From: tlynch@cco.caltech.edu (Timothy W. Lynch)
Subject: Re: Yet Another Discussion Of Trek's Peripheral Material
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1992 22:17:28 GMT

v075q5fr@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Scott J Gorcey) writes:

>>Novels carry no canonical weight.  Like the publications of FASA, the
>>comic books, and other non-Paramount Trek endeavors, the authors of
>>these novels work under license from Paramount and follow certain
>>guidelines.  In terms of novels, these guidelines are fairly broad:
>>Don't contradict the television show or films, don't kill off major
>>characters, etc.

>     Would that is were so.  The guidelines involved in writing the
>     novels are every bit as stringent as for writing any other
>     peripheral Trek material (i.e., comics, Role Playing Games),
>     and just as stringent as guidelines and rules for writing a
>     script -- in other words, IRON-CLAD STRICT.  

In fact, arguments have been plausibly advanced that for a time, the rules
were *more* strict for licensed material than for the series, and certainly
more capricious.  That much seems to have fallen by the wayside, fortunately.

>>This is because Paramount owns Trek.  This gives them the power to
>>dictate in creative terms.  

Whether "the power" is equivalent to "the right" is of course a different
question.

>>The Star Trek universe is certainly larger
>>than the television show and the movies.  Those of us who read the
>>novels find our appreciation of Star Trek enhanced,

>     Speak for yourself.  

Agreed.  Those of us who read the very cream of the novel crop definitely
have enjoyment enhanced; the odd Trek novels have stacked up well against
the cream of the film crop as well.  But unless you're separating the 
wheat from the chaff, it's certainly not generally true.

>	There hasn't been a good novel since
>     _Doctor's Orders_ for TOS and there's never been a really
>     good TNG novel.

I wouldn't go that far.  I thought _Ghost-Walker_ was fairly good, although
it could've been better.  And _Rock and a Hard Place_ and _Vendetta_ are
both very high on the list of good TNG material.

>>But these endeavors are merely tolerated
>>by Paramount.

>     Nuh-uh.  These endeavours are supported and wholly sanctioned by
>     Paramount, who make incredible amounts of money from licenced
>     material.  

That's not quite the same thing.  They're happy to take the money, but 
certain ex-residents of the Trek offices made their feelings on the novels'
existence *very* clear at times.  In those cases, "tolerated" might even be
stretching the point.

>     Very true.  The Rihannsu (two n's) were created by Duane first
>     in _My Enemy, My Ally_ and continued in the brilliant novels
>     _The Romulan Way_ and _Spock's World_ and also used by Margaret
>     Wander Bonano in _Dweller's In The Crucible_ (with Duane's 
>     blessing) but are currently, and have been for some years, 
>     absolutely off-limits to ANY writer of the novels.  

One wonders if that will still be the case now.  

>     The was an original bone of contention between Bonano and Richard
>     Arnold over _Probe_, one she let go quite easily, but which was 
>     harbinger of bad times to come over the novel.

She didn't let it go quite that easily.  The early draft of _Probe_ 
circulating in fan circles features one Commander Rihan, flying a ship
named the Hannsu.  That's not *quite* giving up.  (I also thought it was a
bit gratuitous, but that's beside the point.)

>     Some time back Roddenberry unsuccessfully petitioned Paramount
>     to have _The Romulan Way_ taken out of print.  He was apparently
>     very upset about Duane's version of events.  

This is something I've never heard, however.  The only novel I've ever
heard evidence Roddenberry *personally* loathed was Jean Lorrah's
_Metamorphosis_.

>     Since Richard Arnold's dismissal, however, Trek authors he had
>     alienated are flocking back to the franchise and Duane is 
>     currently working on a TNG hardcover concerning the TOS Mirror
>     Universe.  

Correct.  Working title:  _Through a Glass Darkly_.  

Tim Lynch