Fan Fiction

A Mem-Noir: Inspired by True Events

By: Brent Spiner, Jeanne Darst

Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik, Brent Spiner, Gates McFadden, Genie Francis, Hallie Todd, Jeanne Darst, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Marina Sirtis, Matie Argiropoulos, Matt Godfrey, Michael Dorn, Patrick Stewart, Saskia Maarleveld, Sean Patrick Hopkins

"A key to the audiobook’s success for fans is its all-star cast — a strong advantage here for audio over print. When a “Next Generation” cast member speaks in 'Fan Fiction,' from Patrick Stewart to Marina Sirtis, it’s that actor’s actual voice you’re hearing." -- The Providence Journal

"Incredible production values (one of the best soundscapes I’ve ever heard, honestly) and some interesting insights from Spiner..."- Locus

This program is read by the author with LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Genie Francis, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Patrick Stewart, and a full cast.

Brent Spiner’s explosive and hilarious novel is a personal look at the slightly askew relationship between a celebrity and his fans. If the Coen Brothers were to make a Star Trek movie, involving the complexity of fan obsession and sci-fi, this noir comedy might just be the one.

Set in 1991, just as Star Trek: The Next Generation has rocketed the cast to global fame, the young and impressionable actor Brent Spiner receives a mysterious package and a series of disturbing letters, that take him on a terrifying and bizarre journey that enlists Paramount Security, the LAPD, and even the FBI in putting a stop to the danger that has his life and career hanging in the balance.

Featuring a cast of characters from Patrick Stewart to LeVar Burton to Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, to some completely imagined, this is the fictional autobiography that takes listeners into the life of Brent Spiner, and tells an amazing tale about the trappings of celebrity and the fear he has carried with him his entire life.

Fan Fiction is a zany love letter to a world in which we all participate, the phenomenon of “Fandom.”

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

©2021 Brent Spiner (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Incredible production values (one of the best soundscapes I’ve ever heard, honestly) and some interesting insights from Spiner..." —Locus

"[A] diverting memoir-mystery hybrid...Spiner’s debut is an homage to fans: where would celebrities be without them?" —Publishers Weekly

"Like the man himself, this book is funny, sharp, and brilliant. You’re going to love it, and Brent, even if you’ve never heard of “Star Trek”. It’s one of the most entertaining books ever written about entertainment." —Phil Rosenthal (creator, writer, producer), creator of Everybody Loves Raymond and star of Somebody Feed Phil

I loved everything about this!

Seriously, this was grear. A hilarious and engaging story. A cast of some of my favorite actors. A love note to friends, and a nod to all the fans and fan fiction writers of Star Trek.

May be fictional or is it?

It's a story so crazy could it be true? Brent Spiner says not, but nonetheless this is an entertaining book, performed so well by Brent and the rest of the cast.

At times I am somewhat reminded of a film like Galaxy Quest in which is basically a send up of the Star Trek series and its cast itself. But there's no aliens coming to see the cast in this one. Obsessive fans are the culprit instead. And Brent is the target.

All in all this is well worth a listen. Praise for the writing and the performance. I wish it could even be a film, actually.

Fantastic Fan Fiction

Brent Spiner's narration is superb, as are the contributions of all the people who voiced other characters.

Brent Spiner is absolutely awesome.

Such an ordeal Brent Spiner has been threw. He did an awesome job narrating the story. I loved it.

gold standard for audiobooks

amazing production values as star trek fans will appreciate the excellent narration by Brent spiner and friends from the next generation. 1st half is hilarious, the love triangle doesn't quite work In the second half but quite a fun silly read regardless.

A great ride!

Listened to this in a day! Thrilling and funny by turns! Bravo, commander Data! Bravo!

An entertaining mystery with a bonus

This is a debut novel by a celebrity beloved by the geek crowd mainly, and it isn't too bad. The mystery element isn't too taxing on the reader and there's a lot of far-fetched mystery stuff mixed in with the Hollywood memoir material. I'm guessing a lot of its audience will be reading to find out what they can about the people behind their favorite Star Trek characters of the 1980s. The author wisely takes a self-deprecating tone that is appealing and there are enough allusions to old classic movies to give you a good idea of what really motivates him as an artist. There is one subplot which actually does relate to the "fan-fiction" of the title, but the story does not much hinge on authorial rights and control, fortunately.

The big bonus of the audiobook version is all the voices of the featured cast, including Brent Spiner reading his own narration. If you aren't a Star Trek The Next Generation fan this won't do so much for you maybe, but I liked it.

very good book

it is not quote 5/5 but still very entertaining even if you are not a st-tng fan. i almost listened to it alll the way through.

Pure fun!

Fan Fiction is a pure joy! The entire cast was great and Brent Spinner in particular was as fun as only he can be!

“It’s the small things”

A tough journey to success as an actor that ultimately led to more than success. Fandom is a large and most cohesive part of any actors success. The reality of fame is that certain liberties are challenged, sometimes more than one could expect!
Brent blends reality and some fiction to give us the fan side of Star Treks interesting fandom. In the end, we learn how much an actor can have over any fan and who they become. I quite enjoyed this “boots on the ground” journey. I recommend this book. Understanding the view of the actors and the fans is a most interesting dynamic.