Dayton Ward: Available Light.

For the past couple of years, the post-Nemesis novels have been in a sort of limbo. Contract negotiations dragged on, and at times it felt like the next chapter of the story would never come. Thankfully, that is all behind us with the release of the newest TNG novel, picking up on plot points from Section 31: Control, the previous TNG novel Hearts and Minds, and even going as far back as the Tezwa incident in the A Time To series!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson welcome author Dayton Ward back to the show to discuss his newest Next Generation novel, Available Light. We talk about the fallout from the end of Section 31, Picard's actions in the ousting of disgraced Federation President Min Zife, a mysterious apparent derelict hiding a technological marvel, the Jirol Salvage Guild, the importance of truth, Picard's decision at the end of the novel, the origin of the title Available Light, and wrap up with what Dayton is working on now and where you can find him online.

In the news segment, we talk about the upcoming Star Trek: Year Five series and Star Trek: Discovery: Aftermath miniseries, both from IDW. We also review issue #3 of The Q Conflict and respond to listener feedback from the Babel Conference for Literary Treks 264: No Member Berries.

News
Star Trek: Year Five Update (00:03:56)
Star Trek Discovery - Aftermath Announcement (00:07:15)
The Q Conflict #3 Comic Review (00:09:16)
Listener Feedback (00:15:24)

Feature: Dayton Ward
Writing New Star Trek (00:25:09)
The Bigger They Are... (00:30:22)
Innocent Until Proven Guilty (00:37:12)
The A Storyline (00:41:30)
The Osijemal Ship (00:45:32)
The Jirol Salvage Guild (00:56:34)
Admiral William Ross (01:02:48)
The Truth (01:08:31)
Meaning of the Title (01:17:13)
Currently Working On (01:21:16)
Final Thoughts (01:26:42)

Hosts
Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest
Dayton Ward

Production
Bruce Gibson (Editor and Producer) Dan Gunther (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer)

Keith DeCandido: Articles of the Federation.

In Star Trek, we are used to seeing mighty Federation starships exploring space and boldly going where no one has gone before. However, there is more to Federation society in the 24th century than the men and women of Starfleet: newly-elected Federation President Nan Bacco finds herself embroiled in one crisis after another as she and her administration deal with the fallout from the Tezwa affair and the surprise resignation of her predecessor. The first year of her tenure as president will be her trial by fire, and marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the United Federation of Planets.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther welcome author Keith DeCandido back to the show to discuss his landmark novel, Articles of the Federation. We talk about The West Wing of the 24th century, linking this novel to the other novels in the literary universe, the huge cast of characters, various issues that the Bacco administration has to deal with, answer some questions listeners posted in The Babel Conference, and wrap up with what Keith is working on now and where you can find him online.

In the news segment, we announce the upcoming Star Trek: The Official Guide to the Animated Series co-written by Trek.fm's very own Aaron Harvey, and report on the tragic loss of a Star Trek literary legend, author Vonda McIntyre. We also respond to listener feedback from The Babel Conference about Literary Treks 263: Traveling at the Speed of Plot.

News
Star Trek: The Animated Series Book Revealed (00:02:50)
Remembering Vonda McIntyre (00:06:21)
Listener Feedback (00:08:49)

Feature: Keith DeCandido
The West Wing of the 24th Century (00:13:29)
Writing Federation Politics (00:22:36)
Links to the Wider Fiction (00:27:28)
Trinni/ek Food Fight (00:32:43)
A Huge Cast of Characters (00:34:20)
If 'Articles' Were Written Today (00:38:45)
Freedom of the Press Consequences (00:42:11)
Civilian Point of View (00:45:31)
Aligar Trade Renewal (00:49:47)
Ideological Differences (00:52:09)
Nan Bacco Character Influences (00:55:37)
Commencement Address (01:06:02)
Democracy is a Conversation (01:08:06)
Answering Listeners' Questions (01:09:23)
Other Projects (01:18:31)
Final Thoughts (01:29:48)

Hosts
Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest
Keith DeCandido

Production
Bruce Gibson (Editor and Producer) Dan Gunther (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer)

Taking Wing.

A new ship, a new crew, and a new mission! Captain William Riker takes command of the brand new U.S.S. Titan, and along with the most diverse crew in Starfleet history, undertakes a mission to Romulus for negotiations that will shape the future of the quadrant. A number of dangerous factions are vying for control of the Romulan Empire, and Riker and his crew are caught in the middle!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson discuss the first novel in the Star Trek: Titan series, Taking Wing. We discuss the new ship and her diverse crew, a potential Romulan civil war, Spock's role in the novel, a surprise appearance by Tuvok, Riker's unorthodox solution to the crisis, the cliffhanger ending, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

At the top of the show, we respond to listener feedback to Literary Treks 262: We Almost Had a Spit Take from our Facebook group, The Babel Conference.

News
Listener Feedback (00:03:15)

Feature: Taking Wing
Commander Christine Vale (00:12:45)
Starfleet's Most Diverse Crew (00:20:03)
Romulan Civil War (00:36:53)
Ambassador Spock's Unification (00:42:41)
Undercover Operative (00:50:38)
Captain Riker's Solution (00:56:31)
The Cliffhanger (01:01:15)
Ratings (01:09:40)
Final Thoughts (01:13:19)

Hosts
Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Production
Bruce Gibson (Editor and Producer) Dan Gunther (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer)