Doctor Who: “Eddie Izzard cast as the 12th Doctor…”

Finally, someone older and sheer comic genius is chosen for the iconic lead role of England’s long-running scifi hit series, Doctor Who.  Unfortunately, Steven Moffat and the gang at the Beeb had a hard time keeping it under wraps (or, as Alex Kingston would say, Spoilers!).  It was leaked yesterday, and the regeneration script is dynamite! For a while such names as Paterson Joseph, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Simon Amstell, Benedict Cumberbatch, Russell Brand, Chiwetel Eliojor, and Jenna Louise Coleman were among the hopefuls tossed out there.

izzard-timelord

Matt Smith, who has played the role of the 11th Doctor for 4 years, will step down this Christmas and hand the TARDIS keys to 51 year old Eddie Izzard (best known for his comedic roles).  Apparently, Izzard has wanted to play the Time Lord ever since the show was relaunched back in 2005; Tom Baker even hinted that Izzard would be perfect for the role.  Moffat, however, is uncertain about his own future with the show — there are rumors flying around that the BBC is looking for fresh blood in the production department, and Mark Gatiss or Toby Whithouse would be good successors — and he may only stay on for one season of shooting for the Izzard incarnation before moving on.  Doctor Who resumes production next year, and the 12th Doctor returns to television screens in Fall 2014.

OG’s Speculative Fiction #25, Summer 2010… (appearances)

You can now find my 400th publishing credit in the webzine/free PDF Download/Lulu Magazine… OG’s Speculative Fiction, edited on a monthly to bimonthly basis by Seth Crossman.  Issue #25.  It wasn’t that long ago that I graced the pages of Issue #23.  This issue has wonderful artwork, a supernova or planet burning up, I believe.  You can download the issue in PDF format direct to your computers.  Other fiction and poetry in this issue includes a story by Desmond Warzel.  This is my third time at the long-running “Opinion Guy.”

OG’s SPECULATIVE FICTION #25 – The Opinion Guy

Lawrence Dagstine – PDF Download – 3rd Appearance

Also check out my last issue…

 

Main Homepage:

www.theopinionguy.com

http://theopinionguy.com/2010/07/ogs-speculative-fiction-issue-25/

Previous Issues w. Lawrence Dagstine:

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2010/03/25/ogs-speculative-fiction-march-2010-2nd-acceptances/

 

Other New Entries: “Magazines”

OG’s Speculative Fiction, Mid-Late 2010… (3rd Acceptance!)

A couple of weeks ago I grabbed my third acceptance to the long running speculative fiction/science fiction magazine on the Web — available as a free PDF Download to read and eventually purchase on LULU as a magazine for cons — The Opinion Guy (aka OG’s Speculative Fiction).  This would be my second acceptance in one year to them, and they’ve featured some very talented and familiar names in the science fiction arena.  Both short stories and poetry.  Matter of fact, this third credit comes right after my 2nd, and bolstered me up to the 400 credit mark.  Editor is Seth Crossman, and he also provides an Internet site full of informative articles.

 

Lawrence Dagstine RETURNS to OG’s Speculative Fiction

Third Acceptance – Click on the link(s) for some free reading in PDF format

MAIN HOMEPAGE:

www.theopinionguy.com

Previous Dagstine Stories:

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2010/03/25/ogs-speculative-fiction-march-2010-2nd-acceptances/

Other New Entries: “Magazines”

M-Brane SF #17, June-July 2010… (Now Available!)

It’s finally summer, folks, and I’m back for what is my third appearance with a weird SF/alternate history tale of sorts to M-BRANE SF.  Edited by Christopher Fletcher, M-Brane Scifi is not just an electronic monthly, a speculative magazine dedicated to the pulps. It’s available in PDF format for  only $1.00 per issue ($12.00 annually); you can download it to your Amazon Kindles and other e-readers.  Christopher Fletcher also provides a daily blog site, complete with news, reviews, and insight on subjects of science fiction and science fact.  Hard SF, Sociological SF, Space Opera, Cyberpunk, Alternate History, authors new and old can all be found at M-BRANE SF. 

M-BRANE SF – Third Appearance – Early Summer 2010

Issue #17 – Edited by Christopher Fletcher

featuring Lawrence R. Dagstine

 

ORDER THE PDF MAGAZINE w. LAWRENCE DAGSTINE – Only $1.00

www.mbranesf.blogspot.com

Issue Line-up: Edd Howarth, Aaron Polson, Lawrence Dagstine, Jason Sizemore, Joe Jablonski, Charles A. Muir, Margaret Karmazin.

Previous Issues available as compilation print mags on LULU (www.lulu.com)

 

 M-Brane SF Issue #9 — October 2009

M-Brane SF – Issue #2 — March 2009

 

Other New Entries: “Magazines” – PDF Downloads

M-Brane Science Fiction, Summer 2010… (3rd Acceptance!)

In about a month or so I’ll be returning for a third time with a weird SF/alternate history tale of sorts to M-BRANE SF.  Edited by Christopher Fletcher, M-Brane Science Fiction is not just a monthly, speculative magazine dedicated to the pulps in PDF format.  It’s also only $1.00 per electronic issue ($12.00 per year), and you can download it to your Amazon Kindles and other digital readers.  Christopher Fletcher provides a daily blog site, complete with hardcore news, reviews, and insight on subjects of science fiction and science fact.  Hard SF, Sociological SF, Cyberpunk, Alternate History, authors new and old can all be found at M-BRANE SF.  A LULU version is also offered, I believe.

M-BRANE SF – Third Acceptance (summer 2010)

COMING SOON – SO STAY TUNED!

www.mbranesf.blogspot.com

Other New Entries: “Magazines”

The Random Eye, Volume #2… (2010 Edition!)

The 2010 edition of The Random Eye is now up — an annual e-Zine dedicated to alternatives, communication that breaks the mold, universes or altiverses that are parallel in nature, and where, for the new decade, tea is the ongoing theme.  Edited by Melissa Jones, The Random Eye is also The Random Radio.  Published annually.  Come, click, and have a cup.

The Random Eye, Volume #2

MAIN HOMEPAGE:

http://therandomeye.atspace.com/index.html

THE RANDOM EYE on TWITTER:

http://twitter.com/therandomeye

FREE FICTION – THEME: TEA…

http://therandomeye.atspace.com/thegirlwhodreamtportals.html

Other New Entries: “Magazines”

The Next Time: Alternate Reality-Time Traveling Anthology…

 

Now Available on Amazon – 298 Pages, Only $11.95; featuring Lawrence Dagstine!

THE NEXT TIME: Anthology of Alternate Reality/Time Travel

Edited by Chris Bartholomew – Now Available!

The Next Time Anthology by Lame Goat Press

Order your copy today — I’m in it:

https://www.createspace.com/Customer/EStore.do?id=3424257

ISBN/EAN13: 1450519180 / 9781450519182

Author Line-Up: John C. Mannone, Mark Wolf, James P. Wagner, Shells Walter, Lawrence R. Dagstine, Kristin Aune, Kyle Hemmings, Ralph Greco, Pete Carter, Deborah Walker, Albert Melear, Sam S. Kepfield, John F. D. Taff, Lawrence Barker, Terence Kuch, Jo Thomas, Andrew Males, Edward A. Rodosek, David C. Pinnt, Michael C. Pennington, R.H. Reese, Christopher Jacobsmeyer, Joseph Carfagno, Sean Monaghan, John X. Grey, Mark Robinson, Jamie K. Schmidt, and Ken Head.

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

Nova Science Fiction, Spring 2010… (Eight Acceptances!)

My 7th and 8th acceptances to the long-running print mag, NOVA Science Fiction, will be coming your way next year between Issues #25 and #26.  However, now that NOVA is going into its eleventh year and looking to thicken its pages and increase their circulation(s), I might have two stories in one issue again.  Previous issues would be No. #24.  Yes, I’m in it.  Stay tuned in 2010 for a Dr. Who convention with NOVA SF in the dealer’s area (and a lot of famous Brits), and a time traveling story of mine within their pages.

NOVA SCIENCE FICTION – Late Spring 2010

Issues #25 to #26 – Going into its 11th Year!

SUBSCRIBE NOW – SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

www.novascifi.com

RECENT ISSUES – RECENT ENTRIES – DR. WHO CONVENTION INFO:

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2009/11/20/nova-science-fiction-24-november-2009-now-available/

NOVA_24_Small

Submit Material Via Snail Mail:

NOVA Science Fiction

17983 Paseo Del Sol

Chino Hills, CA 91709

Other New Entries: “Magazines”

The Random Eye, Volume #2; 2010… (coming soon!)

For the second year in a row, I’ll be appearing in the annual eZine, The Random Eye. The Random Eye is about parallel universes, alternate history, alternative fiction, and stories which break the boundaries of communication.  Edited by Melissa Jones, the Random Eye is also The Random Radio.  My second acceptance is coming in early 2010, Volume #2.  It can best be described as a weird tale with a dash of steampunk, a dash of the historical, part fairy tale and part science fiction.  Oh yeah, and the 2010 theme is… TEA!

By the way, they’re still actively seeking fiction until January 2010.

THE RANDOM EYE: An eZine Dedicated to Alternatives

a.k.a. THE RANDOM RADIO

The Random Eye

SUBMIT OR READ IN JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010:

http://therandomeye.atspace.com/index.html

Follow The Random Eye on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/therandomeye

2010 story theme: tea

Other New Entries: “Magazines”

Nova Science Fiction #24, November 2009… (Now Available!)

I’m pleased to announce that the 24th issue of NOVA SF is now available.  Ten years publishing! This would mark my fifth appearance with the Hard SF and Christian SF publication.  I’ll have another story with them sometime in late spring 2010.  According to the recent Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market, the circulation has gone up a little.  Let’s see if we can increase that again this year.  You can also subscribe via Paypal.  Published semi-annually, NOVA SF is edited by Wesley Kawato.  It also appears he’ll have a dealer’s table at a very famous Doctor Who Convention in Los Angeles, CA in February.  GALLIFREY 2010/Gallifrey One: http://www.gallifreyone.com/

It’s the Biggest Dr. Who Convention in the United States and NOVA SF will be there!

DETAILS: http://www.gallifreyone.com/dealers.php

Fellow Satirica Author, Bill Housley, is also in this issue:

NOVA SCIENCE FICTION – Issue #24

Autumn 2009 – Ten Years Running!

NOVA_24_Big

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES or SUBSCRIBE:

www.novascifi.com

SNAIL MAIL SUBMISSIONS ONLY!

NOVA SF Banner

PREVIOUS ISSUES FEATURING LAWRENCE DAGSTINE:

NOVA_24_Small

Other New Entries: “Magazines”

 

Doctor Who: Paterson Joseph Replaces Matt Smith…?

No press releases, no nothing…  Everything is all very “hush-hush” since the news regarding the Doctor’s new companion for 2010 (Karen Gillan), who could pass for a younger Professor Riversong might I add.  However, there is nothing to quell these rumors at the moment… Only that Paterson Joseph may have replaced Matt Smith (or maybe the English actor was always in the driver’s seat to begin with).  Then there’s this photograph below.  What is Doctor Who writer Stephen Moffat planning? 

Paterson Joseph

Official BBC Doctor Who Homepage:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/

Supposedly Tennant already filmed the regeneration sequence.  I’ve seen the pics where he’s in a lot of pain, staggering, and a pre-2004 Billie Piper — yes, she returns for the two-part Christmas finale — along with her mother Jackie, bump into the soon-to-regenerate David Tennant.  Tennant encounters Ood Sigma at one point (again!), but it is unknown whether he makes it back to his TARDIS alone or not (according to Russell T. Davies, alone, because back in 2004 Rose Tyler would not have known the Doctor.  It’s said, however, that the ending is both a “surprise” and a real “tearjerker”. 

But how do you explain these sudden rumors of Matt Smith being replaced, and the Paterson Joseph pic? No recent photographs of Smith in his new Time Lord outfit at the very least? Nothing else leaked? Or is the pic above really bogus?

Previous Doctor Who links (related to Matt Smith):

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2009/01/05/doctor-who-matt-smith-is-not-the-eleventh-doctor/

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2009/03/16/doctor-who-series-five-monsters/

 

Aoife’s Kiss #29, June 2009… (Now Available!)

I have a “weird fiction” story in the current print edition of Aoife’s Kiss.  June 2009 — Issue #29.  8th Anniversary Edition.  Published quarterly by Sam’s Dot Publishing.  Other  talented muses include Mercurio D. Rivera, Karen L. Newman, Bruce Boston and Marge Simon.  Be sure to pick up a copy; it’s a pretty thick issue.  Good stories, too.  Available through The Genre Mall and various cons.

AOIFE’S KISS #29 – June 2009

* 8th Anniversary Issue *

Aoife's Kiss #29 - June 2009 issue

Aoife's Kiss #29 - June 2009 issue

ORDER BELOW (from The Genre Mall):

 http://www.genremall.com/zinesr.htm#aoife

Sam’s Dot Publishing – Aoife’s Kiss:

http://www.samsdotpublishing.com/aoife/main.htm

Fiction and Poetry by: Carol Hightshoe, Luvia Swanson, Matthew Keville, Michael John Grist, Selina Rosen, Matthew Johnson, Lawrence R. Dagstine, Melissa Mead, Michael Swaim, Mark Allan Gunnells, Mercurio D. Rivera, Jason Palmer, Lee Clark Zumpe, David Kopaska-Merkel, Elissa Malcohn, Jason D. Wittman, Bruce Boston, Marge Simon, Karen L. Newman, Shelly Bryant, Neal Wilgus, Sarah Wagner, Scott Virtes, Angel Favazza, Viridion Girl, Lubov, and Garrett Dechellis.

Other New Entries: “Magazines”

Doctor Who: Series Five Monsters…

New Monsters! It’s about time… Hmm, am I making any sense? I don’t know, I might not make any sense ever again.  Fanboy-ism aside, and as a science fiction writer to boot, I’m here today to declare my love yet again for one of the longest running shows in TV history.  That’s right — Doctor Who! Torchwood would probably come in second or third for me.  And, as we all know, David Tennant regenerates after this year and becomes The Eleventh Doctor.  This role will go to the then 27-year old Matt Smith. 

regeneration_stunt

Now I will admit, at first I wasn’t too keen on the idea of Smith taking over the role; I had fingers crossed for Paterson Joseph, Adrian Lester, or even Colin Salmon.  But I guess it’s only right that we give the boy a chance.  After all, Stephen Moffat is a remarkable writer and it’s as if he were born to lead such a fantastic show.  Also, Matt Smith promises to bring a lot to the role as the Doctor — retracing the 70’s show model, Matt and Stephen? — and you know these newbies, one night they’re nobody, the next they’re a guaranteed success and eating the pie from the Actor’s Guild.  Matt Smith you have my attention.  I will give you a chance, I promise.  But what adversaries will you face? What monsters will you go up against? What surprises does Moffat have in store for us in 2010?

Official BBC Doctor Who Homepage:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/

I know the one monster I don’t want to see anymore is The Daleks — NO MORE! They’ve been done to death.  Russell T. Davies abused them enough, I think.  I love the Cybermen, don’t get me wrong… but please exit right.  And it’s safe to bet that the Sontarans were just a “one-time” gig.   I want monsters that harken back to the Baker years.  Or they should be, at the very least, considered.

matt-smith-doctor-who-1

I have read rumors (and they are only that), that the “Weeping Angels” will be making their return.  I’ve seen The Sea Devils being tossed about the Net.  The Troclafane were mentioned on one “source” forum, but I hope they weren’t serious.  And like the Sea Devils, my money is on the Ice Warriors all the way! I wouldn’t be surprised if they are a major villain in Series Five. 

There are so many monsters that haven’t returned, that should.  I mean, what about the Nimon? These were Minotaur-like monsters who could shoot you down with their horns.  In the insect department, you have the Wirrn, who are most memorable from Baker’s second story, The Ark in Space.   A Horror of Fang Rock-like story involving the Rutans would be kind of interesting.  Or how about using CGI to remake The Gravis and a new sort of Tractator? Perhaps The Zarbi? No, even better, how about the Rani?

nimon

As I get ready for PLANET OF THE DEAD, I wonder what surprises are in store for Matt Smith.  And us… 

What monsters do YOU want to see return to Doctor Who? Would you like to cast a vote?

Come, take a Doctor Who poll with me…

For another Matt Smith/Doctor Who related poll, go here:

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2009/01/05/doctor-who-matt-smith-is-not-the-eleventh-doctor/ 

Like monsters? Then read my latest collection, FRESH BLOOD.  There’s plenty to be had there, in PG-13 color:

https://lawrencedagstine.com/books-anthos/ 

 

Cheers,

Lawrence R. Dagstine

Doctor Who: Matt Smith is NOT the Eleventh Doctor…

No, it has to be a PR stunt as Russell T. Davies leaves the show and Stephen Moffat takes over.  It’s a terrible lie, I tell you! No, the next doctor is not some goth kid who just “happens” to look like Peter Davison and Beethoven.  Are they blowing the series like John Nathan Turner did back in the 80’s with Colin Baker and Sylvestor McCoy, just blowing it right the hell off television for good? Did they just choose him because his hair was “cool”? Who knows.  All I know is that I would have preferred a much older actor — not a “companion” as the Doctor; they might as well have gone with Radcliffe now — maybe a black actor.  Colin Salmon, Paterson Joseph, or even Adrian Lester! As a science fiction writer myself, I would have even bargained for Morrissey, Nesbitt, or Sean Pertwee.  But who is Matt Smith? Well, if you look at the picture below, that’s him.

Matt Smith... The Eleventh Doctor

Matt Smith... The Eleventh Doctor

 Official BBC Doctor Who Homepage:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/

He was just introduced the other day on Doctor Who Confidential, and it appears that this man is the Doctor my son will most likely grow up to.  And while I am a fan of “young” doctors (Peter Davison is by far my all-time favorite), and while I have faith in Moffat’s writings, I just don’t particularly like the wild card choice he made with some no-name talent;  Smith also has a few unmemorable shows behind him.  Matter of fact, Moffat and Paul Cornell’s writing in particular are some of the BEST! But Matt Smith doesn’t remind me of a Time Lord.  Sorry.  OK, so maybe I am jumping the gun.  I’ve been to Outpost Gallifrey, Den of Geek, and every other website and forum in-between hoping the news was really just a big old PR stunt — praying that Paterson Joseph walks through the TARDIS door and says in 2010… SURPRISE!!! But at the age of 40, Tom Baker was relatively a no-name actor with only a few creds to his name… look at what he accomplished.  Peter Davison was, at one time, the youngest Doctor to take on the role.  He was fantastic, too, but he had a hit series like All Creatures Great and Small behind him.  Acting experience! Maybe the scripts will make the difference here, not so much the “hairstyle”.  Because this, to me, seems like why they chose him.  That and his odd finger mannerisms.  I guess we have to watch and see, eh? I mean, David Tennant made the part all his own in one season.  He grew on us.  But how long will Matt Smith last as The Eleventh Doctor? Will he even be any good? What are some of your thoughts on Matt Smith (aka Doctor Number 11)?

Matt Smith promo shot

Matt Smith promo shot

A while back I held a few Doctor Who fan polls, where you could vote for your favorite Time Lord and so on.  This time I have TWO POLLS… Both dedicated to Matt Smith…

Come, take TWO different DOCTOR WHO polls with me…

 Cheers.

 Links to PREVIOUS Doctor Who polls:

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2008/11/12/doctor-who-and-the-eleventh-doctor-is/

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2008/10/30/doctor-who-david-tennant-says-goodbye/

The Random Eye, An Ezine Dedicated to Alternatives…

I’ll have a story appearing soon in a new and interesting ezine called THE RANDOM EYE.  Published Annually, they seem to accept work which is dark and speculative, but borders on the alternative, parallel (like universes), and the overall bizarre.  More than just “weird fiction”.  Be sure to check them out.

THE RANDOM EYE

An E-Anthology Dedicated to Alternatives

randomeye1

http://therandomeye.says.it

From their homepage: The Random Eye is a yearly anthology of horror and speculative fiction that focuses on the possibilities of parallel universes. Have you ever wondered what would happen if Rob Zombie became president, or if the Titanic was used for space travel, or if television was invented for communicating with the dead rather than entertainment? The Random Eye takes a simple theme for each anthology and encourages authors to imagine an existence far removed from our own, where a myriad alternate universes reside and where these strange possibilities exist.

Other New Entries: “Magazines”

Doctor Who: And The Eleventh Doctor Is…

…Well, not quite yet.  But the fans are really going at it (and so are the Internet forums) over WHO will be the eleventh actor — or actress — to play the role of scifi’s beloved time traveler.  Stephen Moffat takes over the show come 2010 for Series Five.  But the question still remains: who can fill Tennant’s shoes and do one up? Who can be a better Doctor now, since the show was revived in 2005, and keep the series going as strong and dynamic as ever before?

Two weeks ago I received word that Tennant was going to retire from the show.  His final stories would lead up to Christmas 2009’s special, The Next Doctor.  And boy, will there be a regeneration.  But Daniel Radcliffe, Russell Tovay, Paterson Joseph, and many other very young names are among the possible contenders to succeed him! You know, I like my Doctors a bit older than my companions.  Stephen Moffat has worked alongside fine actors such as James Nesbitt (but he denies any rumors of the part).  I first blogged about it here (I also ran a favorite Doctor poll):

DOCTOR WHO: DAVID TENNANT SAYS GOODBYE…

https://lawrencedagstine.com/2008/10/30/doctor-who-david-tennant-says-goodbye/

Doctor Who Official Homepage:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/

So who do you think should be the next Doctor? Better yet, who deserves to be the next Doctor Who? I’ve composed a new poll of 11 names.  Eleven names for eleven possible, and rumored, Doctors.  Also, I’ve added two additional choices: “None of the Above” and “Cast an Unknown”, to even things out a bit, because I realize that being a Doctor calls for a pretty big list.  Please vote below!

 Come, take a DOCTOR WHO poll with me…

 

Doctor Who: David Tennant Says Goodbye…

Wow, I am DEEPLY saddened.  Today I heard the news that David Tennant, the actor who plays the role of science fiction’s beloved time traveler, The Doctor, is leaving the series at the end of 2009.  You know, with Russell T. Davies and Julie Gardner exiting, I wasn’t at all surprised.  Four years is a fantastic run in my opinion. There were some great episodes.  David Tennant easily became one of my three favorite doctors since I first started watching in the early 80’s: The Tom Baker-Peter Davison era. 

David Tennant as Doctor Who

David Tennant as Doctor Who

David Tennant Ten-Minute Interview on BBC News:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7698539.stm

Doctor Who Official Homepage:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/

Like classic scifi authors, NES video games, toys, and comic books, Doctor Who was just one of those childhood things which inspired me to write science fiction.  I even tried my hand at a Who novel back in the 90’s around the time the license for Virgin Books expired.  BAFTA and HUGO Award-winning writer, Stephen Moffat, will take over in 2010.  With Moffat at the helm, I think the series will be in good hands.  Darker, knowing Moffat’s work.  Wait until Tennant regenerates into the 11th Doctor… Hey, don’t get me wrong, I love Harry Potter, but I hope Daniel Radcliffe hasn’t been tipped off; the boy’s only 20.  He’d be too young a Time Lord.

Right now a 2008 Christmas special and I believe four more specials throughout all of next year are planned.

Come, take a DOCTOR WHO poll with me: