The Good: Star Trek TNG nostalgia
The Bad: Silly, campy, predictable
The Literary: Chapters named after famous movies; meta-analysis of fandom

It’s 1991 in the great city of Los Angeles, and the young and impressionable actor Brent Spiner receives a mysterious package and some terrifying fan mail. He immediately tells his Star Trek: The Next Generation colleague Levar Burton, Paramount Security and LAPD, and eventually the FBI. The story may be a fictionalized autobiography but the phenomenon of fandom is real.

The story itself is a cute little mystery thriller, full of crude comedy and hijinks, as the scared, inexperienced Spiner tries to work while a fan threatens his life. Off-screen he’s a self-effacing shmuck with a lot of anxiety (stemming from his abusive stepfather) who pays a visit to each of his fellow Star Trek actors and enjoys a little drugs, sex, and TV in his spare time. He wishes he could be more like his hyperrational character Data.

There is absolutely no way to separate the man from the android. Brent Spiner is Data, and so it’s no surprise I wanted to read this book because it’s one more way to revisit the magical time of TNG. Funny that Spiner wrote a book about an obsessive fan for all the fans of his out there who would want to read his novel. But he fans-out himself a few times in the book too, in an especially unfortunate scene involving and earthquake and Gregory Peck.

It’s the texture that really brings this silly book to life. The plot is campy but tight. The celebrity encounters are purposefully cliché. The chapter titles are Hollywood movie titles. He’s tormented by a fan; he’s saved by a fan; and he even says a few words at an obsessed fans’ funeral; but he’s also a fan himself, and at the end of the day, grateful for the community of fans that the Star Trek fan base generates.

‘The book is billed as being based on true events, and one of the most interesting puzzles for the reader is trying to imagine whether Levar Burton is really into crystals and incense or if Ronald Reagan really visited the show’s set.

Highly recommended for fans of Star Trek, dark comedy, and old Hollywood!

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC.

Mostly fan service via an occasionally funny, but mostly mediocre, story. It's billed as fiction "based on true events," so readers could have fun pondering how much of the early-1990s Hollywood / celebrity / ridiculousness is true. Probably more than we'd like!

Omg, I really enjoyed this book!! I knew when I saw it was written by Data, aka Brent Spiner, I had to grab this ARC!

This was by far one of the most entertaining books I've read outside my usual genre. I laughed and cringed and then wanted to binge TNG!

I'm not the Trekkie in this family but have enjoyed all the various shows which my hubby. I'm going to buy him this book because I think he's going to love it!

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC !

This reader was not sure what to expect with Fan Fiction, by actor Brent Spiner. Though I knew he was going to appear as the main character in the book, I incorrectly assumed that it would be in a fictional show business world. The fact that he does what good writers are encouraged to do, write what they know, it should have been obvious that the plot takes place during the time he was filming Star Trek the Next Generation, and thus includes many cast members and personalities from that period.

The basic plot line revolves around some frighteningly scary fan mail received by him, which becomes more obsessive, and threatening as the story unfolds. I actually put the story as the second most enjoyable part of Spiner's work. What I loved was the peek he offers into his world, with the aforementioned cast members, parties, and memories from his time as a struggling actor.

With that in mind, though the plot adds new characters and provides the purpose for the story's progression, I do not believe the casual mystery reader will enjoy this, unless they are first a Star Trek fan. It is no surprise that this is the audience to whom Spiner writes this fiction.

The good writing and I was emotionally involved with him as the plot unfolded. With Spiner's story telling strength aside, I felt that the conclusion was satisfactory while not being satisfy9ing. Still, my hope is that, though there are some wonderful autobiographical elements included in the novel, my hope is that this work will offer success and encourage him to write his true story. HIs voice is friendly, humorous and reading Fan Fiction I felt as if I knew the author, and it left me wanting to know more about his actual story.

This is definitely a read that Star Trek fans will love.

When I first saw that Brent Spiner wrote a book, I wondered how good it would be. I always enjoyed him as Data on Star Trek TNG and loved his appearances as "Bob Wheeler" on Night Court, so I knew him to be a talented thespian and singer. And as it turns out, he is a masterful writer as well. He dubs Fan Fiction as "A Mem-Noir" and may have created a whole new genre of memoir told in noir style. In the book, Spiner adroitly spins a hilarious tale, nailing the whole self-effacing shtick in regaling the reader with details of his life while weaving in an account of a crazed Star Trek fan who threatens his safety.
Taking place in TNG's glory days, Fan Fiction is set in 1991. When a strange package shows up at Spiner's trailer on the studio lot it sets in motion a series of further letters from a fan who apparently takes this whole Data thing a little too seriously. In trying to deal with this hostile situation, Spiner not only includes fellow TNG cast members but also encounters not-so-helpful members of the LAPD, and potential love interests in the form of a FBI agent and a body guard. This cast of characters follows him through a harrowing journey as Spiner tries to just be himself and deal with the usual Hollywood problems while not getting murdered for it.
This story plays out exactly like the cheesier mystery/thriller movies of that time period, only with brilliant comedic timing thrown into every scene. You know that an author has hit the right spot when you constantly lose your place reading because you're laughing so hard, and not a chapter goes by without at least one of these moments. I don't know if it's possible to have further whacky adventures of 1990s Brent Spiner, but I would happily read more books if there are. This was one of the best books I've read this year and the funniest I've read in ages.

As an absolute diehard Trekkie/Trekker, when I saw Brent Spiner's new book Fan Fiction: A Mem-Noir Inspired by True Events I immediately signed up to receive a copy without even really reading the description. I'm so glad I did. The basic premise of the book is that Brent Spiner, an actor playing Data on Star Trek: Next Generation in 1991, begins receiving menacing, threatening, and downright bizarre letters from, it seems, an obsessive fan. What follows is a hilarious adventure. The book is packed with appearances by Trek favourites (the cast of Next Generation as well as Gene Roddenberry himself) and while I don't think one needs to be a Trek fan to like the book, certainly the references will be more apparent (and quite possibly more hilarious) to those who do know Next Generation. I don't even like audiobooks but knowing that Brent Spiner will, of course, be narrating this one, I plan to pick up a copy, and I've already recommended the book to several fellow Trek fans in my life. So much fun!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press & NetGalley for an ARC.

This book was ridiculous, zany, and a riotous good time. Taking place in the in the 1991 heyday of the filming of Star Trek: The Next Generation, it blurs the line between truth and fiction, combining completely outlandish noir tropes and events (sexy mystery twins!) with possible, but too-dramatic-to-be-believed situations (gun play! multiple, competing stalkers!), hilarious statements from and "facts" about Spiner's fellow Star Trek castmates, and true details about the year's events, the work of making a TV show, and Spiner's life and childhood. It's faithful to the noir and mystery genres while being very, very funny.

This book was a unique blend of fact and fiction told by Brent Spiner, best known as Data on Star Trek. This was really well enjoyed, but a full review will be published closer to publication date on our website GateCrashers. Review links will be updated at that time.

Fan Fiction by Brent Spiner, a hilarious "fiction" book about the actor who played Data on Star Trek. Brief accounts and funny stories that make you laugh and cringe. I really enjoyed it.

Oh, Data, how I love thee!

This book was such a fun read, filled with all my favorite cast members of Star Trek Next Generation, in some capacity. I must mention that I am a die-hard fan of all things Trek – my license plates say “MAKETSO” (the best I could do with only seven letters.) The political sticker on my SUV for 2020 was Picard/Riker. Even though this was fanfiction – it was like reverse fanfiction, or alternate reality fanfiction, revolving around the actors, not the characters of the Next Generation.

The premise is that Data’s daughter, Lal, is stalking Brent Spiner, the actor who portrays Data, and wants him dead. In the world of fandom, fanatic fans can be frightening. It was fun to get a fictional behind-the-scenes look at what happens on set. Brent Spiner has a delightful quick wit and uses subtle humor throughout the book. It is a quick read – I think I finished it in about two hours. Like the show, all my favorite characters were there, and I already “knew” them and their personalities.

In my opinion, Trek fans will love this Star Trek Next Generation side story. It’s difficult for me not to be biased because I love Star Trek, but I think even non-Star Trek fans will enjoy Spiner’s humor in this fun story.

Thank you, #NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the advanced ARC of Fan Fiction. I'm thrilled to be able to provide my honest review.

Not knowing who the author was immediately, I was drawn to the book just from the description. The story is really entertaining and written in a really funny way.

He shares a slightly fictionalized experience with an obsessed fan that keeps you hooked on the story. The anecdotes he shares along the way also show a lot about his personality and make him feel like he’s your friend telling you about his life over a cocktail. Though I do think I’m some cases, the amount of external stories detracted from the overall story line.

The story keeps you guessing about who his stalker is, which is a really big part of why the book is so great, whether you’re a fan of his or not. The twist at the end isn’t what I expected and though I know this was based on fact, I was rooting for it to go another way. I also wish he had told more about the final night and what happened after the stalker was identified.

If this was a movie exactly as it’s written, I would be a little disappointed with the ratio of stalker build up and resolution.

I’m not a Trekkie. I do have a fine appreciation of Star Trek, though, and so I’ve seen a lot of the movies and somehow a bunch of STTNG or Star Trek The Next generation for the uninitiated and Data has always been my favorite character. There’s just something about that golden android that has always spoken to the on the spectrum aspects of my psyche.
And of course, it’s impossible to separate Brent Spiner from his most famous character. Funny how that works, the man is now pushing seventy and has been acting for decades, TNG was only on for seven years or so and yet to me and I’m sure millions of others he will always just be Data. It’s a signature role and (pun intended) a pure gold as far as those go.
And so how awesome is it that Spiner wrote a book and it’s just as much of a delight, albeit a tonally and otherwise different one, from his most iconic role. Don’t know what kind of a book data would write, but Spiner stuck with the good ole’ write what you know and produced this MemNoir (how cute is that) of autobiography mixed in with thriller elements from his years on Start Trek. Because truth is subversive under the best of circumstances and fan fiction takes that and subverts it even further by its nature, you can technically take this pretty far. And Spiner does. Outlandishly, outrageously so. Casting himself as a victim of a mysterious obsessive fan who ends up with two gorgeous female twin protectors (indistinguishable but for their coiffure).
There are, of course, all sorts of other shenanigans, including hilariously rendered real life cast of the show. It’s a proper treasure trove of a book for Trekkie, but it’s also an absolute highhearted comedic delight for all other readers. It’s a quick, cute and charming read that cleverly interweaved facts and fiction until you’re not quite what’s what and find it no longer matters because you’re having so much fun with it.
Randomly…turns out Data’s back on Star Trek Picard. I didn’t even know that. Guess with enough golden pancake make up you can get something like tv immortality. Excellent. Data lives on. And not just in the memories of fan and in syndication, but live (as it were) for the next generation in real life. Awesomeness.
So yeah, whatever your thoughts (but they should be all positive, really) on androids, this charming take on the high cost of fame is sure to delight and entertain. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

This is a fun book and a really fast-moving story. I read it in a day. It has crazy twists and turns, with several laugh-out-loud moments. Plus, if you're even a casual fan of Star Trek, it's fun to see how he fits his coworkers into the plot. And movie and music references. I needed a light-hearted book like this after some of the dark books I've read lately.

This book is... crazy, weird, wild, strange, but above all it's a lot of fun. I got the feeling there were a few stories in here that really happened and Brent wanted to tell, but he didn't want to waste time with an actual memoir. So he wrote a crazy stalker story and peppered the rest in. A literary cousin to Galaxy Quest, a glimpse behind-the-scenes of a show that actually exists. Definitely worth a read if you're a fan of Spiner or Star Trek. A disappointing lack of Night Court references, but no book is perfect.

Fan Fiction is a surprising page turner and while I wasn't always totally sold on the plot or characters/characterizations of real people (some of them felt a little flat), I did read it in less than 24 hours. Now I am dying to know which parts were true-- or true-ish. It was a very interesting concept and did a really good job with the fan culture surrounding Star Trek, if not the believability of the gorgeous bodyguard and her FBI agent identical twin-- though perhaps that was the "noir" part of "mem-noir."

Who could turn down a chance to read a book written by one of the famous Star Trek actors, Brent Spiner, the man behind Commander Data on Star Trek Next Generation. I certainly couldn't. The best thing about this book for me was learning certain personal details about the cast and receiving a small peek at what it might have been like for them. The most interesting fact I learned was that Gene Roddenberry's wife Majel played Lwaxana Troi. (Evidence that I never paid much attention to the credits that roll at the end of an episode.) I do not think it is a stretch to assume that the kind of person that would pick up a novel by a Star Trek cast member would be someone interested in both Star Trek and science fiction in general. So, yes, I would recommend this book to a Trekie looking for the inside story. However, I was sad that this novel firmly took place in Hollywood in 1991. No space aliens, no space ships, no space travel, no futuristic technology. (In fact, taking place in 1991, VHS tapes, and movie rental stores were featured. That brought back some memories.) It was a nice book, but I have a hard time giving this more than 3 out of 5 stars. If you don't know who Brent Spiner is or don't get excited about new Star Trek productions, then it might be best to consider this a single star book. If you have ever attended a Star Trek convention or sent a Star Trek cast member fan mail, then please consider this book to be a strong 10 out of 5 stars.

I would like to thank Brent Spiner and St. Martin's Press for kindly providing an electronic (and alas unsigned) review copy of this book. Thanks!

First sentence: The second worst part of my job is wearing makeup. The worst part is taking it off. The only thing that will cut through my thick mask at the end of a sixteen hour day is a kerosene-based product called Eliminate.

Premise/plot: Fan Fiction is a premise-driven mystery/thriller by Brent Spiner. The what-if premise of this one is simple: What if Brent Spiner received a HORRIFYING and DISTURBING package in the mail by an obsessed fan? What if following that bloody package, he received dozens and dozens of stalker-y threatening letters?

How would a fan's obsession (or fans' obsession) impact his personal and professional life? As Brent shares these disturbing messages (and objects) with those closest to him--his fellow cast, security, police, the FBI--his life gets a little bit crazy.

Fan Fiction is fueled by fan or super-fan culture.

I should also mention it is set in 1991.

My thoughts: I called it a mystery-thriller. The book's description calls it a noir comedy. I had to look up the definition of noir to refresh my memory: "crime fiction featuring hard-boiled cynical characters and bleak sleazy settings." Fan Fiction is NOT your typical comedy. Or perhaps it is if your sense of humor never matured? I found it on the crude side. I honestly can't say I laughed once. It could just be me--I wouldn't be surprised if it was--but what is funny about a person (celebrity or not) receiving death threats? Nor did I find it amusing and laugh-out-loud when Spiner was recalling the fear he grew up in because of his step-father.

I do think the text explores various levels of fan obsession and the blurring of lines of what's appropriate (and healthy) and inappropriate (and SCARY).

For me one of the most thought provoking scenes in the novel is when Brent Spiner attends the funeral of Mrs. Spiner. There is a super-super-super-super obsessed fan who goes to the video rental store often to check out Star Trek videos. It is the same store Brent Spiner uses. She calls herself "Mrs. Spiner" and refers to Brent as HER HUSBAND. When something tragic happens he feels compelled to go to her funeral. Every person in attendance only knows her as Mrs. Spiner. No one knows her actual name or anything about her. She has no family, no friends that know her and are honoring her. (She may have family and friends living, but NO ONE knows her real identity and she's not being buried under her real identity).

I don't regret reading this one even though it was a bit more adult and crude than what I usually read. But it's not going to be topping my best books of the year list. Still I liked it.

If I'd known that 1991 was the year he released an album, I would have appreciated the song quotes a bit more.

Quote:

"But we know that she related to something in us! And we related something in her. And you know that she related to good things inside you! Those things that you brought to your character, whether you want to admit that or not. You know that parts of you resonated with parts of her! So we all actually know a lot about her, because we know a lot about ourselves! And those parts of her that we share, those emotions, they are real! No matter what you think!"

Fan Fiction by Brent Spiner As the author says it's a thriller, it's a comedy, it's a dark comedy. And it's partially a memoir, but none of it's real, really, even though a lot of things actually happened.” The story is at times hilarious, poignant and above all extremely entertaining. Revisiting the actors from TNG is enjoyable. A witty and fun filled read.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.