Target Books/1983

Target Books was the main publishing imprint of Doctor Who titles from 1973 until the early 1990’s.

Publishing History

 * REISSUE: Doctor Who and the Abominable Snowmen (Issued with a new cover by Andrew Skilleter)
 * REISSUE: Doctor Who and the Web of Fear (Issued with a new cover by Andrew Skilleter)

April May June July August September October November
 * Time-Flight Writer: Peter Grimwade Cover: Photographic
 * Meglos Writer: Terrance Dicks Cover Artist: Andrew Skilleter
 * Castrovalva Writer: Christopher H. Bidmead Cover: Photographic
 * Four to Doomsday Writer: Terrance Dicks Cover: Photographic
 * Earthshock Writer: Ian Marter Cover: Photographic
 * Terminus Writer: John Lydecker Cover: Photographic
 * Arc of Infinity Writer: Terrance Dicks Cover: Photographic
 * The Five Doctors Writer: Terrance Dicks Cover Artist: Andrew Skilleter

Target Library Numbering
Doctor Who and the Visitation was the first title to be given a (working) reference number as part of the Doctor Who library, (Number 74). The idea behind the numbering was to try and capitalise on collectors and regular readers of the range to complete their 'set' or read all the books. However, for a range that didn't flow in a chronicological order, it was met with various reactions, and was generally criticised by fans, who after collecting some seventy odd titles, were faced with a 'new look' for their collection (a factor that the BBC DVD mechandising team seem to be acutely aware of). The implementaion of the numbering system was not always to plan. Examples of inconsistancies include;
 * Number 77 Four to Doomsday numbered on the inside only
 * Number 78 Earthshock numbered on the inside only
 * Number 79 Terminus numbered inside and on the cover
 * Number 80 Arc of Infinity not numbered
 * Number 81 The Five Doctors numbered.
 * Number 106 Vengeance on Varos arriving between Numbers 128 and 129 (some two years later)
 * Number 153 was given to Doctor Who - The Pescatons which was based on a record release and so technically not a televised novelisation.

Books 1 to 74 in the range were retrospectively numbered, in alphabetical order. These numbers appeared on the covers with the reprint schedule from 1983. The exceptions being Time-Flight, Meglos and Castrovalva.

Other Reference Sources

 * Doctor Who Magazine
 * Including a series of in depth articles by David Howe (see Issue 291, Issue 293, Issue 295, Issue 297, Issue 299 and Issue 301)


 * Howe's Transcendental Toybox
 * Collectors guides


 * The Target Book by David Howe release date 2007