Star Trek Paperbacks To Be Scaled Back

Beginning in June, Pocket Books will publish one mass-market Star Trek title rather than two each month.

Editor Marco Palmieri posted this news yesterday at the Psi Phi Star Trek bulletin board, saying, "We've been discussing such a change internally for over a year. Our feeling is that we can do a better job, both editorially and sales-wise, by putting greater energy and effort into fewer and more carefully chosen projects, making the line leaner, meaner, and stronger." He stated that the "respite" from Star Trek films and television shows reinforces the strategy.

In comments at the Trek BBS, several writers for Pocket Books stressed that they expected no reduction in trade paperbacks, including the Strange New Worlds contest for fan writers. "I see it more as a streamlining," wrote Christopher Bennett. "There's no end in sight for Trek publishing." He noted that many fans had said they don't have time to read all the current series. In comments at Psi Phi, Palmieri noted that some of the books series in the pipeline might take longer to be released than originally planned. He said that readers would have to be patient.

In his LiveJournal, Star Trek: S.C.E. editor Keith R.A. DeCandido said he felt that cutting back the mass market paperbacks was a good move, "as it allows the editorial staff to focus more and make each individual book stronger." However, he lamented that there would be fewer spots in the line for individual writers to publish.

The original item may be found at the Psi Phi Star Trek BBS.

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