These Are the Voyages is a prominent and influential series of fan-produced Star Trek fiction books, renowned for its ambition to create a "fifth season" of Star Trek: The Original Series. Originating within the vibrant fanzine community, the series aimed to bridge the narrative gap between the conclusion of the original television series (1966-1969) and subsequent Star Trek animated adventures or films.
Origin and Development Primarily conceived and developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, These Are the Voyages (often abbreviated as TAV) emerged from a collective desire among dedicated Star Trek fans to continue the adventures of Captain James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. Leonard McCoy, and the crew of the USS Enterprise in a manner consistent with the original show's tone, characterizations, and episodic structure. Unlike many individual fan fiction stories, TAV was a collaborative endeavor, resembling a professionally edited anthology or a small-press publication in its scope and presentation. Its creators meticulously researched the existing Star Trek canon of the time to ensure continuity and character authenticity, sometimes drawing upon early scripts or production notes for inspiration.
Content and Style The stories within the TAV series explored new alien civilizations, dealt with moral and ethical dilemmas characteristic of the original series, and further developed the complex relationships among the main crew members. The writing quality was frequently lauded by fans for its fidelity to the source material and its narrative depth, often being compared favorably to officially licensed Star Trek novels of the era. The series was characterized by:
- Strict Adherence to Canon: Writers diligently sought to respect the established continuity of The Original Series, aiming to avoid contradictions with future films or animated episodes.
- Episodic Structure: Many stories were crafted to feel like individual television episodes, complete with traditional Star Trek narrative arcs and thematic resolutions.
- Character Consistency: Great care was taken to maintain the distinctive voices and personalities of the iconic characters.
- High Production Values: For a fan work, the physical books often featured custom artwork, professional-grade editing, and thoughtful layouts, distinguishing them from more casual fanzine offerings and elevating their status within the fandom.
Authorship and Publication TAV was a collective effort, featuring contributions from a diverse array of talented fan writers and editors. While specific individuals might have overseen different volumes or aspects of production, it represented a broad pooling of creative talent within the Star Trek fandom. The books were typically distributed through fan conventions, mail-order systems within the fan community, and later, through early online fan networks. As an unofficial fan creation, they were never licensed by Paramount Pictures or CBS.
Legacy and Impact These Are the Voyages holds a significant and respected place in the history of Star Trek fan fiction. It demonstrated the potential for high-quality, collaborative fan works long before the widespread availability of online publishing platforms and directly influenced other fan-created series. Its reputation for quality and its ambitious scope helped to elevate the standards of fan fiction within the Star Trek community, solidifying its status as a prime example of the dedication and creativity of fandom in extending beloved franchises beyond their official boundaries.