Greetings Faithful Reader and Welcome Once Again to Cosmic
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Greetings faithful reader and welcome A couple of decades ago, whilst still a once again to Cosmic Masque. student, I wrote an unsolicited submis- sion of a third Doctor novel for the BBC We’ve got some great stuff for you in Past Doctor range. Expecting a swift this issue including Neil Davies story rejection, I was delighted to receive a ‘Devil Woman’ which concludes what two page response clearly showing that began in ‘Reunion of The Rani’ last my book had been read and analysed issue. at length. There are features on Colourisation Encouraged, I reworked the idea as a and 3D as well as the second part of sixth Doctor script for the then nascent my feature on the Twitch marathon this Big Finish range (at a time when they time covering the Second Doctor. considered unsolicited manuscripts). Again, I received positive comments, We’ve also got an interview with The but it was felt that the story was un- Greatest Show In The Galaxy’s Flower workable due to various considerations Girl and our usual plethora of reviews including the number of characters. for you to devour. Sadly, real life took over and post- So sit back, put your feet up and delve degree I had to concentrate on working into this issue. Dickensian hours and gaining my ac- countancy qualifications. The career Enjoy! took over and life became the mundan- ity of work and sleep and eating chips. Rik Writing was put on hold indefinitely as mortgages and family took hold. Then Russell T. Davies gave Doctor Who back to the masses, enthralling Published by The Doctor Who Appreciation Society the UK (and beyond) including my twin P O Box 1011, Horsham, RH10 9RZ, UK children. My son in particular was a reluctant reader but then became a Editor: Rik Moran voracious consumer of my old Target Fiction Editor: Steven Hatcher books despite access to every DVD of Layout: Paul Winter the classic series. I was continually Front cover: Marshall Tankersley surprised at the lack of novelisations of Rear cover: Ian Fraser new Who. I firmly believed that despite this day and age of endless satellite www.dwasonline.co.uk repeats, readily available DVDs and email: [email protected] omnipresent internet streaming, there is still a market for novelisations. All content is (c) DWAS/contributor. Doctor Who is (c) BBC 1963, 2019, no copyright infringement intended I therefore set about writing my own novelisation of “Doctor Who – Rose”, 1 2 initially to encourage my 10 year old sell’s genius shines through his prose, – 1st trip in the TARDIS son to read. and his renowned characterisation is • Chapter 7: The Wheel of Fortune expanded as he makes the reader privy – The London Eye My biased, undiscerning son egged me to characters’ innermost thoughts. • Chapter 8: The Creature from on to submit it to BBC Books. This However, I was pleased to see a refer- the Pit – Below the Eye: the time, I did get the standard rejection ence to a certain New Year encounter Nestene Lair letter stating that I should use a Writers’ with the tenth Doctor (which was the • Chapter 9: Terror of the Autons – Agency and submit to various publish- basis for my entire prologue) and an Mannequin mayhem ers, completely missing the point that I expanded scene in Clive’s shed. • Epilogue: The Human Factor – was working with their copyrighted ma- The Doctor’s pursuit of Rose terials. Russell T Davies stated in DWM that he barely referred to the television seri- Excerpts from My Novelisation: Subsequently, I added to the manu- al whilst writing the book. I suspect that Clive’s Shed script after Russell T. Davies revealed he knocked it out over a short period additional scenes in Doctor Who Maga- although you cannot tell from the bril- zine’s Fact of Fiction article on “Rose”. liance of the end product. I am abso- At the bottom of a small, tidy garden stood the I sent the amended book to DWM for lutely certain that he did not agonise shed. The plot had a little patch of lawn with a possible serialisation but received no over every word over a two year gesta- path running down one side. The grass was response – in truth, fiction was never a tion period as was the wont of this hack littered with a blue mini seesaw, a skateboard good fit with DWM, so the silence was author. and a yellow spacehopper. Flowerbeds ran not unexpected. alongside the bordering fences, lush with I am proud of my version of “Rose” greenery, the occasional spring bloom giving My version of “Rose” had one final life which will never see the light of day the odd splash of colour. when Candy Jar Books had an open other than in my son’s bedroom. The path terminated at a metal door into a submissions period for their Lethbridge- Noone will see my cheeky reference to small but impressive, pebble-dashed outhouse. Stewart range and requested a finished the Moment, nor my inclusion of the Clive’s garage had long since lost the ability to sample of work. I was delighted to re- “Do you wanna come with me?” fireball house a car; it was now taken over completely ceive a glowing reply from range editor, that they could not pass on the manu- trailer from the Nestene lair. I attach by his obsession. Andy Frankham-Allen, describing the script for copyright reasons – apparent- below a couple of excerpts giving my The only concession to its former use was a book as “well written”. The novel had ly, there were legal concerns that my version of Clive’s shed scene and an bicycle hanging down from the corrugated ceil- clearly been read as I received some work based on his work could result in epilogue showing the Doctor’s pursuit ing. A naked lightbulb illuminated cluttered very useful feedback around dialogue plagiarism! The World is quite clearly of Rose. Additionally, I was very happy surfaces around the edges and worktops in the and the action identifying the speaker. mad. with my fan-pleasing chapter structure: middle covered with books and folders. One Excitingly, I also received writer’s wall was hidden by metal shelving racks hous- guidelines for the Lethbridge-Stewart Once the official version of “Rose” was • Prologue: Full Circle – Rose’s ing countless files and additional folders. range. However, sadly my subsequent published, I attended the signing event encounter with the 10th Doctor Clive made his way over to the shelving with storyline did not receive a response, at Forbidden Planet in Shaftesbury Av- on New Year’s Eve Rose trailing in his wake. ‘A lot of this stuff’s although I suspect Candy Jar were in- enue intending to thank Russell per- quite sensitive,’ he said earnestly. ‘I couldn’t just send it to you. People might intercept. If undated with submissions. sonally. Working in Kent, I arrived half • Chapter 1: The Invisible Enemy an hour after the signing session had – The Nestene Consciousness you know what I mean,’ he added conspiratori- And then came the news that Target started only to be told by staff that they hanging in space ally. Books were to relaunch. Not surpris- had been surprised by numbers of at- ‘How do you know I’m not one of those • Chapter 2: An Earthly Child – “people”?’ she asked mischievously. ingly, “Rose” was chosen as one of the tendees and I was refused entry. I Introduction to Rose up to her ‘You say you’ve seen him,’ Clive replied. ‘The initial titles. I immediately sent my ver- gave the rather baffled member of staff initial encounter: “Run” sion to Russell T. Davies via his agent a copy of my manuscript and covering Doctor, and the blue box. Was he carrying • Chapter 3: Inferno – Blowing up in the vain hope that anything of my letter for Russell, which quite possibly anything, a device, or…?’ He left the question Henrik’s hack attempt would be of interest was consigned to the nearest ‘round hanging. (gratis natch). The agency stated that file’. • Chapter 4: The Hand of Fear – ‘He’s got this sort of metal tube thing,’ con- they would pass on my comments The autonomous Auton arm firmed Rose. ‘It sort of…chirps.’ Clive closed where I had thanked Russell for giving I later purchased the new Target books • Chapter 5: Doctor Who? – his eyes and exhaled, blissful at the affirmation. “Doctor Who” back to my children, but from Amazon. Not unexpectedly, Rus- Clive’s shed ‘Did I pass the test?’ she asked. • Chapter 6: Inside the Spaceship ‘Absolutely,’ grinned Clive. He riffled through 3 4 the shelving pulling down cardboard folders community. There are different forums all in- ‘What?!’ Rose exclaimed incredulously, now pol Officer in Seville.’ from between box files and A4 ring binders. He terested in similar areas – conspiracy theorists, utterly convinced of Clive’s insanity. She had ‘Oh, he’s multinational is he?’ asked Rose, splayed the contents across the central work- government and military cover ups – that sort satisfied herself that he was amiable enough, keeping up the pretence. tops for Rose to peruse. ‘You see, if you dig of thing. Most of the photographs are security but that didn’t stop him being unhinged. ‘Oh, yes. I believe he’s some kind of trouble- deep enough,’ Clive continued, ‘and keep a stills taken from CCTV cameras. I found one Frantically, Clive played his final gambit. ‘The shooter who’ll save the whole planet wherever lively mind, then this “Doctor” keeps cropping very useful contact – although I couldn’t help Doctor isn’t just a code name to the United there’s danger.’ As Clive looked down at his up, all over the place.