David A. Goodman

David A. Goodman is a television writer and producer who has worked extensively in animation and science fiction, most notably serving as a writer and executive producer on Star Trek: Enterprise and Family Guy. He also served as the showrunner for The Orville and has written multiple Star Trek reference books. His work spans both comedy and drama, having written for series including Futurama, Team America: World Police, and Golden Girls. As the president of the Writers Guild of America West from 2017 to 2021, Goodman played a significant role during the 2007-2008 WGA strike and later guild negotiations. Goodman has authored several books within the Star Trek universe, including "Federation: The First 150 Years" and "The Autobiography of James T. Kirk." These works are written as in-universe historical documents, combining fictional elements with detailed worldbuilding. Beyond his television work, Goodman has taught television writing at DePaul University and served as a mentor for emerging writers through various industry programs. His contributions to both television and publishing demonstrate his versatility across multiple storytelling formats.

Readers appreciate Goodman's insider knowledge of Star Trek and television writing, noting his accuracy in capturing character voices - especially in "Federation: The First 150 Years" and "The Autobiography of James T. Kirk." Fans highlight his humor and attention to Star Trek canon details. Multiple Amazon reviewers called out his ability to blend established facts with new material that feels authentic to the franchise. Common criticisms include plots that move too slowly and overreliance on inside jokes that non-fans might miss. Some readers found his "The Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard" less engaging than his Kirk book. Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.5/5 average across books Goodreads: 3.8/5 average - Federation: First 150 Years - 4.1/5 - Kirk Autobiography - 3.9/5 - Picard Autobiography - 3.7/5 Most reader reviews focus on his Star Trek works rather than his TV writing credits for Family Guy and other shows.

Star Trek Federation: The First 150 Years - A historical account of the Star Trek universe written as an in-universe textbook covering major events from First Contact through the founding and early years of the Federation.

The Autobiography of James T. Kirk - A fictional memoir chronicling the life and career of Star Trek's Captain Kirk, written from the character's first-person perspective.

The Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard - A fictional autobiography detailing the life story of Star Trek's Captain Picard, from his childhood in France through his years commanding the Enterprise.

The Autobiography of Mr. Spock - A fictional personal account of Spock's life and experiences, written as if penned by the Star Trek character himself.

Fred: The Show - A television sitcom script book based on the Nickelodeon series about the adventures of YouTube personality Fred Figglehorn.