Wossname
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
April 2015 (Volume 18, Issue 4, Post 1)
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WOSSNAME is a free publication offering news, reviews, and all the other stuff-that-fits pertaining to the works and activities of Sir Terry Pratchett. Originally founded by the late, great Joe Schaumburger for members of the worldwide Klatchian Foreign Legion and its affiliates, including the North American Discworld Society and other continental groups, Wossname is now for Discworld and Pratchett fans everywhere in Roundworld.
GNU Terry Pratchett: Sending Home, forever (and secreted in Wossname's own server)
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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) THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN RELEASE DATES
04) ODDS AND SODS
05) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
06) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
07) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS
08) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS
09) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
10) CLOSE
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01) QUOTES OF THE MONTH
"It is a huge privilege to be publishing Sir Terry Pratchett's final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown. Terry's writing is loved and respected the world over and this publication will be an incredibly important and special event for us all at Penguin Random House, and for fans and readers everywhere."– Tom Weldon of Penguin Random House "Here's what happens to me when I read a Terry Pratchett book: In the midst of the horror, the stupidity, the sheer insanity of the world, someone takes me by the hand. I'm pulled away from the latest disaster, personal or worldwide, and I walk away willingly to a place where I can breathe easily, a place where my brain whirs happily and my shoulders shake with laughter. As I get lost in this delightful, bizarre world, I find that it is the same world I was scared of a few pages before. It is my world, reflected back to me and made bearable." – university journalist Jessica Sager"I've always been open about the fact that I do not see myself (or anyone else) writing Discworld novels. They're sacred to dad."– Rhianna Pratchett on Twitter, 12th April 2015"It is not a wise or a sensible thing to do, to fly from the US to the UK, getting in late on the Tuesday night, and flying back early on the Thursday morning, in order to go to a funeral on the Wednesday, but sometimes you do the wrong thing because it's the only right thing you can do, and because you have to say goodbye to a friend properly, and that was true this week...– Neil Gaiman%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
02) A LETTER FROM YOUR EDITOR
Dear Readers,
It has taken me nearly a month to assemble my thoughts in a coherent enough form to write my own reaction to the death of my favourite author. In these past weeks I've read and listened to many people speaking of loss, of desolation and yes, of being gutted to know there will be no more new words from the pen and mind of Terry Pratchett. I've read and listened to testimonials giving thanks to the man's writing and to his courage and activism in his last years. "Terry Pratchett gave me a reason to go on living," say some. "Terry Pratchett helped me to find my direction/confidence/faith in humanity," say others, and still others, "Reading Terry Pratchett helped me to become a writer/secular humanist/wildlife activist/volunteer dementia carer." And I can feel the sincere emotion in every tribute and memorial. Around our not-Disc-shaped world, millions are mourning his passing with all their hearts.
But I am not among the mourners.
I admired – ever will admire! – the man hugely, not only for his genius but also for his principles and his passion and his work ethic – but I feel no need to mourn his dying. This shows no lack of emotion on my part: some of you may remember that in my review of Nation some years ago, I admitted that I'd cried so hard at the end that I became physically sick, and my love of the characters and stories of Discworld is and ever will remain fearsome in its intensity. But I've done my mourning already.
I was mourning him for more than seven years, ever since he first made us aware of the cruel death sentence that chance and biology had handed him. Along with the rest of you, I went through periods of outrage, of gut-churning sadness, of wishing the gods of Cori Celesti existed so that I could confront them and rage at them for the sheer unfairness of daring to curtail the life of this great man, of wishing there were some impossible magic-driven way I could offer him some of what life I have left on the chance that if it might help stave off his too-early ending. I did all those things... but I am not mourning him now.
I am not mourning Terry Pratchett now because a part of him, the part he chose to share with the world, lives in me and will continue to live in me for the rest of my life. For me, Terry Pratchett is not "gone"; his words, his genius, his way of cutting to the heart of the human-ness of humanity and showing the rising ape inside us, are very much alive in me, forming a part of the mortar of my inner self. You know – that mortar that holds the bricks of one's worldview together. The mortar that works so well that you rarely, if ever, realise it's keeping your bricks from tumbling down. At some point well over twenty years ago, Terry Pratchett's way with words became a part of my mortar, and there they shall stay until my own point of ending comes.
Terry Pratchett never saved my life. He never influenced my outlook on life either. I never felt that I knew him, because the man himself was a stranger, and I never had any desire to attend one of his book signings because the words I cared about were already in my possession. And while his stories taught me nothing about myself that I didn't already know, they did teach me more about human nature, and the way our species thinks, than I had learned in years of studying anthropology and headology (there you go: Pratchettisms have become so much a part of my unthinking daily vocabulary that "headology" springs first to mind and fingers when "psychology" is the word I mean). And of course his stories fill my heart, over and over, every time I re-read them – and O, I do re-read them often. The words of Terry Pratchett never grow stale. They never will.
Now I *am* crying as I type this. But my tears are not tears of loss; they are tears of awe, and joy, and gratefulness for all the magic words and worlds Terry Pratchett brought to us and left us for all time.
Terry Pratchett made reading fiction worthwhile for me. I refuse to mourn his death, but I will always celebrate his life and works. I hope we all will keep him in the Overhead, to make sure that his name never ceases to be spoken.
– Annie Mac, Editor
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03) THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN: NEWS
Official publication dates around the world for The Shepherd's Crown are, thankfully, very close together.
"This September Penguin Random House will be publishing The Shepherd's Crown, the final Discworld novel by Sir Terry Pratchett. Editor Kirsten Armstrong bought Exclusive World All Language rights (excluding US, US dependencies and Philippines) from Colin Smythe of Colin Smythe Ltd. The Shepherd's Crown is the fifth Discworld novel featuring young witch Tiffany Aching. Previous titles in the Tiffany Aching sequence include: The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith and I Shall Wear Midnight.
"Terry completed The Shepherd's Crown in the summer of 2014. It will be published in hardback, ebook and audio formats on September 10th 2015, and is now available for preorder. A collector’s edition will also be available."
http://www.terrypratchettbooks.com/?p=5893...and in the USA, only five days behind:
"This September HarperCollins Children's Books will be publishing The Shepherd's Crown, the final Discworld novel by Sir Terry Pratchett. Jennifer Brehl, SVP, Executive Editor & Director of Editorial Development bought U.S. rights from Colin Smythe of Colin Smythe Ltd... Terry completed The Shepherd's Crown in the summer of 2014, and it's scheduled for publication on September 15, 2015.
"'We are honored to be publishing Sir Terry Pratchett's final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown,' says Susan Katz, President and Publisher, HarperCollins Children's Books. 'Sir Terry's books are beloved by readers everywhere, and we are incredibly proud to bring this novel to his legions of fans in the United States.'"
http://terrypratchett.co.uk/?p=5907%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
04) ODDS AND SODS
Sir Terry Pratchett's funeral took place on the 25th of March. This is from the British Humanist Association, an organisation he supported very actively for many years (and this was reciprocated, as he was named their Humanist of the Year in 2013):
"Terry Pratchett's funeral ceremony was held yesterday, and it was an important opportunity for his family to remember him and celebrate the wonderful life he led. Our funeral celebrant Kenneth Greenway conducted the moving humanist ceremony. Over a distinguished career, Terry brought happiness to audiences of all ages and charmed readers through his many humorous explorations of the human experience. In one of his novels, he writes: 'It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it's called Life.' Terry was a true humanist, and continues to be missed by all at the British Humanist Association (BHA)."
http://bit.ly/1GXDOfMAlso, here is the complete memorial tribute from the BHA. Well worth reading:
https://humanism.org.uk/2015/03/12/bha-mourns-patron-terry-pratchett/And as the thought-spirit of Sir Pterry rides the Overhead, things both mundane and magical relating to his life and works continue. Here are a few...
4.1 PAUL KIDBY EXHIBITION
Paul Kidby's "Discworld and Beyond" exhibition is currently showing at the Gosport Gallery. The exhibition includes his long-awaited "Discworld Massif" mega-portrait and the exquisite "Check Mort" (Sir Pterry and Death playing chess, a picture that has been sent around the aether countless times already and will continue to keep The Author's name alive). The Gallery says, "This exhibition showcases the wonderful book covers and illustrations for Pratchett s novels including favourite characters like Rincewind, the Wee Free Men and of course Death. It also reveals Paul s own projects influenced by British folklore and landscapes."
When: now through 30th May 2015
Venue: Gosport Discovery Centre, High Street, Gosport, Hants PO12 1BT (phone 0300 555 1387)
Time: 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday (the Gallery is closed on Sundays and public holidays)
Tickets: Free Admission for all
4.2 GET YER LUVVERLY SCUMBLE HERE!
For discerning Discworld drink aficionados in the UK, a special offer. Be warned, er, aware that this offer only stands for a short while:
"Official Discworld Cider, Nanny Ogg's Scumble is crafted in the Lancre marshes using a closely guarded recipe handed down through Ogg family generations. It contains mostly apples. Brewed using the Lancre Blackheart apple (similar to the roundworld Russet and Cox apples) and an exotic mixture of secret ingredients, Nanny Ogg's Scumble has the subtle taste of oak floorboards and the aroma of melting butter. The juice is pressed from the fruit and allowed to naturally ferment with its own yeast and sugars for over 6 months. Medium dry to the taste, 'golden straw' in colour and suitable for vegetarians and coeliacs.
"WARNING: If at all possible avoid bringing Scumble into contact with water. If used for cleaning cutlery, one thimbleful of Scumble should be diluted in a bucket of water for best results, and to avoid dissolving the forks.
"Always drink sensibly – do not allow Nanny Ogg's Scumble to touch the lips or other sensitive areas."
Nanny Ogg's Scumble is 7.5% ABV 330ml. Regularly priced at £3.10 per bottle, for a short time the Special Price is £2.40 per bottle.
"Shipping costs for beers are typically just £6.99 for up to 24 bottles in the UK mainland, but there are a range of delivery options and prices depending on your location. Order placed before noon are typically shipped the same day. For more information, or to ask us questions about shipping, visit our Helpdesk."
Helpdesk:
http://help.alesbymail.co.uk/support/solutionsTo purchase your Scumble, and for more information, go to:
http://bit.ly/1yen82n About the brewers:
"Generations of students at Unseen University have dabbled in the dark arts of brewing. The Boathouse Brewery came into existence following an explosion deep within the cellars of the University after which Archchancellor Ridcully issued a decree banning all brewing activities. It turned out that the little-used boathouse was not technically within University grounds and was exempt from the decree and so the Boathouse Brewery was born. Boathouse Brewery beers are produced under licence by Ales By Mail Limited."
4.3 ALZHEIMER'S NEWS
4.3a It seems that some minor UK crowd-stirrer called Katie Hopkins referenced Sir Pterry during a public rant against dementia patients. Here was the response from Alzheimer's Research UK:
"TV personality Katie Hopkins has caused controversy after making a series of comments about dementia on Twitter. In one tweet, the TV personality said that people with dementia 'should not be blocking beds' in hospital. Hilary Evans, Director of External Affairs at Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK's leading dementia research charity, said: 'Katie Hopkins should be ashamed at her comments. Views such as these reinforce misunderstanding of dementia and show just how much work there is still to do in changing harmful perceptions of the condition. People who have been diagnosed with dementia still face an unacceptable level of stigma and social isolation as a result of their condition, and we need much greater awareness about the reality of life with dementia. All too often dementia is talked about in negative terms, and we must challenge the feeling of hopelessness that surrounds the condition...'"
http://bit.ly/1DwNIUA[Editor's note: out of curiosity, I looked this person up. Apart from looking like a suitable candidate to play Mrs Proust without needing prosthetics, she seems to revel in carefully designed rudeness for no other purpose than to attract clickbait customers. And, it seems, she succeeds at it. I'm reminded of a certain comment – by the Auditors in Thief of Time, I believe – about humanity being so easily persuaded to shoot itself in the foot...]
4.3b Here is a moving personal account by Shanda Deziel on Yahoo Canada, "How Terry Pratchett helped my mother cope with Alzheimer's":
"I first heard of popular British fantasy writer Sir Terry Pratchett, who died on Thursday, when I was Googling posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer's. Pratchett, the author of the Discworld series, had written a series of articles in British newspapers about having PCA, a disease that shuts down communication between the brain and the eyes. My mother had just been diagnosed and I was desperate for information. Pratchett's articles, in which he vowed to keep writing fiction, offered such comfort... For Mom, Pratchett's articles were a lifeline. Here was a bright, funny, literary man who had the same disease as she did. He looked young like her and was bound to 'keep things cheery.' She was very impressed that he was able to continue writing – using dictation software or an assistant – as she could no longer perform her duties as a cashier. She carried around his articles and when she had to explain PCA to someone new, she diminished her embarrassment by pulling out Pratchett's articles. Because he had the disease, she felt she was in good company... As others celebrate a man who gave them the magical universe of Discworld, I'm forever grateful he shared the all-too-real account of the disease that would take his life."
http://yhoo.it/1DUPoZY4.4 TRIBUTE FROM A YOUNG JOURNALIST
A gentle, thoughtful memorial tribute from Jessica Sager in Georgia Regents University newspaper The Bell Ringer:
"A couple years ago, I sat in the communications office, flipping through a course catalog and trying to decide what to do with myself after the professional writing track was discontinued. The journalism track seemed like a pretty good fit, especially compared to transferring. But would this journalism thing be a good fit for an aspiring fiction writer? Hmm. Seemed to work out all right for J.K. Rowling, Charles Dickens and, yes, Pratchett – who happens to be my favorite of the three. Majoring in journalism is so far turning out to be one of the best decisions of my life. As a busy student and news writer, though, it is easy to lose track of time to write poetry or stories. It can even be tempting to lay aside a story or column for the paper and say 'I can't do it.' It's not just being a student: I think most writers are prone to being too tired or too awake, too bored or too busy, too lonely or too happy, just too damn everything to sit down and write. I still make these excuses for myself, but because of Pratchett I know better than to buy into the idea that I ever just can't write. In 2007, before he was even 60 years old, Pratchett was diagnosed with a rare type of Alzheimer's disease.
"Have you ever wondered how you would react to being diagnosed with a terminal illness? I have, and for me, it always comes back to the stories – the stories unwritten. I hope this never becomes a reality for me, but I also hope that, if it does, I will react the way I want to, the way that Sir Terry did: Keep on writing. For eight years after his diagnosis, Pratchett kept writing, releasing roughly one novel a year. He needed help as his disease got worse, but nonetheless he kept writing. When compared to Alzheimer's, my petty excuses slink away in shame. And I write...
"I've never read a word of Pratchett that didn't read true. I've never said to myself 'That isn't a what a real blank would do!' when reading one of his books. I don't know how he did that; probably by being a good journalist, i.e. an observant one. As far as I can tell, every experience in his books, no matter how extraordinary, is relatable. Reading Pratchett's books reminds me that authors can make a difference. Remembering the impact he's had on my life, and those of millions of other readers, assures me that what I aspire to do isn't just decoration, icing on a world that needs more than pretty tales. What Sir Terry's books have done for me isn't mere escapism, isn't just one distraction of many. It has influenced me and positively impacted my life, in part by reminding me that I, too, could someday help, comfort or inspire someone with my words..."
http://grubellringer.com/2015/03/31/remembering-sir-terry-pratchett/%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
05) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
5.1 REMINDER: WYRD SISTERS IN CHELMSFORD (APRIL)
The Chelmsford Theatre Workshop are presenting their production of Wyrd Sisters this month.
"Our next production is linked to our long history of producing Discworld plays – and we've a treat in store for Pratchett fans and theatre lovers alike this April... Wyrd Sisters is a cornerstone of the Discworld series and features some of CTW's favourite characters including Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg. In this brilliantly different take on the story of Macbeth, the witches find themselves entangled in a web of murder and betrayal. We recommend booking in advance, as Discworld plays at CTW have a habit of selling very well – and very quickly!"
Co-director Mark Preston says: "We're planning to turn the show into our tribute to [Sir Terry], and will be collecting for the Alzheimer's Society."
When: 15th-18th and 22nd-25th April 2015
Venue: the Old Court Theatre, 233 Springfield Road, Chelmsford
Time: 7.45 pm all shows
Tickets: £9 (concessions £8). Tickets can be purchased from the Civic Theatre (phone 01245 606505), or online at
http://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/terry-pratchetts-wyrd-sisters A £1 transaction fee per ticket applies to online purchases.
For more information, go to:
https://chelmsfordtheatreworkshop.wordpress.com/5.2 UPDATE: WYRD SISTERS IN EYNSFORD, KENT (MAY)
Riverside Players proudly present a new interpretation of Wyrd Sisters. Stephen Briggs' play has been specially adapted for this amateur production by the director, Rob Tizzard.
"This Spring, Riverside Players bring you their first ever Production based on the work of the great and prolific author, Sir Terry Pratchett. This unique new take on an often performed tale comes from the long running Discworld series. To those unfamiliar with his work, it may seem like the usual fantasy hokum, but if you take a closer look, they are stories steeped in imagination that take a cheeky sideways look at the absurdity of everyday life. Wyrd Sisters takes a satirical look at the works of Shakespeare, namely Hamlet, Richard III and Macbeth, and explores the power of 'words'.
"This Production marks another first for Riverside Players, in the use of full stage background projection. An original musical accompaniment will be performed by a live band. A wondrous cast who relish bringing the many colourful characters to life. You may even spot the odd cat or orangutan, both beloved by the author. So please join us to celebrate the life of the great writer, with a couple of hours of comedic fun for all. We look forward to seeing you so book now as there will only be six performances of this show."
There will be collections for the RICE Centre during the shows.
When: 8th, 9th, 15th & 16th May 2015
Venue: Eynsford Village Hall, High Street, Eynsford, Kent DA4 0AA
Time: Friday 8th & 15th, 7.45pm; Saturday 9th & 16th, 3pm & 7.45pm
Tickets: Adult £11, Concessions £9 (under 16s, over 60s and students with NUS card), Family £35 (2 adults and 2 concessions); Group Discount: buy 10 tickets, get one of them free! Applies to Adult and Concession
tickets only. Discount will be applied at payment stage.
There is a Discount Code for buying advance tickets: 'ESME15' until 23rd April 2015
5.3 SMALL GODS IN ADELAIDE, FOURECKS (MAY)
Unseen Theatre says of their latest production, which opens next month:
"The main target of Pratchett's perceptive, satirical wit in Small Gods is religion and intolerance. Funnily enough, according to his fan mail, both believers and non-believers have praised the book for supporting their position!Philosophical and theological arguments aside, it is still epic storytelling (with one foot of silliness stuck in the door), a comedic character piece, an awfully big adventure, and, as always, it examines the never ending conflict between good and evil. So you could say that it pretty much covers everything! (including the number 42).
"This is also one of Terry's works that is most often accused of being literature. However Terry himself preferred to put his views in a simpler fashion:- 'Take it from me, whenever you see a bunch of buggers puttering around talking about truth and beauty and the best way of attacking Ethics, you can bet your sandals it's all because dozens of other poor buggers are doing all the real work around the place.'
"Although this production was planned quite some time before Terry's passing, some may see it as fate, others as simply co-incidence, that we decided on this particular one of his works that is concerned with theological and philosophical issues. Whatever your beliefs, we hope that it is a fitting tribute to him. Small Gods has all the usual comedy, action, and drama that we have come to expect from one of the most insightful minds of our era. It will also make you think about....well...everything, long after you have left the theatre!
"RIP Sir Terry. We hope you are giving our favourite character a good run for his money! We at Unseen Theatre Company will be sure to keep your work alive on stage."
When: Preview Fri. May 15. Opening Night Sat. May 16. Season continues Wed to Sat until May 30.
Venue: Bakehouse Theatre, 255 Angas Street, Adelaide
Time: All shows at 8pm
Tickets: Adults $20; Concession $18; TREv $16; Groups (10+) $16; Preview all tickets $15; Companion Card accepted.
To book online, go to: www.bakehousetheatre.com
Tickets can also be purchased at the door on the night (subject to availability).
http://unseen.com.au/5.4 REVIEW: WITCHES ABROAD IN CARDIFF
By Adam Walker, in Wales Online:
"Pratchett has gone but the worlds he created, particularly the phenomenally successful Discworld, live on in the pages of his books, the hearts and minds of his fans and in the plays of Monstrous Productions – the Cardiff-based theatre company who have been bringing the Discworld to the city since 2012... the witches from Monstrous Productions' last show, Wyrd Sisters, are back with Ellen Warren playing Granny Weatherwax, Lowri Belson as Magrat and Zoe Azzopardi as Nanny Ogg. The three young actresses did another fantastic job of spinning a spell on the audience, making them believe they'd been whisked away to Pratchett's Discworld. They were joined by Caroline McCann who was suitably sinister as the bad witch Lilith and her sidekick who was suitably, well slimy, as The Duc, a frog who's been magiced into a man, played by Michael Dickinson. Other stand-out stars were Dominique Workman who played the magnificently made-up voodoo witch Mrs Gogol and her tap-dancing zombie, the ex-Baron Saturday, play by Harry Spencer. The sprinkling of scenes where simple-minded Jason Ogg, played to perfection by Tony Beard, struggles to read letters from his Nanny Ogg about her adventures were hilarious and also served to tie the rather wide-ranging story of Witches Abroad together..."
http://bit.ly/1GsD3wu%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
06) DISCWORLD ARTS AND CRAFTS NEWS
The Cunning Artificers are back in action. Here are the latest offerings from the Discworld Emporium:
"We want to say a HUGE thank you for your understanding and support, and for bearing with us over the past few weeks. The tremendous outpouring of tributes from all over the globe has reaffirmed that Terry's legacy will continue to 'Light a flamethrower' in the darkness and ignite the imaginations of millions for years to come #GNUTERRYPRATCHETT
"And so, Transworld publishers have announced that the final Discworld book and fifth Tiffany Aching novel, The Shepherd's Crown, completed last summer and revealed by Terry himself at the International Discworld Convention in August, will be published this September 10th by Penguin Random House. We aim to have pre-order available as soon as possible, and will post details as soon as we are able.
"A little later than scheduled, we are pleased to announce new releases from the Ankh-Morpork Post Office... The 'Vimes and Punishment' LBE is a special City Watch edition of our Little Brown envelope, featuring new and exclusive issues from illustrator Bill Sanderson, a V&A Illustration Award Winner and Royal Mail artist. This limited edition of 1200 envelopes will be available Saturday April 11th in two batches at 10am and 6pm BST. Each envelope includes a 'Penny Copper' charity issue and an exclusive lilac version of our forthcoming $1 Vimes stamp. This is the very first Discworld Stamp ever to feature His Grace, His Excellency, The Duke of Ankh, Commander Sir Samuel Vimes, and Bill's exquisite artwork has been impressed using a vintage letterpress and traditional copper printing plate."
For more info go to
http://bit.ly/1I1IGz8"A generous amount of sports and rarities have also been sprinkled throughout the edition, including the first of this year's coveted Blue Triangle stamp – The Patrician's Palace $5. One very lucky envelope will contain the first Blue Triangle Sport of the year, one of only 10 to be released!
"AND THAT'S NOT ALL! Prize tickets for 1 of 50 exclusive 'rap sheet' sets are loitering in lucky envelopes. Each set includes a full sheet of lilac $1 Vimes stamps, and an imperforate misspelled 'sport' sheet of forthcoming general $1 Vimes issues, accompanied by an evidence label for crimes against printing plates.
"The Penny Copper is also available to purchase singly or as beautiful whole sheets from Saturday 11th. All new issues are available for preview in the NEW STAMPS section of our site."
For info about the Penny Copper go to:
http://www.discworldemporium.com/AMCWPennyCopper"N.B. Special Editions tend to sell our VERY quickly. To avoid disappointment we recommend the purchase of an LBE Season Ticket. Please have the relevant page ready at the time of release, refresh your browser and proceed quickly through checkout. Adding LBEs to your cart does NOT guarantee purchase.
"Wishing you all the very best."
To see all the new stamps, go to
http://bit.ly/1I1IxM3%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
07) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS
Nullus Anxietas V is waking up to its final day as I type this. According to their various online feeds, the attendees have been having a great time remembering Sir Pterry and celebrating his life and works. There will be assorted reports to follow, we hope. In the meantime, here are some iconographs from last night's Gala...
Best. Handbag. Ever.
http://bit.ly/1yg7cfuVena the (formerly) Raven-haired, looking both stunning and dangerous:
http://bit.ly/1FKXAJQStephen Briggs in full-on Vetinari mode:
http://bit.ly/1FxPU0bAn excellent Susan and a probable (as he's somewhat postvital-looking) Windle Poons:
http://bit.ly/1HfZTq8If you are in the area today, have money to burn, and would like to join the final day of the convention, a Sunday all-day ticket is $80 for adults ($60 concession).
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
08) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS
The Broken Drummers, "London's Premier Unofficially Official Discworld Group" (motto "Nil percussio est"), 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. If you enter via the beer garden, you will find us at the opposite end of the pub. If you have any problems, the staff can direct you."
Next meeting: Monday 4th May 2015
The Drummers' April meet report:
"The Broken Drummers met on Easter Monday. As expected most of the talk early on was about Terry. We also discovered that most of the people present were librarians at school (as was Terry). One exception was Alex C. who was an armourer, which was apparently like being a librarian but with guns rather than books (this is really true, Alex went to a military school). Andrew gave the toast to Terry. He reminded us of Terry's statement that a person never dies until the ripples they created fade. Jessica then told us about all the tributes to Terry that took place at EasterCon and handed out some goodies.
"We had one new person, Barbara. Others present included some of the newest members who seemed very keen to help recruit more newbies. I promised that I really was going to sort out flyers and the Facebook group. I've meant to do it for years and I'm writing it down now so that you can remind me to get on with it. Then I can remind Marina and Phil that they volunteered. Later in the evening conversation turned to upcoming events. Then somehow we got onto singing silly songs and discussing the etymology of swearwords. Marina was especially puzzled by the similarity of words for the female genitalia in unrelated languages. The best explanation I could come up with was 'people have always had them.'
"That's it for now. It only remains for me to say thank you to Terry Pratchett for sowing the seeds that grew into Drummers and every other permutation of Discworld fandom. He used to say that he felt like Frankenstein did as the monster was walking out of the door. I can imagine. However, he once said to me that he felt very blessed with his fans because we were all such nice people. Without Terry I would never have met any of you, including my husband. So, once again: thank you Terry. May the ripples you made echo through the years (OK that's mixing a metaphor) and may your monster grow and carry on lurching."
For more information, go to
http://brokendrummers.org/ or email
BrokenDrummers@gmail.com or nicholls.helen@yahoo.co.uk
*
The Pratchett Partisans are a fan group who meet monthly at either Brisbane or Indooroopilly to "eat, drink and chat about all things Pratchett". Forthcoming events include a discussion of "The Foode and Drinke of Discworld" on Saturday, 14th March at 2pm. For more info about their next meetup, go to 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:
"Our (semi-) regular meetings are generally held on the last Thursday of the month at the Seven Stars, 187 Angas St, Adelaide. We have dinner at 6.30pm followed by games until 9pm. The games are usually shorter games like Pairs, Sushi Go, or Fluxx, with the occasional Werewolf session, as these are the best sort of games that work in a pub setting.
"Games Days: every few months, we have a full day's worth of board games at La Scala Cafe, 169 Unley Rd, Unley in the function room starting at 10am. Check the calendar below for the date of the next event.
"Other gatherings: in addition to the above, we will occasionally have other events to go and see plays by Unseen Theatre Company, book discussions on Terry's latest, craft, chain maille or costuming workshops or other fun social activities. See our upcoming events for further info, and join the mailing list to get the details. To keep up on exactly what's happening and when, or to take part in some online discussion, please join!"
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cityofsmallgods/https://twitter.com/CityOfSmallGodswww.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 May 2015, 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 May 2015 (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 May 2015 at 6.30pm (probably). For more information, contact Sue (aka Granny Weatherwax): kenworthys@yahoo.co.uk
*
The Treacle Mining Corporation, formerly known as Perth Drummers, meet on the first Monday of the month (subject to holidays) at the child-friendly Carpe Cafe, 526 Murray Street, Perth, Western Australia.
Next meeting: from 5.30pm on Monday 4th May 2015 (probably).
For details follow Perth Drummers on Twitter @Perth_Drummers or join their Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Perth.Drummers/– or message Alexandra Ware directly at <alexandra.ware@gmail.com>
*
Western Drummers, also based in Sydney, 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: "If you have never been, please come on down. You would be very welcome. We eat, have a drink, talk Discworld and play board games. Starts kind of 6 – 6.30ish and finishes kind of 9pm ish."
Next meeting: Tuesday, 21st April at 6:00pm. For more information, contact Nanny Ogg – lewis_oz@bigpond.com – or visit their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/westerndrummers%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
09) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
In London's Brick Lane, an anonymous artist has painted gorgeous Terry Pratchett and Discworld tribute murals, after the style of the late Josh Kirby – though it could be said that these look far better drawn large on a wall than they ever did as paperback covers. And the portrait of Sir Pterry himself is simply amazing!
A head portrait of The Author, surrounded by some of his Discworld characters:
http://bit.ly/1NOveCeA Josh Kirby-esque Death and Binky cover pastiche:
http://bit.ly/1CI0733Some more shots of the installation, from different perspectives:
http://bit.ly/1Clp851...and a nice shot of the mural as a work in progress:
https://instagram.com/p/1I30YXESYZ/[Editor's note for prospective pilgrims: The panels are at the end of Code Street, off Brick Lane itself.]
...and the far more stylistically original but no less lovingly rendered wall art tribute – this one, a comics-style mural of Death, The Luggage, and Rincewind, is in Stokes Croft, Bristol:
http://bit.ly/1PySzK2And here is the article on it in the London Evening Standard, who were the first to report on the tribute art:
"A huge graffiti tribute to late author Terry Pratchett has appeared in east London. The mural shows artwork for the cult writer's Discworld books Mort and Reaper Man, complete with a massive portrait of the man himself, who died last month at 66 after a battle with Alzheimer's. Characters such as the skeletal, dry-humoured Death and inept wizard Rincewind dance across the walls of the Pillow Cinema... Ella Finch, who captured these pictures, told the Standard the paintings were 'so evocative'. 'I wish I knew who the artist was, as it's beautifully done," she said. "As cheesy as it may sound, I hope Terry and Death can walk together along these walls for a long time before any more graffiti takes over.'"
http://bit.ly/1DBMibw...and the story behind them, which was soon revealed:
"One of the artists behind a Terry Pratchett mural that was shared thousands of times online has revealed the inspiration behind his Brick Lane street art. Jim Vision, 33, told the Standard the piece – a joint effort with 'Dr Zadok' – was a work-in-progress that would eventually span even more of the former Shoreditch station's walls. 'It's an area that has quite a lot of social problems,' he said, 'so it feels good to bring something colourful to it. We've had some incredible feedback – just people saying, "oh my God, there's Terry Pratchett!"' The wall now belongs to the underground Pillow Cinema and is a favourite with street artists, meaning Pratchett's legacy there may be rather short-lived. 'We'd love to do something a bit more permanent if we could find a wall,' said Jim, 'but that one does tend to get painted quite regularly... It was very inspirational reading [Pratchett's] books growing up,' explained Jim. 'They present a pretty anarchic world. It's all pretty fantastic – it takes things from our world and twists it into something quite incredible. It's really important to commemorate people's lives, especially somebody who brought so much to UK literature.' The response to the mural – pictures of which have been shared across the internet – was a surprise, he added. 'We didn't do it expecting it to be shared," he said. "We're doing it for personal reasons – but it's fantastic when people appreciate what you do.'..."
http://bit.ly/1NHbjD6And here be some other, unrelated, images...
I love this whimsical – indeed, magical – photo of The Author:
http://bit.ly/1y56Bh5Two mathematicians in conversation, by Witek Rajtor:
http://bit.ly/1ah7jfwA fascinating road sign in Suffolk:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBiE73pWYAANud7.jpgA drawing by Amy Simmonds, of an imagined book signing:
http://bit.ly/1aiZkyL...and another bow for Randall Munroe's wonderful xkcd tribute:
http://www.xkcd.com/1498/%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
10) CLOSE
And that's the lot for the moment. More to come, including my now long-overdue review of the delightful republished Truckers. Special thanks go to all the kind folk who have written to us to state their appreciation of Wossname carrying on. And we shall carry on!
By the way, the official Terry Pratchett site has gathered a number of short tribute quotes from Assorted Famous Faces. In case we've missed any of significance during the past month, here is the link:
http://www.terrypratchett.co.uk/?p=5874Before I go – Long Earth series completionists should note that The Long Mars is now available in paperback.
And remember, you can still donate to the RICE Centre via the JustGiving page set up by Lynsey of Transworld. The total raised now stands at nearly £43,000, but more donations will always be put to good use:
https://www.justgiving.com/Terry-PratchettOne more thing: the mirror site –
http://wossname.dreamwidth.org – is set to become more than just a mirror of these text-based issues. If you fancy having a shufti over there, you will find several image posts and announcements of time-sensitive things. Stay tuned for further updates. Dreamwidth is a much more welcoming place to be than the messy chaos of Facebook!
And the show goes on. 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
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