Dayton's Blog: A pimple on the ass of the Internet.

The new issue of Star Trek Magazine sits atop my desk this evening, chock full of Trekkie goodness. Though Kevin and I have no contributions to this issue, several of my buds helped to fill the mag's pages this go-around and I'm all about the cross-pimpin' and whatnot.

So, let's see...the main thrust of the issue is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the premiere of Star Trek: The Motion(less) Picture! Yeah, I know, it's an easy film to mock, and yes it does indeed have one...two...about a thousand faults. But you know what? I was jazzed to see it in 1979 when I was 12, the refit Enterprise still looks gorgeous, and the film score composed by Jerry Goldsmith has yet to be surpassed (IMHO), so far as Trek movie music is concerned.

The magazine contains interviews with Walter Koenig (who offers us a look back a the diary/book he wrote during the film's production, Chekov's Enterprise) as well as Alan Dean Foster (writer ninja extraordinaire, who contributed the film's story and who more recently penned the novelization for J.J. Abrams' Star Trek) and Jon Povill, the film's associate producer, who looks back at what went wrong (and right!) with ST:TMP. Scott Pearson (scottpearson) pulls one of those "compare and contrast" numbers, stacking ST:TMP up against Star Trek V: The Final Frontier to examine the similarities between the two films. Christopher L. Bennett also makes the case for how ST:TMP, despite its faults, still succeeded in jump-starting the Star Trek franchise for a new generation of fans.

Elsewhere in the issue, look for more production art from the new Trek film to accompany the recently-released Star Trek: The Art of the Film. Friend Larry Nemecek gives us a peek inside the voluminous Trek archives, with pictures of the late Persis Khambatta modeling some of the costume concepts that never made it to filming of ST:TMP.

Throw in extended reviews of the new Star Trek movie and its DVD and Blu-ray releases as well as reviews of the latest books and comics, along with an exclusive preview of the forthcoming Star Trek novel Inception by S.D. Perry and Britta Dennison, and you've got plenty to keep you busy until the next issue comes along in about six weeks.

So, what are you waiting for? Go and buy four or five copies. They make great last-minute stocking stuffers, you know.

My contributor's copy arrived in today's mail. Sweet!



As the cover says, this here be the "Villians!" issue, featuring an in-depth rundown on the "Top 10" villians from onscreen Trek, as well as a look at seven bad guys from "Trek Literature." Thrown in an interview with writer/director Nicholas Meyer, an exclusive sneak peek into the forthcoming Star Trek: The Art of the Film book, and an extract from David Mack's Precipice, the fifth book in Pocket Books' Star Trek: Vanguard series, and you've got a mag chock full of TrekkieGoodness(tm).

Among the TrekLit Peanut Gallery making contributions to the issue:

Christopher L. Bennett
Greg Cox
Keith R.A. DeCandido (kradical)
David R. George III
Bob Greenberger
Bill Leisner (bill_leisner)
David Mack (infinitydog)
Andy Mangels
David McIntee (lonemagpie)
Marco Palmieri
Lance Parkin

Kevin and I also contributed a piece focusing on Nero, as well as a smaller bit highlighting Adrik Thorsen, the Bad Guy du jour for the seminal Star Trek novel Federation.

I've seen this on store shelves, so you should probably run out and buy two or three copies.

Just sayin'.

October 1st is right around the corner, and that marks my scheduled "start date" for writing Paths of Disharmony, my entry in the forthcoming 4-book Star Trek: Typhon Pact mini-series.

(Note: I've seen the title listed as Path... here and there. Unless I missed a memo, it's supposed to be plural. :))

What can I offer up so far as juicy tidbits are concerned? Not much at this point, really. What I can say is that it "stars" Picard and company from the Enterprise-E, assigned to a diplomatic mission (of sorts) to Andor. The Andorians got kicked in the junk pretty good, thanks to infinitydog's Star Trek: Destiny trilogy, and this has only exacerbated several ongoing issues plaguing their planet and people. As for the Typhon Pact itself, they'll be represented in this book by the Tholian Assembly. What are they up to? Well, that would be telling, wouldn't it?

I'm currently scheduled to turn in a manuscript of 100,000+ words on February 2. At least, that's what the contract says. Margaret Clark always liked to work toward "holidays" and other dates of interest with respect to due dates, and that's the one she gave me.

Between now and then, I also plan to write two short stories for different markets to which I've been invited (invited to submit, that is; no guarantee they'll select my story), as well as co-write a couple of articles for Star Trek Magazine and even a piece that we've been asked to do for a genre-related news website. So, the fall and early winter are shaping up to be busy times. Nice!

The latest issue of Star Trek Magazine is hitting stands. My subscriber's copy hasn't yet arrived in my mailbox, but I'm told it's chock full of Trekkie Goodness(tm).

Oh, and a couple of pieces contributed by me and Kevin.



This issue: Humor in Trek takes center stage. Maybe it's not such a difficult concept, after all.

Go forth, buy, and read!

Heard back from editor Paul Simpson of Star Trek Magazine today, that he was happy with our latest article.

Then he paused, took a breath, and gave us his notion for the next piece he wants us to write for an issue coming later in the year. After brainstorming with him for a few minutes, we came away thinking that we're probably going to have way more fun writing this one than should be allowed by law.

Yes, I know...I'm being a tease. More info later when I'm cleared to share.

Meanwhile, another action-packed scene of Counterstrike awaits. All hell's breakin' loose now, y'all. FYI.

Aloha, peeps.

Just a friendly heads-up that the new issue of Star Trek Magazine is just now hitting stores. In addition to a boatload of coverage and interviews for the new movie, the mag also contains an excerpt from my forthcoming Star Trek: Vanguard novel, Open Secrets.



Check it out, why dontcha!

Over on the Trek BBS, Star Trek Magazine editor Paul Simpson let it be known that the upcoming issue #17 of the mag will feature an excerpt from my forthcoming Star Trek: Vanguard novel, Open Secrets. In Paul's words:

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"With two months or so to the release of the new movie, Star Trek Magazine 17 includes an extract from Dayton Ward's own contribution to the 23rd Century, Vanguard: Open Secrets, which also puts a face to a couple of characters never seen on screen."

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The new issue is the first of three which will focus heavily on the new movie. It should be on sale within the next couple of weeks here in the U.S., and early April in the UK.

Enjoy!

Today's mail brought with it my copy of the latest issue of Star Trek Magazine, the focus of which is a retrospective/tribute to Star Trek: Voyager. Among the mag's many highlights are these features submitted by members of the Trek Fiction Cabal(tm):

• Bob Greenberger takes a look back the Voyager series pilot, "Caretaker."
  
• terri_osborne gives us a look back at the Doctor, with an assist by Robert Picardo himself.
  
• Ted Kokopulos shares his memories of working with Picardo and Ethan Phillips to produce a pair of popular Voyager-inspired stage plays for the con circuit.
  
• David Mack (infinitydog) gives a peek beneath the hood at the inner workings of the Doctor and Neelix.
  
• Michael Jan Friedman recalls his time working on "Resistance," a second season episode.
  
• Robert T. Jeshonek (bob_j) offers up an analysis of Janeway's command style.
  
• Christopher L. Bennett shows us that there's more to Seven of Nine (and Jeri Ryan) than eye candy in a catsuit.
  
• Michael A. Martin shows how the integration of CGI into the series' special effects aided in the realization of several memorable episodes beginning in the fifth season.
  
• Some bonehead offers an "inside the box" retrospective on the history of Captain Proton! Awesome art is provided by Trek Life artist David Reddick, both for this feature as well as throughout the issue.
  
• Lance Parkin (not a Trek fiction guy, but a Doctor Who fiction guy, and that's bloody good enough) offers a peek into the production of the series once Deep Space Nine ended and Voyager was the only Trek on TV.
  
• Jill Sherwin shares a poignant tribute to the late Majel Barrett Roddenberry, as well as reminiscing with Bryan Fuller on the series finale, "Endgame."
  
• David A. McIntee (lonemagpie) takes a look at plot threads, resolved and otherwise, from the series' final season.
  
• Author Kirsten Beyer is also featured, with an excerpt from her forthcoming Voyager novel Full Circle as well as an article showing how the book picks up from the previous books in the series, as well as taking its place among the ongoing narrative of the other 24th century Trek fiction.
  

That's a whole lotta stuff goin' on in there. Be sure to check it out!

After spending an hour so refining the first draft, I finally was happy with the latest article I'm writing for Star Trek Magazine. It's sailing through the Matrix as I type this, winging its way to my editor's inbox. To say I had a lot of fun writing this one would be an understatement of criminal proportions.

Tomorrow night, I'll take some time to knock out this week's other freelance writing assignment, which won't take all that long. The rest of the evening, as well as every available second I can scrounge out of the weekend, will be devoted to finishing the remaining chapters of Open Secrets. It's due on 10/31, but I want next week's evenings available for a final read-through and markup.

(Besides, I have a lot of shit backlogged on the TiVo, as well as the special edition of L.A. Confidential and the third season of The Unit on DVD, both of which I've forced myself to leave as a reward once I hit the weekend's goal.)

Received my subscriber's copy in today's mail. In addition to the usual batch of updates about the new movie and interviews that make up a typical issue, the Trek Literature Cabal weighs in once more with the following:

• James Swallow (jmswallow) gives us a peek at the forthcoming Star Trek Online game.
  
• Mike Martin provides a weighty essay focusing on the "hidden history" of the Romulans.
  
• Keith DeCandido (kradical) offers up a new look at Kirk's reputation as a "maverick." Unlike similar essays about John McCain, this feature does not include its own drinking game.
  
• Bob Greenberger gives us a new look at Sela, Tasha Yar's half-Romulan daughter, and reveals to readers what originally drew him to Star Trek.
  
• David Mack (infinitydog) represents in fine fashion with an excerpt from his forthcoming novel, Star Trek: Destiny - Lost Souls.
  

Neither Kevin nor I contributed anything this time around, though I still manage to sneak my way into the issue. Check out the feature about Star Trek: The Experience and you'll see my ugly mug in pictures on page 52. Michi is also there, on pages 52 and 55, and Addy's there on the latter page, too...sorta (she was in utero at the time that pic was taken). Heck, the mag's worth picking up for that reason alone!

Looks like the latest issue is starting to show up here and there. It's a plus-sized edition, filled with all sortsa Original Series tribute action, yo! Nestled among its 96 pages, you'll find a plethora of TOS goodness, including the following contributions from TrekLit dudes and dudettes:

• Jill Sherwin on the roll of color in the success of Star Trek
  
• Mike Martin on the second season's use of allegory
  
• Diane Duane (dduane) reminiscing on her love of TOS and TNG
  
• Keith DeCandido (kradical) defends TOS' third season (and quite admirably, I might add)
  
• Kevin and I chime in about the Animated Series, and Kevin also has a sweet new interview with Alan Dean Foster, author of the Star Trek Logs books way back in the 1970s
  
• David R. George III shatters some of those old myths about Vulcans and emotions
  
• Terri Osborne (terri_osborne) shows us how the TOS films embraced the notion of our favorite characters as a family
  

Also included are articles by Larry Nemecek and Ken Ralston, tributes to the recently-departed Joseph Pevney, Bob Justman, and Alexander Courage, a swank article about the Star Trek: Vanguard novel series by co-creator David Mack (infinitydog), and an all-new interview with The Shat! Mack scores again in the issue with an all-new excerpt from the forthcoming Star Trek: Destiny trilogy.

So, don't buy those extra couple gallons of gas, and plunk down your coin on this instead!

Received my subscriber's copy in today's mail. For those who've been clamoring for it, this issue contains coverage of Star Trek: Enterprise, much in the same vein as past issues which have spotlighted the other series. In addition to several nifty articles, the TrekLit Cabal also provides pieces by David R. George III, Christopher L. Bennett, Keith DeCandido (kradical), Michael Jan Friedman, and longtime magazine contributor James Swallow (jmswallow). There's also a sweet exerpt from bill_leisner's A Less Perfect Union, one of the short novels which will be included in the forthcoming Star Trek: Myriad Universes duology.

Oh, and Kevin and I also kick in an article about the MACOs. W00T, and all that.

I'm guessing this will start showing up in stores in the next couple of weeks. Check it out, why don't ya?

Heard back from Star Trek Magazine editor Paul Simpson about our piece on the MACOs this morning, which we wrote as part of the mag's upcoming Enterprise coverage for issue #11. We'd actually turned it in last Thursday (or was it Friday...man, I'm already forgetting), but there was an almost snag with it because part of it seemed to overlap with content in another piece. However, he stewed it over for a day or so and then came back to us with a suggestion for a quick edit, and voila! We're done.

Sweet. I love it when stuff is painless like that.

Received my subscriber's copy of the new issue in today's mail. Kevin and I did not contribute anything this time around, but I'm still pimpin' the mag because...well...just because I can.

The focus of this issue is Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, saluting the 15th anniversary of the series' premiere in January 1993 (Has it been that long? Really?). The history of the show is covered from conception to finale, as well as taking a peek at what's been going on with that cast of characters with the help of the printed page since the series wrapped in 1999.

Coverage is provided by the magazine's editor, Paul Simpson, as well as writer Andy Lane and fellow Trek prose scribes Bob Greenberger, Bob Jeschonek (bob_j), Keith DeCandido (kradical), Jill Sherwin, David McIntee (lonemagpie), Terri Osborne (terri_osborne), and David R. George III. Rounding out the proceedings is an article on the history of Trek comics by current IDW Star Trek editor Andrew Steven Harris, as well as an extract from the forthcoming DS9 novel Terok Nor: Day of the Vipers by James Swallow (jmswallow).

(Yes, we're takin' over the joint.)

Throw in a couple of interviews with cast members from the new Trek flick (Karl Urban and Anton Yelchin), and the usual updates on forthcoming Trek schwag, and you've got yourself some fine readin'.

The magazine should be hitting newsstands any time during the next week, so be on the lookout!

Saw this last night while cruising a local Borders. Lots of stuff about the forthcoming flick, of course, but we're all here for the books coverage, so be sure to check out the tasty excerpt from kradical's forthcoming Star Trek: Klingon Empire - A Burning House, including an intro by the man himself.

Other cool stuff includes David R. George III's take on the "Kirk the Womanizer" myth and an interview with Kate Mulgrew, the latter of which also makes a nice dovetail with the piece Kevin and I wrote.


(I tried to make it through the entire post without a shameless plug, but oh well.)

Anyway, go forth and read!

Or, #136, if you prefer the original UK numbering.

Anyway, my subscription copy of this latest issue arrived today. Editor Paul Simpson did a real number on our feature piece, "Following the Leaders," where we look at the various traits and qualities that define the different Star Trek captains. It looks fantastic, as does the smaller article we wrote that focuses on the captains created for Pocket Books' various "novels-only" series such as New Frontier and Corps of Engineers. What began as a sidebar was given the full-body treatment, complete with accompanying art. What can I say? I'm a sucker for accompanying art.

The issue also contains a piece by friend and fellow writer David R. George III, which debunks the whole "Kirk the Womanizer" myth. Rounding out the Trek books coverage are capsule reviews of the latest offerings as well as a juicy excerpt from kradical's forthcoming Star Trek: Klingon Empire - A Burning House.

The magazine should be hitting stands in the next couple of weeks, so be sure to buy six or eight copies. They make great stocking stuffers.

Just got my subscriber copies of the new issue in today's mail. The magazine's focus for the past couple of issues has been TNG's 20th anniversary, with this issue revisiting the popular 2nd season episode "The Measure of a Man." The coverage is anchored by a first-rate essay penned by Allyn Gibson (tiggerallyn), where he delves into the mystery of what sets Data apart from pretty much every other robot or artificial intelligence we've read about or seen in SF.

(Oh, and Kevin and I pitch in with "log entries" from characters before, during, and after the events of the episode.)

Among the other goodness you'll find in the mag is an excerpt from the forthcoming Star Trek: Titan novel Sword of Damocles, written by friend and fellow SNW alum Geoff Thorne. So, you know, run right out and buy four or five copies!

Some weeks back, I was contacted by Paul Simpson, editor of Titan Magazine's UK version of the Star Trek Magazine, gauging my (and Kevin's) interest in writing an article about the animated Trek series for an upcoming issue. As was explained to me, he already had a feature commissioned about the history of the show (thanks to fellow Trek novelist, Filmation guru, and all around nice guy Andy Mangels), as well as a piece focusing on the "tech" new to the show. He was looking for something else to round out his coverage of the series, and wondered if Bubba and I might want to do something from a fan's perspective.

Hell yeah, we did. Our love for the cheesy, clunky, sometimes downright goofy animated Trek is well-documented, after all. We've been tagged for monitoring and everything.

Anyway, we finished up our article, "Still Drawn to It: What's to Like about the Animated Star Trek After 35 Years?" and sent it off to Paul earlier this evening. Assuming it passes muster, friends and fans across the pond can look for it in issue #132 of the UK Star Trek Magazine, coming in late spring/early summer. I'm not certain, but I don't think the animated coverage will appear in the US version being released around the same time, though it might appear in a later issue.