![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
WOSSNAME -- Main issue -- July 2014
Jul. 14th, 2014 12:03 pmWOSSNAME
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
July 2014 (Volume 17, Issue 7, post 1)
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
INDEX:
01) QUOTES OF THE MONTH
02) EDITOR'S LETTER
03) GOOD NEWS, AND NOT SO GOOD NEWS
04) ODDS AND SODS
05) PTERRY AND ALZHEIMER'S NEWS
06) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
07) DISCWORLD GAMES NEWS
08) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
09) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS
10) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS
11) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
12) CLOSE
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
01) QUOTES OF THE MONTH
"If ever a guy deserved the intervention of a Wizard, it is Sir Terry."
– Guardian commenter Rockyrex
"I wish Terry was writing the world."
– heartbroken fan boynamedsue, in the same thread
"Embuggerance? Let's all hope he can be the hedgehog as long as possible."
– and wise words from fan alberthartley
"He loves walking around and chatting with fans."
– Rob Willikins, erm, Wilkins, talking about his boss
"The first stamps off the presses were hand perforated by Terry himself on a Victorian device at Bath Postal Museum of which Terry is patron. Ten years, and hundreds of thousands of stamps later, Discworld Stamps are collected worldwide and feature an ever-changing range of designs from all over Discworld with contributions by guests artists including Paul Kidby and Peter Dennis."
– Bernard Pearson, the Cunning Artificer himself, on the occasion of Discworld stamps' 10th birthday
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
02) LETTER FROM YOUR EDITOR
Happy Middle of the Roundworld Year to all!
There is some wonderful news and some not so wonderful news from The Author this month – see item 3. Rejoice if, like me, you love the Tiffany Aching novels and would love love love to know more about her life as a young adult witch. As for the other, not so wonderful news, I know the DWcon-goers will be deeply disappointed that Sir Pterry has to drop out of his traditional Head Guest of Honour position, but will join me in feeling more admiration than ever for the determination of this increasingly disease-ravaged genius who's carried on working for most of a decade, post-diagnosis, in order to share his magical universe with *all* fans everywhere. I do hope the UK DWcon attendees next month will shower the GoH aka the Hat of Pterry with all the love and respect due its owner!
Some stuff and things: in its fifth month on the Locus Bestsellers hardcovers list, Raising Steam has finally risen to the Number One spot! Also, the former Discworld Conventions News section has now been re-titled Discworld Events News. That's item 9 in this issue.
And now it's on with the show...
– Annie Mac, Editor
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
03) GOOD NEWS, AND NOT SO GOOD NEWS
3.1 THE WONDERFUL NEWS
There's going to be a fifth Tiffany Aching novel! Here's the word, from the Patrician's Palace, that is, the official Pterry Twitter account:
"Just to let you all know, the book that's on the screen in front of us – and is well underway – will be the 5th Tiffany Aching novel."
"And before you ask – NO – we don't know when it will be published because we don't know when it will be finished."
– 1st July 2014 via @terryandrob
3.2 THE NOT SO WONDERFUL NEWS
...but at least The (official authorial) Hat will be attending.
Here be the original announcement:
Dear Discworld Convention Attendees,
I have been putting off writing this little announcement for quite some time and on good days thought I wouldn't have to write it at all. However, it is with great reluctance that I have to tell you all that I will not be able to attend the upcoming UK Discworld Convention. I am very sorry about this, but I have been dodging the effects of PCA and have been able to write for much longer than any of us ever thought possible, but now The Embuggerance is finally catching up with me, along with other age-related ailments. I know people will have already made plans far in advance and some will be travelling a long way, but this is the first time ever that I have been unable to attend a UK convention and I really am very sorry. They say time marches on, and it does, even though I have been running very fast to keep one step ahead of it. I really was looking forward to seeing your smiley, happy faces. Have fun everyone. Yes, on this occasion, have *lots* of fun.
(signed) Terry Pratchett. Salisbury, UK
To read the announcement on the web, go to PJSM Prints:
http://www.pjsmprints.com/news/
This news has now been covered by Press and entertainment sites all aound the world. The Guardian was perhaps first out of the blocks:
"Pratchett made the announcement with what he described as 'great reluctance' on the website of the International Discworld Convention, where he had been set to appear as guest of honour in Manchester in August... Pratchett was referring, in the "embuggerance", to the memorable description he initially gave to his posterior cortical atrophy, a rare form of early onset Alzheimer's he announced he had been diagnosed with in late 2007... The convention's chair, John Hicks, said that Pratchett would still be answering some questions from fans on video, that his business manager Rob Wilkins would be 'bringing The Black Hat' – Pratchett's trademark – 'to the Convention to represent Terry in absentia and we will, of course, welcome it with all due honours'..."
http://tinyurl.com/ox3fj2j
Here be a selection from the comments below the piece. Amazingly, in an aetherverse where comments threads almost always contain griefing, assorted other trollery, and plain damn-foolish wrongheadedness – especially in Guardian comments, where one would have expected a slightly better class of commenter – almost everything in the thread was positive.
From MythicalMagpie: "Courage in the form of eloquence and wit. That's a very moving statement from Mr Pratchett. I'll always be a fan.
Disappointedidealist: A man who has brought entertainment, laughter, and more than a little bit of hope, to millions of us. I'd settle for that as an epitaph. Just don't book Cut-Me-Own-Throat-Dibbler for the catering at the funeral, eh, Terry?"
From Rockyrex: "If the Guardian can send him our thanks for all the fun, I think we would be grateful. If ever a guy deserved the intervention of a Wizard, it is Sir Terry."
From daveydor: "I like to think that, like the Luggage, the Hat will develop a sentience and mobility of its own. Good luck for the future, Sir Terry, and thank you for everything so far."
From Ntooms: "I have shed many tears reading Mr Pratchett, tears of laughter in some very public places and I will shed a tear of sadness when this brilliant man succumbs, hang in there Terry we need men like you to help us laugh at the world."
From Abdrea Buzas: "He has a whole magical universe in his head and no disease will ever destroy that!"
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
04) "DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE" NEWS
4.1 A TEASER IN E-BOOK FORM!
Next month, Random House Children's Publishers will publish an e-short, "The Abominable Snowman", from Terry Pratchett's forthcoming short story collection Dragons at Crumbling Castle. The publishing date is 7th August and the price will be £1.49.
"The Abominable Snowman" is about "Captain the Honourable Sir Herbert Stephen Ernest Boring-Tristram-Boring (known to his friends as Bill). Sir Herbert is very bored but life gets more interesting when the famous explorer Amos Tence shows up at his front door and takes him of to the mountains of Chilistan to look for the abominable snowman.
"Kirsten Armstrong, fiction editor at RHCP UK, bought the world rights for Dragons from Pratchett's agent Colin Smythe, and said: 'These stories are full of Pratchett's trademark wit and imagination and will be adored by anyone aged eight to 108... they are a joy to read and share with young readers.'..."
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/rhcp-publish-pratchett-e-short.html
4.2 PTERRY "DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE" INTERVIEW
From the Guardian's children's books section:
"You started writing the stories in Dragons at Crumbling Castle when you were 17 and an apprentice on the local newspaper. What did you before?
"I went to a reasonably good school, though I think I hated the headmaster just as much as he hated me. Time and again I come back to the library as where I got my real education, and The Way of Terry Pratchett is this: you go through the very, very top of a very big library and you read every last book, which effectively is what quite a lot of my adolescence was made of. That meant I'd read all kinds of books, and things stick, all contributing to the great big compost heap from which the roses grow...
"Why do you think fantasy so accessible to both children and adults?
"You start with the fairytales and the fairytales segue way up as you get older and you start realizing, if you are growing up, that fairytales aren't exactly the same as what's really going on and what's happening around you. And if you're paying attention, you ask why and look for more stories to help find out...
"Which of the books that you've written is your favorite?
"I don't know about 'favourite,' but the four Tiffany Aching books, starting with The Wee Free Men, are very close to my heart. Lots of girls – and some boys – say they like Tiffany because she is real, and she gets on with things and doesn't complain until it is necessary and does the job that is in front of her all the time. Some of these notions seem old-fashioned these days, but I got them from people I knew when I was growing up. And of course, lot of Tiffany's story is set in Chalk country – the countryside I lived on then and live on now..."
Remember, Dragons at Crumbling Castle will be published on 11th September 2014! To read the full interview, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/nuhdnzm
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
05) PTERRY AND ALZHEIMER'S NEWS
5.1 AWESOME – AND SUCCESSFUL – FUNDRAISING STUNT
Pratchett fan Isaac Olding of Long Eaton, aged 16, set out to raise £1,500 for the Alzheimer's Society by means of a somewhat unusual tactic – wearing a full-on ball dress, complete with accessories (including varnished toenails), to his Year 11 prom. Ninety-eight donors saw to it that the original total was surpassed, and the total is still rising:
"Isaac decided to raise money for Alzheimer's Society as he has friends and family members with dementia. Isaac and his Mum are also huge Sir Terry Pratchett fans and have been lucky enough to meet Sir Terry Pratchett and tell him about his fundraising. If you would like to sponsor Isaac or see more pictures of him in his prom dress please visit his just giving page: www.justgiving.com/Isaac-Olding/ ..."
http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=2088
Isaac says: "Well prom is over and i had a great time, thank you everyone who has given money and to let everyone know my page will still be up to donate to for a few more months" – 28/06/14
[Editor's note: even if you're unable to donate, Isaac's JustGiving page is worth visiting for the comments in the right-hand sidebar.]
5.2 PROMISING NEW DIAGNOSTIC TEST
"A blood test to detect which people with failing memories will go on to develop Alzheimer's disease has been developed by British scientists, who hope it may prove a breakthrough in the hunt for a cure. After a decade's work, an international collaboration led by scientists from King's College London, with the UK company Proteome Sciences, has published a study identifying a set of 10 proteins in the blood. The test can predict the onset of Alzheimer's in the next 12 months in people with memory problems with an accuracy of 87%. It could cost £100-£300 and be available within two years... Such a screening test would be controversial, however: few healthy people want to know they may be in line for an incurable disease that can be neither prevented nor treated. The new test is aimed at people with the kind of memory loss called mild cognitive impairment, 60% of whom will go on to develop dementia. Those are the people scientists now want to recruit into trials to prevent, or at least delay, the onset of Alzheimer's...
"Larger trials involving 5,000 to 10,000 people are still needed, say the scientists. 'The next step will be to validate our findings in further sample sets, to see if we can improve accuracy and reduce the risk of misdiagnosis, and to develop a reliable test suitable to be used by doctors,' said [Professor Simon Lovestone from King's College]. Other scientists were enthusiastic about the potential for the test to aid drug discovery, but cautious about its potential use for diagnosing the disease in otherwise healthy people. Dr Eric Karran, science director at the charity Alzheimer's Research UK, which helped fund the research, said a test identifying those at risk of Alzheimer's at an early stage would be of 'real value', but warned that it would have to be used responsibly. 'Alzheimer's disease is now the most feared diagnosis,' he said. 'We have to be very careful about how we use these tests, especially in the absence of effective therapy.' Dr James Pickett, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: 'Finding a way to detect dementia before symptoms develop would revolutionise research into the condition … However, this research does not mean that a blood test for dementia is just around the corner'..."
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/08/blood-test-predicts-onset-alzheimers-disease
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
06) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
6.1 NEW: SOUL MUSIC IN KINGSTON
Youth Music Theatre UK, "the leading music theatre company for young people aged 11-21" and a favourite of Sir Pterry's, will present their new all-singing, all-dancing, all-Discworld production of Soul Music next month. "Directed by Luke Sheppard, (Associate Director RSC's Matilda), adapted by stand-up comedian Andrew Doyle with original music from WhatsOnStage Award-nominee Craig Adams (LIFT, Thérèse Raquin), and choreographed by Off West End Award-winner Cressida Carré (Titanic). Soul Music continues our association with Sir Terry Pratchett, and follows the success of our previous collaboration Mort The Musical."
When: 28th-31st August 2014
Venue: Rose Theatre, 24-26 High Street, Kingston, London, KT1 1HL
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: £6–£26 including £1 booking fee per ticket. Plus £1.60 transaction fee per booking. Hurry, because all the "cheap seats" are already nearly sold out! To book online, go to:
www.rosetheatrekingston.org/visiting-productions/soul-music-terry-pratchett
And what's more, there's a trailer! A rather cute one:
http://www.youthmusictheatreuk.org/shows/soul-music
6.2 ALMOST NEW: "THE LAST CONTINENT"...ON THE LAST CONTINENT!
"Our next play, (by popular vote) will be a return to "The Last Continent" which was a world premiere for us back in 2009... It's actually quite appropriate as it turns out that we are doing a play about Ecks, Ecks, Ecks because Terry has been awarded an honorary doctorate from UniSA."
When: 19th September through 4th October 2014
Venue: The Bakehouse Theatre, 255 Angas Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Time: 8pm all shows
Tickets: Pricing TBA
http://www.unseen.com.au/
6.3 REMINDER: MONSTROUS REGIMENT IN CHICAGO: EXTENDED SEASON
The Monstrous Regiment production has created such a sensation that its season is being extended into August due to demand! Read all about it in Broadway World:
"To accommodate extraordinary ticket demand, Lifeline Theatre announces ten added performances of its Jeff Recommended, critically-acclaimed world premiere adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Monstrous Regiment, by ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, directed by Kevin Theis (two-time Non-Equity Jeff Award nominee)... Monstrous Regiment now runs through August 3 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. (free parking and shuttle; see below). Performance times are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 4 p.m."
http://tinyurl.com/nefve5c
When: now, and up through 3rd August 2014
Venue: Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N Glenwood Ave, Chicago, IL, 60626 Telephone 773-761-4477
Time: evenings at 7.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays and at 8pm on Saturdays; matinees at 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The production runs two and a half hours with one intermission. The book will be on sale in the lobby.
Tickets: $40 for regular single tickets, $30 for seniors, $20 for students (with I.D.), and $20 for rush tickets (available half hour before show time, subject to availability). Group rate for 12 or more is available upon request. Tickets may be purchased at the Lifeline Theatre Box Office, 773.761.4477, or by visiting www.lifelinetheatre.com
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
07) DISCWORLD GAMES NEWS
7.1 "GUARDS! GUARDS!" AND "CLACKS" LATEST
A quick update from David Brashaw of Backspindle Games:
"Guards! Guards! a Discworld Boardgame has once again been reprinted and can be purchased internationally from our website:
http://backspindlegames.com/guards-guards/
"In addition we have a special discounted price for those traveling to Spiel, Essen who can pre-order their copy and collect it from us at Essen. Whoot! whoot!
"We will be at the DWCon next month were we will be demoing Clacks, and letting the wonderful delegates try all the different types of pay in the game, one for all, cooperative, free word creation...and more. In addition we will be demoing Guards! Guards! and running the LIVE run-around-the-convention version of the game...'hold on to your hat!'"
"Hopefully following all of this we will be refining Clacks for a 2015 release."
www.backspindlegames.com
7.2 ON CREATING "THE PERFECT DISCWORLD GAME"
At WhatCulture, Henry Dowling takes a very long and very impassioned look at "would need to be done for a game to justify the sought-after Discworld license". Well worth reading the entire piece! Here are a few extracts:
"We see the Discworld series as literary art, not Rowling-esque pulp fantasy. And we devour anything Discworld-related with rampant hunger – books, maps, board games, figurines, if it says 'Discworld' on the cover, we'll buy it. It's a vast empire, the Discworld metaverse, and we all want a piece of it. One realm which hasn't received fair attention, though, is Discworld's representation in the gaming world. We're on the 40th novel in the award-winning series, but it's been 14 long years since the last proper attempt to capture the Discworld magic in game form (and no, the delightful boardgames don't count). In that time we've been subjected to unpleasant games based on brilliant fantasy books (ie. just about any Lord Of The Rings game), and substantially more unpleasant games based on forgettable fantasy books (ie. any game with Harry Plopper's bespectacled mug plastered on the box). After enduring all of that, the time is right for an amazing game based on the astounding fantasy scribblings of Mr. Pratchett.
"WhatCulture put the idea to revered gaming industry personality Rhianna Pratchett – Tomb Raider reboot writer, unofficial custodian of all things Discworldian, and of course Terry's daughter. 'There have been a few pitches sent my father's way over the years, but none have been up to snuff, quite frankly,' she told us. 'Some thought they got it, and when asked to pitch their vision for the project, quite clearly didn't. So basically we've not had the right pitch from the right company yet.' This tells us two things: that, as it stands, there is no Discworld project openly in development, but also that the idea is very much on the table should the right concept stroll in... Raven-haired Rhianna has made it clear that she won't be taking over from her father when it comes to the novels, but that's not to say she wouldn't be prepared to step in for a worthy gaming project. But she's a busy woman, with her talented fingers in many intriguing pies, so perhaps we need a contingency plan. And if there's one man with the credentials for the job, it's British writer Stephen Briggs...
"Since Sir Terry is English, many of us will have imagined an English accent for the various characters, but that doesn't have to be a rule. Bruce Willis in his grizzled John McClane/Die Hard guise could be a perfect Sam Vimes, for example, while a chap with silky tones like Unchartered's Nolan North would slip right into the Moist von Lipwig role. Pop old John Cleese in there as UU Archchancellor Ridcully – in fact, there would be place for all the surviving Monty Python gents – and a franchise return for the brilliant Tony Robinson should be a given. Obviously it can't all be A-list celebrities across the board, but this is the kind of project which would need to call in the big guns where it makes sense to do so...
"We've had Discworld games in the past, and none of them scorched a flaming streak across the gaming sales charts. The three primary suspects – Discworld, Discworld II: Missing, Presumed…!? and Discworld Noir – were acceptable point and click affairs, but they all missed the mark in quite specific ways. If an upcoming Discworld project is to make an impact, if it's to justify the use of the license, the team behind it will have to tread carefully... for the millions of Terry Pratchett acolytes who have been exploring the many realms of the Disc in their minds for decades, it really does feel that the time is right – we deserve a new Discworld title...."
http://tinyurl.com/pmglswq
7.3 "ANKH-MORPORK" INCLUDED IN TOP 5 FANTASY GAMES
On Here is the City:
"Discworld: Ankh-Morpork – We've included Terry Pratchett's Discworld inspired board game as not only does it convey well the character and humour of his celebrated novels but it’s a good easily accessible game to pick up and learn quickly that won't take you all night to play. The game doesn't suffer from lack of depth however, there is a lot of strategy and double guessing your opponents and the secret player objectives determined by your character add an air of tension to the game. Set in the corrupt Ankh-Morpork city state melting pot at the centre of the Discworld you're on a mission to gain control over the city by deploying minions and building property. There's a well worked mechanic using 'trouble markers' that can block others building property and all player actions are determined by cards in the player's hands. A 12 sided die comes into play only to determine where in the city random events occur although said events can take a while to surface in the game, which with its fast moving pace can get missed out if you plough through a game too quickly."
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/07/12/top-5-fantasy-board-games
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
08) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
DISCWORLD EMPORIUM UPDATES
We've been Going Postal for 10 years!
It's been a decade since the publication of Going Postal, when the man in the black hat gave us the man in the golden hat, and we were commissioned by Transworld publishers to illustrate the very stamps designed by Moist Von Lipwig and Mr Spools in the book.
Soon after, Terry appointed our shop as an official branch of the A-M.P.O. with exclusive rights to produce 'real' Discworld Stamps as part of our range. The first stamps off the presses were hand perforated by Terry himself on a Victorian device at Bath Postal Museum of which Terry is patron. Ten years, and hundreds of thousands of stamps later, Discworld Stamps are collected worldwide and feature an ever-changing range of designs from all over Discworld with contributions by guests artists including Paul Kidby and Peter Dennis. To us, everyday is a celebration of Going Postal!
http://tinyurl.com/p9ltaby
To commemorate this special occasion, the Iconic 'Penny Patrician' has been transformed into the 'Penny Moist' for a limited edition Presentation sheet featuring ten variations of this distinguished Discworld Stamp. Bearing the profile of Going Postal's hero and saviour of the Ankh-Morpork Post Office, Moist Von Lipwig. Each sheet is embossed with shiny gold foil in tribute to Moist's famous golden suit and winged Postmaster's hat, and is presented in an embossed slip cover. Available on Weds 9th July:
http://tinyurl.com/p3rqbnn
http://tinyurl.com/nzjbgro
Our 10TH Birthday LBE (_http://tinyurl.com/mvvmgfy_) is a limited edition of 1000 envelopes containing a bonanza of Discworld Stamps, with four extra stamps included as a gift from us, each envelope also features an elegant new fourpenny issue honouring Ankh-Morpork's esteemed tyrant Lord Havelock Vetinari, and at least two of our anniversary 'Penny Moist' variants.
The postmen of Ankh-Morpork have also contributed to this edition with a scattering of 'We're sorry we missed you' cards bearing a variety of reasons for non delivery waiting to be found, along with prize tickets for one of 50 exclusive 10th Anniversary First Day Covers. Two VERY lucky envelopes will contain that most coveted of Discworld Stamps. The Blue Triangle Sport!
The 4p Vetinari (_http://tinyurl.com/l8gszfx_) is a sleek and stately issue available as single stamps or as stunning full sheets, each featuring the Vetinari sable on sable coat of arms, highlighted with silver, and black gloss accents. Available Wednesday 9th July:
http://tinyurl.com/o44c94h
http://tinyurl.com/p7sjz72
In other news...
The latest books in the Discworld Collector's library from Gollancz have arrived, and rather beautiful they are too - Witches Abroad (_http://tinyurl.com/ostbtwh_), Lords and Ladies (_http://tinyurl.com/ncl7e2r_), and Maskerade (_http://tinyurl.com/pd76tec_) are the final instalments in the Witches collection and are available now from our bookshop...
The Emporium's Bernard Pearson visited Terry at his home yesterday to celebrate the 10th birthday of Discworld Stamps and present him with our 10th Anniversary Edition Little Brown Envelope (_http://tinyurl.com/lr84d2v_). The visit brought back memories of when the very first stamps were hand perforated by Terry and Bernard on a Victorian device at Bath Postal Museum ahead of Going Postal's release.
Bernard has also penned a personal reflection of his journey in 'flately' (as Terry once christened it) for our the Discworld Emporium Forum pages - read all about it here:
http://tinyurl.com/ku3shsc
"For more information about the wonderful world of official Discworld Stamps, and to discover how it all began, visit the Discworld Stamps bit of our website where you'll find a beginners guide, glossary and current issues from all over the Disc:
http://www.discworldemporium.com/discworld-stamps
"For all our latest wares and releases have a browse through our New Products page – it's mostly harmless!"
http://tinyurl.com/l8ztg9n
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
09) DISCWORLD EVENTS NEWS
9.1 HOGSWATCH IN JULY!
Brisbane Arts Theatre
210 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 4000
http://artstheatre.com.au/hogswatch2014
Hogswatch in July is a FREE, FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT! Take a step sideways and enter the alternate universe of the Discworld where magic abides. You'll find Discworldians celebrating Hogswatch (like our Christmas, but not quite) at a local fete. Enjoy the cultural entertainments, sample the local cuisine and partake in authentic Discworldian activities. There will be Markets, a petting zoo (gold coin donation), free kids crafts, Bake sale, Morris Dancers, C.M.O.T. purveyor of fine meats (ie. Sausage sizzle), Assassins for hire, Game competitions for all ages, a games tent, cosplay, Baking and Costume competitions (details to follow), food and coffee vendors and if that wasn't enough, to top it all off there will be a visit from the Hog Father Himself!
So come along incognito, or pick up some local outfits on the day. Be sure to bring the family for this fun day out. Need costumes? Our Costume Cottage has all your discworlidan needs covered!
You also have the chance to help be a part of the organisation by heading to http://www.pozible.com/project/181787
Check the facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/1474037639497598/
Please note that this is an alcohol and drug free event.
http://artstheatre.com.au/hogswatch2014
[Editor's note: "alcohol and drug free" – wot, no scumble?]
9.2 WADFEST 2014
"This year's theme is heroes and villains. This means you get the chance to dress up as the hero or villain that you have always wanted to be. You can take your inspiration from comics, films and cartoons, or invent a new character for yourself. There will be trophies for the best dressed villain and best dressed hero, so get your sewing machine out and give it a go! If you're no good at sewing and you don't have anyone to help out, you can always hire a costume for the weekend. As well as special themed hero and villain games there will be all your usual Wadfest favourites, including smack the penguin. If it's your first time at Wadfest, why not take a look through the photos of Wadfests past to get an idea of what to expect?"
When: 15th to 17th August 2014
Venue: Wood Green, The Animal Charity, King's Bush Farm, London Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, PE29 2NH
Tickets: £25.00 per adult for the weekend including Camping and Events. Children under 16 go free when accompanied by a paying adult. To purchase tickets online, go to http://www.wadfest.co.uk/page2.html
http://www.wadfest.co.uk
9.3 AUSDWCON 2015 UPDATES
Nullus Anxietus V is coming! Some early details:
When: 10th to 12th April 2015
Venue: Novotel, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
Tickets: see below
The Early Bird ticket prices are no longer available. Here be the updated prices:
"Attending Member Ticket sales close 15 March 2015, or earlier if we sell all tickets. This ticket entitles you to one (1) ticket to attend Nullus Anxietas V in full! You will be granted entry to all events except the Gala Dinner (tickets for the Gala Dinner are sold separately). You will be given a fancy membership badge to wear at all times. You will also be given a souvenir programme, and a show bag full of goodies" – priced at $180.00 (AUD) full, $120.00 child/concession (children under 5 free)
"Attending Family Ticket: this ticket entitles you to family tickets to attend Nullus Anxietas V in full! Purchase this for two (2) adults and two (2) children 15 and under; or one (1) adult and three (3) children 15 and under. Your family will be granted entry to all events except the Gala Dinner. Your family will be given fancy membership badges to wear at all times. Your family will also be given souvenir programmes, and show bags full of goodies... If you decide to join a Guild (and it is so much fun if you do) then we will assign you to a guild at random. Unless you specify otherwise, we will put the children into the same guild as the adults" – priced at $500.00 (AUD)
"Supporting Membership: Can't make it to Nullus Anxietas V? Or maybe you're just not sure yet? Or perhaps you can't afford the full ticket right now? Then buy a Supporting Membership to show your support! With a supporting membership you can upgrade to an attendee ticket any time up until March 15, 2015, and save the $30 you've already spent! You could even buy a supporting membership as a gift for a friend" – priced at $30.00 (AUD)
http://ausdwcon.org/shop/
http://ausdwcon.org/
9.4 CABBAGECON 2015 UPDATES
Cabbagecon 3, the third Dutch Discworld Convention, will take place in June of next year. Among the special guests will be Venugopalan Ittekot, Dutch translator of the Discworld novels.
"It will be a happy occasion for fans of Sir Terry Pratchett from the Netherlands and abroad to meet up again and have some fun. We hope to see you too!"
When: 27th and 28th June 2015 Venue: Tulip Inn Hotel Val Monte in Berg en Dal (near Nijmegen) Tickets: Membership of Cabbagecon 3 for the whole weekend is priced at €40,00, with a €5 discount for children, seniors and students. For the Saturday only or the Sunday only, the price is €25,00, with the same discounts as above applying. To book online in advance, go to http://www.dutchdwcon.nl
9.5 IDWCON 2015 UPDATES
""Hear ye, hear ye, lads and lasses. We're pleased as punch, and so very proud, to announce that the 4th Irish Discworld Convention will be held from the 2nd to the 5th of October, 2015... We hope to see you all at the Cork International Airport Hotel..."
Confirmed guests so far include Bernard Pearson (the Cunning Artificer himself), Isobel Pearson, TSoD co-author Jack Cohen, folklorist (and Discworld myth-checker) Jacqueline Simpson, and the ever-excellent Colin Smythe.
The new IDWcon webpage is truly gorgeous! Go have a look and a wander.
Tickets are priced at €50.00 for Full Membership, or €40.00 for Concessionary Membership. Children under 12 are free. To book, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/qbx36m6
http://idwcon.org/
https://twitter.com/IDWCon
https://www.facebook.com/groups/idwcon/
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
10) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS
The Broken Drummers, "London's Premier Unofficially Official Discworld Group", meets on the first Monday of every month at the Monkey Puzzle, 30 Southwick Street, London W2 1JQ: "We welcome anyone and everyone who enjoys Sir Terry's works, or quite likes them or wants to find out more. We have had many visitors from overseas who have enjoyed themselves and made new friends. The discussions do not only concern the works of Sir Terry Pratchett but wander and meander through other genres and authors and also leaping to TV and Film production. We also find time for a quiz. The prize is superb. The chance to set the quiz the following month."
Next meeting: Monday 4th August 2014, from 7pm onwards.
The Drummers' most recent meet report:
"Drummers met on Monday 7th July. There was very exciting news. James B. is not only engaged, he's getting married next month. He promises to bring his new wife along to Drummers although possibly after they are married so that we don't scare her off. Congratulations to James! Otherwise, much discussion of Rolf Harris, including something about him in a basque (that's all I heard and I didn't want to enquire further). Tim didn't make it so his quiz is still in limbo. We left early as we were both pretty knackered. What happened after that will have to go unrecorded, unless anyone wants to fill me in."
For more information, go to http://brokendrummers.org/ or email BrokenDrummers@gmail.com or nicholls.helen@yahoo.co.uk
*
The Pratchett Partisans are a new fan group who meet monthly at either Brisbane or Indooroopilly to "eat, drink and chat about all things Pratchett". For more info about their next meetup, go to http://www.meetup.com/Pratchett-Partisans/ or contact Ula directly at uwilmott@yahoo.com.au
*
The City of Small Gods is a group for fans in Adelaide and South Australia: "We have regular monthly dinner and games nights, longer games days, plus play outings, craft-y workshops, and fun social activities throughout the year. For more info and to join our mailing list, visit http://cityofsmallgods.org.au "
*
The Broken Vectis Drummers meet on the first Thursday of every month from 7.30pm at The Castle pub in Newport, Isle of Wight.
Next meeting: Thursday 7th August 2014, probably, but do email to check.
All new members and curious passersby are very welcome! For more info and any queries, contact broken_vectis_drummers@yahoo.co.uk
*
The Wincanton Omnian Temperance Society (WOTS) meets on the first Friday of every month at Wincanton's famous Bear Inn from 7pm onwards. "Visitors and drop-ins are always welcome!"
Next meeting: Friday 1st August 2014 (probably).
*
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 on the first Monday of every month in Sydney at 3 Wise Monkeys, 555 George Street, Sydney,2000.
Next meeting: Monday 4th August 2014 at 6.30pm (probably). For more information, contact Sue (aka Granny Weatherwax): kenworthys@yahoo.co.uk
*
Perth Drummers meet on the first Monday of the month, subject to holidays.
Next meeting: Monday 4th August 2014 (probably).
"Please note we have moved to Carpe Cafe from 5.30pm Carpe Cafe, 526 Murray Street, Perth, WA. Meeting at a cafe means we are under-18 friendly!"
For details follow Perth Drummers on Twitter @Perth_Drummers and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/Perth.Drummers/ – otherwise message Krystel directly at khewett@live.com
*
Western Drummers (that's two groups for the Sydney Pratchett fans now) meet at The Rowers, Nepean Rowing Club, Bruce Neal Drive, Penrith at 6.30-7.30pm for food, 7.30pm for games, quizzes and chat.
Next meeting: 22nd July at 6pm
For more information, contact Nanny Ogg – lewis_oz@bigpond.com – or visit their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/westerndrummers
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
11) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
The Dragons at Crumbling Castle cover art, by illustrator Mark Beech:
http://tinyurl.com/q7me4jm
The Discworld according to Kidby – here be an actual Iconograph, complete with a pile of dust that will soon be Otto Chriek again:
http://tinyurl.com/m2zdxcf
Ye can tak' our trrrouserrrs, but ye canna tak' ooour cake! Fab-tastic Feegles cake by starbakesisters:
http://instagram.com/p/p6SpRTCHV4/
Pterry onna plane – your Editor quite likes this one:
http://tinyurl.com/lj96amj
...and this one:
http://tinyurl.com/m3sh7p4
...and finally, some pictures posted by Discworld enthusiast Shelli Ward...
Discworld cupcakes! Soooo cute: http://tinyurl.com/pzn6fwj
The kind of "creationism" all can enjoy: http://tinyurl.com/p72f56e
Mmm, cake: http://tinyurl.com/m6b2dg4
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
12) CLOSE
An update on that Discworld bench... Paul Kidby says: "Delighted to hear that the Discworld Ookbench is now in position outside London's City Hall near Tower Bridge. Looking forward to seeing your bench selfies!"
Here be an iconograph of the "Ookbench":
http://tinyurl.com/lq393rp
...and installed:
http://tinyurl.com/q67r2th
...and a portrait of the artist as a middle-aged ookbench-sitter:
http://tinyurl.com/q5ltv9p
And that's the lot for the first half of July. Hopefully we'll be back before the month is out with more news, stuff, things, odds and sods. Those of us down in Fourecks can take comfort from the fact that the winter solstice is well and truly past and the days are getting noticeably longer. For the rest of you, enjoy your days of summer, and don't forget the sunscreen, especially if you're of the Troll or Goblin persuasion...
– Annie Mac
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
———————————————————————————————————
The End. If you have any questions or requests, write: interact (at) pearwood (dot) info
———————————————————————————————————
Copyright (c) 2014 by Klatchian Foreign Legion
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
July 2014 (Volume 17, Issue 7, post 1)
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
INDEX:
01) QUOTES OF THE MONTH
02) EDITOR'S LETTER
03) GOOD NEWS, AND NOT SO GOOD NEWS
04) ODDS AND SODS
05) PTERRY AND ALZHEIMER'S NEWS
06) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
07) DISCWORLD GAMES NEWS
08) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
09) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS
10) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS
11) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
12) CLOSE
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
01) QUOTES OF THE MONTH
"If ever a guy deserved the intervention of a Wizard, it is Sir Terry."
– Guardian commenter Rockyrex
"I wish Terry was writing the world."
– heartbroken fan boynamedsue, in the same thread
"Embuggerance? Let's all hope he can be the hedgehog as long as possible."
– and wise words from fan alberthartley
"He loves walking around and chatting with fans."
– Rob Willikins, erm, Wilkins, talking about his boss
"The first stamps off the presses were hand perforated by Terry himself on a Victorian device at Bath Postal Museum of which Terry is patron. Ten years, and hundreds of thousands of stamps later, Discworld Stamps are collected worldwide and feature an ever-changing range of designs from all over Discworld with contributions by guests artists including Paul Kidby and Peter Dennis."
– Bernard Pearson, the Cunning Artificer himself, on the occasion of Discworld stamps' 10th birthday
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
02) LETTER FROM YOUR EDITOR
Happy Middle of the Roundworld Year to all!
There is some wonderful news and some not so wonderful news from The Author this month – see item 3. Rejoice if, like me, you love the Tiffany Aching novels and would love love love to know more about her life as a young adult witch. As for the other, not so wonderful news, I know the DWcon-goers will be deeply disappointed that Sir Pterry has to drop out of his traditional Head Guest of Honour position, but will join me in feeling more admiration than ever for the determination of this increasingly disease-ravaged genius who's carried on working for most of a decade, post-diagnosis, in order to share his magical universe with *all* fans everywhere. I do hope the UK DWcon attendees next month will shower the GoH aka the Hat of Pterry with all the love and respect due its owner!
Some stuff and things: in its fifth month on the Locus Bestsellers hardcovers list, Raising Steam has finally risen to the Number One spot! Also, the former Discworld Conventions News section has now been re-titled Discworld Events News. That's item 9 in this issue.
And now it's on with the show...
– Annie Mac, Editor
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
03) GOOD NEWS, AND NOT SO GOOD NEWS
3.1 THE WONDERFUL NEWS
There's going to be a fifth Tiffany Aching novel! Here's the word, from the Patrician's Palace, that is, the official Pterry Twitter account:
"Just to let you all know, the book that's on the screen in front of us – and is well underway – will be the 5th Tiffany Aching novel."
"And before you ask – NO – we don't know when it will be published because we don't know when it will be finished."
– 1st July 2014 via @terryandrob
3.2 THE NOT SO WONDERFUL NEWS
...but at least The (official authorial) Hat will be attending.
Here be the original announcement:
Dear Discworld Convention Attendees,
I have been putting off writing this little announcement for quite some time and on good days thought I wouldn't have to write it at all. However, it is with great reluctance that I have to tell you all that I will not be able to attend the upcoming UK Discworld Convention. I am very sorry about this, but I have been dodging the effects of PCA and have been able to write for much longer than any of us ever thought possible, but now The Embuggerance is finally catching up with me, along with other age-related ailments. I know people will have already made plans far in advance and some will be travelling a long way, but this is the first time ever that I have been unable to attend a UK convention and I really am very sorry. They say time marches on, and it does, even though I have been running very fast to keep one step ahead of it. I really was looking forward to seeing your smiley, happy faces. Have fun everyone. Yes, on this occasion, have *lots* of fun.
(signed) Terry Pratchett. Salisbury, UK
To read the announcement on the web, go to PJSM Prints:
http://www.pjsmprints.com/news/
This news has now been covered by Press and entertainment sites all aound the world. The Guardian was perhaps first out of the blocks:
"Pratchett made the announcement with what he described as 'great reluctance' on the website of the International Discworld Convention, where he had been set to appear as guest of honour in Manchester in August... Pratchett was referring, in the "embuggerance", to the memorable description he initially gave to his posterior cortical atrophy, a rare form of early onset Alzheimer's he announced he had been diagnosed with in late 2007... The convention's chair, John Hicks, said that Pratchett would still be answering some questions from fans on video, that his business manager Rob Wilkins would be 'bringing The Black Hat' – Pratchett's trademark – 'to the Convention to represent Terry in absentia and we will, of course, welcome it with all due honours'..."
http://tinyurl.com/ox3fj2j
Here be a selection from the comments below the piece. Amazingly, in an aetherverse where comments threads almost always contain griefing, assorted other trollery, and plain damn-foolish wrongheadedness – especially in Guardian comments, where one would have expected a slightly better class of commenter – almost everything in the thread was positive.
From MythicalMagpie: "Courage in the form of eloquence and wit. That's a very moving statement from Mr Pratchett. I'll always be a fan.
Disappointedidealist: A man who has brought entertainment, laughter, and more than a little bit of hope, to millions of us. I'd settle for that as an epitaph. Just don't book Cut-Me-Own-Throat-Dibbler for the catering at the funeral, eh, Terry?"
From Rockyrex: "If the Guardian can send him our thanks for all the fun, I think we would be grateful. If ever a guy deserved the intervention of a Wizard, it is Sir Terry."
From daveydor: "I like to think that, like the Luggage, the Hat will develop a sentience and mobility of its own. Good luck for the future, Sir Terry, and thank you for everything so far."
From Ntooms: "I have shed many tears reading Mr Pratchett, tears of laughter in some very public places and I will shed a tear of sadness when this brilliant man succumbs, hang in there Terry we need men like you to help us laugh at the world."
From Abdrea Buzas: "He has a whole magical universe in his head and no disease will ever destroy that!"
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
04) "DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE" NEWS
4.1 A TEASER IN E-BOOK FORM!
Next month, Random House Children's Publishers will publish an e-short, "The Abominable Snowman", from Terry Pratchett's forthcoming short story collection Dragons at Crumbling Castle. The publishing date is 7th August and the price will be £1.49.
"The Abominable Snowman" is about "Captain the Honourable Sir Herbert Stephen Ernest Boring-Tristram-Boring (known to his friends as Bill). Sir Herbert is very bored but life gets more interesting when the famous explorer Amos Tence shows up at his front door and takes him of to the mountains of Chilistan to look for the abominable snowman.
"Kirsten Armstrong, fiction editor at RHCP UK, bought the world rights for Dragons from Pratchett's agent Colin Smythe, and said: 'These stories are full of Pratchett's trademark wit and imagination and will be adored by anyone aged eight to 108... they are a joy to read and share with young readers.'..."
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/rhcp-publish-pratchett-e-short.html
4.2 PTERRY "DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE" INTERVIEW
From the Guardian's children's books section:
"You started writing the stories in Dragons at Crumbling Castle when you were 17 and an apprentice on the local newspaper. What did you before?
"I went to a reasonably good school, though I think I hated the headmaster just as much as he hated me. Time and again I come back to the library as where I got my real education, and The Way of Terry Pratchett is this: you go through the very, very top of a very big library and you read every last book, which effectively is what quite a lot of my adolescence was made of. That meant I'd read all kinds of books, and things stick, all contributing to the great big compost heap from which the roses grow...
"Why do you think fantasy so accessible to both children and adults?
"You start with the fairytales and the fairytales segue way up as you get older and you start realizing, if you are growing up, that fairytales aren't exactly the same as what's really going on and what's happening around you. And if you're paying attention, you ask why and look for more stories to help find out...
"Which of the books that you've written is your favorite?
"I don't know about 'favourite,' but the four Tiffany Aching books, starting with The Wee Free Men, are very close to my heart. Lots of girls – and some boys – say they like Tiffany because she is real, and she gets on with things and doesn't complain until it is necessary and does the job that is in front of her all the time. Some of these notions seem old-fashioned these days, but I got them from people I knew when I was growing up. And of course, lot of Tiffany's story is set in Chalk country – the countryside I lived on then and live on now..."
Remember, Dragons at Crumbling Castle will be published on 11th September 2014! To read the full interview, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/nuhdnzm
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
05) PTERRY AND ALZHEIMER'S NEWS
5.1 AWESOME – AND SUCCESSFUL – FUNDRAISING STUNT
Pratchett fan Isaac Olding of Long Eaton, aged 16, set out to raise £1,500 for the Alzheimer's Society by means of a somewhat unusual tactic – wearing a full-on ball dress, complete with accessories (including varnished toenails), to his Year 11 prom. Ninety-eight donors saw to it that the original total was surpassed, and the total is still rising:
"Isaac decided to raise money for Alzheimer's Society as he has friends and family members with dementia. Isaac and his Mum are also huge Sir Terry Pratchett fans and have been lucky enough to meet Sir Terry Pratchett and tell him about his fundraising. If you would like to sponsor Isaac or see more pictures of him in his prom dress please visit his just giving page: www.justgiving.com/Isaac-Olding/ ..."
http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=2088
Isaac says: "Well prom is over and i had a great time, thank you everyone who has given money and to let everyone know my page will still be up to donate to for a few more months" – 28/06/14
[Editor's note: even if you're unable to donate, Isaac's JustGiving page is worth visiting for the comments in the right-hand sidebar.]
5.2 PROMISING NEW DIAGNOSTIC TEST
"A blood test to detect which people with failing memories will go on to develop Alzheimer's disease has been developed by British scientists, who hope it may prove a breakthrough in the hunt for a cure. After a decade's work, an international collaboration led by scientists from King's College London, with the UK company Proteome Sciences, has published a study identifying a set of 10 proteins in the blood. The test can predict the onset of Alzheimer's in the next 12 months in people with memory problems with an accuracy of 87%. It could cost £100-£300 and be available within two years... Such a screening test would be controversial, however: few healthy people want to know they may be in line for an incurable disease that can be neither prevented nor treated. The new test is aimed at people with the kind of memory loss called mild cognitive impairment, 60% of whom will go on to develop dementia. Those are the people scientists now want to recruit into trials to prevent, or at least delay, the onset of Alzheimer's...
"Larger trials involving 5,000 to 10,000 people are still needed, say the scientists. 'The next step will be to validate our findings in further sample sets, to see if we can improve accuracy and reduce the risk of misdiagnosis, and to develop a reliable test suitable to be used by doctors,' said [Professor Simon Lovestone from King's College]. Other scientists were enthusiastic about the potential for the test to aid drug discovery, but cautious about its potential use for diagnosing the disease in otherwise healthy people. Dr Eric Karran, science director at the charity Alzheimer's Research UK, which helped fund the research, said a test identifying those at risk of Alzheimer's at an early stage would be of 'real value', but warned that it would have to be used responsibly. 'Alzheimer's disease is now the most feared diagnosis,' he said. 'We have to be very careful about how we use these tests, especially in the absence of effective therapy.' Dr James Pickett, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: 'Finding a way to detect dementia before symptoms develop would revolutionise research into the condition … However, this research does not mean that a blood test for dementia is just around the corner'..."
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/08/blood-test-predicts-onset-alzheimers-disease
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
06) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
6.1 NEW: SOUL MUSIC IN KINGSTON
Youth Music Theatre UK, "the leading music theatre company for young people aged 11-21" and a favourite of Sir Pterry's, will present their new all-singing, all-dancing, all-Discworld production of Soul Music next month. "Directed by Luke Sheppard, (Associate Director RSC's Matilda), adapted by stand-up comedian Andrew Doyle with original music from WhatsOnStage Award-nominee Craig Adams (LIFT, Thérèse Raquin), and choreographed by Off West End Award-winner Cressida Carré (Titanic). Soul Music continues our association with Sir Terry Pratchett, and follows the success of our previous collaboration Mort The Musical."
When: 28th-31st August 2014
Venue: Rose Theatre, 24-26 High Street, Kingston, London, KT1 1HL
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: £6–£26 including £1 booking fee per ticket. Plus £1.60 transaction fee per booking. Hurry, because all the "cheap seats" are already nearly sold out! To book online, go to:
www.rosetheatrekingston.org/visiting-productions/soul-music-terry-pratchett
And what's more, there's a trailer! A rather cute one:
http://www.youthmusictheatreuk.org/shows/soul-music
6.2 ALMOST NEW: "THE LAST CONTINENT"...ON THE LAST CONTINENT!
"Our next play, (by popular vote) will be a return to "The Last Continent" which was a world premiere for us back in 2009... It's actually quite appropriate as it turns out that we are doing a play about Ecks, Ecks, Ecks because Terry has been awarded an honorary doctorate from UniSA."
When: 19th September through 4th October 2014
Venue: The Bakehouse Theatre, 255 Angas Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Time: 8pm all shows
Tickets: Pricing TBA
http://www.unseen.com.au/
6.3 REMINDER: MONSTROUS REGIMENT IN CHICAGO: EXTENDED SEASON
The Monstrous Regiment production has created such a sensation that its season is being extended into August due to demand! Read all about it in Broadway World:
"To accommodate extraordinary ticket demand, Lifeline Theatre announces ten added performances of its Jeff Recommended, critically-acclaimed world premiere adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Monstrous Regiment, by ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, directed by Kevin Theis (two-time Non-Equity Jeff Award nominee)... Monstrous Regiment now runs through August 3 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. (free parking and shuttle; see below). Performance times are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 4 p.m."
http://tinyurl.com/nefve5c
When: now, and up through 3rd August 2014
Venue: Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N Glenwood Ave, Chicago, IL, 60626 Telephone 773-761-4477
Time: evenings at 7.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays and at 8pm on Saturdays; matinees at 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The production runs two and a half hours with one intermission. The book will be on sale in the lobby.
Tickets: $40 for regular single tickets, $30 for seniors, $20 for students (with I.D.), and $20 for rush tickets (available half hour before show time, subject to availability). Group rate for 12 or more is available upon request. Tickets may be purchased at the Lifeline Theatre Box Office, 773.761.4477, or by visiting www.lifelinetheatre.com
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
07) DISCWORLD GAMES NEWS
7.1 "GUARDS! GUARDS!" AND "CLACKS" LATEST
A quick update from David Brashaw of Backspindle Games:
"Guards! Guards! a Discworld Boardgame has once again been reprinted and can be purchased internationally from our website:
http://backspindlegames.com/guards-guards/
"In addition we have a special discounted price for those traveling to Spiel, Essen who can pre-order their copy and collect it from us at Essen. Whoot! whoot!
"We will be at the DWCon next month were we will be demoing Clacks, and letting the wonderful delegates try all the different types of pay in the game, one for all, cooperative, free word creation...and more. In addition we will be demoing Guards! Guards! and running the LIVE run-around-the-convention version of the game...'hold on to your hat!'"
"Hopefully following all of this we will be refining Clacks for a 2015 release."
www.backspindlegames.com
7.2 ON CREATING "THE PERFECT DISCWORLD GAME"
At WhatCulture, Henry Dowling takes a very long and very impassioned look at "would need to be done for a game to justify the sought-after Discworld license". Well worth reading the entire piece! Here are a few extracts:
"We see the Discworld series as literary art, not Rowling-esque pulp fantasy. And we devour anything Discworld-related with rampant hunger – books, maps, board games, figurines, if it says 'Discworld' on the cover, we'll buy it. It's a vast empire, the Discworld metaverse, and we all want a piece of it. One realm which hasn't received fair attention, though, is Discworld's representation in the gaming world. We're on the 40th novel in the award-winning series, but it's been 14 long years since the last proper attempt to capture the Discworld magic in game form (and no, the delightful boardgames don't count). In that time we've been subjected to unpleasant games based on brilliant fantasy books (ie. just about any Lord Of The Rings game), and substantially more unpleasant games based on forgettable fantasy books (ie. any game with Harry Plopper's bespectacled mug plastered on the box). After enduring all of that, the time is right for an amazing game based on the astounding fantasy scribblings of Mr. Pratchett.
"WhatCulture put the idea to revered gaming industry personality Rhianna Pratchett – Tomb Raider reboot writer, unofficial custodian of all things Discworldian, and of course Terry's daughter. 'There have been a few pitches sent my father's way over the years, but none have been up to snuff, quite frankly,' she told us. 'Some thought they got it, and when asked to pitch their vision for the project, quite clearly didn't. So basically we've not had the right pitch from the right company yet.' This tells us two things: that, as it stands, there is no Discworld project openly in development, but also that the idea is very much on the table should the right concept stroll in... Raven-haired Rhianna has made it clear that she won't be taking over from her father when it comes to the novels, but that's not to say she wouldn't be prepared to step in for a worthy gaming project. But she's a busy woman, with her talented fingers in many intriguing pies, so perhaps we need a contingency plan. And if there's one man with the credentials for the job, it's British writer Stephen Briggs...
"Since Sir Terry is English, many of us will have imagined an English accent for the various characters, but that doesn't have to be a rule. Bruce Willis in his grizzled John McClane/Die Hard guise could be a perfect Sam Vimes, for example, while a chap with silky tones like Unchartered's Nolan North would slip right into the Moist von Lipwig role. Pop old John Cleese in there as UU Archchancellor Ridcully – in fact, there would be place for all the surviving Monty Python gents – and a franchise return for the brilliant Tony Robinson should be a given. Obviously it can't all be A-list celebrities across the board, but this is the kind of project which would need to call in the big guns where it makes sense to do so...
"We've had Discworld games in the past, and none of them scorched a flaming streak across the gaming sales charts. The three primary suspects – Discworld, Discworld II: Missing, Presumed…!? and Discworld Noir – were acceptable point and click affairs, but they all missed the mark in quite specific ways. If an upcoming Discworld project is to make an impact, if it's to justify the use of the license, the team behind it will have to tread carefully... for the millions of Terry Pratchett acolytes who have been exploring the many realms of the Disc in their minds for decades, it really does feel that the time is right – we deserve a new Discworld title...."
http://tinyurl.com/pmglswq
7.3 "ANKH-MORPORK" INCLUDED IN TOP 5 FANTASY GAMES
On Here is the City:
"Discworld: Ankh-Morpork – We've included Terry Pratchett's Discworld inspired board game as not only does it convey well the character and humour of his celebrated novels but it’s a good easily accessible game to pick up and learn quickly that won't take you all night to play. The game doesn't suffer from lack of depth however, there is a lot of strategy and double guessing your opponents and the secret player objectives determined by your character add an air of tension to the game. Set in the corrupt Ankh-Morpork city state melting pot at the centre of the Discworld you're on a mission to gain control over the city by deploying minions and building property. There's a well worked mechanic using 'trouble markers' that can block others building property and all player actions are determined by cards in the player's hands. A 12 sided die comes into play only to determine where in the city random events occur although said events can take a while to surface in the game, which with its fast moving pace can get missed out if you plough through a game too quickly."
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/07/12/top-5-fantasy-board-games
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
08) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
DISCWORLD EMPORIUM UPDATES
We've been Going Postal for 10 years!
It's been a decade since the publication of Going Postal, when the man in the black hat gave us the man in the golden hat, and we were commissioned by Transworld publishers to illustrate the very stamps designed by Moist Von Lipwig and Mr Spools in the book.
Soon after, Terry appointed our shop as an official branch of the A-M.P.O. with exclusive rights to produce 'real' Discworld Stamps as part of our range. The first stamps off the presses were hand perforated by Terry himself on a Victorian device at Bath Postal Museum of which Terry is patron. Ten years, and hundreds of thousands of stamps later, Discworld Stamps are collected worldwide and feature an ever-changing range of designs from all over Discworld with contributions by guests artists including Paul Kidby and Peter Dennis. To us, everyday is a celebration of Going Postal!
http://tinyurl.com/p9ltaby
To commemorate this special occasion, the Iconic 'Penny Patrician' has been transformed into the 'Penny Moist' for a limited edition Presentation sheet featuring ten variations of this distinguished Discworld Stamp. Bearing the profile of Going Postal's hero and saviour of the Ankh-Morpork Post Office, Moist Von Lipwig. Each sheet is embossed with shiny gold foil in tribute to Moist's famous golden suit and winged Postmaster's hat, and is presented in an embossed slip cover. Available on Weds 9th July:
http://tinyurl.com/p3rqbnn
http://tinyurl.com/nzjbgro
Our 10TH Birthday LBE (_http://tinyurl.com/mvvmgfy_) is a limited edition of 1000 envelopes containing a bonanza of Discworld Stamps, with four extra stamps included as a gift from us, each envelope also features an elegant new fourpenny issue honouring Ankh-Morpork's esteemed tyrant Lord Havelock Vetinari, and at least two of our anniversary 'Penny Moist' variants.
The postmen of Ankh-Morpork have also contributed to this edition with a scattering of 'We're sorry we missed you' cards bearing a variety of reasons for non delivery waiting to be found, along with prize tickets for one of 50 exclusive 10th Anniversary First Day Covers. Two VERY lucky envelopes will contain that most coveted of Discworld Stamps. The Blue Triangle Sport!
The 4p Vetinari (_http://tinyurl.com/l8gszfx_) is a sleek and stately issue available as single stamps or as stunning full sheets, each featuring the Vetinari sable on sable coat of arms, highlighted with silver, and black gloss accents. Available Wednesday 9th July:
http://tinyurl.com/o44c94h
http://tinyurl.com/p7sjz72
In other news...
The latest books in the Discworld Collector's library from Gollancz have arrived, and rather beautiful they are too - Witches Abroad (_http://tinyurl.com/ostbtwh_), Lords and Ladies (_http://tinyurl.com/ncl7e2r_), and Maskerade (_http://tinyurl.com/pd76tec_) are the final instalments in the Witches collection and are available now from our bookshop...
The Emporium's Bernard Pearson visited Terry at his home yesterday to celebrate the 10th birthday of Discworld Stamps and present him with our 10th Anniversary Edition Little Brown Envelope (_http://tinyurl.com/lr84d2v_). The visit brought back memories of when the very first stamps were hand perforated by Terry and Bernard on a Victorian device at Bath Postal Museum ahead of Going Postal's release.
Bernard has also penned a personal reflection of his journey in 'flately' (as Terry once christened it) for our the Discworld Emporium Forum pages - read all about it here:
http://tinyurl.com/ku3shsc
"For more information about the wonderful world of official Discworld Stamps, and to discover how it all began, visit the Discworld Stamps bit of our website where you'll find a beginners guide, glossary and current issues from all over the Disc:
http://www.discworldemporium.com/discworld-stamps
"For all our latest wares and releases have a browse through our New Products page – it's mostly harmless!"
http://tinyurl.com/l8ztg9n
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
09) DISCWORLD EVENTS NEWS
9.1 HOGSWATCH IN JULY!
Brisbane Arts Theatre
210 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 4000
http://artstheatre.com.au/hogswatch2014
Hogswatch in July is a FREE, FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT! Take a step sideways and enter the alternate universe of the Discworld where magic abides. You'll find Discworldians celebrating Hogswatch (like our Christmas, but not quite) at a local fete. Enjoy the cultural entertainments, sample the local cuisine and partake in authentic Discworldian activities. There will be Markets, a petting zoo (gold coin donation), free kids crafts, Bake sale, Morris Dancers, C.M.O.T. purveyor of fine meats (ie. Sausage sizzle), Assassins for hire, Game competitions for all ages, a games tent, cosplay, Baking and Costume competitions (details to follow), food and coffee vendors and if that wasn't enough, to top it all off there will be a visit from the Hog Father Himself!
So come along incognito, or pick up some local outfits on the day. Be sure to bring the family for this fun day out. Need costumes? Our Costume Cottage has all your discworlidan needs covered!
You also have the chance to help be a part of the organisation by heading to http://www.pozible.com/project/181787
Check the facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/1474037639497598/
Please note that this is an alcohol and drug free event.
http://artstheatre.com.au/hogswatch2014
[Editor's note: "alcohol and drug free" – wot, no scumble?]
9.2 WADFEST 2014
"This year's theme is heroes and villains. This means you get the chance to dress up as the hero or villain that you have always wanted to be. You can take your inspiration from comics, films and cartoons, or invent a new character for yourself. There will be trophies for the best dressed villain and best dressed hero, so get your sewing machine out and give it a go! If you're no good at sewing and you don't have anyone to help out, you can always hire a costume for the weekend. As well as special themed hero and villain games there will be all your usual Wadfest favourites, including smack the penguin. If it's your first time at Wadfest, why not take a look through the photos of Wadfests past to get an idea of what to expect?"
When: 15th to 17th August 2014
Venue: Wood Green, The Animal Charity, King's Bush Farm, London Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, PE29 2NH
Tickets: £25.00 per adult for the weekend including Camping and Events. Children under 16 go free when accompanied by a paying adult. To purchase tickets online, go to http://www.wadfest.co.uk/page2.html
http://www.wadfest.co.uk
9.3 AUSDWCON 2015 UPDATES
Nullus Anxietus V is coming! Some early details:
When: 10th to 12th April 2015
Venue: Novotel, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
Tickets: see below
The Early Bird ticket prices are no longer available. Here be the updated prices:
"Attending Member Ticket sales close 15 March 2015, or earlier if we sell all tickets. This ticket entitles you to one (1) ticket to attend Nullus Anxietas V in full! You will be granted entry to all events except the Gala Dinner (tickets for the Gala Dinner are sold separately). You will be given a fancy membership badge to wear at all times. You will also be given a souvenir programme, and a show bag full of goodies" – priced at $180.00 (AUD) full, $120.00 child/concession (children under 5 free)
"Attending Family Ticket: this ticket entitles you to family tickets to attend Nullus Anxietas V in full! Purchase this for two (2) adults and two (2) children 15 and under; or one (1) adult and three (3) children 15 and under. Your family will be granted entry to all events except the Gala Dinner. Your family will be given fancy membership badges to wear at all times. Your family will also be given souvenir programmes, and show bags full of goodies... If you decide to join a Guild (and it is so much fun if you do) then we will assign you to a guild at random. Unless you specify otherwise, we will put the children into the same guild as the adults" – priced at $500.00 (AUD)
"Supporting Membership: Can't make it to Nullus Anxietas V? Or maybe you're just not sure yet? Or perhaps you can't afford the full ticket right now? Then buy a Supporting Membership to show your support! With a supporting membership you can upgrade to an attendee ticket any time up until March 15, 2015, and save the $30 you've already spent! You could even buy a supporting membership as a gift for a friend" – priced at $30.00 (AUD)
http://ausdwcon.org/shop/
http://ausdwcon.org/
9.4 CABBAGECON 2015 UPDATES
Cabbagecon 3, the third Dutch Discworld Convention, will take place in June of next year. Among the special guests will be Venugopalan Ittekot, Dutch translator of the Discworld novels.
"It will be a happy occasion for fans of Sir Terry Pratchett from the Netherlands and abroad to meet up again and have some fun. We hope to see you too!"
When: 27th and 28th June 2015 Venue: Tulip Inn Hotel Val Monte in Berg en Dal (near Nijmegen) Tickets: Membership of Cabbagecon 3 for the whole weekend is priced at €40,00, with a €5 discount for children, seniors and students. For the Saturday only or the Sunday only, the price is €25,00, with the same discounts as above applying. To book online in advance, go to http://www.dutchdwcon.nl
9.5 IDWCON 2015 UPDATES
""Hear ye, hear ye, lads and lasses. We're pleased as punch, and so very proud, to announce that the 4th Irish Discworld Convention will be held from the 2nd to the 5th of October, 2015... We hope to see you all at the Cork International Airport Hotel..."
Confirmed guests so far include Bernard Pearson (the Cunning Artificer himself), Isobel Pearson, TSoD co-author Jack Cohen, folklorist (and Discworld myth-checker) Jacqueline Simpson, and the ever-excellent Colin Smythe.
The new IDWcon webpage is truly gorgeous! Go have a look and a wander.
Tickets are priced at €50.00 for Full Membership, or €40.00 for Concessionary Membership. Children under 12 are free. To book, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/qbx36m6
http://idwcon.org/
https://twitter.com/IDWCon
https://www.facebook.com/groups/idwcon/
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
10) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS
The Broken Drummers, "London's Premier Unofficially Official Discworld Group", meets on the first Monday of every month at the Monkey Puzzle, 30 Southwick Street, London W2 1JQ: "We welcome anyone and everyone who enjoys Sir Terry's works, or quite likes them or wants to find out more. We have had many visitors from overseas who have enjoyed themselves and made new friends. The discussions do not only concern the works of Sir Terry Pratchett but wander and meander through other genres and authors and also leaping to TV and Film production. We also find time for a quiz. The prize is superb. The chance to set the quiz the following month."
Next meeting: Monday 4th August 2014, from 7pm onwards.
The Drummers' most recent meet report:
"Drummers met on Monday 7th July. There was very exciting news. James B. is not only engaged, he's getting married next month. He promises to bring his new wife along to Drummers although possibly after they are married so that we don't scare her off. Congratulations to James! Otherwise, much discussion of Rolf Harris, including something about him in a basque (that's all I heard and I didn't want to enquire further). Tim didn't make it so his quiz is still in limbo. We left early as we were both pretty knackered. What happened after that will have to go unrecorded, unless anyone wants to fill me in."
For more information, go to http://brokendrummers.org/ or email BrokenDrummers@gmail.com or nicholls.helen@yahoo.co.uk
*
The Pratchett Partisans are a new fan group who meet monthly at either Brisbane or Indooroopilly to "eat, drink and chat about all things Pratchett". For more info about their next meetup, go to http://www.meetup.com/Pratchett-Partisans/ or contact Ula directly at uwilmott@yahoo.com.au
*
The City of Small Gods is a group for fans in Adelaide and South Australia: "We have regular monthly dinner and games nights, longer games days, plus play outings, craft-y workshops, and fun social activities throughout the year. For more info and to join our mailing list, visit http://cityofsmallgods.org.au "
*
The Broken Vectis Drummers meet on the first Thursday of every month from 7.30pm at The Castle pub in Newport, Isle of Wight.
Next meeting: Thursday 7th August 2014, probably, but do email to check.
All new members and curious passersby are very welcome! For more info and any queries, contact broken_vectis_drummers@yahoo.co.uk
*
The Wincanton Omnian Temperance Society (WOTS) meets on the first Friday of every month at Wincanton's famous Bear Inn from 7pm onwards. "Visitors and drop-ins are always welcome!"
Next meeting: Friday 1st August 2014 (probably).
*
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 on the first Monday of every month in Sydney at 3 Wise Monkeys, 555 George Street, Sydney,2000.
Next meeting: Monday 4th August 2014 at 6.30pm (probably). For more information, contact Sue (aka Granny Weatherwax): kenworthys@yahoo.co.uk
*
Perth Drummers meet on the first Monday of the month, subject to holidays.
Next meeting: Monday 4th August 2014 (probably).
"Please note we have moved to Carpe Cafe from 5.30pm Carpe Cafe, 526 Murray Street, Perth, WA. Meeting at a cafe means we are under-18 friendly!"
For details follow Perth Drummers on Twitter @Perth_Drummers and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/Perth.Drummers/ – otherwise message Krystel directly at khewett@live.com
*
Western Drummers (that's two groups for the Sydney Pratchett fans now) meet at The Rowers, Nepean Rowing Club, Bruce Neal Drive, Penrith at 6.30-7.30pm for food, 7.30pm for games, quizzes and chat.
Next meeting: 22nd July at 6pm
For more information, contact Nanny Ogg – lewis_oz@bigpond.com – or visit their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/westerndrummers
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
11) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
The Dragons at Crumbling Castle cover art, by illustrator Mark Beech:
http://tinyurl.com/q7me4jm
The Discworld according to Kidby – here be an actual Iconograph, complete with a pile of dust that will soon be Otto Chriek again:
http://tinyurl.com/m2zdxcf
Ye can tak' our trrrouserrrs, but ye canna tak' ooour cake! Fab-tastic Feegles cake by starbakesisters:
http://instagram.com/p/p6SpRTCHV4/
Pterry onna plane – your Editor quite likes this one:
http://tinyurl.com/lj96amj
...and this one:
http://tinyurl.com/m3sh7p4
...and finally, some pictures posted by Discworld enthusiast Shelli Ward...
Discworld cupcakes! Soooo cute: http://tinyurl.com/pzn6fwj
The kind of "creationism" all can enjoy: http://tinyurl.com/p72f56e
Mmm, cake: http://tinyurl.com/m6b2dg4
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
12) CLOSE
An update on that Discworld bench... Paul Kidby says: "Delighted to hear that the Discworld Ookbench is now in position outside London's City Hall near Tower Bridge. Looking forward to seeing your bench selfies!"
Here be an iconograph of the "Ookbench":
http://tinyurl.com/lq393rp
...and installed:
http://tinyurl.com/q67r2th
...and a portrait of the artist as a middle-aged ookbench-sitter:
http://tinyurl.com/q5ltv9p
And that's the lot for the first half of July. Hopefully we'll be back before the month is out with more news, stuff, things, odds and sods. Those of us down in Fourecks can take comfort from the fact that the winter solstice is well and truly past and the days are getting noticeably longer. For the rest of you, enjoy your days of summer, and don't forget the sunscreen, especially if you're of the Troll or Goblin persuasion...
– Annie Mac
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
———————————————————————————————————
The End. If you have any questions or requests, write: interact (at) pearwood (dot) info
———————————————————————————————————
Copyright (c) 2014 by Klatchian Foreign Legion
