Titan Titbits News Posted by Ian Symes on 6th July 2026, 10:07 After the superb video marketing campaign seemingly came to a close on Friday, we are now entering the final ever week in which Red Dwarf: Titan is not either on your bookshelf or in your sweaty hands. There are TEN DAYS TO GO until the fifth Red Dwarf novel is released, and consequently we’re starting to see more and more coverage appear outside of our little fandom bubble. We’re anticipating that this will only increase as the release draws ever closer, so here’s a handy front page post for keeping track of it all. If you spot anything out there in the wild, do feel free to pop it in the comments below, for everyone to enjoy. To kick us off, over the weekend the honour of the first published review of the book went to Jess Phillips (not that one, presumably) 0f the Daily Express. It’s brief and deliberately vague in order to avoid giving any spoilers away, but extremely positive. It seems to confirm what everybody expected – that Kryten and Cat do indeed appear in the book somehow – and also implies some sort of song and dance routine takes place. Mostly though it’s just filled with praise and enthusiasm, which is very reassuring to see from a reviewer who’s clearly a big fan of the series. Even more excitingly, G&T regular Dax101 has spotted that audiobook retailer Xigxag includes a three-minute preview in their listing. Don’t worry, it’s completely safe to listen to, spoiler wise. It seems to be the very start of the book, judging by the inclusion of the book’s strapline and what sounds like a foreign and/or alien version of the word “prologue”, and it concerns a hotel employee accidentally making eye contact with her “big cheese” customer, and immediately fearing for her life. And once again, if you need any reassurance that this is Red Dwarf as we know and love it, it’s right here. Finally for now, as a lot of people have been pondering exactly how G&T will be covering the book, here’s a little breakdown of our plans. Wednesday 15th July – Let’s Talk About Titan post on the front page, for spoiler-free discussion and first impressions (this may be brought forward if a significant amount of people start receiving their pre-orders early) Thursday 16th July – A number of spoilerific Let’s Talk About Titan posts in the forum, one for each part of the book. This is for the in-depth, nitty-gritty, anything goes chat. You should be able to dive in to each thread as you finish the corresponding part. Friday 17th July – Our review published, which will discuss the tone, the style, the structure, the setting and the characters, but not the details of the plot, which means it should be safe to read no matter how much of the book you’ve got through. Then rather inconveniently we’re all going on holiday together, but from August and into the Autumn, we’ll be resurrecting the DwarfCast Book Club, with a series of podcasts covering each and every chapter of the book in extreme detail. We are very, very excited for this. Here it comes!
“we are now entering the final ever week in which Red Dwarf: Titanis not either on your bookshelf or in your sweaty hands” I mean I probably won’t end up reading it for quite a while for a large number of reasons, so a pox on you all.
Very exciting times! I’ve got my pre-order in but I don’t know that I’ll have time to read it on quite the full power, red hot, maximum pace that others will so I might wait until the return of the book club to get more involved in the discussion!
Good lord, don’t make the mistake I did and try to read that Express review without an adblocker installed. Somewhere amongst the drivel is a review apparently
A mini review from scifinow.co.uk “Smegheads rejoice! Red Dwarf is back! Red Dwarf: Titan marks the first new novel in the legendary sci-fi comedy franchise in thirty years. Happily, series co-creator Rob Grant and Andrew Marshall slide right back into that signature, cynical British sci-fi humor without skipping a beat. The mining ship Red Dwarf is in orbit around the Saturnian moon Titan, and the bulk of the crew is heading down for shore leave. Lister plans a cheat exam, Rimmer intends to land a promotion, and a series of chaotic, stomach-challenging events are set into motion. When a cryptic message arrives from the future, the book evolves to feel completely fresh while perfectly honoring the classic character dynamics we love. Smegheads, you’re in for a treat.” https://www.scifinow.co.uk/books/best-sci-fi-books-july-2026/
“The first new Red Dwarf novel in 30 years is a prequel, written by co-creator Rob Grant and Andrew Marshall, creator of the sitcom 2point4Children. It sees the mining ship Red Dwarf orbiting Saturn’s moon Titan, with the crew – including Lister and Rimmer – all planning their latest shore leave. (Lister, interestingly, is planning to find a cat to smuggle back on board…). But everyone’s plans go awry when a cryptic message from the future arrives.” https://www.newscientist.com/article/2532492-the-best-new-science-fiction-novels-published-in-july-2026/
I like the sound of these plans. Initial discussion followed by a book-club deep-dive sounds ideal. But we all have to go on holiday together. :(
Ok! A week to go and I’m going off rail as i haven’t checked this with the team. Still, why not. I’m Marcus, the editor and publisher of TITAN (as well as QUANDERHORN). Ask me anything you like (but i won’t give up any major spoilers) and if I can reasonably answer I will. I’m off to bed now but will come back tomorrow evening and hopefully be able to reply to at least some of you!
How long was it between you first getting involved in editing the book and the text being finalised? Will there be a smell-only edition of Titan, so that I may share the experience of reading it with interested cats?
Aside from the Boys and the original Red Dwarf crew, are there any other returning characters? Is the book self-contained or does it end on a cliffhanger? Are any of the other books or Doug Dwarf referenced in any way?
Aside from the Boys and the original Red Dwarf crew, are there any other returning characters? Is the book self-contained or does it end on a cliffhanger? Are any of the other books or Doug Dwarf referenced in any way? Or maybe don’t answer those.
Ok! A week to go and I’m going off rail as i haven’t checked this with the team. Still, why not. I’m Marcus, the editor and publisher of TITAN (as well as QUANDERHORN). Ask me anything you like (but i won’t give up any major spoilers) and if I can reasonably answer I will. I’m off to bed now but will come back tomorrow evening and hopefully be able to reply to at least some of you! Hi Marcus, thanks for helping make Titan happen. Everyone is really looking forward to it as you can imagine. As editor, what stood out to you most about the process of bringing this book to life? Was there any aspect of working with Rob and Andrew that surprised you?
For the record, I’m also on Team ‘Don’t Answer Any Questions That Will Be Answered Just By Reading The Book’.
Yeah, I’ve managed to avoid finding out anything other than what is mentioned in the synopsis, so hopefully that can last for one more week.
Hi Marcus! Hope the PR team don’t tell you off. If the stars align and the copyright gods allow it, would you be hypothetically interested in publishing further Red Dwarf books, either from Doug Naylor, or Andrew Marshall solo?
Hi Marcus, please rank all five Red Dwarf books in order of your preference. You’re among friends, we won’t judge you.
Hello Marcus. Can you tell us anything about the special editions of the novel you mentioned in your tribute to Rob on the official website?
Hi Marcus, please rank all five Red Dwarf books in order of your preference. You’re among friends, we won’t judge you. Hi Marcus, just to clarify this, the 5 books Cappsy is talking about are: Red Dwarf Log No. 1996 A Question of Smeg: The 2nd Red Dwarf Quiz Book Scenes from the Dwarf Comedy, Chaos- and Cowboys! The Red Dwarf Companion The Garbage Pod
Fucking hell I’ve got the book! It doesn’t seem to be out on the shelves yet but I’ve just reserved and collected it from Waterstones in Newcastle.
Congrats, clem! I know you wouldn’t, but just so I’ve said it out loud – no further details until next week, please!
Congrats, clem! I know you wouldn’t, but just so I’ve said it out loud – no further details until next week, please!
If people are going to be posting photos of their copies, here’s one I made earlier. I was pleased with my choice of bookmark.
Well if other book shops are breaking street date but the Gay Pride Shop won’t do it for me, that’s monstrously unfair. I may have to renounce my bisexuality and become straight in protest.
The audiobook will be on Spotify in 6 days. There is also the same audio sample on there but this time with 2 extra minutes!
I for one am scandalized that the marketing people apparently spoiled the entire back blurb of the book… …or something.
To everyone who’s happily gotten their claws on the book whilst mine sits miserably in transit, to arrive no sooner than 20th July (and probably a lot later, knowing Amazon)…
I was in my local waterstones, just looking around for any promotional material like a poster or something like that. Then…there it was, just sitting there in that curious way that books do. I picked it up and took it to the till and even asked ”Uh, are you allowed to sell this? it’s not out until the 16th”. They scanned it and said ”Yup, £25 please….” That was a exciting, thrilling and almost orgasmic story was it not! Blimey, should of been there! I was….
Yes, frustrating that I preordered months ago, and know that it probably won’t even be despatched to me until the 16th. Oh well.
Mine’ll be sent second class when Ian Rarewaves gets around to it, because I bought the cheapest one I could find. Looking forward to it, but not feeling the rush.
Went to my local Waterstones and WH Smiths/Tj Jones this afternoon. Not a sniff in either. I thought about asking in WS if they’d give me one early, but the staff all seemed busy and I was embarrassed.
According to the Dwarfers on Reddit, Waterstones are giving right away (for £21) it to anyone who reserves it online. Which I’ve just done. Now have to wait for an email to tell me it’s in, and they may just sell it to me.
How long was it between you first getting involved in editing the book and the text being finalised? Will there be a smell-only edition of Titan, so that I may share the experience of reading it with interested cats? Rob and Andy first pitched it to me in September 2023. We bought the rights in 2024. They delivered the first draft (that I saw, at least – i know they had worked on it for ages) in July 2025. I sent the edit back in September, they returned it in November, and the copyedit was completed by late Jan 2026. My last email from Rob was a couple of days before he passed, signing off on the final proofread. I cannot help you with smells.
Aside from the Boys and the original Red Dwarf crew, are there any other returning characters? Is the book self-contained or does it end on a cliffhanger? Are any of the other books or Doug Dwarf referenced in any way? Sort of, a bit, and yes. But not in that order.
Ok! A week to go and I’m going off rail as i haven’t checked this with the team. Still, why not. I’m Marcus, the editor and publisher of TITAN (as well as QUANDERHORN). Ask me anything you like (but i won’t give up any major spoilers) and if I can reasonably answer I will. I’m off to bed now but will come back tomorrow evening and hopefully be able to reply to at least some of you! Hi Marcus, thanks for helping make Titan happen. Everyone is really looking forward to it as you can imagine. As editor, what stood out to you most about the process of bringing this book to life? Was there any aspect of working with Rob and Andrew that surprised you? I’d worked with them before on QUANDERHORN, so I understood the dynamics of their relationship and their writing style (and I like to think they understood my editing style). So no major surprises there. In terms of the editing, I was surprised at how smooth it all felt, after 30 odd years away. You can absolutely tell that Andy is involved, but it also felt like both new and old Dwarf.
Hi Marcus! Hope the PR team don’t tell you off. If the stars align and the copyright gods allow it, would you be hypothetically interested in publishing further Red Dwarf books, either from Doug Naylor, or Andrew Marshall solo? I’ve largely left Gollancz, just seeing through a few final projects (like this one). Which is why I’m happy to go rogue! But yea, either through Gollancz or through my new job (The Broken Binding), absolutely. Although of course it depends on how this one sells!
Hi Marcus, please rank all five Red Dwarf books in order of your preference. You’re among friends, we won’t judge you. Titan, cos I got to work on it with Rob and Andy infinity better than life (although I always had them as the omnibus, so in my head they’re pretty tied) backwards last human (although I haven’t read either in 20 years, so who knows) garbage pod
Hello Marcus. Can you tell us anything about the special editions of the novel you mentioned in your tribute to Rob on the official website? Sadly they were mostly predicated on them being signed by both authors. Hopefully we can pick this up again at some point in the future but not much to say at the moment, apart from the indie bookshop copies signed by Andy which are out there already.
Hi Marcus, please rank all five Red Dwarf books in order of your preference. You’re among friends, we won’t judge you. Hi Marcus, just to clarify this, the 5 books Cappsy is talking about are: Red Dwarf Log No. 1996 A Question of Smeg: The 2nd Red Dwarf Quiz Book Scenes from the Dwarf Comedy, Chaos- and Cowboys! The Red Dwarf Companion The Garbage Pod Not answering this one. (Garbage pod)
Hi Marcus, Are you looking at ways to make the physical copy easier to purchase outside the U.K.? Europe and Australia should be quite easy. We didn’t get a US deal but it should be available there at some point. But most retailers will post anywhere in the world (I accept postage costs might be a problem)
Marcus, how much does it boil your piss that massive book chains just do what they damn well please? Meh, they always do. Is it ideal? No. But we cope.
Oh, and just to prove my credentials/solve something that’s been bugging me for years: https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=725205 Which Smegazine issue is this from? (Couple of other nice pieces in the gallery there as well)
Discovered this evening that my brother’s received his copy from Waterstones as well. Gosh darn frustrating.
Here’s the back of the book. I thought it was damaged at first but it’s meant to be like that. Oh good. There’s some genital torture before we even open the book….
Dang theres so many things I wanna discuss already Might be worth keeping some notes for once the threads open next Thursday. (I definitely get the urge to discuss it, but nobody wants to spoil things ahead of release date, especially when many people don’t have their copies yet.)
I’ve read 50 pages and I’m gonna say, in terms of storytelling, humour, and emotion, this is already up there with the first 2 novels and light years better than the 2 solo written novels were. And it’s just good comedy sci fi on its own strengths. I’m loving it so far
Anyone in the UK wanting to grab a copy early, I just did a click and collect at my local Waterstones which had them listed as in stock and picked it up an hour ago Morwen did the same It saves anyone having to “hunt” for them in the wild
Made a detour into town after work, got a bit worried they didn’t have it, found it on a table near the back, what a thrilling story
Europe and Australia should be quite easy. We didn’t get a US deal but it should be available there at some point. But most retailers will post anywhere in the world (I accept postage costs might be a problem) I assume this also applies to the audiobook in Canada? Haven’t seen any listings.
Sharing no detail about the book itself, beyond the known setting of an alternate prequel as stated on the cover, I’m 21 pages in & the prologue felt about Quanderhornish as I expected , by the opening chapter I’ve got goosebump the likes of my first read of “Infinity” or early watches series 1, my dreams are manifesting on the page as our favourite odd couple start to speak. This is Red Dwarf.
There’s a 4-star review in the new SFX, which I have received this morning before its instore release this week. I haven’t read it, however, lest it contain any spoilers. (Does anyone remember back before the internet ruined everything, that SFX used to have a sealed section in the middle called ‘The Spoiler Zone’, that contained fact-filled reviews of all the latest episodes of Buffy and the like, months before we got them on TV over here? Okay, this is over 25 years ago, but still.)
There’s a 4-star review in the new SFX, which I have received this morning before its instore release this week. I haven’t read it, however, lest it contain any spoilers. (Does anyone remember back before the internet ruined everything, that SFX used to have a sealed section in the middle called ‘The Spoiler Zone’, that contained fact-filled reviews of all the latest episodes of Buffy and the like, months before we got them on TV over here? Okay, this is over 25 years ago, but still.) yes and weirdly i was talking about this on the discord the other day!
Marcus, if you’re still around – is there a date planned for the paperback? Yours with kisses, A girl who hates hardbacks and is poor xxx
Marcus, if you’re still around – is there a date planned for the paperback? Yours with kisses, A girl who hates hardbacks and is poor xxx This will be the third time I’ve done this reference and I will continue as long as it amuses me (I too hate hardbacks)
“Dear sir or madam, there’s a Red Dwarf book It took Rob years to write, will you take a look? It’s based on a series by Grant Naylor…” “No I think I’ll wait, cos I want to read The paperback Titan. Paperback Titan!”
did we *have* to do the Click and Collect? What would have happened if we just aske the staff for a copy early? I was too timid.
did we *have* to do the Click and Collect? What would have happened if we just aske the staff for a copy early? I was too timid. There were copies out on the shelf in my local branch.
did we *have* to do the Click and Collect? What would have happened if we just aske the staff for a copy early? I was too timid. Didn’t *have* to. But it allows you to check stock and acts as something of a guarantee
How it feels to stick with my original pre-order instead of just cancelling it and grabbing a copy from Waterstones. At least this means I won’t be tempted to finish the whole book a week before the discussions are even open. This is plausibly the last bit of new Red Dwarf we’re going to get in years / ever, and definitely the last bit of new Red Dwarf from Rob Grant. No need to rush it.
How it feels to stick with my original pre-order instead of just cancelling it and grabbing a copy from Waterstones. At least this means I won’t be tempted to finish the whole book a week before the discussions are even open. This is plausibly the last bit of new Red Dwarf we’re going to get in years / ever, and definitely the last bit of new Red Dwarf from Rob Grant. No need to rush it. Yeah, a combination of having dyslexia and wanting to savour it means I’m going to happily take my sweet time with Titan.
I’m actually thinking of finishing it and popping it on eBay before the 16th so I can just get a paperback later when I want to read it again
There’s a 4-star review in the new SFX, which I have received this morning before its instore release this week. I haven’t read it, however, lest it contain any spoilers. (Does anyone remember back before the internet ruined everything, that SFX used to have a sealed section in the middle called ‘The Spoiler Zone’, that contained fact-filled reviews of all the latest episodes of Buffy and the like, months before we got them on TV over here? Okay, this is over 25 years ago, but still.) Yes, I absolutely do. I uses to rarely buy it, tbh. Only Dwarf or Babylon 5 content would do it for me. But I used to hate when a character’s head on the cover would partially cover up the middle letter of the magazine’s title and it made it look like I was buying erotic contraband.
“Dear sir or madam, there’s a Red Dwarf book It took Rob years to write, will you take a look? It’s based on a series by Grant Naylor…” “No I think I’ll wait, cos I want to read The paperback Titan. Paperback Titan!” Standing round of applause.
As someone who once pre-ordered an album to arrive on release day and then walked to town to buy a copy because the postie didn’t show up quickly enough, I too am fighting the urge to cancel my Kindle preorder (also a paperback guy).
I never bought SFX, but would browse it on the shelf when hanging out in magazine and video sections while a parent or grandparent did their shopping. I mainly remember learning that there was going to be a Red Dwarf film!!! and about Dave Gorman’s Important Astrology Experiment.
I’ve successfully reframed my annoyance at not having the book yet as me still getting to read it for the first time while you sad lot already have. Sucks to be you. You BASTARDS GIVE ME THE BOOK.
I’ve been looking forward to getting the audiobook first thing on Thursday so that I’ll be able to at least listen even if my physical copy hasn’t turned up. Now my fucking headphones have broken.
As someone who once pre-ordered an album to arrive on release day and then walked to town to buy a copy because the postie didn’t show up quickly enough, I too am fighting the urge to cancel my Kindle preorder (also a paperback guy). was it a good album?
Where is everyone planning on purchasing the Audiobook? I keep refreshing audible to see if it’s there but it stubbornly keeps saying it’s available on the 16th.
The unfortunate times of no phisical media. Then I could have at least imported a CD potentially yeah.
I’m crossing my figures on being able to switch to Amazon UK and purchasing a digital copy on the day of, I’m not sure if that’ll work but its my best bet as an American.
If anyone has Spotify premium you get 15 hours of audiobook listening with that. (problems with Spotify noted)
Where is everyone planning on purchasing the Audiobook? I strongly recommend libro.fm – you should get some free credits on sign up, and the audiobooks you get are DRM free. And it’s not Amazon.
IN FACT, it seems they have a referral programme, so, you know: https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm1028350
Only very minor things some people might consider spoilers in this Starburst magazine review of Titan. They give it 4/5. https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/red-dwarf-titan/
Dunno if anyone else has posted it anywhere, but there’s an interview with Andrew Marshall over on Forbidden Planet’s YouTube channel.
Another 4/5 review from scifinow: https://www.scifinow.co.uk/reviews/red-dwarf-titan-review/ Andrew interview in Radio Times: https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/red-dwarf-musical-adaptation-exclusive-newsupdate/ “I think Rob had the rights to do a stage version of Red Dwarf,” Marshall said. “We did talk about whether we could make it a musical or something! I don’t know whether that’s at all possible or not, but that was a very interesting idea. So there were other angles that could have been gone into.“
