Summer Falls and Other Stories

Saturday, 21 September 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster

BBC Books have announced the release of their three tie-in e-novellas in a new paperback edition, including a new introduction and interview with 'author' Amelia Williams. The book is due out on 24th October 2013.

Summer Falls and Other Stories (Credit: BBC Books)

Summer Falls and Other Stories
Published by BBC Books in paperback on 24 October 2013 (pre-order)

Three bestselling Doctor Who e-novellas – now available in one paperback volume.

Summer Falls by Amelia Williams
(Inspired by the Doctor Who episode The Bells of Saint John)

In the seaside village of Watchcombe, young Kate is determined to make the most of her last week of summer holiday. But when she discovers a mysterious painting entitled ‘The Lord of Winter’ in a charity shop, it leads her on an adventure she never could have planned. The painting is a puzzle - and with the help of some bizarre new acquaintances, she plans on solving it...

Amelia Williams is the editor of the famous Melody Malone series of crime novels, and a bestselling author of several books for children. She lives in New York with her husband Rory and their young son, Anthony. They have a grown-up daughter, Melody, who works as an archaeologist.

With a new introduction by Amelia Williams – and a rare interview with the reclusive author

The Angel’s Kiss by Melody Malone
(Inspired by the episode, The Angels Take Manhattan)

Detective Melody Malone has an unexpected caller: movie star Rock Railton thinks someone is out to kill him – and when he mentions the ‘kiss of the Angel’, she takes the case. At the press party for Railton’s latest movie, studio owner Max Kliener invites Melody to become their next star. But the cost of fame, she’ll soon discover, is greater
than anyone could possibly imagine.

Melody Malone is the owner and sole employee of the Angel Detective Agency in Manhattan. She is possibly married but lives alone usually, and is older than both her parents. Sometimes.

Devil in the Smoke by Mr Justin Richards
(Inspired by the episode, The Snowmen)

On a cold day in December, two young boys, tired of sweeping snow from the workhouse yard, decide to build a snowman – and are confronted with a strange and grisly mystery. In horrified fascination, they watch as their snowman begins to bleed... The search for answers to this impossible event will plunge Harry into the most hazardous – and exhilarating – adventure of his life.

Mr Justin Richards is a noted author of fictional fantasies concerning the continuing exploits of a mysterious traveller in space and time known only as ‘the Doctor’. He has also chronicled the fantastical events of the Victorian era in his novels The Death Collector, The Parliament of Blood and The Chamber of Shadows.

FILTER: - Merchandise - Books

Script Doctor to be reprinted

Tuesday, 10 September 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Miwk Publishing have announced that they will be publishing an updated version of former script editor Andrew Cartmel's book Script Doctor; it is due to be released this coming November:

Miwk Publishing are absolutely delighted to be reprinting this unique insight into an era of Doctor Who which, while dividing fandom at the time, has seen a reappraisal in recent years following the release of the stories on DVD and the subsequent scrutiny of the era in the accompanying special features.

It has been revised and slightly updated from its originally version and features new forewords and afterwords additional to this edition. We couldn’t reprint the book without reprinting the original cover. Grateful thanks to Steve Cook for allowing us to reuse his photograph.

Script Doctor, by Andrew Cartmel (2013 edition) (Credit: Miwk)

Script Doctor
Written by Andrew Cartmel

In 1987 Doctor Who was a series in the middle of an on-going crisis. Producer John Nathan-Turner had been ‘persuaded to stay’ even though his programme had only a year earlier been cancelled by ‘the powers that be’. Yet again those on-high stepped in to interfere with the show and asked him to recast the Doctor. But JN-T had other problems too, during season 23 his script editor Eric Saward had quit very publicly.

This vacancy was filled by Andrew Cartmel. Within very few months he had to find writers for the new season, write out the current companion, introduce a new companion and establish a new Doctor as well as planning ahead to the following season that would mark Doctor Who’s 25th anniversary.

For three years Andrew Cartmel, with the support of JN-T, pushed Doctor Who into a new direction. The show was moved to a weekday slot again up against ITV stalwart Coronation Street but still put up a good fight in its last three years. His writers Ian Briggs, Ben Aaronovitch, Stephen Wyatt, Malcolm Kohl, Rona Munro, Marc Platt, Kevin Clarke and Graeme Curry, had never written for Doctor Who before. This new broom sadly came too late and the show was cancelled again in 1989. But Cartmel’s legacy and his ‘Master-Plan’ would live on.

What he started was picked up and taken into the nineties by a new generation of writers who would eventually bring Doctor Who back to our screens in 2005.

‘Script Doctor’ is a memoir of those times, from his first day in the office to his first day on set right up to hastily penning the final few lines of the last story broadcast in the original run. Helping to cast the new seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, and create a new companion in Ace, played by Sophie Aldred, ‘Script Doctor’ is an intimate tale which sees a team of dedicated, creative new wave at the BBC, battling the old-guard and attempting to push the envelope.

The book will be available be on general release in paperback from November, and there is a limited edition signed and numbered hardback version exclusively available from the Miwk website.

FILTER: - Merchandise - Books

Puffin Books: The Beast of Babylon by Charlie Higson

Tuesday, 3 September 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The Beast of Babylon, by Charlie Higson (Credit: Puffin Books)

Puffin Books have announced that the author of the ninth in their series of Doctor Who e-books will be writer, actor, and comedian Charlie Higson.

The Beast of Babylon
Written by Charlie Higson
Published 23rd September 2013

When a girl called Ali pockets a silver orb that falls from the sky, little does she realise it’s her ticket to seeing the universe! Desperate to retrieve the mysterious object, the Ninth Doctor agrees to let her join him on a dangerous trip to ancient Babylon. Together they must join forces to stop a giant Starman from destroying Earth before it’s too late!

Though primarily associated with writing comedy series in the United Kingdom for both radio (Down The Line) and television (The Fast Show), Higson's writing credentials encompass a variety of other genres, including a series of Young Bond novels and the creation of his own cult thriller series, The Enemy. Now taking up the Doctor's cause, he said:

I grew up with Doctor Who and have always been a massive fan so it's a great honour to be involved in this anniversary celebration. Russell T Davies did a great job of rebooting the series with Christopher Eccleston so to be able to write the Ninth Doctor story was a great opportunity to say thanks to the Doctor and thanks to Russell.

The e-book is due to be released on 23rd September 2013, with BBC Worldwide to upload a brief interview with the writer the the Doctor Who YouTube channel later this month.

FILTER: - Ninth Doctor - Merchandise - Books - WHO50

Original Tenth Planet Script Found

Sunday, 1 September 2013 - Reported by Marcus

The original script for William Hartnell's last story, The Tenth Planet, has been found, with one key difference from the transmitted version. The Doctor does not regenerate at the end of the story.

Michael Seely, author of the forthcoming biography of Dr Kit Pedler ‘The Quest for Pedler’ unearthed the original draft script, along with draft scripts for The Moonbase, known then as The Return of the Cybermen, among a very large collection of Pedler's papers which one of his children had kept in their attic.

Michael Seely
As I looked through it, I realised it was the first draft Gerry Davis prepared when Kit fell ill in June 1966.

The structure is more or less the same, though a lot of the dialogue is different. Some things were cut, especially involving the Cybermen. For example, the Cybermen planned to convert Polly and the Doctor into Cybermen towards the end of the story, and kept them prisoner in what they described as a waiting room. The most eye catching difference is what didn't happen at the end of the episode.

The relevance of this early draft, and the date it was prepared goes some way to illustrating the hasty nature of Hartnell’s departure:

Gerry Davis and Innes Lloyd were always very diplomatic and tactful in their interviews. Both died in 1991, long before 'warts and all' interviews became the norm. We know that William Hartnell was being persuaded to give up the role he loved over the summer of 1966, and that they were sounding out replacements. He only decided to leave in the middle of July, the month after this draft was written.

Michael Seely is no stranger to the work of Dr Kit Pedler, he has previously written two books (‘Prophets of Doom’ and ‘Deadly Dangerous Tomorrow’ – both available from Miwk Publishing) on the subject of Doomwatch.

Doomwatch fans will be interested to learn that over five original story lines were among Kit's papers, including several that did not get made. One of these was responsible for the BBC removing Kit's influence over the programme he and Gerry created as a warning over unchecked science and technology. There were a couple of radio plays too, which had been known about but remained a bit of a mystery since they were not made. Unfinished books and short stories, and proposals for television series. Environmentalists, though Kit did not consider himself to be one, and students of the 1970s environmental movement, will be pleased to learn that a lot of his writings, lectures and scripts for TV and radio, also exist within this collection.

Seely’s biography of Pedler will be released in early 2014 by Miwk Publishing. Authorised by his family and produced with their assistance, the book will tell the full story of Dr C.M.H. Pedler, MB. BS., Ph.D, M.C. Path. A research scientist well known to Doctor Who fans as the co-creator of the Cybermen, but in also a leading activist and campaigner for more sociably responsible and sustainable scientific research and understanding.

Pedler’s role in Doctor Who is also clarified:

He was not a scientific advisor. Kit wasn't there to throw in the science, or vet scripts for their accuracy. He was there to give plausible science fiction ideas, which Lloyd and Davis had no clue about.

He argued that we were conditioned to accept whatever science had to offer us as automatically a good thing, and not to enquire deeper. He used to describe himself as a 'defrocked scientist.' His words are still true today.

The Quest for Pedler: The Life & Ideas of Dr Kit Pedler By Michael Seely is now available for preorder.

FILTER: - William Hartnell - Production - Books - Classic Series

Puffin Books: Spore by Alex Scarrow

Monday, 19 August 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Spore, by Alex Scarrow (Credit: Puffin Books)

The writer of the eighth Puffin Books e-book to celebrate the 50th Anniversary is the author of the TimeRiders series of books, Alex Scarrow.

Spore
Written by Alex Scarrow
Published 23rd August 2013

In a small town in the Nevada desert, an alien pathogen has reduced the entire population to a seething mass of black slime. When the Eighth Doctor arrives, he realises this latest threat to humanity is horrifyingly familiar – it is a virus which almost annihilated his entire race, the Time Lords...

With careers as a rock guitarist, graphic artist and game designer Scarrow became a successful author, writing adult thrillers and screenplays, but it is the world of Young Adult fiction that has enabled him to further develop concepts he originally delved into when designing games. Commenting on his latest commission, he said:

I am squeeing like an over-sugared toddler at the thought of being part of this project. Doctor Who is an export this country can be proud of. We OWN time travel. My small part in this project was to breathe life back into the least known, Eighth Doctor, played by Paul McGann. I chose him because I felt I had the most room to manoeuvre, to explore a lesser known Doctor and add flesh to his character. In my story entitled Spore, we're getting a particularly grisly tale of an intelligent virus that liquifies and absorbs any creature it infects. All in all... quite gross - liquified people an' all.

The author can be reached on Twitter via @AlexScarrow, and more details about the TimeRiders series can be found via this website.

A promotional video featuring Scarrow has been made available via the BBC's YouTube channel, and the Guardian has also published an extract from the e-book.

Alex Scarrow talks about Spore, via YouTube

FILTER: - Merchandise - Eighth Doctor - Books - WHO50

Doctor Who StoryBundle - Pay What You Want Offer

Wednesday, 7 August 2013 - Reported by Marcus

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who, StoryBundle is offering a specially curated set of six full length e-books featuring episode guides, producer autobiographies, coming-of-age stories and recipe books themed around Doctor Who.
StoryBundle is a platform for indie authors to get exposure for their works, both for the titles featured in the bundle and for the rest of their catalog.

Buyers pay what they like, subject to a minimum fee of $3.

The initial titles in The (Unofficial) Doctor Who Bundle are:

Dalek I Loved You: 50th Anniversary Edition by Nick Griffiths

David Tennant

Who & Me by Barry Letts

Barry Letts

Jon Pertwee

Tom Baker

TARDIS Eruditorum Volume 2: Patrick Troughton by Philip Sandifer

Patrick Troughton

Dining With The Doctor: An Unauthorized Whovian Cookbook by Chris-Rachael Oseland

If you pay at least $10 you get two bonus books:

VWORP! by Earl Green
The Best of TARDIS Eruditorum, by Philip Sandifer.

Full details on the StoryBundle website.

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Production - Books - Patrick Troughton

Jenny Colgan: Into the Nowhere

Wednesday, 17 July 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Jenny Colgan poses with her book Dark Horizons at Heathrow

Jenny Colgan has announced that she is writing her second Doctor Who book, to be published during 2014. Speaking on Channel 5's The Wright Stuff this morning, she reported that the provisional title is Into the Nowhere and that it features skeletons and snakes.

The author was at Heathrow Terminal 5 yesterday promoting the paperback release of her first book, Dark Horizons, where she posed with a Cyberman beside the TARDIS before signing copies of her books within the airport itself.

Jenny Colgan poses with a Cyberman at Heathrow

She was there as part of the Doctor Who themed day at the airport terminal - several more photos can be found on her own Twitter stream, and via the #WhereDoYouWantToGo hashtag.

Our own photos from the day can be found in our Facebook Album, plus a rendition of the theme tune as played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

FILTER: - Special Events - Books

Fandom Update

Tuesday, 9 July 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster

DWAS 50th Anniversary Poll:

The Doctor Who Appreciation Society's 50th Anniversary Poll is now underway. Voting is open to all, with a closing date of 7th August. Full details may be found at the DWAS website.

(with thanks to Tony Jordan)

Fourth Dimension - a Doctor Who charity book:

Fourth Dimension (Credit: Steven Miscandlon)

FOURTH DIMENSION, by British Who fan Steven Miscandlon, collects twelve of his short stories and thirty-one reviews that were first published in various Doctor Who fan magazines between 1992 and 1996. The stories, which feature five of the original seven Doctors, range from short, fun pieces to darker and more thought-provoking tales, while the reviews cover not only a selection of televised Doctor Who stories, but also novels and other spin-off media released in the early nineties. Also included is “The Gallifrey Incursion”, a previously unpublished novelette-length story written in 1995.

The author was a regular contributor of fiction, articles and illustrations to well-respected fanzines such as Capitol Spires, Mandria, Silver Carrier, Metamorph and Shadowsphere, and also had pieces published in a handful of others, including Game of Rassilon, Club Tropicana, Circus and Borusa’s Trousers.

Perfectly tying in with the show’s 50th anniversary, the book will appeal to fans of the classic series, but Steven believes it also provides an interesting snapshot of what Who fans got up to in the lengthy hiatus between the cancellation of the original series in 1989, and the broadcast of the Paul McGann TV Movie in 1996.

He said:

It seems that the programme has never been more popular, and yet in some ways its fan base is very different to that of twenty years ago. I hope people enjoy the various writings that make up FOURTH DIMENSION, and that they will give an interesting insight into the frustrating but exciting world of Doctor Who fandom in the early nineties.

The book is available as both a paperback and a PDF ebook from Lulu.com, and other ebook formats are also available directly from the author. All profits from sales of the book will be donated to UK charity Unite Against Cancer, which was set up in 2012 to fund research into new cancer treatments.

(with thanks to Steven Miscandlon)

More of the Best Poems in the Universe:

More of the Best Doctor Who Poems in the Universe (Credit: Garry Vaux)

Are you suffering from end of series blues?
Are you twiddling your thumbs waiting for the 50th anniversary?
Are you more poetic than Clara’s leaf?

Then put your writing skills to good use. Volume 2 needs your contributions right now because everything has gone a bit wibbly wobbly, timey rhymey! They can be about any Who related subject, your own work and must be previously unpublished.

We would also welcome any artwork from budding Doctor Who artists out there. Please supply as a 300dpi jpeg. Pictures should be portrait in orientation. Send your entries to whoems@GJBpublishing.co.uk. Deadline for all entries is 31st July 2013.

Those successful will be notified by email and will have the chance to pre-order the book before it goes on general release later this year. The editor’s decision is final. Geronimo!

(with thanks to Garry Vaux)

The Doctor & I - a celebration of a fandom 50 years in the making:

We've all got a "The Doctor & I" story. It's time to tell yours.

23rd November 2013 will mark 50 years of Doctor Who as well as 50 years of its accompanying fandom that continues to be a big part of all of our lives. Although all of our journeys with the Doctor start at different times, his ongoing adventures continue to bring millions of fans around the world together as we discuss, debate and share in his epic voyage through through time and space.

As part of WhovianNet's 50th anniversary celebrations, we want to how and when your story began.

We're inviting you to submit your own essays (but they're not really essays - essays are NOT cool!) which detail your personal introduction to the Doctor Who fandom. How did it all begin for you? What initially got you so hooked? How has your life been affected since? We are particularly looking for stories that are special, moving and, most importantly, unique to you.

In a nutshell, we want to know what being a Doctor Who fan means to YOU - whether you've been following the Doctor since Day 1 or accidentally stumbled upon his recent adventures at 4 in the morning on Netflix, we want to hear from you, in essay/report/diary/story style.

And here comes the really cool bit - the stories will be collated into a special commemorative book which will go on sale later this year. The book will serve as a celebration of the fandom that's been 50 years in the making with - we hope - stories from fans worldwide young and old, as we come together to mark the Doctor's 50th birthday. We also hope to include contributions from those who have worked on the series who will reflect on their own experiences with the Doctor, both on and off screen.

Full details about the project can be found on our website.

(with thanks to Dan @ Whovian Net)

DDWRPG Fanzine Issue #020:

Diary of the Doctor Who Role Playing Games - Issue 20 (Credit: DDWRPG)

This issue of the Diary of Doctor Who Role Playing Games (DDWRPG) features the amazing discovery of lost Doctor Who RPG materials, such as the original proposals for FASA modules and the summary of the never released Gallifrey supplement! Also featured in the issue is an interview with FASA writer Ray Winninger, as well as many new articles! Reviews, adventure modules, and all of our standard features are in this Super-sized 172 page issue!!

The issue is available from the DDWRPG website.

Our next issue has lots of goodies planned including a look at the “Time Meddlers” Doctor Who RPG Fanzine from the 1980s, an interview with editor Steven Dieter, and many more good items as well! We welcome your submissions.

(with thanks to Nick Seidler)

Celebrate Regenerate - Out Now:

Lewis Christian reports on the release of his book, Celebrate, Regenerate:

It launched at midnight (GMT) on 3rd July and it's now available on the website. There are three versions - you can read it online, you can download a free PDF, and / or you can buy a physical copy. All the links are on the homepage of the site.

Now that's all the factual stuff out of the way, here's a personal bit from me to you all:

Thankyou! One word I've said more than any other this past year. A whole year I, and we, have been at this epic project. I remember the night I first had the barmy idea and then it just grew overnight! (There's a bit more detail in my Introduction, found in the opening pages of the book.) Thankyou to all the writers, contributors, artists, companions, interviewees - just everyone, even if you've just spread the word or even just said hi and taken an interest ^_^

I really really hope everyone enjoys it, and I properly hope I haven't missed anyone out. It's been a mammoth task to keep on top with, especially when I've gone it alone at my end for the majority. I sincerely apologise if I've missed your name out or anything - I hope you still enjoy the book <3 This project, for me, sums up how awesome fandom can be when it comes together. We're only a tiny percentage of Doctor Who's *entire fandom* but I think this makes its mark on the history of the show, and I think it's a wonderful addition to the countless other celebrations going on - if I may say so myself. And, of course, this would not be possible without you guys. Yes I put it together, but you all *made* the thing, so a big collective pat on the back! (Or, if you can't reach, just give yourself a big thumbs up.) I won't go on, I'll leave it there. Just thankyou again, everyone, and I hope it's been worth it. From my POV, it's definitely been worth it. I hope many of you decide to purchase a physical copy to reside on your bookshelf and I hope you enjoy flicking through the pages (my advice is to be random, as opposed to reading cover to cover). One last thing - see how many Doctor Who in-jokes you can find :D

(with thanks to Lewis Christian)

FILTER: - Fan Productions - Books - Polls

Children's Laureate Writes Seventh Doctor E-Book

Wednesday, 3 July 2013 - Reported by John Bowman

The Ripple Effect, by Malorie Blackman (Credit: Puffin Books)

Award-winning Children's Laureate Malorie Blackman has written the seventh e-book short story in the range celebrating Doctor Who's 50th anniversary.

The Ripple Effect, to be released on Tuesday 23rd July by Puffin Books in partnership with BBC Worldwide, sees the Seventh Doctor and Ace encountering Daleks - but these are Daleks with a difference.

When the TARDIS lands on Skaro, the Doctor and Ace are shocked to discover the planet has become the universal centre of learning, populated by a race of peace-loving Daleks. Ever suspicious of his arch-enemies' motives, the Doctor learns of a threat that could literally tear the universe apart . . .

Blackman said:

I have always loved Doctor Who - from the time I was a child and the Daleks used to make me run and hide behind the sofa, to Saturday morning pictures when I first saw the Doctor Who films featuring Peter Cushing, right up to the current Doctor with Matt Smith. So when I was asked to write a Doctor Who story featuring the seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, I didn't even need to pause to think about it. My answer was an immediate yes.

I've always found Sylvester McCoy's Doctor fascinating because of the way his character developed from a bit of a clown to a Doctor with a more Machiavellian streak. In my story, the Doctor's actions are responsible for a universal catastrophe which forces him to face up to his own fears and prejudices.

An extract is available via The Guardian's website, and a promotional video featuring Blackman will be available on the BBC's Doctor Who YouTube channel from Thursday 11th July.

Blackman, who will be the Children's Laureate until 2015, has written more than 50 books, including the critically-acclaimed Noughts & Crosses series of novels for young adults. She is acknowledged as one of today's most imaginative and convincing writers for young readers and has been awarded numerous prizes for her work, including the Red House Children's Book Award and the Fantastic Fiction Award. She has also been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. In 2005, Blackman was presented with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her contribution to children's books, and in 2008 she received an OBE for her services to children's literature.

Details about the e-short for the Eighth Doctor will be revealed on Tuesday 6th August.

FILTER: - Online - Seventh Doctor - Books - WHO50

Puffin Books: Something Borrowed by Richelle Mead

Thursday, 6 June 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Something Borrowed, by Richelle Mead (Credit: Puffin Books)

The writer of the sixth in the Puffin Books series of e-books has been revealed as Richelle Mead, best-selling author of Vampire Academy, Bloodlines, and Age of X series.

Something Borrowed
Written by Richelle Mead
Published 23rd June 2013

A wedding on the planet Koturia turns out to be a far more dangerous proposition than the Sixth Doctor and Peri ever expected. It marks the return of a formidable old foe whose genius matches the Doctor’s. Can the Doctor outwit this villain, save Peri and stop the wedding in time?

Richelle Mead's love of fantasy and science-fiction began at an early age when her father read her Greek mythology and her brothers made her watch Flash Gordon. She went on to study folklore and religion at the University of Michigan, and, when not writing, Richelle spends her time drinking lots of coffee, keeping up with reality TV, and collecting 1980s T-shirts. Richelle lives with her family in Seattle in the USA.

Mead commented:

I've always loved watching Colin Baker as The Doctor. When he's on the screen, you can't take your off eyes off of him—and no, I’' not just talking about his infamous wardrobe! Everything him about is larger than life: his personality, his ingenuity, his biting humour. He's one of the darker of the Doctors, and yet through it all, that heroism and need to do what's right never fails. That's what makes him so fascinating to me. It's an author's dream to be able to write with a character like that.

A video of the author will be released on YouTube by BBC Worldwide later in the month, with the book itself coming out on the 23rd June. You can also read an extract from the book via the Guardian.

The author can be found online via her website www.richellemead.com or on Twitter at @richellemead.