Mythological Dimensions of DOCTOR WHO

As a new season encapsulates us, this Spring will see the era of the Eleventh Doctor transmitted across the planet. What has inspired the writers of Doctor Who to so vividly portray a character, who questions our own world and proposes solutions to a further worldly awareness. Doctor Who, with its own internal history and mythos, captures our spirit yet extends well beyond the inherited mythological dimensions of our culture. From writers past, storytellers the world over all have used a wide literary canvas to illustrate great, awe inspiring events, personable characters, raw emotions and fantastical monsters via the oral and written traditions. No matter where we live there will always be an inherent mythological tradition that we resonate with as a people and individuals.

In May 2010 Kitsune Books will publish a unique collection of essays by fans of varying experience and insight. This panel will in part serve as the first official and public announcement of the publication of The Mythological Dimensions of Doctor Who. Each chapter offers a unique way of discussing its own exploration and interpretation of Doctor Who. Whether professional teacher or well known writer, academically independent or host of a podcast, each contributor to the volume begins his or her essay firmly grounded as a fan of Doctor Who. The influence of myth from our world on our favorite stories of our the Doctor, is itself a testmenent to the programs 46-year-history on television, in audio dramas, and books.

This collection offers a foreword by Doctor Who author Simon Guerrier, Preface by Barnaby Edwards of Doctor Who New York, to chapters by several in the Doctor Who community, including the Editors Anthony Burdge, Jessica Burke, and Kristine Larsen, with Tolkien Scholar and author Anne Petty providing an afterword which wraps the volume brilliantly.

At the volumes core are a broad range of topics by leading academics from numerous disciplines. Each contributor discusses in abundant variety well known elements from our world that have contributed to, inspired and broadened the universe of Doctor Who. Yet the reverse is also true, how has the Doctors adventures played a role in the lives of its writers and audience