July 2020 – Page 2

100 OBJECTS OF DR WHO

12 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce 100 Objects of Dr Who. Written by Philip Bates, the book collects together facts and opinions from all fifty-seven years of the best science-fiction series in the world.

Objects of interest include the Space-Time Visualiser, the sonic screwdriver, a talking cabbage, the Revenge of the Cybermen VHS, River Song’s diary, the BBC Sound Effects No. 19: Doctor Who Sound Effects vinyl, the 1996 Series Bible, a Bubble Shock bottle, the Seal of the High Council of Gallifrey, and a mouldy old Slitheen.

Philip Bates currently runs the Doctor Who Companion website (the popular successor to Kasterborous), and has previously written for Candy Jar. His ‘10 Objects of the Brigadier’ piece was featured in non-fiction book The Brigadier: Declassified.

Candy Jar Head of Publishing, Shaun Russell, says:

“When Philip submitted his piece for The Brigadier: Declassified I was blown away by the quality of writing. His take on the series was unlike anything I’ve read before. His writing reminds me of Doctor Who: The Completely Useless Encyclodpedia from 1996 by Chris Howarth and Steve Lyons. I am truly excited that we have been able expand beyond ten objects.”

100 Objects of Dr Who tells the story of the series in a rather unconventional way. It’s not a straight chronology of the series, but more a temporal guide, jam-packed with fascinating information for the distinguished Doctor Who fan. Philip says:

“My book does feature the behind-the-scenes trivia you would expect, but I wanted to go one further. So, I’ve included sections on the live events not everyone’s been lucky enough to experience, asked the question how Christ the Redeemer relates to Doctor Who, as well as looking at the bizarre world of fake merchandise. I basically wanted to go off the beaten track, jumping backwards and forwards in Who history.”

The cover has been lovingly produced by Martin Baines, who recently completed the art for Candy Jar’s hardback edition of the Downtime sequel, Child of the New World. Martin says:

“I really enjoyed working on this book. I wanted to emulate the look of 1970s comics such as Scorcher, Valiant or TV Comic. Added to this, I’ve always loved Doctor Who Weekly and it was great to pay homage to this as well.”

Philip really likes the cover and feels it sums up his book perfectly. Philip continues:

“When Shaun sent me Martin’s cover I thought, wow! You don’t need me to tell you how brilliant it is: feast your eyes! Spotting the small details is a joy, but the most impressive thing is how evocative the piece is. There’s a warmth and playfulness about it. The yellowing page surrounding instantly brings to mind that wonderful smell that encompasses you when you enter a second-hand book store – a reminder that all these stories have been experienced by previous generations. Suffice to say, I love it.”

Blurb:

“So, all of time and space, everything that ever happened or ever will: where do you want to start…?”

100 Objects of Doctor Who is a celebration of everyone’s favourite sci-fi show. Perfect for fans, no matter your mileage – whether you’ve just started your journey through all of time and space, or have lived through the highs, the lows, the Wildernesses, the Androzanis, and the Twin Dilemmas.

Inside, you’ll find: A terrifying army of three Daleks! Death’s Head’s head! A really quite astonishingly heavy door! Dinosaur fossils! A framed piece of wall!

And much, much more!

This is a book about Doctor Who. But probably not the one you’re expecting.

100 Objects of Dr Who is currently only available from the Candy Jar website, for £9.99 (+ p&p). To order click here.

Downtime: Child the New World is also available from the Candy Jar website, for £10 paperback; £25, hardback (+ p&p). To order click here.

LUCY WILSON BRAND NEW SHORT STORY IN EIGHT MINUTES AND FORTY-SIX SECONDS

12 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce its latest free-for-download short story, 8.46. The story sees Lucy Wilson and Hobo Kostinen face the realities of prejudice.

Written by critically acclaimed African American author, Julia Press Simmons, 8.46 has been created in response to the death of George Floyd and protests that followed. She says:

“When Shaun at Candy Jar asked me to work on this story I was so pleased. Lucy Wilson is an amazing character and I am honoured and humbled to play a small part in her universe.”

Head of publishing, Shaun Russell, felt that it was very important to tackle this subject. He says:

“Lucy Wilson is a not only a lead female character (which there are very few), but also a person of colour. I felt it would be a dereliction of duty to not cover this topic. I also wanted the story to feel authentic so, through a mutual friend, I contacted the wonderful Julia Press Simmons.”

Julia has written more than twenty books including The Strawberry Mansion, and the award-winning play Down There (selected by the Black Festival Emerging Playwright’s series in Nashville). 8.46 is a departure from the standard Lucy Wilson tale. Julia has written a story which is based on her real-life experiences growing up. She continues:

“I must admit that initially I struggled with the tone of this project. Lucy is such a marvellous role model for children and I wanted her story to capture my personal experiences while keeping it age-appropriate. Although BAME life in the UK is different from the African American experience I felt that there was enough commonality for me to tell this tale.”

Tim Gambrell, who has written Lucy Wilson & the Bledoe Cadets, as well as several short stories including the upcoming The Midwife & the Alien, was involved in the editing process of this story. He says: “8.46 is a brief and powerful story that needs to be told, in my view. It doesn’t labour the fact. It doesn’t accuse the reader of anything. It just tells a simple story and packs quite an emotional punch with it.”

For Doctor Who fans that are unaware of Lucy Wilson, she is the granddaughter of the iconic Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, one of Doctor Who’s longest running characters. “The Brigadier”, as he is known to fans, was played by the late Nicholas Courtney.

Blurb:

It’s 2020 and Lucy Wilson has just witnessed the death of George Floyd, followed by the toppling of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol.

Over eight minutes and forty-six seconds, Lucy and Hobo travel through time to discover why the past still has lessons to teach us all.

To download The Lucy Wilson Mysteries: 8.46 please visit: http://www.candy-jar.co.uk/books/freestory.html

Lockdown, a collection of pandemic-inspired Lucy Wilson short stories is still available. The royalties from sales will be donated to NHS charities and Candy Jar will double this amount.

http://www.candy-jar.co.uk/books/lockdown.html

To purchase The Lucy Wilson Mysteries: Lockdown please visit: http://www.candy-jar.co.uk/books/freestory.html

A new Time Lord Victorious story incoming… on download, CD and vinyl!

8 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

Doctor Who - The Minds of Magnox

The Doctor travels with Brian, the Ood assassin, to the planet Magnox, one of the greatest receptacles of knowledge the universe has ever known, and home to the Minds of Magnox. The Doctor needs to ask a vital question, but the answer is Grade 1 Classified. In order to gain an audience with the Minds of Magnox he must take a dangerous test.

Meanwhile, Brian gets involved with a criminal group and is asked to assassinate the Minds of Magnox. However, others also have the planet within their sights…

The Minds of Magnox is written by Darren Jones and narrated by Jacob Dudman. Darren Jones has written several previous Doctor Who stories for BBC Audio, including Paradise Lost, Sleepers in the Dust and The Eye of the Jungle. Jacob Dudman has previously read Paradise Lost for BBC Audio, as well as for several Doctor Chronicles for Big Finish Productions.

Michael Stevens, Doctor Who Range Editor for BBC Audio, said:

“We’re delighted to tell this part of the epic Time Lord Victorious story, which is a unique and thrilling adventure for us all. Darren Jones has created the world of Magnox for the Tenth Doctor and Brian to visit, and Jacob Dudman brings it to life pitch-perfectly.”

You can pre-order now on CD or vinyl on Amazon, or digitally on Audible.

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Doctor Who up for TV Choice Best Family Drama vote

8 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

The voting for the 2020 TV Choice Awards is now online and Doctor Who is nominated for Best Family Drama.

The programme vies for the award with Call The Midwife, Casualty and Doc Martin. The TV Choice Awards, run by TV Choice Magazine, are chosen by public vote online.

The 2020 awards ceremony will be shown this autumn online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can vote online here. Voting closes midnight on Friday, July 17, 2020.

Earl Cameron: 1917-2020

4 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

The Tenth Planet | Doctor Who Novels — Earl Cameron (right) as Glyn Williams in The Tenth Planet (1966)

Bermudian acting legend Earl Cameron has died aged 102.

Earl Cameron appeared in the 1966 Doctor Who story The Tenth Planet, the final story featuring the First Doctor. He played Glyn Williams, one of two astronauts on the Zeus IV when it conducted an orbital atmosphere survey mission. He was the first Black actor to portray an astronaut on any film or TV series in the world.

Mr Cameron was one of the first black performers to break into mainstream British entertainment.

The father of five, originally from Pembroke, lived in Warwickshire with Barbara, his second wife.

He was appointed a Commander of the British Empire in 2009 for his accomplishments, which included being the first black actor to star in a British feature film.

Mr Cameron’s career was launched in 1951 by the film Pool Of London, a classic thriller that was not shown in his home country.

It was the first British film to portray an interracial relationship.

Mr Cameron told The Royal Gazette in 2018: “To be honest, it didn’t strike me as breaking ground on the racial issue.

“Coming from Bermuda in 1939, which was a very racist island, the degree of racism in England didn’t surprise me. I had grown up with it.”

Mr Cameron arrived in London in 1939 after he joined the British Merchant Navy.

He said his acting career starting almost by accident.

He added: “When I arrived in London, I had no qualifications for anything.

“It was a period when it was almost impossible for a black person to get any kind of job.”

Mr Cameron went to see a friend in a show and, after he spotted some black actors in the cast, asked him if he could have a part.

Mr Cameron said: “He said no way. The show was cast but, strangely enough, three weeks later, he came by late one afternoon and said my big chance had come.”

“He said a guy on the show hadn’t shown up, it was the third time he had missed a matinee so the director said to get someone else.”

Mr Cameron made his debut in the chorus that night.

Mr Cameron returned to Bermuda after the Second World War.

But just five months later he was back on a ship, heading to New York and then to London, where he won a role as an understudy in Deep are the Roots — his first big break.

He starred with actors such as Sir Sean Connery, in the James Bond movie Thunderball, and with Sir Richard Attenborough, and Sir Sidney Poitier A Warm December.

The veteran actor was honoured again in 2012 when the City Hall Theatre was named after him, and in 2016 he was inducted into the UK’s Screen Nation Hall of Fame.

Missy faces the Meddling Monk, the Fifth Doctor travels solo, plus the Robots of Death return!

1 July 2020 admin Comments 0 Comment

July sees the release of a range of brand-new audio adventures from Big Finish. Here’s a roundup of what’s available to buy on CD and download this month.

Doctor Who Big Finish Audio Roundup July 2020

Missy is unleashed once again!

Missy… alone, unleashed and unfettered. What does she get up to when the Doctor isn’t around? Missy needs someone to show off to. But her temporal mischief attracts the wrong kind of attention. Infuriating children, a vacationing Sontaran and her own worst intentions will get in her way. And a Meddling Monk, out for revenge…

Order Missy Series 2 here

Toos and Poul return in The Robots!

Kaldor is going through a period of tumultuous change. Technology is advancing at an alarming rate – and with these changes so politics is altering too. Dangerously.

This second series features the return of two characters from 1977’s Doctor Who story, The Robots of Death, played by the original actors.

Order The Robots Volume 02 here

The Fifth Doctor’s going it alone

Separated from his companions, the Doctor attempts to find solace in the history of his favourite planet – Earth – but instead discovers new threats lying in wait. Travelling from twentieth-century East Berlin to sixteenth-century Strasbourg, the Doctor encounters creatures from other realities. But how long can he survive without a friend?

Order Time Apart here

The Doctor and Nyssa spiral into the dark

Siobhan Matthews’ ship has been installed with COMPANY, an AI that has stored personalities of Siobhan’s nearest and dearest. Siobhan has other guests today, they’re called the Doctor and Nyssa, but they’ve arrived at the worst possible time. Siobhan’s ship is spiralling towards something in the dark, and it’s hungry.

Order Downward Spiral here

All titles are initially available exclusively from the Big Finish website in July.