First announced back in September at the Mission New York convention, David Mack’s first Star Trek: Discovery tie-in novel finally has a title: “Desperate Hours.” The author released the title on his personal website earlier this week.

A good night's work on my STAR TREK: DISCOVERY novel. Two scenes written for 2,500 words' progress. I've passed 100 pages, 32k words. Nice. — David Mack (@DavidAlanMack) February 2, 2017 Carving away the stone on my new Star Trek: Discovery novel. Two more new scenes added for 2200 words, manuscript now at 47k words. w00t. — David Mack (@DavidAlanMack) February 11, 2017

What this title signifies for Discovery has yet to be revealed, but Mack has been hard at work at this in-progress story for several months, as – unlike previous Trek novels – his books will be connected to the ongoing Discovery storyline, something confirmed by fellow novelist (and Discovery series writer) Kirsten Beyer back at the NY convention.

The eBook edition of this first Star Trek: Discovery novel can be pre-ordered now at Amazon, but while Mack’s website indicates availability in January 2018, the release date is still uncertain until CBS locks down a launch date for the television series’ debut.

Speaking of scheduling, while Star Trek: Discovery doesn’t currently have an official release date, we know from CBS president Les Moonves that the studio is targeting a “late summer, early fall” debut on CBS All Access (and Netflix outside of the US/Canada market).

Early this morning, semi-official Discovery Twitter account @StarTrekDog – supposedly operated by writer/producer Nick Meyer’s dog Stella – tweeted the following:

That tweet has since been deleted (screenshot above from one of our quick-acting readers) – and the account has never been an official news release outlet for CBS – but it may be another hint as to where on the calendar the studio is targeting for Discovery to leave spacedock.

Once CBS has made an official release date announcement – one that we all hope sticks this time! – we’ll be sure to update you here at TrekCore with the news.