RPGs and Working with Paramount.

[strict31]

Originally posted by REG
Strictly speaking, it doesn't make that book canon any more than an episode of Star Trek: The Animated Series that showed Spock's childhood.

The only elements from the book that are canon are those mentioned/displayed on the TV show, nothing more.

Er...which book(s) REG? The Jeri Taylor books (which are considered canon), or the DS9 books by S.D. Perry (which, as far as I know, never have been declared canon but I wish they were)?

About the Jeri Taylor books...the only reason they were ever considered canon is because she had the power to say they were officially canon. As far as I know, the reason she made this decision was because the novels specifically dealt with official back story for the Voyager characters. Since she was, at the time, executive producer, I guess she can do that. It just felt dodgey to me since they happened to be penned by her...But this has long been the notable exception about non TV/Movie material.

About the DS9 books, all I said was I'd like to think that they were canon. Didn't say they actually were.

Strictly Speaking

[Don Mappin]

Originally posted by strict31
About the Jeri Taylor books...the only reason they were ever considered canon is because she had the power to say they were officially canon. As far as I know, the reason she made this decision was because the novels specifically dealt with official back story for the Voyager characters. Since she was, at the time, executive producer, I guess she can do that. It just felt dodgey to me since they happened to be penned by her...But this has long been the notable exception about non TV/Movie material.

The Jeri Taylor books aren't, strictly speaking, canon. They hold a significantly higher degree of relevance than other works but weren't passed BTPTB as the definitive source on VOY character backgrounds; they could override and invalidate that content at any time. (It's less of an issue now that the series has run its course.)

Just wanted to correct a widely mis-held belief that because Jeri said so, they were. VCP said otherwise.

[Edit] Yes, I am aware of the ST:M article which alludes to them being canon. They're not.

[Ineti]

Originally posted by REG
So, one can't helped but ask, what's holding up the rest of the products, including a Klingon supplement?

I'd hesitate to hazard a gue$$.

[Don Mappin]

{Looks upward...}

Yup.

[GenesisWeapon]

Originally posted by Don Mappin
Really? Where? From whom?

Largely from online fans of the RPGs, and occasionally from people who have attempted to get Trek licenses for other consumer products.

It's their property; they can charge whatever they'd like for it.

True. I'm just curious as to what they have been historically charging. Do you know? Even a ballpark estimate would be nice to know.

I've never heard an unkind word spoken about VCP.

That's what I was curious about, yes. Thanks for the explanation, Don. Much appreciated.

[Don Mappin]

Originally posted by GenesisWeapon
True. I'm just curious as to what they have been historically charging. Do you know? Even a ballpark estimate would be nice to know.

I'm not privy to those figures. A license will cost you up front a guarantee (figure 15K+) plus a percentage of sales. Some contracts will make other stipulations; Wizard's Star Wars license is pretty widely known to have a 3 book a year minimum, for example.

I've always been involved on the creative/development side; the nuances of the business don't excite me that much. (Probably because I deal with larger figures on a day-to-day basis at my other job.)

[Don Mappin]

Originally posted by GenesisWeapon
and occasionally from people who have attempted to get Trek licenses for other consumer products.

You said "RPGs" which leads me to believe someone from FASA, LUG, or Decipher. The latter two I find unlikely. FASA was so long ago I'm not sure it's reasonable to hold their experiences as necessarily true today since personnel have no doubt changed. Probably not worth mentioning ADB; that whole situation has enough animosity built-in already.

Again, from my knowledge, the experience since 1998 has been pretty good. Oh sure, there's stuff like "we'd like you to focus on VOY product while we end the season" or "please work some tie-in with 'Insurrection' into Price of Freedom" but that stuff, IMO, is to be expected. As D.S. pointed out, LUG had no problem getting product approved and out the door in a timely fashion.

I think, in a large part this has (had) a lot to do with knowledgeable writers and Line Developers who respected the franchise. We're all fans, too.