The Doctor Who Appreciation Society has announced The Terrance Dicks Award For Writers, in memory of the much-loved, and highly influential, writer who passed away in 2019.
The award will recognise those whose writing across screen, audio, book and magazine have contributed to, and enhanced, the worlds of Doctor Who. The inaugural award, which is in the bequest of the Society Executive, will be presented by Elsa Dicks, Terrance’s wife, at the sold out Capitol convention being staged at the Crowne Plaza, London-Gatwick across the weekend of 2nd – 3rd April 2022.
Terrance Dicks captured the imagination of a generation of children and young adults, many of whom are at the forefront of modern television, including actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, producer and novelist Mark Gatiss.
“It’s very hard to express what Terrance Dicks meant to a whole generation,” he says. “A brilliant TV professional, a funny and generous soul. Most of all, though, an inspirational writer who took so many of us on unforgettable journeys into space and time.”
“Terrance was adored by fans across the world as well as being a great friend of the Society,” commented Tony Jordan, organiser of Capitol. “In 2010, he received the Society’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to Doctor Who‘ Award, and it’s lovely to now have an Award in his venerable name. Never was anyone more deserving.”
“The hallmark of Terrance’s writing was his simple dramatic story-telling,” says Elsa Dicks, Terrance’s wife. “No sentences full of long words, adjectives and flourishes. He was his own critic, re-reading what he had written and paring it back if needed. He would say if you want to be a writer, be a reader first, The books you enjoy will colour your writing.”
The award itself is a statue of The Master, as portrayed by Roger Delgado, that has been crafted by Gary Glover of Mooncrest Models. The character is
Terrance’s most famous creation, and continues to feature in Doctor Who half a century after his first appearance in the Jon Pertwee story Terror
of the Autons.
Guests at Capitol include writers Paul Cornell, Gary Russell, Eric Saward, Robert Shearman and Stephen Wyatt, alongside actors such as Carole Ann Ford (Susan) Katy Manning (Jo Grant) and Peter Purves (Steven Taylor).
The Doctor Who Appreciation Society was founded in 1976 and is the oldest Doctor Who fan club in the world. You can find them online at www.dwasonline.co.uk
• In Memoriam: Colin Brake pays tribute to fellow Script Editor Terrance Dicks
• In Memoriam: Doctor Who Script Editor and Novelist Terrance Dicks by Tim Robins
• In Review: The Essential Terrance Dicks – review by Russell Cook
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Doctor Who, downthetubes News, Events, Other Worlds, Television
Related Articles
-
downthetubes NewsRound: Alan Moore in Brazil, Dave Dorman art book, Dudley D. Watkins rediscovered, and a Doctor Who comic strip gem!
-
Bath Children’s Literature Festival offers comics fun and Doctor Who night as just part of its lineup
-
International Association of Media Tie-In Writers’ 2024 Scribe Award winners announced
-
Lakes International Comic Art Festival full guest line-up revealed, Opening Night “Avengers – Uncivil War” tickets on sale now