UNIT: The Vaughn IdentityBookmark and Share

Sunday, 21 January 2024 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Vaughn Identity (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

2024 will see the launch of Candy Jar’s UNIT range with a series of original novels.This new series of books now squarely focuses on UNIT and explores the fall-out from The Invasion, both on a personal and national level, and how the story would have been spun by the government and the press.

As the title suggests, the first book, The Vaughn Identity, looks into the background of Tobias Vaughn, picks up where the TV story The Invasion left off. It is written by the range editor, Tim Gambrell, who said:

There’s a lot left open at the end of The Invasion. Tobias Vaughn’s story – and the whole International Electromatics set-up – is very layered and detailed. We see repeatedly in Doctor Who that once the main threat is dealt with the Doctor is quick to leave.

As a character, he was in a class of his own – due very much to Kevin Stoney’s bravura performance, but also because of Derrick Sherwin’s script and Douglas Camfield’s direction. We know Vaughn was killed at the end of The Invasion, and left hanging over the railings. I wanted to find a way to get more from the character without pretending that he hadn’t really died on screen, which would have felt like a cop-out. I also wanted to work purely within the situations and concepts that Derrick Sherwin had created, to give my story the sense that it was finishing off, or tidying up any strands left hanging loose after the TV story had concluded.

But as well as looking back to The Invasion, The Vaughn Identity also looks forward to the series of books that will follow. Tim continued:

We’ve got a wider cast of UNIT regulars to take our books forward. Readers have already been introduced to many of them in the two UNIT Files short story collections (Operation Wildcat, 2022, and Operation Fall-Out, 2023) but The Vaughn Identity allows us to see how they were impacted by the events of The Invasion, making it more of a shared experience. As the first novel of the range, it’s important to introduce and involve new regular characters in the action and the storyline and not simply as an info-dump roll call.

There are a few minor nods to the Lethbridge-Stewart range, but nothing that would faze new readers. We want this to be a jumping-on point, a fresh start whilst also quietly acknowledging the achievement of the previous range.

 

There will be another short Benton Files book, free with the hardback of The Vaughn Identity. More details of that will be available nearer the time.

The Vaughn Identity can be pre-ordered from the Candy Jar website.





FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar - UNIT

The Church on Ruby Road on DVD and BBC BooksBookmark and Share

Friday, 15 December 2023 - Reported by Marcus
The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) (Credit: BBC Studios)

Doctor Who Christmas special, The Church on Ruby Road, is now available to pre-order on DVD and Blu-ray and as a TARGET novelisation.  

The Church on Ruby Road will see the Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa take control of the TARDIS and meet a new companion Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson.  

Long ago on Christmas Eve, a baby was abandoned in the snow. Today, Ruby Sunday meets the  Doctor, stolen babies, goblins and perhaps the secret of her birth... 

Little is known about Ruby Sunday as she was abandoned on Christmas Eve as a baby. Now living with her mum, Carla and grandmother, Cherry, her world is about to be turned upside down when she encounters the Doctor and the two set off on their first adventure together.  

Alongside Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson is Davina McCall who will be playing herself as she joins the cast alongside Michelle Greenidge as Ruby’s mum Carla, Angela Wynter as Ruby’s grandmother  Cherry and Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood

Doctor Who’s Christmas special, The Church on Ruby Road, airs December 25th at 5.55pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and streams on Disney+ globally outside of the UK and Ireland. 

Fans can pre-order the DVD and Blu-ray here 

As well as the DVD and Blu-ray, BBC Books will be publishing a novelisation of  The Church on Ruby Road under the TARGET imprint. Russell T Davies' original script has been novelised by up-and-coming literary talent Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson.

Jikiemi-Pearson is a science-fantasy author and co-founder of the organisation Impact of Omission, as featured in the Guardian, Huffpost, and the Channel 4 Documentary "Where's My History?" with footballer and anti-racism campaigner Troy Deeney.

An audio version of the novel will be available read by Angela Wynter

The Church on Ruby Road (BBC Books, £14.99) is out in hardback on 25th January 2024. Pre-order here

 




FILTER: - Books - Blu-ray/DVD

UNIT: A Legacy in Doctor Who / Down in the London UndergroundBookmark and Share

Sunday, 19 November 2023 - Reported by Chuck Foster

"We deal with the odd... the unexplained. Anything on Earth... or beyond.”

Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce details of its second and third books celebrating 60 Years of Doctor Who.

 


 

 

UNIT - A Legacy in Doctor Who (Credit: Candy Jar Books)UNIT: A Legacy in Doctor Who explores the rich history of the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce – and later Unified Intelligence Taskforce – from its inception under producer and writer Derrick Sherwin, through the UNIT family days of Jon Pertwee’s Doctor, all the way to the Kate and Osgood era of recent years. With UNIT featuring in numerous other media like Reeltime Productions, Big Finish audio, and the Lethbridge-Stewart range from Candy Jar Books, the legacy of UNIT – and its importance to Doctor Who extends beyond its television appearances.UNIT is as much a part of the tapestry of Doctor Who as the Doctor, the TARDIS, or the Daleks. The organisation has been part of the show since the Cybermen first marched down the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral in 1968’s The Invasion, and continue to be one of the Doctor’s closest allies in the battle to save humanity from the galaxy’s greatest threats.

Author, Baz Greenland, believes that the UNIT stories really get to heart of what makes good Doctor Who:

I’ve had the honour to write stories in the Lethbridge-Stewart and Lucy Wilson ranges, but this was something quite special. I’m a huge fan of the Jon Pertwee era and UNIT is a key ingredient in that. Jon Pertwee, Roger Delgado, Nicholas Courtney, Caroline John, Katy Manning, Elisabeth Sladen, Richard Franklin and John Levene all bring such warmth and energy to the show and feature in some absolutely terrific episodes – not just Pertwee’s; The Invasion, Terror of the Zygons and Battlefield are all classics in my eye and UNIT are at the heart of that.

Featuring a retro cover by 100 Objects of Dr Who artist Martin Baines, the book features exclusive interviews with writers and actors John Levene and Sophie Aldred, and explores the development of UNIT, its importance in the Doctor Who mythos and the actors that brought these iconic characters to life – from Nicholas Courtney’s stalwart Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart to Jemma Redgrave’s courageous Kate Stewart.

Baz continued:

It was quite a daunting task to delve into the mythos and creation of UNIT, but it’s been such a treat too. As a big Doctor Who fan, I feel I’ve learned more about the stories, the characters, and the actors that played them and I hope readers of the book will find something new too, that will only strengthen an appreciate for the Brig and UNIT – from 1968, all the way to the modern era as we head into the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who!

 

 


 

 

Down in the London Underground (Credit: Candy Jar Books)Candy Jar’s other release propels the reader right back to the Brig’s first appearance in Doctor Who. Written by popular Lethbridge-Stewart, Lucy Wilson and children’s author George Ivanoff, Down in the London Underground takes a sidestep look at the Brig’s first story, The Web of Fear

George explained:

The idea struck me when I was browsing a copy of Darth Vader and Son, a Star Wars picture book. And I suddenly thought... Candy Jar could do something like this with the Doctor Who characters and creatures they have the rights to use. So, I wrote a pitch. And Shaun jumped at the chance. The book does not feature the Brig, but instead focuses on the Army as it battles the Yeti in the London Underground.

Although aimed at young people, this picture book tries not to dodge the realities shown in The Web of Fear. Head of Candy Jar, Shaun Russell, said:

I am a big fan of the Doctor Who/Mr Men books by Adam Hargreaves and felt that this would be a great way to celebrate Doctor Who’s 60th birthday. This book, however, has a slightly darker side. Death is always present in Doctor Who, and just like Grimms’ Fairy Tales, this story attempts to be a true reflection of the world in which it is set. The Yeti are here to invade, and they take no prisoners.

Down in the London Underground has been also been illustrated by Martin Baines:

I’ve always loved illustrating the Yeti, but this assignment was slightly different. I thought it was very important for my cartoon-like artwork to offset the dark nature of the book. I added a few touches of my own and I hope children and adults will enjoy this chilling adventure.

 


 

Both UNIT: A Legacy in Doctor Who and Down in the London Underground are available to pre-order from Csndy Jar Books.





FILTER: - Candy Jar - Books

Adventures in Type and Space – Charity BookazineBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 11 October 2023 - Reported by Marcus
 Adventures in Type and Space (Credit: Ten Acre Films)

Ten Acre Films is releasing Adventures in Type and Space in December, a charity bookazine exploring the title sequences of classic Doctor Who.

Highlights include new in-depth interviews with Bernard Lodge (title designer 1963-1979), Peter Govey (special cameraman 1970-1979), Gareth Edwards (titles animator 1987-1989), along with contributions from Sid Sutton (title designer 1980-1986) and the family of Oliver Elmes (title designer 1987-1989).

Illustrated throughout with rare and unseen imagery, Adventures in Type and Space is a celebration of the artistry and ingenuity that went into creating Doctor Who's extraordinary title sequences, told by the people who made them, and includes a foreword by Mark Gatiss.

Proceeds will benefit Unicef, Bernard Lodge's chosen charity.

Created by Graham Kibble-White, Jack Kibble-White and Stuart Manning.

Format: 124 pages; full colour,

21cm x 21cm, perfect-bound

All pre-orders will be entered into a prize draw to win a one-of-kind print of the diamond logo, taken from the original metal-block master used to create the actual TV graphic, personally printed and signed by Bernard Lodge.

Pre-order here





FILTER: - Books

Telos Celebrates 60 Years of Doctor WhoBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 9 August 2023 - Reported by Marcus

Telos Publishing is celebrating sixty years of Doctor Who with a range of new titles

Stephen James Walker and David J Howe thought hard about how we wanted to celebrate the anniversary and we decided to produce several titles, each of which looked at Doctor Who in a different way. If you take the show as a whole, then there are three main areas that together cover everything: The fiction of the show itself, the making of it/behind the scenes, and the fandom. So we decide to commission three titles that together, celebrate everything that we love about Doctor Who!

The first title is THE ILLUSTRATED JOURNEY, a stunning large format art book that celebrates the fiction of the show. David J Howe explained

We approached Daryl Joyce, an artist of some standing, about collecting some images he had been showing online into a book celebrating the rich history of Doctor Who, through the medium of documenting all the places that the TARDIS has landed ... plus a few more images of notable moments, monsters and action from the show's rich history. Daryl worked tirelessly on the book, creating over 320 illustrations covering the length and breadth of the show. This is a masterpiece!'

Daryl Joyce added

From the misty streets of Shoreditch in 1963, to dark and spooky planets via ancient Rome, Troy and literally hundreds of locations in between, The aim was to respectfully up the scale, bring the imagination to life and give it all the gothic polish that Robert Holmes inspired in my appreciation of Doctor Who.
The Illustrated Journey (Credit: Telos)THE ILLUSTRATED JOURNEY

By Daryl Joyce


‘It all started out as a mild curiosity in a junk-yard, and now it’s turned out to be quite a great spirit of adventure don’t you think?’ … so spoke the Doctor during Doctor Who‘s first season, and from that ‘mild curiosity’ the show has gone on to explore strange new worlds in this universe and others, taking in all times and places along the way.

For Doctor Who‘s sixtieth anniversary, we considered that perhaps the best way to celebrate would be to remind ourselves of all the adventure, thrills, alien species, monsters, villains, companions and excitement that the Doctor has experienced on his many travels, all with his most faithful of companions, the TARDIS, by his side.  Sometimes ‘the old girl’ gets left behind, or sidestepped in time, but most often she is there at the start, and again at the end, waiting patiently for the Doctor and his friends to return in order to whisk them all off somewhere else, where more adventure awaits.

And what better guide than the incredible artwork of Daryl Joyce.  Joyce has been at the forefront of Doctor Who artwork for many years, creating imagery to accompany many tie-in works, but this is the first time that a work of this magnitude has been attempted … trying to encapsulate most of the Doctors adventures and voyages in one book.  We did consider trying to cover them all, but the book would have ended up twice the size – unmanageable – so with Daryl’s help we have filtered and filletted the journeys and present the majority … with a few additional sidesteps and images along the way, all to celebrate sixty amazing years of travel in time and space …

Join us for an adventure through memory, to scenes and places explored and encountered by the Doctor and his friends …

Available 2nd September 2023

Covering the Fandom element is Alistair McGown's THE FANZINE BOOK.

This was a title we commissioned from Alistair, after we saw some brilliant writing of his in the Doctor Who Magazine 1983 special, and which covered the fanzines produced in that year. I had been wanting to do a book looking at fanzines for some time, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Fanzine Book (Credit: Telos)THE FANZINE BOOK

By Alistair McGown

Long before social media – a time before YouTube channels, podcasts and Twitter – the only way a generation of Doctor Who fans could find their voice was to produce a fanzine. Following in the slipstream of mid-1970s punk rock music fanzines, for a decade or two it seemed anyone with a shaky old typewriter and buckets of enthusiasm was putting together their own amateur magazines filled with news, reviews, interviews, convention reports, fan fiction, artwork and comic strips. Schoolkids and students alike manfully struggled with sheets of rub-down Letraset, correction fluid, cow gum, hand-cranked duplicators and overheating photocopiers to try their luck at becoming fan publishing press barons. Some sold dozens of copies, others sold thousands.

This was the only platform fans of the time had to praise, criticise and share opinions on their favourite show, largely uncensored and unbound, sometimes controversially so and running into trouble with the BBC and the Doctor Who producers of the era; Philip Hinchcliffe, Graham Williams and John Nathan-Turner.

Covering UK fandom’s earliest beginnings in the 1960s, through to the ‘golden age’ of the 1970s and 1980s, several hundred different fanzine titles are documented, discussed and displayed in this fully-illustrated coffee-table hardback, from hand-stapled newsletters to full colour, professionally-printed magazines. It includes everything from AggedorThe Animus and Ark in Space to ZygonZodin and Zeiton-7 and covers fondly-remembered classics including Celestial ToyroomTARDISThe Doctor Who ReviewGallifreyMatrixSkaroShadaFrontier WorldsThe FramePrivate Who and the best-selling but outspoken Doctor Who Bulletin.

From tiny acorns do mighty oaks grow and these fanzines included the first published work by many Doctor Who writers and artists of the future – many of them going onto comic strips, books, audios, Doctor Who Magazine and even the revived TV show itself, with at least one future showrunner helping run a local group newsletter of the 1980s!

With an Afterword by Doctor Who showrunner and writer Chris Chibnall, and a Foreword by the Master of fanzine writing Martin Wiggins, plus contributions and comment from many of the editors, publishers and writers who were there, this is the definitive look at the UK Doctor Who fanzine phenomenon and how it chronicled everything from the highs of the Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker years, to 1983’s Longleat 20th anniversary event, to 1985’s cancellation crisis, to the show’s quiet demise in 1989.

Writer and researcher Alistair McGown – whose own first published work appeared in The Highlander fanzine in 1985, aged 13 – celebrates the fascinating story of the underground Doctor Who press in this latest slice of publishing history from Telos.

Writer and historian Andrew Pixley had this to say about THE FANZINE BOOK: 'This is superb. Massively entertaining and massively informative ... a very lavish, specialist volume - and a real delight.'

Available now. Mailing at the end of August
Looking at the behind-the-scenes element is a book that was submitted to Telos by the historian and researcher David Brunt.
The Doctor Who Production Diary (Credit: Telos)THE DOCTOR WHO PRODUCTION DIARY: THE HARTNELL YEARS

By David Brunt


In the first of a new series of books, noted Doctor Who historian David Brunt presents the most detailed and comprehensive day-by-day record ever published of the show’s production during the years 1963-1966 when William Hartnell played the Doctor.

Drawing on many years of research and an exhaustive study of BBC archive documentation – including files not previously accessed by any other Doctor Who author – the book includes a wealth of newly-discovered information and explodes some long-standing myths.

David came to us with the suggestion of doing a day-by-day diary of the production of Doctor Who - a format that had never been attempted before in this detail and scope. And we snapped it up!' says Howe. 'I think it was in part inspired by Richard Molesworth's JOHN NATHAN TURNER PRODUCTION DIARY from a year or so back, but here David has delved deep into the BBC Archives to deliver an unprecedented view on the making of Doctor Who.

​Available November 2023

Finally, a fourth book has been added in the form of Andrew-Mark Thompson's THIS IS A FAKE! '

This is a Fake (Credit: Telos)THIS IS A FAKE!

by Andrew-Mark Thompson

In this humorous, full-colour hardback, Andrew-Mark Thompson presents items ripped from an alternative dimension in his basement from a world where Doctor Who, and its tie-in merchandise, were a little different from how fans might have remembered.

Packed full of items which should-have-been and never-were, this is the ultimate book of Doctor Who appreciation viewed through a lens of affectionate parody.

Paul Simpson from SciFi Bulletin has talked about THIS IS A FAKE!: 'There are a lot of books coming out for the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who, but I will be a little bit surprised if there’s one quite so unusual, or able to make you laugh as hard as this ... this may be *the* book of the 60th anniversary…

David J Howe added I had long been an admirer of Andrew's incredible 'fakes' on Twitter and Facebook - using clever Photoshop manipulations to convince the world of the existence of all manner of invented Doctor Who merchandise, toys, books, comics, games, confectionary and other ephemera ... it's genius level stuff!' says Howe. 'So I reached out to Andrew and asked if he might be interested in assembling some of the madness into a book, and he agreed! So we also have the inventiveness, humour, and imagination of fandom all brought together in an incredible celebration of merchandise, first-anniversary garden parties, 'Daleks' Master Plan' Cluedo games, Alpha Centauri easter eggs, Sapphire and Steel ice lollies and so much more besides!  It's a book that defies explanation ... you have to experience it!

​Available now. Mailing at the end of August

All four titles are available from Telos Publishing direct at telos.co.uk

They will also be available from WHONA in the USA (whona.com).





FILTER: - Books

Deluxe illustrated edition of Rose to be ReleasedBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 8 August 2023 - Reported by Marcus
Rose Illustrated Edition (Credit: BBC)

BBC Books have announced the novelisation of the first story of Doctor Who's 2005 revival, Rose, is to be released in a special illustrated version.

The release will celebrate the return of showrunner Russell T Davies to Doctor Who, and mark the 60th Anniversary of Doctor Who.

Novelised by Davies from his original script, Rose is the story that relaunched Doctor Who for the 21st century.

Originally published in 2018, this deluxe edition of ROSE features illustrations from acclaimed artist Robert Hack.

 

In a lair somewhere beneath central London, a malevolent alien intelligence is plotting the end of humanity. Shop window dummies that can move - and kill - are taking up key positions, ready to strike.

Rose Tyler, an ordinary Londoner, is working her shift in a department store, unaware that this is the most important day of her life. She's about to meet the only man who understands the true nature of the threat facing Earth, a stranger who will open her eyes to all the wonder and terror of the universe - a traveller in time and space known as the Doctor.

The book will be published on 23rd November 2023 and is available to preorder on Amazon





FILTER: - Series 1/27 - Books - Ninth Doctor

Counter Measures: Birds of PreyBookmark and Share

Saturday, 8 July 2023 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Counter Measures: birds of prey (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

Candy Jar Books ihave announce details of the second of its Counter Measures:

Birds of Prey

 

If the people of Britain thought the energy crisis was over, they were very wrong. Power cuts are returning, spreading from London and focusing on particularly vulnerable targets, almost as if by intention.

 

The Association has risen again and is stepping up its campaign to take power and enact its supremist ideology. Ian Gilmore, Rachel Jensen and even their son Dillon become embroiled in a plan to survive a plot for revenge. They must stand against old enemies as the spectres of past conflicts are raised and a new battle starts to spread through the streets of the capital.

 

For there are others who stand ready to face the Association too. But how far will they go and what weapons will they deploy? Gilmore, Jensen and their allies find that the monsters of the human race may be far more terrifying than anything from beyond it, and that this time, humanity will need saving from its own worst instincts.

 

Birds of Prey is the second book in a two-novel event, following up book one Birds of Passage.

Counter Measures, featuring characters Group Captain Gilmore, Professor Rachel Jensen and Dr Allison Williams, was created by Ben Aaronovitch for Doctor Who back in 1988. The characters were expanded on in Aaronovitch’s later novelisation of their debut story, Remembrance of the Daleks, and made the odd appearance in Doctor Who prose fiction throughout the 1990s. The team has enjoyed a long life in audio dramas from Big Finish Productions since 2012, and Gilmore made a cameo in one of Candy Jar’s Lethbridge-Stewart short stories. They even appeared in a comic written by Andrew Cartmel.

Birds of Passage was written by Robert Mammone, who had hoped to write the follow up too. Alas, life intervened, as range editor Andy Frankham-Allen explained:

Due to a change in circumstances, Robert felt he would be unable to commit the time needed. However, we agreed to look at it again a few months later, and sadly little had changed by time it came to move forward. Robert allowed me to use his outline and ideas for book two as a jumping on point for his replacement, but in the event I decided it was better to let whoever that was to just read the first book and take it in their own direction.

The chosen author was James Middleditch, who has written a couple of Lethbridge-Stewart novels, plus short stories for the UNIT series:

The prospect of writing for the Counter Measures series felt quite different to my prior work on the Lethbridge-Stewart range. I would say the tone is a bit darker and more morally complex, with the threats emerging from the behaviour of humans as much as anything from elsewhere, although influences of past invasions continue to play a big role in awakening our own worst instincts. Like Robert before me, the thought of following the narrative threads and themes of Remembrance of the Daleks was a jaw-dropping one. Robert produced such a thrilling follow-up in Birds of Passage, which itself left some intriguing strands dangling, that I had not one but two great stories to do justice to. The Remembrance novelisation, rightly heralded as a late highpoint for the Target range, contains such depth in its depiction of ’60s Britain and its racial landscape. I also revisited Andrew Cartmel’s Cat’s Cradle: Warhead and found a shockingly prescient and familiar dystopia in what had been his speculation about the early twenty-first century. Without wanting to be too negative, it’s worth remembering how close we all are to such breakdowns in order and certainty, so I tried to channel both of their concerns and the reflective moods of their novels in writing Birds of Prey.

Andy continued:

James jumped at the chance before any sense of trepidation could set in, and once he’d finished his reading and research, he soon had an outline to me. There were only a few changes I wanted, in keeping with the goals Andrew Cartmel and I had set out for the series.

 

James concluded:

Storyline guidance from Andy was invaluable as always, in particular in providing the geographical focus of London and a core group of characters there. Real history and locations have been interwoven into this dark parallel past, and may change the way you see the parts of the capital on your next visit; a Birds of Prey Walking Tour is certainly possible! To move further into the London-based thriller genre, I also took inspiration from the original television version of Edge of Darkness with its rain-soaked pavements and its uncanny way of suggesting an impending apocalypse in otherwise very small scale events and moments. I hope all these ingredients have come together to be a testament to some of the best writers, their characters and themes. None of us really write in isolation, and to have been in their literary company for a while has been a privilege.

 

Ordering details can be found on the Candy Jar website.





FILTER: - books - Candy Jar

The Grandfather Infestation - illustrated editionBookmark and Share

Saturday, 1 July 2023 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Lethbridge-Stewart: The Grandfather Infestation (illustrated edition) (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

Candy Jar Books has announced a very special book for 2023, the hardback illustrated edition of The Grandfather Infestation by John Peel.

Like the illustrated edition of Beast of Fang Rock, this book has been inspired by the illustrated Doctor Who Target books from the early 1970s, combined with the popularity of the Lethbridge-Stewart Colouring Book, which was made available via Amazon and good retailers last month with four brand new images.

In 2016 Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen compared The Grandfather Infestation with the work of John Wyndham in 2016. He said:

I’ve always been a huge fan of his work, and I knew I wanted something in a similar vein. I asked John to give us something Triffid-esque and he did exactly that. He’s created a nice blend of genres, mixing the best elements of storytelling that you’d find in the works of Robert Banks Stewart and Wyndham, giving it Peel’s own distinctive twist. And John is no stranger to twisting tales, make no mistake. He’s been writing prose fiction beyond Doctor Who continuously for over twenty-five years, and you don’t do that without being good.

The book has a brand new cover, but the actual look of the Grandfathers has not been changed. Martin Baines opted to keep Colin Howard’s original design:

Colin is a Doctor Who demi-god and I wouldn’t have felt comfortable changing his work. His realisation of the Grandfathers was perfect. Like all his Doctor Who artwork, Colin really understand what makes a good monster.

Martin has also provided internal illustrations for the book. He continued:

Like the Beast of Fang Rock, I read the book and choose my favourite scenes. I was excited to discover that The Grandfather Infestation is a jam-packed full of action, so it made illustrating it very fun indeed.

 

This release comes with a free postcard, as well as a brand new Lucy Wilson Mysteries book The Grandfather Club written by John Peel. Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar, felt that the time was right return to the Grandfathers. He said:

John’s first ever Lethbridge-Stewart book was The Grandfather Infestation. And what a book it is! And, over the years we’ve always tremendous feedback about it, receiving so many requests to release a new edition. But instead of doing a paperback with a new cover, we decided to do something a little more special. Like Beast of Fang Rock, Martin’s artwork really helps to bring this exciting book alive. And the Lucy story is the cherry on the cake, allowing us to introduce the alien Grandfathers to a new audience.

 

The Grandfather Infestation is now available for pre-order directly from Candy Jar Books..

The Lucy Wilson Mysteries: The Grandfather Club (Credit: Candy Jar Books)All of the school clubs have been cancelled, effective immediately. All except one…

 

Lucy and Hobo can’t understand why everyone at school has joined the gardening club. They also can’t understand why no one is doing any gardening!

 

Why are the students constructing a gigantic greenhouse? And why does it need such a powerful heating system? But, more to the point, what sort of plants will this greenhouse be the home to?

 

Will Lucy and Hobo be able to solve this mystery or have the seeds of destruction already been sown?

 

 





FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar - Lethbridge-Stewart - Lucy Wilson Mysteries

Pull To OpenBookmark and Share

Friday, 23 June 2023 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Pull To Open (Credit: Paul Hayes/Ten Acre Films)

Ten Acre Films have announced a new Doctor Who non-fiction book to be published next month. Called Pull to Open, it tells the story of the creation of Doctor Who in 1963 and is written by Paul Hayes, a regular contributor to Doctor Who Magazine whose previous Doctor Who book from Ten Acre, 2021’s The Long Game, told the story of how the programme came to be recommissioned in 2003 and was described by Starburst as an “astonishingly interesting and page-turning... an essential book for anyone interested in the arcane world of British television production.”

Speaking to Doctor Who News about the new book, Paul said:

I very much wanted to try and bring the same approach to the creation of the show in 1963 as The Long Game did for the 1996-2003 period, The idea is to try and provide the same wider background and context to the events – so not just what happened, but why it happened. To give an idea of how BBC television drama worked at that time, the world into which Doctor Who was born, and also to flesh out some of the lives of people we normally only see as names on a list – the likes of Eric Maschwitz and Alice Frick, for example. Pull to Open tells the story from Maschwitz first asking the Script Department about science-fiction in the spring of 1962, to the Daleks first appearing at the end of 1963 – so it’s a book which pretty much entirely concentrates on the creation of the show. That is the story in this book, rather than simply being the start of the story as it sometimes is when told elsewhere. It’s a period which has long fascinated me, and I hope people enjoy reading about it as much as I have enjoyed researching and writing it!

Pull to Open is due for publication on 24 July from Ten Acre Films, the company which has previously published new editions of popular Doctor Who books such as Richard Marson’s biographies of Verity Lambert and John Nathan-Turner and Andrew Cartmel’s diaries. They have also provided documentary features for the Doctor Who classic series Blu-ray range. The foreword is written by actor, comedian and Doctor Who historian Toby Hadoke, who describes Pull to Open as “fresh and compelling… as definitive an account of those early years as I have read.”

The book is available to pre-order now via Ten Acre's website.





FILTER: - Books - Non-Fiction

Candy Jar Books updateBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 31 May 2023 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Candy Jar Books has announced the second book in its final series of Lethbridge-Stewart novels.

Lethbridge-Stewart: It came from the Isle of Man (Credit: Candy Jar Books)It Came from the Isle of Man

Written by John Peel

Artwork by Paul Cooke

 

It was possibly the kindest, most humane invasion ever. Nobody was killed; nobody was even bruised by it. At least, not at first.

 

Three landings, three countries. Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart soon realises this is too big for the Fifth Operational Corps, and so plans are put into place for an international operation, with Bill Bishop and Anne Travers sent to the US to work alongside Colonel Hickenlooper, Colonel Douglas goes to the USSR to liaise with Major Bugayev, and Lethbridge-Stewart is joined in the UK by an old American ally from his National Service Days.

 

Just what is going on, who are the Engineers, and why do they insist they have an agreement with the King of Earth?

 

Lethbridge-Stewart finds himself having to deal with international politics and inter-galactic agreements, while Anne has to cope with a Russian spy, and a trip to an alien world…

 

Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen said:

It’s always nice to have John Peel back. He’s an old hand at novel writing, and without fail always delivers a strong first draft. More often than not, in fact, it requires little or no rewrites, usually a few touch-up edits. With the end in sight, we knew we had to prepare the way for Lethbridge-Stewart to become the Brigadier, and for his transfer from the Fifth to UNIT. To the end I worked alongside the authors of the final series to develop stories that would see the transition take place, show the fans why it was necessary for UNIT to be set-up to protect not just the UK, but the world itself. This book, like the previous Spheres of Influence, is a step towards that end…

We’d planned these final books some time ago, and I’d forgotten some of the smaller details, since obviously I had worked on many titles in the meantime. So it was a nice surprise when characters from bdw titleoth John's The Grandfather Infestation and On His Majesty’s National Service made an appearance. I hope it will be equally surprising and exciting for the long-time readers of the range, to see things coming full circle. It’s apt, I feel, that these characters in particular should return, tying John Peel’s contributions to the series in nice little bow.

John Peel said:

I had tremendous fun while writing On His Majesty's National Service and introducing some new characters to the world of Lethbridge-Stewart, so when I was asked to write another entry in the series, I couldn't resist bringing some of them back again to help him out. Or are they helping him?”

I wanted to write something a bit different this time around, though, so I decided to avoid the customary alien invasion theme. This time around, the aliens aren't determined to conquer the Earth – but what they have in mind might be a greater disaster than a simple invasion. It was also fun working with Jonathan Blum (with a bit of assistance from Simon Forward) to find ways to link these final books together, to walk the path to UNIT…

As with many Lethbridge-Stewart books the title underwent something of a change. Andy explained:

The title often changes between first announcement and eventual release, and this one was no exception. Originally it was called United Nations, which would be followed up by Jonathan Blum’s Intelligence Taskforce. However, due to the need to turn Jon’s novel into two books (more on that when Jon’s book is due), I decided it made sense to assign both titles to Jon’s novels. Thus, John Peel’s needed a new title. It took a while, but I eventually suggested It Came from the Isle of Man to fit in with the B-movie influence behind the chapter titles contained within the book. John approved it immediately.

Rgular contributor Paul Cooke provided the art.

This cover was slightly different to my earlier ones in that rather than an idea of what the story elements were, I was given a passage of the novel to illustrate. The description of the sea monster is vivid and when I sat down to design it, I was influenced by one artist in particular. Way back when, when I was at school, a favourite artist of mine was Rowena Morrill, who sadly died a couple of years ago. She painted strange, fantasy hybrid creatures that had an otherworldly colour palette perfect for this subject, I felt. The scale of the creature is helped with the poor Minke victim, though I did move the ship closer than in the story for visual impact. Lethbridge-Stewart was always a hands-on sort and Andy asked for him to be in action mode. What better than showing him running into battle, urging his men forward? The breaking ice behind him hints at a location for the story, and there is a clue to another location for the keen Doctor Who fan.

I do like the Scots Guard hat (glengarry) so am pleased I was able to paint it. I find it can be quite tricky to get right in the way it sits on the head as the angles look wrong. Fortunately, I have one (too small for me, unfortunately) but it fits a polystyrene bust I have (don’t ask!). This allowed me to get it just right. I’m a big believer in reference material; you can guarantee that if you get something wrong someone will always notice. This caused quite the headache when trying to draw Lethbridge-Stewart’s service revolver, as I’d chosen an angle that I couldn’t find any reference of, so had to piece it together as best I could. I hope I’ve got it right!

I’ve been really fortunate with my association with the Lethbridge-Stewart books. I bought the first one and loved it; so much so that I felt the urge to create some fan art. Andy saw it and later offered me a try-out. So not only am I a fan, Andy give me the opportunity to become a part of it. It is sad for me to know this is my last cover as the series draws to a close, but what a ride it’s been! Massive thanks to Andy for creating such an enjoyable series of books, and for taking a chance on me. (I know he will want to edit this out, but I hope it stays)

 

It Came from the Isle of Man is available to order fromt the Candy Jar website, and is included in a subscriptiomn to their books.

 


 

After a successful launch last year, a new quick read novel has been published this year:

The Analysis Bureau - Roseblood (Credit: Candy Jar Books)The Analysis Bureau: Roseblood

Written by Tom Dexter

Artwork by Lee Sullivan

 

The Analysis Bureau does not exist. Ask any questions about it, and the same answers always greet you. There's no trace of any department matching that name in any branch of Government, only speculation and wild rumours.

 

May 1967, Puppet on a String is high in the charts, and people are wearing flowers in their hair as the 'Summer of Love' begins. However, in the backstreets of Whitechapel, near one of the last variety theatres to survive the Blitz, a ghost has been spotted. A ghost who seems to be screaming in terror.

 

At the Analysis Bureau, in the aftermath of Incident Three, Mr Quebec is ordered to investigate. He sends Flower on a solo mission, but how does this lead her to encounter the legendary movie star, Orson Welles? And what does the word Roseblood mean to him?

 

When Professor Travers tries to save a figure who seems to have fallen through a breach between dimensions, Flower ends up underground in the worst way imaginable...

 
 

Author Tom Dexter said:

The reaction we’ve had about the first book centred on the fact that it featured a strong female lead character, who our readers seem to have wholeheartedly embraced, working alongside classic Doctor Who characters such as Professor Travers and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. The latest short story takes a new twist, and brings the iconic film actor and director, Orson Welles into the mix.

There’s a famous Spitting Image sketch from years ago,” Tom adds, “where they basically said that Orson Welles lived his career in reverse, starting with the remarkable success of Citizen Kane and ending with financing being more than scarce for anything he wanted to direct.

Set immediately after the climactic end of the first volume, this new book sees Welles heading for England to stop production of a horror parody of Citizen Kane being filmed, only to find that his past starts to haunt him in a very startling way. The Analysis Bureau step in to not only try to save his live, but also figure out what the connection is to the planet Mars.

Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar said:

The Analysis Bureau did exactly what we wanted, launching a spin-off title from our Lethbridge-Stewart books, and has created a team of characters who not only exists in their own universe, but also embrace characters, both human and otherwise from the worlds of Doctor Who, who we have under license. It was only natural to bring them back as soon as we could.

The book can be ordered via the Candy Jar website.

 


 

An updated paperback version of Kklak: The Doctor Who Art of Chris Achilléos has been published, featuring an unpublished Peter Capaldi illustration by the artist, plus contributions from his daughters, Esther and Anna, his nephew Thomas, and his wife, Natasha.


Natasha said:

Chris painted the image of Capaldi in time for the LFCC when he was invited to be a guest at the Heavy Metal stand as he knew Peter was attending. Capaldi was one of my favourite doctors and we both liked his gruffness and welcomed a return to an older representation of the Doctor. Chris remarked how much he enjoyed painting his characteristics – the eyes being particularly a feature as Capaldi’s look is quite striking. Chris liked to draw interesting, older faces as ‘they were a more interesting subject’ to paint.

Shaun Russell said:

Before Chris sadly passed away, we had been discussing doing something else, but this never came to pass. Since then, knowing that we had one more piece of artwork, I wanted to showcase this. We are now releasing this version of the book to celebrate his life.

You can read more about the book in our original news article on its release. It can be purchased from Candy Jar Books from their website.





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