A Riot of Writers: A Romp Through English Literature

by Terrance Dicks, Ray Jelliffe

Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Terrance Dicks was an English author, screenwriter, script editor, and producer best known for his extensive contributions to Doctor Who. Serving as the show's script editor from 1968 to 1974, he helped shape many core elements of the series, including the concept of regeneration, the development of the Time Lords, and the naming of the Doctor’s home planet, Gallifrey. His tenure coincided with major thematic expansions, and he worked closely with producer Barry Letts to bring a socially aware tone to the show. Dicks later wrote several Doctor Who serials, including Robot, Horror of Fang Rock, and The Five Doctors, the 20th-anniversary special.
In parallel with his television work, Dicks became one of the most prolific writers of Doctor Who novelisations for Target Books, authoring over 60 titles and serving as the de facto editor of the range. These adaptations introduced a generation of young readers to the franchise. Beyond Doctor Who, he also wrote original novels, including children’s horror and adventure series such as The Baker Street Irregulars, Star Quest, and The Adventures of Goliath.
Dicks also worked on other television programmes including The Avengers, Moonbase 3, and various BBC literary adaptations. His later work included audio dramas and novels tied to Doctor Who. Widely respected for his clarity, imagination, and dedication to storytelling, he remained a central figure in Doctor Who fandom until his death in 2019, leaving behind a vast legacy in television and children's literature.

Reviews

[Jon Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise series of pen portraits of writers Dicks considers major figures. It’s very Terrance, a lot of engaged and learned reading feeding into light, witty and occasionally cutting chapters which cover both their life and work. Given Dicks’s usual style it’s a small eyebrow raiser to note his clear admiration for Ulysses. Perhaps marred slightly by the odd off-colour aside, but a the writers themselves are largely well-chosen (you can, of course, quibble with the selection but that’s an eternal problem in a shorter book like this) and the portraits themselves are excellent primers which manage to cover background plus the content and flavour of the subject’s work in mere paragraphs.

Given Dicks’s style, it’s amusing and appropriate that Hemingway is the last writer covered.

[Fredzed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty and informative. A great occasional read.