Literary Treks 236: Nitpicking in Good Cheer / by Matthew Rushing

Phil Farrand: The Nitpicker's Guides.

Running Time: 1 hour 42 minutes 59 seconds
Download / RSS / Send us a message / Discuss the show / Support Trek.fm

Many people think of nitpicking as a disrespectful act. If you enjoy a show, why pick it apart? I, however, would contend that if you love someone, it is actually a compassionate act to tell them about the dab of mustard on their upper lip! Such is the idea behind the Nitpicker's Guides, books that attempted to catalog and describe each and every error in a number of Star Trek series, be they continuity errors, equipment oddities, changed premises, or just general goofs.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson sit down with Phil Farrand, author of The Nitpicker's Guide for Next Generation Trekkers volumes one and two, The Nitpicker's Guide for Classic Trekkers, and The Nitpicker's Guide for Deep Space Nine Trekkers. We discuss the origin of the guides, the process of writing them, the community of nitpickers called The Nitpicker's Guild, positive nitpicking versus negativity and toxic fandom, and what Phil is currently working on and where you can find him online.

In the news segment, we talk about Big Finish and their Prometheus audiobooks, and review two new comics: what looks to be the final issue of New Visions, and Star Trek: Discovery: Succession #3.

News

Prometheus Audiobooks (00:03:31)
New Visions #22 (00:06:21)
Succession #3 (00:23:27)

Feature: Phil Farrand

Origin of the Guides (00:28:39)
Fan Reaction (00:37:13)
Nitpicking In Good Cheer (00:38:32)
Fostering the Nitpickers Guild (00:41:10)
Fine Line Between Fun and Complaining (00:47:26)
Hollywood Double Standards (00:52:35)
Publishing More Guides (00:59:18)
Becoming A Writer (01:20:09)
Final Thoughts (01:33:03)

Hosts

Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest

Phil Farrand

Production

Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Bruce Gibson (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer)

More Recent Episodes of Literary Treks…
Literary Treks 284: Smoothing Over the Rough Edges of Canon
Literary Treks 284: Smoothing Over the Rough Edges of Canon

Greater Than the Sum. We talk about Lieutenant T'Ryssa Chen, Christopher Bennett's amazing ability to "fix" glitches in Star Trek continuity, a star cluster filled with strange new worlds, an old friend named Hugh, a plan to destroy the Borg once and for all, the ending that leads into David Mack's Destiny trilogy, how this story jives with what we know about Star Trek: Picard, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 283: Everyone's Tilting at Windmills
Literary Treks 283: Everyone's Tilting at Windmills

Vendetta. We talk about Picard's mysterious connection to a woman with a vendetta, the horrors of a Borg attack, Geordi's quixotic role in the novel, new types of Borg, Picard's rival, the Doomsday Machine, the theme of Vendetta, how this book compares to its sequel, Before Dishonor, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 282: And Then Wonder Woman Shows Up!
Literary Treks 282: And Then Wonder Woman Shows Up!

Aaron Harvey: The Official Guide to the Animated Series.

We discuss Aaron's passion for the animated adventures of Star Trek, how he and co-author Rich Schepis got the job of creating this guide, the process of putting the book together, the layout of the book, some interesting surprises that were revealed about the series, and wrap up by talking about where Aaron can be found online.

Literary Treks 281: The Next Evolutionary Step of the Borg
Literary Treks 281: The Next Evolutionary Step of the Borg

Before Dishonor. We talk about the newly-evolved Borg, Seven of Nine's role in the story, Ambassador Spock, unexpected actions taken by Picard's crew, the Doomsday Machine, Admiral Janeway's fate, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 280: The Rigellians Are Psycho
Literary Treks 280: The Rigellians Are Psycho

Early Voyages #1-4. We talk about the crew's introduction in "Flesh of My Flesh," a face-off with the Klingons in "The Fires of Pharos," the crisis on Rigel VII in "Our Dearest Blood," and revisit Talos IV from a new perspective in "Nor Iron Bars a Cage." We wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings and where Barry and Shashank can be found online.

Literary Treks 279: The Young, Rash, Impetuous Russian
Literary Treks 279: The Young, Rash, Impetuous Russian

Greg Cox: The Antares Maelstrom. We talk about the pergium discovery that starts things off, an old-fashioned western set in space, Sulu's mystery woman and the role they play, a side quest for Spock and Chekov, a major crisis the colony faces, the mysteries of the Antares Maelstrom, and wrap up with projects that Greg is currently working on and where he can be found online.

Literary Treks 278: His Losses Continue to "Mount"
Literary Treks 278: His Losses Continue to "Mount"

John Jackson Miller: The Enterprise War. We discuss how the novel ties into seasons one and two of Discovery, the Lurians and the atypical Baladon, Enterprise's revolving door of engineers, the mysterious Boundless, Lt. Evan Connolly, this novel's links to the wider Trek litverse, the final shocking reveal, and wrap up with what Miller is currently working on and where he can be found online.

Literary Treks 277: You're Meant to Be Confused
Literary Treks 277: You're Meant to Be Confused

Sword of Damocles. We discuss the non-linear nature of the novel, the planet Orisha and its inhabitants, the risky mission to save the Titan, the fate of Jaza Najem, the unorthodox solution that saves the ship, the design of the U.S.S. Titan by Sean Tourangeau, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 276: There's a Line We Can't Cross
Literary Treks 276: There's a Line We Can't Cross

David R. George III & Dayton Ward: How to Write Star Trek Novels. We talk about how they got their start in writing, the process of how a Trek novel is published, how writing tie-in fiction differs from writing original fiction, how they approach writing the established characters, working with CBS licencing, and what is required for someone to become a Star Trek author.

Literary Treks 275: Q is a YouTube Comment Troll
Literary Treks 275: Q is a YouTube Comment Troll

Q & A. We discuss the new crewmembers of the Enterprise, the strange planet at the heart of the novel, the ultimate Q story, the link to "Parallels," Worf's new outlook on life, a particular cover quandary, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 274: An Old Man in the Park Feeding Pigeons
Literary Treks 274: An Old Man in the Park Feeding Pigeons

The Children of Kings. We talk about the time period in Star Trek history, some confusion about which timeline the book takes place in, Dr. Philip Boyce, Orion history, Number One, other characters in the novel, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 273: Unintended Consequences
Literary Treks 273: Unintended Consequences

Orion's Hounds. We talk about the beginning of Titan's true mission, the mysterious "star-jellies," Riker's decision to get involved, the other cozmozoans that make up the Gum Nebula ecosystem, the difficulty in changing one's way of life and adapting to new circumstances, some stand-out characters in the novel, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 272: A Fun Borg Romp?
Literary Treks 272: A Fun Borg Romp?

Resistance. We discuss the return of the Borg, the Enterprise's new Vulcan counselor, drama among the secondary characters, Picard's relationship with Locutus of Borg, the nature of the Borg Queen, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 271: To Thine Own Self Be True
Literary Treks 271: To Thine Own Self Be True

The Captain's Oath. We discuss the different time periods covered in the novel, Kirk's early years as commander of the U.S.S. Sacagawea, the fascinating cast of original characters, the mysterious threat posed by the Agni, Kirk's first mission as commander of the U.S.S. Enterprise, the disparate parts of continuity referenced in The Captain's Oath, and wrap up with our final thoughts and what Christopher L. Bennett has coming soon as well as where he can be found online.

Literary Treks 270: Kirk is Dabbing Like a Warp 4 Loony!
Literary Treks 270: Kirk is Dabbing Like a Warp 4 Loony!

The Gold Key Archives, Vol. 5: Part 2. We finish our look back at Star Trek: The Gold Key Archives, Volume 5 with the final three stories in the collection: issue 28, "The Mimicking Menace"; issue 30, "Death of a Star"; and issue 31, "The Final Truth."

Literary Treks 269: Kellogg's Spock 'n' Krisp
Literary Treks 269: Kellogg's Spock 'n' Krisp

The Gold Key Archives, Volume 5: Part 1. Includes Gold Key issues 25, 26, and 27: "Dwarf Planet," "The Perfect Dream," and "Ice Journey." Make sure to pack your heat-stabilizer tablets, it's gonna be a crazy journey!

Literary Treks 268: Andy Does the Consonants, I Do the Vowels
Literary Treks 268: Andy Does the Consonants, I Do the Vowels

Michael A. Martin: The Red King. We talk about launching the Titan series, the origin of the Neyel, Tuvok and Akaar's troubled past, Donatra and the Romulans, religious belief vs. scientific fact, where Titan goes from here, and wrap up with what Michael is working on now and where you can find him online.

Literary Treks 267: That Word "Sacrifice" Keeps Coming Up
Literary Treks 267: That Word "Sacrifice" Keeps Coming Up

Burning Dreams. We talk about Christopher Pike's early years on the colony world Elysium, his relationships with his mother and the father figures in his life, the unique role that fire plays in Pike's history, his embodiment of the ideals of Starfleet and the Federation, how Pike in this novel compares to the Pike of Discovery, the epilogue of the novel, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 266: Bringing the Truth Out of the Shadows
Literary Treks 266: Bringing the Truth Out of the Shadows

Dayton Ward: Available Light. We talk about the fallout from the end of Section 31, Picard's actions in the ousting of disgraced Federation President Min Zife, a mysterious apparent derelict hiding a technological marvel, the Jirol Salvage Guild, the importance of truth, Picard's decision at the end of the novel, the origin of the title Available Light, and wrap up with what Dayton is working on now and where you can find him online.

Literary Treks 265: The Music of Big Pink
Literary Treks 265: The Music of Big Pink

Articles of the Federation. We talk about The West Wing of the 24th century, linking this novel to the other novels in the literary universe, the huge cast of characters, various issues that the Bacco administration has to deal with, answer some questions listeners posted in The Babel Conference, and wrap up with what Keith is working on now and where you can find him online.

Literary Treks 264: No Member Berries
Literary Treks 264: No Member Berries

Taking Wing. We discuss the new ship and her diverse crew, a potential Romulan civil war, Spock's role in the novel, a surprise appearance by Tuvok, Riker's unorthodox solution to the crisis, the cliffhanger ending, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 263: Traveling at the Speed of Plot
Literary Treks 263: Traveling at the Speed of Plot

Enemy of My Enemy. We discuss the Changeling's plan, Jarem vs. Gradik Kaz, "Super Chakotay," Tom Paris's role in the story, B'Elanna's continuing search for answers on Boreth, the conclusion to the story, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 262: We Almost Had a Spit Take
Literary Treks 262: We Almost Had a Spit Take

Old Wounds. We talk about new tensions among the Voyager crew, Torres and Paris taking a side quest on Boreth, Harry and Libby's tumultuous relationship, what the rest of the old crew is up to in the Alpha Quadrant, Voyager's mission to Loran II, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 261: A Gem of a Novel
Literary Treks 261: A Gem of a Novel

Vulcan's Glory. We discuss the references to past Star Trek such as The Animated Series, the crew of the Enterprise under Pike's command, how well we feel this connects to Star Trek: Discovery, the historical artifact known as "Vulcan's Glory," Pike's mission to the devastated planet Areta, a mysterious murder plot aboard the Enterprise, Scotty and his engine room hooch, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 260: Sorry to All the Sela Fans
Literary Treks 260: Sorry to All the Sela Fans

Death in Winter. We talk about Beverly's transfer off the Enterprise, the state of the Romulan Star Empire, an undercover mission into Romulan space, Worf and Geordi's role in the story, the love between Picard and Crusher, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 259: He's Gotta Grow Some and Just Do It
Literary Treks 259: He's Gotta Grow Some and Just Do It

Triangle: Imzadi II. We discuss Worf's lack of luck in love, the triangle between Worf, Troi, and Riker, Romulan Commander Sela and her convoluted plan, Riker's inability to make progress with Troi, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 258: Inaccurate Operas Will Be Performed of This Day!
Literary Treks 258: Inaccurate Operas Will Be Performed of This Day!

A Burning House. We talk about life on a Klingon farm during yopta' yupma', Toq's tale of intrigue when he returns to his birthplace of Carraya IV, Rodek coming to terms with revelations about his past, B'Oraq and her attempts to bring modern medicine to the Empire, G'Joth and an opera that bears little resemblance to the truth, other bits we liked about the novel, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 257: Lots of Bits of Me
Literary Treks 257: Lots of Bits of Me

Una McCormack: The Way to the Stars. We talk about the process of writing this novel, Tilly's relationship with her mother, her experiences in school, Tilly as a runaway, her impressions of Starfleet, the poor communication she experiences, and wrap up the discussion with where you can find Una online and what she is working on now.

Literary Treks 256: I Would Need More Than a Paragraph
Literary Treks 256: I Would Need More Than a Paragraph

Imzadi. We discuss how we first read Imzadi, Riker's life without Deanna, Will's behavior as a young man, how Will and Deanna first got together, the Guardian of Forever, temporal shenanigans, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Literary Treks 255: The Hammock Planet: They Don't Have Butts
Literary Treks 255: The Hammock Planet: They Don't Have Butts

Enemy Territory. We discuss the Elabrej Hegemony, Kurak's crippling alcoholism, a mutiny forming aboard the Gorkon, Leader Wol, Rodek's identity crisis, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.