Beyond The Words
A Science Fiction / Fantasy Column
By Steven Shrewsbury

Doctor Who and who have I been reading lately...

Even though I turned forty this year, I can still recall what it is like to be a kid. Having little kids in the house helps, but I recall the years before I became a teen-ager as a discovery time in sci fi and fantasy books, as well as other media. Reading Ray Bradbury, Asimov and the classics... This struck me as my wife (not a sci fi fan) recently became enthralled by the new Dr. Who program.

I discovered The Doctor close to thirty years ago on PBS. Tom Baker rocked, and I was addicted, cheesy sets & all. The vista of possibilities made my mind spin. As with all fine programs, it made one think a little. The new program has the same flair and really does bend the mind a ton. David Tennant is probably the most alien and best guy to play the good Doctor since Tom Baker.

Behind every good actor is a great writer. They get few lauds, but Russell Davies has done a bang up job on the new series. So, what other good writers have I been seeing out there lately?

On a whim I discovered writer Michael Slade. His work SWASTIKA truly rings with mystery, action and suspense.

On that topic/genre, grab Robert Harris's great book ARCHANGEL.

For classic stuff, read Ray Bradbury’s SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES

For more mystery, check out DEATH IS NOW MY NEIGHBOR by Colin Dexter, a great Morse novel.

A wonderful lady in the small press is Fran Friel. Her tome MAMA’S BOY truly is a chilling work.

And if you are into monster novels, my own work HAWG was just released

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