La’An, the Klingons, the planet, in the future, coming soon and our final thoughts. In the news we have an in...
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Gateways: Doors Into Chaos. The early aughts were an intriguing period for Star Trek books, as shows like DS9 concluded, Voyager continued to air, and TNG continued to produce films. The literary landscape truly embraced experimentation and explored new avenues. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan continue the Gateways series with Doors Into Chaos. We discuss this feeling like a beginning, getting lucky, crew movement, used well, Riker, connections, Picard, the conference, building excitement, our ratings and final thoughts. In the...
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Gateways: Chainmail. Books set in the Star Trek universe that aren’t based on any of the television series can be a mixed bag when it comes to fan reception. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan talk about the second book in the Gateways series, Chainmail. We discuss the Challenger, it being out there, character work, worldview differences, drawbacks, Riutta and her people, use of the gateway, timey-whimy, thematic link, by the end, a page from Kirk, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news we talk about the Lower Decks comic, Warp...
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Star Trek: Gateways: One Small Step. In 2001, the Star Trek literary universe was at the hight of it’s popularity especially as it continuing series like Deep Space Nine and The Next Generation, which lead to a massive crossover between all the ongoing series that Pocket books were publishing at the time. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan talk about One Small Step. We discuss the new series, watching an episode, the virus, impersonating Kalandans, the Klingons, the gateways, restructuring, something that works well, our ratings and...
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The Pandora Principle. Star Trek books are some of the longest running tie-in fiction series out there which means that you never know when an entry will be a diamond in the rough or just rough. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan talk about the TOS novel, The Pandora Principle. We discuss, development hell, get him out of the way, the first chapter, Saavik, a positive or negative, mystery boxes, what?, disjointed, our ratings and final thoughts. In the news we look at the upcoming new releases for books as well as review some comics...
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Una McCormack: Asylum. One of the joys of tie-in fiction is the way that it can delve into the backgrounds of characters to make the viewing experience feel richer because the fan has a greater understanding of what motivates the characters. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Jonathan Koan and Casey Pettitt are proud to welcome author Una McCormack to talk about her Strange New Worlds novel, Asylum. We discuss starting the book, timelines, the Academy storyline, lectures, and interesting friendship, the mystery, themes, writing the SNW crew, references, using...
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The Nanotech War. Star Trek Voyager is a polarizing series to say the least and yet in the realm of literature, it has made for some of the best stories in Treklit. In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan talk about The Nanotech War. We discuss the book not being numbered, first impression, first contact, B’Elanna and Seven’s arcs, putting everything back in the box, wrapping up with our ratings and final thoughts. In the news we return to the comics and discuss the Sons of Star Trek series, the Star Trek 2024 Annual as well as the Star...
info_outlineThe Buried Age.
Jean-Luc Picard's life is so much more than his time on the Enterprise, in fact he had a whole lifetime of events that helped forge the man we saw on screen in The Next Generation.
In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt talk about Lost Era novel, The Buried Age. We discuss Picard's buried age, failure, the Manroloth, the science, setting up TNG, our ratings and final thoughts.
The news is jam-packed with goodies as we talk about licensing news, a cover reveal and then review Dog of War #4, The Motion Picture Echos #3, Star Trek #10, Star Trek Defiant #5 and Day of Blood #1.
News
Licensing News (00:03:35)
Cover Reveal (00:07:45)
Dog of War #4 (00:10:20)
The Motion Picture Echos #3 (00:15:20)
Star Trek #10 (00:21:57)
Star Trek Defiant #5 (00:27:11)
Day of Blood #1 (00:31:50)
Feature: The Buried Age
Picard's Buried Age (00:37:56)
Failure (00:49:59)
The Manroloth (00:57:32)
The Science (01:10:29)
Setting Up TNG (01:15:32)
Ratings (01:25:14)
Final Thoughts (01:27:31)
Hosts
Matthew Rushing and Casey Pettitt
Production
Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)