Discworld Monthly - Issue 111: July 2006

1. Editorial

Welcome to issue 111. This month we are hoping that all the teething problems with our new mailing list provider have been ironed out. Once again we would like to thank Sonnet UK for taking on our mailing list and for all the help that they have provided in the setting up process.

With less than 58 days and under 50 places left, if you are planning to go to the Convention but haven't purchased your tickets yet you'd better hurry up.

According to the Convention website membership closes at the end of July.

www.dwcon.org/

--
Jason Anthony (Editor) info@discworldmonthly.co.uk
William Barnett (Deputy Editor)
Richard Massey (Football Widower)

2. News

Just when you thought the idea of the Good Omens movie was dead and buried it appears that Terry Gilliam is looking to revive the project.

In a recent interview with Teletext Terry Gilliam said: "I have struggled to find big projects that inspire me, but this book has. It's very funny, about the anti-Christ and devils and angels, it's very funny and inspiring. I have tried to find a small project like Tideland that I could do but I haven't found one."

Details at: www.darkhorizons.com/news06/060627b.php

If you live in Germany and are planning to visit Wadfest 2006 you might want to consider car-sharing. For more information visit: ~~terry-pratchett.info/carshare.php~~

GURPS Discworld (the Discworld ropleplaying games) has been renamed. The book is is now called "Discworld Roleplaying Game". It should be noted that this is a reprint and NOT a new game system. If you have the original GURPS Discworld you do not need this renamed reprint.

Terry will be going to Ottakar's at Bromsgrove on October 2nd 2006 to sign copies of Wintersmith. The signing will start at 5.30pm

Address: Ottakars, 66-68 high st, Bromsgrove, Worcs, B61 8EX

For further information call Stuart on 01527 833339.

[This is the only date we have been told about so far. We expect more dates will be added soon and will be sure to let you know them as soon as possible. - Ed]

News from Colin Smythe (Terry's Agent).

An interview with Terry on piracy has been published in the May issue of ALCS [Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society] News. The full version of this can be found at:

~~www.alcs.co.uk/.../TerryPratchettInterview.aspx~~

[The above URL should be entered as a single line in your browser address - Ed]

From Rob Lupine (Wadfest's Murder Mystery Organizer):

* Calling all Wadfesters *

It's that time of year again where I put out a general plea to anyone going to Wadfest who may be interested in taking part in the Murder Mystery to contact me. This proved to be very popular last year, everyone involved enjoyed it and much fun was had. This year it is going to be even more complicated to work out so it may be as well to be part of it! This year's takes place in XXXX, (Surprisingly!) and I have written in more characters than ever. ..

* Murder at Sayers Rock *

Bruce is dead. Murdered, possibly by Bruce, or maybe by Bruce. Who knows the web of intrigue that lies wherein? Bruce's body was found early on Friday evening at Sayers rock wearing a startled expression, foul play is definitely involved but who can tell whodunnit?

All suspects will be required to get a costume together and be in costume and character for a large part of the weekend, however we do understand that the last thing you want to do when putting up a tent is answer questions! Generally the Fridays at Wadfest are informal times to get set up and meet other people so don't worry too much about how you can drive in an Igor suit! The Investigation will begin on the Saturday morning and will be ongoing till the revelation on the Sunday morning.

If you want to take part and be a suspect, contact me via email, Wizardonedge@aol.com Please include your Wadfest ticket number so I can verify that you are coming (it would be embarrassing if the murderer didn't show up!).

According to indiantelevision.com Random House (Terry's publishers in the UK) now own a majority share in BBC Books UK. BBC Books will continue to work within the normal BBC guidelines, but will benefit from Random House's international sales and distribution abilities.

Discworld Dates...

This section will contain events that you need to keep in your diary. Entries will remain until they go out of date. New entries will include the word [New] next to them. If this section gets too large we will start pruning entries.

[AU] Unseen Theatre Company will be performing Jingo from June 28 to July 15. More details can be found at unseen.com.au/

[UK] Behind The Mask - Discworld Convention 2006 (18th to 21st August 2006). A glorious four-day weekend where fans of Terry Pratchett can get together, relax, enjoy each other's company, meet Terry and the other guests, attend some (or many) of the scores of programme events, and generally Have A Good Time...

Location: Hinckley Island Hotel, Hinckley, Leicestershire, UK

Guest of Honour: Terry Pratchett

Other Guests: Stephen Briggs, Bernard Pearson, Trevor Truran, Colin Smythe, Ian Stewart, Jack Cohen, Diane Duane, Peter Morwood, David Langford, Lionel Fanthorpe

Membership: Full attending 50GBP Concessions: 35GBP Supporting: 20GBP Child: Free

Contact: Discworld Convention 2006, P.O. Box 102, Royston, Herts, SG8 7ZJ, UK

Accommodation: Hinckley Island Hotel, Hinckley, Leicestershire, UK

Email: info@dwcon.org
Webpage: www.dwcon.org

[UK] Wadfest 2006 will take place over the weekend of the 1st-3rd September. This year's theme is XXXX and the event will take place at Trentfield Farm which proved to be very suitable last year. More details at www.wadfest.co.uk

[AU] Nullus Anxietas: The Australian Discworld Convention, Melbourne 2007 - For the latest information on the con, please check out the new version of our website - www.ausdwcon.org

[DE] The first German Discworld Convention "Scheibenwelt-Fest 2007" will take place at a real castle near Siegen in Germany from February the 23rd till the 25th.

The organisers claim they will try to entertain you with a broad range of different workshops, shows, guests of honour and other events at this Uberwald-themed festival.

Tickets cost only 47.50 GBP for both days including accommodation in the castle, breakfast and dinner.

You can find the registration and further information at: www.discworld-convention.de

Small Ads...

Please note, DWM has no way of checking the veracity or validity of any of the items in our small ads section. As always, exercise caution when giving out your details over the Internet. We *strongly* recommend parental supervision for younger readers who
follow up any of these contacts.

Vicci Stokes vic80uk@yahoo.co.uk writs: Hello fellow Discworld fans, I am having a clear out of all my Clarecraft figures (Not by choice I assure you, but I have a very accident prone two year old and I'd rather see someone else have them that have them broken!) As soon as I see this in print on the next newsletter I will be putting in a few prize pieces on Ebay and I would rather them go to genuine fans than people after them for monetary gain: hence this post. There is a particularly rare Granny Bust up for grabs, just do a search for seller Vic80uk for more details, or email me on the above address. I will also be donating 20% of all money I make from these figures to Terry's Orang Utan Foundation.

3. Readers' Letters

If you have any letters or comments, please email them to info@discworldmonthly.co.uk

We assume any correspondence is eligible for use in the newsletter unless otherwise stated, including the sender's email address. We may also edit your letters if your contry beats us in the World Cup.

It is vitally important that you don't pass off other people's work as your own. If you use information from other resources please let us know so we can give proper credit.

The best letter of the month will receive a Kiss the Cook print supplied by Bonsai Trading. Bonsai Trading is the Discworld store that brings you Clarecraft figurines, diaries & calendars, Thud and much more. ~~bonsai.discworldmonthly.org~~

*
* From: "Charlie" ~~email address removed upon request - February 2020~~
*
I just read that Marc Warren will be playing the part of Mr Teatime in the upcoming Hogfather adaptation and I'm over the moon! Anyone who's seen Marc's performances in Hustle and Band of Brothers will agree with me that he's a great actor who can handle both humorous and dark roles. I also think his face is perfect for the part and I can't wait to see him with that spooky eye... (You may be interested to know that Marc is also starring in episodes of Doctor Who and Life on Mars later this year... ~~www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/wk25/feature_doctorwho.shtml~~)

*
* From: "John Ritchie" sisyphus1955@yahoo.com
*
At the 17 September 2005 book signing for Thud! in Denver, Colorado, Terry alluded to working on a novel called "Unseen Academicals." The plot involved the UU wizards forming a soccer team (with the Libarian as goalie, naturally). He indicated this would be the next Rincewind novel, since Rincewind's bursts of speed in the face of danger would make him an ideal athlete. I know Wintersmith is coming this fall. I've also seen references to a book titled Making Money--a possible sequel for Moist von Lipwig. Can anyone confirm the upcoming novels and give possible release dates?

*
* From: "Bob" SMYTHR354@aol.com
*
For those who us who have ventured to try some of the recipes in that little pot boiler of a book [Nanny Ogg's Cookbook - Ed]. I have just the one question: As our French friends have found out not all the ingredients are available for all ...but what about that fruit pie of Bloody Stupid Johnson's? I admit it is beyond the realms of most households to produce such an item lol.. but what about at a convention? Get everyone attending to bring an amount of ingredients and attempt it? Who knows there may be even a mention in Guinness Book of Records.. something to chew on for the future hmm? All the best, Bob

*
* From: "Sue Moore" suemoore98@yahoo.com
*
Many thanks to everyone who suggested Discworld names for my two kittens. Some suggestions were "interesting" to say the least. Unfortunately, I just can't subject my neighbours to 10+ years of panic from hearing me repeatedly shout "Cut Me Own Throat" from the doorway. The local ambulance service might complain about the false call outs too!

Having just read The Wee Free Men, it seemed appropriate to refer to the eponymous pictsies, especially as one of my chosen kittens is "blue" (which really means grey) and the other is brown, as is the Nac Mac Feegle's leader. Feegle and Kelda will move in with me shortly.

Thanks again to everyone who took the trouble to email me with suggestions.

*
* From: "Bob Shingler" Bob.Shingler@atkinsglobal.com
*
In response to Oliver Tully's letter about Dr Carl Untermond and his quotation at the start of Strata, I have a book called "Readers Digest - Mysteries of the Unexplained", published in 1982, in which there are a few bits and pieces that seem to contradict the normal evolutionary process or provide some evidence of time travel, one of which is the following:

"In June 1968 a fossilised footprint was found by William J. Meister in Antelope Spring 43 miles west of Delta, Utah. It showed a sandalled footprint crushing a trilobite. Trilobites flourished between 600million and 280 million years ago. The earliest fossil record of humans is between 3-4 million years ago".

Which seems to correspond with part of the quote mentioned. I always take these articles with a pinch of salt but perhaps there is more to them than I previously thought, or perhaps Mr Pratchett has the same book.

DWM replies: Bob gets this month's Letter of The Month.

*
* From: "Erin" clxtgirl@sasktel.net
*
I realize someone has likely written in to comment on this and I have likely just missed it. I am just re-reading Reaper Man and have gotten to the discussion of anti crimes. I am amazed at the sudden rise in anti-crimes in our world. For example:

- What not to Wear - How not to Decorate - Debbie Travis' Facelift

and all those shows that expose and humiliate fat people into dieting and exercising.

If you add in the idea that crimes happen in secret and therefore anti-crimes seek the largest possible audience, we are having a huge surge in the number of anti crimes. TV shows that expose people's bad taste and poor judgement to the world in exchange for monetary or other gains. Crime happens to victims without their consent, anti crime victims get bullied into agreeing.

On Discworld, it could be argued that Carrot is a serious anti-criminal. Getting street gangs to play football (to their embarrassment) and organizing programs where caught criminals are inflicted on helpless little old ladies, wall papering their houses to the point of uselessness.

Hey, even Glod in Soul Music engaged in some anti crime by redecorating all those hotel rooms.

*
* From: "Camille Fabre" camillefabre13@yahoo.fr
*
I read something funny this morning, so I wanted to tell you about it: I suppose all of you remember the name of the country where Granny Weatherwax lives is Lancre. This is funny because there was a counsellor of the parliament of Bordeaux, who was a Jesuit, whose name was Pierre Lancre. He is famous because he was responsible for hunting witches in the XVII century, in the Pyrenees mountains (south of France). I wonder how Granny would react when learning that her country has the name of a witches' killer... Fate is sometimes funny.

I read about it at: ~~perso.ecopyrene.mageos.com/legen/sorci.html~~

4. DiscTrivia

This month I have decided to ask questions about Sourcery.

Q1.: What was Coin's father called?
Q2.: What is a sourcerer?
Q3.: What relation is Conina to Cohen the Barbarian?; a) Niece; b) Cousin; c) Daughter; e) Wife
Q4.: What does Coin propose to do with the Unseen University?
Q5.: What was Nijel's great battle cry according to Rincewind?

The results, as always, appear at the end of this issue.

5. Review: Wintersmith

Review by Jason Anthony

Wintersmith is the third Tiffany Aching novel following on from The Wee Free Men and A Hat Full of Sky. Tiffany, now 13, is working for Miss Treason (an extremely old, blind and deaf witch). Miss Treason is very adapt at borrowing and therefore manages to use any available eyes and ears in the area (including Tiffany's which Tiffany finds quite disturbing) to be able to see and hear Miss Treason's appearance and reputation mean that she is respected and feared in equal measures by the local villagers. She even has a habit of calling Granny Weatherwax "that girl Weatherwax".

The opening chapter of Wintersmith actually takes place somewhere near the middle of events and in the best tradition of flashbacks we get to find out how she managed to get herself into the predicament. This opening chapter is absolutely stunning - and to be fair I am glad the other chapters don't quite manage to keep up its intensity.

Fans of Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Miss Tick will be pleased to hear that they are heavily involved in this third instalment in Tiffany's life. It is great to see Tiffany growing up and taking even more responsibility for her actions.

I found it interesting to see some of the other minor characters such as Annagramma developing as well. After she is placed in a situation that she cannot handle, Tiffany persuades some of her peers to lend a hand in developing the skills that she never obtained from her previous mistress. What I like about this is that Annagramma has to suffer the humiliation of being taught by people she previously bossed around but manages to show real character by rising above the humiliation.

And, of course, we mustn't forget the Wee Free Men, after all what Tiffany Aching novel would be complete without Rob Anybody, Daft Wullie et al? The Feegles are up to their usual tricks but seem to be little match for the Witches. I love reading the way the Feegles speak, and to make life easier there is an introduction that includes a glossary of the more colourful Feegle terms. My new personal favourite is Cack yer Kecks which apparently means to be very, very frightened - as it were.

If you are a fan of the previous Tiffany Aching novels you are going to love Wintersmith. If not, give it a try anyway - you might just change your mind. Wintersmith is at times deeply moving and at others very funny - definitely worth a read.

You can pre-order Wintersmith (and see the difference between the UK and US covers) via our affiliates link at:

Amazon UK discworldmonthly.co.uk/?ISBN=0385609841

or Amazon US discworldmonthly.co.uk/?USISBN=0060890312

6. Competitions

Results of The Stanley Howler Stamp Journal Competition

Last month we asked you:

On the Discworld Stamps web site, which is the only FDC not to have sold out yet?

The answer was Bad Blintz and the randomly selected winner drawn from the hat was James Howard of Merseyside. Your details have been passed on to The Cunning Artificer who will get in contact with you soon.

For more information about the Journal and Discworld stamps visit www.discworldstamps.co.uk

* New Competition *

Bonsai Trading have offered us a pair of Stamp "Tot" Glasses. There are two sets on the Bonsai Trading website and we are offering a set that will be packed separately.

In order to be in with a chance to win this pair of glasses simply send the answer to the following question by 20th July to info@discworldmonthly.co.uk

What are the value and names of the stamps reproduced on the glasses? (We are expecting 2 numbers and names in total).

The randomly selected winner will be announced next Issue.

For more information about the Glasses and Bonsai Trading's complete range of products visit: ~~bonsai.discworldmonthly.org~~

7. Review: Writers Uncovered: Terry Pratchett

Review by Jason Anthony

Writers Uncovered: Terry Pratchett (written by Vic Parker) provides a basic biography about Terry and is aimed at children aged 7-14.

Even considering the book is aimed at children the style can sometimes be described as patronising. There are sections called "Have a Go" where readers are encouraged to try out activities, such as seeing how quickly you can write down a section of the book to demonstrate how fast Terry could write shorthand, and also suggest trying to write a review of one of Terry's book.

Other sections include "Find Out More..." and "Inside Information" which give extra background information - such as Terry's favourite book etc.

After the sporadic biography the book moves onto describing some of Terry's novels. The book concentrates on Terry's young adult books such as the Bromeliad and Johnny Maxwell trilogies. The only Discworld books that get reviewed in any form are The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky and The Amazing Maurice.

One of the best parts of the book is some of the photographs that appear in it. From a picture of a very young Terry feeding pigeons in London, via pictures of Terry promoting The Colour of Magic to some school children and Terry with his OBE in 1998 to a recent photo of Terry at a book signing in Wincanton.

Although the biography is incomplete it did contain some information that was new to me. I suspect that it is sporadic because most references to the adult Discworld have not been included. Which seems to me a strange concept - I would expect all of Terry's books to be mentioned.

For readers new to Terry this book may be of interest but to most existing fans there will be very little to recommend it. The book costs 12.50 GBP and contains 48 pages including the index.

You can pick up you copy from Amazon.co.uk via our affiliates link:

http:///discworldmonthly.co.uk/?ISBN=0431906335

8. The End

Discworld Monthly would like to thank Sonnet UK for hosting our mailing list for us free of charge. For more information about Sonnet UK visit their website at www.sonnetuk.net

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Discworld hardback Companion: Where's My Cow? 038560937X/87

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* Disc Trivia Results *

Q1.: What was Coin's father called?
A1.: Ipslore the Red
Q2.: What is a sourcerer?
A2.: An eighth son of a wizard (or an eighth son of an eighth son).
Q3.: What relation is Conina to Cohen the Barbarian?
A3.: c) Daughter
Q4.: What does Coin propose to do with the Unseen University?
A4.: Close it down.
Q5.: What was Nijel's great battle cry according to Rincewind?
A5.: Erm, excuse me.

* Obtaining Terry's Books *

If you are looking for Terry books or videos over the net, simply visit our web page at discworldmonthly.co.uk and follow the 'Purchasing' link on the left panel of the page.

* Supporting DWM *

Discworld Monthly was created as a totally free newsletter and will continue to remain so for as long as it continues. However, the costs of maintaining the web site, postage, travel etc adds up. If you feel you would like to make a small contribution towards these costs please consider doing so via either www.paypal.com or www.nochex.com

My account for each of these is info@discworldmonthly.co.uk

Thanks

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* Thanks *

Thanks for reading this issue of 'Discworld Monthly'. We hope you enjoyed it. If you have any comments or suggestions for the future of this newsletter please email: info@discworldmonthly.co.uk

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Discworld Monthly - Issue 111: July 2006

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