Philippa Dickinson
Encyclopedia
Philippa Dickinson is a former editor for Puffin Books
, and chairman of Random House
Children's Publishing. During her time at Puffin she was the editor of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain
, and also acted for a time as the desk editor of Warlock
magazine.
Godolphin and Latymer School
in Hammersmith
in London
.
. Having received the first completed manuscript, it was Philippa who "diplomatically highlighted various inconsistencies" to its two authors Ian Livingstone
and Steve Jackson
. She noted that the two halves of the book were inconsistent (a product of having been written separately by Steve and Ian) and that this included apparent differences in the rules. For example, the attributes for fighting ability, constitution and fitness, and luck were labeled by Steve "Skill", "Stamina" and "Luck", and by Ian, "Combat Factor", "Strength Factor" and "Luck Factor". Also there were differences in how these were determined. Also, she is noted as having made crucial observations on the text, such as pointing out that the way in which choices were presented was inconsistent, and noting that the use of the terms Werewolf
and Wolfman was inconsistent. She also noted the use of a copyright
protected song but most importantly she pushed for the writing style to be aligned. Apparently, it was obvious that there had been a change in writer half way through, and so at her prompting one of the writers was to rewrite the other's half (Steve volunteered). Without her input this first, and most important book in the Fighting Fantasy
series would not have been the success it was.
For the first five issues of Warlock Magazine she also acted as desk editor, until Games Workshop
took over the magazine from Penguin Books
.
She eventually became deputy head of publishing at Puffin Books
, and left in 1986.
and became the editorial director of Corgi Children's list. In March 1998, the media giant Bertelsmann
, who were the owners of Transworld, acquired Random House
. This led to the children's lists of Transworld and Random House being merged. At that time, Philippa Dickinson, was publisher of Transworld Children's Books and chair of the Publishers Association Children's Book Group. Debbie Sandford, the Managing Director of Random House Children's Publishing resigned and Philippa was made chairman of Random House Children's Publishing.
The new role of chairman of Random House Children's Publishing meant she would not become involved with day-to-day business at Random House, but as chairman, she had responsibility for both Random House Children's Books and Transworld Children's Books. She made it clear at the time that the two companies would continue to operate separately.
In May 2006, Philippa Dickinson was asked to be the vice-chairman of World Book Day. She said: "I’m delighted and flattered to be asked to take on this very important role. World Book Day provides a brilliant opportunity to attract a wide audience to books and reading. It’s been growing in scope and effectiveness every year. With the launch of Quick Reads this year taking WBD to a new level, and with Philip Downer’s chairmanship I’m looking forward to helping WBD’s 10th anniversary year be the most successful yet."
Puffin Books
Puffin Books is the children's imprint of British publishers Penguin Books. Since the 1960s it has been the largest publisher of children's books in the UK and much of the English-speaking world.-Early history:...
, and chairman of Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
Children's Publishing. During her time at Puffin she was the editor of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain
The Warlock of Firetop Mountain
The Warlock of Firetop Mountain is a single-player adventure gamebook written by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, and illustrated by Russ Nicholson. Originally published by Puffin Books in 1982, the title is the first gamebook in the Fighting Fantasy series. It was later republished by Wizard...
, and also acted for a time as the desk editor of Warlock
Warlock (magazine)
Warlock was a British magazine published by Penguin Books and game manufacturer Games Workshop between 1983 and 1986. The primary focus of the magazine was fantasy, with emphasis on the Fighting Fantasy adventure gamebook series.-Publication history:...
magazine.
Early life
Philippa Dickinson was born in March 1955. She was educated at the independent schoolIndependent school (UK)
An independent school is a school that is not financed through the taxation system by local or national government and is instead funded by private sources, predominantly in the form of tuition charges, gifts and long-term charitable endowments, and so is not subject to the conditions imposed by...
Godolphin and Latymer School
Godolphin and Latymer School
The Godolphin and Latymer School is an independent school for 700 girls aged eleven to eighteen in London. Ms Margaret Rudland was the head mistress of the school for over 20 years before being succeeded by Ms Ruth Mercer.-History:...
in Hammersmith
Hammersmith
Hammersmith is an urban centre in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London, England, in the United Kingdom, approximately five miles west of Charing Cross on the north bank of the River Thames...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Puffin and Fighting Fantasy
In 1974 she joined Puffin Children's Books, working initially for the Puffin Club. She soon moved over to the books editorial department. Whilst there, at the turn of 1981/1982 she was asked to edit a book called The Warlock of Firetop MountainThe Warlock of Firetop Mountain
The Warlock of Firetop Mountain is a single-player adventure gamebook written by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, and illustrated by Russ Nicholson. Originally published by Puffin Books in 1982, the title is the first gamebook in the Fighting Fantasy series. It was later republished by Wizard...
. Having received the first completed manuscript, it was Philippa who "diplomatically highlighted various inconsistencies" to its two authors Ian Livingstone
Ian Livingstone
Ian Livingstone OBE is an English fantasy author and entrepreneur. He is a co-writer of the first Fighting Fantasy gamebook, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, and co-founder of Games Workshop....
and Steve Jackson
Steve Jackson
Steve Jackson may refer to:* Steve Jackson , set theorist at University of North Texas* Steve Jackson , co-founder, with Ian Livingstone, of Games Workshop...
. She noted that the two halves of the book were inconsistent (a product of having been written separately by Steve and Ian) and that this included apparent differences in the rules. For example, the attributes for fighting ability, constitution and fitness, and luck were labeled by Steve "Skill", "Stamina" and "Luck", and by Ian, "Combat Factor", "Strength Factor" and "Luck Factor". Also there were differences in how these were determined. Also, she is noted as having made crucial observations on the text, such as pointing out that the way in which choices were presented was inconsistent, and noting that the use of the terms Werewolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
and Wolfman was inconsistent. She also noted the use of a copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
protected song but most importantly she pushed for the writing style to be aligned. Apparently, it was obvious that there had been a change in writer half way through, and so at her prompting one of the writers was to rewrite the other's half (Steve volunteered). Without her input this first, and most important book in the Fighting Fantasy
Fighting Fantasy
Fighting Fantasy is a series of single-player fantasy roleplay gamebooks created by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone. The first volumes in the series were published by Puffin in 1982, with the rights to the franchise eventually being purchased by Wizard Books in 2002...
series would not have been the success it was.
For the first five issues of Warlock Magazine she also acted as desk editor, until Games Workshop
Games Workshop
Games Workshop Group plc is a British game production and retailing company. Games Workshop has published the tabletop wargames Warhammer Fantasy Battle and Warhammer 40,000...
took over the magazine from Penguin Books
Penguin Books
Penguin Books is a publisher founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane and V.K. Krishna Menon. Penguin revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through its high quality, inexpensive paperbacks, sold through Woolworths and other high street stores for sixpence. Penguin's success demonstrated that large...
.
She eventually became deputy head of publishing at Puffin Books
Puffin Books
Puffin Books is the children's imprint of British publishers Penguin Books. Since the 1960s it has been the largest publisher of children's books in the UK and much of the English-speaking world.-Early history:...
, and left in 1986.
Transworld to Random House
In 1986 she joined TransworldTransworld (company)
Transworld Publishers Inc. is a British publishing division of Random House and belongs to Bertelsmann, one of the world's largest media groups. It was established in 1950, and for many years it was the British division of Bantam Books. It publishes fiction and non fiction titles by various...
and became the editorial director of Corgi Children's list. In March 1998, the media giant Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann AG is a multinational media corporation founded in 1835, based in Gütersloh, Germany. The company operates in 63 countries and employs 102,983 workers , which makes it the most international media corporation in the world. In 2008 the company reported a €16.118 billion consolidated...
, who were the owners of Transworld, acquired Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
. This led to the children's lists of Transworld and Random House being merged. At that time, Philippa Dickinson, was publisher of Transworld Children's Books and chair of the Publishers Association Children's Book Group. Debbie Sandford, the Managing Director of Random House Children's Publishing resigned and Philippa was made chairman of Random House Children's Publishing.
The new role of chairman of Random House Children's Publishing meant she would not become involved with day-to-day business at Random House, but as chairman, she had responsibility for both Random House Children's Books and Transworld Children's Books. She made it clear at the time that the two companies would continue to operate separately.
In May 2006, Philippa Dickinson was asked to be the vice-chairman of World Book Day. She said: "I’m delighted and flattered to be asked to take on this very important role. World Book Day provides a brilliant opportunity to attract a wide audience to books and reading. It’s been growing in scope and effectiveness every year. With the launch of Quick Reads this year taking WBD to a new level, and with Philip Downer’s chairmanship I’m looking forward to helping WBD’s 10th anniversary year be the most successful yet."