Wossname -- Main issue -- August 2015
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wossnameWossname
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
August 2015 (Volume 18, Issue 8, Post 2)
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WOSSNAME is a free publication offering news, reviews, and all the other stuff-that-fits pertaining to the works and activities of Sir Terry Pratchett. Originally founded by the late, great Joe Schaumburger for members of the worldwide Klatchian Foreign Legion and its affiliates, including the North American Discworld Society and other continental groups, Wossname is now for Discworld and Pratchett fans everywhere in Roundworld.
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Editor in Chief: Annie Mac
News Editor: Vera P
Newshounds: Mogg, Sir J of Croydon Below, the Shadow, Wolfiekins, Mss C, Alison not Aliss
Staff Writers: Asti, Pitt the Elder, Evil Steven Dread, Mrs Wynn-Jones
Staff Technomancers: Jason Parlevliet, Archchancellor Neil, DJ Helpful
Book Reviews: Annie Mac, Drusilla D'Afanguin, Your Name Here
Puzzle Editor: Tiff (still out there somewhere)
Bard in Residence: Weird Alice Lancrevic
Emergency Staff: Steven D'Aprano, Jason Parlevliet
World Membership Director: Steven D'Aprano (in his copious spare time)
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INDEX:
01) MORE QUOTES OF THE MONTH
02) EDITOR'S LETTER: THIS IS NOT THE END
03) THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN NEWS
04) ODDS AND SODS
05) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
06) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
07) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS
08) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS
09) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
10) CLOSE
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01) MORE QUOTES OF THE MONTH
"Being aware we’d no longer have the pleasure of being surprised by the wit and perception of a new Terry Pratchett I think yes, it did...we were all touched, much more than we imagined we would be."
– Sir Tony "Baldrick" Robinson on recording the audiobook of The Shepherd's Crown
"It's my biggest regret with the podcast that I wasn't able to interview Sir Terry Pratchett. He's probably the comic writer who made the most difference to my life and how I see the world, and I owe him so much."
– influential actor-comedian Matt Lucas
"It was very inspirational reading [Pratchett's] books growing up. They present a pretty anarchic world. It's all pretty fantastic – it takes things from our world and twists it into something quite incredible. It's really important to commemorate people's lives, especially somebody who brought so much to UK literature. We didn't do it expecting it to be shared. We're doing it for personal reasons – but it's fantastic when people appreciate what you do."
– street artist Jim Vision, co-creator of the now world-famous Pratchett tribute mural in East London
"It's a fairly safe bet that without the Discworld series Harry Potter's broomstick might never have left the ground, the Hunger Games would never have been fought, Skullduggery Pleasant wouldn't have cast a spell and Artemis Fowl's criminal schemes would never have got off the drawing-board."
– Irish journalist Edward O'Hare
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02) LETTER FROM YOUR EDITOR
A few days from now, copies of The Shepherd's Crown will be flying off the shelves of Roundworld booksellers as the wildly anticipated release of the final Discworld novel finally arrives. As I mentioned in the Close of the main June issue of Wossname, much is being made of that phrase, "final Discworld novel", in personal and media communications; the internet is more rife than ever with text-based breast-beating and the tearing of virtual hair, and while I don't doubt the sincerity of the beaters and tearers, it does frustrate me that I've seen so few people giving thanks... thanks that Sir Pterry managed to give us anything at all in his final days, and thanks that he chose to give us one more episode in the amazing life story of one of his finest-drawn and most beloved characters – and that's in addition to the other four Discworld novels – and Dodger – and all the various collections and collaborations (including the fourth Science of Discworld and the Long Earth series) that he gave to the world despite the Embuggerance that was stealing his mind and life even as he raced against time to write them.
The release of The Shepherd's Crown brings a particular kind of bittersweet emotion for me as Editor of Wossname: after years of receiving advance review copies and waging the war of "exploration of themes" versus "do not under any circumstances include spoilers" when reviewing, any posthumous Pratchett publications will reach me at the same time as they do the rest of the world. I will be glad to be free of the DO NOT SPOILER responsibility, but sad to know that, for example, my Wossname review of the forthcoming Discworld Atlas won't happen until I've brought my shop-bought copy of it home...
It's right to mourn, but while we will all mourn, please do join me in taking equal time to celebrate, 'k?
Last month one of my closest friends, also a passionate longtime Pratchett fan, brought a new life into the world, her first and possibly only child. I think she's daft to have done this in such uncertain – and interesting! – times, but knowing both parents, one thing I can be certain of is that this child will grow up hearing, and then reading, the works of Terry Pratchett. So no, this is not the end. An author is not dead while his name is spoken. All together now:
This is not the end.
– Annie Mac, Editor
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03) THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN NEWS
Dear Readers, let those of us fortunate enough to live in places where the release date of The Shepherd's Crown occurs in just a few days not be too quick to flood the Clacks with reviews and spoilage! The USA release date is 1st September, but – for example – South Africa won't get it officially until 10th October...
3.1 OFFICIAL SPOILERS
From the official Pratchett feed:
Five things you need to know about The Shepherd's Crown
1. It introduces a brand new character – young Geoffrey Swivel.
2. There is a devilish smart goat named Mephistopheles, who can count to twenty and use the privy.
3. Granny, Nanny, Magrat, Agnes, Petulia, Mrs Earwig, Long Tall Short Fat Sally and Miss Tick are all there. Along with a whole host of other much-loved characters.
4. It will make you see the humble Garden Shed in a whole new light.
5. An elderly gentleman's toenails can be used as a powerful Feegle weapon.
3.2 RELEASE EVENTS
Bookseller giant Waterstones is backing The Shepherd's Crown with a number of celebratory release events around the UK. Some Waterstones outlets are getting the jump on other shops by holding their event a calendar day earlier, but most events will take place on Thursday 27 August. First among equal branches is Waterstones' flagship London store in Piccadilly, who are holding the vaunted Official Event on Wednesday night (26th); the 200-ticket midnight launch event has long since sold out, of course, but according to their website non-ticket-holders can still rock up to the shop late that night to join in some of the fun... and buy a copy of The Shepherd's Crown:
"If you weren't able to purchase a ticket you are still welcome to come along and queue from 11.30pm to sample the Discworld experience and to purchase a copy of The Shepherd’s Crown when it goes on sale to the general public at the stroke of midnight. Copies of The Shepherds Crown purchased with tickets or on the night will be exclusively stamped to mark this special occasion."
http://bit.ly/1TlBsjc
And a look at the rest, around the UK (and in at least one case, Fourecks)...
Waterstones Oxford will host a quiz on their midnight Shepherd's Crown launch.
When: Wednesday 26th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, William Baker House, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AF
Time: 11:30pm
Tickets: free. Ring 01865 790212 for more details.
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/oxford
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Waterstones Newcastle:
"Join us to celebrate the publication of the final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown at a special midnight opening at Waterstones Newcastle Emerson Chambers. As well as a NacMacFeegle Hunt and the Unseen University Challenge, there will be lots of fun activities for you to join in! Don't miss your chance to be one of the first to read this phenomenonal[sic] book!"
When: Wednesday 26th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, Emerson Chambers, Blackett Street, Newcastle, NE1 7JF
Time: 10pm
Tickets: free. For more information, contact the shop on 0191 261 7757.
Their lovely hand-chalked sign:
http://bit.ly/1J9HUD
https://www.waterstones.com/events/midnight-opening-for-the-shepherd-s-crown/Newcastle
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Waterstones Swansea will present a quiz, readings and a prize for best costume during their Shepherd's Crown event.
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, The Old Carlton Cinema, 17 Oxford Street, Swansea, SA1 3AG
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Tickets: free.
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/Swansea
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Waterstones Nottingham:
"Have you guys got your tickets for our Pratchett evening? IT'S FREE. IT'LL BE FUN. Test your knowledge with the quiz!"
"The Sillitoe Room at Waterstones will host the events to celebrate the life and works of Sir Terry, creator of the madcap, maniacal Discworld series, who died in March following a struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. It coincides with the release of Sir Terry's last novel, The Shepherd's Crown. The night will also feature Waterstones staff giving readings of their favourite sections from his novels. There will be prizes for the best Discworld-themed costume, quizzes and refreshments. The event is free but those interested in attending must pre-register at the shop."
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 1/5 Bridle smith Gate, Nottingham, NAG1 2GR
Time: 6.30pm
Tickets: free. To reserve a ticket, ring 0115 9470069.
The tickets look like this. A wonderful effort! http://bit.ly/1Mt15uk
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/Nottingham-bridles mi
https://twitter.com/Waterstones/status/633923788187566080
www.nottinghampost.com/Pratchett-honoured-launch-book/story-27624512-detail/story.html
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Waterstones Harrogate:
"To commemorate Sir Terry Pratchett's last Discworld novel 'The Shepherd's Crown' we are having a celebratory evening. Come along to discuss the wonderful books that Sir Terry wrote and join in this special event. As well as discussion there will be a quiz and other fun activities. Fancy dress is always welcome. This event will be suitable for all ages."
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 15 James Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QS
Time: 5pm
Tickets: free. For more information, ring 01423 531953
www.waterstones.com/events/terry-pratchett-night/harrogate
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Waterstones Leeds:
"Join us for an evening celebrating one of the great fantasy writers ever to have lived, Terry Pratchett, on the release day of his final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown. There'll be a quiz full of random Discworld and Pratchett tidbits, a competition to find the best Discworld-inspired outfit (shotgun the luggage...) and more prizes that you can shake a giant turtle at (though four elephants makes all the difference). We'll also have Pratchett-inspired boardgames, special offers exclusive to the evening, plenty of food and drink and a few more surprises... Best of all... it's completely free!"
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 93-97 Albion Street, Leeds, LS1 5JS
Time: 7pm
Tickets: free, but ring 01132444588 to reserve a space
https://www.waterstones.com/events/pratchett-celebration-evening/leeds
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Waterstones Derby will host a Discworld-themed evening featuring a quiz, some food and drink, and a prize for the best costume.
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 78-80 St Peter's Street, Derby, DE1 1SR
Time: 5.30pm-7pm
Tickets: free
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/derby-st-peters
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Waterstones York will be hosting "The Day of Pratchett". Sounds like a mini-festival:
Daytime Events:
Witch Hat Workshop – make your own pointy hat
Facepainting – Be a Wee Free Man or choose your own design
Treasure Hunt – help Tiffany find her lost sheep
Quiz – find the answers, win a prize
Plus a treat for anyone in costume!
Evening Events:
From 6pm join us in The Mended Drum (aka the cafe) for food and drink (it's mostly apples, we swear)
Judge Pepe's Fashion Show – fabulous prizes for the best costumes!
Find a team and take on the Unseen University Challenge – even more fabulous prizes for the winners of our quiz
Plus games, competitions, spot prizes
"Please reserve a place for the evening events, to allow us to provide enough food!"
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 15 Coney Street, York, YO1 9QL
Time: 9am – 8.30pm
Tickets: free. To reserve an evening spot, ring 01904 620784, tweet to them @WaterstonesYork, or email york@waterstones.com.
https://www.waterstones.com/events/the-day-of-pratchett/york
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Waterstones Dundee will host an all-day Shepherd's Crown event, including a Discworld character drawing competition open to all ages, a Discworld treasure hunt, a 7+1-foot Discworld colouring collage, a prize for best costume and a quiz. Coffee is available!
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 35 Commercial Street, Dundee, DD1 3DG
Time: 9am – 6pm
Tickets: free
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/dundee
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Waterstones Manchester:
"Join us for a special lunchtime event to celebrate the release of the final Discworld Novel, The Shepherd's Crown on publication day. We will be hosting Discworld games and running a fiendish Terry Pratchett quiz before Terry's close friend Rob Wilkins reads from The Shepherd's Crown and stamps each book with an exclusive stamp to mark this special occasion. Each ticket will include a copy of The Shepherd's Crown and a goody bag."
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 91 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BW
Time: 12.30pm
Tickets: £10 (including a copy of The Shepherd's Crown, at our special event price and a goody bag) or £35 (including a copy of The Shepherd's Crown – Exclusive Slipcase Edition and a goody bag). To purchase tickets, go to http://bit.ly/1hKq6Eo
"Please note that booking fees will apply. A maximum of 4 tickets is permitted per person. Ticket holders will receive their book and goody bag at the event."
http://bit.ly/1hKq6Eo
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Waterstones Huddersfield:
"Join us to celebrate the launch of Sir Terry Pratchett's final Discworld novel The Shepherd's crown. We'll have a travelling chest with our old much loved Discworld/pratchett novels, so bring yours and swap for something you haven't read yet! We're opening at 8:00 AM and will be serving refreshments in the morning. Best Fancy dress of the day will win a prize. We'll have Colouring sheets, bookmarks to give away, a treasure hunt with rewards, and other bits and bats. We'll see you there!"
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 12/13 Kingsgate Centre, King Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2QB
Time: 8am – 5.30pm
Tickets: free
https://www.waterstones.com/events/the-shepherd-s-crown/huddersfield
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Waterstones Boston will host "A Celebration of Terry Pratchett":
"Join us for an evening of Wine and nibbles as we celebrate the life and work of the late great Terry Pratchett."
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 18 Pescod Square, Boston, PE21 6QX
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Tickets: free
https://www.waterstones.com/events/a-celebration-of-terry-pratchett/boston
[Editor's note: that's Boston in Lincolnshire, aka the original Boston, in case you wondered]
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Waterstones Wakefield:
"Join us to celebrate the fantastic Discworld novels on the day the final book in the series, 'The Shepherd's Crown', is released. There will be a quiz, games, authentic Discworld food and prizes for the best costumes. Everyone welcome. Contact the store for further information on 01924 363535."
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 2 Kirkgate, Wakefield, WF1 1SP
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Tickets: free
https://www.waterstones.com/events/discworld-celebration-evening/wakefield
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Waterstones Birkenhead:
"Due to the popularity of our Harper Lee evening Waterstones Birkenhead would like to invite you to join us in celebrating the latest Pratchett Discworld novel: The Shepherd's Crown. With an interactive presentation by the marvellous Mary Clinton, trivia quiz, snacks, prizes and more. A fun filled evening for any Pratchett fan."
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 188-192 Grange Road, Birkenhead, CH41 6EA
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Tickets: £1. "Available from a Bookseller. Terms and conditions apply. Please ask in store for details."
For more information, ring 0151 650 2400
https://www.waterstones.com/events/terry-pratchett-s-discworld-evening-with-mary-clinton/birkenhead
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For Fourecksians in or near Melbourne city centre at four o'clock in the morning on 27th August, there's a Shepherd's Crown event at Dymocks in Collins Street. Yes, four o'clock in the morning:
"A night of revelry to celebrate the arrival of the next... and last... Discworld novel, the Shepherd's Crown. Come dressed suitably attired to share in the spirit of the Discworld – with a prize for the best Discworld character! Write your farewell, your tribute, your love letter to the great creator and add to the giant Discworld mural. Engage in games of skill, chance and dexterity against other Discworldians, and stay to enjoy readings and tributes. Save the date, and make sure you're there!"
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Dymocks, 234 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Time: 4am!
Tickets: free
http://allevents.in/melbourne/shepherds-crown-release-celebration/445821345604654
[Editor's note: I can tell you, as a transportee to XXXX, that various branches of Dymocks were supporters of the works of Terry Pratchett since long before the rest of the world joined in...]
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Waterstones Aberdeen will host a Discworld Quiz, "An evening of Discworld fun with great prizes up for grabs!", at the (temporary) Mended Drum on Friday 28th August in honour of The Shepherd's Crown.
When: Friday 28th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 3-7 Union Bridge, Aberdeen, AB11 6BG
Time: 7pm
Tickets: £5.00
For further information ring 01224 592440 during business hours or email aberdeen@waterstones.com
Here be the poster for the event:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMyRHaVWUAAjTkg.jpg
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/aberdeen
https://twitter.com/WaterstonesABDN
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Waterstones Doncaster will host a demonstration of Treefrog Games' "The Witches" board game.
When: Saturday 29th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 27 Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster, DN1 1LJ
Time: noon – 4pm
Tickets: free
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/doncaster
3.3 VIDEO TRIBUTE REMINDER
A reminder for Pratchett fans in XXXX and elsewhere:
"Anyone, anywhere can take part. Simply take a photo of yourself and your favourite quote from Discworld or Terry Pratchett – costumes, friends and pets optional – and email us it to us at theshepherdscrown@penguinrandomhouse.com.au
"With the final Discworld book almost upon us, a video tribute seems a fitting way to channel our appreciation for Terry Pratchett's words. Send us your contribution before 27 August 2015, the day THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN is released, and we'll take it from there – so you can get on with reading."
http://bit.ly/1IHQ1SV
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04) ODDS AND SODS
In no particular order...
4.1 RANDOM HOUSE AUSTRALIA LONG EARTH INTRODUCTION!
"Unique is a word easily applied to Terry Pratchett, and it's absolutely true – his imagination, his voice and his complex sense of humour stand apart not just in the world of literature, but in all popular culture. The singularity of his talent did not confine him to solo projects, though – Pratchett was open to collaboration, most notably with fellow authors Neil Gaiman (twice), and with Stephen Baxter on The Long Earth series.
"THE LONG UTOPIA is the fourth book in The Long Earth series, which ingeniously combines two seemingly opposed mindsets. Pratchett is of course best known for his fantasy series of Discworld novels, which are filled with outrageous wit, outlandish characters and a good dose of magic. Baxter, in contrast, grounds his books more in fact or 'hard science' – particularly evolutionary theory and speculation.
"Many fans of Pratchett and Baxter encountered the other author for the first time with these books – and for any reader who's curious about taking their first step into the immense catalogue of Pratchett, The Long Earth series is a recommended option.
"What is 'the long Earth?' It's not one planet, but a series of parallel worlds. All of them are similar to the Earth that we know and love and live on – but as you go further along and farther away, world by world, the differences become greater and greater. We readers tour the Long Earth through the eyes of inter-world travellers Joshua and Lobsang.
"Pratchett and Baxter use this set-up to explore ideas about how global evolution might have turned out differently, under different conditions. There's only one thing that all the parallel worlds have in common: none of them have ever been inhabited by humanity."
http://bit.ly/1h2RHzU
4.2 THE STORY OF RINCEWIND!
...the sculpted character, that is. Here be a wonderful blogpost by the Cunning Artificer himself, Bernard Pearson, from the new and equally wonderful Cunning Artificer blog:
"So, if you're sitting comfortably then Uncle Bernard will begin. 'Here' was Covent Garden, 'when' was June 1990. An article had appeared in the Sunday Telegraph colour supplement which previewed Terry's latest book: Guard! Guards! This had excited the interest of a 'man in a suit business consultant' who was working with us at the time. Isobel had heard a reading of 'The Colour of Magic' on Radio 4 in 1985 and as a result bought and read all the available Discworld books. Then I read and also enjoyed them hugely. It took an outsider to join the dots and recognise a commercial synergy between the sort of things we were making (humorous fantasy figurines), and what Terry was creating in his books.
"A dialogue opened up with Terry's agent Colin Smythe and we met up with him in London. Once the principles had been established it was down to meeting Terry himself. At that time there were no 'real' Discworld characterisations other than those produced as book covers by Josh Kirby. Great art, fun covers but not exactly helpful. We were advised to steer clear of those and Terry; no mean artist himself, faxed us drawings to give us some idea of what was in his mind. Over the years this process became so slick he only had to say what character he had seen on film or TV and we were on to it, but that's a whole other story. So with a very concise sketch and a few years of experience in making any number of wizards from Gandalf onwards I started modelling Rincewind..."
The page includes some images (also wonderful) – and best of all, a reproduction of the original fax from The Author himself, showing his rough sketches of Rincewind and Granny Weatherwax. Even if you haven't time to read the whole post right now, you should click on this direct link to that image, to delight in how perfectly these characters were described in a few drawn lines by their creator:
http://bit.ly/1I1ycgY
To read the whole piece, go to:
http://thecunningartificer.com/portfolio/how-it-all-began/
The blog's homepage:
http://thecunningartificer.com/
4.3 THE MAKING OF NANNY OGG'S COOKBOOK FRENCH COVER ART!
Here be a series of screencaps of illustrator Marc Simonetti's process:
http://www.itsartmag.com/features/making-of-nanny-oggs-cookbook/
4.4 STUNNING PAUL KIDBY ART!
"Fans of illustration and fantasy drawing get a treat in the summer issue of Drawing, which features an interview with the British artist Paul Kidby. Kidby has spent some 20 years illustrating for the late Terry Pratchett, author of the sprawling, best-selling Discworld series of satirical fantasy novels. Kidby's work on Discworld has ranged from book covers to illustrated-novels to limited-edition prints to illustrations for sundry related publications and products. In the article, written by Ken Gofton, Kidby relates how he managed to get the Discworld gig, which changed the direction of his career, and he explains the several stages of his process for working with authors and publishers.
"Here, we're happy to present a few extra fantasy drawings by Kidby that we couldn't fit into the magazine. We hope you enjoy his often eccentric creations. To see more, visit the artist's website (_http://www.paulkidby.net/_), and be sure to read the full story in the summer 2015 issue of Drawing. You can purchase a copy here (_http://bit.ly/1I3Mn5a_, buy a digital copy (_http://bit.ly/1ML4q89_), or subscribe to Drawing magazine (_http://bit.ly/1U0cIgF_)."
Illustrations reproduced on this page include Mort (the breathtaking 2011 pencil study of Sir Pterry playing chess with the Death of Discworld); Death With Bees (2010); Leonard of Quirm (1999); and the original pencil sketch for the cover of The Wee Free Men (2002)
http://bit.ly/1fENHFa
4.5 PRINT YOUR OWN 3-D DISCWORLD!
"Inspired by Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, this is a 3d printable model of the discworld travelling through space and time upon four elephants riding on the back of a giant turtle. It is mashup of several bits from different places. The turtle came from another thingiverse model of a garden turtle by Pmowes – http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:421809
"I scaled it and flattened the top to stand the elephants on. The four elephants came from a thingiverse model by ringmaster of a parade elephant. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:38573
"I scaled the elephants and fused four together to fit on top of the Turtle. I also flattened the tops of the elephants to give a better base for glueing on the disc.
"The disc world itself I made in two parts. The rimfall I designed from scratch using Cheetah 3d – I am something of a n00b in Cheetah 3d, but the finished article is close to the effect I was seeking. The disc I modified from the other disc world model on thingiverse by aesedepece. I wanted something with more height and definition. This is his original model: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:28509
"All the parts have been through NetFabb so they should work on most printers."
To read online, and to see the amazing iconographs of the 3-D Discworld, go to:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:662018
4.6 WATERSTONES BLOG: LOOKING BACK ON THE DISCWORLD SERIES
"With Terry Pratchett's final Discworld book due to be published August 27th, we're looking back on the entire series. Here's part one, books 1-10. It's fairly safe to say that our booksellers were, and still are, huge fans of Terry Pratchett. A few years ago we revisited each and every one of his Discworld books and with the release of the final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, a little over a week away we thought it only made sense to run the series again. A huge thanks to the booksellers across the country who contributed and, of course, to Terry Pratchett himself...
"The Colour of Magic is also more reliant on its fantasy forebears than later novels, playing the fantasy-parody card more often and more obviously than later books which tend to address issues largely beyond the genre (the postal system, Hollywood, Shakespeare – for example), these parodic elements are most obviously present in the Conan-esque Hrun the Barbarian and the Lovecraftian Bel-Shamharoth, yet for every borderline cliché you have the kind of wonderful innovations Pratchett is loved for: a cowardly wizard who only knows one spell, and of course The Luggage. Even the structure of the book is a little odd compared to later fare, but there is no denying that all the pieces are in place here and a world set in motion..." – Glyn Morgan, Waterstones Liverpool One
"Packed with Pratchett's signature satire, The Light Fantastic cements Rincewind as one of my favourite Discworld characters and Terry Pratchett as one my favourite authors. I started reading the books as a teenager - I loved them then, and I still love them now - whether it's the new titles or rereading the old ones..." – Sarah Hiorns, Waterstones Ipswich
"Wizards, and the world, being what they are, Esk doesn't have an easy time proving that she is just as worthy and talented as her male counterparts. It also contains a brilliant description of the best way to achieve the impossible.
This is the third Discworld novel and some people might advise you to skip it and start with one of the later ones. They'd be wrong..." – Lisa Hunt, Waterstones Hemel Hempstead
"As brilliant as Mort's story is though, Death and his household are the real stars of the show. In the sea of iconic characters and brilliantly imagined mythologies that make up the Discworld novels, they have to be among the most iconic of all. His timeless kingdom and its workings are genuinely wondrous, eerie creations and I dare anyone to find another writer who can inject the skeletal, anthropomorphic personification of death with quite as much haunting pathos as Mr. Pratchett..." – Dan Coombes, Waterstones Oxford Street West
"The first thing that I loved about [Sourcery] was how much was similar to Fantasy books I'd read before. Pratchett is not afraid to make jabs at the genre, with a light hearted wit that shows a lot of love for the source material. The fantastic distractions through Terry's famous footnotes add an extra level of comic intricacy that is phenomenal, & his use of descriptive metaphors is unique, quirky & tickles the brain in a very particular way..." – Darran Stobart, Waterstones Northallerton
"If you have never read a Discworld novel [Wyrd Sisters] is the perfect introduction, wickedly funny, sometimes outrageous, always bonkers, Pratchett has a wonderful ability to hold a mirror up to society, so you will recognise yourself in the characters, and also your friends and neighbours..." – Sara Thompson, Waterstones Trowbridge
"Pyramids is a book that begins at the end, and ends at the beginning. It could be considered the quintessential Discworld book: modern notions challenging old ways, the clashing of cultures, hilarious one-liners, running gags, a race through the streets of Ankh-Morpork and, of course, the ubiquitous Death scenes. It also has assassins, smugglers, gods, hand-maidens, priests, mummies and a sphinx, all topped with lashings of Pratchett's observational humour..." – John Uphill, Waterstones Norwich
"All of these key Pratchett conventions are present in Guards! Guards!. From page one it's side-splittingly funny, turning the fantasy genre on its head in that way only Pratchett can... Once the would-be king slays the dragon he will be crowned and they can rule the city vicariously through him. Only four men stand in their way, the brave men of The Watch, and they'll bring down this nefarious plot just as soon as they stop running and hiding and sober up..." – Matt Wilson, Waterstones Tenterden
"If you've never delved into Discworld before and you don't fancy starting at the beginning then Eric is the perfect novel to start with... Eric is one of Pratchett's shortest novels and takes the reader to Aztec-type lands, a Trojan war and the circles of hell but doesn't lose Pratchett's usual charm and humour..." – Sasha James, Waterstones Greenwich
"[Moving Pictures] is the most insane, gloriously funny satirical romp through the movie industry. Something nasty has awakened in the hills of Holy Wood, something that latches onto the Alchemists discovery of the art of moving pictures - and now everyone wants to be in "The Clicks"... One of the funniest books I have ever read, Moving Pictures doesn't miss a beat, or a pun..." – Michelle Jones, Waterstones Petersfield
https://www.waterstones.com/blog/discworld-reviewed-part-one
4.7 ERIC ON THE WIRELESS: A REMINDER!
Having listened last night to the four-part BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Eric, I can tell you that is is very good. All episodes are still available for worldwide listening, so get on it:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01r0zb9
4.8 TIFFANY ACHING "DELETED SCENES": A REMINDER
From the "private musings of Tiffany Aching", courtesy of Penguin Books:
http://summerofpenguin.com/2015-08-03/terry-pratchetts-discworld
4.9 THE STICK AND FOOT-THE-BALL DANCE!
Yes, this is a satire. But then again, so are Discworld novels – and both are in the same spirit of fun:
"Police were called after a mass brawl broke out in a pub car park between a group of morris dancers and a blind football team. The footballers were enjoying a match on the village green at Rattlesden, near Stowmarket, using a ball with a bell in it so they could keep up with play. But all hell broke out when the morris dancers began performing at a nearby pub. A player kicked the ball off the pitch towards the Brewers Arms, and then mistook the morris dancers' uniform bells for the one in the ball. He promptly kicked one of the dancers in the shin, sending him flying over a table and crashing into a flower pot. A hanging basket then fell on his head. More blind footballers then joined the melee, kicking out at the bells and then being surprised when they were punched by furious morris men. The brawl was only stopped when the referee caught up and blew his whistle loudly..."
http://www.suffolkgazette.com/news/morris-dancers-blind-footballers-brawl/
[And for once, we can definitely urge you to read the comments! – Ed.]
4.10 BRING AN ORANGUTAN HOME!
The Bring an Orangutan Home Project has run since November 2012 and will continue until December 2016:
"Hundreds of rescued orphan orangutans are ready to go home to the forest, where they belong. Having undergone years of nurturing rehabilitation under the watchful eyes of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, these graduates need your help to get them home. Over the past 2 decades, hundreds of orphaned and displaced orangutans have been rescued and cared for in sanctuaries such as those operated by Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation in Indonesia. These sanctuaries are now crowded and many of the orangutans are ready for release back to the forest. Finding safe forests for them has been a challenge, but it has been found. Now the only thing preventing them from going home is lack of funding... An integrated team of experts manages the release operation, from selection of candidates and their preparation through to post-release monitoring. Success will be demonstrated by the documented release of 100 orangutans complete with at least one year of post-release monitoring... Orangutan Land Trust will help support the release of these orangutans by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation operating in Indonesia. By releasing orangutans, we can free up space in the rescue centres so they can take in more victims. Additionally, the released orangutans will collectively form a new, viable population in safe areas of forest, ensuring their long-term survival as a species in the wild..."
Read more about the Charity running this project:
http://www.thebiggive.org.uk/charity.php?charity_id=6597
https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/18744
4.11 SASQUAN FAN FILM UPDATE!
The Kickstarter goal of $6,000 was surpassed by an additional four figures. The excess will now go into a "stretch budget":
"Our biggest challenge will be in narrowing down the final footage, gathering music, and finishing the film and DVDs by November. But, we believe this is a realistic goal. If anything happens to alter that timeline, we will do everything to keep our backers in the loop! We are firm believers in transparency and frank, open communication..."
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1686440358/the-turtle-moves-remembering-terry-pratchett
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05) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
5.1 PJSM PRINTS – NOW DISCWORLD.COM
"Crivens! After more than twenty years our name is changing and we're delighted to write and tell you about it! As a previous customer of PJSM Prints you will know that we've been supplying official Discworld artwork and merchandise since 1995, but we've grown, our range of products has expanded and we want to provide a better service to Terry's friends and fans. So we're excited to announce that we are now becoming Discworld.com!
"And we have a new website! We've launched our all-new discworld.com [http://discworld.com/] site to make your browsing experience better and to introduce our social media platforms for more fun, interaction with us and gossip! We will still provide all the same high quality products but you can now shop faster, join our social community and keep up with all the latest Discworld news. Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Flickr for starters!"
https://twitter.com/Discworld_com
https://www.facebook.com/discworldofficial
https://instagram.com/discworld.com_official/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/132892573@N05/
"The launch of the new website sees the reintroduction of two of our most popular limited run, signed colour prints – Great A'Tuin and Under an Eldritch Sky, and our NEW, exclusive Terry t-shirt. Not only this but we have fabulous additions to the range coming soon, irresistible new collectables and the first of many exciting competitions."
http://discworld.com/products/artwork/great-atuin/
http://discworld.com/products/bags-clothing/terry-t-shirt/
http://discworld.com/products/artwork/colour-print-eldritch-sky/
"The range of Discworld products you know and love is available to buy here right now, and we will soon launch a new improved Roundworld section! We fully understand that the browsing experience will be different for those of you who know our time-honoured site well, so we will run PJSM Prints (_http://pjsmprints.com_) concurrently until midnight on Sunday 23rd August to allow you to use either if you're in a hurry, and to enable you to continue ordering all your favourite Roundworld products. Please do take a look at our new site, we'd love to hear your feedback and have provided two dedicated email addresses for you to get in touch; feedback@discworld.com and web@discworld.com.
"We're proud of our quality products and are delighted to offer you an improved way of shopping for them. We've organised our new site into quick reference categories, grouped fellow subjects together, introduced a handy subject search facility and offered a whole new lightbox system for viewing every last detail. Please come and have a look around!"
http://discworld.com
[Do have a shufti at the site – it's lovely! And do scroll to the bottom of each page, where you will find different messages "typed" on a semi-automated Hex keyboard – Ed.]
5.2 DISCWORLD EMPORIUM UPDATES
"Greetings Discworld fans! We are full of excitement, having taken delivery of the Discworld Calendar 2016, and what a thing of beauty it is... We've been dribbling over the delicious artwork of Joe McLaren, cover artist for the Discworld Collector's Library, who has come up trumps with twelve stunning illustrations that capture the heart and soul of Discworld, from Dibbler to Granny, from Great A'tuin to the Canting Crew. Long-time Discworld fan Joe has previously worked with us on exclusive Hogswatch cards, Discworld Stamps and 'The Turtle Moves' T-Shirt, and we're chuffed that he has such a wonderful vessel for his artwork in this fantastic calendar... the 2016 calendar features twelve pieces of original artwork, along with all those important Discworld and roundworld dates that you'll still forget about despite them hanging on your wall in such a decorative fashion. Each calendar includes a full page of colourful artwork for each month along with plenty of space for your notes, reminders and appointments. Includes all major realtime calendrical data for Great Britain, Eire, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA, as well as notable Discworld dates."
The Discworld Collector's Edition Calendar is priced at £14.99. For more information, and to order, go to:
http://www.discworldemporium.com/DiscworldCalendar2016
"Also available for pre-order, the Witches Diary 2016, This 'Practical Manual for the Modern Witch' contains a cornucopia of Discworld trivia and all things witch. More than just a diary, this Practical Manual for the Modern Witch gives a long-awaited insight into the wit and wisdom of some of Terry Pratchett's best-loved Discworld characters, the Witches! Featuring sage advice and guidance from the likes of Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax and Tiffany Aching,The Discworld Diary 2016 teems with a glorious mix of cultural ephemera, illustration, and hilarious one-liners along with important Discworld and Roundworld dates to help you be as sharp as Miss Tick!
"We're very proud to have aided and abetted Sir Terry in the creation of this book, and as a celebration of our collaboration every copy bought from us includes an exclusive A5 art print for your own witch's cottage with blessings from the hags of Discworld!"
The 2016 Discworld Diary is priced at £16.99. For more information, and to order, go to:
http://www.discworldemporium.com/DiscworldDiary2016
The Turtle Moves Tee
Official Discworld T-Shirt featuring the sublime artwork of Joe McLaren, cover artist for the Discworld Collector's Library Hardback editions from Gollancz. 100% supersoft ringspun cotton tee in midnight navy, slim & tailored style for a flattering fit.
The Turtle Moves t-shirt is priced £15.00 and available in "Classic" or "Ladies" fit in sizes S to XXL. For more information, and to order, go to:
http://www.discworldemporium.com/GreatATuinTee
http://www.discworldemporium.com/GreatAtuinTshirtLadies
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06) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
6.1 SOUL MUSIC IN WELLINGTON, UK (SEPTEMBER)
Wellington Theatre Company presents SOUL MUSIC by Terry Pratchett adapted by Rebecca Beard and Mike Leach:
"This play, based on the novel of the same name, is primarily about the arrival of Rock Music to the Disc. Because of the nature of the Disc, it arrives magically, and departs within a few weeks, encompassing 50 years of Earth Rock History from Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Elvis, The Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, 80's Hair Metal and Stadium Rock to the present day. It's mad, it's crazy, it's hilarious and it's not to be missed."
When: Wednesday 2nd – Saturday 5th September 2015
Venue: Wellington Arts Centre, Eight Acre Lane, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8PS
Time: 7:30 pm evenings; Saturday matinee at 3pm
Tickets: £8. Ring the Box Office on 0844 997 9000, or to purchase online, go to:
http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/wellingtonartscentre
https://www.facebook.com/events/728506640588582/
6.2 REMINDER: MORT IN BRISBANE (AUGUST–OCTOBER)
The Brisbane Arts Theatre's latest Discworld production will be Mort!
When: 22nd August–3rd October 2015
Venue: Brisbane Arts Theatre, 210 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane, QLD 4000
(phone 07 3369 2344)
Time: 8pm Thursdays (except 27th August), Fridays and Saturdays; 6.30pm
Sundays (6th and 20th September)
Tickets: Adults $31, Concession $25, Group 10+ $25, Group 75+ $20, Gold
Members $15, Members $25, Student Rush $10 (10 mins before curtain).
Members can redeem their included season tickets for this show. There
are no refunds or exchanges once tickets have been purchased. To
purchase tickets online, go to http://bit.ly/1Imz2tJ
http://artstheatre.com.au/show/mort
6.3 REMINDER: NIGHT WATCH IN CARDIFF (SEPTEMBER)
Monstrous Productions are back with their latest Pratchett offering – Night Watch, adapted by Stephen Briggs and directed by Amy Davies:
"Hello everybody! We are incredibly pleased to say that, over the course of four plays since the start of 2013, we have raised over £12,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK! Luckily we added a matinee for Witches Abroad: our audiences were better than ever! But we don't stop there. In September we will be performing Night Watch!"
When: 9th-12th-September 2015
Venue: The Gate Theatre, Keppoch Street, Roath, Cardiff CF24 3JW
Time: 7.30pm (doors open 7pm), plus a 2.30pm matinee on the 12th
Tickets: £8 (£6 concession), available soon from www.monstrousptc.com
To view their fine poster, go to http://bit.ly/1TycedT
6.4 REMINDER: MASKERADE IN GLASGOW (SEPTEMBER)
The Antonine Players will present their production of Maskerade in September.
When: 17th, 18th, 19th September 2015
Venue: Fort Theatre, Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow G64 2DW
Time: 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm
Tickets: £8.50 (£8 concession). Available online at
www.ticketsource.co.uk/forttheatre or ring 0141 573 6620 or 0141 772 7054
http://www.forttheatre.org/
6.5 UPDATES: WYRD SISTERS IN UPPINGHAM (OCTOBER)
Tickets are now available for the Uppingham Theatre Company's forthcoming production of Wyrd Sisters!
"Why not visit Lancre this Halloween, it has everything, witches, evil Dukes and Duchesses, strolling players, ghosts, you name it, its got it, and for only £10, yes £10 folks(£2 going to charity with each ticket old) you could be transported to the mythical kingdom of Lancre!"
When: Thursday 29th October through Saturday 31st October 2015
Venue: Uppingham Theatre, 32 Stockerston Road, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9UD
Time: 7.30pm all evening shows; Saturday matinee 2.30pm
Tickets: £10 (includes a £2 charity donation per ticket to Rutland Reminders). Available in person from Uppingham Sports and Books, 9 High Street East, Uppingham. To purchase online, go to https://www.wegottickets.com/location/1664 or http://www.uppingham.co.uk/School-Shop
Uppingham Theatre Company will be holding a cake stall in Uppingham Market Place on the morning of Saturday the 29th August, to promote Wyrd Sisters and help with some funding towards rehearsal costs.
http://www.rutlandreminders.org.uk/
http://www.uppinghamtheatrecompany.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Uppingham-Theatre-Company/215743641793859
6.6 REMINDER: UNSEEN ACADEMICALS IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE (NOVEMBER)
A heads-up from the Bucks Free Press about a production coming this November:
"The Marlow Players will stage the late author's work 'Unseen Academicals' in November and are looking for budding actors to join the company. The group, which has been entertaining audiences for more than 75 years, needs volunteers to ensure the show can go on... Gloria Kendrick Hurst of the Marlow Players said the group plans to donate part of the proceeds from the show to the Alzheimer's Society..."
http://bit.ly/1HRjEnr
The company has not yet posted any more specific info, but the production will be presented at the Shelley Theatre, Court Garden, Pound Lane, Marlow, Bucks SL7 2AG. If you are interested in helping out, contact them through their website. Watch this space (as it were) for more details closer to the date:
http://www.marlowplayers.org.uk/
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07) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS
7.1 SCHEIBENWELT NEWS
The fourth German Discworld convention – Scheibenwelt being the word for Discworld, of course – takes place next month (10th – 13th September 2015) at the 600-year-old Castle Ludwigstein in Hesse.
"During this period we offer our more than 200 guests workshops, talks, games, guests of honour and Discworld merchandising normally not available in Germany. You can visit us for a day or stay at the castle or a hotel nearby... At the moment there are only 9 free beds at the castle. If you wish to order more than that you will be put on our waiting list and might get tickets if orders are cancelled or not payed. We advice you to buy hotel tickets instead... The castle is a youth hostel and offers bed linen for 5,50 Euro. You can bring your own for free. You will also need to bring along washing utensils like soap and towels." There will be a free shuttle service to the castle from the train station.
This year's convention is Klatch-themed, and looks like it's going to be a lively one, featuring – among many other activities – a preview screening of the legendary Troll Bridge film in its current state of progress; live Discworld games including Who Wants to Be a Discworld Millionaire? ("prove your knowledge of Klatch, the Discworld and its creator in this unique show"); storytelling workshops and, yes, klatches including "1001 Klatchian Nights"; patrols by the Ankh-Morpork City Watch; "How do you create your own fantasy world?" (with guest author Cornelia Franke); a belly dancing workshop; improvisational "What would Rincewind do?" theatre ("Rincewind in Klatch? In two lessons you will learn how to see and react to situations."); Unveiled Camouflage (Make-up) with Eva ("Who does not want to move inconspicuously through Klatch? You do not want to attract attention as a foreigner? Whether young or old, here you get paint! Absolutely colourful! Small wonder come true immediately, greater ones take longer. Special requests are welcome. Talk to me!"); various stalls including Discworld miniatures masters Micro Arts Studio and Ankh-Morpork e.V. ("Again we will help you sell your old Discworld and fantasy novels at our stall. Just bring them along and write your name and a price with a pencil in the book and collect money for every sold book at the end of the convention."); and the usual costume contest, gaming room, and charity raffle.
This one sounds particularly interesting:
Rum-Tasting: "Had too much Klatchian Coffee? Dibbler's Homeopathic Sipping Whiskey just doesn't do it? Scumble is too common, Orakh too dangerous and cabbage schnapps too – well, you know, too much cabbage? Can't afford Bentinck's Very Old Peculiar Brandy but want something aged for more than 8 minutes (preferably not cabbage-based)? Join us on a journey to the Disc of sugar (cane) based drinks. You're not only going to learn about origins, production and aging process, you will also be able to sample some rather nice products. You will definitely not leave this workshop knurd")
Tickets for Thursday through Sunday are €149 (discount price for Visitors aged less than 12 years or members of the Ankh-Morpork e.V. €139), and for Friday through Sunday, €110 (discount price €105). Day tickets are also available: Friday or Saturday €20 (€18 discount Visitors aged less than 12 years or members of the Ankh-Morpork e.V.),
Sunday €35 (€30 discount). To purchase tickets, either for attendees staying at Castle Ludwigstein or non-resident day attendees, go to:
http://www.scheibenwelt-convention.de/viewpage.php?page_id=8
For more info:
http://www.scheibenwelt-convention.de/viewpage.php?page_id=37&
http://www.scheibenwelt-convention.de/
http://www.burgludwigstein.de/
7.2 SASQUAN/WORLDCON REPORTS
World SF Convention Report: Terry Pratchett Remembered
A report from Krypton Radio:
"This afternoon at a panel, there was a remembrance of Sir Terry, sometimes funny, sometimes bittersweet. The four panelists were Denise Connell, Anne Hoppe, Tom Whitmore, and Deb Geisler. Each related stories about Sir Terry, giving the attendees a chance to remember him and what he was like to be around. There were many such stories to be shared, some by the panelists, some by the attendees themselves, but these two by Anne Hoppe, who worked with Sir Terry as his editor for several years, are worth retelling: 'Last spring my sister and I were visiting in England, and we were fortunate enough to be there for the Spring Fling Event in Wincanton, which is the town in England which is the twin to Ankh-Morpork, and Terry was fabulous, his health was relatively frail by then, but he was there. And he was interacting with the fans, and having a fabulous time with them. When he was ready to leave and we were going back he said "I feel filled with helium." He was so lit up by talking to the fans, by spending time with the fans, the fans – he had a great love of writing, but he had such love of the fans too, such appreciation for the people who read his books and wanted to come up and talk to him about the books. And for all that he represents in this room in terms of the smart, funny people who love stories who love books and to give that back to him as he gave it to us...'"
The page also features video footage of a wandering Luggage and Twoflower:
http://bit.ly/1V1yduy
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08) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS: UPDATES AND REMINDERS
The Broken Drummers, "London's Premier Unofficially Official Discworld Group" (motto "Nil percussio est"), meets next on Monday 7th September 2015 at the Monkey Puzzle, 30 Southwick Street, London, W2 1JQ. For more information, go to http://brokendrummers.org/ or email BrokenDrummers@gmail.com or nicholls.helen@yahoo.co.uk
*
Canberra, Australia has a new Discworld fan group, Drumknott's Irregulars! "We are a newly established Terry Pratchett & Discworld social group in Canberra called Drumknott's Irregulars. The group is open to all, people from interstate and overseas are welcome, and our events will not be heavily themed. Come along to dinner for a chat and good company. We welcome people all all fandoms (and none) and we would love to see you at one of our events, even if you're just passing through. Please contact us via Facebook (_https://www.facebook.com/groups/824987924250161/_) or Google Groups (_https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/drumknotts-irregulars_) or join us at our next event."
*
There is a new public Facebook meeting group, "The Gathering of the Loonies (Wincanton chapter)": "This group, by request of Jo in Bear will continue to be used for future unofficial (not run by the Emporium) fan Gatherings in Wincanton. Look here for information. Next event Loonies Christmas Party. Same weekend as Hogswatch would have been. ie 27/28/29 November."
https://www.facebook.com/groups/373578522834654/
*
The Pratchett Partisans are a fan group who meet monthly at either Brisbane or Indooroopilly to "eat, drink and chat about all things Pratchett. We hold events such as Discworld dinners, games afternoons, Discworld photo scavenger hunts. Our recent 'Murder In Morpork' mystery party was a great night out. With 26 people attending, we had 24 suspects, our special guest – Vetinari, and one dead mime! It was a fun night of food and murder and we are planning another Murder in December so stay tuned. We also attend opening night at Brisbane Arts Theatre's Discworld plays."
The Partisans currently have about 100 members who meet at least twice a month, usually in Brisbane. For more info about their next meetup, join up at https://www.facebook.com/groups/pratchettpartisans/ or contact Ula directly at uwilmott@yahoo.com.au
*
The City of Small Gods is a group for fans in Adelaide and South Australia. For more information on their upcoming activities, go to www.cityofsmallgods.org.au
Also, City of Small Gods will be holding a special quiz night in October: "Test your knowledge on all things Science Fiction and Fantasy – books, movies, TV, comics, games and more! A dragon's hoard of prizes including best costume!"
When: 17th October 2015
Venue: Clarence Gardens Bowling Club, Winona Ave, Clarence Gardens
Time: 7pm for 7.30pm start
Tickets: $15 per person or $112 for a table of 8 "Bookings essential. Bring your own nibbles, purchase drinks at the bar (cash only)"
For more info, and to purchase tickets, go to:
http://ausdwcon.org/fan-clubs/adelaide/quiz/
*
The Broken Vectis Drummers meet next on Thursday 3rd September 2015 (probably) from 7.30pm at The Castle pub in Newport, Isle of Wight. For more info and any queries, contact broken_vectis_drummers@yahoo.co.uk
*
The Wincanton Omnian Temperance Society (WOTS) next meets on Friday 4th September 2015 (probably) at Wincanton's famous Bear Inn from 7pm onwards. "Visitors and drop-ins are always welcome!"
*
The Northern Institute of the Ankh-Morpork and District Society of Flatalists, a Pratchett fangroup, has been meeting on a regular basis since 2005 but is now looking to take in some new blood (presumably not in the non-reformed Uberwald manner). The Flatalists normally meet at The Narrowboat Pub in Victoria Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire, to discuss "all things Pratchett" as well as having quizzes and raffles. Details of future meetings are posted on the Events section of the Discworld Stamps forum:
http://www.discworldstamps.co.uk/forum/
*
Sydney Drummers (formerly Drummers Downunder) meet next on Monday 7th September 2015 at 6.30pm (probably) in Sydney at 3 Wise Monkeys, 555 George Street, Sydney,2000. For more information, contact Sue (aka Granny Weatherwax): kenworthys@yahoo.co.uk
*
The Treacle Mining Corporation, formerly known as Perth Drummers, meets next on Monday 7th September 2015 (probably) from 5.30pm at Carpe Cafe, 526 Murray Street, Perth, Western Australia. For details follow Perth Drummers on Twitter @Perth_Drummers or join their Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Perth.Drummers/ – or message Alexandra Ware directly at <alexandra.ware@gmail.com>
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09) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
Discworld cakes just keep getting better: http://bit.ly/1U69Klr and http://bit.ly/1UZu5LB
Stephen Briggs is definitely the master of the Vetinari eyebrow!
http://bit.ly/1KGObp7
Josh Kirby's original cover art from the German edition of Good Omens:
http://bit.ly/1hed9SY
Discworld cosplay...
A believable Rincewind: http://bit.ly/1gCPID3
An impressive Hogfather: http://bit.ly/1LZuUAX
...and a stunning – and very populous – live Discworld Massif of sorts, by Spanish fans:
http://bit.ly/1N37WaN
...and more of the former, all from Cosplay Mundodisco at the Spanish fan convention Celsius 2015 in Aviles:
http://on.fb.me/1Iz114X
...and from Sasquan, a spot-on Angua and Cheery, by NADWCon's Head Seamstress Denise Connell:
http://bit.ly/1HZdi1V and http://bit.ly/1gZRYUs
"It's what a pit pony *be*..." – photo gallery of a vast, eye-popping 200-metre earth sculpture, "Sultan the Pit Pony", by Welsh artist Mick Petts at Parc Penalta in Caerphilly. Shades of The Chalk:
http://bit.ly/1I51PBk
A lovely Tenniel-meets-Shepard-esque illustration of Tiffany versus Jenny Greenteeth, by Sia-chan:
http://bit.ly/1E9qBlN
The German cover for The Shepherd's Crown:
http://bit.ly/1NtsDQh
A fantastic set of cosplay iconographs imagining of the young Gytha Ogg. Some might consider these unsafe for work, but this is because of the Oggish attitude in them rather than any matter of exposed Gytha-ness:
http://bit.ly/1Jof7Xe
The "UU panel" at Sasquan: http://bit.ly/1V1mDj4
Excellent edible Luggage, posted by Clair Jackson: http://bit.ly/1V1mADU
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10) CLOSE
Remember the item about the upcoming opening of ScotRail's Borders Railway line (item 4.9 in the main July 2015 issue)? Well, it turns out that the Queen (of England, not the Quin of Fairyland!) will be officially opening the steam line:
"She will carry out the ceremony on 9 September where she will be joined by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on a steam journey along the route. The first passenger services are due to run along the line a few days earlier. Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown said it was a "great honour" that the Queen would lead the opening celebrations. The event coincides with the day that Her Majesty will become Britain's longest-serving monarch. On 9 September, she will pass the figure reached by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria... Mr Brown said: 'The people of the Borders and Midlothian have waited almost half a century to see the return of their railway and it is fitting that these two such historic events coincide. This will be a double celebration and we are also ensuring that the people who have campaigned, worked hard and shown such patience throughout this process are able to play a full part in the celebrations, with a separate day dedicated just to them." The Queen and Prince Philip will arrive at Waverley Station in Edinburgh to board the train drawn by the steam locomotive Union of South Africa on the morning of 9 September. They will travel the route, stopping off at Newtongrange in Midlothian before carrying on to the final stop on the new railway at the Borders town of Tweedbank..."
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-33761625
For those of you living in hedgehog country, here be an informative article on how to coexist with and care for hedgehogs:
"Why don't we see as many hedgehogs as we used to? Many people may not have even noticed their absence due to hedgehogs' nocturnal habits but for conservationists it's a very important question. The simple answer is that they are in drastic decline right across the country, in both urban and rural habitats... According to Fay Vass, chief executive for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), there were thought to be around 30 million hedgehogs in the UK in the 1950s, that number is now thought to be less than one million... For one of our most-loved animals, which constantly tops the charts in polls of our favourite wildlife, to have vanished in such large numbers is deeply worrying... Seeing hedgehogs in your garden is now a rare occurrence but there are things you can do to help reverse this trend and help them out in the process. If you are lucky enough to see any, you can take part in Hedgehog Street (_http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/_), where you can report sightings and help monitor this crucial species. Taking a few simple steps to make our gardens more hedgehog-friendly is another way to help... making a garden hedgehog-friendly is very easy and cheap, and doesn't have to look like a wilderness, or a big mess. Follow the simple advice on Hedgehog Street..."
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150818-living-with-hedgehogs
Remember, the Discworld & Beyond exhibition of Paul Kidby's art continues until 1st November at Wardown Park Museum, Wardown Park, Old Bedford Road, Luton, LU2 7HA. Entry is free! The museum is closed on Mondays, open 10am–5pm Tuesdays through Saturday, and open 1pm–5pm on Sundays. For more information ring 01582 546722.
By the way, the Tony Robinson quote at the start of this issue comes from a piece in the Radio Times. To read the whole article, go to http://bit.ly/1JK895e
And that, O Readers, is all for August. Coming soon: the Wossname review of The Shepherd's Crown, the continuation of the Without Whom series, and much more. Take care, and happy reading to you all!
– Annie Mac
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The End. If you have any questions or requests, write: wossname-owner (at) pearwood (dot) info
———————————————————————————————————
Copyright (c) 2015 by Klatchian Foreign Legion
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
August 2015 (Volume 18, Issue 8, Post 2)
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WOSSNAME is a free publication offering news, reviews, and all the other stuff-that-fits pertaining to the works and activities of Sir Terry Pratchett. Originally founded by the late, great Joe Schaumburger for members of the worldwide Klatchian Foreign Legion and its affiliates, including the North American Discworld Society and other continental groups, Wossname is now for Discworld and Pratchett fans everywhere in Roundworld.
********************************************************************
Editor in Chief: Annie Mac
News Editor: Vera P
Newshounds: Mogg, Sir J of Croydon Below, the Shadow, Wolfiekins, Mss C, Alison not Aliss
Staff Writers: Asti, Pitt the Elder, Evil Steven Dread, Mrs Wynn-Jones
Staff Technomancers: Jason Parlevliet, Archchancellor Neil, DJ Helpful
Book Reviews: Annie Mac, Drusilla D'Afanguin, Your Name Here
Puzzle Editor: Tiff (still out there somewhere)
Bard in Residence: Weird Alice Lancrevic
Emergency Staff: Steven D'Aprano, Jason Parlevliet
World Membership Director: Steven D'Aprano (in his copious spare time)
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INDEX:
01) MORE QUOTES OF THE MONTH
02) EDITOR'S LETTER: THIS IS NOT THE END
03) THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN NEWS
04) ODDS AND SODS
05) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
06) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
07) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS
08) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS
09) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
10) CLOSE
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01) MORE QUOTES OF THE MONTH
"Being aware we’d no longer have the pleasure of being surprised by the wit and perception of a new Terry Pratchett I think yes, it did...we were all touched, much more than we imagined we would be."
– Sir Tony "Baldrick" Robinson on recording the audiobook of The Shepherd's Crown
"It's my biggest regret with the podcast that I wasn't able to interview Sir Terry Pratchett. He's probably the comic writer who made the most difference to my life and how I see the world, and I owe him so much."
– influential actor-comedian Matt Lucas
"It was very inspirational reading [Pratchett's] books growing up. They present a pretty anarchic world. It's all pretty fantastic – it takes things from our world and twists it into something quite incredible. It's really important to commemorate people's lives, especially somebody who brought so much to UK literature. We didn't do it expecting it to be shared. We're doing it for personal reasons – but it's fantastic when people appreciate what you do."
– street artist Jim Vision, co-creator of the now world-famous Pratchett tribute mural in East London
"It's a fairly safe bet that without the Discworld series Harry Potter's broomstick might never have left the ground, the Hunger Games would never have been fought, Skullduggery Pleasant wouldn't have cast a spell and Artemis Fowl's criminal schemes would never have got off the drawing-board."
– Irish journalist Edward O'Hare
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02) LETTER FROM YOUR EDITOR
A few days from now, copies of The Shepherd's Crown will be flying off the shelves of Roundworld booksellers as the wildly anticipated release of the final Discworld novel finally arrives. As I mentioned in the Close of the main June issue of Wossname, much is being made of that phrase, "final Discworld novel", in personal and media communications; the internet is more rife than ever with text-based breast-beating and the tearing of virtual hair, and while I don't doubt the sincerity of the beaters and tearers, it does frustrate me that I've seen so few people giving thanks... thanks that Sir Pterry managed to give us anything at all in his final days, and thanks that he chose to give us one more episode in the amazing life story of one of his finest-drawn and most beloved characters – and that's in addition to the other four Discworld novels – and Dodger – and all the various collections and collaborations (including the fourth Science of Discworld and the Long Earth series) that he gave to the world despite the Embuggerance that was stealing his mind and life even as he raced against time to write them.
The release of The Shepherd's Crown brings a particular kind of bittersweet emotion for me as Editor of Wossname: after years of receiving advance review copies and waging the war of "exploration of themes" versus "do not under any circumstances include spoilers" when reviewing, any posthumous Pratchett publications will reach me at the same time as they do the rest of the world. I will be glad to be free of the DO NOT SPOILER responsibility, but sad to know that, for example, my Wossname review of the forthcoming Discworld Atlas won't happen until I've brought my shop-bought copy of it home...
It's right to mourn, but while we will all mourn, please do join me in taking equal time to celebrate, 'k?
Last month one of my closest friends, also a passionate longtime Pratchett fan, brought a new life into the world, her first and possibly only child. I think she's daft to have done this in such uncertain – and interesting! – times, but knowing both parents, one thing I can be certain of is that this child will grow up hearing, and then reading, the works of Terry Pratchett. So no, this is not the end. An author is not dead while his name is spoken. All together now:
This is not the end.
– Annie Mac, Editor
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03) THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN NEWS
Dear Readers, let those of us fortunate enough to live in places where the release date of The Shepherd's Crown occurs in just a few days not be too quick to flood the Clacks with reviews and spoilage! The USA release date is 1st September, but – for example – South Africa won't get it officially until 10th October...
3.1 OFFICIAL SPOILERS
From the official Pratchett feed:
Five things you need to know about The Shepherd's Crown
1. It introduces a brand new character – young Geoffrey Swivel.
2. There is a devilish smart goat named Mephistopheles, who can count to twenty and use the privy.
3. Granny, Nanny, Magrat, Agnes, Petulia, Mrs Earwig, Long Tall Short Fat Sally and Miss Tick are all there. Along with a whole host of other much-loved characters.
4. It will make you see the humble Garden Shed in a whole new light.
5. An elderly gentleman's toenails can be used as a powerful Feegle weapon.
3.2 RELEASE EVENTS
Bookseller giant Waterstones is backing The Shepherd's Crown with a number of celebratory release events around the UK. Some Waterstones outlets are getting the jump on other shops by holding their event a calendar day earlier, but most events will take place on Thursday 27 August. First among equal branches is Waterstones' flagship London store in Piccadilly, who are holding the vaunted Official Event on Wednesday night (26th); the 200-ticket midnight launch event has long since sold out, of course, but according to their website non-ticket-holders can still rock up to the shop late that night to join in some of the fun... and buy a copy of The Shepherd's Crown:
"If you weren't able to purchase a ticket you are still welcome to come along and queue from 11.30pm to sample the Discworld experience and to purchase a copy of The Shepherd’s Crown when it goes on sale to the general public at the stroke of midnight. Copies of The Shepherds Crown purchased with tickets or on the night will be exclusively stamped to mark this special occasion."
http://bit.ly/1TlBsjc
And a look at the rest, around the UK (and in at least one case, Fourecks)...
Waterstones Oxford will host a quiz on their midnight Shepherd's Crown launch.
When: Wednesday 26th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, William Baker House, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AF
Time: 11:30pm
Tickets: free. Ring 01865 790212 for more details.
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/oxford
*
Waterstones Newcastle:
"Join us to celebrate the publication of the final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown at a special midnight opening at Waterstones Newcastle Emerson Chambers. As well as a NacMacFeegle Hunt and the Unseen University Challenge, there will be lots of fun activities for you to join in! Don't miss your chance to be one of the first to read this phenomenonal[sic] book!"
When: Wednesday 26th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, Emerson Chambers, Blackett Street, Newcastle, NE1 7JF
Time: 10pm
Tickets: free. For more information, contact the shop on 0191 261 7757.
Their lovely hand-chalked sign:
http://bit.ly/1J9HUD
https://www.waterstones.com/events/midnight-opening-for-the-shepherd-s-crown/Newcastle
*
Waterstones Swansea will present a quiz, readings and a prize for best costume during their Shepherd's Crown event.
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, The Old Carlton Cinema, 17 Oxford Street, Swansea, SA1 3AG
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Tickets: free.
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/Swansea
*
Waterstones Nottingham:
"Have you guys got your tickets for our Pratchett evening? IT'S FREE. IT'LL BE FUN. Test your knowledge with the quiz!"
"The Sillitoe Room at Waterstones will host the events to celebrate the life and works of Sir Terry, creator of the madcap, maniacal Discworld series, who died in March following a struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. It coincides with the release of Sir Terry's last novel, The Shepherd's Crown. The night will also feature Waterstones staff giving readings of their favourite sections from his novels. There will be prizes for the best Discworld-themed costume, quizzes and refreshments. The event is free but those interested in attending must pre-register at the shop."
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 1/5 Bridle smith Gate, Nottingham, NAG1 2GR
Time: 6.30pm
Tickets: free. To reserve a ticket, ring 0115 9470069.
The tickets look like this. A wonderful effort! http://bit.ly/1Mt15uk
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/Nottingham-bridles mi
https://twitter.com/Waterstones/status/633923788187566080
www.nottinghampost.com/Pratchett-honoured-launch-book/story-27624512-detail/story.html
*
Waterstones Harrogate:
"To commemorate Sir Terry Pratchett's last Discworld novel 'The Shepherd's Crown' we are having a celebratory evening. Come along to discuss the wonderful books that Sir Terry wrote and join in this special event. As well as discussion there will be a quiz and other fun activities. Fancy dress is always welcome. This event will be suitable for all ages."
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 15 James Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QS
Time: 5pm
Tickets: free. For more information, ring 01423 531953
www.waterstones.com/events/terry-pratchett-night/harrogate
*
Waterstones Leeds:
"Join us for an evening celebrating one of the great fantasy writers ever to have lived, Terry Pratchett, on the release day of his final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown. There'll be a quiz full of random Discworld and Pratchett tidbits, a competition to find the best Discworld-inspired outfit (shotgun the luggage...) and more prizes that you can shake a giant turtle at (though four elephants makes all the difference). We'll also have Pratchett-inspired boardgames, special offers exclusive to the evening, plenty of food and drink and a few more surprises... Best of all... it's completely free!"
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 93-97 Albion Street, Leeds, LS1 5JS
Time: 7pm
Tickets: free, but ring 01132444588 to reserve a space
https://www.waterstones.com/events/pratchett-celebration-evening/leeds
*
Waterstones Derby will host a Discworld-themed evening featuring a quiz, some food and drink, and a prize for the best costume.
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 78-80 St Peter's Street, Derby, DE1 1SR
Time: 5.30pm-7pm
Tickets: free
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/derby-st-peters
*
Waterstones York will be hosting "The Day of Pratchett". Sounds like a mini-festival:
Daytime Events:
Witch Hat Workshop – make your own pointy hat
Facepainting – Be a Wee Free Man or choose your own design
Treasure Hunt – help Tiffany find her lost sheep
Quiz – find the answers, win a prize
Plus a treat for anyone in costume!
Evening Events:
From 6pm join us in The Mended Drum (aka the cafe) for food and drink (it's mostly apples, we swear)
Judge Pepe's Fashion Show – fabulous prizes for the best costumes!
Find a team and take on the Unseen University Challenge – even more fabulous prizes for the winners of our quiz
Plus games, competitions, spot prizes
"Please reserve a place for the evening events, to allow us to provide enough food!"
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 15 Coney Street, York, YO1 9QL
Time: 9am – 8.30pm
Tickets: free. To reserve an evening spot, ring 01904 620784, tweet to them @WaterstonesYork, or email york@waterstones.com.
https://www.waterstones.com/events/the-day-of-pratchett/york
*
Waterstones Dundee will host an all-day Shepherd's Crown event, including a Discworld character drawing competition open to all ages, a Discworld treasure hunt, a 7+1-foot Discworld colouring collage, a prize for best costume and a quiz. Coffee is available!
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 35 Commercial Street, Dundee, DD1 3DG
Time: 9am – 6pm
Tickets: free
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/dundee
*
Waterstones Manchester:
"Join us for a special lunchtime event to celebrate the release of the final Discworld Novel, The Shepherd's Crown on publication day. We will be hosting Discworld games and running a fiendish Terry Pratchett quiz before Terry's close friend Rob Wilkins reads from The Shepherd's Crown and stamps each book with an exclusive stamp to mark this special occasion. Each ticket will include a copy of The Shepherd's Crown and a goody bag."
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 91 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BW
Time: 12.30pm
Tickets: £10 (including a copy of The Shepherd's Crown, at our special event price and a goody bag) or £35 (including a copy of The Shepherd's Crown – Exclusive Slipcase Edition and a goody bag). To purchase tickets, go to http://bit.ly/1hKq6Eo
"Please note that booking fees will apply. A maximum of 4 tickets is permitted per person. Ticket holders will receive their book and goody bag at the event."
http://bit.ly/1hKq6Eo
*
Waterstones Huddersfield:
"Join us to celebrate the launch of Sir Terry Pratchett's final Discworld novel The Shepherd's crown. We'll have a travelling chest with our old much loved Discworld/pratchett novels, so bring yours and swap for something you haven't read yet! We're opening at 8:00 AM and will be serving refreshments in the morning. Best Fancy dress of the day will win a prize. We'll have Colouring sheets, bookmarks to give away, a treasure hunt with rewards, and other bits and bats. We'll see you there!"
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 12/13 Kingsgate Centre, King Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2QB
Time: 8am – 5.30pm
Tickets: free
https://www.waterstones.com/events/the-shepherd-s-crown/huddersfield
*
Waterstones Boston will host "A Celebration of Terry Pratchett":
"Join us for an evening of Wine and nibbles as we celebrate the life and work of the late great Terry Pratchett."
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 18 Pescod Square, Boston, PE21 6QX
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Tickets: free
https://www.waterstones.com/events/a-celebration-of-terry-pratchett/boston
[Editor's note: that's Boston in Lincolnshire, aka the original Boston, in case you wondered]
*
Waterstones Wakefield:
"Join us to celebrate the fantastic Discworld novels on the day the final book in the series, 'The Shepherd's Crown', is released. There will be a quiz, games, authentic Discworld food and prizes for the best costumes. Everyone welcome. Contact the store for further information on 01924 363535."
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 2 Kirkgate, Wakefield, WF1 1SP
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Tickets: free
https://www.waterstones.com/events/discworld-celebration-evening/wakefield
*
Waterstones Birkenhead:
"Due to the popularity of our Harper Lee evening Waterstones Birkenhead would like to invite you to join us in celebrating the latest Pratchett Discworld novel: The Shepherd's Crown. With an interactive presentation by the marvellous Mary Clinton, trivia quiz, snacks, prizes and more. A fun filled evening for any Pratchett fan."
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 188-192 Grange Road, Birkenhead, CH41 6EA
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Tickets: £1. "Available from a Bookseller. Terms and conditions apply. Please ask in store for details."
For more information, ring 0151 650 2400
https://www.waterstones.com/events/terry-pratchett-s-discworld-evening-with-mary-clinton/birkenhead
*
For Fourecksians in or near Melbourne city centre at four o'clock in the morning on 27th August, there's a Shepherd's Crown event at Dymocks in Collins Street. Yes, four o'clock in the morning:
"A night of revelry to celebrate the arrival of the next... and last... Discworld novel, the Shepherd's Crown. Come dressed suitably attired to share in the spirit of the Discworld – with a prize for the best Discworld character! Write your farewell, your tribute, your love letter to the great creator and add to the giant Discworld mural. Engage in games of skill, chance and dexterity against other Discworldians, and stay to enjoy readings and tributes. Save the date, and make sure you're there!"
When: Thursday 27th August 2015
Venue: Dymocks, 234 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Time: 4am!
Tickets: free
http://allevents.in/melbourne/shepherds-crown-release-celebration/445821345604654
[Editor's note: I can tell you, as a transportee to XXXX, that various branches of Dymocks were supporters of the works of Terry Pratchett since long before the rest of the world joined in...]
*
Waterstones Aberdeen will host a Discworld Quiz, "An evening of Discworld fun with great prizes up for grabs!", at the (temporary) Mended Drum on Friday 28th August in honour of The Shepherd's Crown.
When: Friday 28th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 3-7 Union Bridge, Aberdeen, AB11 6BG
Time: 7pm
Tickets: £5.00
For further information ring 01224 592440 during business hours or email aberdeen@waterstones.com
Here be the poster for the event:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMyRHaVWUAAjTkg.jpg
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/aberdeen
https://twitter.com/WaterstonesABDN
*
Waterstones Doncaster will host a demonstration of Treefrog Games' "The Witches" board game.
When: Saturday 29th August 2015
Venue: Waterstones, 27 Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster, DN1 1LJ
Time: noon – 4pm
Tickets: free
www.waterstones.com/bookshops/doncaster
3.3 VIDEO TRIBUTE REMINDER
A reminder for Pratchett fans in XXXX and elsewhere:
"Anyone, anywhere can take part. Simply take a photo of yourself and your favourite quote from Discworld or Terry Pratchett – costumes, friends and pets optional – and email us it to us at theshepherdscrown@penguinrandomhouse.com.au
"With the final Discworld book almost upon us, a video tribute seems a fitting way to channel our appreciation for Terry Pratchett's words. Send us your contribution before 27 August 2015, the day THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN is released, and we'll take it from there – so you can get on with reading."
http://bit.ly/1IHQ1SV
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04) ODDS AND SODS
In no particular order...
4.1 RANDOM HOUSE AUSTRALIA LONG EARTH INTRODUCTION!
"Unique is a word easily applied to Terry Pratchett, and it's absolutely true – his imagination, his voice and his complex sense of humour stand apart not just in the world of literature, but in all popular culture. The singularity of his talent did not confine him to solo projects, though – Pratchett was open to collaboration, most notably with fellow authors Neil Gaiman (twice), and with Stephen Baxter on The Long Earth series.
"THE LONG UTOPIA is the fourth book in The Long Earth series, which ingeniously combines two seemingly opposed mindsets. Pratchett is of course best known for his fantasy series of Discworld novels, which are filled with outrageous wit, outlandish characters and a good dose of magic. Baxter, in contrast, grounds his books more in fact or 'hard science' – particularly evolutionary theory and speculation.
"Many fans of Pratchett and Baxter encountered the other author for the first time with these books – and for any reader who's curious about taking their first step into the immense catalogue of Pratchett, The Long Earth series is a recommended option.
"What is 'the long Earth?' It's not one planet, but a series of parallel worlds. All of them are similar to the Earth that we know and love and live on – but as you go further along and farther away, world by world, the differences become greater and greater. We readers tour the Long Earth through the eyes of inter-world travellers Joshua and Lobsang.
"Pratchett and Baxter use this set-up to explore ideas about how global evolution might have turned out differently, under different conditions. There's only one thing that all the parallel worlds have in common: none of them have ever been inhabited by humanity."
http://bit.ly/1h2RHzU
4.2 THE STORY OF RINCEWIND!
...the sculpted character, that is. Here be a wonderful blogpost by the Cunning Artificer himself, Bernard Pearson, from the new and equally wonderful Cunning Artificer blog:
"So, if you're sitting comfortably then Uncle Bernard will begin. 'Here' was Covent Garden, 'when' was June 1990. An article had appeared in the Sunday Telegraph colour supplement which previewed Terry's latest book: Guard! Guards! This had excited the interest of a 'man in a suit business consultant' who was working with us at the time. Isobel had heard a reading of 'The Colour of Magic' on Radio 4 in 1985 and as a result bought and read all the available Discworld books. Then I read and also enjoyed them hugely. It took an outsider to join the dots and recognise a commercial synergy between the sort of things we were making (humorous fantasy figurines), and what Terry was creating in his books.
"A dialogue opened up with Terry's agent Colin Smythe and we met up with him in London. Once the principles had been established it was down to meeting Terry himself. At that time there were no 'real' Discworld characterisations other than those produced as book covers by Josh Kirby. Great art, fun covers but not exactly helpful. We were advised to steer clear of those and Terry; no mean artist himself, faxed us drawings to give us some idea of what was in his mind. Over the years this process became so slick he only had to say what character he had seen on film or TV and we were on to it, but that's a whole other story. So with a very concise sketch and a few years of experience in making any number of wizards from Gandalf onwards I started modelling Rincewind..."
The page includes some images (also wonderful) – and best of all, a reproduction of the original fax from The Author himself, showing his rough sketches of Rincewind and Granny Weatherwax. Even if you haven't time to read the whole post right now, you should click on this direct link to that image, to delight in how perfectly these characters were described in a few drawn lines by their creator:
http://bit.ly/1I1ycgY
To read the whole piece, go to:
http://thecunningartificer.com/portfolio/how-it-all-began/
The blog's homepage:
http://thecunningartificer.com/
4.3 THE MAKING OF NANNY OGG'S COOKBOOK FRENCH COVER ART!
Here be a series of screencaps of illustrator Marc Simonetti's process:
http://www.itsartmag.com/features/making-of-nanny-oggs-cookbook/
4.4 STUNNING PAUL KIDBY ART!
"Fans of illustration and fantasy drawing get a treat in the summer issue of Drawing, which features an interview with the British artist Paul Kidby. Kidby has spent some 20 years illustrating for the late Terry Pratchett, author of the sprawling, best-selling Discworld series of satirical fantasy novels. Kidby's work on Discworld has ranged from book covers to illustrated-novels to limited-edition prints to illustrations for sundry related publications and products. In the article, written by Ken Gofton, Kidby relates how he managed to get the Discworld gig, which changed the direction of his career, and he explains the several stages of his process for working with authors and publishers.
"Here, we're happy to present a few extra fantasy drawings by Kidby that we couldn't fit into the magazine. We hope you enjoy his often eccentric creations. To see more, visit the artist's website (_http://www.paulkidby.net/_), and be sure to read the full story in the summer 2015 issue of Drawing. You can purchase a copy here (_http://bit.ly/1I3Mn5a_, buy a digital copy (_http://bit.ly/1ML4q89_), or subscribe to Drawing magazine (_http://bit.ly/1U0cIgF_)."
Illustrations reproduced on this page include Mort (the breathtaking 2011 pencil study of Sir Pterry playing chess with the Death of Discworld); Death With Bees (2010); Leonard of Quirm (1999); and the original pencil sketch for the cover of The Wee Free Men (2002)
http://bit.ly/1fENHFa
4.5 PRINT YOUR OWN 3-D DISCWORLD!
"Inspired by Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, this is a 3d printable model of the discworld travelling through space and time upon four elephants riding on the back of a giant turtle. It is mashup of several bits from different places. The turtle came from another thingiverse model of a garden turtle by Pmowes – http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:421809
"I scaled it and flattened the top to stand the elephants on. The four elephants came from a thingiverse model by ringmaster of a parade elephant. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:38573
"I scaled the elephants and fused four together to fit on top of the Turtle. I also flattened the tops of the elephants to give a better base for glueing on the disc.
"The disc world itself I made in two parts. The rimfall I designed from scratch using Cheetah 3d – I am something of a n00b in Cheetah 3d, but the finished article is close to the effect I was seeking. The disc I modified from the other disc world model on thingiverse by aesedepece. I wanted something with more height and definition. This is his original model: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:28509
"All the parts have been through NetFabb so they should work on most printers."
To read online, and to see the amazing iconographs of the 3-D Discworld, go to:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:662018
4.6 WATERSTONES BLOG: LOOKING BACK ON THE DISCWORLD SERIES
"With Terry Pratchett's final Discworld book due to be published August 27th, we're looking back on the entire series. Here's part one, books 1-10. It's fairly safe to say that our booksellers were, and still are, huge fans of Terry Pratchett. A few years ago we revisited each and every one of his Discworld books and with the release of the final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, a little over a week away we thought it only made sense to run the series again. A huge thanks to the booksellers across the country who contributed and, of course, to Terry Pratchett himself...
"The Colour of Magic is also more reliant on its fantasy forebears than later novels, playing the fantasy-parody card more often and more obviously than later books which tend to address issues largely beyond the genre (the postal system, Hollywood, Shakespeare – for example), these parodic elements are most obviously present in the Conan-esque Hrun the Barbarian and the Lovecraftian Bel-Shamharoth, yet for every borderline cliché you have the kind of wonderful innovations Pratchett is loved for: a cowardly wizard who only knows one spell, and of course The Luggage. Even the structure of the book is a little odd compared to later fare, but there is no denying that all the pieces are in place here and a world set in motion..." – Glyn Morgan, Waterstones Liverpool One
"Packed with Pratchett's signature satire, The Light Fantastic cements Rincewind as one of my favourite Discworld characters and Terry Pratchett as one my favourite authors. I started reading the books as a teenager - I loved them then, and I still love them now - whether it's the new titles or rereading the old ones..." – Sarah Hiorns, Waterstones Ipswich
"Wizards, and the world, being what they are, Esk doesn't have an easy time proving that she is just as worthy and talented as her male counterparts. It also contains a brilliant description of the best way to achieve the impossible.
This is the third Discworld novel and some people might advise you to skip it and start with one of the later ones. They'd be wrong..." – Lisa Hunt, Waterstones Hemel Hempstead
"As brilliant as Mort's story is though, Death and his household are the real stars of the show. In the sea of iconic characters and brilliantly imagined mythologies that make up the Discworld novels, they have to be among the most iconic of all. His timeless kingdom and its workings are genuinely wondrous, eerie creations and I dare anyone to find another writer who can inject the skeletal, anthropomorphic personification of death with quite as much haunting pathos as Mr. Pratchett..." – Dan Coombes, Waterstones Oxford Street West
"The first thing that I loved about [Sourcery] was how much was similar to Fantasy books I'd read before. Pratchett is not afraid to make jabs at the genre, with a light hearted wit that shows a lot of love for the source material. The fantastic distractions through Terry's famous footnotes add an extra level of comic intricacy that is phenomenal, & his use of descriptive metaphors is unique, quirky & tickles the brain in a very particular way..." – Darran Stobart, Waterstones Northallerton
"If you have never read a Discworld novel [Wyrd Sisters] is the perfect introduction, wickedly funny, sometimes outrageous, always bonkers, Pratchett has a wonderful ability to hold a mirror up to society, so you will recognise yourself in the characters, and also your friends and neighbours..." – Sara Thompson, Waterstones Trowbridge
"Pyramids is a book that begins at the end, and ends at the beginning. It could be considered the quintessential Discworld book: modern notions challenging old ways, the clashing of cultures, hilarious one-liners, running gags, a race through the streets of Ankh-Morpork and, of course, the ubiquitous Death scenes. It also has assassins, smugglers, gods, hand-maidens, priests, mummies and a sphinx, all topped with lashings of Pratchett's observational humour..." – John Uphill, Waterstones Norwich
"All of these key Pratchett conventions are present in Guards! Guards!. From page one it's side-splittingly funny, turning the fantasy genre on its head in that way only Pratchett can... Once the would-be king slays the dragon he will be crowned and they can rule the city vicariously through him. Only four men stand in their way, the brave men of The Watch, and they'll bring down this nefarious plot just as soon as they stop running and hiding and sober up..." – Matt Wilson, Waterstones Tenterden
"If you've never delved into Discworld before and you don't fancy starting at the beginning then Eric is the perfect novel to start with... Eric is one of Pratchett's shortest novels and takes the reader to Aztec-type lands, a Trojan war and the circles of hell but doesn't lose Pratchett's usual charm and humour..." – Sasha James, Waterstones Greenwich
"[Moving Pictures] is the most insane, gloriously funny satirical romp through the movie industry. Something nasty has awakened in the hills of Holy Wood, something that latches onto the Alchemists discovery of the art of moving pictures - and now everyone wants to be in "The Clicks"... One of the funniest books I have ever read, Moving Pictures doesn't miss a beat, or a pun..." – Michelle Jones, Waterstones Petersfield
https://www.waterstones.com/blog/discworld-reviewed-part-one
4.7 ERIC ON THE WIRELESS: A REMINDER!
Having listened last night to the four-part BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Eric, I can tell you that is is very good. All episodes are still available for worldwide listening, so get on it:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01r0zb9
4.8 TIFFANY ACHING "DELETED SCENES": A REMINDER
From the "private musings of Tiffany Aching", courtesy of Penguin Books:
http://summerofpenguin.com/2015-08-03/terry-pratchetts-discworld
4.9 THE STICK AND FOOT-THE-BALL DANCE!
Yes, this is a satire. But then again, so are Discworld novels – and both are in the same spirit of fun:
"Police were called after a mass brawl broke out in a pub car park between a group of morris dancers and a blind football team. The footballers were enjoying a match on the village green at Rattlesden, near Stowmarket, using a ball with a bell in it so they could keep up with play. But all hell broke out when the morris dancers began performing at a nearby pub. A player kicked the ball off the pitch towards the Brewers Arms, and then mistook the morris dancers' uniform bells for the one in the ball. He promptly kicked one of the dancers in the shin, sending him flying over a table and crashing into a flower pot. A hanging basket then fell on his head. More blind footballers then joined the melee, kicking out at the bells and then being surprised when they were punched by furious morris men. The brawl was only stopped when the referee caught up and blew his whistle loudly..."
http://www.suffolkgazette.com/news/morris-dancers-blind-footballers-brawl/
[And for once, we can definitely urge you to read the comments! – Ed.]
4.10 BRING AN ORANGUTAN HOME!
The Bring an Orangutan Home Project has run since November 2012 and will continue until December 2016:
"Hundreds of rescued orphan orangutans are ready to go home to the forest, where they belong. Having undergone years of nurturing rehabilitation under the watchful eyes of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, these graduates need your help to get them home. Over the past 2 decades, hundreds of orphaned and displaced orangutans have been rescued and cared for in sanctuaries such as those operated by Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation in Indonesia. These sanctuaries are now crowded and many of the orangutans are ready for release back to the forest. Finding safe forests for them has been a challenge, but it has been found. Now the only thing preventing them from going home is lack of funding... An integrated team of experts manages the release operation, from selection of candidates and their preparation through to post-release monitoring. Success will be demonstrated by the documented release of 100 orangutans complete with at least one year of post-release monitoring... Orangutan Land Trust will help support the release of these orangutans by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation operating in Indonesia. By releasing orangutans, we can free up space in the rescue centres so they can take in more victims. Additionally, the released orangutans will collectively form a new, viable population in safe areas of forest, ensuring their long-term survival as a species in the wild..."
Read more about the Charity running this project:
http://www.thebiggive.org.uk/charity.php?charity_id=6597
https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/18744
4.11 SASQUAN FAN FILM UPDATE!
The Kickstarter goal of $6,000 was surpassed by an additional four figures. The excess will now go into a "stretch budget":
"Our biggest challenge will be in narrowing down the final footage, gathering music, and finishing the film and DVDs by November. But, we believe this is a realistic goal. If anything happens to alter that timeline, we will do everything to keep our backers in the loop! We are firm believers in transparency and frank, open communication..."
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1686440358/the-turtle-moves-remembering-terry-pratchett
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05) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
5.1 PJSM PRINTS – NOW DISCWORLD.COM
"Crivens! After more than twenty years our name is changing and we're delighted to write and tell you about it! As a previous customer of PJSM Prints you will know that we've been supplying official Discworld artwork and merchandise since 1995, but we've grown, our range of products has expanded and we want to provide a better service to Terry's friends and fans. So we're excited to announce that we are now becoming Discworld.com!
"And we have a new website! We've launched our all-new discworld.com [http://discworld.com/] site to make your browsing experience better and to introduce our social media platforms for more fun, interaction with us and gossip! We will still provide all the same high quality products but you can now shop faster, join our social community and keep up with all the latest Discworld news. Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Flickr for starters!"
https://twitter.com/Discworld_com
https://www.facebook.com/discworldofficial
https://instagram.com/discworld.com_official/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/132892573@N05/
"The launch of the new website sees the reintroduction of two of our most popular limited run, signed colour prints – Great A'Tuin and Under an Eldritch Sky, and our NEW, exclusive Terry t-shirt. Not only this but we have fabulous additions to the range coming soon, irresistible new collectables and the first of many exciting competitions."
http://discworld.com/products/artwork/great-atuin/
http://discworld.com/products/bags-clothing/terry-t-shirt/
http://discworld.com/products/artwork/colour-print-eldritch-sky/
"The range of Discworld products you know and love is available to buy here right now, and we will soon launch a new improved Roundworld section! We fully understand that the browsing experience will be different for those of you who know our time-honoured site well, so we will run PJSM Prints (_http://pjsmprints.com_) concurrently until midnight on Sunday 23rd August to allow you to use either if you're in a hurry, and to enable you to continue ordering all your favourite Roundworld products. Please do take a look at our new site, we'd love to hear your feedback and have provided two dedicated email addresses for you to get in touch; feedback@discworld.com and web@discworld.com.
"We're proud of our quality products and are delighted to offer you an improved way of shopping for them. We've organised our new site into quick reference categories, grouped fellow subjects together, introduced a handy subject search facility and offered a whole new lightbox system for viewing every last detail. Please come and have a look around!"
http://discworld.com
[Do have a shufti at the site – it's lovely! And do scroll to the bottom of each page, where you will find different messages "typed" on a semi-automated Hex keyboard – Ed.]
5.2 DISCWORLD EMPORIUM UPDATES
"Greetings Discworld fans! We are full of excitement, having taken delivery of the Discworld Calendar 2016, and what a thing of beauty it is... We've been dribbling over the delicious artwork of Joe McLaren, cover artist for the Discworld Collector's Library, who has come up trumps with twelve stunning illustrations that capture the heart and soul of Discworld, from Dibbler to Granny, from Great A'tuin to the Canting Crew. Long-time Discworld fan Joe has previously worked with us on exclusive Hogswatch cards, Discworld Stamps and 'The Turtle Moves' T-Shirt, and we're chuffed that he has such a wonderful vessel for his artwork in this fantastic calendar... the 2016 calendar features twelve pieces of original artwork, along with all those important Discworld and roundworld dates that you'll still forget about despite them hanging on your wall in such a decorative fashion. Each calendar includes a full page of colourful artwork for each month along with plenty of space for your notes, reminders and appointments. Includes all major realtime calendrical data for Great Britain, Eire, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA, as well as notable Discworld dates."
The Discworld Collector's Edition Calendar is priced at £14.99. For more information, and to order, go to:
http://www.discworldemporium.com/DiscworldCalendar2016
"Also available for pre-order, the Witches Diary 2016, This 'Practical Manual for the Modern Witch' contains a cornucopia of Discworld trivia and all things witch. More than just a diary, this Practical Manual for the Modern Witch gives a long-awaited insight into the wit and wisdom of some of Terry Pratchett's best-loved Discworld characters, the Witches! Featuring sage advice and guidance from the likes of Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax and Tiffany Aching,The Discworld Diary 2016 teems with a glorious mix of cultural ephemera, illustration, and hilarious one-liners along with important Discworld and Roundworld dates to help you be as sharp as Miss Tick!
"We're very proud to have aided and abetted Sir Terry in the creation of this book, and as a celebration of our collaboration every copy bought from us includes an exclusive A5 art print for your own witch's cottage with blessings from the hags of Discworld!"
The 2016 Discworld Diary is priced at £16.99. For more information, and to order, go to:
http://www.discworldemporium.com/DiscworldDiary2016
The Turtle Moves Tee
Official Discworld T-Shirt featuring the sublime artwork of Joe McLaren, cover artist for the Discworld Collector's Library Hardback editions from Gollancz. 100% supersoft ringspun cotton tee in midnight navy, slim & tailored style for a flattering fit.
The Turtle Moves t-shirt is priced £15.00 and available in "Classic" or "Ladies" fit in sizes S to XXL. For more information, and to order, go to:
http://www.discworldemporium.com/GreatATuinTee
http://www.discworldemporium.com/GreatAtuinTshirtLadies
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06) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
6.1 SOUL MUSIC IN WELLINGTON, UK (SEPTEMBER)
Wellington Theatre Company presents SOUL MUSIC by Terry Pratchett adapted by Rebecca Beard and Mike Leach:
"This play, based on the novel of the same name, is primarily about the arrival of Rock Music to the Disc. Because of the nature of the Disc, it arrives magically, and departs within a few weeks, encompassing 50 years of Earth Rock History from Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Elvis, The Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, 80's Hair Metal and Stadium Rock to the present day. It's mad, it's crazy, it's hilarious and it's not to be missed."
When: Wednesday 2nd – Saturday 5th September 2015
Venue: Wellington Arts Centre, Eight Acre Lane, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8PS
Time: 7:30 pm evenings; Saturday matinee at 3pm
Tickets: £8. Ring the Box Office on 0844 997 9000, or to purchase online, go to:
http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/wellingtonartscentre
https://www.facebook.com/events/728506640588582/
6.2 REMINDER: MORT IN BRISBANE (AUGUST–OCTOBER)
The Brisbane Arts Theatre's latest Discworld production will be Mort!
When: 22nd August–3rd October 2015
Venue: Brisbane Arts Theatre, 210 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane, QLD 4000
(phone 07 3369 2344)
Time: 8pm Thursdays (except 27th August), Fridays and Saturdays; 6.30pm
Sundays (6th and 20th September)
Tickets: Adults $31, Concession $25, Group 10+ $25, Group 75+ $20, Gold
Members $15, Members $25, Student Rush $10 (10 mins before curtain).
Members can redeem their included season tickets for this show. There
are no refunds or exchanges once tickets have been purchased. To
purchase tickets online, go to http://bit.ly/1Imz2tJ
http://artstheatre.com.au/show/mort
6.3 REMINDER: NIGHT WATCH IN CARDIFF (SEPTEMBER)
Monstrous Productions are back with their latest Pratchett offering – Night Watch, adapted by Stephen Briggs and directed by Amy Davies:
"Hello everybody! We are incredibly pleased to say that, over the course of four plays since the start of 2013, we have raised over £12,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK! Luckily we added a matinee for Witches Abroad: our audiences were better than ever! But we don't stop there. In September we will be performing Night Watch!"
When: 9th-12th-September 2015
Venue: The Gate Theatre, Keppoch Street, Roath, Cardiff CF24 3JW
Time: 7.30pm (doors open 7pm), plus a 2.30pm matinee on the 12th
Tickets: £8 (£6 concession), available soon from www.monstrousptc.com
To view their fine poster, go to http://bit.ly/1TycedT
6.4 REMINDER: MASKERADE IN GLASGOW (SEPTEMBER)
The Antonine Players will present their production of Maskerade in September.
When: 17th, 18th, 19th September 2015
Venue: Fort Theatre, Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow G64 2DW
Time: 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm
Tickets: £8.50 (£8 concession). Available online at
www.ticketsource.co.uk/forttheatre or ring 0141 573 6620 or 0141 772 7054
http://www.forttheatre.org/
6.5 UPDATES: WYRD SISTERS IN UPPINGHAM (OCTOBER)
Tickets are now available for the Uppingham Theatre Company's forthcoming production of Wyrd Sisters!
"Why not visit Lancre this Halloween, it has everything, witches, evil Dukes and Duchesses, strolling players, ghosts, you name it, its got it, and for only £10, yes £10 folks(£2 going to charity with each ticket old) you could be transported to the mythical kingdom of Lancre!"
When: Thursday 29th October through Saturday 31st October 2015
Venue: Uppingham Theatre, 32 Stockerston Road, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9UD
Time: 7.30pm all evening shows; Saturday matinee 2.30pm
Tickets: £10 (includes a £2 charity donation per ticket to Rutland Reminders). Available in person from Uppingham Sports and Books, 9 High Street East, Uppingham. To purchase online, go to https://www.wegottickets.com/location/1664 or http://www.uppingham.co.uk/School-Shop
Uppingham Theatre Company will be holding a cake stall in Uppingham Market Place on the morning of Saturday the 29th August, to promote Wyrd Sisters and help with some funding towards rehearsal costs.
http://www.rutlandreminders.org.uk/
http://www.uppinghamtheatrecompany.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Uppingham-Theatre-Company/215743641793859
6.6 REMINDER: UNSEEN ACADEMICALS IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE (NOVEMBER)
A heads-up from the Bucks Free Press about a production coming this November:
"The Marlow Players will stage the late author's work 'Unseen Academicals' in November and are looking for budding actors to join the company. The group, which has been entertaining audiences for more than 75 years, needs volunteers to ensure the show can go on... Gloria Kendrick Hurst of the Marlow Players said the group plans to donate part of the proceeds from the show to the Alzheimer's Society..."
http://bit.ly/1HRjEnr
The company has not yet posted any more specific info, but the production will be presented at the Shelley Theatre, Court Garden, Pound Lane, Marlow, Bucks SL7 2AG. If you are interested in helping out, contact them through their website. Watch this space (as it were) for more details closer to the date:
http://www.marlowplayers.org.uk/
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07) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS
7.1 SCHEIBENWELT NEWS
The fourth German Discworld convention – Scheibenwelt being the word for Discworld, of course – takes place next month (10th – 13th September 2015) at the 600-year-old Castle Ludwigstein in Hesse.
"During this period we offer our more than 200 guests workshops, talks, games, guests of honour and Discworld merchandising normally not available in Germany. You can visit us for a day or stay at the castle or a hotel nearby... At the moment there are only 9 free beds at the castle. If you wish to order more than that you will be put on our waiting list and might get tickets if orders are cancelled or not payed. We advice you to buy hotel tickets instead... The castle is a youth hostel and offers bed linen for 5,50 Euro. You can bring your own for free. You will also need to bring along washing utensils like soap and towels." There will be a free shuttle service to the castle from the train station.
This year's convention is Klatch-themed, and looks like it's going to be a lively one, featuring – among many other activities – a preview screening of the legendary Troll Bridge film in its current state of progress; live Discworld games including Who Wants to Be a Discworld Millionaire? ("prove your knowledge of Klatch, the Discworld and its creator in this unique show"); storytelling workshops and, yes, klatches including "1001 Klatchian Nights"; patrols by the Ankh-Morpork City Watch; "How do you create your own fantasy world?" (with guest author Cornelia Franke); a belly dancing workshop; improvisational "What would Rincewind do?" theatre ("Rincewind in Klatch? In two lessons you will learn how to see and react to situations."); Unveiled Camouflage (Make-up) with Eva ("Who does not want to move inconspicuously through Klatch? You do not want to attract attention as a foreigner? Whether young or old, here you get paint! Absolutely colourful! Small wonder come true immediately, greater ones take longer. Special requests are welcome. Talk to me!"); various stalls including Discworld miniatures masters Micro Arts Studio and Ankh-Morpork e.V. ("Again we will help you sell your old Discworld and fantasy novels at our stall. Just bring them along and write your name and a price with a pencil in the book and collect money for every sold book at the end of the convention."); and the usual costume contest, gaming room, and charity raffle.
This one sounds particularly interesting:
Rum-Tasting: "Had too much Klatchian Coffee? Dibbler's Homeopathic Sipping Whiskey just doesn't do it? Scumble is too common, Orakh too dangerous and cabbage schnapps too – well, you know, too much cabbage? Can't afford Bentinck's Very Old Peculiar Brandy but want something aged for more than 8 minutes (preferably not cabbage-based)? Join us on a journey to the Disc of sugar (cane) based drinks. You're not only going to learn about origins, production and aging process, you will also be able to sample some rather nice products. You will definitely not leave this workshop knurd")
Tickets for Thursday through Sunday are €149 (discount price for Visitors aged less than 12 years or members of the Ankh-Morpork e.V. €139), and for Friday through Sunday, €110 (discount price €105). Day tickets are also available: Friday or Saturday €20 (€18 discount Visitors aged less than 12 years or members of the Ankh-Morpork e.V.),
Sunday €35 (€30 discount). To purchase tickets, either for attendees staying at Castle Ludwigstein or non-resident day attendees, go to:
http://www.scheibenwelt-convention.de/viewpage.php?page_id=8
For more info:
http://www.scheibenwelt-convention.de/viewpage.php?page_id=37&
http://www.scheibenwelt-convention.de/
http://www.burgludwigstein.de/
7.2 SASQUAN/WORLDCON REPORTS
World SF Convention Report: Terry Pratchett Remembered
A report from Krypton Radio:
"This afternoon at a panel, there was a remembrance of Sir Terry, sometimes funny, sometimes bittersweet. The four panelists were Denise Connell, Anne Hoppe, Tom Whitmore, and Deb Geisler. Each related stories about Sir Terry, giving the attendees a chance to remember him and what he was like to be around. There were many such stories to be shared, some by the panelists, some by the attendees themselves, but these two by Anne Hoppe, who worked with Sir Terry as his editor for several years, are worth retelling: 'Last spring my sister and I were visiting in England, and we were fortunate enough to be there for the Spring Fling Event in Wincanton, which is the town in England which is the twin to Ankh-Morpork, and Terry was fabulous, his health was relatively frail by then, but he was there. And he was interacting with the fans, and having a fabulous time with them. When he was ready to leave and we were going back he said "I feel filled with helium." He was so lit up by talking to the fans, by spending time with the fans, the fans – he had a great love of writing, but he had such love of the fans too, such appreciation for the people who read his books and wanted to come up and talk to him about the books. And for all that he represents in this room in terms of the smart, funny people who love stories who love books and to give that back to him as he gave it to us...'"
The page also features video footage of a wandering Luggage and Twoflower:
http://bit.ly/1V1yduy
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08) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS: UPDATES AND REMINDERS
The Broken Drummers, "London's Premier Unofficially Official Discworld Group" (motto "Nil percussio est"), meets next on Monday 7th September 2015 at the Monkey Puzzle, 30 Southwick Street, London, W2 1JQ. For more information, go to http://brokendrummers.org/ or email BrokenDrummers@gmail.com or nicholls.helen@yahoo.co.uk
*
Canberra, Australia has a new Discworld fan group, Drumknott's Irregulars! "We are a newly established Terry Pratchett & Discworld social group in Canberra called Drumknott's Irregulars. The group is open to all, people from interstate and overseas are welcome, and our events will not be heavily themed. Come along to dinner for a chat and good company. We welcome people all all fandoms (and none) and we would love to see you at one of our events, even if you're just passing through. Please contact us via Facebook (_https://www.facebook.com/groups/824987924250161/_) or Google Groups (_https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/drumknotts-irregulars_) or join us at our next event."
*
There is a new public Facebook meeting group, "The Gathering of the Loonies (Wincanton chapter)": "This group, by request of Jo in Bear will continue to be used for future unofficial (not run by the Emporium) fan Gatherings in Wincanton. Look here for information. Next event Loonies Christmas Party. Same weekend as Hogswatch would have been. ie 27/28/29 November."
https://www.facebook.com/groups/373578522834654/
*
The Pratchett Partisans are a fan group who meet monthly at either Brisbane or Indooroopilly to "eat, drink and chat about all things Pratchett. We hold events such as Discworld dinners, games afternoons, Discworld photo scavenger hunts. Our recent 'Murder In Morpork' mystery party was a great night out. With 26 people attending, we had 24 suspects, our special guest – Vetinari, and one dead mime! It was a fun night of food and murder and we are planning another Murder in December so stay tuned. We also attend opening night at Brisbane Arts Theatre's Discworld plays."
The Partisans currently have about 100 members who meet at least twice a month, usually in Brisbane. For more info about their next meetup, join up at https://www.facebook.com/groups/pratchettpartisans/ or contact Ula directly at uwilmott@yahoo.com.au
*
The City of Small Gods is a group for fans in Adelaide and South Australia. For more information on their upcoming activities, go to www.cityofsmallgods.org.au
Also, City of Small Gods will be holding a special quiz night in October: "Test your knowledge on all things Science Fiction and Fantasy – books, movies, TV, comics, games and more! A dragon's hoard of prizes including best costume!"
When: 17th October 2015
Venue: Clarence Gardens Bowling Club, Winona Ave, Clarence Gardens
Time: 7pm for 7.30pm start
Tickets: $15 per person or $112 for a table of 8 "Bookings essential. Bring your own nibbles, purchase drinks at the bar (cash only)"
For more info, and to purchase tickets, go to:
http://ausdwcon.org/fan-clubs/adelaide/quiz/
*
The Broken Vectis Drummers meet next on Thursday 3rd September 2015 (probably) from 7.30pm at The Castle pub in Newport, Isle of Wight. For more info and any queries, contact broken_vectis_drummers@yahoo.co.uk
*
The Wincanton Omnian Temperance Society (WOTS) next meets on Friday 4th September 2015 (probably) at Wincanton's famous Bear Inn from 7pm onwards. "Visitors and drop-ins are always welcome!"
*
The Northern Institute of the Ankh-Morpork and District Society of Flatalists, a Pratchett fangroup, has been meeting on a regular basis since 2005 but is now looking to take in some new blood (presumably not in the non-reformed Uberwald manner). The Flatalists normally meet at The Narrowboat Pub in Victoria Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire, to discuss "all things Pratchett" as well as having quizzes and raffles. Details of future meetings are posted on the Events section of the Discworld Stamps forum:
http://www.discworldstamps.co.uk/forum/
*
Sydney Drummers (formerly Drummers Downunder) meet next on Monday 7th September 2015 at 6.30pm (probably) in Sydney at 3 Wise Monkeys, 555 George Street, Sydney,2000. For more information, contact Sue (aka Granny Weatherwax): kenworthys@yahoo.co.uk
*
The Treacle Mining Corporation, formerly known as Perth Drummers, meets next on Monday 7th September 2015 (probably) from 5.30pm at Carpe Cafe, 526 Murray Street, Perth, Western Australia. For details follow Perth Drummers on Twitter @Perth_Drummers or join their Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Perth.Drummers/ – or message Alexandra Ware directly at <alexandra.ware@gmail.com>
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09) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
Discworld cakes just keep getting better: http://bit.ly/1U69Klr and http://bit.ly/1UZu5LB
Stephen Briggs is definitely the master of the Vetinari eyebrow!
http://bit.ly/1KGObp7
Josh Kirby's original cover art from the German edition of Good Omens:
http://bit.ly/1hed9SY
Discworld cosplay...
A believable Rincewind: http://bit.ly/1gCPID3
An impressive Hogfather: http://bit.ly/1LZuUAX
...and a stunning – and very populous – live Discworld Massif of sorts, by Spanish fans:
http://bit.ly/1N37WaN
...and more of the former, all from Cosplay Mundodisco at the Spanish fan convention Celsius 2015 in Aviles:
http://on.fb.me/1Iz114X
...and from Sasquan, a spot-on Angua and Cheery, by NADWCon's Head Seamstress Denise Connell:
http://bit.ly/1HZdi1V and http://bit.ly/1gZRYUs
"It's what a pit pony *be*..." – photo gallery of a vast, eye-popping 200-metre earth sculpture, "Sultan the Pit Pony", by Welsh artist Mick Petts at Parc Penalta in Caerphilly. Shades of The Chalk:
http://bit.ly/1I51PBk
A lovely Tenniel-meets-Shepard-esque illustration of Tiffany versus Jenny Greenteeth, by Sia-chan:
http://bit.ly/1E9qBlN
The German cover for The Shepherd's Crown:
http://bit.ly/1NtsDQh
A fantastic set of cosplay iconographs imagining of the young Gytha Ogg. Some might consider these unsafe for work, but this is because of the Oggish attitude in them rather than any matter of exposed Gytha-ness:
http://bit.ly/1Jof7Xe
The "UU panel" at Sasquan: http://bit.ly/1V1mDj4
Excellent edible Luggage, posted by Clair Jackson: http://bit.ly/1V1mADU
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10) CLOSE
Remember the item about the upcoming opening of ScotRail's Borders Railway line (item 4.9 in the main July 2015 issue)? Well, it turns out that the Queen (of England, not the Quin of Fairyland!) will be officially opening the steam line:
"She will carry out the ceremony on 9 September where she will be joined by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on a steam journey along the route. The first passenger services are due to run along the line a few days earlier. Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown said it was a "great honour" that the Queen would lead the opening celebrations. The event coincides with the day that Her Majesty will become Britain's longest-serving monarch. On 9 September, she will pass the figure reached by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria... Mr Brown said: 'The people of the Borders and Midlothian have waited almost half a century to see the return of their railway and it is fitting that these two such historic events coincide. This will be a double celebration and we are also ensuring that the people who have campaigned, worked hard and shown such patience throughout this process are able to play a full part in the celebrations, with a separate day dedicated just to them." The Queen and Prince Philip will arrive at Waverley Station in Edinburgh to board the train drawn by the steam locomotive Union of South Africa on the morning of 9 September. They will travel the route, stopping off at Newtongrange in Midlothian before carrying on to the final stop on the new railway at the Borders town of Tweedbank..."
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-33761625
For those of you living in hedgehog country, here be an informative article on how to coexist with and care for hedgehogs:
"Why don't we see as many hedgehogs as we used to? Many people may not have even noticed their absence due to hedgehogs' nocturnal habits but for conservationists it's a very important question. The simple answer is that they are in drastic decline right across the country, in both urban and rural habitats... According to Fay Vass, chief executive for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), there were thought to be around 30 million hedgehogs in the UK in the 1950s, that number is now thought to be less than one million... For one of our most-loved animals, which constantly tops the charts in polls of our favourite wildlife, to have vanished in such large numbers is deeply worrying... Seeing hedgehogs in your garden is now a rare occurrence but there are things you can do to help reverse this trend and help them out in the process. If you are lucky enough to see any, you can take part in Hedgehog Street (_http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/_), where you can report sightings and help monitor this crucial species. Taking a few simple steps to make our gardens more hedgehog-friendly is another way to help... making a garden hedgehog-friendly is very easy and cheap, and doesn't have to look like a wilderness, or a big mess. Follow the simple advice on Hedgehog Street..."
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150818-living-with-hedgehogs
Remember, the Discworld & Beyond exhibition of Paul Kidby's art continues until 1st November at Wardown Park Museum, Wardown Park, Old Bedford Road, Luton, LU2 7HA. Entry is free! The museum is closed on Mondays, open 10am–5pm Tuesdays through Saturday, and open 1pm–5pm on Sundays. For more information ring 01582 546722.
By the way, the Tony Robinson quote at the start of this issue comes from a piece in the Radio Times. To read the whole article, go to http://bit.ly/1JK895e
And that, O Readers, is all for August. Coming soon: the Wossname review of The Shepherd's Crown, the continuation of the Without Whom series, and much more. Take care, and happy reading to you all!
– Annie Mac
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The End. If you have any questions or requests, write: wossname-owner (at) pearwood (dot) info
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Copyright (c) 2015 by Klatchian Foreign Legion
