BBC Books Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Version 3.0

The BBC Books FAQ is the second of three "Books" FAQs.
This FAQ was scribed by Richard Prekodravac (sgloomi@zip.com.au)

This FAQ is located at the following Web Sites:

Chuck Foster's place

Nitro-9

Broadsword
http://www.broadsword.org
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Contents:
~~~~~~~~~
1. General Questions.
   (a) How did the BBC get to do the Doctor Who books?
   (b) What are the 'series' titles of the books?

2. About the series.
   (a) Are there new companions? Who are they?
   (b) What novels have been released?
   (c) What novels are scheduled to be released?

3. For pedants.
   (a) I heard that none of the covers will be permitted to have a
picture of Paul McGann!
   (b) And an answer to why!

4. Virgin Characters.
   (a) Can I write a book with Benny...?
   (b) But what about continuity?

5. So you want to be an author.
   (a) Can I write for the series?
   (b) What should my submission include?
   (c) Where can I send my submission?
   (d) Can I email my submission?
   (e) Where can I get a copy of the BBC Guidelines for Prospective
Authors?
   (f) Where can I get a copy of Sam Jones Guidelines?
__________________________________________________________________________
Section One: General Questions.

***How did the BBC get to do the Doctor Who books?***

In May of 1996 the BBC Books denied Virgin Publishing their licence to
publish Doctor Who fiction. In April/May of 1997 the last of the Virgin
Doctor Who adventures appeared, and in the following month the BBC Books
began their fiction series with 'The Eight Doctors' by Terrance Dicks and
'The Devil Goblins from Neptune' by Keith Topping and Martin Day. 

***Will the books have a series title?***

Unlike Virgin's New and Missing Adventures the BBC Books will not have a
series title. However some people in fandom refer to the books using the
titles "The eighth Doctor books" and "The past Doctor books" (credited to
Shannon Patrick Sullivan).
__________________________________________________________________________
Section Two: About the series.

***Are there new companions? Who are they?***

Samantha Jones a 17 year old natural rebel from the Coal Hill school area
will be joining the eighth Doctor in the first novel of the BBC series,
"The Eight Doctors" by Terrance Dicks.

***What novels have been released?***

This section refers to novels released in the UK.

eighth Doctor Books

'The Eight Doctors' by Terrance Dicks.
'Vampire Science' by Jonathon Blum and Kate Orman.
'The Bodysnatchers' by Mark Morris
'Genocide' by Paul Leonard
'War of the Daleks' by John Peel

Past Doctor Books

'The Devil Goblins from Neptune' by Keith Topping and Martin Day 
                                 (3rd Doctor and Liz)
'The Murder Game' by Steve Lyons
                                 (2nd Doctor, Ben, Polly)
'The Ultimate Treasure' by Christopher Bulis
                                 (5th Doctor and Peri)
'Business Unusual' by Gary Russell
                                 (6th Doctor and Mel)
'Illegal Alien' by Mike Tucker and Robert Perry
                                 (7th Doctor and Ace)

***What novels are scheduled to be released?***

eighth Doctor books

'Alien Bodies' by Lawrence Miles
'Kursaal' by Peter Anghelides
'Option Lock' by Justin Richards
'The Longest Day' by Mike Collier
'Legacy Of The Daleks' by John Peel
'Dreamstone Moon' by Paul Leonard
'Seeing I' by Jonathan Blum and Kate Orman
'Placebo Effect' by Gary Russell
'Vanderdeken's Children' by Christopher Bulis

past Doctor books

'The Roundheads' by Marc Gatiss (2nd Doctor, Ben, Polly, Jamie)
'The Face Of The Enemy' by David A. McIntee (UNIT)
'Eye Of Heaven' by Jim Mortimore (4th Doctor, Leela)
'The Witch Hunters' by Steve Lyons (1st Doctor, Susan, Ian, Barbara)
'The Hollow Men' by Martin Day and Keith Topping (7th Doctor, Ace)
'Catastrophea' by Terrance Dicks (3rd Doctor, Jo)
'Mission Impractical' by David A. McIntee (6th Doctor, Frobisher)

short fiction
'Short Trips' edited by Stephen Cole

__________________________________________________________________________
Section Three: For pedants.

***I heard that none of the covers will be permitted to have a picture of
Paul McGann!***

You heard right. None of the covers will be permitted to have a picture
of Paul McGann on the front cover.

***And an answer to why!***

According to Rebecca Levene the BBC have a signed contract with Paul
McGann including the uses of Paul's 'image'. Virgin Publishing had no
such contract and therefore could use Paul's image on the cover of 'The
Dying Days'.

__________________________________________________________________________
Section Four: Virgin Characters.

***Can I write a book with Benny...?***

Not really no. BBC Books prefer you didn't so effectively no.

***But what about continuity?***

Well it will be lots of fun as the writers walk on egg shells around the
continuity established in the New and Missing Adventures. "Business
Unusual" for example, will not contradict what was written in "Millenial
Rites".
However authors such as John Peel couldn't care less and will do and has
done whatever he likes.

__________________________________________________________________________
Section Five: So you want to be an author.

***Can I write for the series?***

You may send your unsolicited manuscripts to BBC Books through the post
only.

***What should my submission include?***

Your submission needs to be printed. Details can be found in the BBC
Guidelines for Prospective Authors.
A sysnopsis (less than 4000 words), and a sample chapter.
James Bow informs me that a query letter is greatly appreciated by the
BBC before sending your submission. James suggested: "a one page query
letter, basically saying "we have this story idea, it features x with the
y and this stuff happens, are you interested in seeing it?""

***Where can I send my submission?***

   Doctor Who Books
   A3008
   Woodlands
   80 Wood Lane
   London
   W12 OTT
   UK

***Can I email my submission?***

Your submission needs to be printed. Do not email your submission.

***Where can I get a copy of the BBC Guidelines for Prospective
Authors?***

By contacting BBC Books directly:

   Doctor Who Books
   A3008
   Woodlands
   80 Wood Lane
   London
   W12 OTT
   UK

or e-mail:
   doctorwho.books@bbc.co.uk

Nitro-9 and the Broadsword web site each have a copy of the guidelines.

***Where can I get a copy of Sam Jones Guidelines?***

as above details
__________________________________________________________________________

Thanx to the following: Shannon Patrick Sullivan, Siobahn "Shabang"
Morgan, Paul Rhodes, James Bow, Martin Day, Gary Russell.