David Mack: Ring of Fire.

With fewer Star Trek series currently on TV, it's the novels that keep us boldly going. These stories bridge the gaps between episodes and explore what happens when the cameras aren't rolling — deepening our connection to the characters and giving us new adventures to imagine. It's an exciting time to see how writers expand the universe we know and love.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan chat with author David Mack about his Strange New Worlds novel, Ring of Fire. They dive into the book's ensemble of characters, high-action set pieces, Spock delivering a memorable beatdown, and Pike's continued growth as a captain.

In the news segment, the hosts judge a book by its cover and share their thoughts on two new-ish comics.

News
Judge a Book by its Cover (03:15)
Omega Comic (10:19)
Section 31 Comic (12:52)

Feature: David Mack
Remembering Margaret (18:30)
Within the Confines (28:06)
Project Azorian (31:13)
An Ensemble Story (36:10)
Crafting the Mystery (42:35)
Pike's Lesson (48:50)
Set Pieces (53:51)
Spock Gives a Beatdown (1:01:26)
Pelia and Scotty (1:04:26)
Ortegas as Number One (1:10:05)
Wrapping Up with David (1:14:55)
Closing (1:19:12)

Hosts
Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan

Guest
David Mack

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

Gateways: What Lay Beyond.

Back in late 2001, Pocket Books published the most epic crossover event to date: Gateways. With six novels spanning the eras from The Original Series to Voyager, the series brought together multiple authors to tell stories utilizing the gateways created by the mysterious Iconians. And the hook for the series was that each story was to end with a cliffhanger, culminating in one giant hardcover with six short stories to conclude the series.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan discuss the final book, What Lay Beyond. They discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly, and talk about their vision for the series were it to be written today. Also covered is The Lore War comics, the concluding crossover between the Star Trek and Star Trek: Defiant comics from IDW.

News
The Lore War Comics (03:24)

Feature: What Lay Beyond
A TOS Story (19:03)
Casey Rambles About Challenger (25:45)
Jonathan is Angry About DS9... (29:43)
...but a Happy Camper with Voyager (37:14)
Jonathan Blows Casey's Mind (42:25)
New Frontier Character Work (43:31)
TNG Tying Everything Up (49:28)
Can We Cut Gateways Some Slack? (56:17)
A Little Too Much Freedom (01:00:11)
Star Trek Timeline (01:04:57)
Goofy Corps of Engineers Story (01:06:20)
Final Thoughts (01:09:27)
Wrap Up (01:13:54)

Hosts
Jonathan Koan and Casey Pettitt

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

Interview with Star Trek: Khan writers Kirsten Beyer and David Mack.

Legacy isn't reserved for heroes. Some characters leave a mark not through their nobility, but through the incredible shadow they cast. Few exemplify this better than Khan Noonien Singh. Decades after his first appearance, Khan continues to shape the Star Trek universe - his presence echoing through generations of stories, creators, and fans alike. His legacy raises a fascinating question: what happens when a villain becomes just as iconic, just as influential, as the heroes they oppose?

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Jonathan Koan and Casey Pettitt speak with Star Trek: Khan writers Kirsten Beyer and David Mack. They talk about the writing process, casting and recording, making it sound like Star Trek, allegory, the mind of a villain, and much more!

Feature: Kirsten Beyer and David Mack
Genesis of Khan Podcast (02:58)
Writing for Audio (05:29)
Collaboration (06:47)
Nick's Vision (07:41)
Late Night Episode Breaks (09:50)
Podcast vs Audiobook (12:00)
Production Involvement (14:40)
Nick's Vision (again) and Canon (15:56)
Sounds Like Star Trek, Sounds Like Khan (17:00)
Recording and Casting Marla (19:46)
Allegory and Villains (21:23)
Just Trying to Tell a Good Story (28:30)
A Contained Narrative (33:09)
Give Us More Stories! (33:58)
Wrap-up (36:11)
Closing (38:59)

Hosts
Jonathan Koan and Casey Pettitt

Guest
Kirsten Beyer and David Mack

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

Stream below or subscribe to listen at:
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In 1997, Pocket Books began releasing novels in a new series - one not based on a Star Trek television series. The brainchild of then-editor John J. Ordover and author Peter David, Star Trek: New Frontier was a way to have a series of novels with its own continuity, independent of the shows still on the air. Spanning over 20 novels, numerous short stories, and even some graphic novels, the series lasted until 2015.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan discuss 2001's Cold Wars, the sixth book in the Gateways saga. We discuss the New Frontier series and characters, the overall plot, growing up too fast, a clean ending, and more!

In the news, we talk about a new coffee table book and discuss the Star Trek: Defiant comic arc, No Old Warriors.

News
New Books (00:02:41)
Comic review (00:05:17)

Feature: Cold Wars
New Frontier (00:11:24)
Post-Coital Opening (00:14:43)
The Characters (00:15:16)
The Plot (00:19:39)
The Mystery of "Smyt" (00:24:27)
A Holo Ruse (00:26:36)
She Had to Grow Up Very Fast (00:29:53)
A Little Too Clean (00:34:15)
The Gateways (00:38:44)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:40:11)

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: No Man's Land.

At one time, Christie Golden was the preeminent author in the Star Trek: Voyager novel line with 13 of her 16 Star Trek stories being with the crew of Voyager. In fact, even Kirsten Beyer hasn't surpassed Golden's contributions to the series.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan discuss No Man's Land. Topics include characterizations, Janeway-Chakotay shipping, Seven instigating a slave uprising, not one but two murder mysteries, and, oh yeah, the gateways. Plus, we ask a very important question: What happens to Fluffy?

In our comics discussion, we talk about IDW's Star Trek issues 25-30, When the Walls Fell (not to be confused with the Tamarian legend of Shaka).

News
Star Trek 25-30 (00:04:12)

Feature: No Man's Land
Classic Voyager (00:16:55)
Gateway Issues (00:21:43)
Continuity (00:24:30)
Something Fun (00:27:59)
Meat of the Story (00:31:33)
The Weirdest Part (00:35:46)
What Holds it Back (00:37:05)
Seven's Story (00:40:41)
Arkathi (00:44:20)
Ratings (00:51:14)
Final Thoughts (00:53:54)

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: 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)