New DOCTOR WHO Stories to be Released in Anticipation of the Series’ 50th Anniversary

Big things are already underway for the upcoming 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, the latest of which is the release of a collection of “eshorts.”  Eleven tales from well-known children’s authors will chronicle each of the eleven Doctors, featuring each regeneration of the Doctor from William Hartnell to Matt Smith (and yes, even Paul McGann‘s Doctor).  The first author will be named on the Doctor Who Facebook page January 7th.

A paperback of the stories will be published by Puffin in November, but the first eshort will come on January 23rd.  The contributing authors are being kept tightly under wraps, but given the resurgence in popularity of the franchise in recent years, some great names are sure to be involved.  Hit more for the specifics of the project, plus more of what’s in store for the anniversary. 

The BBC Worldwide YouTube channel will also feature a video of each author starting January 11th, continuing monthly throughout the series.  In addition to the eshorts, the Royal Mail has also commissioned stamps in honor of the Doctor.  The show’s current head writer Steven Moffat also has some big things in mind, telling the BBC that there will be “tremendous surprises” coming up.  He also vowed, “we’re going to take over television.”

Matt Smith also said he was committed to making 2013 a great year for BBC drama (and if BBC One’s trailer is anything to judge by, it seems to be off to a good start), saying,

“We’re as much in the dark [over the anniversary plans] as the majority of other people. I imagine I’ll get to read something in January, February time. We’ll make it the biggest and the best year, hopefully in the show’s history.”

The second half of Doctor Who‘s seventh season will air in April.