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)