Lethbridge-Stewart: The Lock-In

Saturday, 7 May 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Candy Jar Books has announced a new digital-only short story, The Lock-In, which is free to all those ordering the regular books in the 2016 range of Lethbridge-Stewart novels.

Candy Jar Books launched the fully licensed Lethbridge-Stewart series in February 2015, with Andy Frankham-Allen’s The Forgotten Son kicking off the venture in style. It was trailered by a free short story in the pages of Doctor Who Magazine, and every subsequent novel released throughout 2015 was accompanied by a free short story available direct from Candy Jar Books.

Head of Publishing, Shaun Russell says:
Our free short story incentive has proven to be very popular with our readers, and have met with many rave reviews, and so we’re very happy to announce that we’re continuing that incentive throughout 2016 with stories too intimate for the larger books.

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Lock-In (Credit: Candy-Jar Books)The latest is The Lock-In by newcomer to the range, Sarah Groenewegen. Sarah was born in Sydney, Australia, but now lives in London. She has had essays published in various anthologies including the Hugo-nominated Queers Dig Time Lords. Most recently she contributed over twenty entries in 1,001 TV Shows You Must Watch Before You Die. Her short fiction has won awards (Scarlet Stiletto, 2002) and been published in Big Finish’s Doctor Who line, including the award winning Short Trips: Zodiac.

Sarah says:
I grew up with the Brig. I am of that Aussie generation who enjoyed multiple repeats of Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker stories, many of which included UNIT. Writing for Candy Jar has been fabulous, letting me dive into the character and bring to light some different facets of who he is. I loved exploring the relationship between him and Pearl, a slightly older woman who has a lasting effect on him and his life.

The Lock-In takes the form of a series of letters between Pearl and Sir Alistair, a man at the end of his life, as they reminisce over an adventure they shared just after he graduated from Sandhurst in 1956. It is a story of the impact one man can make, a story of perception of history and the importance of those who pass through our lives.

Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen says:
As well as the usual romps, I thought it would be fun this year to use the short stories to explore the more intimate moments of our characters’ lives, the kinds of stories that would never work in a full length novel. Sue Hampton’s In His Kiss was the first of this new type of story, and Sarah’s is the second. I love what Sarah has done with her story, the personal tone to it all. So impressed was I, in fact, that one the back of this story Sarah is now writing a Lethbridge-Stewart novel for us.

The short stories now form part of a new initiative by Candy Jar Books to bring new talent into the worlds of Doctor Who. Frankham-Allen continues:
Short stories are a perfect testing ground for new, untried, authors. A way to introduce them to readers, who may not normally be willing to part with hard-earn money on authors they have not heard of. And, if the reception is positive, we then talk to these new authors about possible ideas for novels.
Shaun Russell agrees:
Candy Jar has always been about encouraging new authors, and we regularly publish novels by first-time authors, including the children’s favourite, Anthony Ormond, and World War II hero Eileen Younghusband. So it seems a natural thing to extend this to our Lethbridge-Stewart range. Continuing the work pioneered by such people as Andrew Cartmel and Peter Darvil-Evans in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

The Lock-In will be given free to every person who pre-orders the first of the new series of novels, Moon Blink by Sadie Miller, which is due to begin shipping 13th May. All subscribers will receive the short story automatically, as will those who purchase any of the bundles for 2016 series.




FILTER: - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Showstoppers

Friday, 29 April 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Candy Jar Books have released the cover art for the next book in their Lethbridge-Stewart series, The Showstoppers.

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Showstoppers (Credit: Candy-Jar Books)The Showstoppers
Written by Jonathan Cooper
Cover by Richard Young

‘Nuzzink in ze vorld can schtop me now!’

There’s a new TV show about to hit the airwaves, but Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart won’t be tuning in. With the future of the Fifth Operational Corps in doubt he’s got enough to worry about, but a plea from an old friend soon finds Lethbridge-Stewart and Anne Travers embroiled in a plot far more fantastical than anything on the small screen.

Can charismatic star Aubrey Mondegreene really be in two places at the same time? What lengths will ailing entertainment mogul Billy Lovac go to in order to reach his audience? And is luckless journalist Harold Chorley really so desperate that he’ll buy into a story about Nazi conspiracies from a tramp wearing a tin foil hat?

There’s something very rotten at the heart of weekend television, and it isn’t all due to shoddy scripts and bad special effects.

Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar Books, said:
Richard is well-known for his photo realistic work. Watching him painstakingly create his artwork with thousands of dots is incredibly impressive. His design for The Showstoppers really evokes the early Target covers.
Richard Young said:
Doctor Who has been a big part of my life since I was a kid. The classic series is extremely close to my heart and I always wanted to draw a cover for the Target books... but they didn't like my style when I was ten. So to have the chance to contribute a cover for a book featuring one of the most iconic characters of Doctor Who is not only a huge honour but the realisation of a thirty-four-year old dream.

I had fun flexing my Photoshop muscles for the (free book) The Black Eggs of Khufu cover, but I jumped at the chance to return to my roots and work on a hand drawn cover, echoing the wonderfully surreal Kubrick movie.
The movie in question is Dr Strangelove Or: How to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, with the book echoing the same world; writer Jonathan Cooper commented:
I’ve always been a fan of Dr Strangelove and Doctor Who, so when Candy Jar Books asked me to meld the two together into a Lethbridge-Stewart novel, I could not resist. Who would?
The book also features an introduction by David George, son of Peter George, focusing on the conspiracy theories that tie Dr Strangelove to the Kennedy assassination.



The Showstoppers is the second release for 2016, following on from Moon Blink by Sadie Miller.

To help pave the way for the new series of books, Beast of Fang Rock will be available for free on Kindle for three days from Saturday 30th April. Andy Frankham-Allen, range editor of the Lethbridge-Stewart novels, said:
Both Moon Blink and The Showstoppers are strong Anne Travers stories, and since Beast of Fang Rock really introduced her to the range, we thought it would be nice to offer up this book as a free chance for the uninitiated to catch up on her back story.
The usual discounted pre-order bundles will be on offer from Candy Jar, with a new subscription deal for those wishing to get six books for the price of five.

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Showstoppers by Jonathan Cooper is due to be released soon. It can now be pre-ordered (individually, or as part of a bundle/subscription) from Candy Jar Books.




FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart - Merchandise

Heaven Sent Nominated for Hugo

Tuesday, 26 April 2016 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who: Heaven Sent, has been nominated for a 2016 Hugo Award.

The episode, shown last year, written by Steven Moffat and directed by Rachel Talalay , starred Peter Capaldi in an highly aclaimed, almost single handed, performance.

Doctor Who is competing against Universal's Grimm, Marvel Television's Jessica Jones, DHX Media's My Little Pony and Kripke Enterprises's Supernatural to win the prestigious award for Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form).

Six Doctor Who episodes have previously won a Hugo Award, including The Doctor's Wife, The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang and The Waters of Mars. Last year the episode Listen was nominated, but lost out in the final voting.

The winners of the 2016 Hugo will be announced on Saturday, August 20, at the MidAmeriCon II Hugo Awards Ceremony held in Kansas City, Missouri.
Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form): Nominations
  • Doctor Who: “Heaven Sent” written by Steven Moffat, directed by Rachel Talalay (BBC Television)
  • Grimm: “Headache” written by Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt, directed by Jim Kouf(Universal Television; GK Productions; Hazy Mills Productions; Open 4 Business Productions; NBCUniversal Television Distribution)
  • Jessica Jones: “AKA Smile” written by Scott Reynolds, Melissa Rosenberg, and Jamie King, directed by Michael Rymer (Marvel Television; ABC Studios; Tall Girls Productions;Netflix)
  • My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: “The Cutie Map” Parts 1 and 2 written by Scott Sonneborn, M.A. Larson, and Meghan McCarthy, directed by Jayson Thiessen and Jim Miller (DHX Media/Vancouver; Hasbro Studios)
  • Supernatural: “Just My Imagination” written by Jenny Klein, directed by Richard Speight Jr. (Kripke Enterprises; Wonderland Sound and Vision; Warner Bros. Television)




FILTER: - Awards/Nominations - Series 9/35

Michelle Gomez nominated for BAFTA Award

Wednesday, 30 March 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Michelle Gomez as Missy (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway)The nominations for the 2016 BAFTA Television Awards have now been announced, and actress Michelle Gomez has been nominated in the Supporting Actress category for her role in Doctor Who.

The actresses up for this category are:
  • Eleanor Worthington-Cox, for The Enfield Haunting
  • Chanel Cresswell, for This Is England '90
  • Michelle Gomez, for Doctor Who
  • Lesley Manville, for River

The BAFTA Awards take place on Sunday 8th May at the Royal Festival Hall, London, and will be broadcast live on BBC One.



Doctor Who's return to television garnered it both the Drama Series Award and Pioneer Audience Award in 2006, with its lead writer Russell T Davies also receiving the Dennis Potter Award; one of the key forces behind the show's successful return, Jane Tranter, received the Alan Clarke Award in 2009 (presented by then Doctor David Tennant). In more recent times, current lead writer Steven Moffat received the Special Award in 2012, and the 50th Anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor won the Radio Times Audience Award in 2014. Current Doctor Peter Capaldi has also been a recipient, winning the award for Male Performance in a Comedy Programme for his role as Malcolm Tucker in The Thick Of It.



Doctor Who has also been nominated in the BAFTA Craft Awards, with effects companies Milk VFX, Millennium FX, Real SFX, Molinare up for Special, Visual and Graphics Effects, a category the show has been nominated for every year since 2007 and receiving in 2009, 2014, and last year.





FILTER: - Awards/Nominations

Lethbridge-Stewart: free download for Easter short story The Black Eggs of Khufu

Saturday, 26 March 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Lethbridge-Stewart: The Black Eggs of Khufu (Credit: Candy Jar Books)Candy Jar Books has released a brand new Lethbridge-Stewart short story for Easter, which is being made available free to readers. The Black Eggs of Khufu is written by Tom Dexter and features an ancient alien mystery, camels, explosions and a ‘great egg race’ across the desert.

Lauren Thomas, who recently joined Candy Jar Books as digital and social media assistant, said:
We really thought that Tom Dexter had reached his peak with The Fright Before Christmas. That was until we read his story about the pyramids.

Forthcoming publications from Candy Jar Books include a limited edition anthology of short stories originally released online, The HAVOC Files (almost sold out!), and the next in their full Lethbridge Stewart novels, Moon Blink by Sadie Miller.


Full details on how to purchase the books and for downloading The Black Eggs of Jhufu can be found via their website.




FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart - Merchandise

Peter Capaldi accepts Guinness World Records title

Monday, 21 March 2016 - Reported by Marcus
Peter Capaldi Accepts Guinness World Records titlePeter Capaldi has accepted the Guinness World Records title for the Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Doctor Who Characters, at the La Mole Comic Con in Mexico City last Saturday.

The actor has been on a promotional tour to Mexico City, where the series is known as Doctor Misterio. After being mobbed at the airport the actor attended La Mole Comic Con where the record was attempted.

All in all 492 Doctor Who doppelgängers, Daleks and Oods joined the actual Doctor as part of the Guinness World Records attempt. Peter Capaldi and Executive Producer Brian Minchin were in The city to celebrate the premier of Doctor Who, Season 9 on NBC’s channel Syfy.

Doctor Who already holds the Guinness World Record as the Longest running sci-fi series while Doctor Who Magazine is the Longest Running Magazine Based on a Television Series. The 50th Anniversaty story The Day of the Doctor was named the world's largest-ever simulcast of a TV drama.

Peter Capaldi Accepts Guinness World Records titlePeter Capaldi Accepts Guinness World Records titlePeter Capaldi Accepts Guinness World Records titlePeter Capaldi Accepts Guinness World Records titlePeter Capaldi Accepts Guinness World Records title




FILTER: - Awards/Nominations

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Havoc Files / In His Kiss

Wednesday, 9 March 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Lethbridge-Stewart: The Havoc Files (Credit: Candy-Jar Books)As part of their ongoing series of Lethbridge-Stewart novels, Candy Jar Books also published a number of short stories to accompany them as downloads; these have now been collected together and will be published as an anthology, The HAVOC Files.

The book includes the stories: Ambush (Andy Frankham-Allen), Legacies (Norma Ashley), One Cold Step (Andy Frankham-Allen), The Cult of the Grinning Man (Tom Dexter), The Dogs of War (Andy Frankham-Allen), and The Fright Before Christmas (Tom Dexter). As an added bonus the collection also includes a previously unreleased story, The Enfolded Time, by Andy Frankham-Allen; the author said:
I did play with calling this one The Many Brigadiers, as we are in the unique position of being able to deal with the dating issues that plagued Lethbridge-Stewart during his time in Doctor Who. And, to break with tradition, this story is set outside the normal Lethbridge-Stewart narrative, taking place in 1990. It will, hopefully, prove to be a very different kind of story.

Lethbridge-Stewart: In His Kiss (Credit: Candy Jar Books)In keeping with the tradition of accompanying e-books, this title will be no exception, with purchasers of the book also to receive a digital copy of In His Kiss, written by best-selling author Sue Hampton. Set during Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart’s early days as a teenager in 1945, it is described as "a haunting tale of lost love". The author added:
It was exciting to get to know a young Alastair, haunted by his brother's death and painfully in love for the first time. I really savoured the challenge of exploring beyond my comfort zone – and for the Brig-to-be, things are certainly anything but comfortable!

The HAVOC Files will only be available as a strictly limited edition print run of 300 copies, available directly from the Candy Jar Bookstore.


The new series of Lethbridge-Stewart begins in April with the release of Moon Blink by Sadie Miller.




FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart - Merchandise

Steven Moffat receives his OBE

Thursday, 4 February 2016 - Reported by Marcus
Steven MoffatDoctor Who Executive Producer Steven Moffat has been presented with his OBE for services to drama.

The award, announced in the 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours list, was presented to the writer by The Prince of Wales at a ceremony held at the Queen's London Residence, Buckingham Palace. It makes Moffat an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Steven Moffat told the Scottish Daily Record he was delighted to recieve the award
It was very thrilling and formal and slightly, slightly, just very slightly, like being back at school. But nicer because everyone got a prize.

Talking to other people before I came in, I kind of feel everyone's here for a better reason than me. I've got not one, but two dream jobs so to get this lovely thing for already indulging myself in public, seems like an excess of good fortune.
He said it will be sad to leave Doctor Who, but exciting to do something new.
Ahead of me this year I have 14 Doctor Who and 3 Sherlock films, so the last thing I am doing is contemplating work beyond that.... The reason you end up leaving Doctor Who, much as we all love it, is because it's all year round. It's a really tough gig
The interview indicates Steven Moffat's last Doctor Who episode will be the 2017 Christmas special.

Full interview here.




FILTER: - Awards/Nominations - Steven Moffat

Series Nine Wins Golden Tomato Award

Saturday, 16 January 2016 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Series Nine has been voted the Best Reviewed TV Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Series of 2015 on the review site Rotten Tomatoes.

The Annual Golden Tomato Awards are awarded to the series with the highest ratings, based on reviews submitted to the site. The 2015 Series scored an average rating of 4.5/5 and received a remarkable 100% positive rating from approved critics.

The series beat Game of Thrones; Season 5 which came second. Marvel's Daredevil came third with Ash Vs Evil Dead and Hannibal taking fourth and fifth places respectivally.

Doctor Who Series 9 was also voted as fourth in the Best Returning TV Shows Category, with Fargo Season 2 taking top spot.




FILTER: - Awards/Nominations - Series 9/35

National Television Awards shortlist announced

Tuesday, 5 January 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Doctor Who has made the shortlist for Drama in the 2016 National Television Awards, which takes place live from the O2 in London on 20th January. The show is up against: Downton Abbey, which saw its final episode top the ratings on Christmas Day; Broadchurch, whose third series with former Doctor David Tennant will be shown this year; and Casualty, now entering its 30th year on television!

Doctor Who and Downton Abbey have dominated the category in the last decade, with Doctor Who holding the title between 2005 and 2010 (there was no award ceremony in 2009), and then Downton Abbey between 2012 and 2015 - with the exception of 2014 when Doctor Who regained the crown! The only other show to win the award during this period was school drama Waterloo Road in 2011.

David Tennant has been nominated in the Drama Performance category for his role as Alec Hardy in Broadchurch (fellow Time Lord actors Peter Capaldi, Christopher Eccleston and most recent sidekick actress Jenna Coleman did not make the shortlist). He faces Suranne Jones (Gemma Foster in Doctor Foster), Aidan Turner (Ross Poldark in Poldark) and Sheridan Smith (Jo Gillespie in Black Work). Tennant has previously won the award between 2007 and 2010 during his tenure as the Doctor, and received a Special Recognition award in 2015.


Votes may be cast via the NTA website until midday on Wednesday 20th January 2016, with the ceremony itself broadcast live on ITV from 7:30pm.





FILTER: - Awards/Nominations - David Tennant - Doctor Who