Discovery to introduce Star Trek's first major transgender and non-binary characters. Plus other Trek-TV updates

Discovery, a show that has already pushed Star Trek's representation forward by several lightyears with it's diverse cast of characters, is continuing it's efforts of showing how truly diverse and inclusive Star Trek can be, by introducing the franchise's first regular transgender and non-binary characters.

Continue below for details of these two new characters, plus other updates on the many Star Trek shows currently in production and development.

Ian Alexander, an Asian-American transgender actor know for his role in The OA, will play a Trill character called Gray. Here's how CBS describe him:

Gray is empathetic, warm and eager to fulfill his lifelong dream of being a Trill host, but he will have to adapt when his life takes an unexpected turn.

Blu del Barrio, who seems to be British, is taking on their first major role here, and will play the non-binary character Adira. And here's how CBS describe them:

Adira is highly intelligent with a confidence and self-assurance well beyond their years. They will find a new home on the U.S.S. Discovery and form an unexpected bond with Lt. Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) and Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz). 

Star Trek Online introduces Section 31 Command Heavy Battlecruiser

Star Trek Online have unveiled a new ship coming soon to the game; Discovery's four nacelled Section 31 drone carrier, otherwise now known as the Section 31 Command Heavy Battlecruiser. Here's how they describe it:

When it comes to top secret organizations, few things are as they appear, and the Section 31 Command Heavy Battlecruiser is a master of deceptive appearances – provided your sensors will even pick it up. Its powerful stealth capabilities are backed by a giant swarm of fighters to overwhelm any foes it encounters, and its infiltration capabilities are unmatched.

Here's a cool animation of the drone swarm in action, which also gives us an interesting look at the structure of the ship:

New blurbs for 2020 Star Trek novels

Simon and Schuster have released a batch of new blurbs, and in one case a title, for four Star Trek novels coming later this year. These releases span wide range of series, with new TOS, Kelvin, Discovery, and Voyager releases all on the way. Continue below to check them out. Going in release order...

Coming in June is Dayton Ward's Agents of Influence, a TOS five-year-mission adventure, which it seems has a distinctive espionage twist:

For years, Starfleet Intelligence agents have carried out undercover assignments deep within the Klingon Empire. Surgically altered and rigorously trained in Klingon culture, they operate in plain sight and without any direct support, while collecting information and infiltrating the highest levels of imperial power. Their actions have given Starfleet valuable insight into the inner workings of Klingon government and its relentless military apparatus.

After three of Starfleet’s longest serving agents fear exposure, they initiate emergency extraction procedures. Their planned rendezvous with the USS Endeavour goes awry, threatening to reveal their activities and the damaging intelligence they’ve collected during their mission. Tasked by Starfleet to salvage the botched rescue attempt, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise must discover the truth behind a secret weapons experiment while avoiding an interstellar incident with the potential to ignite a new war between the Federation and one of its oldest adversaries.

Latest Discovery promos and behind the scenes, plus other Trek-TV updates

Lots of Discovery and general Star Trek TV updates today, as we look forward to the rest of season two, and much more in the future. Continue below for updates on the Picard show, Section 31 show, and Lower Decks; but first, Disco:

CBS have released a trailer for the rest of Discovery season two (hosted here by Nación Trek):

Georgiou Section 31 spin-off series confirmed

Rumoured for some months now, CBS have today confirmed they are planning to go forward with Discovery spin-off series featuring once-Emperor Philippa Georgiou and her exploits in Section 31, starring of course the magnificent Michelle Yeoh.

CBS press release describes the series as a "black ops" show, outlining it as follows:

The series will expand on Yeoh’s current role as a member of Starfleet’s Section 31 division, a shadow organization within the Federation, on STAR TREK: DISCOVERY

The series will be written and executive produced by talent from the Discovery team: Writing partners Bo Yeon Kim and Erika Lippoldt. The usual suspects from CBS Television Studios, Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment, Alex Kurtzman, Heather Kadin, Aaron Baiers, Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth will all also be executive producers.

Book bits: DTI and Prey covers, and details of future books

Books news! Continue below for bumper update on the latest novels and novellas, including new covers, and details of new books.

First up, the latest cover to enter the wild is snazzy spacey cover for the latest book in Chrisopher L. Bennett's Department of Temporal Investigations series. The ebook novella Time Lock, is due next month.

Book bits: Prey cover, new TNG, DS9, Voyager, and Section 31 blurbs, and more!

Lots of book news today, including brand new blurbs for the first four novels on the 2017 novel schedule, which continue the adventures of the Enterprise-E, new-DS9, Voyager and the Full Circle fleet, and Docotr Bashir's efforts to thwart Section 31. But before we get to all those exciting stories, there's new cover!

Coming in November is the middle book in John Jackson Miller's Prey trilogy, The Jackal's Trick. The TNG era story is Klingon focused, and the cover, released by StarTrek.com, certainly demonstrates that, with a couple of Klingon ships and a big--scary-demon-thing (anyone recognise what that is?).

Books bits: Shadows of the Machine blurb, and hints at future works

Lots of books news today, starting with a shiny new blurb for the next ebook novella, Shadow of the Machine, a post-The Motion Picture story from Star Trek first timer, Scott Harrison. which will be out in March:

An all-new original e-novella set in the Original Series universe—taking place immediately after the events of the 1979 film Star Trek: The Motion Picture!

After its recent encounter with V’ger, the U.S.S. Enterprise has returned to dry dock to finish its refit before commencing its second five-year mission. The crew has been granted a two-week period of shore leave before preparations for their next voyage begins. Shaken by their encounter with V’ger, Kirk, Spock, and Sulu travel to their respective homes and must reflect upon their lives—now forever changed.

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp.

Star Trek podcasts have been keeping Star Trek authors busy lately, with discussion of many works, and a few teases of things to come. Continue after the jump for news about a Quark ebook, DS9 and TOS novels, the US release of Star Trek Pop-Ups, a new book about costumes, and more!

Book bits: New Voyager blurb, TOS excerpt, and more

Books news! First up there is a new blurb for Kirsten Beyer's next Voyager novel, Atonement, which comes via the Simon and Schuster digital catalogue. The book, due out next September, will be completing the trilogy begun in Protectors and Acts of Contrition, and this early-stage blurb unsurprisingly makes clear several plot points form those books will be resolved:

Admiral Kathryn Janeway faces a tribunal determined to execute her for supposed crimes committed during Voyager’s maiden trek through the Delta Quadrant. Captain Chakotay knows that the Kinara, several species now allied against the Full Circle fleet, are not all they appear to be. The Confederacy of the Worlds of the First Quadrant—a pact he cannot trust—is his only hope for unraveling the Kinara’s true agenda and rescuing Admiral Janeway. Meanwhile, Seven and Tom Paris are forced to betray the trust of their superiors in a desperate bid to reveal the lengths to which a fellow officer has gone in the name of protecting the Federation from the legendary Caeliar.

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp, iTunes.

Meanwhile, the next book on the schedule should be starting to show up in the coming days. Amazon now has an excerpt up for Greg Cox's TOS book, Foul Deeds Will Rise. You can read all of chapter one, which starts like this:

Captain’s log. Stardate 8514.6

The Enterprise has embarked on a peacekeeping mission to the Savinia system, where two warring planets, Pavak and Oyolo, are attempting to end years of bitter hostility. Although neither planet is a member of the Federation, we have been invited by both parties to act as an impartial mediator. The Enterprise will serve as neutral territory for the upcoming peace negotiations, while also patrolling the space between the two worlds in order to deter any attacks. Given the atrocities and bloodshed on both sides of the conflict, there are bound to be hard feelings among the delegates. I don’t envy the Federation ambassador assigned to this mission.

Who just happens to have a familiar face . . .

“Well, they’re not shooting at each other yet,” Ambassador Kevin Riley said. “That’s a positive sign, I suppose.”

The Enterprise approached the rendezvous point. On the bridge’s main viewer, two small diplomatic courier crafts from Pavak and Oyolo faced off against each other in the demilitarized zone between the planets. The couriers were essentially streamlined shuttlecrafts, designed for interplanetary travel within the solar system. Kirk recalled that both races possessed rudimentary warp technology, but had scarcely ventured beyond their own system. He briefly considered raising the Enterprise’s shields, but he decided against it. The shuttles posed little threat to the starship, and arriving with shields up, as though expecting trouble, hardly sent the right message.

“I admire your optimism, Ambassador,” Kirk said from the captain’s chair. He was wearing his dress uniform in anticipation of the delegates’ imminent arrival. Medals adorned the front of his double-breasted maroon jacket. “From what I gather, you have your work cut out for you.”

“You can say that again.” Riley stood beside Kirk’s chair in the sunken command circle at the center of the bridge. His conservative gray suit was a good deal less colorful than the then-regulation gold tunic he’d worn when he’d first served aboard the original Enterprise, some two decades ago. Years in the diplomatic corps had added some seasoning to his face and a neatly trimmed brown beard made him look more mature as well. “I have to say I’ve enjoyed the trip here, though. It’s good to be back on the Enterprise again . . . well, an Enterprise at least.”

“I know what you mean,” Kirk said. This new vessel wasn’t quite the same as his old ship, which had gone down in flames above the Genesis Planet a few years back, but he was getting used to it. And certainly it had proven itself during some tight situations, beginning with that business on Nimbus III. “And it’s been a pleasure to have you back aboard, if only for this mission.”

“We’re being hailed by both delegations,” Uhura reported from the communications station. “They’re ready to be beamed aboard.”

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp, iTunes.  

Continue after the jump for a behind the scenes book-cover development tale, and the latest updates from the German Star Trek publisher.

Book bits: New Section 31, Voyager, and TOS novels, plus new Cross Cult covers

A few book bits here, including two new titles, and the possibility of another book on the way...

Out now is David Mack's latest novel, Section 31: Disavowed, which is a follow-up to The Fall, the Mirror Universe books, and Cold Equations! We already knew this book itself would be leading onto another Section 31 story, and if you flip to the back pages of Disavowed you will discover the title of that book, Section 31: Control. There's no news yet on when this will be released, but given we already know half of the 2015 schedule, I wouldn't expect it until at least the latter half of next year.

Kirsten Beyer's latest Voyager novel, Acts of Contrition is another recent release, and discussing that book on TrekFM's Literary Trek's Beyer revealed some details about future Voyager novels. The next book in the series, Atonement, which is also due out later next year, and will conclude the current trilogy of stories, Beyer revealed will feature a surprising guest star:

For the first time in Atonement, I got to write for Garak.

Beyer is already signed up to write another Voyager novel after that, and is indeed already in the process of writing it. She revealed the working title (which she anticipates will also be the final title), will be, A Pocket Full of Lies, and gave a brief summary:

It's really setting the stage for the second year, and what some of our challenges are going to be. So it's a self contained story, in that it's got a very definite problem that we're going to resolve. But it's bringing in a lot of new issues and races, and again, sort of taking what we think we know about Voyager, and the impact that they had, in a whole different area of the Delta Quadrant, and going back and saying, wow, what really happened here.

Beyond there Beyer isn't yet contracted for further books, but clearly already has thoughts on where she will take the series:

I definitely see that continuing on from there, there will be more of a need to do several sort of standalone adventures, that deal with various things, before we would begin to let the momentum that's going to be kicked off in that book build, and then resolve; kind of like we did with Meegan.

The final bit of new book news comes from Christopher L. Bennett, who recently posted a blog with process updates on his forthcoming Rise of the Federation and Department of Temporal Investigations books also mentioned he is hoping to pitch some ideas for TOS era stories:

I’m starting to think about a new Trek pitch or two set in the Original Series era. I’m hoping I can get something approved in time for the 50th anniversary in 2016. In which case I’d better get cracking.

Want more books news? Well continue after the jump for a look at the latest new cover designs from German publisher Cross Cult:

Book bits: Updated Missing cover, and new excerpt

A couple of book updates: First up, Doug Drexler posted (on Facebook) an updated version of his cover for Una McCormack's new DS9 novel, The Missing. This has apparently been sent to Doug after the team at Pocket Books made some corrections to remove the very purple tinge that had been applied to the previously released version, and also got rid of the weird line which cut off the background before the edge of the cover. Hopefully this will be the version that appears on the final book, which is due out in January:

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp.

Next month's book meanwhile is also DS9-related, but not released under that series banner. David Mack's Section 31: Disavowed is set to follow up on threads from The Fall, Cold Equations, and the Mirror Universe series. Amazon.com have now released an excerpt, chapter one from the book, which begins like this:

All that stood between Thot Tran and salvation was unrequited love and the edge of the universe.

In recent years his scientific career had been marred by one failure after another. Despite grievous setbacks, he had retained his position as the director of the Special Research Division, one of the loftiest posts in the Breen Confederacy, but one more failure would be the end of him. Domo Pran, the leader of the Confederacy, had made that grim fact abundantly clear. Now Tran’s entire career hinged upon proving a mad hypothesis before Pran’s patience expired.

To make matters worse, his only hope of success lay in the eccentric genius of his Tzenkethi collaborator, Choska Ves Fel-AA. The humanoid outworlder was strangely beautiful to Tran’s eyes. Lithe and silver skinned, Choska was blessed with coppery tresses that fell past her elegant shoulders, and the irises of her ovoid eyes glittered like gold. Upon first meeting her, Tran had shaken her delicate hand—and even through his uniform’s insulated glove his flesh had prickled from an electric tingle. Though he’d been warned ahead of time that Tzenkethi could impart such an effect upon contact, he had been unprepared for the thrill it had given him. Every detail of Choska’s being was rapturous. Her voice was melodic, like the ringing of chimes incapable of striking a false note. Her movements were grace incarnate. Even her most outlandish ideas and outrageous theories possessed a strange elegance.

Tran’s life and career both hung by a slender thread, and all he could think about was the fact that, against all reason, he had fallen in love with an alien who would never love him back.

Not that he hadn’t set limits. When Choska had suggested they convert their shared laboratory space aboard Ikkuna Station into a gravity envelope enclosure, so that all its surfaces—the walls and ceiling, as well as the deck—could be utilized as operational space, Tran had invoked his privilege as project’s director to keep their lab securely on the floor. After all, Ikkuna Station had been built by, and was run by, the Breen, just inside Confederate space, and converting the bulkheads and overheads to serve the same functions as the deck would have been quite tedious and time-consuming. Which had made it all the more shameful, in his opinion, that for a moment he actually had considered granting her request before he’d vetoed it.

Since then, her already inscrutable façade had become impenetrable, hardened against his searching gaze by what he could only presume was resentment. The only discourse that passed between them now was the cold, dry jargon of the laboratory.

Choska spoke without shifting her eyes from the master console in front of her. “The generator is at full power. Membrane penetration anticipated in twenty seconds.”

“Noted. Increase power to the threshold stabilizer on my mark.”

The beguiling Tzenkethi physicist adjusted the settings. “Ready.”

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp. 

Chapter one continues on Amazon.com, and the book should be out in the next couple of weeks.

Book bits: Section 31 cover and future book updates

Books news! First up, via StarTrek.com, behold the cover of David Mack's follow-up to the Bashir story from The Fall, coming in November, is Section 31: Disavowed:

The art for this cover is by Tim Bradstreet, who did covers for many of th early issues of the nuTrek ongoing comic series. Here's a reminder of the blurb:

Amoral, shrouded in secrecy, and answerable to no one, Section 31 is the mysterious covert operations division of Starfleet, a rogue shadow group committed to safeguarding the Federation at any cost.

Doctor Julian Bashir sacrificed his career for a chance to infiltrate Section 31 and destroy it from within. Now it's asking him to help it stop the Breen from stealing a dangerous new technology from the Mirror Universe — one that could give the Breen control over the galaxy.

It's a mission Bashir can't refuse, but is it really the shot he's been waiting for? Or is it a trap from which even his genetically enhanced intellect can't escape?

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp. 

Looking further ahead, several authors have recently hinted at future works. Continue after the jump for the latest news on Titan and New Frontier, plus The Light Fantastic and From History's Shadow follow-ups.

Book bits: Acts of Contrition cover, Foul Deeds blurb, and more

Loads of books news! Starting with the look at the cover for Kirsten Beyer's next Voyager novel, Acts of Contrition, which features the USS Voyager (still pretending she hasn't had a refit) in slipstream, looking all awesome. StarTrek.com posted this:

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp. 

Acts of Contrition, the second book in a three-part story which started with Protectors, is out in October. Before that, the first two books in the new Seekers series are on the way, which don't yet have covers. The cover artist, Rob Caswell, posted a test cover he did, while waiting to work on the real things. So here's a hint of the flavour of things to come with Seekers. Rob's previous cover designs for an imagined series, The Seekers, actually inspired this new series; you can see that cover series in my previous report.

Later in the year we've got a TOS movie era book on the way from Greg Cox. Foul Deeds Will Rise is set shortly after The Final Frontier, and Simon and Schuster have now released a new blurb revealing the link to a TOS episode:

An all-new Star Trek novel, set in the popular and blockbuster Original Series movie era!

2288. The U.S.S Enterprise-A is on a vital peacekeeping mission in a remote solar system beyond the boundaries of the Federation, where two warring planets—Pavak and Oyolo—are attempting to end years of bitter conflict. Crucial peace talks are being conducted aboard the Enterprise, even as Starfleet weapons inspectors oversee the disarmament process. Losses and atrocities on both sides have left plenty of hard feelings behind, so Captain James T. Kirk has his work cut out for him, even as he unexpectedly runs into a disturbing figure from his past: Lenore Karidian.

Twenty years ago, the deadly daughter of Kodos the Executioner tried to kill Kirk, but she has since been declared sane and rehabilitated. Kirk wants to give her the benefit of the doubt and a second chance at life, but when a mysterious assassination threatens the already fragile peace process, all clues point toward Lenore–and the future of two worlds hangs in the balance.

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp.

Continue after the jump for more books news, including the first details of new books, schedule changes, and behind the scenes treats:

Books bits: Section 31, covers, and the shape of Voyager to come?

Books news! David Mack has updated his website with the blurb for his post-The Fall novel, Section 31: Disavowed, which is due out in November:

SECTION 31
NO LAW.
NO CONSCIENCE.
NO MERCY.

Amoral, shrouded in secrecy, and answerable to no one, Section 31 is the mysterious covert operations division of Starfleet, a rogue shadow group committed to safeguarding the Federation at any cost.

Doctor Julian Bashir sacrificed his career for a chance to infiltrate Section 31 and destroy it from within. Now it's asking him to help it stop the Breen from stealing a dangerous new technology from the Mirror Universe — one that could give the Breen control over the galaxy.

It's a mission Bashir can't refuse, but is it really the shot he's been waiting for? Or is it a trap from which even his genetically enhanced intellect can't escape?

A BOLD NEW THRILLER BY
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
DAVID MACK

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp. 

The cover above is just a promo image, but a couple of real covers have been recently revealed. Simon and Schuster have released the cover for Michael A Martin's TOS ebook novella, Seasons of Light and Darkness:

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp.

There's still no blurb for this one, but previous information from the author has suggested it will be a McCoy story, set amongst events early in The Wrath of Khan. It's due out in April.

Meanwhile IDW editor Chris Ryall has posted what appears to be another cover for the forthcoming comic book adaptation of Harlan Ellison's original screenplay for The City on the Edge of Forever. The post was actually to celebrate William Shatner's birthday, and didn't detail when this artwork will be used, but it looks like one of Juan Ortiz' covers to me:

Finally, German publisher Cross Cult posted a new image too, not a whole cover, but an image of the quantum slipstream enable refit USS Voyager. As Full Circle is set for German release in October, I would speculate this might be something they are readying for use on that cover; as Mark Rademaker's refit design isn't ready for cover duty yet.

Book bits: New titles, details, and German Destiny

Lots of books news today, starting with several new titles revealed by the latest additions to Amazon's listings. Several new titles have been added, in some cases revealing the titles and/or release dates. Perhaps most notable is that there are two titles being released under the DS9 banner, the first time since 2009 thanks to DS9 stories constantly occurring within crossovers recently! New titles on Amazon are:

New Deep Space 9

DS9: The Missing, by Una McCormack (January 2015)

• McCormack has confirmed this is the new title for the novel previously listed as TNG: Home Again.
• This story is set to feature Doctor Beverly Crusher as the temporary chief medical officer on DS9 following the events of The Fall.
• Pre-orders: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp.

TOS: Foul Deeds Will Rise, by Greg Cox (December 2014)

• This is apparently a TOS movie era novel, but no other details have been revealed so far.
• Pre-orders: Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.co.jp.

Section 31: Disavowed, by David Mack (November 2014)

• Bashir follow-up to The Fall, obviously featuring Section 31. Mack has also noted there will be connections to his Mirror Universe novel Rise Like Lions, and related events from the middle book of his Cold Equations trilogy, Silent Weapons.
• Pre-orders: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp. 

Voyager: Acts of Contrition, by Kirsten Beyer (October 2014)

• Second book in a trilogy of stories in the Voyager relaunch, which started with the recently released novel, Protectors.
• Pre-orders: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp.

DS9: Lust's Latinum Lost (and Found), by Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann (September 2014)

• A Quark-focused ebook novella, set on the new DS9.
• Pre-orders: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp. 

Recent author interviews have also revealed new details of books to come. TrekCore talked to Kirsten Beyer about Protectors, and also got her to discuss the next books in the Voyager relaunch, including revealing the working title of the third book in the current Voyager trilogy; following Protectors, and Acts of Contrition, will be Atonement. Speaking about Acts of Contrition, Beyer gave this summary:

We’re going deep into the Worlds of the First Quadrant. If you know me at all, you should probably assume that’s not going to go terribly smoothly. We’re also going to continue to explore the catomic plague, and of course, Seven’s reunion with Axum. Doctor Sharak gets more development and a familiar face for Voyager fans who we haven’t see much of in the relaunch helps with that.

For Acts of Contrition, I decided to try my hand at writing the first actual scene ever written almost completely in Tamarian in any of the books. I sort of like how it turned out, so I hope others will too. Tom Paris will face his mother in mediation and that story will be resolved…mostly. And yes, we will learn more about the alliances being formed in the Delta Quadrant between former enemies that seem determined to undermine the fleet.

There’s a lot going on. One of the most consistent complaints I’m seeing about Protectors is that it felt too much like a set-up for another story. It was. I hope folks will be more understanding when they see how much more there is to come and how it all builds from what began in Protectors and is ultimately resolved in the final book.

Beyer also had lots to say about what she explored in Protectors, visit TrekCore for the full interview. Meanwhile TrekFM's Literary Treks podcast also interviewed an author recently, the newest contributor to the world of Star Trek, John Jackson Miller, who made his debut last month with the Titan ebook, Absent Enemies. One thing revealed in the interview was that Miller also started work in the Trekverse much earlier; he was set to write a novella for the Corps of Engineers series, but wasn't able to proceed when the series was cancelled!

While the interview was mainly focused on Absent Enemies, including comparisons with writing Star Wars, and decisions made when considering the shorter format of the novella, Miller did also look forward to his forthcoming Aventine novel, which he revealed will also feature the Enterprise-E, and characterised the book as a "sprawling adventure story".

Finally, Cross Cult have recently announced that, in August, they will be releasing a hardcover omnibus of their German translations of David Mack's Destiny trilogy. They have released cover art, which uses the triptych of covers from their versions of the individual books. Talking to my German expert, Jens Deffner, the point was raised that this could have been an opportunity for Cross Cult to update their translations to reflect the tweaks Mack made to Destiny when the US omnibus edition was release. Alas Jens believes they will be sticking with their existing translations.

Books Bits: German cover and alternate universes

A few books bits for you. Starting with Cross Cult's latest cover art. This new art, posted on Facebook, is for the German edition of the New Frontier novel Being Human, which will be released as Menschsein in Germany in October.

Back in the English speaking world, David Mack snuck out a little hint about his forthcoming novel, Section 31: Disavowed - As well as being a follow up to Bashir's story in The Fall, it will also have a connection to the Mirror Universe novel Rise Like Lions, as Mack explained on his blog while talking about that book:

It represents the culmination of multiple story arcs I had set into motion in the Mirror Universe, and it will serve as the setup for my upcoming Section 31 novel, Disavowed, coming in November 2014.

In another alternate universe, Comics Alliance recently interview nuTrek ongoing comic writer Mike Johnson, and artist Yasmin Liang, about the two-part gender-swapped story, Parallel Lives. Johnson explained the origin of the story, which could have focused on a completely different alternative crew:

I wanted to try something attention-grabbing and slightly weird, in the tradition of the more daring original episodes, and joked that a “Lil’ Star Trek” series following a miniature crew would certainly be that. Sarah suggested an alternative that still embraced the idea of seeing the crew in a different way: switching genders. It’s certainly attention-grabbing, but it is also very “Star Trek” in the way that it invites an examination of deeper themes in the story beyond just the unusual premise.

Liang meanwhile discussed designing the gender-swapped crew. The article also included some of Liang's development artwork.

Kirk, Spock and Uhuro’s designs were all handled by the cover artist, Cat Staggs. Even then, Mike provided me with some guidelines for the rest of the crew! When I approach designs, especially redesigns and genderbends, I try to determine the main motivations and personality behind the character. For instance, Bones as a woman would be just as grouchy and still be taller than Kirk. I just like the idea of Bones being a large, mean-looking woman! And of course, Chekov would be cute as a button.

It’s not really a science though and I’ve done my fair share of genderbends for fun. People get MAD about genderbends. Have you seen how angry they get? I’m actually a bit afraid for when the books are released and people read them.

Johnson also talked about the direction of the series from this point onwards:

Only in the comics will we see the adventures of the crew as they leave the Federation in the rear-view and head out into uncharted space. This is a departure from the original television series, where the Enterprise would often be visiting existing colonies and shuttling diplomats around when it wasn’t finding new worlds. We’re leaving all of that behind, so the comic really embraces the sense of a lone ship out there on the seas of space. No backup, no rescue if things go wrong. Hopefully everybody survives to make it to the next movie…

We’re leaving the re-interpretations of original episodes behind in favor of all-new adventures. This doesn’t mean we won’t see a familiar face in a new light now and then, but the focus will be on new stories. There’s a lot of fallout from Into Darkness to explore, and new additions to the crew we want to get to know.

You can read the full interview with both Johnson and Liang on Comics Alliance.

Book bits: Section 31, Seekers, The Fall, and new German releases

The latest Star Trek books news, starting with a look ahead to some of 2014's novels:

Mock-up cover

In a recent interview with Trek Mate's Ten Forward podcast, David Mack outlined his plans for his next 24th century novel, Section 31: Disavowed:

It's really gonna be a hardcore spy-thriller-type-thing. It's essentially, Bashir, after The Fall, has to find a new modus vivendi. He's got a new life, he's not in Starfleet any more, Sarina Douglas has followed him out of Starfleet. And Disavowed is essentially about him beginning the process of infiltrating Section 31 and insinuating himself into the organisation, as part of his long term strategy, along with Sarina Douglas, to take the organisation down from within.

Mock-up cover

Before Section 31 at the end of 2014, Mack also has Second Nature, his initial volume in the new Seekers series (a spin-off from Vanguard), due in the middle of the year. He also summarised how that series is being approached:

It's designed as a much more straight-forward, light, fun, action-adventure, with a bit of humour. It's supposed to be in that sort of lighter vein of Star Trek that you had back in the 1970s anthologies of the episodes; the adaptations of the episodes by James Blish. So it's going to have that retro look and feel, in terms of the cover and the cover design, layout, and typography.

We're also writing these books to be a bit shorter, rather than ninety to a hundred thousand words, we're aiming closer to seventy to eighty thousand words. So they're going to be lighter, they're going to be faster. They're just designed to be quick fun little adventures, without all the politics, without all the darkness.

In contrast to the politics-light approach of Seekers, the current 24th century series, The Fall, is steeped in continuity and politics, as James Swallow summarised in a recent interview with Trek FM's Literary Treks:

This is a Federation trying to get back on the up-swing; dealing with the Typhon Pact, and all these other threats to its existence. It's a Federation that's completely unlike the one that we've seen in the TV shows. I think the books really reflect that; it's a Federation where the people feel embattled. There's an entire generation of people coming up in Starfleet, and they're people who've lived through the war with the Borg. Young people who are now joining Starfleet and they have different ideas about the way that Starfleet should be, and maybe they're coming at it with a more militant more aggressive stand-point - Which is not what Starfleet is about. Or is it what Starfleet is about, now? It's the dynamic tension between these two world-views; if you end up being to quick to reach for your sword, eventually that's the first thing you do in every situation, and that's not Star Trek. But it's reflecting what feels to me, a realistic evolution of that culture. Trying to find their way back to their try ideals are - This is very definitely a story about that; our characters, and in a larger sense the Federation, being confronted with two paths...

Swallow also hinted at his plans for future Star Trek books. While nothing is set in stone yet, he is looking to do a five-year-mission TOS novel, and later, another Titan novel.

You can hear both David Mack and James Swallow talking much more about their books by listening to their complete interviews, on Trek Mate and Trek FM respectively .

In other books news, German readers have several new translations on the way from Panini. Three of the recent quirkier books are all coming out in February:

• Stellar-Kartographie (Stellar Cartography: The Starfleet Reference Library), originally published by 47North in December 2013.
• Das Star Trek-Bastelbuch (The Star Trek Craft Book), originally published by Pocket Books in April 2013.
• Sprich wie ein Klingone, Buch mit Soundkonsole: Essenzielle Phrasen für den intergalaktischen Reisenden (How to Speak Klingon: Essential Phrases for the Intergalactic Traveler), originally published by Chronicle Books in April 2013.

Book bits: New blurbs, maps, and more

The latest book blurbs, starting with TWO new blurbs for David R. George III's new Lost Era novel, One Constant Star. The Simon and Schuster online catalog has been updated with the following blurb:

While Amazon's listing has this briefer summary now:

UPDATE: David R. George III has asked me to take down the blurbs as they are apparently highlight inaccurate. A new and more accurate one should appear later!

The Simon and Schuster catalog also now has a pretty general blurb up for the second Seekers book, Kevin Dilmore and Dayton Ward's Point of Divergence:

Following the events of the Vanguard series, Starfleet has committed to a continuing program of exploration and colonization of the Taurus Reach. While other Starfleet vessels continue their ongoing assignments in the region, maintaining security and supporting the handful of established colonies and trade routes, the U.S.S. Endeavour and the U.S.S. Sagittarius, two vessels previously assigned to Starbase 47, spearhead a new exploration initiative. And you will not believe what happens next…

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.co.jp.

StarTrek.com meanwhile has posted a new excerpt from next month's Stellar Cartography: The Starfleet Reference Library, in the form of a native map of Cardassian space which will be included in the book and map set:

StarTrek.com posted this alongside an interview with the artist, Ian Fullwood. Here's a short snippet of his description of how this design came together:

In the background I decided to produce a reptilian-type texture to hold the whole thing together. This had to be obvious enough, but not overpowering. The grid ties in with the Cardassian themes of 3 (triangles). Again, I did not want this to be overpowering on the main Cardie area, but obvious enough outside it to give it a map type 'grid unit' feel. One has to remember that these processes don't happen singly. More often than not they are formed as part of a whole. Everything has to gel together, so some items of design may get discarded along the route or some may become more pronounced; it's all about trying to find a balance that works. One of the reference points I was using was the Cardassian screens from DS9. These beautiful creations were my inspiration for the edging around the map. I tried different combinations of my own designs to ensure they were incorporated into the map, giving people a reference point that would make it uniquely Cardassian. I still had to keep in mind that this was a printed map and not a screen, so I wanted the colors to be more muted.

Amazon have also updated their listing for Stellar Cartography, with their look inside featuring giving us a look at a few pages of the book part of the set. Continue after the jump for a look at some of those preview pages, as well as highlights from recent StarTrek.com and Literary Treks interviews with James Swallow and David Mack.