SciFi Diner Pilots 401 – Star Trek: Discovery with Dayton Ward (CBS Star Trek Consultant and Author)

Star Trek: Discovery

Beginning roughly ten years before the events of Star Trek: The Original Series, the show sees the Klingon houses become united in a war with the United Federation of Planets that heavily involves the crew of the USS Discovery (NCC-1031). In the second season, after the war has ended, Discovery investigates seven mysterious signals and a strange figure known as the “Red Angel”. This conflict ends with the Discovery traveling to the 32nd century, more than 900 years into their future.

Dayton Ward

Dayton Ward (born June 7, 1967) is a science fiction author primarily known for his Star Trek novels and short stories, which began with publication in the Strange New Worlds anthology series. He published stories in each of the first three Strange New Worlds volumes^[1], making him the first author to render himself ineligible under the rules of that series. As such, future authors who achieved the same feat were said to have earned a “Wardy”.

In addition, he has written numerous articles in Star Trek Communicator and Star Trek Magazine. He has also published a number of short stories in various magazines and collections. His frequent collaborator on these and other works is fellow author Kevin Dilmore.

Ward has been nominated six times for, and has won twice, the Scribe Award from the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers. The winning entries were Star Trek: The Next Generation: Armageddon’s Arrow, in 2016,^[2] and Star Trek: Discovery: Drastic Measures, in 2019.^[3]

Ward was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. After graduating high school, Ward enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he worked in information systems. He was eventually stationed in Kansas City, Missouri. He served for more than eleven years, before being honorably discharged. He remained in and lives with his family in Kansas City. Ward worked as a software developer and part time writer before becoming a full time writer. He also consults for CBS on Star Trek licensee projects, including publications from Simon & Schuster and IDW Publishing. His stated hobbies include reading, going to movies, and watching football, basketball, or beach volleyball.

He is a fan of Canadian rock band Rush, and several of his stories have been named after Rush songs.

To find our more about Dayton, visit Fog of Ward.

Scott