the legend

Friday, 28 March 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

The Doctor Who hardcover anniversary book we reported several days ago now has a title: Doctor Who: The Legend. Contrary to the report on BBCi the book is actually written by Justin Richards, not co-written with Andrew Pixley (who pointed this out in a post on the Outpost Gallifrey forum). It is said to be "the most comprehensive guide to the series ever" and will be out on November 13. (Thanks to BBCi, Justin Richards, Andrew Pixley)

FILTER: - Books

anniversary hardcover

Wednesday, 26 March 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

The new BBC Worldwide catalog lists a forthcoming Doctor Who hardback book due out this November (as yet untitled) by Justin Richards. Says the press info: "An extra-large format, lavishly illustrated book, encapsulating forty years of tea-time travel. This epic publication takes the reader on a journey through four decades of television history, covering every one of the television stories. Each entry includes a summary of events, new facts about the Doctors and other key players, and new behind-the-scenes information. Beautifully illustrated with a vast collection of previously unpublished pictures from archives and private collections, this is the book to end all books - an absolute must-have for any DOCTOR WHO fan. There is something for everyone in this spectacular book. Die-hard fans will find the overview of the series that they always wanted and the general public will appreciate the stylish presentation of the how and why of WHO." The book is due November 20 and is 368 pages, with 500 photos, and is priced at £40.00.

FILTER: - Books

wolfsbane & deadly reunion

Friday, 14 March 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

BBC Books has released the cover blurb for the forthcoming Wolfsbane by Jacqueline Rayner, a Fourth Doctor and Eighth Doctor crossover novel with Sarah Jane and Harry Sullivan, as previously announced. They've also confirmed the title of the November book written by Terrance Dicks and Barry Letts which we announced some months ago -- it'sDeadly Reunion and features the Third Doctor, Jo and UNIT. The blurb for "Wolfsbane" is as follows:

WOLFSBANE by Jacqueline Rayner

Harry is dead. Having left him abandoned and alone in pre-war Britain, the Doctor and Sarah try to solve the mystery of his death. But the only witness is in a lunatic asylum, driven mad by what he has seen. He tells of murder and mutilation, of living trees and long-dead legends, of wolfmen and war... And of a mysterious stranger known only as the Doctor.

Can it be true that Harry discovered the last resting-place of the Holy Grail? Why are the flowers and trees in a Somerset village in full bloom at Christmas? And is it just a coincidence that Harry died under a full moon?

FILTER: - Books

bbc books - bad news in us

Sunday, 19 January 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

At least one major US book chain will soon cease carrying the Doctor Who novels in the US. Due to the inability of BBC Books to license a new North American distributor,Borders Books (one of the two largest US bookstore chains) has now categorized the Doctor Who novels as "non-returnable markdowns"; this means that all the BBC Doctor Who books up to and including The Adventuress of Henrietta Street are now marked at 50% off and when they're gone, they're gone. (Thanks to Jonathan Dennis, Ian Rogers)

FILTER: - Books

big finish books

Tuesday, 24 September 2002 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Big Finish has released further info about three upcoming books. The short story anthology reported first in DWM (which we mentioned last week) is called Short Trips: Zodiac, edited by Jacqueline Rayner; it features 12 stories each representing signs of the zodiac by authors Simon Forward (Leo), Sarah Groenewegen (Virgo), Simon Guerrier (Libra), Paul Magrs (Scorpio), Todd Green (Sagittarius), Joseph Lidster (Capricorn), Andrew Collins (Aquarius), Alison Lawson (Pisces), Mark Michalowski (Aries), Paul Leonard (Taurus), Tony Keetch (Gemini) and Ian Potter (Cancer), with introduction and linking story by Jim Sangster. Meanwhile, Big Finish also confirmed two releases for 2003: Doctor Who: The Audio Scripts - The Best of Big Finish and as as-yet-untitled "Making Of" book about the run of the Doctor Who audios. The script book is set for September 2003 and features four rehearsal scripts (as opposed to final versions) for "Loups Garoux" by Marc Platt, "The Holy Terror" by Rob Shearman, "The Fires of Vulcan" by Steve Lyons, and "Neverland" by Alan Barnes, with an alternative episode one script for "The Fires of Vulcan" that featured Ace instead of Mel. The hardcover making of book will be edited by Benjamin Cook and feature photos, interviews with writers, actors and directors, unpublished cover illustrations and "Doctor Who Magazine" style archives on the making of each installment. (Our own The Kar-Charrat Files, a release supported by Big Finish, is an actual episode guide as opposed to this making-of book.) Finally, in a separate story, Big Finish announced that their Music From the Fifth Doctor Audios CD is being delayed slightly as Peter Davison signs all of the subscriber copies. (Thanks to Big Finish)

FILTER: - Books - Big Finish

bbc books update

Friday, 13 September 2002 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

BBCi has obtained the cover illustration and info on the forthcoming Heritage by Dale Smith, October's BBC novel featuring the Seventh Doctor and Ace. Also online there now is a sample chapter of the subsequent novel The Infinity Race by Simon Messingham and an excerpt from the Dalek Survival Guide, plus an interview with BBC books range consultant Justin Richards. Among some of the notable items he mentions: "The main delivery from BBC Books [for the 40th anniversary] will be a massive, heavily illustrated and very lavish book that goes into the whole story of Doctor Who - the narrative side of things, telling the entire 40 year story right from the start in considerable detail. Of course there’s behind the scenes stuff as well and lots of new material. It’s an enormous project, but it’s looking really good so far." To read the full interview or the sample chapters click here for BBCI, and click on "September Telepress" in the News items. For Heritage (click on the thumbnail for a larger version of the cover):

HERITAGE by Dale Smith

"Things go missing on Heritage. It's one of the hazards of living here. One of the many hazards."

Nobody visits Heritage. Why would they? Dry, dusty and hot, it's nothing but a failed mining colony too stupid to realise that it's actually dead. No-one wants to visit, least of all Ace. But the Doctor's got his hearts set on a flying visit, just while they're in the neighbourhood. That's when he finds out that Heritage wants visitors just as much as visitors want them.

So, while Ace is getting friendly with the locals, the Doctor is trying his best to convince them he's not interested in their secrets. All he wants is a few quiet days and a nice cup of tea.

Trouble is, secrets have a way of unearthing themselves when the Doctor's around. Whether he wants them to or not.

This adventure features the Seventh Doctor and Ace.

FILTER: - Books

Additional Doctor Who Books

Wednesday, 6 June 2001 - Reported by Marcus

Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon

Regeneration: The long-delayed "Regeneration" hardcover book by Philip Segal and Gary Russell is now in release from HarperCollins Press. A soft-cover version is being planned for release in July; we have been told that the authors are attempting to correct small bits of incorrect information in the earlier release. Non-UK international release is currently planned; this is a correction to earlier reports that only import shops could get the book. "Regeneration," a book about the production of the 1996 Doctor Who movie (Segal was the executive producer and driving force behind the film), was originally scheduled to be printed in 1999 by Virgin Publishing, but Virgin shelved it after the final draft of the book was turned in. (Thanks to Richard Bignell, Philip Segal and Gary Russell)

Campaign: Jim Mortimore's now-canceled Doctor Who novel is available as a fan-published, bound volume direct from the author. The book, which was canceled by BBC Books due to contractual reasons, is available priced UK 5.99 (paperback) or UK 12.99 (hardback) plus UK 3.00 postage from Jim Mortimore, 27 Colston Rd, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6AA. "Add 5.00 P&P for overseas," says Mortimore, "and if it's any different I'll sort 'em out on an individual basis when I go to the post office." Says online rep John Parkinson: "If people aren't sure I'd suggest getting an NA and weighing it, then add a bit extra weight for packaging and use some method (I think the RoyalMail website has details) to work out how much it should cost to ship to the country of your choice." A thumbnail of the cover art is available on the Forthcoming Releases page. Further information on ordering this volume can be obtained directly from Jim Mortimore atjimmortimore@jimbo98.freeserve.co.uk (email address given with permission of Mr. Mortimore). Additionally, Ambrosia Books in California has this book in stock, signed by the author. Later this summer (tentatively June), Ambrosia Books will be launching its new imprint, Ambrosia Press with an exclusive limited-edition hardback version of "Campaign" with full color cover plate, numbered and signed by Mortimore.

The Doctor Who Scripts: BBC Books will be publishing the first of what is hoped to be an ongoing series, "Season 12: The Scripts"; Justin Richards is contributing editor, Barnaby Harsent is co-editor and Andrew Pixley is the book consultant. According to Richards, the book will be "heavily illustrated in both black and white and colour. There will be complete camera scripts (not the camera instructions though) for each of the season 12 stories, plus 'front matter' consisting of a review, background production notes, transmission, cast & crew details, etc. Each script will be heavily annotated to show deletions, additions and specific production details". The book was to be published in November 2000, but has been delayed due to clearance delays and other, more recent, publishing delays. According to Justin Richards, the book is to be released in the Autumn of 2001, not in April as the BBC Worldwide press release says. (It also says the background info is all coming from In-Vision, and that isn't true either, though IN-VISION will be one of the major sources.)

I, Who 2 On Horizon: After the success of the first volume, author Lars Pearson has announced "I, Who 2," the sequel to the original "I, Who: The Unauthorized Guide to Doctor Who Novels". It is scheduled to be released by year's end. Third Zone Collectibles, a New Orleans Doctor Who retailer, is sponsoring a special hardcover edition to be released prior to the softcover version. For more information, visit www.thirdzone.com/BSF/iwhohc.html.

The Doctor's Effects: Author Steve Cambden's follow-up book to "The Doctor's Affect" is now available. Says correspondent Richard Bignell: "Steve had hoped to make this a large format book, but he's had to scale this down somewhat, so it will now be the same size as his previous book, 'The Doctor's Affect' - only with more illustrations and photographs." To preorder the book, visit www.alphawaves.net/doctor/.

Doctor Who Location Filming: Author Richard Bignell is currently finishing a licensed book on Doctor Who location filming for Reynolds & Hearn, which will be available by the end of 2001; details forthcoming.

Looking for Sarah Jane Smith: Australian author David Franklin -- also a Doctor Who fan -- has penned his fourth novel, Looking for Sarah Jane Smith. It's "a brutally cynical comedy about three blokes in their late 20's, the scrapes they get into and the s**t they talk to each other. It is a long way from being politically correct." There is little Doctor Who content in the book, also the series is referred to routinely (and therefore is of interest to fans); "Sarah Jane is simply used by Marty as a symbol of the harmony, beauty and inner contentment that he is looking for."

FILTER: - Books

BBC Books Doctor Who Series

Friday, 25 May 2001 - Reported by Marcus

Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon

Story Arcs Continue: BBC editor Justin Richards revealed to DWM that "a shocking new series of twists and turns" is part of the current commission series of Eighth Doctor books for the latter half of 2001, leading up to the BBC's 100th DW novel released in January 2002.

Cover Redesign?: A redesign of the BBC books' covers in the near future is now inevitable. BBC Worldwide wants to revamp the covers to bring them more in line with the DVD covers (which, by reactions elsewhere on the web, are almost universally hated). This report is confirmed in Doctor Who Magazine #299, which states that the covers will be changing beginning with the April books, though we have received word that this is not the case, and instead will be featured later in the year. "Eater of Wasps" was supposed to feature the new book design, however, the regular artwork has been seen for it. Indeed, preliminary cover art sent to authors for books in release later in 2001 feature the same design as before, and our best information suggests that if it does happen, which seems likely, it wouldn't be until late in 2001 at the very earliest. We can also tell you that editor Justin Richards and associate editor Jacqueline Rayner have no input on this, so emails of complaint to BBC Books apparently will do nothing, sorry! Though other pages have stated that their sources claim that this is not happening, we have been informed by BBC Books that it is. Stay tuned.

The Five Missing Books: Five Doctor Who novels from BBC Books went unreleased in 2000 due to computer glitches at the North American distributors, London Bridge: "The Ancestor Cell," "The Burning," "Heart of TARDIS," "The Banquo Legacy" and "Prime Time". After repeated delays, London Bridge assured retailers that these books would be released in 2001. The impasse seems to be subsiding as "The Banquo Legacy" is now available to retailers and is being seen in shops across the US. Further rumors of delays -- including an error on Amazon.com that suggests that "The Quantum Archangel" is not available until December 2001 in the US and Canada -- are incorrect, as all BBC books to the February installments ("Escape Velocity" and "Archangel") have been released.
Meanwhile, author Dave Stone has taken the ball, so to speak. "Free the Fatal Five" T-shirts and other merchandise are now available via the CafePress website, with a logo created by Stone (the author of one of the five books in question, "Heart of TARDIS"). As of April 27, all five books are now widely available in North America.

And Welcome "The Near-Fatal Sixth": "The Shadow in the Glass", the April 2001 BBC Past Doctor novel by Justin Richards and Stephen Cole that was a last minute replacement for Gary Russell's delayed "Instruments of Darkness" has ended up caught in the paperwork crossfire in North America. London Bridge was informed by Ken Barr of Ambrosia Books that the novel's release had occurred in Britain; the London Bridge retail representative corrected the release date -- to a fashion. Retail outlets are now able to order the book as of April for a limited time; however, after early May, the book will be withdrawn and held to its new "proper" release date, July 2001. If you wish to receive this book in April, your local bookstore can order the book with the ISBN number: 0563538384; tell them it is not listed in Books in Print but is available for order from the London Bridge distributor.

New BBC Submissions Guidelines Online: BBC Books has shared with Outpost Gallifrey the latest version of the submission guidelines for prospective Doctor Who fiction. Check it out by clicking here. (Thanks to Jac Rayner.)

BBC Book Release Notes (Fiction) (Some information thanks to Justin Richards and Jac Rayner of BBC Books):

Author Paul Ebbs joins the BBC Doctor Who author stable with The Book of the Still, the May 2002 Eighth Doctor novel. Says author Ebbs, "Can't say too much about the contents, except to say that in part the synopsis describes itself as 'John Woo directs Hello Dolly.' Its set in a far flung decadent system where the imperative is partying. There'll be lots of bangs, flashes and musical numbers - I hope people will think its a lot of fun."
David Bishop, author of the long out of print Virgin 'sidestep' novel "Who Killed Kennedy," debuts in the BBC range with Amorality Tale in April 2002. Featuring the very seldom-used combination of the Third Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith (set during Pertwee's final season), the novel is set in London during December 1952.
Mark Clapham (co-author of "Twilight of the Gods," the final Bernice Summerfield New Adventure from Virgin), authors his first solo BBC Doctor Who novel, Hope, an Eighth Doctor novel due out in February 2002 (his first being co-authoring "The Taking of Planet 5" two years ago)
The prolific Christopher Bulis, whose last BBC Doctor Who book was "Imperial Moon" last year, makes his return to the novel range in March 2002 with Palace of the Red Sun. Originally reported to be a Fifth Doctor, Tegan and Turlough book, we have now received confirmation from BBC Books that this is a Sixth Doctor & Peri novel
Jonathan Morris ("Festival of Death") authors his first book in the Eighth Doctor series, Anachrophobia, set for March 2002.
Lance Parkin pens his second Eighth Doctor book, Trading Futures, in April 2002.
Paul Magrs returns for yet another BBC book with Mad Dogs and Englishmen, the January 2002 Eighth Doctor adventure. (We assume that this will be his first without his longrunning character Iris Wildthyme.) Says DWM, Magrs has made it a condition of his contract that a fluffy poodle with a pink collar should appear on the cover!
Two new authors have joined the BBC fold. Simon A. Forward (who wrote "One Bad Apple" in "More Short Trips") is the author of the February 2002 Past Doctor adventure, Drift, a Fourth Doctor story. And Mark Michalowski (author of "Digging Up the Past" in the short-story collection The Dead Men Diaries for Big Finish), has penned Relative Dementias, the BBC Past Doctor novel for January 2002. Michalowski told Outpost Gallifrey: "It's a 7th Doc/Ace story set in Scotland... The Doctor has to contend with mad aliens, something at the bottom of the sea, and some unpalateable truths about UNIT, whilst Ace takes things into her own hands and finds herself stalked by a shadowy figure."
Author Simon Bucher-Jones ("The Taking of Planet Five") returns once again with a co-author, first-time Who novelist Kelly Hale (an American), for Grimm Reality, the Eighth Doctor novel set for October 2001. The initial blurb is on our Forthcoming Releases page. The actual title of the book, which the authors hope will be on the interior front cover, is Grimm Reality, or The Marvellous Adventures Of Doctor Know-All
Jon de Burgh Miller, co-author of the final Virgin Benny Summerfield series novel "Twilight of the Gods," joins the BBC Books' contingent in October with his first solo sale, Dying In The Sun, a Second Doctor, Ben and Polly novel set in Hollywood in the 1940's (not 1930's as other press has stated), and featuring an "alien infiltration" plotline.
Steve Emmerson ("Casualties of War") has sold his second Eighth Doctor novel, Dark Progeny, set for release in August 2001.
Controversial author Lawrence Miles ("Interference") returns to the BBC Books fold (after a fairly publicized earlier departure) with an Eighth Doctor novel taking the November 2001 slot. The working title for this book was "The Napoleon of Beasts" but the actual title is The Adventuress of Henrietta Street. (The official BBC site reports it as "Adventures" but BBC Books editor Justin Richards gave us the correct title.) In a statement posted on the Jade Pagoda list, Miles commented on the name: "Streets don't have adventures. That would be silly." Furthermore, Miles said jokingly that, contrary to the comment on the back cover about his story "Vrs" in the volume being the 'last ever Doctor Who fiction by Lawrence Miles,' "feel free to complain to BBC Books, who are in this case the culpable party." Meanwhile, Miles has solicited questions for another interview on his website, www.menace.ndo.co.uk.
Gary Russell's Instruments of Darkness has been pushed back to November 2001 due to other commitments by the author (such as the hefty Big Finish schedule).
First time Who author Lloyd Rose (a female author) has penned the September 2001 Eighth Doctor novel The City of the Dead (note that the title does indeed include the first "The")
Dave Stone ("Heart of TARDIS") pens his first Eighth Doctor book for July 2001, entitled The Slow Empire
Keith Topping ("The King of Terror") has sold Byzantium!, a First Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki novel, to BBC Books. The novel takes place in the month-long gap between the TARDIS landing in "The Romans" and the remainder of the story, and is confirmed for release in July 2001
Author David McIntee will indeed return in August 2001 with Bullet Time, a Seventh Doctor story, "a quasi-contemporary thriller set in Hong Kong and the Far East in which the Seventh Doctor, travelling alone prior to the TV Movie, shares the limelight with investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith." (Actually, says McIntee, the book is more a Sarah novel with the Doctor rather than the reverse).
Kate Orman returns to the Doctor Who fold with June 2001's The Year of Intelligent Tigers, an Eighth Doctor book set on an Earth colony and featuring, as the title suggests, talking alien tigers. Meanwhile, Trevor Baxendale, as previously reported, pens Eater of Wasps, an Eighth Doctor book due for release in May 2001 and set in a quiet English village with mayhem, murder and wasps. "On 49th-century Earth, mankind has developed time-travel technology, and a government security force controls illegal time jumps. But a devastating weapon is accidentally sent back through time to Wiltshire 1934, if unrecovered, the consequences are unthinkable."
Novelist Nick Walters will write his third Doctor Who novel for BBC Books, Superior Beings (formerly "The Gardens of Rocosia"), a Fifth Doctor & Peri novel set for release in June 2001. The book "introduces a new race of aliens, the vulpine Valethske, and is set on the "garden planet" of Verde Alturas" according to Walters, who told Outpost Gallifrey: "The novel features some human characters - the story has changed a great deal from the initial synopsis. The main stars are, however, the Valethske - a race of vulpine, bipedal aliens on a quest to track down an ancient enemy of legend."
Gary Russell returns in November 2001 for "Instruments of Darkness", the 'third and final' part of the loose 'trilogy' of his books from the Sixth Doctor era (including "The Scales of Injustice" and "Business Unusual"), featuring Melanie and a special guest appearance by Evelyn Smythe, the new companion character created for the Big Finish Doctor Who audio line.

Author Updates: Some of the more interesting things happening with some of your favorite Doctor Who authors nowadays (some courtesy Henry Potts and other correspondents):

Gareth Roberts (Doctor Who novelist) and Rebecca Levene (former Doctor Who editor at Virgin) have penned "The New Gods," the first of Big Finish Productions' new Tomorrow People audio series
Paul Cornell's first original novel, "Something More," published in the UK by Victor Gollancz, will see release on June 21.
David McIntee was recently married to Lesley McIntee in a ceremony at the Redemption 2001 convention; actor Michael Sheard (many Who roles) was the best man. McIntee's first original novel "Knight Sky" will be out around Easter 2002. McIntee is also currently penning a BBV audio and a novel trilogy using the character Guy de Carnac from his Virgin Dr. Who novel "Sanctuary".
Peter Anghelides has just opened up his new website at anghelides.org, which features a section for each of his published books, the illustrated story of the Frontier Worlds cover, "How I Wrote My First Novel, Kursaal" and much more.
David J Howe has just finished putting the finishing touches to a new horror anthology based on the acclaimed Channel 5 series Urban Gothic which is due to be published in April. The book includes original stories by Graham Masterton, Simon Clark, Christopher Fowler and others as well as an introduction by Richard O'Brien. More info at www.telos.co.uk. David is also commissioning for the second volume of the Dark Fantasy anthology F20, due for publication in September. Authors this time include Storm Constantine, Jane Welch, Freda Warrington, Juliet E McKenna and Louise Cooper.
Keith Topping's revised section edition of "Slayer," the unofficial (but wonderful) guide to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is now hitting bookstores; Topping has also sold a second edition of his "Angel" guide "Hollywood Vampire" due in December 2001 and a third edition of "Slayer" for early 2002. Also, "High Times," Keith's unofficial guide to "the hit TV series Roswell" is released in October in the UK and December in the US.
Terrance Dicks' latest children's book is "The Nazi Dagger Incident", published in Jan by Piccadilly Press.
Lance Parkin's second "Emmerdale" book, "Emmerdale: Their Finest Hour" (Granada Media), is due 4 Jun in the UK and set in WWII.
A revised and updated edition of Keith Topping's unofficial "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" guitde, "Slayer" (Virgin), is due 8 Mar in the UK.
Jac Rayner's "Pet Rescue: Horses Like Blaze" (Ladybird Books, edited by Steve Cole), due 31 May in the UK, is a children's book for the under-nines about keeping horses, a tie-in with the Channel 4 series "Pet Rescue". Justin Richards' "Knock! Knock! Joke Book: Blue Door" (Ladybird Books, edited by Steve Cole), due 1 Mar in the UK, is a children's joke book.
Martin Day continues to write for the Channel 5 (UK) soap "Family Affairs". Episodes so far this year are #1002 (broadcast 30 Jan) and #1018 (21 Feb).
Keith DeCandido ("Decalog 3") has written the third "Farscape" novel, "Farscape 3: House of Cards" (Boxtree), due 23 Mar in the UK and in May in the US. The previous "Farscape" novel, "Farscape 2: Dark Side of the Sun" (which has yet to be released in the US) was written by Jim Mortimore (under the pseudonym Andrew Dymond).

FILTER: - Books

Additional Doctor Who Books

Friday, 6 April 2001 - Reported by Marcus

Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon

Campaign: Jim Mortimore's now-canceled Doctor Who novel is available as a fan-published, bound volume direct from the author. The book, which was canceled by BBC Books due to contractual reasons, is available priced UK 5.99 (paperback) or UK 12.99 (hardback) plus UK 3.00 postage from Jim Mortimore, 27 Colston Rd, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6AA. "Add 5.00 P&P for overseas," says Mortimore, "and if it's any different I'll sort 'em out on an individual basis when I go to the post office." Says online rep John Parkinson: "If people aren't sure I'd suggest getting an NA and weighing it, then add a bit extra weight for packaging and use some method (I think the RoyalMail website has details) to work out how much it should cost to ship to the country of your choice." A thumbnail of the cover art is available on the Forthcoming Releases page. Further information on ordering this volume can be obtained directly from Jim Mortimore at jimmortimore@jimbo98.freeserve.co.uk (email address given with permission of Mr. Mortimore). Additionally, Ambrosia Books in California has this book in stock, signed by the author.

I, Who 2 On Horizon: After the success of the first volume, author Lars Pearson has announced "I, Who 2," the sequel to the original "I, Who: The Unauthorized Guide to Doctor Who Novels". The reference work is expected sometime in 2001 and will include books published after the ones in the first volume, as well as additional adventures (such as "The Masters of Luxor," the unfilmed Hartnell story), the realm of DW comic adventures, and even covering some of the charity fiction anthologies of late.

The Doctor's Effects: Author Steve Cambden's follow-up book to "The Doctor's Affect" is now complete and at the printers, and will be available in mid-2001. Says correspondent Richard Bignell: "Steve had hoped to make this a large format book, but he's had to scale this down somewhat, so it will now be the same size as his previous book, 'The Doctor's Affect' - only with more illustrations and photographs." To preorder the book, visit www.alphawaves.net/doctor/.

FILTER: - Books

BBC Books' Doctor Who Series

Saturday, 24 March 2001 - Reported by Marcus

Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon

New Subscription Service: With the March 2001 BBC Doctor Who novels, BBC Books will begin offering a new subscription service for both ranges. Eleven books (there are no books printed in December) for the price of nine, both series will be available worldwide and UK subscribers are guaranteed to receive their books by the publication date. The deadline for subscription is February 20. The cost is Ј53.91 for one of the two series (either Past or Eighth Doctor series), or Ј107.82 for both series; additional prices for postage & handling are required. The telephone # in the UK is 01795 414737; foreign orders are requested to fill out the coupon in Doctor Who Magazine, though it is not likely that most overseas buyers of DWM will have the issue before February 20 so you should still call the number to place your order.

Cover Redesign?: A redesign of the BBC books' covers in the near future is now inevitable. BBC Worldwide wants to revamp the covers to bring them more in line with the DVD covers (which, by reactions elsewhere on the web, are almost universally hated). This report is confirmed in Doctor Who Magazine #299, which states that the covers will be changing beginning with the April books, though we have received word that this is not the case, and instead will be featured later in the year. "Eater of Wasps" was supposed to feature the new book design, however, the regular artwork has been seen for it. It's now likely for June or July. We can also tell you that editor Justin Richards and associate editor Jacqueline Rayner have no input on this, so emails of complaint to BBC Books apparently will do nothing, sorry! Though other pages have stated that their sources claim that this is not happening, we have been informed by BBC Books that it is. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, author Dave Stone has taken the ball, so to speak. "Free the Fatal Five" T-shirts and other merchandise are now available via the CafePress website, with a logo created by Stone (the author of one of the five books in question, "Heart of TARDIS").

The Monthly Telepress: Jac Rayner of BBC Books has created The Monthly Telepress, a new email newsletter designed to keep readers updated with developments in the world of Doctor Who fiction. To subscribe, send a blank email to telepress-subscribe@onelist.com.

BBC Book Release Notes (Fiction) (Some information thanks to Justin Richards and Jac Rayner of BBC Books):

Mark Clapham (co-author of "Twilight of the Gods," the final Bernice Summerfield New Adventure from Virgin), authors his first solo BBC Doctor Who novel, Hope, an Eighth Doctor novel due out in February 2002 (his first being co-authoring "The Taking of Planet 5" two years ago)
The prolific Christopher Bulis, whose last BBC Doctor Who book was "Imperial Moon" last year, makes his return to the novel range in March 2002 with Palace of the Red Sun, reportedly a Fifth Doctor novel with Tegan and Turlough.(Yes yes, thank you diligent readers who pointed out the original inaccuracies in the above two comments... sorry, even I am allowed to make a few mistakes once in a while!)
Jonathan Morris ("Festival of Death") authors his first book in the Eighth Doctor series, Anachrophobia, set for March 2002.
Lance Parkin pens his second Eighth Doctor book, Trading Futures, in April 2002.
Paul Magrs returns for yet another BBC book with Mad Dogs and Englishmen, the January 2002 Eighth Doctor adventure. (We assume that this will be his first without his longrunning character Iris Wildthyme.) Says DWM, Magrs has made it a condition of his contract that a fluffy poodle with a pink collar should appear on the cover!
Two new authors have joined the BBC fold. Simon A. Forward (who wrote "One Bad Apple" in "More Short Trips") is the author of the February 2002 Past Doctor adventure, Drift, a Fourth Doctor story. And Mark Michalowski (author of "Digging Up the Past" in the short-story collection The Dead Men Diaries for Big Finish), has penned Relative Dementias, the BBC Past Doctor novel for January 2002. Michalowski told Outpost Gallifrey: "It's a 7th Doc/Ace story set in Scotland... The Doctor has to contend with mad aliens, something at the bottom of the sea, and some unpalateable truths about UNIT, whilst Ace takes things into her own hands and finds herself stalked by a shadowy figure."
Author Simon Bucher-Jones ("The Taking of Planet Five") returns once again with a co-author, first-time Who novelist Kelly Hale (an American), for Grimm Reality, the Eighth Doctor novel set for October 2001. The initial blurb is on our Forthcoming Releases page. The actual title of the book, which the authors hope will be on the interior front cover, is Grimm Reality, or The Marvellous Adventures Of Doctor Know-All
Jon de Burgh Miller, co-author of the final Virgin Benny Summerfield series novel "Twilight of the Gods," joins the BBC Books' contingent in October with his first solo sale, Dying In The Sun, a Second Doctor, Ben and Polly novel set in Hollywood in the 1940's (not 1930's as other press has stated), and featuring an "alien infiltration" plotline.
Steve Emmerson ("Casualties of War") has sold his second Eighth Doctor novel, Dark Progeny, set for release in August 2001.
Controversial author Lawrence Miles ("Interference") returns to the BBC Books fold (after a fairly publicized earlier departure) with an Eighth Doctor novel taking the November 2001 slot. The working title for this book was "The Napoleon of Beasts" but the actual title isThe Adventuress of Henrietta Street. (The official BBC site reports it as "Adventures" but BBC Books editor Justin Richards gave us the correct title.) In a statement posted on the Jade Pagoda list, Miles commented on the name: "Streets don't have adventures. That would be silly." Furthermore, Miles said jokingly that, contrary to the comment on the back cover about his story "Vrs" in the volume being the 'last ever Doctor Who fiction by Lawrence Miles,' "feel free to complain to BBC Books, who are in this case the culpable party." Meanwhile, Miles has solicited questions for another interview on his website, www.menace.ndo.co.uk.
April 2001 will see the release of the Past Doctor adventure The Shadow of the Glass by Justin Richards and Stephen Cole, a Sixth Doctor & Brigadier story set both in the present day and during World War II.
Gary Russell's Instruments of Darkness has been pushed back to November 2001 due to other commitments by the author (such as the hefty Big Finish schedule).
First time Who author Lloyd Rose (a female author) has penned the September 2001 Eighth Doctor novel The City of the Dead (note that the title does indeed include the first "The")
The Daleks will indeed return to the BBC book series, in Mike Tucker's Third Doctor, Jo & UNIT novel forthcoming in early 2002 (originally 2001, but delayed, possibly to serve as BBC Books' 100th novel)
Dave Stone ("Heart of TARDIS") pens his first Eighth Doctor book for July 2001, entitled The Slow Empire
Keith Topping ("The King of Terror") has sold Byzantium!, a First Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki novel, to BBC Books. The novel takes place in the month-long gap between the TARDIS landing in "The Romans" and the remainder of the story, and is confirmed for release in July 2001
Peter Darvill-Evans pens his second BBC book in May 2001, entitled Asylum, a Fourth Doctor novel set in 13th Century Oxford. The book is a 'Name of the Rose' style mystery with a science fiction twist, and features the Fourth Doctor and Nyssa - albeit the post-'Terminus' Nyssa, who re-encounters the Doctor before he first meets her younger self in 'The Keeper of Traken'. It is believed to take place in the "Deadly Assassin"-"Hand of Fear" gap. "Oxford 1278, and the Doctor is keen to put a stop to the pioneering scientific experiments of Roger Bacon who has developed ideas for submarines, explosives, telescopes and aeroplanes - history will be cast into chaos if any of these ideas see the light of day."
Mike Tucker returns again with a Third Doctor, Jo Grant and UNIT novel originally set for release in July 2001 but now delayed into 2002
Author David McIntee will indeed return in August 2001 with Bullet Time, a Seventh Doctor story, "a quasi-contemporary thriller set in Hong Kong and the Far East in which the Seventh Doctor, travelling alone prior to the TV Movie, shares the limelight with investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith." (Actually, says McIntee, the book is more a Sarah novel with the Doctor rather than the reverse).
Martin Day pens the February 2001 Past Doctor adventure Bunker Soldiers. It's a First Doctor, Steven & Dodo pseudo-historical adventure. Day has confirmed that the book has been moved to the February slot, replacing "Psience Fiction" which was delayed until later in the year.
Kate Orman returns to the Doctor Who fold with June 2001's The Year of Intelligent Tigers, an Eighth Doctor book set on an Earth colony and featuring, as the title suggests, talking alien tigers. Meanwhile, Trevor Baxendale, as previously reported, pens Eater of Wasps, an Eighth Doctor book due for release in May 2001 and set in a quiet English village with mayhem, murder and wasps. "On 49th-century Earth, mankind has developed time-travel technology, and a government security force controls illegal time jumps. But a devastating weapon is accidentally sent back through time to Wiltshire 1934, if unrecovered, the consequences are unthinkable."
Former BBC Books editor Stephen Cole returns in April 2001 with Vanishing Point, an Eighth Doctor book with Fitz and Anji. "Nathaniel Dark is a Destinist on the planet Khnemu where everyone carries a hereditary "Godswitch" within their genes. When increasing numbers of people start dying prematurely, Nathaniel looks for an answer - helped by a mysterious man known only as the Doctor."
BBC assistant editor Jacqueline Rayner recently confirmed that there would be no fourth "Short Trips" volume for 2001 from BBC Books.
Novelist Nick Walters will write his third Doctor Who novel for BBC Books, Superior Beings (formerly "The Gardens of Rocosia"), a Fifth Doctor & Peri novel set for release in June 2001. The book "introduces a new race of aliens, the vulpine Valethske, and is set on the "garden planet" of Verde Alturas" according to Walters, who told Outpost Gallifrey: "The novel features some human characters - the story has changed a great deal from the initial synopsis. The main stars are, however, the Valethske - a race of vulpine, bipedal aliens on a quest to track down an ancient enemy of legend."
Gary Russell returns in November 2001 for "Instruments of Darkness", the 'third and final' part of the loose 'trilogy' of his books from the Sixth Doctor era (including "The Scales of Injustice" and "Business Unusual"), featuring Melanie and a special guest appearance by Evelyn Smythe, the new companion character created for the Big Finish Doctor Who audio line.

Author Updates: Some of the more interesting things happening with some of your favorite Doctor Who authors nowadays (some courtesy Henry Potts and other correspondents):

David McIntee was recently married to Lesley McIntee in a ceremony at the Redemption 2001 convention; actor Michael Sheard (many Who roles) was the best man. McIntee's first original novel "Knight Sky" will be out around Easter 2002. McIntee is also currently penning a BBV audio and a novel trilogy using the character Guy de Carnac from his Virgin Dr. Who novel "Sanctuary".
Peter Anghelides has just opened up his new website at anghelides.org, which features a section for each of his published books, the illustrated story of the Frontier Worlds cover, "How I Wrote My First Novel, Kursaal" and much more.
David J Howe has just finished putting the finishing touches to a new horror anthology based on the acclaimed Channel 5 series Urban Gothic which is due to be published in April. The book includes original stories by Graham Masterton, Simon Clark, Christopher Fowler and others as well as an introduction by Richard O'Brien. More info at www.telos.co.uk. David is also commissioning for the second volume of the Dark Fantasy anthology F20, due for publication in September. Authors this time include Storm Constantine, Jane Welch, Freda Warrington, Juliet E McKenna and Louise Cooper.
Keith Topping's revised section edition of "Slayer," the unofficial (but wonderful) guide to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is now hitting bookstores.
Rebecca Levene is currently working as a freelance TV script editor on various projects
Mark Gatiss is performing in the stage version of "The League of Gentlemen", which is touring the UK in March.
Terrance Dicks' latest children's book is "The Nazi Dagger Incident", published in Jan by Piccadilly Press.
Lance Parkin's second "Emmerdale" book, "Emmerdale: Their Finest Hour" (Granada Media), is due 4 Jun in the UK and set in WWII.
A revised and updated edition of Keith Topping's unofficial "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" guitde, "Slayer" (Virgin), is due 8 Mar in the UK.
Jac Rayner's "Pet Rescue: Horses Like Blaze" (Ladybird Books, edited by Steve Cole), due 31 May in the UK, is a children's book for the under-nines about keeping horses, a tie-in with the Channel 4 series "Pet Rescue". Justin Richards' "Knock! Knock! Joke Book: Blue Door" (Ladybird Books, edited by Steve Cole), due 1 Mar in the UK, is a children's joke book.
"Something More" (Victor Gollancz) is Paul Cornell's standalone science fiction book due later this year.
Martin Day continues to write for the Channel 5 (UK) soap "Family Affairs". Episodes so far this year are #1002 (broadcast 30 Jan) and #1018 (21 Feb).
Keith DeCandido ("Decalog 3") has written the third "Farscape" novel, "Farscape 3: House of Cards" (Boxtree), due 23 Mar in the UK and in May in the US. The previous "Farscape" novel, "Farscape 2: Dark Side of the Sun" (which has yet to be released in the US) was written by Jim Mortimore (under the pseudonym Andrew Dymond).

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