For those die-hard Whovians out there searching for a Doctor Who fix as we wait impatiently for this year’s Christmas special, do I have a treat for you! BBC and seasoned Who writer Justin Richards are bringing the Doctor all the way across the pond to America in Doctor Who: The American Adventures, where readers can enjoy new shenanigans in new locales.

Whether he’s traipsing through New York subway tunnels in the early 1900s or investigating a tourist attraction at a historical site in New Orleans, Richard’s portrayals of the timeless Doctor pack the same witticism and hilarity that Whovians are used to. At the same time, each individual within the work possesses a subtle moral — tickling the reader’s mind and urging them to consider different perspectives.

We had the pleasure of having a brief conversation with the book’s author about his writing process and his years as a fellow Whovian.

PopWrapped: How long have you been a Whovian?

Justin Richards: I’ve watched Doctor Who ever since I can remember. It started on the BBC when I was just two years old, so I may have seen the first ever episode when it was first shown, but I don’t remember!

PW: What gave you the idea to write a book of American adventures?

JR: It was something the publishers asked me for, so I’m afraid I can’t take any credit for the idea.

PW: How did you go about choosing locations and periods?

JR: I wanted a wide variety of places and times, so it was really just a case of working out how to achieve that — and using interesting periods and events from US history.

PW: In terms of villains and monsters, did you draw any inspiration from early seasons of the show?

JR: I probably did. But it’s really just a question of coming up with new and exciting ideas. Where they actually come from, I’m not sure. They just sort of pop up in my head!

PW: “Spectator Sport” was definitely one of the more complex stories within the book. Where did the inspiration for that story come from?

JR: It was a period and an event I wanted to include. The question, then, was how to get aliens or future humans involved for the Doctor to meet up with and to build an adventure around. So I guess it just stemmed from that.

PW: What’s something you want readers to take away from reading The American Adventures?

JR: Really, I just want people to enjoy the experience of reading it. If I widen their imaginations a bit, then that’s a good thing. But there’s no deep philosophical message hidden in it. Like all Doctor Who, it’s just meant to be fun!

PW: If you could go anywhere you want, any time you want, where would it be? (One condition: It has to be amazing!)

JR: I think I’d like to go a few hundred years into the future and see if the human race really has gone out into space to colonize other planets and spread across the galaxy. I hope that does happen, though obviously I won’t really be here to see it!

PW: And, of course, who is your Doctor?

JR: I love them all. But, I guess if I had to choose, I’d go for the Second Doctor, played by Patrick Troughton. He was the Doctor I grew up with and remember best from my earliest memories of the show.

A huge thank you to BBC and Justin Richards for giving us his time! Be sure to check out Doctor Who: The American Adventures! Readers can purchase the book here.