Telos Publishing

Sunday, 4 March 2001 - Reported by Marcus

Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon

Doctor Who Novellas: As announced at the Gallifrey 2001 convention, Telos Publishing, owned by David J. Howe and Stephen James Walker ("The Handbooks") is launching a new range of Doctor Who hardcover novellas officially sanctioned by the BBC. Autumn 2001 is the touted approximate date for the launch of the range. "This is the first time that original Doctor Who fiction has ever been published in this well-recognised and popular literary format," says the press release, "tales of between 20 and 40 thousand words in length, part-way between short stories and novels, with all the advantages and none of the disadvantages of those two more familiar forms." Each novella in the range will be available both as a standard hardback and as a limited edition collectors' item featuring a leather-effect (balacron) hardback binding, foil stamped on both cover and spine, matching endpapers, a foreword, a full color art plate frontispiece and a numbered sheet signed by the author, foreword author and artist. The authors and artists contributing to the range will all be familiar and highly-regarded names, says Telos, some from the mainstream horror, fantasy and science-fiction world, some from Doctor Who publishing. No unsolicited submissions are being considered at this time. The books will be released quarterly. The deluxe editions are said to be potentially retailed at 25 to Ј30 (the regular price being substantially cheaper); Telos will offer a subscription service; and dealers worldwide will carry them including in the US, Canada and Australia. The novellas will be published under BBC Worldwide license, and edited by David Howe (general editor and publisher) and Stephen James Walker (line editor). More information can be gathered at the official website at www.telos.co.uk or by mail to Telos Publishing Ltd, 61 Elgar Avenue, Tolworth, Surrey, KT5 9JP, England.

Howe's Transcendental Toybox - The Unofficial Guide to Who Merchandise: Co-authors David J. Howe and Arnold T. Blumberg have edited this "complete collector's guide to everything that has ever been produced to tie in with the series. From hardback books, trading cards and chocolate Christmas tree decorations, to stained glass windows, underpants and metal models, this book is a fascinating and enthralling look at the world wide history, development and collectability of Doctor Who merchandise. This is the first and only reference and price guide to the entire history of Doctor Who memorabilia from 1963 to 1999. It will catalogue every kind of merchandise produced in that period, provide photos for many of the items listed, and discuss many aspects of the show's long history in light of the vast amount of collectible material produced about it. The book will document the history of the world's longest-running science fiction television show from the perspective of the marketing and merchandising juggernaut that the series spawned. Anyone who is a Doctor Who fan, science fiction enthusiast, armchair television historian, or collector of pop culture memorabilia will be fascinated by this book and the story it has to tell." The book will also feature articles on collecting, dealers, retailers and a variety of other directories. Demand for the book has been far higher than anticipated; the first edition is now sold out. There is a reprinted version now available from Telos Publishing. For more info, visit the new website atwww.tardis.tv.

FILTER: - Books

BBC Books Doctor Who Series

Monday, 4 December 2000 - Reported by Marcus

Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon with Mark Phippen

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?: Could a redesign of the BBC books' covers be in the cards in the near future? There are currently rumors at BBC Books that 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). More information as we get it.

The Five Missing Books: As many dedicated Doctor Who readers in North America know by now, five Doctor Who novels from BBC Books have gone astray on the US release schedule: "The Ancestor Cell," "The Burning," "Heart of TARDIS," "The Banquo Legacy" and"Prime Time". After repeated checking, we have discovered that the release date listed by London Bridge is now April 2001, though a recent update from London Bridge to the owner of Ambrosia Books, Ken Barr, indicates that (a) this hold-up may be rectified a bit sooner and the books released earlier than April (perhaps even as early as January 2001), and (b) that three of the five books may indeed begin shipping out within a matter of weeks. (We have not confirmed which three.) All five books were earlier released to specialty bookstores and some chain outlets (including some Borders and Barnes & Noble booksellers) that had specifically ordered them; however, after these initial releases, the distributor closed release of these books, and therefore, retailers are unable to reorder them (or chain bookstores and online bookstores such as amazon.com, order them in the first place). Overseas retailers (and overseas online shops such as amazon.co.uk) are unaffected, and it appears Canadian booksellers can still get them. Retailers who have copies (such as Ambrosia which does have copies of three of the books left) have them from their initial orders. The BBC has been made aware of the April 2001 release date but at the moment is unable to get that date changed; the books are now unavailable to any and all retailers until that time. We will keep you posted when we receive further information on the release of these books.
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").

Introducing Anji Kapoor: BBC Books editor Justin Richards has given fans a taste of new companion Anji Kapoor, who makes her official debut in the February 2001 Eighth Doctor novel "Escape Velocity" by author Colin Brake. Anji is a trainee stockbroker in the London's City financial district and will join the Eighth Doctor for further adventures in space and time. "Anyone suddenly throw off into space is going to be out of their depth," says Richards. "The new companion, Anji, who we've got coming in, is someone very professional, very good at the job she does - she's 27, 28 and something in the City and absolutely the tops at what she does - and yet suddenly she's in a situation where none of these skills matter, and it's all completely over here head. She's out of her depth not through any fault or lack of intelligence of her own - it's something she's completely untrained in, and environment she's no idea how to influence. Very much how we'd really be if that happened to us - if you woke up one morning and found yourself on an alien planet, God knows what you'd do. You wouldn't have a clue. I'd probably go to pieces. ... The brief I gave Colin Brake -- who's writing Anji's introductory story 'Escape Velocity' -- was pretty much what I've just told you. She's got skills that aren't directly related to what she'd going to be doing - if she was in the SAS or something, it'd be obvious how that would relate to the sort of adventures she'd going to be having. But if she's got a head for numbers, or can predict how economies are going to rise and fall, then that's more interesting to play with in a different sort of way. So that's what I gave Colin. He came up with the background for her -- an Asian Englishwoman -- and also a wacky brother, who's into UFOs and stuff, which she really has no time for at all. ... Since we announced she'd be coming in, a couple of people have asked if she'd based on Milly in 'This Life'. I've never watched 'This Life' - well not more than 10 minutes at a time. I asked Colin and he said 'I've never seen it. I haven't got a clue!'. However you build them, companions have to be an archetype to some degree - so it wouldn't be a surprise if there was some contemporary resonance..."

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.

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):

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
Steve Emmerson ("Casualties of War") is on the list of authors likely commissioned for books in late 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.
The demise of Lawrence Miles ("Interference") in the BBC Books line may have been premature... as it now appears Miles is currently pitching a new novel for 2001.
Mike Tucker returns again with a Third Doctor, Jo Grant and UNIT novel originally set for release in July 2001 but now delayed, likely to October
The November 2001 Past Doctor book will feature the Second Doctor.
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.
Former BBC Books editor Stephen Cole returns in April 2001 with Vanishing Point, an Eighth Doctor book with Fitz and Anji.
According to Doctor Who Magazine, one of the Past Doctor books in the first half of 2001 (probably June) will feature the Daleks. The title and author are as yet unknown.
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."
Editorial assistant Jacqueline Rayner's first Who novel is on the schedule: EarthWorld, an Eighth Doctor book with Fitz and Anji, scheduled for March 2001. "Earthworld" marks a return to adventures in time and space, following the earthbound arc of stories ending with Escape Velocity. It is set on an alien planet which is the site of a huge theme park celebrating Earth history, staffed and peopled by androids. In addition to lots of 'evil teenage girls', it also features a cameo appearance by a monstrous adversary of the Doctor in the 1960s.
"Rags" is a new Third Doctor/Jo Grant/UNIT novel by Mick Lewis, the author of the horror novel "The Bloody Man"; this is his first Doctor Who commission. "Rags" will be released in March 2001 (moved from April).
Gary Russell returns in April 2001 (moved from May) 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.
Craig Hinton pens his first BBC Doctor Who novel, "The Quantum Archangel" in early 2001. The book is a sequel to the TV episode "The Time Monster" and features the Master and the Chronovores and is set for release in January 2001.
Colin Brake's novel "Escape Velocity," slated for February 2001, introduces new companion Anji Kapoor and features an invasion of Earth.
Lance Parkin returns to the Doctor Who fold with "Father Time", the January 2001 Eighth Doctor novel. "Earth in the nineteen-eighties is a battleground. Rival alien factions have travelled from the far future to pursue their vendetta. As UFOs fill the skies, a giant robot stalks the Derbyshire hills, and alien hunters search for the mysterious Last One, the Doctor is the only man who can protect the innocents caught in the crossfire. But old scores are being settled, the fate of a Galactic Empire is at stake, and, against his will, the Doctor is drawn into a decade-long war that will strike at those he holds most dear. The Doctor has lost his memory, his friends, his past and his TARDIS. All he has now is the love of his daughter. But will even that be taken from him?"

FILTER: - Books

BBC BOOKS' DOCTOR WHO SERIES

Thursday, 19 October 2000 - Reported by Marcus

Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon with Mark Phippen

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.

The Five Missing Books: As many dedicated Doctor Who readers in North America know by now, five Doctor Who novels from BBC Books have gone astray on the US release schedule: "The Ancestor Cell," "The Burning," "Heart of TARDIS," "The Banquo Legacy" and"Prime Time". After repeated checking, we have discovered that the release date listed by London Bridge is now April 2001. All five books were earlier released to specialty bookstores and some chain outlets (including some Borders and Barnes & Noble booksellers) that had specifically ordered them; however, after these initial releases, the distributor closed release of these books, and therefore, retailers are unable to reorder them (or chain bookstores and online bookstores such as amazon.com, order them in the first place). Overseas retailers (and overseas online shops such as amazon.co.uk) are unaffected, and it appears Canadian booksellers can still get them. Retailers who have copies (such as Ambrosia which does have copies of three of the books left) have them from their initial orders. The BBC has been made aware of the April 2001 release date but at the moment is unable to get that date changed; the books are now unavailable to any and all retailers until that time. We will keep you posted when we receive further information on the release of these books.

"Endgame" Note from BBC Books: BBC Books' Jacqueline Rayner asked us to post the following: "A number of people have been in touch to ask about the supposed cancellation of Endgame. So, to forestall any further rumours, this is what's actually happened... Amazon originally listed both of November's books as being written by Terry Nation (no idea why!). They have now corrected this, but it seems that in order to do so they 'cancelled' the 'Nation' books, to replace them with the correct listings - which means that they sent out cancellation notices to anyone who had preordered the books. So there is no crisis - the books will be out as normal, and they are now listed on Amazon under their correct authors. If you have any queries about your preorders, please contact Amazon. Thanks to everyone who brought this matter to our attention."

FILTER: - Books

ADDITIONAL DOCTOR WHO BOOKS

Friday, 15 September 2000 - Reported by Marcus

Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon with Mark Phippen

Regeneration Finds a Publisher: The long-delayed "Regeneration" hardcover book by Philip Segal and Gary Russell has finally found a new publisher in HarperCollins, a large publishing company owned by NewsCorp (Fox). It will be released in October 2000, though recently we were informed that the book was pushed back from the start of October to October 16; further clarification from co-author Gary Russell indicates that this may indeed not be the last delay of the book, due to some licensing restrictions on photos of Daleks in 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. The new publisher has not yet been announced. (Thanks to Richard Bignell, Philip Segal and Gary Russell)

The John Nathan-Turner Memoirs: Also coming soon from Harper Collins is former Doctor Who producer John Nathan-Turner's autobiography. The hardcover book will feature a look behind the scenes at the making of his ten years on the series, plus his experience in television and what he's been doing since. The book is scheduled for release on December 4. (Thanks to Jeff Elias)

Season 12: The Scripts Book: BBC Books will be publishing "Season 12: The Scripts"; Justin Richards is contributing editor, Barnaby Harsent is co-editor and Andrew Pixley is the book consultant. Contrary to rumors, this book has no dependance on the UK BBC2 repeats, now canceled. 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 will likely see print sometime later in 2001.

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) and possibly even delve into the realm of DW comic adventures.

Howe's Transcendental Toybox - The Unofficial Guide to Who Merchandise: Co-authors David J. Howe and Arnold T. Blumberg are preparing this "complete collector's guide to everything that has ever been produced to tie in with the series. From hardback books, trading cards and chocolate Christmas tree decorations, to stained glass windows, underpants and metal models, this book is a fascinating and enthralling look at the world wide history, development and collectability of Doctor Who merchandise. This is the first and only reference and price guide to the entire history of Doctor Who memorabilia from 1963 to 1999. It will catalogue every kind of merchandise produced in that period, provide photos for many of the items listed, and discuss many aspects of the show's long history in light of the vast amount of collectible material produced about it. The book will document the history of the world's longest-running science fiction television show from the perspective of the marketing and merchandising juggernaut that the series spawned. Anyone who is a Doctor Who fan, science fiction enthusiast, armchair television historian, or collector of pop culture memorabilia will be fascinated by this book and the story it has to tell." The book will also feature articles on collecting, dealers, retailers and a variety of other directories. The book will be published in Fall 2000 as a limited edition volume by the authors, and will be available through them or via Firebird Distributing. For more info, visit the website athttp://homepages.which.net/~howe/merch.htm or http://www.atbpublishing.com.

Pocket Essentials: Doctor Who: Author Mark Campbell has penned a new unofficial reference work, "Doctor Who," a Pocket Essentials guide from the same publisher. Says the press release: "As well as an introductory essay, each Doctor's era is put under the microscope with facts and informed opinion on all their stories. There's an in-depth reference section detailing further reading, fascinating and bizarre Doctor Who websites, and a short history of spin-off stories and merchandising." Pocket Essentials is said to be "a new series for the MTV generation brought up in the three-minute culture." The book was released in the UK in June 2000. For more information visit the website atwww.pocketessentials.co.uk.

FILTER: - Books

BBC BOOKS' DOCTOR WHO SERIES

Friday, 15 September 2000 - Reported by Marcus

Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon with Mark Phippen

Introducing Anji Kapoor: BBC Books editor Justin Richards has given fans a taste of new companion Anji Kapoor, who makes her official debut in the February 2001 Eighth Doctor novel "Escape Velocity" by author Colin Brake. Anji is a trainee stockbroker in the London's City financial district and will join the Eighth Doctor for further adventures in space and time. "Anyone suddenly throw off into space is going to be out of their depth," says Richards. "The new companion, Anji, who we've got coming in, is someone very professional, very good at the job she does - she's 27, 28 and something in the City and absolutely the tops at what she does - and yet suddenly she's in a situation where none of these skills matter, and it's all completely over here head. She's out of her depth not through any fault or lack of intelligence of her own - it's something she's completely untrained in, and environment she's no idea how to influence. Very much how we'd really be if that happened to us - if you woke up one morning and found yourself on an alien planet, God knows what you'd do. You wouldn't have a clue. I'd probably go to pieces. ... The brief I gave Colin Brake -- who's writing Anji's introductory story 'Escape Velocity' -- was pretty much what I've just told you. She's got skills that aren't directly related to what she'd going to be doing - if she was in the SAS or something, it'd be obvious how that would relate to the sort of adventures she'd going to be having. But if she's got a head for numbers, or can predict how economies are going to rise and fall, then that's more interesting to play with in a different sort of way. So that's what I gave Colin. He came up with the background for her -- an Asian Englishwoman -- and also a wacky brother, who's into UFOs and stuff, which she really has no time for at all. ... Since we announced she'd be coming in, a couple of people have asked if she'd based on Milly in 'This Life'. I've never watched 'This Life' - well not more than 10 minutes at a time. I asked Colin and he said 'I've never seen it. I haven't got a clue!'. However you build them, companions have to be an archetype to some degree - so it wouldn't be a surprise if there was some contemporary resonance..."

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.

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):

The demise of Lawrence Miles ("Interference") in the BBC Books line may have been premature... as it now appears Miles is currently pitching a new novel for 2001.
Author David McIntee will indeed return in August 2001 with "Bullet Time", a Seventh Doctor story that takes place prior to the TV movie, and features the character 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. Meanwhile, Trevor Baxendale, as previously reported, pens Eater of Wasps, an Eighth Doctor book set for May 2001.
Former BBC Books editor Stephen Cole returns in April 2001 with Vanishing Point, an Eighth Doctor book with Fitz and Anji.
According to Doctor Who Magazine, one of the Past Doctor books in the first half of 2001 (probably June) will feature the Daleks. The title and author are as yet unknown.
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 tentative for summer 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."
Editorial assistant Jacqueline Rayner's first Who novel is on the schedule: EarthWorld, an Eighth Doctor book with Fitz and Anji, scheduled for March 2001. "Earthworld" marks a return to adventures in time and space, following the earthbound arc of stories ending with Escape Velocity. It is set on an alien planet which is the site of a huge theme park celebrating Earth history, staffed and peopled by androids. In addition to lots of 'evil teenage girls', it also features a cameo appearance by a monstrous adversary of the Doctor in the 1960s.
"Rags" is a new Third Doctor/Jo Grant/UNIT novel by Mick Lewis, the author of the horror novel "The Bloody Man"; this is his first Doctor Who commission. "Rags" will be released in April 2001.
Gary Russell returns in May 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.
Craig Hinton pens his first BBC Doctor Who novel, "The Quantum Archangel" in early 2001. The book is a sequel to the TV episode "The Time Monster" and features the Master and the Chronovores and is set for release in January 2001.
Terrance Dicks pens the November 2000 Eighth Doctor book, entitled "Endgame".
Colin Brake's novel "Escape Velocity," slated for February 2001, introduces new companion Anji Kapoor and features an invasion of Earth.
Author Andy Lane makes his long-awaited return to the Doctor Who fold, co-authoring "The Banquo Legacy," the June 2000 Eighth Doctor book. Richards told Outpost Gallifrey that the book is "set on Earth, but not part of the so-called Earth arc thingy".
Newcomer Steve Emmerson pens "Casualties of War," set in England shortly after World War I, while Paul Leonard also returns with"The Turing Test," set shortly after the second war with guest appearances by Alan Turing and Joseph Heller.
Chris Boucher is penning a third novel for the range, "Psience Fiction," featuring the Fourth Doctor and Leela (who else?). Previously confirmed for early 2001, it is now confirmed that the book has been delayed until September 2001.
Lance Parkin returns to the Doctor Who fold with "Father Time", the January 2001 Eighth Doctor novel. "Earth in the nineteen-eighties is a battleground. Rival alien factions have travelled from the far future to pursue their vendetta. As UFOs fill the skies, a giant robot stalks the Derbyshire hills, and alien hunters search for the mysterious Last One, the Doctor is the only man who can protect the innocents caught in the crossfire. But old scores are being settled, the fate of a Galactic Empire is at stake, and, against his will, the Doctor is drawn into a decade-long war that will strike at those he holds most dear. The Doctor has lost his memory, his friends, his past and his TARDIS. All he has now is the love of his daughter. But will even that be taken from him?"
Peter Darvill-Evans, former publisher and editor of Virgin Publishing's "Doctor Who: The New Adventures" and "The New Adventures of Benny Summerfield" series, is penning Independence Day. This past Doctor novel features the Seventh Doctor and Ace, and is due in November 2000.
Keith Topping (co-author of "Devil Goblins of Neptune" and "The Hollow Men" for BBC books) has been commissioned for his first solo novel, a Fifth Doctor/Tegan/ Turlough/UNIT adventure called "The King of Terror," set in Los Angeles and due out in November 2000.

FILTER: - Books

Doctor Who In Books

Sunday, 22 June 1997 - Reported by Marcus

Compiled by:
Shannon Patrick Sullivan

Is it true that the NAs and MAs are ending? Will BBC Books be doing any?

Yes. The BBC and Virgin Publishing had been engaged in negotiations for several months over the renewal of Virgin's license to produce Doctor Who fiction, namely the New and Missing Adventures and the Decalog books. These negotiations were unsuccessful. Beginning in June 1997, BBC Books will be publishing two series of novels, continuing the NAs (now featuring the Eighth Doctor) and MAs (now also including the Seventh Doctor as well as his six predecessors). The BBC novels will appear once a month, as per normal, and will just be called "Doctor Who", as opposed to NAs, MAs or anything similar. BBC Books is also said to be interested in producing a third monthly series, and a line concerning the Doctor's adventures in Earth's past has been mooted; however, there are no firm plans for a third series yet. BBC Books will also publish volumes of themed short stories along the lines of the Decalog books, plus their own non-fiction. Both writers of the NAs/MAs and newcomers will be writing for the range.

Will the BBC Books line be similar in style to the Virgin line?

Yes and no. The main difference between the BBC novels and the Virgin novels will apparently be the tightness of the continuity between novels. Unlike Virgin, BBC Books wants their novels to largely stand alone, without very many links tying one novel to its predecessors. The intention is to allow new readers to get into the series at any point. Furthermore, the BBC novels wil not feature characters from the New and Missing Adventures, including the adult Ace. The BBC books will be just a shade shorter than the standard Virgin novels, at around 75,000 to 80,000 words. Stylistically, on the other hand, it would appear that BBC Books wants to rock the boat as little as possible, and none of the elements which have made the NAs controversial -- sex, swearing, violence and complex storylines -- are being banned outright, although unlike the companions in the NAs, the companion(s) in the BBC novels will not themselves be allowed to have a sex life. Writers will be asked to bear in mind that BBC Books is generally regarded as a publisher of "safe" novels, but original editor Nuala Buffini suggested she did not want to alienate the current New Adventures readership by sanitizing the novels or talking down to the audience.

Will BBC Books be accepting unsolicited manuscripts like Virgin did?

Yes, and began doing so on September 9th. At that point, then-editor Nuala Buffini was already swamped with submissions, and so a reply may take some time. The Writers' Guidelines are now available, and should be read before sending in any material (they differ wildly from Virgin's Writers Guidelines, for instance, so prospective writers should beware).

What's the address for BBC Books?

All correspondence related to Doctor Who novels should be directed to Doctor Who Books, A3008, Woodlands, 80 Wood Lane, London, UK W12 0TT. You can also e-mail BBC Books at doctorwho.books@bbc.co.uk.

UPDATED! Will the BBC novels be available outside the UK?

Yes! It can now be confirmed that the US distribution situation is in the process of being resolved. BBC Books is currently looking for an American company to publish the books themselves (effectively creating an American edition of the novels). Once this is accomplished, the novels should be available as per usual. Unfortunately, the most recent reports indicate that this is being held up while the BBC looks for the most lucrative deal possible. The books may not be available until late summer or fall at the earliest. Several popular science-fiction/fantasy retailers have turned to importing the novels directly from the UK in the meantime. It was previously reported that McLelland and Stewart would be distributing the novel in Canada. In fact, McLelland and Stewart holds the rights to distribute all BBC Books in Canada, but have reportedly declined to pick up the Doctor Who books. New Zealand appears no better off, as BBC Books has yet to locate a distributor/publisher in that country, either, and unlike North America, does not apparently intend to rectify the situation in the near future, do to the perceived lack of sales of the Virgin novels in that part of the world. The situation in other countries such as Australia is presently unknown. As for the post-Doctor New Adventures, although it did appear for a time that their continued distribution in North America was up in the air, it would now appear that they will continue to be available as before.

Who will the new companion be?

In the first BBC Eighth Doctor book, Terrance Dicks' The Eight Doctors, the Doctor will be joined by Samantha "Sam" Jones, a 17 year-old student at Coal Hill High School. According to the BBC Writers' Guidelines, Sam is "an idealist and a crusaer... bossy, brave to the point of recklessness [who] tends to make snap judgements and acts on them. Sam always knows what's right, and what's best for everyone." Sam sees herself as a rebel, but because her middle class parents are so liberal and understanding, she has had very little to actually rebel against. It seems Sam's introduction in The Eight Doctors will be relatively fleeting; much of her initial development will come in the subsequent few novels, particularly Vampire Science by Kate Orman and Jonathan Blum. Jon has admitted that the character's "role model" will be Lisa Simpson from TV's The Simpsons.

So that's it for the NAs and MAs?

Not exactly. While the NAs and MAs will no longer be featuring the ongoing adventures of the Doctor, a so-called "mini-series" of novels will take up the gauntlet, without the Doctor Who logo but still under the NA banner. This mini-series will feature the ongoing adventures of Bernice Summerfield. Initially, they will be written only by established authors but new authors will be considered further down the line. Although characters and monsters from the Doctor Who TV series will presumably be off-limits, anything created in the NAs and MAs will probably be fair game, meaning characters such as Kadiatu Lethbridge-Stewart, the Chelonians and Irving Braxiatel could all potentially appear.

Now that the movie has aired, what will happen in the New Adventures?

The Seventh Doctor's final appearance in the NAs was in March's Lungbarrow by Marc Platt (although the much-delayed So Vile A Sin by Ben Aaronovitch and Kate Orman will appear in April, making that book the Seventh Doctor's actual final NA appearance). After Lungbarrow, the April NA will feature the Eighth Doctor and will be written by Lance Parkin.

Is it true there is a new editor for the BBC Books Doctor Who range?

Yes. Original editor Nuala Buffini has been replaced by Stephen Cole. Cole also takes over Buffini's responsibilities handing other area of Doctor Who merchandising, such as the video releases.

Will BBC Books be using McGann's likeness on their covers?

It appears not, although the reasons for this have not been made known. Certainly, Virgin Books utilized McGann's likeness on the cover of their Eighth Doctor New Adventure, The Dying Days.

Will old NAs/MAs continue to be available beyond June?

Yes, but not for very long. It seems Virgin Doctor Who fiction titles will be pulped in October, meaning that only those novels already in-stock in bookstores will survive. This does not apply to Virgin's non-fiction titles, however, as the company still has a license to produce these (such as the Handbooks).

UPDATED! What Doctor Who books are forthcoming?

APRIL
NA: The Dying Days by Lance Parkin (ISBN: 0 426 20504 9), So Vile A Sin by Ben Aaronovitch and Kate Orman (ISBN: 0 426 20484 0) MA: The Well-Mannered War by Gareth Roberts (Fourth Doctor, Romana II, K-9 Mark II; ISBN: 0 426 20506 5)

MAY
Oh No It Isn't! by Paul Cornell (Benny Adventure; ISBN: 0 426 20507 3) Decalog 4: Re:Generations edited by Andy Lane and Justin Richards (ISBN: 0 426 20505 7)

JUNE
The Eight Doctors by Terrance Dicks (Eighth Doctor; ISBN: 0 563 40563 5) The Devil Goblins From Neptune by Keith Topping and Martin Day (Third Doctor, Liz Shaw, UNIT; ISBN: 0 563 40564 3) Dragons' Wrath by Justin Richards (Benny Adventure; ISBN: 0 426 20508 1) Postcard Book (ISBN: 0 563 40561 9)

JULY
Vampire Science by Jonathan Blum and Kate Orman (Eighth Doctor; ISBN: 0 563 40566 X) The Murder Game by Steve Lyons (Second Doctor, Ben, Polly; ISBN: 0 563 40565 1) Beyond The Sun by Matthew Jones (Benny Adventure; ISBN: 0 426 20511 1)

AUGUST
The Bodysnatchers by Mark Morris (Eighth Doctor; ISBN: 0 563 40568 6) Business Unusual by Gary Russell (Sixth Doctor, Mel; ISBN: 0 563 40575 9) Ship Of Fools by Dave Stone (Benny Adventure; ISBN: 0 426 20510 3 )

SEPTEMBER
Genocide by Paul Leonard (Eighth Doctor; ISBN: 0 563 40572 4) The Ultimate Treasure by Christopher Bulis (Fifth Doctor, Peri; ISBN: 0 563 40571 6) Down by Lawrence Miles (Benny Adventure; ISBN: 0 426 20512 X) Decalog 5: Wonders edited by Paul Leonard and Jim Mortimore (ISBN: 0 426 20515 4) A Book Of Monsters by David J Howe (ISBN: 0 563 40562 7)

OCTOBER
War Of The Daleks by John Peel (Eighth Doctor; ISBN: 0 563 40573 2) Illegal Alien by Robert Perry and Mike Tucker (Seventh Doctor, Ace; ISBN: 0 563 40570 8) Deadfall by Gary Russell (Benny Adventure) Book Of Lists by Justin Richards and Andrew Martin (ISBN: 0 563 40573 2)

NOVEMBER
Alien Bodies by Lawrence Miles (Eighth Doctor) Eye Of Heaven by Jim Mortimore (Fourth Doctor, Leela; ISBN: 0 563 40567 8) Ghost Devices by Simon Bucher-Jones (Benny Adventure) The Second Doctor Handbook by David J Howe and Stephen James Walker (non-fiction)

DECEMBER
Mean Streets by Terrance Dicks (Benny Adventure)

JANUARY
Kursaal by Peter Anghelides (Eighth Doctor) The Roundheads by Marc Gatiss (Second Doctor, Ben, Polly, Jamie) Tempest by Christopher Bulis (Benny Adventure)

FEBRUARY
Option Lock by Justin Richards (Eighth Doctor) The Face Of The Enemy by David A McIntee (UNIT) Walking To Babylon by Kate Orman (Benny Adventure)

MARCH
The Longest Day by Mike Collier (Eighth Doctor) The Witch Hunters by Steve Lyons (First Doctor, Susan, Ian, Barbara) Short Trips edited by Stephen Cole

UPDATED! What's coming up in the books?

Appearing alongside the Eighth Doctor in The Dying Days are Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and Bernice Summerfield; it is set on May 31st, 1997 and features the Ice Warriors ("updated" like the Master in the TV movie).
Kate Orman has completed Ben Aaronovitch's So Vile A Sin, which was originally scheduled for November but had to be postponed when a hard drive crash resulted in the loss of most of the material. The novel sees the departure of Roz and the conclusion of the Psi-Power arc which began in Warchild.

The May NA, Oh No It Isn't! (which has also gone by the title Behind You!), will feature Bernice rather than the Doctor, and starts off an ongoing series of Benny Adventures Decalog 4's short stories will all concern the family and ancestors of Roz Forrester. All eight Doctors appear in The Eight Doctors, which will also introduce the Eighth Doctor's new companion, Samantha (aka Sam); the Master's presence will also be felt. Irving Braxiatel returns in Dragon's Wrath.

Short Trips, the short story collection from BBC Books, has been postponed until March, contrary to previous reports that it would see print in 1997 Vampire Science was to have featured Dr Grace Holloway until the BBC nixed the idea at a late stage.

John Peel claims that War Of The Daleks will "do a number" on Remembrance Of The Daleks and reveal Skaro was not destroyed after all; Peel is also writing Legacy Of The Daleks, which stars either the Third or Eighth Doctor and features the Delgado Master. Jo Grant returns in Genocide, as do Professor Litefoot and the Zygons in The Bodysnatchers.

Business Unusual (formerly The Chains Of Command) forms the introductory Mel adventure; it will not feature the Master, but neither will it contradict Mel's origins as recounted in Millennial Rites

The Cybermen return in Illegal Alien; their use temporarily held up the book as the BBC tried to clear their appearance with the estates of their creators Decalog 5 concerns the Ten Wonders of the Universe

A second proposal has now been accepted by BBC Books from Martin Day and keith Topping entitled The Hollow Men. This was originally due to feature the Eighth Doctor, but has been rewritten for the Seventh Doctor and Ace. It is due out around April. Also, the BBC were so pleased with the Waro (from Devil Goblins From Neptune) that they've asked the pair to bring them back in a future novel.

Chris Cwej and Jason Kane return in Deadfall (though, despite previous reports, there do not appear to be firm plans to have them become series regulars); earlier, Jason pops up in Beyond The Sun.

Eye Of Heaven was originally touted as an NA about three years ago (it was the first of a two-book set with Conjunction, which would have been written by Paul Leonard). It now appears that, due to the pressures of deadlines, there will be no December novels from BBC Books.

Dave Stone's second Benny Adventure, Oblivion, will see the return of Chris, Roz(!), Jason and several characters from Sky Pirates!.
The Face Of The Enemy features UNIT versus the Master without the Doctor. According to David A McIntee, it will see the Master "at the height of his evilness, but forced into situations where he has to in effect be the hero." Ian and Barbara also appear, as will another companion, well before his or her first appearance in the televised series. The Longest Day sees the Eighth Doctor and Sam encountering a new race of monsters called the Kusks.

Future Decalogs beyond Decalog 5 are on hold at present, depending on the sales figures for the fourth and fifth volumes. Amonst those submitting a proposal for further installments of the series is Martin Day.

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