Media Tie-In Fiction — Shortlistings and Opportunities

I’m a professional writer. More importantly, I’m a slightly obsessive fanboy. If ever my writing world collides with my fannish obsessions, it makes me deliriously happy.

It’s happened a few times.

I’ve been lucky enough to write in, amongst others, the universes of The X-Files, Night Terrace and Doctor Who, as well as the world of Doctor Who spinoffs.

Along the way I’ve been super excited to get nominated for some SCRIBE Awards. These awards are presented by the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers and are judged by fellow writers who work in the tie-in industry.

“An Eye For An Eye”, my short story in The X-Files: Secret Agendas (edited by Jonathan Maberry), was the first to get a shortlisting in 2017. Then, three of my Doctor Who spinoffs followed…

“Pure History”, from the Lethbridge-Stewart short story anthology The Havoc Files: The Laughing Gnome (edited by Andy Frankham-Allen), in 2020.

And amazingly, I had two on the shortlist this year…

“The Lady Jessica Affair”, from UNIT: The Benton Files 2 (edited by Tim Gambrell), in the short story category. And my novel about the Brigadier’s granddaughter, The Mystery of Lucy Wilson: Memories of the Future, in the MG/YA category.

Whilst being nominated for these awards is undoubtedly a thrill, what I love most is simply the opportunity to write this sort of tie-in material. I adore being able to play in these universes that I am a fan of. It is so much fun!

I hope to be able to continue to write stuff like this. In fact, I’ve got a new project in the works with Candy Jar Books, publisher of the Lethbridge-Stewart series, the Lucy Wilson series and other Doctor Who spinoffs. I can’t wait for it to be announced.

Finding the opportunities to write media tie-in fiction can be difficult. I pitch and submit more material than actually gets published. In terms of income, it’s probably not worth the effort. But I don’t care! I do it for the love of it!

So… I’m gonna continue chasing media tie-in writing until the cows come home. Wish me luck!