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Elizabeth Sandifer

Elizabeth Sandifer created Eruditorum Press. She’s not really sure why she did that, and she apologizes for the inconvenience. She currently writes Last War in Albion, a history of the magical war between Alan Moore and Grant Morrison. She used to write TARDIS Eruditorum, a history of Britain told through the lens of a ropey sci-fi series. She also wrote Neoreaction a Basilisk, writes comics these days, and has ADHD so will probably just randomly write some other shit sooner or later. Support Elizabeth on Patreon.

64 Comments

  1. TheWatersOfMars
    February 7, 2015 @ 1:08 am

    what kind of DW would you like to see next after Moffat? I worry that the next showrunner might be someone who's completely competent (a Gatiss or Whithouse type) but unable to produce anything more than an enjoyable, unchallenging interpretation of DW. So what sort of direction do you think the show can go to from here?

    Reply

  2. ferret
    February 7, 2015 @ 1:45 am

    If you were showrunner, what would we see under your tenure?

    Reply

  3. thetvgenie
    February 7, 2015 @ 2:00 am

    Say there's going to be a new Doctor Who spin-off – what would be your first choice? Characters? Series length? Target audience? Villain? Setting?

    Reply

  4. Patrick
    February 7, 2015 @ 2:18 am

    What would the form of your perfect Blake/DW crossover take?

    Reply

  5. Chris
    February 7, 2015 @ 2:37 am

    Big Finish just announced they will be doing Colin Baker's regeneration story in September. Can we expect an essay on that to appear in the book?

    Reply

  6. Multiple Ducks
    February 7, 2015 @ 3:28 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply

  7. Multiple Ducks
    February 7, 2015 @ 3:33 am

    Propose a meal you'd cook for a TARDIS crew.

    Reply

  8. breadzone
    February 7, 2015 @ 5:59 am

    If you had the power to commission a one-off special crossing Doctor Who over with any other TV series, what would you choose? How would each show benefit the other?

    Reply

  9. jane
    February 7, 2015 @ 6:49 am

    Is your audio thingy at the end of the week going to be hosted by Pex Lives, home to the recently fabulous discussion of Paradise Towers?

    Reply

  10. Terry
    February 7, 2015 @ 6:52 am

    When will you do Eruditorium posts for the Capaldi era? I'm thinking that a three- or six-year gap until you do them would be good. Allow the episodes to… assimilate into history.

    Reply

  11. Anthony Strand
    February 7, 2015 @ 6:55 am

    What elements introduced in the RTD and/or Moffat eras do you think are most likely to be brought back by future showrunners?

    Reply

  12. Pen Name Pending
    February 7, 2015 @ 7:38 am

    Considering I'm not sure when I'll get around to the books, can ASOIAF/Game of Thrones be just as good when one knows the spoilers? I mean, I already am aware that almost everyone dies and I have some knowledge of the European history it's based on.

    Reply

  13. Andrew Morton
    February 7, 2015 @ 9:48 am

    Has anything excited you from this weeks announcements from Marvel and DC?

    On a related note, which comics publisher do you think is producing the most interesting and/or innovative titles?

    Reply

  14. dm
    February 7, 2015 @ 9:50 am

    Did you stop doing cooking posts in response to the backlash over your excessive use of salt? Have you had a long, hard think about your choices in this area?

    Reply

  15. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 10:31 am

    No. Yes. And my food is delicious.

    (The overwhelming majority of people badly undersalt their food. Don't be like them.)

    Reply

  16. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 10:32 am

    G Willow Wilson on anything excites me. And generally, I think Image is at the top of the game right now, though of Marvel and DC, my tastes are very much Marvel of late.

    Reply

  17. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 10:32 am

    I think the only twist that's probably improved by actually being a surprise is Ned's death. Other than that, it's fun even with loads of spoilers.

    Reply

  18. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 10:33 am

    I don't know. That really depends on how the remainder of the Capaldi era plays out.

    Reply

  19. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 10:34 am

    It has no plans to be, though that's certainly a thing I could consider. Right now I'm just trying to figure out how to fill the amount of time.

    Reply

  20. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 10:35 am

    I'd try to make whatever they said they liked.

    Reply

  21. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 10:37 am

    I don't know. There's a chance I'll have the book out by then. Even if I don't, I already have Time's Champion, which is a Baker regeneration story, so there would have to be something Big Finish specifically added to the conversation. I didn't do Spiral Scratch, for instance, so it's certainly not automatic.

    Reply

  22. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 10:39 am

    The cancellation of the show, one suspects.

    Reply

  23. Terry
    February 7, 2015 @ 11:01 am

    Another question, because I am greedy and therefore not a person who is not greedy. What stuff (comics, books, television shows or episodes, video games) do you simply classify, in your head, as Works of Pure Genius?

    Reply

  24. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 11:02 am

    The contents of Blake's visions are all real. So basically, Vincent and the Doctor, with apocalyptic doom.

    Reply

  25. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 11:04 am

    Over three years of writing about the series has really gotten me to the point where the thing I want most out of any new episode is just to be something I haven't seen before and wasn't expecting. So basically, what I want is "none of the answers to this question that I could ever come up with."

    Reply

  26. Douglas McDonald
    February 7, 2015 @ 12:12 pm

    Have you listened to the Big Finish adaptations of Love and War and The Highest Science? If so, what did you think (both in themselves and compared to the novels on which they were based)?

    (I ask only because I was inspired to read both books, and to listen to both adaptations, by your excellent articles on each.)

    Reply

  27. Anton B
    February 7, 2015 @ 12:23 pm

    It needs to be called Blake's Heaven.

    Reply

  28. nimonus
    February 7, 2015 @ 1:25 pm

    Are you going to re-send the Kickstarter surveys for the Logopolis book? I've moved again since you shipped me the Hartnell book.

    Reply

  29. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 1:28 pm

    Seems like that would be a good idea, yes.

    Reply

  30. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 1:28 pm

    I've not. I don't listen to a lot of audio stuff, to be honest.

    Reply

  31. Matthew Blanchette
    February 7, 2015 @ 1:41 pm

    If you were invited to write an episode of Doctor Who, what would it be about? How would it fit into a larger series?

    Reply

  32. Pôl Jackson
    February 7, 2015 @ 2:38 pm

    Will your Doctor Who audio commentaries be available for non-backers?

    Reply

  33. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 2:39 pm

    Yes, at least the set promised via the Kickstarter.

    Reply

  34. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 2:39 pm

    Probably the Blake idea discussed above.

    Reply

  35. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 2:40 pm

    That's horrible. I love it.

    Reply

  36. Champiness
    February 7, 2015 @ 2:44 pm

    Speaking as someone who's been reading this site due to a fascination with seeing your mind at work as opposed to any real familiarity with the things you've been commenting on (that mythology project went alright, by the way – its merits were almost all attributable to this blog), I'm curious: what do you consider – in Evil of the Daleks terms – to be the "Sandifer Element", the thing you bring to these various source materials that makes this blog worthwhile? I think it's an especially pertinent question in light of your stated hope to break into fiction in the near future (a move I'm looking forward to immensely, by the way – I've been following your Tumblr long enough to see what I think the base components of Project Orc are, even apart from the "style blog", and they excite me a lot).

    Reply

  37. Chris
    February 7, 2015 @ 3:50 pm

    Anton B wins the comment section for all time.

    Reply

  38. Daru
    February 7, 2015 @ 4:20 pm

    Brilliant Anton!

    Reply

  39. Daru
    February 7, 2015 @ 4:32 pm

    What has been the most surprising/memorable moment(s)/experience during the Eruditorum?

    And back in May I paid for Volume 1 of the print copy of The Last War in Albion, do you know when that will be shipped out (I am overseas).

    Thanks as ever Phil, and looking forwards to savouring this last week of the Eruditorum.

    Reply

  40. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 4:34 pm

    It'll be a bit – volume one is going to include the V for Vendetta chapter currently in progress and two further chapters, although both of those should be shorter than Swamp Thing/V for Vendetta. Once I finish them, I'll start work on revisions, and it should be a fairly normal book process and timeline from there, but I expect it'll be summer before Book One wraps on the blog.

    Reply

  41. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 7, 2015 @ 4:44 pm

    As for most surprising/memorable moment during the Eruditorum, two spring to mind, both fairly close to one another. The first was the incredible success of the Kickstarter, and the realization that I really was on track to be able to make a living off of this nonsense.

    The second was when I did the conference at De Paul University, and showed up for the meet and greet dinner the night before. I walked into the restaurant and was immediately buttonholed by Rob Shearman, who wanted to geek out with me.

    Reply

  42. jane
    February 7, 2015 @ 4:49 pm

    The books are just different enough from the TV show (okay, yes, vice-versa, but in terms of approaching the books from this perspective) that they're a real hoot even knowing what's basically coming. A lot of the details are different, and much fun can be had at the meta-level — i.e., thinking in terms of adaptation.

    And, of course, the third-person limited POV chapters add another dimension to the characterization.

    Reply

  43. Daru
    February 7, 2015 @ 4:50 pm

    Brill, thanks Phil for the Eruditorum moments and the timeline for the book.

    Reply

  44. Christopher "Peaky" Brown
    February 7, 2015 @ 6:32 pm

    Any teasers you can give concerning your opinions and/or critical perspectives on The Auntie Matter and Festival of Death for someone who hasn't picked up Volume 5 yet? I'm very interested to see if you went with the former where I thought you might go with it (namely as an alternate take on the Williams era as a continuation of the Hinchcliffe with comedy pastiches in place of horror). Meanwhile, Festival of Death was the first Who book I ever read so I have quite a vested interest in that one…

    Reply

  45. ferret
    February 7, 2015 @ 8:24 pm

    Lets hope they ask for something that can easily be made out of just Water and Milk

    Reply

  46. What Happened To Robbie?
    February 8, 2015 @ 1:19 am

    Do you listen to music while you're writing? And if so do you have certain "go-to" albums/artists that you find particularly conducive to the process?

    Reply

  47. Anton B
    February 8, 2015 @ 3:45 am

    Takes bow

    Reply

  48. Seeing_I
    February 8, 2015 @ 6:13 am

    How about an essay comparing the three different versions of Six's final tale?

    Reply

  49. BerserkRL
    February 8, 2015 @ 8:05 am

    If only BBC and Disney would merge, then Jar Jar could be the next companion.

    No no, much better idea — the Doctor could regenerate into Jar Jar. Then the TARDIS could be renamed the JarJardis.

    Reply

  50. Chris
    February 8, 2015 @ 11:54 am

    You, sir, are right out of line.

    Now I will leave this comment section and practice playing my guitartar binks.

    Reply

  51. Kit
    February 8, 2015 @ 5:30 pm

    If you're looking for general opinions, not just Phil's, I think it's hard to make a case for any currently-active publisher as having more innovation across their line than Koyama.

    Reply

  52. Prandeamus
    February 8, 2015 @ 6:01 pm

    As we wait with bated breath for the final Tardis Eruditorum there is a shimmering effect on the Sandifer avatar. Oh my dear readership, you have been naive! Did you not notice that Phil Sandifer is an anagram of Half Inspired?

    Reply

  53. encyclops
    February 8, 2015 @ 6:34 pm

    If you could redeem one classic Doctor Who episode, not through a redemptive reading but just full on fixing what was wrong with it so that you could unreservedly enjoy it, which one would it be and what would you change?

    Same question about the new series?

    Reply

  54. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 8, 2015 @ 6:36 pm

    I'd make Talons less racist. Not sure on the new series.

    Reply

  55. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 8, 2015 @ 6:37 pm

    I generally do not listen to music while writing, I'm afraid.

    Reply

  56. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 8, 2015 @ 6:37 pm

    I'm afraid not – the entire point of the extra essays is to give something exclusive to book buyers.

    Reply

  57. Elizabeth Sandifer
    February 8, 2015 @ 6:45 pm

    I feel like I may be the worst possible person to answer this. The sheer madness necessary to actually attempt it? I honestly don't know.

    Reply

  58. cardboardrobot
    February 8, 2015 @ 6:58 pm

    I don't get a chance to comment much around here, but I just wanted to add my vote in support of using more salt. Salt is good. I like salt. But then my blood pressure runs a bit on the lower side. More salt is not for everybody.

    Reply

  59. ferret
    February 8, 2015 @ 7:55 pm

    personally, I'd do something to fix "42". I'm not sure what's wrong with it though, I can't understand it's general low regard. Probably my favourite Martha episode.

    Reply

  60. encyclops
    February 8, 2015 @ 8:29 pm

    I was trying to think what my answer would be. "Talons" does seem like the standout choice for the classic series. The game is to find an episode that's almost really terrific but has that one specific but ruinous "well, except for" problem. Maybe I'd make "The Ark" less racist? Or inject some life into the Metebelis 3 scenes of "Planet of the Spiders"? Or do something to make "The Pirate Planet" work (for me, obviously)?

    For the new series, top of my list would be to fix "Last of the Time Lords," probably by rethinking Dobby Doctor and Jesus Pan Doctor. I could also see dialing back the Slitheen just a tad in "Aliens of London"/"WW3".

    Reply

  61. encyclops
    February 8, 2015 @ 8:30 pm

    Also, I quite liked "42" — far from my favorite of the season, but I'm with you, it's underrated.

    Reply

  62. David Anderson
    February 8, 2015 @ 9:48 pm

    I like it as well. It's easy to say 42 is trying to be standard Doctor Who; I think what it's doing is trying to work out what standard Doctor Who looks like after two and a half seasons which have been doing everything for the first time; which is something worth doing.
    But as Phil says, the title and concept could belong on a far more ambitious script.

    Reply

  63. Daru
    February 8, 2015 @ 10:28 pm

    Of for an appropriate Who inspired name: Pedlar Finish

    Or of we end up with a surprise extended ending as the ships sail into the West: Dinar Elf Ship.

    Reply

  64. Kit Power
    February 9, 2015 @ 12:05 am

    Almost certainly too late to the party, but which episode of Who surprised you the most on the way though, either because of the disparity between the fan consensus and your own opinion or just on it's own merits?

    And, you know, thanks. It's been an amazing ride, and reading someone who has as much love for this show as I do write about it with the level of intelligence you possess has been a privilege and an inspiration.

    Reply

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