Literary Treks: A Star Trek Books and Comics Podcast

Triangle: Imzadi II. As Star Trek: The Next Generation drew to a close, an unlikely romance emerged: that of Worf and Deanna Troi. A Klingon warrior with a strict code of honor and a peaceful empath in touch with her feelings do not make the most obvious couple, but Worf and Troi made a go of it before the relationship ultimately disappeared. What happened between the two of them, and how did Will Riker feel about his Imzadi becoming involved with his friend and comrade?

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther are once again joined by Amy Nelson to discuss Triangle: Imzadi II. We talk about Worf's lack of luck in love, the triangle between Worf, Troi, and Riker, Romulan Commander Sela and her convoluted plan, Riker's inability to make progress with Troi, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

At the top of the show, Bruce and Dan review the first issue of The Q Conflict, a new comic miniseries from IDW, and respond to your Babel Conference feedback from Literary Treks 257: Lots of Bits of Me.

News The Q Conflict #1 Review (00:03:29) Listener Feedback (00:11:49)

Feature: Triangle: Imzadi II The Sequel (00:17:20) Worf's Lost Loves (00:20:20) That Triangle Moment (00:30:40) Deanna Troi's Perspective (00:40:47) Tom Riker's Motivation (00:45:10) It's So Peter David (00:51:31) Sela's Series of Bungles (00:53:40) Alexander, Jellico, and Shelby (01:01:43) Taking His Time (01:07:09) The Head of Worf's House (01:15:23) Ratings (01:18:49) Final Thoughts (01:26:59)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest Amy Nelson

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)

A Burning House. The voyages of the I.K.S. Gorkon have come to an end, far sooner than they should have! As the Gorkon puts into port at Qo'noS, the officers and crew return home. For some, that means a harvest festival with friends and family, and for others, it means intrigue, revelations, and deception. It's just another day in the life of a citizen of the Klingon Empire!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson are joined by Earl Grey's Justin Oser to discuss A Burning House. We talk about life on a Klingon farm during yopta' yupma', Toq's tale of intrigue when he returns to his birthplace of Carraya IV, Rodek coming to terms with revelations about his past, B'Oraq and her attempts to bring modern medicine to the Empire, G'Joth and an opera that bears little resemblance to the truth, other bits we liked about the novel, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

At the top of the show, Dan and Bruce review Star Trek: IDW 20/20, featuring Picard's first mission as captain of the Stargazer, and respond to your Babel Conference feedback on Literary Treks 256: I Would Need More Than a Paragraph.

News Star Trek IDW 20/20 Review (00:02:29) Listener Feedback (00:10:24)

Feature: A Burning House Klingon Empire Series? (00:18:32) Wol, Kagak, Goran, and yobta' yupma' (00:22:13) Toq - Secret Hideout (00:32:11) Rodek - Memories of Kurn (00:38:22) B'Oraq and the Klingon Physician (00:48:04) G'Joth and Kennia (00:57:13) Klingon Enclave Poetry (01:03:46) Captain Klag (01:11:21) Other Bits (01:15:52) Ratings (01:23:27) Final Thoughts (01:33:12)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest Justin Oser

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)

Una McCormack: The Way to the Stars. Sylvia Tilly has turned into a breakout character on the newest Star Trek series, Discovery. Sometimes awkward, sometimes silly, but always brilliant, Tilly brought a lot of humanity to Discovery's first season. But what was she like before becoming a Starfleet cadet, and what choices led her to joining Starfleet?

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther welcome author Una McCormack back to the show to discuss her latest novel, The Way to the Stars. We talk about the process of writing this novel, Tilly's relationship with her mother, her experiences in school, Tilly as a runaway, her impressions of Starfleet, the poor communication she experiences, and wrap up the discussion with where you can find Una online and what she is working on now.

In the news section, we talk about the upcoming Discovery novel The Enterprise War by John Jackson Miller, and judge the covers of two upcoming novels: The Captain's Oath by Christopher L. Bennett and The Antares Maelstrom by Greg Cox. We also talk about an upcoming comic series from IDW: TOS: Year Five, review issue #4 of Star Trek vs. Transformers, and take a look at some Babel Conference feedback on Literary Treks 255: The Hammock Planet: They Don't Have Butts.

News Discovery: The Enterprise War (00:02:48) TOS: The Captain's Chair Cover (00:06:00) TOS: The Antares Maelstrom Cover (00:08:42) TOS: Year Five from IDW in April (00:10:18) Star Trek vs. Transformers #4 Review (00:12:49) Listener Feedback (00:19:36)

Feature: Una McCormack Getting Started (00:24:58) Mothers and Daughters (00:31:17) Keeping Friends (00:39:19) Being a High Achiever (00:43:26) A Runaway Tilly (00:50:28) Your Name Matters (00:55:06) A Starfleet Career Path (00:59:32) Captain Yindi Holden (01:04:54) Poor Communications (01:08:02) Una's Favorite Novels (01:14:05) Other Projects (01:16:16) Final Thoughts (01:18:46)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest Una McCormack

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)

Imzadi. Will Riker and Deanna Troi: throughout the run of Star Trek: The Next Generation, it was clear there was a deep connection between these two characters. However, they never truly "got together" until 2002's Star Trek Nemesis. What is the history between Will and Deanna? What drew them together and made them "Imzadi"? At last we look at the story that tells the tale of TNG's greatest romance!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson are joined by Amy Nelson of Earl Grey and The Edge to talk about Imzadi by Peter David. We discuss how we first read Imzadi, Riker's life without Deanna, Will's behavior as a young man, how Will and Deanna first got together, the Guardian of Forever, temporal shenanigans, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

At the top of the show, Dan and Bruce review the final issue in the TNG: Terra Incognita comic series and discuss your Babel Conference feedback on Literary Treks 254: A Likely Victim.

News Terra Incognita #6 (00:03:46) Listener Feedback (00:11:04)

Feature: Imzadi First Time? (00:15:03) A Life Without Deanna (00:22:18) Impetuous Youth (00:29:37) When They First Met (00:37:28) Lwaxana, the Mother (00:45:42) Jungle Love (00:53:24) Riker Saving the Past (00:56:47) A Touching Data (01:04:11) The Changing Future (01:05:53) All of the Emotions (01:10:52) Ratings (00:16:52) Final Thoughts (01:22:50)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest Amy Nelson

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)

Enemy Territory. The voyages of the I.K.S. Gorkon continue! Following the events at San-Tarah, the Gorkon must now investigate the disappearance of her brother ship, the I.K.S. Kravokh. The Kravokh had encountered a ship from a newly-discovered warp-capable species, a strange alien race that believes themselves to be the only sentient life in the universe. Now, Klag must take the Gorkon to their homeworld to confront this new threat, all while dealing with a possible uprising among his own ranks!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson are joined by Earl Grey's Justin Oser to talk about I.K.S. Gorkon, Book Three: Enemy Territory by Keith R.A. DeCandido. We discuss the Elabrej Hegemony, Kurak's crippling alcoholism, a mutiny forming aboard the Gorkon, Leader Wol, Rodek's identity crisis, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

In the news segment, we talk about a new upcoming Star Trek: Waypoint special comic and another Little Golden Book: Too Many Tribbles!

News Waypoint Special #2 in March (00:02:52) Too Many Tribbles! in July (00:05:16) Listener Feedback (00:08:49)

Feature: Enemy Territory The Elabrej Hegemony (00:12:10) Their Society (00:21:11) The Separatists (00:23:03) Kurak (00:25:35) Mutiny on the Gorkon (00:31:39) Wol (00:43:48) Rodek (00:50:09) Leskit on the Cover? (00:54:51) Ratings (00:59:28) Final Thoughts (01:09:51)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest Justin Oser

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)

Michael Jan Friedman. Michael Jan Friedman is one of Star Trek's most prolific authors. Over the course of his association with Star Trek, Mr. Friedman has written or co-written 35 novels, a list that includes original adventures, novelizations, young adult novels, and more. Additionally, he has written 5 Star Trek short stories, 4 reference books, and close to 100 comic adventures for the various Trek crews. When it comes to Star Trek on the page, Michael Jan Friedman is a dynamo.

In this episode of Literary Treks, special correspondent Brandon Shea-Mutala catches up with Michael Jan Friedman at the Northeast Trek Con in Albany. They discuss Friedman's start in writing, how he got involved in writing Star Trek novels, the Star Trek: The Next Generation / X-Men crossover, his experience in writing Star Trek comics, the Star Trek: Stargazer series, and wrap up with what he is working on now and where listeners can find him online.

At the top of the show, Dan and Bruce review the Star Trek: Waypoint special issue and respond to your Babel Conference feedback for Literary Treks 252: Continuity Cop.

News Waypoint Special #1 (00:02:55) Listener Feedback (00:30:51)

Feature: Michael Jan Friedman Getting into Writing (00:36:25) Leading into Tie-in Fiction (00:41:51) Collaborating with Authors (00:44:34) Crossovers (00:45:59) Writing Comics (00:51:37) Novelization Challenges (00:54:32) Stargazer Series (00:57:40) New Writings (01:04:03) Final Thoughts (01:06:17)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest Michael Jan Friedman

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)

Christian Humberg: In the Heart of Chaos. In 2016, a new experiment in the world of Trek lit was attempted: for the first time, Star Trek novels would be published outside the United States in a language other than English. German publisher Cross Cult, the company that provides German-translated editions of Pocket Books' Trek novels, published its own Star Trek series: Star Trek: Prometheus, a trilogy of novels that tells the story of the Federation confronting radical terrorism, a story that is very relevant to today's world.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson are joined by Star Trek: Prometheus author Christian Humberg to talk about the final book in the Prometheus trilogy: In the Heart of Chaos, co-written with fellow author Bernd Perplies. We discuss the origin of their Trek fandom, how the Prometheus series came about, the ship and crew at the heart of the story, the Son of the Ancient Reds, innocent lives affected by the events of the novel, Raspin and the crew of the I.K.S. Bortas, the Old Ones and their role in ending the crisis, and wrap up with what the authors are currently working on and where you can find them online.

At the top of the show, we review issue #3 of IDW's Star Trek vs. Transformers and respond to your Babel Conference feedback for Literary Treks 251: 5 Missions of Elton John.

News Star Trek vs. Transformers #3 (00:03:24) Listener Feedback (00:14:13)

Feature: Christian Humberg Getting into Star Trek (00:17:16) Starting the Prometheus Trilogy (00:19:28) The Crew (00:25:14) A Parable for Modern Times (00:28:13) Brossal's Story (00:31:44) Raspin and the IKS Bortas (00:33:59) The Old Ones (00:37:37) Jassat ak Namur (00:39:10) Star Trek Publishing in Germany (00:43:42) Other Projects (00:48:52) Final Thoughts (00:51:33)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest Christian Humberg

Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and 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) Bruce Gibson (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer)

Keith R.A. DeCandido: A Time for War, A Time for Peace. Following the multiple crises of the past year, the Enterprise crew has nearly been vindicated; all that stands in their way is an inspection by Starfleet. Meanwhile, however, the Klingon Emperor has gone missing, Klingon terrorists have attacked the Federation Embassy on Qo'noS, and a surprise Federation presidential election has threatened to turn nasty. After nine books and nearly 3000 pages, the A Time To series is coming to an end!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson are joined by renowned Trek author Keith R.A. DeCandido to talk about his novel A Time for War, A Time for Peace. We discuss the series as a whole, Die Hard at the Federation embassy, Worf's son Alexander, Nan Bacco, the politics of the Federation, linking this story to Star Trek Nemesis, the theme of moving on, and wrap up by discussing what's coming up from Keith as well as where you can find him online.

At the top of the show, we review issue 5 of the TNG: Terra Incognita comic miniseries and respond to your Babel Conference feedback about Literary Treks 250: Tom Clancy Without Technobabble.

News TNG: Terra Incognita #5 (00:04:19) Listener Feedback (00:13:26)

Feature: Keith R.A. DeCandido A Time To Start (00:22:36) Kahless and Alexander (00:33:53) President Nan Bacco (00:40:23) Federation Politics (00:48:28) Linking to Nemesis (00:51:51) The New Picard Series (01:08:04) The Family Moves On (01:11:47) Other Works (01:18:28) Final Thoughts (01:32:05)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest Keith R.A. 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)

Honor Bound. The Children of San-Tarah have emerged victorious over Klag and the crew of the I.K.S. Gorkon, and Klag has promised that the Klingon Empire will leave their planet in peace. However, General Talak, Klag's superior, has different ideas and orders the conquest of San-Tarah. Now, Klag must put out the call to The Order of the Bat'leth and defend both the Children of San-Tarah and Klingon honor itself!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther are joined by Justin Oser to discuss I.K.S. Gorkon, Book Two: Honor Bound by Keith R.A. DeCandido. We talk about The Order of the Bat'leth, Leader Wol, Klag as the Klingon Kirk, Klingon duplicity, the San-Tarah and their role in the Empire, some hanging threads for future novels, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

In the news section, Bruce and Dan are joined by Larry Nemecek to discuss his updated version of Star Trek: Stellar Cartography. In the feedback segment, Bruce and Dan discuss your thoughts on Literary Treks 249: A Fun Labor of Love.

News Star Trek Stellar Cartography Updated (00:02:17) Listener Feedback (00:26:42)

Feature: Honor Bound Battle of the Bat'leth (00:30:32) Wol (00:40:02) Is Klag a Klingon Kirk? (00:44:16) Who Can You Trust? (00:52:38) Joining the Empire (00:59:50) Kurn/Rodek (01:07:37) Kurak (01:10:55) Back to Wol (01:14:29) Ratings (01:18:19) Final Thoughts (01:24:48)

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)

David Mack: A Time to Heal. Federation forces, led by Picard and the Enterprise, have captured Tezwa, a world that threatened to become a flashpoint in a devastating war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. However, as difficult as the attack itself was, the occupation of Tezwa will prove even more difficult, costly, and bloody. And the price that Picard's crew pays in lives may be in the service of a cover-up that reaches to the very highest levels of the Federation...

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson welcome back author David Mack to talk about his novel A Time to Heal. We discuss the difference between this book and A Time to Kill, what Starfleet at war is really like, the effect of war on the people involved, Troi's anger, Riker's experiences as a prisoner of Kinchawn, and wrap up with a surprise announcement from David Mack about an upcoming project, as well as where you can find him online!

At the top of the show, we respond to viewer comments about episode 248, all about DS9: Millennium, Book III: Inferno by Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens.

News DS9 Millennium Inferno Responses (00:03:44)

Feature: David Mack David's First Two Novels (00:13:24) Utter Despair (00:23:54) Black Hawk Down (00:29:48) War Changes You (00:34:11) Conspiracy Between Worlds (00:37:04) The Snowball Down the Mountainside (00:47:15) Tiger Cruise (00:53:14) Riker Needs To Be More (00:58:28) Peart and Perim (01:06:17) The Flavor of Star Trek (01:10:28) Future Books (01:14:10) Chapter 25 (01:21:29) Final Thoughts (01:25:45)

Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest David Mack

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)