Literary Treks: A Star Trek Books and Comics Podcast

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 Trek's 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 scene, our ratings and final thoughts.

For the news we discuss the upcoming novel in the Picard line!

News

New Picard Novel Coming (00:02:58)

Feature: Demons of Air and Darkness

Title Questions (00:05:52)

The Opening Chapter (00:10:28)

The Threat of the Book (00:12:55)

Kira’s Leadership (00:17:32)

“Threat” (00:19:35)

Shar and Nog (00:23:55)

New Recurring Characters (00:29:33)

Quark (00:32:47)

Ro (00:34:36)

Finally Revealed (00:38:12)

The Same Scene (00:40:15)

Ratings (00:43:24)

Final Thoughts (00:46:13)

Hosts

Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan

Production

Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

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 scene, our ratings and final thoughts.

For the news we discuss the upcoming novel in the Picard line! News New Picard Novel Coming (00:02:58)

Feature: Demons of Air and Darkness Title Questions (00:05:52) The Opening Chapter (00:10:28) The Threat of the Book (00:12:55) Kira's Leadership (00:17:32) "Threat" (00:19:35) Shar and Nog (00:23:55) New Recurring Characters (00:29:33) Quark (00:32:47) Ro (00:34:36) Finally Revealed (00:38:12) The Same Scene (00:40:15) Ratings (00:43:24) Final Thoughts (00:46:13)

Hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan

Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

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 memoriam for some losses in the Star Trek literary world. News Sad News (00:02:53)

Feature: James Swallow The Genesis of the Book (00:06:44) The Focus (00:13:25) Introductions (00:16:52) Dynamics (00:23:04) La’An (00:26:58) The Klingons (00:30:09) The Planet (00:35:37) In the Future (00:41:30) Coming Soon (00:44:19) Final Thoughts (00:47:20)

Hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan

Guest James Swallow

Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

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 news we talk about the Ring of Fire blurb, comic news, Lower Deck comic reviews and some sad news. News Ring of Fire Blurb (00:02:33) Comic News (00:07:06) Lower Decks Comic Reviews (00:11:59) Sad News (00:22:24)

Feature: Doors Into Chaos Feels Like the Beginning (00:27:16) Getting Lucky (00:37:18) Crew Movement (00:38:18) Used Well (00:41:12) Riker (00:43:37) Connections (00:47:05) Picard (00:51:57) The Conference (00:55:15) Building Excitement (01:01:39) Ratings (01:06:39) Final Thoughts (01:08:54)

Hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan

Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

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 Your Own Way.    News Lower Decks: Warp Your Own Way (00:02:53)                 

Feature: Chainmail  Star Trek: Challenger (00:05:46) It’s Out There (00:11:49) Character Work (00:15:49) Worldview Difference (00:23:41) Drawbacks (00:26:03) Riutta and Her People (00:26:50) Use of the Gateway (00:30:57) Timey-Whimy (00:34:12) Thematic Link (00:37:29) By the End (00:39:46) A Page From Kirk’s Book (00:42:44) Ratings (00:45:12) Final Thoughts (00:48:10)      

Hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan 

Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

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 final thoughts. 

In the news there is a new book announcement as well as comic reviews on Star Trek 500 and Star Trek Defiant issues 17-21.   News New Book Announcement (00:03:00) Star Trek 500 (00:06:47) Star Trek Defiant 17-21 (00:11:16)                

Feature: One Small Step  A New Series (00:23:57) Watching an Episode (00:28:58) The Virus (00:30:57) Impersonating Kalandans (00:32:22) The Klingons (00:37:25) The Gateways (00:43:36) Restructuring (00:44:29) Something That Works Well (00:53:39) Ratings (00:59:33) Final Thoughts (01:01:30)        

Hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan 

Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

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 with Star Trek issues 19-24 and Defiant issues 12-16.   News New Books Coming (00:03:21) Star Trek 19-24 (00:11:30) Star Trek Defiant 12-16 (00:17:21)                 

Feature: The Pandora Principle   Development Hell (00:27:28) Get Him Out of the Way (00:32:30) The First Chapter (00:37:08) Saavik (00:39:12) A Positive or Negative (00:44:05) Mystery Boxes (00:50:11) Wait, What? (00:52:41) Disjointed (00:55:49) Ratings (01:00:26) Final Thoughts (01:02:18)        

Hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan 

Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

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 talents, heartbreak, a fun note, where to find Una and our final thoughts.                

Feature: Una McCormack Starting the Book (00:03:50) Timeframes (00:06:24) The Academy Storyline (00:09:49) Lectures (00:13:05) An Interesting Friendship (00:16:09) The Mystery (00:18:02) Themes and Questions (00:22:42) Writing the SNW Crew (00:27:12) References (00:29:19) Using Talents (00:34:41) A Fun Note (00:44:56) Where to Find Una and What is Coming (00:48:23) Final Thoughts (00:50:30)      

Hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan 

Guest  Una McCormack

Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

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 Trek Celebrations one shot.   News Sons of Star Trek (00:04:21) Star Trek 2024 Annual (00:11:53) Star Trek Celebrations (00:16:03)                

Feature: The Nanotech War     No Number (00:20:26) First Impressions (00:21:54) First Contact (00:27:30) B’Elanna’s Arc (00:34:47) 7 of 9 (00:41:27) Put Everything Back in the  Box (00:48:48) Ratings (00:51:32) Final Thoughts (00:56:21)      

Hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan 

Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

Catalyst of Shadows.     The almost ninety year period between The Original Series and The Next Generation was perfect fodder for the novels to mine, connecting the dots between the eras as well as characters we would meet in the 24th century to those we knew from the 23rd century. 

In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan talk about The Lost Era book, Catalyst of Shadows. We discuss an Uhura story, Crusher vs Pulaski, the rest of the cast, other characters, the mystery, trauma, flashbacks and timelines, plus our ratings and final thoughts. 

In the news we talk about a newish book, a comic milestone and an upcoming novel release.   News A Newish Book (00:03:52) Star Trek 500 (00:05:46) Strange New Worlds: Asylum (00:08:01)                 

Feature: Catalyst of Shadows  An Uhura Story (00:10:17) Crusher vs Pulaski (00:17:42) The Rest of the Cast (00:18:56) Other Characters (00:24:08) The Mystery (00:31:25) Trauma (00:42:55) Flashbacks and Timelines (00:47:16) Ratings (01:01:19) Final Thoughts (01:05:59)            Hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan 

Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)