Terrance Dicks (born 10 May 1935, East Ham, Essex, now Greater London) is an English writer, best known for his work in television and for writing a large number of popular children's books during the 1970s and 80s.
After leaving school, Dicks studied English at Downing College, Cambridge, and later did two years of National Service in the British Army. Following his discharge from the armed forces, he worked for five years as an advertising copywriter, and began writing radio play scripts for the BBC in his spare time.
Terrance Dicks began his long association with Doctor Who in 1968, when he joined the production team during the Second Doctor story The Invasion. He soon began writing scripts for the series. His first notable work was The War Games, an epic, ten-episode collaboration with Malcolm Hulke.
In 1973, Dicks, along with other writers from the TV series, were commissioned by Target Books to write novelisations adapting TV episodes. Over the next two decades, Dicks became the most prolific author of the line. He also co-wrote The Making of Doctor Who, the first non-fiction book about the series.
In 1976, Dicks wrote a trilogy of books published by Target Books called "The Mounties" about a recruit in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. These were followed in 1979–1983 by another Target trilogy "Star Quest", which were later reprinted by Big Finish Productions.
As well as the vast number of fictional works, Dicks has also written several non-fiction books for children including "Europe United", "A Riot of Writers", "Uproar in the House", "A Right Royal History" and "The Good, the Bad and the Ghastly".
Dicks resides in Hampstead, London. He is married and has three sons.