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Wossname
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
September 2014 (Volume 17, Issue 9, Post 2)
********************************************************************
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
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) QUOTES OF THE MONTH
02) EDITOR'S LETTER
03) "DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE" NEWS
04) "GOOD OMENS" – ON THE WIRELESS!
05) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
06) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS
07) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS
08) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
09) CLOSE
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01) QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"Hooray! @terryandrob's DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE is #1 on the UK children's charts! Congrats to all, inc. Mark Beech & @K_L_Armstrong!"
– Anne Hoppe, Pterry USA editor, on Twitter
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02) LETTER FROM YOUR EDITOR
Well, here we are...
Meet the new WOSSNAME, same as the old WOSSNAME – except that it's now called Wossname, it isn't a part of Yahoogroups, and each issue is more likely to land in your inbox un-truncated, un-doubled, and formatted in a more readable fashion.
This is my first time running a mailing list, so there may be a few technical teething problems (or not). If it's an "is" instead of an "or not", please be patient while we sort things out – unless you're a sysadmin with helpful suggestions. Then by all means do write to us. Just don't send a bill in the post...
The old WOSSNAME Yahoogroups site will remain open to all, as it contains the archives of many years' publications, but we won't post any new issues there apart from a monthly reminder of where each issue can be viewed on the web.
I'd like to take this opportunity to once again thank our many long-time readers for sticking with us through the years – over fifteen of 'em now! – and to welcome newer readers, and additional thanks to those of you who have been writing letters of appreciation and encouragement to Wossname in general and your Editor in particular.
Now then, here be an urgent announcement about a chance to get a FREE!COPY! of A Slip of the Keyboard, from the official Terry Pratchett Books website:
"It's not long now until Sir Terry's collection of non-fiction, which spans his entire career, is out in bookshops nationwide. With a special foreword from Neil Gaiman too, we're betting you can't wait to get your hands on a copy. To celebrate the publication of A Slip of the Keyboard, we're giving away copies to 20 lucky winners! To enter, all you have to do is register your details on the shiny new newsletter form before Wednesday 24th September, and make sure you tick the box for our Suvudu newsletter too for more Fantasy & Sci-Fi book news and competitions."
And here is the link to click on to register: http://tinyurl.com/lguxc47
Remember, there are only a couple of days left, so get clicking!
This issue being a fairly short one, there will be a further issue before the end of September. Stand by... and don't touch that dial... but before we go onwards and, well, more onwards, here's a heartening little note from theatre company (and bigtime Discworld fans) Monstrous Productions:
"Our January 2014 production of Mort raised over £2000, bringing our total to £5100 raised for Alzheimer's Research UK since we formed! Thank you to everyone who came to watch both Mort and Carpe Jugulum in June 2013, we couldn't do it without your support."
Well done! And be sure to check out all the info for their next production, which will be Wyrd Sisters, in November – that's item 5.2 below.
– Annie Mac, Editor
p.s. Special thanks go to reader Tamar for bringing some of the less obvious Yahoogroups issues to our attention!
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03) "DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE" NEWS
3.1 IN HIS OWN WORDS: THE STORY OF DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE, BY SIR PTERRY
In The Guardian, a lovely piece by The Author himself about how and when he came to write the Dragons at Crumbling Castle stories:
"Focus on a planet revolving in space: Focus in on a small country in the northern hemisphere – Great Britain. Closer, closer... and on the western edge of London you can see the county of Buckinghamshire. Small villages and winding country roads. And if you could go back in time to the mid 1960s, you might spot a young lad on a motorbike coming down one such lane, notebook and pen in his jacket pocket. This is me. A junior reporter for the Bucks Free Press, sent out to cover stories on local events. If I was lucky, I would be going to something like a village fair – you know the kind of thing: men putting weasels down their trousers, people bobbing for frogs in a bucket, the odd cheese rolling too fast down a hill...
"It was a lot of fun back then. And somewhere in the middle of it I taught myself how to write by reading as many books as I could carry home from the library. So then I began writing stories of my own – stories for young readers that were published every week in the newspaper. The stories in this collection are a selection of those. There are dragons and wizards, councillors and mayors, an adventurous tortoise and a monster in a lake, along with plenty of pointy hats and a few magic spells (a few of which actually do what they are supposed to). Some of these early stories even spawned into my first novel, The Carpet People..."
To read the entire piece, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/lh6hhtf
3.2 A MULTIPLE CHOICE PTERRY QUIZ
Also in The Guardian, a charming quiz:
"Think you know your Discworld from your Dodger? Your rats from your Rincewind? Test yourself in our Terry Pratchett quiz"
Some samples of the questions:
Discworld stands atop a giant turtle. What is the turtle's name?
Donatello
Great T'Phon
Great A'Tuin
Tubul
Complete the quote from Lords and Ladies: 'In the beginning there was…'
'... a giant turtle.'
'... nothing, which exploded.'
'... only a small number of Discworld novels.'
'... a wizard named Rincewind.'
"Nunc Id Vides, Nunc Ne Vides" is the official Latin motto of the Unseen University. To which English phrase does the motto closest translate?
'Never tickle a sleeping dragon'
'No, no, you're doing it all wrong'
"Now you see it, now you don't"
'Eat a bit of pie'
Go on, have a look!
http://tinyurl.com/mrk8436
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04) "GOOD OMENS" – ON THE WIRELESS!
"It's the end of the world – just not quite how we might be expecting it – but then this is Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's version of Armageddon. BBC Radio 4 has today confirmed that the station will be collaborating with acclaimed authors Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett to create the first ever dramatisation of their co-penned cult-classic, Good Omens. The audio drama, which begins recording today in a secret London location, has a cast including Colin Morgan (Merlin, The Fall) as Newton Pulsifer, Josie Lawrence (Skins, EastEnders) as Agnes Nutter and Paterson Joseph (Peep Show, Green Wing) as Famine, as well as a host of delightful cameos, from the Gardeners' Question Time team to Neil and Terry themselves. Other cameos are set to delight listeners, but they are under wraps for now. Probably in a dusty occult bookshop in Covent Garden, but no one is quite sure.
"Mark Heap (Spaced, Green Wing, Stardust) and Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians Of The Galaxy, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Shaun Of The Dead) will be taking the central roles as angel and demon, Aziraphale and Crowley, respectively. The star-studded cast will also include Clive Russell (Game Of Thrones, Ripper Street), Julia Deakin (Spaced, Hot Fuzz), Louise Brealey (Sherlock), Simon Jones (Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy), Arsher Ali (Four Lions, Complicit, Beaver Falls), Phil Davis (Silk, Whitechapel, Being Human) and Mark Benton (Waterloo Road, Land Girls) to name but a few...
"The team behind Radio 4 and 4 Extra's Neverwhere – which received a phenomenal critical and audience response last year – has reunited for this special six-part dramatisation of Good Omens. With Dirk Maggs, best known for Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, once again back in the director's and adaptor's chair, joined by producer Heather Larmour and ably assisted by Neil Gaiman... Fans will have to wait excitedly to hear the final drama as it is currently scheduled to air in December. It will broadcast across a week in five half-hour episodes and culminate in an hour-long final apocalyptic showdown, on a Saturday, shortly before Woman's Hour, should the world not actually end..."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/r4-good-omens
Lovely photo with the article, too. If you want to see the image on its own:
http://tinyurl.com/q8ojjgq
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05) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
5.1 REMINDER: THE LAST CONTINENT IN ADELAIDE
Unseen Theatre's latest production – The Last Continent – is on right now!
When: now through 4th October 2014
Venue: The Bakehouse Theatre, 255 Angas Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Time: 8pm all shows
Tickets: Adults $20, Concessions $18, Groups (10+) $16.
To buy online, go to http://tinyurl.com/nqd4vlk and press the big red BUY TICKETS button.
http://www.unseen.com.au/
And here be an excellent selection of iconographs from the current run of The Last Continent:
http://tinyurl.com/qxv2lph
5.2 WYRD SISTERS IN CARDIFF
After their successful presentation of Monstrous Regiment, Monstrous Productions are back with another Discworld goodie: Wyrd Sisters! "Check us out on the official Terry Pratchett website! Not long to go now and less than 2 weeks before we announce our premiere and open audition applications! Lovely to see that so many of our regulars have already bought their tickets, it means a lot to us that you keep coming back- we must be doing something right!"
When: 5th to 8th November 2014
Venue: the Gate Arts Centre, Keppoch St, Cardiff
Time: 7pm-10.30pm all shows
Tickets: £8 (£6 concessions). To purchase online, go to:
http://7889269b08cd.fikket.com/
or email monstrousproductions2012@gmail.com
Remember, all profits from Monstrous Productions plays and merchandise go to Alzheimer's Research UK. In fact, they exist solely to perform Pratchett plays for this very purpose!
http://www.monstrousptc.com/
http://www.thegate.org.uk/
5.3 WYRD SISTERS IN TORONTO
Socratic Theatre Collective will finish its fourth season by presenting their production Stephen Briggs' adaptation of Wyrd Sisters, just in time for Halloween.
When: 31st October-9th November 2014
Venue: Fraser Studios, 101‐76 Stafford Street, Toronto, Ontario
Time: evening shows all 7.30pm; matinees (2nd and 9th November) 3pm
Tickets: $20 general admission/$15 students and seniors. To purchase online, go to:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/869974%E2%80%A9
For more information, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/socratictheatre
5.4 AND WYRD SISTERS IN SOUTHEND
"East Essex Players, who have recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, have decided to break away from their usual Earth based comedies to take on the fantasy of Pratchett's Discworld. 'We have performed a variety of comedy genres from Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, to episodes of Fawlty Towers' says East Essex Players chairman Hazel Latcham, 'We are now looking forward to the challenge of a fantasy comedy that has a cult status.'"
When: 12th–15th November 2014
Venue: Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, 430 London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 9LA
Time: TBA
Tickets: £11.50, £10.50. A £1.50 per ticket booking fee applies, capped at four per order. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
Box Office: 01702 351135. To buy online, go to link below and click on the button for the desired date:
http://tinyurl.com/qat2s74
For more information, go to:
http://www.eastessexplayers.co.uk/
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06) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS
NULLUS ANXIETAS V (AUSTRALIAN DISCWORLD CONVENTION) NEWS
A message from the Fourecksian Discworld Convention Committee:
Roll out the red carpet, bang those grains, and watch out for stars in your eyes... The Australian Discworld Convention is coming up in a few mere months, and we are taking you to the Moving Pictures!
On April 10-12, 2015 in beautiful Parramatta, Sydney, NSW, Australia, you will experience the magic of the clickies with a range of delightful activities for all types of Discworld fans.
* Meet the stars of the silver screen at the Gala Dinner!
* Show off your costuming and/or acting skills in the "I Wanna Be A Star" Maskerade and XXXX Factor!
* Participate in Studio activities to ensure you make the best clickies possible!
* Test your knowledge of Discworld and Movies and their influence on each other in our Quiz!
* Support the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation at the Charity Auction!
* Be crafty with chain maille, knitting, card-making and more!
* Can you sing? Dance? Handle a sword a little? Learn all these skills and more at our workshops!
* And much more to be announced!
Tickets to the convention (and the Gala Dinner) are on sale now!
One lucky person in the first 100 will get their ticket cost reimbursed, so buy now and you could be as lucky as an Oswald winner!
For information on all of the above in a lot more detail, head over to our website :
http://ausdwcon.org
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/Ausdwcon or follow us on Twitter @NullusAnxietasV
With One Thousand Elephants!
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07) 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 6th October 2014, from 7pm onwards.
The Drummers' September meet report:
"So Drummers met Monday night. We had no quiz. What we had was lots of chat. I arrived to hear final snippets of a conversation that seemed to be about nerd eugenics. Disturbing stuff! At some point there was discussion of the Worzels and their penchant for agricultural machinery related innuendo. Alex wanted to know the etymology of the phrase "Top Hole!". No-one was sure but an online search suggested it might come from billiards. Barbara and I have both recently acquired Kindles and Larry gave much advice on their use. Meanwhile, Andrew, Sim and Eunice discussed RPGs. Tim and Ruth are rehearsing a new play and will send details. General chat continued until people decided to go home."
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 2nd October 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 3rd October 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 6th October 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 6th October 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: Tuesday, September 23 at 6:00pm (that's tomorrow!)
For more information, contact Nanny Ogg – lewis_oz@bigpond.com – or visit their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/westerndrummers
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08) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
The "cast" of Dragons at Crumbling Castle, in a gallery:
http://tinyurl.com/p35gctx
The cast of BBC Radio 4's adaptation of Good Omens:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BwxkfEnIcAErMNA.jpg:large
Some more parts of the Bradshaw's Guide:
http://tinyurl.com/o7ca9fd
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09) CLOSE
Whew! Made it to the end of this first issue. And there's more to come, including new reviews, before the end of this month. But for now, Wossname wishes you all a happy Equinox – autumnal or vernal, depending on your Jograffy – so here's to the relevant seasonal celebrations for all. See you soon!
– Annie Mac
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The End. If you have any questions or requests, write: wossname-owner (at) pearwood (dot) info
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
September 2014 (Volume 17, Issue 9, Post 2)
********************************************************************
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
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)
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
INDEX:
01) QUOTES OF THE MONTH
02) EDITOR'S LETTER
03) "DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE" NEWS
04) "GOOD OMENS" – ON THE WIRELESS!
05) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
06) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS
07) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS
08) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
09) CLOSE
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
01) QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"Hooray! @terryandrob's DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE is #1 on the UK children's charts! Congrats to all, inc. Mark Beech & @K_L_Armstrong!"
– Anne Hoppe, Pterry USA editor, on Twitter
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
02) LETTER FROM YOUR EDITOR
Well, here we are...
Meet the new WOSSNAME, same as the old WOSSNAME – except that it's now called Wossname, it isn't a part of Yahoogroups, and each issue is more likely to land in your inbox un-truncated, un-doubled, and formatted in a more readable fashion.
This is my first time running a mailing list, so there may be a few technical teething problems (or not). If it's an "is" instead of an "or not", please be patient while we sort things out – unless you're a sysadmin with helpful suggestions. Then by all means do write to us. Just don't send a bill in the post...
The old WOSSNAME Yahoogroups site will remain open to all, as it contains the archives of many years' publications, but we won't post any new issues there apart from a monthly reminder of where each issue can be viewed on the web.
I'd like to take this opportunity to once again thank our many long-time readers for sticking with us through the years – over fifteen of 'em now! – and to welcome newer readers, and additional thanks to those of you who have been writing letters of appreciation and encouragement to Wossname in general and your Editor in particular.
Now then, here be an urgent announcement about a chance to get a FREE!COPY! of A Slip of the Keyboard, from the official Terry Pratchett Books website:
"It's not long now until Sir Terry's collection of non-fiction, which spans his entire career, is out in bookshops nationwide. With a special foreword from Neil Gaiman too, we're betting you can't wait to get your hands on a copy. To celebrate the publication of A Slip of the Keyboard, we're giving away copies to 20 lucky winners! To enter, all you have to do is register your details on the shiny new newsletter form before Wednesday 24th September, and make sure you tick the box for our Suvudu newsletter too for more Fantasy & Sci-Fi book news and competitions."
And here is the link to click on to register: http://tinyurl.com/lguxc47
Remember, there are only a couple of days left, so get clicking!
This issue being a fairly short one, there will be a further issue before the end of September. Stand by... and don't touch that dial... but before we go onwards and, well, more onwards, here's a heartening little note from theatre company (and bigtime Discworld fans) Monstrous Productions:
"Our January 2014 production of Mort raised over £2000, bringing our total to £5100 raised for Alzheimer's Research UK since we formed! Thank you to everyone who came to watch both Mort and Carpe Jugulum in June 2013, we couldn't do it without your support."
Well done! And be sure to check out all the info for their next production, which will be Wyrd Sisters, in November – that's item 5.2 below.
– Annie Mac, Editor
p.s. Special thanks go to reader Tamar for bringing some of the less obvious Yahoogroups issues to our attention!
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
03) "DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE" NEWS
3.1 IN HIS OWN WORDS: THE STORY OF DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE, BY SIR PTERRY
In The Guardian, a lovely piece by The Author himself about how and when he came to write the Dragons at Crumbling Castle stories:
"Focus on a planet revolving in space: Focus in on a small country in the northern hemisphere – Great Britain. Closer, closer... and on the western edge of London you can see the county of Buckinghamshire. Small villages and winding country roads. And if you could go back in time to the mid 1960s, you might spot a young lad on a motorbike coming down one such lane, notebook and pen in his jacket pocket. This is me. A junior reporter for the Bucks Free Press, sent out to cover stories on local events. If I was lucky, I would be going to something like a village fair – you know the kind of thing: men putting weasels down their trousers, people bobbing for frogs in a bucket, the odd cheese rolling too fast down a hill...
"It was a lot of fun back then. And somewhere in the middle of it I taught myself how to write by reading as many books as I could carry home from the library. So then I began writing stories of my own – stories for young readers that were published every week in the newspaper. The stories in this collection are a selection of those. There are dragons and wizards, councillors and mayors, an adventurous tortoise and a monster in a lake, along with plenty of pointy hats and a few magic spells (a few of which actually do what they are supposed to). Some of these early stories even spawned into my first novel, The Carpet People..."
To read the entire piece, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/lh6hhtf
3.2 A MULTIPLE CHOICE PTERRY QUIZ
Also in The Guardian, a charming quiz:
"Think you know your Discworld from your Dodger? Your rats from your Rincewind? Test yourself in our Terry Pratchett quiz"
Some samples of the questions:
Discworld stands atop a giant turtle. What is the turtle's name?
Donatello
Great T'Phon
Great A'Tuin
Tubul
Complete the quote from Lords and Ladies: 'In the beginning there was…'
'... a giant turtle.'
'... nothing, which exploded.'
'... only a small number of Discworld novels.'
'... a wizard named Rincewind.'
"Nunc Id Vides, Nunc Ne Vides" is the official Latin motto of the Unseen University. To which English phrase does the motto closest translate?
'Never tickle a sleeping dragon'
'No, no, you're doing it all wrong'
"Now you see it, now you don't"
'Eat a bit of pie'
Go on, have a look!
http://tinyurl.com/mrk8436
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
04) "GOOD OMENS" – ON THE WIRELESS!
"It's the end of the world – just not quite how we might be expecting it – but then this is Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's version of Armageddon. BBC Radio 4 has today confirmed that the station will be collaborating with acclaimed authors Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett to create the first ever dramatisation of their co-penned cult-classic, Good Omens. The audio drama, which begins recording today in a secret London location, has a cast including Colin Morgan (Merlin, The Fall) as Newton Pulsifer, Josie Lawrence (Skins, EastEnders) as Agnes Nutter and Paterson Joseph (Peep Show, Green Wing) as Famine, as well as a host of delightful cameos, from the Gardeners' Question Time team to Neil and Terry themselves. Other cameos are set to delight listeners, but they are under wraps for now. Probably in a dusty occult bookshop in Covent Garden, but no one is quite sure.
"Mark Heap (Spaced, Green Wing, Stardust) and Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians Of The Galaxy, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Shaun Of The Dead) will be taking the central roles as angel and demon, Aziraphale and Crowley, respectively. The star-studded cast will also include Clive Russell (Game Of Thrones, Ripper Street), Julia Deakin (Spaced, Hot Fuzz), Louise Brealey (Sherlock), Simon Jones (Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy), Arsher Ali (Four Lions, Complicit, Beaver Falls), Phil Davis (Silk, Whitechapel, Being Human) and Mark Benton (Waterloo Road, Land Girls) to name but a few...
"The team behind Radio 4 and 4 Extra's Neverwhere – which received a phenomenal critical and audience response last year – has reunited for this special six-part dramatisation of Good Omens. With Dirk Maggs, best known for Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, once again back in the director's and adaptor's chair, joined by producer Heather Larmour and ably assisted by Neil Gaiman... Fans will have to wait excitedly to hear the final drama as it is currently scheduled to air in December. It will broadcast across a week in five half-hour episodes and culminate in an hour-long final apocalyptic showdown, on a Saturday, shortly before Woman's Hour, should the world not actually end..."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/r4-good-omens
Lovely photo with the article, too. If you want to see the image on its own:
http://tinyurl.com/q8ojjgq
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
05) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
5.1 REMINDER: THE LAST CONTINENT IN ADELAIDE
Unseen Theatre's latest production – The Last Continent – is on right now!
When: now through 4th October 2014
Venue: The Bakehouse Theatre, 255 Angas Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Time: 8pm all shows
Tickets: Adults $20, Concessions $18, Groups (10+) $16.
To buy online, go to http://tinyurl.com/nqd4vlk and press the big red BUY TICKETS button.
http://www.unseen.com.au/
And here be an excellent selection of iconographs from the current run of The Last Continent:
http://tinyurl.com/qxv2lph
5.2 WYRD SISTERS IN CARDIFF
After their successful presentation of Monstrous Regiment, Monstrous Productions are back with another Discworld goodie: Wyrd Sisters! "Check us out on the official Terry Pratchett website! Not long to go now and less than 2 weeks before we announce our premiere and open audition applications! Lovely to see that so many of our regulars have already bought their tickets, it means a lot to us that you keep coming back- we must be doing something right!"
When: 5th to 8th November 2014
Venue: the Gate Arts Centre, Keppoch St, Cardiff
Time: 7pm-10.30pm all shows
Tickets: £8 (£6 concessions). To purchase online, go to:
http://7889269b08cd.fikket.com/
or email monstrousproductions2012@gmail.com
Remember, all profits from Monstrous Productions plays and merchandise go to Alzheimer's Research UK. In fact, they exist solely to perform Pratchett plays for this very purpose!
http://www.monstrousptc.com/
http://www.thegate.org.uk/
5.3 WYRD SISTERS IN TORONTO
Socratic Theatre Collective will finish its fourth season by presenting their production Stephen Briggs' adaptation of Wyrd Sisters, just in time for Halloween.
When: 31st October-9th November 2014
Venue: Fraser Studios, 101‐76 Stafford Street, Toronto, Ontario
Time: evening shows all 7.30pm; matinees (2nd and 9th November) 3pm
Tickets: $20 general admission/$15 students and seniors. To purchase online, go to:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/869974%E2%80%A9
For more information, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/socratictheatre
5.4 AND WYRD SISTERS IN SOUTHEND
"East Essex Players, who have recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, have decided to break away from their usual Earth based comedies to take on the fantasy of Pratchett's Discworld. 'We have performed a variety of comedy genres from Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, to episodes of Fawlty Towers' says East Essex Players chairman Hazel Latcham, 'We are now looking forward to the challenge of a fantasy comedy that has a cult status.'"
When: 12th–15th November 2014
Venue: Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, 430 London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 9LA
Time: TBA
Tickets: £11.50, £10.50. A £1.50 per ticket booking fee applies, capped at four per order. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
Box Office: 01702 351135. To buy online, go to link below and click on the button for the desired date:
http://tinyurl.com/qat2s74
For more information, go to:
http://www.eastessexplayers.co.uk/
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06) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS
NULLUS ANXIETAS V (AUSTRALIAN DISCWORLD CONVENTION) NEWS
A message from the Fourecksian Discworld Convention Committee:
Roll out the red carpet, bang those grains, and watch out for stars in your eyes... The Australian Discworld Convention is coming up in a few mere months, and we are taking you to the Moving Pictures!
On April 10-12, 2015 in beautiful Parramatta, Sydney, NSW, Australia, you will experience the magic of the clickies with a range of delightful activities for all types of Discworld fans.
* Meet the stars of the silver screen at the Gala Dinner!
* Show off your costuming and/or acting skills in the "I Wanna Be A Star" Maskerade and XXXX Factor!
* Participate in Studio activities to ensure you make the best clickies possible!
* Test your knowledge of Discworld and Movies and their influence on each other in our Quiz!
* Support the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation at the Charity Auction!
* Be crafty with chain maille, knitting, card-making and more!
* Can you sing? Dance? Handle a sword a little? Learn all these skills and more at our workshops!
* And much more to be announced!
Tickets to the convention (and the Gala Dinner) are on sale now!
One lucky person in the first 100 will get their ticket cost reimbursed, so buy now and you could be as lucky as an Oswald winner!
For information on all of the above in a lot more detail, head over to our website :
http://ausdwcon.org
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/Ausdwcon or follow us on Twitter @NullusAnxietasV
With One Thousand Elephants!
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07) 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 6th October 2014, from 7pm onwards.
The Drummers' September meet report:
"So Drummers met Monday night. We had no quiz. What we had was lots of chat. I arrived to hear final snippets of a conversation that seemed to be about nerd eugenics. Disturbing stuff! At some point there was discussion of the Worzels and their penchant for agricultural machinery related innuendo. Alex wanted to know the etymology of the phrase "Top Hole!". No-one was sure but an online search suggested it might come from billiards. Barbara and I have both recently acquired Kindles and Larry gave much advice on their use. Meanwhile, Andrew, Sim and Eunice discussed RPGs. Tim and Ruth are rehearsing a new play and will send details. General chat continued until people decided to go home."
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 2nd October 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 3rd October 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 6th October 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 6th October 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: Tuesday, September 23 at 6:00pm (that's tomorrow!)
For more information, contact Nanny Ogg – lewis_oz@bigpond.com – or visit their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/westerndrummers
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08) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
The "cast" of Dragons at Crumbling Castle, in a gallery:
http://tinyurl.com/p35gctx
The cast of BBC Radio 4's adaptation of Good Omens:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BwxkfEnIcAErMNA.jpg:large
Some more parts of the Bradshaw's Guide:
http://tinyurl.com/o7ca9fd
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09) CLOSE
Whew! Made it to the end of this first issue. And there's more to come, including new reviews, before the end of this month. But for now, Wossname wishes you all a happy Equinox – autumnal or vernal, depending on your Jograffy – so here's to the relevant seasonal celebrations for all. See you soon!
– Annie Mac
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The End. If you have any questions or requests, write: wossname-owner (at) pearwood (dot) info
