John Ordover wrote:
The letter writing campaign failed, if you recall. Yes “a portion” of fandom is interested in the continuing adventures of Captain Sulu – but not a big enough portion.:)
True, the letter writing campaign for a Captain Sulu novel generated approximately 750 letters. You’d said one thousand letters in one month was the bare minimum you required. However, those 750 letters were also three times what you said at the time you were expecting to receive.
Second, given that the Sulu novel letter campaign had zero publicity or media coverage, unlike the Sulu television show campaign, the fact that the Sulu base was energized to that extent in that time shows latent demand.
Third, you show that you do listen to the fans. Many of us said there was demand for Sulu, and we produced 750 letters to that proposition. Of course, the 250 letters that never materialized give you ammunition that says, “Sulu no big deal.”
Fourth, those wanting a Sulu novel now know that the cause is not hopeless. It’s just getting that base energized.
Sulu is a niche idea; you’ve said that yourself, John. Sulu doesn’t appeal to the broadest segment of fans in the way that the other series do. But neither does SCE, for instance. Neither does Captain Proton. Or Starfleet: Year One. Ideas that don’t appear to be the marketing slam dunks but which are pursued anyway.
Because they are worthwhile to do.
Honestly, I’d rather buy a Sulu eBook than an SCE eBook. It’s not that I dislike SCE, because I don’t. But the end of the 24th century is a known quantity. The end of the 23rd century isn’t. The Classic Trek era is inherently more interesting to me, though I concede that to other fans it’s dreadfully dull.
I admit we’re never likely to see another Sulu novel under your watch. Whether by editorial design or marketing design. That doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends.
Sulu would demand no less.