Doctor Who and an Unearthly Child (novelisation)

Novelisation

 * This novelisation is based on the original television serial generally referred to as DW:  An Unearthly Child  which included individual episode titles and was shown from 23rd November 1963 and written by Anthony Coburn.
 * The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel and featured the artwork of Andrew Skilleter. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which published with a different cover).

Publisher's Cover Blurb
FIRST PUBLICATION OF THE VERY FIRST DOCTOR WHO STORY A strange girl who knows far more than she should about the past – and the future. Two worried teachers whose curiosity leads them to a deserted junk yard, an extraordinary police box and a mysterious traveller known only as the Doctor. A fantastic journey through Space and Time ending in a terrifying adventure at the dawn of history. DOCTOR WHO AND AN UNEARTHLY CHILD THE BEGINNING OF A LEGEND

Illustrations
None

Deviations from the Televised Story
To be added

Author, Writing and Publishing Notes

 * Suggested by the then producer John Nathan-Turner as a tie-in to the broadcast of the serial on TV as part of a series of repeats (The Five Faces of Doctor Who), author Terrance Dicks was given only a fortnight to complete. There were however delays incurred in securing the writer’s permission, given by his widow.
 * A guarrentted success because of the TV broadcast, this title had an increased cover price and the first edition featured a red foil logo.
 * Cover artist Andrew Skilleter starts an unbroken run of 21 covers using artwork, with this title whose artwork he completed over a weekend without being requested to provide any roughs.
 * It was the first book published in the Target Books Doctor Who novelisation schedules after a six month gap caused by a Writer's Guild strike.

Publishing History (UK)
To be added

First Publication: 
 * Hardback
 * W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK


 * Paperback
 * Target

Re-issues:
 * Paperback
 * Target / Virgin Publishing Ltd. UK February 1980 Cover by Alistair Pearson (£2.50 UK)

International Editions
To be added

External Sources

 * The Target Book by David J Howe (Telos Publishing 2007)
 * a comprehensive guide to the Target novelisations by Tim Neal