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)

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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)

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)