Conference noted::sf

Re .0

>    Anyone read "A Flag Full of Stars" (latest Trek book, by Brad 
>    Ferguson)? Opinions?
    
I haven't read it, and don't intend to.  Ferguson has gone on record
(on the GEnie on-line service) as disowning the book -- first the editors 
made him recast the book as a Lost Years book, then take out a lot of 
material, and then, still unsatisfied, they had J. M. Dillard rewrite it.  
(Nor is this the first time books have been extensively rewritten.  The
recent book by Dana Kramer-Rolls is supposed to have been, and I hear
Dillard is rewriting the next Trek hardcover.)  I understand Ferguson
has just filed a grievance with SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of
America) regarding the actions of Pocket Books and their editors, who
refused to allow Ferguson to remove his name for the book or at least
get Dillard's name onto it.

Ferguson has also pointed out that the rewrite resulted in a book with 
lots of plain sloppiness -- characters introduced twice, inconsistencies 
galore...  In short, the book has been eviscerated, and they expect the 
fans to be too dumb to notice.  Not a good way to get my money....

				Andrew

    I've never followed the Star Trek books __ would you mind explaining
    what the "Lost Years" are?
    
    					andrew

    re:.2
    
    The 15-or-so-year gap between the old series and the first movie.
    
    --- jerry

    Got it -- thanks...
    
    					andrew

    re. .1
    
    I was unaware of the details of the rewrite (thanks for filling me/us
    in); however, after having read the book, I was left with the distinct
    feeling of "so where's the rest of it?  Is that all?  You mean, it's
    over?... but what about.."   Now I know why.