Discworld Monthly - Issue 184 - August 2012
Table of Contents:
1. Editorial
2. News
3. Readers' Letters
4. DiscTrivia
5. News from Terry: Terry Pratchett's - The Duel
6. Dodger Raffle
7. News from South African Convention
8. The End
1. Editorial
Welcome to issue 184. This week I've had the privilege of receiving a proof copy of Terry's upcoming novel Dodger due for release in September. We'll include a review of the book next month. But its safe to say I've enjoyed what I've read so far.
In the same week we also received a US unsigned proof of Dodger to give away so we've decided to raffle it after the success of our The Long Earth Raffle.
August sees the UK Discworld Convention take place in Birmingham from the 24th to 27th. This will be the third Discworld Convention to take place in Birmingham and will be my first Discworld Convention since 2006. I'm really looking forward to the event and will be bringing my wife to her first Discworld Convention (though not her first Discworld event). It will be interesting to see what it feels like from a newbie's perspective.
Don't forget, if you visit a play or a talk and would like to let the world know about it, please feel free to email your review to info@discworldmonthly.co.uk and we will consider it for publication.
Also if you have written an article that you think we might want to include in the newsletter please feel free to email me at the address below. We will of course give credit for anything we use.
--
Jason Anthony (Editor) info@discworldmonthly.co.uk
William Barnett (Deputy Editor)
Richard Massey (IT Support Technician)
2. News
I received the following email from Alzheimer's research with regards to the donation we made from last month's raffle.
"Thank you for your kind donation of 175 GBP to Alzheimer's Research UK raised by holding a raffle for a proof copy of Terry Pratchett's new novel 'The Long Earth'. We are very grateful that you have chosen to continue to support our pioneering research into dementia. Please pass on our thanks to everyone at Discworld Monthly who made this gift possible and to everyone who took part, I hope the winner is enjoying their fantastic prize.
Your donation will fund a full day of world-class scientific research, making a real difference in our mission to defeat dementia.
Dementia is one of the biggest medical challenges of our time with a 23bn GBP impact on the UK economy each year. Research is the only answer, but unfortunately we still have to turn down too many promising applications we receive from scientists due to lack of funds.
It is through support from groups like you that we can continue to fund vital research that gives countless families hope for the future.
Thank you once again for your generous gift and hard work in support of Alzheimer's Research UK.
Kind regards
Lizzie"
For up to date news and comments follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AlzheimersResearchUK) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/#%21/ARUKnews)
The Oaken Bookcase has a solid 4 star review of The Long Earth:
"The Long Earth is rich in philosophy and is what I would call "proper" science fiction - exploring future possibilities with a healthy dollop of high-tech gadgets ...
... Science fiction fans will love The Long Earth, but if you prefer action, you might find this a little slow."
The Sussex Centre for Folklore, Fairy Tales and Fantasy has launched the first issue of its new journal, Gramarye.
Issue 1 is now available to purchase online here - (/url/FOLK184) - and includes articles by:
- Jacqueline Simpson on her collaboration on folklore with Terry Pratchett;
- Maria Nikolajeva on her favourite story when she was young;
- Diane Purkiss on the 'undomestic' witch;
- Karl Bell on the permutations of the urban legend Spring-heeled Jack;
- Stephen Badman's translation of a Danish fairytale;
- Robert Duggan reviews Anti-Tales: The Uses of Disenchantment;
- Karen Stevens reviews New World Orders in Contemporary Children's Literature.
DWM adds: We've been sent two copies of Gramarye and it's really nicely put together. If you would like a copy, email me at competitions@discworldmonthly.co.uk by 20th August with your postal address and the answer to the following question and I'll randomly select someone to send a copy to.
Your postal address will only be used if you are the randomly selected winner and only for sending out your copy of Gramarye - once the prize is sent out all address information will be destroyed. Entries received after the closing date or sent to any other address will be ignored. No more than one entry per person will be accepted. Answers to the questions must not be posted to any websites before the competition ends. The judges' decision is final.
Brisbane Arts Theatre are producing a new Pratchett script this year. They regularly produce many of Sir Terry's plays, and this year are presenting "The Last Hero", which has been adapted by one of their members Ian Rennie.
Details are sketchy at the moment but we have been promised more information as it becomes available. For further details, keep an eye on the website: http://www.artstheatre.com.au
A lady called Laura has posted a picture of a Great A'Tuin cake she made for a Discworld Fan. The cake looks amazing. If I was given a cake like it I'm not sure I'd want to cut into it.
http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2012/07/05/amazing-discworld-cake-pic/
Terry will be going to Ely, Cambridgeshire to celebrate the publication of Dodger, his new novel on Monday 17th September at 7.30pm. Doors open at 6.45pm. This is an opportunity to hear Sir Terry talking about Dodger, a tale of skulduggery and dark deeds set in London.
There will be a very strictly limited opportunity for 100 ticket holders (chosen at the event) to meet Sir Terry on the night; for everyone else, copies of Dodger marked with a stamp designed uniquely for this event will be available, allowing everyone the chance to have a copy linked to this landmark evening.
Venue: Ely Cathedral, CB7 4DL
Tickets are 10 GBP for adults and 5 GBP for children, with the price of each ticket redeemable against a copy of Dodger on the evening (one ticket redeemable per book).
http://www.toppingbooks.co.uk/contact/#ely-details
Last month we mentioned that Terry has a T-shirt with the slogan "How to be a fantasy writer". The designer of the T-Shirt Dennis Pelton of Lookout Mountain Bookstore got in contact to say that he wrote the words and his spouse drew the dragon. The T-Shirt is available to order from: http://www.zazzle.com/fantasy_writer_t_shirts-235517181649168133
Or if you live in the UK you can also get it from: http://www.zazzle.co.uk/fantasy_writer_t_shirts-235517181649168133
The Northern Institute of the Ankh-Morpork and District Society of Flatalists is a group of like minded Terry Pratchett fans who have been meeting on a regular basis since 2005. They usually meet at The Narrowboat Pub, Victoria Street, Skipton though they have started to hold a garden party at Castle Harkin (home of our erstwhile auctioneer and secret Santa) once a year for variety. The group discuss all things Pratchett and hold a quiz and raffle for which prizes are awarded including limited edition LBEs - thoughtfully provided by the Cunning Artificer from the Discworld Emporium in Wincanton.
As there has been a huge upsurge in fans joining the forum on the aforesaid Discworld Emporium site, the group would like to extend an invitation to all fans in the area to come and join. The group's numbers seem to have remained pretty constant since starting so it must be time to get some new blood along for the ride.
Anyone who is a fan can go along and join in the fun and frolics. The only requirements are a love of all things Terry Pratchett and a sense of humour!
Details of future meetings are posted on the Events section of the forum http://www.discworldstamps.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=31
Any questions feel free to ask either on the forum or by sending a PM to the Secretary to the Northern Institute - Hansolobiker.
The message board at http://www.terrypratchett.co.uk/ recently celebrated its fourth birthday. One of my Discworld volunteer roles is to administer the message boards along with a team of excellent moderators, TonyBlack and Toothy. It's been an amazing four years so why not come by and say hello to a very lively and friendly group.
http://www.terrypratchettbooks.com/community
If your Discworld interests are more stamp oriented don't forget Bernard "The Cunning Artificer" Person's message board, mentioned above, at http://www.discworldstamps.co.uk/forum
The Guardian has a video interview with Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter about The Long Earth and the collaboration process and the fact that there are probably at least two more instalments due.
http://discworldmonhtly.co.uk/url/EARTH184A
Terry's daughter Rhianna has this month announced that she is the lead writer on the Tomb Raider game reboot. Apparently Rhianna has been working on the project since its early inception and has brought a depth and credibility to Lara.
Gameslore now have the collector's edition of Discworld: Ankh-Morpork available to purchase. Previously it was only available direct from TreeFrogGames. Gameslore are currently selling it for under 30 GBP.
News from The Bookseller magazine and website (http://www.thebookseller.com)
The 6th July issue covers the last week in June.
In October a new collection of Terry's short stories entitled A Blink of the Screen will be published. The book features an introduction by A.S. Byatt. If you missed an opportunity to get a copy of Once More with Footnotes you'll want to snap up a copy.
Terry featured in the 50 top selling books. Unfortunately for a lot of regular best-selling authors, the publication of Fifty Shades of Grey moved everyone else down the list by three places! E. L. James occupied the 1st three places on the Top 50 and also on Top 20 Mass-market fiction. Terry was at number 18 for Snuff and number 25 for The Long Earth.
On the Original Fiction Top 20 charts Terry was at number one for the Long Earth and number nine for The World of Poo.
In the Top 20 Mass-Market Fiction Terry is at number 13 for Snuff.
The 13th July issue covers the first week in July:
E. L. James was still taking the top three positions in the top 50 and Terry was at 23 for Snuff, which had sold 64,409 copies so far and number 40 for The Long Earth which had sold 26,457 copies.
On the Original Fiction Top 20 chart, Long Earth was down to number 3 and World of Poo at number 10. On the Mass-Market Top 20 Snuff was at number 17.
Round up of Terry's posts on Twitter this month: https://twitter.com/#!/terryandrob
3rd July - OMG this - http://r.ebay.com/HuQBQL [The auction to win dinner for two with Terry which finally sold for 2750 GBP - Ed] - scares us. Happy bidding! And I suppose we better go somewhere really nice now.
6th July - @UnseenUni Hello #DWOz :) http://pic.twitter.com/zNNmM1Ja [Terry talking to the Australian Convention via Skype - Ed]
12th July - @rhipratchett A very proud dad. And a very proud Rob :) [After Rhianna Pratchett's announcement that she is lead writer of Tomb Raider reboot. - Ed]
25th July - Yup, we've been busy and that's why we've been quiet, and will continue to be quiet... but interesting things progress. http://pic.twitter.com/OPG7Jsoh
Update from the creators of the Guards! Guards! A Discworld Boardgame:
Over the last four months we (Leonard & I) took Guards! Guards! A Discworld boardgame to the UK Games Expo, Q-Con and local gaming clubs. At each we tried the revised rules for the 2012 reprint.
In summary these are: The Luggage interacts with the Dragons, players can purchase attribute points and it is easier to succeed in the final Wizard's challenge.
The response everywhere ... everyone loved it, even more than before ... especially 'The Luggage'.
We reviewed all of the fantastic comments and FAQs by fans about the first edition and where possible included them in the restructured rule book.
We may be slightly biased, but we think it's much better. It even has a 'What a player can do on their turn guide'.
Fans can pre-order the 2012 revised edition at http://www.guardsguards.com/
For those fans who purchased the first edition, we will be making a pdf version of the revised rules available on free download from our website around the beginning of September.
We hope to have copies for sale at DWCon 2012 http://www.dwcon.org/ where we will also be demoing games and running two games of the 'live run-around the Convention' version of Guards! Guards! much enjoyed at the Irish Discworld Convention http://www.idwcon.org/
We also hope to have copies available at the international board
game convention Essen, in October.
http://www.merz-verlag.com/spiel/e000.php4
Finally, we have just launched a special giveaway on our facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/guardsguards when one lucky winner will win a 1st edition version of our game with one of only five signed certificates by Sir Terry Pratchett.
SFX Magazine have an entertaining interview with Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter on their website as part of SFX's summer of reading campaign.
An exhibition of Discworld artist Paul Kidby's works will be displayed from 18th August to 29th September at St Barbe Museum, New Street - Lymington, Hampshire.
Tickets to the Discworld and Beyond exhibition and museum, which is open between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday, cost 4 GBP for adults, 3 GBP for senior citizens and students, 2 GBP for children aged five to 15, and 10 GBP for a family of two adults and up to four children; under fives are admitted free of charge.
Paul is giving a talk about his work on September 7th at 7.30pm (booking essential), and will be doing a signing session the next day from 10.30 to 12.30.
For more details visit: http://www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk or telephone 01590 676969.
Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter appeared on Steve Wright's radio show on BBC Radio 2 on 3rd July. The clip of the show can be listed to at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00vmhj0
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.
[UK] On the first Friday of every month starting there will be a meeting of WOTS - Omnian Temperance Society - Wincanton branch - to be held at The Bear Inn from 7pm. New members or visitors from other places always welcome.
The next meeting is Friday 3rd August.
[UK] The Broken Drummers meet at The Monkey Puzzle, Paddington, London, W2 1JQ, England at 7pm. For more information contact Helen Nicholls on nicholls.helen@yahoo.co.uk
Unless otherwise stated the Drummers meet on the first Monday of each month. In August this will be Monday 6th.
The Drummers are always happy to welcome new visitors. You can find out more about the Drummers at http://www.brokendrummers.org/
[AU] The Drummers Downunder are groups of fans that meet up monthly in Australia.
Unless otherwise stated the Drummers meet on the first Monday of each month. In August this will be Monday 6th.
The Drummers Downunder (Perth) will be meeting from 6pm at The Vic Hotel, 226 Hay St, Subiaco, Australia. You can contact the organiser Daniel Hatton on daniel_j_hatton@yahoo.com.au
The Drummers Downunder (Sydney) meet at Maloneys Hotel on the corner of Pitt and Goulburn Streets (across the road from World Square), Sydney, Australia from 6.30pm. For more information contact Sue (AKA Granny Weatherwax) on kenworthys@yahoo.co.uk
[GE] Die Dramateure will perform Carpe Jugulum on Friday 17th August at 7:30pm and Saturday 18th August 7:30pm. At Hohe Landesschule, Alter Ruckinger Weg 53, 63456, Hanau, Germany
Tickets: 6 EUR
All proceeds will be donated to the Orangutan Foundation!
[AU] For fans in Adelaide, The City of Small Gods Terry Pratchett Fan Club meets on the last Thursday of the month from 6.30pm at the Ed Castle, 233 Currie St. Details, discussions and organisation of extra events (such as play outings) are held on our email mailing list, so please sign up at https://groups.google.com/group/adelaide-discworld-fans
[UK] The Eighnnnnnn International Discworld Convention will take place from the 24th to 27th August 2012 at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham.
For more information visit: http://www.dwcon.org
The convention has allocated all 950 tickets for the event and have even had to close down their waiting list. So it looks like it really is far too late to go now.
[US] Guards! Guards! will be performed at The Historic Mounds Theatre in St. Paul, MN.
This will be the third Discworld show done in the developing series.
Performance dates: September 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23
For more information, please go to http://www.moundstheatre.org
[UK, New] St Joseph's Players will be performing Wyrd Sisters from 11th September 2012. The performances will begin at 7:30pm and run from Tuesday 11th September until Saturday 15th September 2012. Tickets will be priced at 7 GBP for adults and 4 GBP for children under 16. Please email p.galloway@care4free.net to order tickets for the show.
The theatre can be found near to the Police Station in Leigh Town Centre
St. Joseph's Players, Chapel Street, LEIGH, WN7 2PR, Lancs.
[UK, New] The Country Players are presenting Carpe Jugulum at The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road, Bedford in September from Wednesday Sept 12 to Saturday Sept 15 at 7.30. Tickets: 8.50 GBP (7.50 GBP concessions) Wednesday 7.50 GBP (6.50 GBP concessions) http://www.theplacebedford.org.uk or Bedford Box Office: 01234 269519
[AU, New] Reaper Man will be performed by Unseen Theatre Company with a preview on Friday September 14th and then performances on Saturday September 15th, Wednesday 19th, Thursday 20th, Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd, Wednesday 26th, Thursday 27th, Friday 28th and Saturday 29th.
Performances will take place at: Bakehouse Theatre, 255 Angas Street, Adelaide
Tickets cost: Adults 20 AUD / Concession 17 AUD / Fringe Benefits 16 AUD / Groups (of 10+) 15 AUD (Preview - all tickets 15 AUD).
You can book tickets from http://www.unseen.com.au or http://www.bakehousetheatre.com or cash at the door on the night (subject to availability).
[UK] The Cult Classic Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland has recently been given permission to adapt Good Omens for the stage and the show will take place in March 2013. Auditions will be held in Glasgow in early October 2012 (we are still awaiting confirmation of the dates).
Cult Classic Theatre http://www.cultclassic.org
[UK] Tower Players will be performing Wyrd Sisters on 19th and 20th October at The Rose Theatre - Rugeley, Staffordshire.
Tickets cost: Adults 7 GBP - Concessions 6 GBP.
Tickets can be booked via
http://www.towerplayers.co.uk/tptickets.html
Box Office 01889 584306
Enquiries : towerplayers@live.com
Doors open at 7pm : Performance Starts 7:30pm
[US] North American Discworld Convention 2013
The North American Discworld Event 2013 will take place from July 5th - 8th 2013 in Baltimore, MD.
[NL, New] The second Dutch Discworld convention will take place from 24 till 26 May 2013 in Zandvoort aan Zee. The launch of the new website will be on Wednesday 1 August 2012.
[DE] German Discworld Convention 2013
After successfully surviving the Assassins of Ankh-Morpork in 2011 we are taking the German Discworld Convention 2013 to their home continent Klatch! Make room in your schedule from October 3rd to 6th in 2013 for the fourth German Discworld Convention.
http://www.Discworld-Convention.de
[UK] Terry is due to be the special guest at Eastercon 65 from April 18th - April 21st 2014 at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Glasgow.
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.
Pete Chapman dwstampman@yahoo.co.uk writes: A lot of my collection is up for sale. Theres quite a lot of rare stuff here including:
- A FULL set of Discworld Sculptured Plates
- The WHOLE Unreal Estate
- Watch Out! - A Discworld Boardgame
- The Terry Toby Jug
- Some unfinished original release Thud! pieces
- The first Wadfest event piece, with prototype and an unpainted Wadfest Shield P-Y-O, all sculpted by Bernard
- 7 Discworld wall plaques, all by Bernard A Tree Stump pot, and a few Discworld artifacts, by Bernard
- 9 Rare Clarecraft pieces, some Discworld, some not, imcluding 4 from the Wizards of the Equinox range, and a 1992 Isobel Pearson pottery wizard
- A selection of Discworld Glassware A Death Portait Head, A Librarian Portrait Head, and a Paul Kidby signed Paint Sample of the Librarian Head, purchased from Rob Wilkins.
- Five Painted Lifesize Feegles A FULL set Bronze Lifesize Feegles
I have produced a .pdf format catalogue, with pictures of all items. Email me if you would like a catalogue, providing your email address.
All items are in perfect condition unless otherwise stated. Prices are a guide. I am open to offers on all of these items. Most items did not come boxed. The box is shown where the item is boxed. Delivery on items can be worked out if there is something you are interested in. I will also be attending the Discworld Convention and Hogswatch, so items can be hand delivered at those events. I would prefer to hand deliver all large items, due to the risk of damage to the items if posted. Most items will be too expensive to ship overseas, sorry.
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 while wondering why there is so much sport on the television.
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.
* From: "Sam Young" sam@samyoung.co.nz
I noted an interesting book title on Amazon today: the Thackery T Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities. While it is a SCI-Fi (well, steampunk) anthology, it doesn't appear to include our Mr Pratchett.
http://discworldmonthly.co.uk/USISBN/0062116835
* From: "Christine Allen" chrystips@yahoo.co.uk
I have been buying Sir Pratchett's books since the early 90s and have a beautiful collection of paperbacks; both YA and adult titles. This year however I have been horrified by the fact that the size formats have changed - and without good reason it seems. Previously; all adult titles were in A format and YA were in B format - this year this has switched. So my OCD friendly collection now has an interloper lurking at the end: Snuff - I didn't buy I Shall Wear as way of protest and I have to say I shall be refraining from ever buying again.
This has upset me on many levels - I work in a bookshop and I know that I am not the only "geek" to feel this way - by nature Sci-Fi and Fantasy fans have more obsessive book habits, we like matching collections, that look like collections! In fact we are known to pay well over the odds for collector's editions - more so than any other genres. So for a publisher (and I hate to think an author) to take this knowledge and re-release all titles in a inferior jacket and different size format is an insult. We forgave you the black jackets as they had a touch of class; although they were also unfair in that neither Unseen Academicals or Snuff have been released in this jacket.
I love my books and I love my collections; unfortunately it seems that my time of collecting my favourite author has come to an end. And no it's not a case of nose to spite face; I shall just borrow them instead of buying them. I hope you can see fit to pass this to the relevant parties; I am hoping that you too care enough about the fans.
* From: "Christopher Boote" christopher.boote@orange.net
I'm sure I won't be the first to tell you that Angua had TWO brothers, Andrei the yennork was chased away by Wolfgang, and is now a champion sheepdog.
DWM replies: Well you are half right. You were in fact the first person to point out my mistake but not the last. Perhaps someone else should take over the DiscTrivia section from now on! My thanks to everyone that pointed out my mistake.
* From: "Jacquelene Coetzer" Jacquelene.Coetzer@nersa.org.za
Thank you for such an awesome newsletter and for keeping those of us in deepest, darkest Africa informed of what is going on in Discworld. Strange that Terry has never done a book on the stereotypes about Africa (something along the lines of The Last Continent) - think he would have done an excellent and hilarious job of it!!!
I hope you can help me? I am desperately looking for a Discworld theme for Windows 7, but thus far none of my searches have been successful. Do you perhaps know of any??????????
The computer game you refer to in the newsletter, is that new? Or newish??? Will it work on Windows 7???
You don't maybe know if Terry plans to travel to South Africa any time in the near future??? Don't tell him that I plan to take him hostage and force him to sign my ENTIRE collection of his books!!! Chill! Just kidding!!! I'm not some kind of mad terrorist... But my 2 dogs are! ;-)
Thanks again for such an excellent newsletter!!!
DWM replies: We are not personally aware of Discworld themes for Windows 7 but I am sure if there are any out there some of our readers will let us know. If you are asking about The Book of Unwritten Tales then yes it can run happily on Windows 7. We are not aware of Terry planning any trips to South Africa but check out the item on the South African Discworld Convention later in this newsletter.
* From: "Aidan Karley" aidan_karley@yahoo.co.uk
In reply to David Robertson's letter last month about a character in Pixar's new film Brave saying "Crivens".
Without having the TrueScots draughty underwear situation, I think that this particular Scottishism predates PTerry and the Wee Free Men considerably. I'm pretty sure that I've seen Oor Wullie letting slip a "Jings! Crivens!" on occasions in the 1970s, and I suspect (without having the desire to wade back through it all) that similar expostulations come from the lips of the crew of the Para Handy on their tedious 'puffer' boat.
* From: "Ken Hives" ken_hives@hotmail.com
I've looked and looked and I can't find out how Guard Guards is coming along in its guise as an American TV series. (to see which I would even get Sky!). Any more info?
A fan, who when she dies wants to come back as Nanny Ogg and have some REAL fun!
DWM replies: The Watch TV series created by Prime Focus is still in pre-production. I suspect some of the favourable changes in UK tax that come into play next year for the film industry may have caused some of the delays. Keep reading DWM and we will let you know when there is any news.
* From: "Catherine Bolt" catherinebolt66@hotmail.com
Thank you for cheering me up with news of my raffle win! It's made my day, especially as I'm not having the best of days - forgive the long story ... I'm on night shift but woke early due to the noise of the pigeons in the attic, thanks to a broken skylight. I've also got a broken finger caused by slipping on the pigeon poo on the attic steps when I went to investigate the noise at the weekend!
Obviously I'm delighted to hear I've won, and that you managed to raise some money for Alzheimers Research - my mother has vascular dementia and my sister-in-law's mum early onset alzheimers so I'm always glad to see people helping raise awareness about the condition and helping raise funds for research. Thanks for your efforts.
I'll look forward to receiving the book in due course.
Please forgive any errors - it's not easy typing with splinted fingers!
DWM replies: Glad the news has made your day. Must be some kind of cosmic karma. Hopefully you should have received your signed copy of The Long Earth by now. You'll be pleased to hear we are running another raffle for Alzheimer's research this month.
* From: "A Fowler" afowler@blueyonder.co.uk
Just a quick note I was playing a videogame called "Borderlands" the other day and noticed some graffitti which said "Turtles all the way down" is this a ref to Terry's discworld perhaps?
DWM replies: It's possible but Turtles all the way down predates Terry by quite a bit. The phrase was popularized by Stephen Hawking in 1988 as the following Wikipedia article explains: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtles_all_the_way_down
* From: "Neil Woods" neilw880@googlemail.com
I have an original copy of Theatre of Cruelty in the 1993 Bookcase Magazine which I had Sir Terry sign at a bookshop in Cardiff many years ago, just wondered if you had any idea about value?
* From: "Ellen" ellen_hartmeijer@yahoo.com
In a review I wrote for an online Dutch retailer, I have stated The Long Earth is SF with DW humour. It reminds me of the humour of Robert Heinlein, my favourite author before I discovered Terry. No need to say Heinlein comes second since then.
Whilst enjoying reading The Long Earth, I looked up "Fortean Times" the moment that Lobsang mentioned it in chapter 22, at page 141 of the paperback.
I had never heard about this "chronicle of the unexplained". According to the good old Wikipedia, the magazine started in 1973 when it was first called The News.
But, Lobsang states that he has read about Private Percy in the Fortean Times, issue of December 1970. Of course, this could be a typo.... I am, however, still enjoying reading the book :) I try to read slowly.
And I have very much enjoyed the interview given by Terry and Stephen Baxter on the RI Channel (http://richannel.org/). I watched it on my own, but I think the neighbours might have thought something was wrong, because of my laughter! Great to see there are lots of nerdy people out there :) Makes Datum Earth a more pleasant place to be.
4. DiscTrivia
This month I've got five questions for from The Colour of Magic for you to rack your brains over. Some easy, some quite hard. Well at least I think they are hard.
The (hopefully correct) answers can be found at the end of this issue.
5. News from Terry: Terry Pratchett's - The Duel
This comes from PJSM Prints new page:
http://www.pjsmprints.com/news/index.html
Set in the Unseen University of Terry Pratchett's Discworld, "The Duel" is a new animated short film being produced by the Animation Hub, a collaboration between staff and students of the Irish School of Animation (ISA) at Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE), staff and students of Trinity College Dublin's Creative Arts, Technology and Culture (CATC) initiative and the Irish animation studio, Giant Creative.
With this new project, the Animation Hub intends to build on the global success of their first animated short, the multi-award winning, "The Last Train".
The aim of the collaboration is to combine the skills and talents of students from both institutions and have them work with Giant Creative to create a high quality animated short, giving the students the chance to experience working on a high-end project in a professional environment.
World-renowned fantasy and science fiction novelist and Adjunct Professor of English at Trinity College Dublin, Sir Terry Pratchett is hands-on engaged with the production, working with Giant Creative on both character and story development. The team is blending fantasy and reality, with notable Irish landmarks set to cameo in the unreal environments of this animated adventure.
Talking about his engagement on the project, Professor Sir Terry Pratchett said "The Duel is something new from something old - Discworld is being borrowed by our students in the Animation Hub to produce a wholly new adventure - where some familiar elements from our world will appear, but not quite as we know them. It's wonderful to see this type of project supported and made real - and we intend to have a lot of fun while we're at it." Speaking together, the programme leads from BFCE and TCD, Gareth Lee and David Lloyd, said "It's great to have the next Animation Hub project up and running with the valued support of the Irish Film Board. It's very exciting to have both Terry Pratchett and Giant Creative involved. 'The Duel' is a very ambitious project that will provide great scope for many of our students across a range of disciplines to gain valuable professional experience."
Emma Scott, Production Executive with the Irish Film Board, added "The Animation Hub is an exciting partnership of students from two very important and creative institutions. We are delighted to support this initiative which provides students with excellent and very valuable experience working on high-end productions. We look forward to seeing all involved build on the success of last year's very successful collaboration".
"The Duel" is supported through funding from the Irish Film Board, Trinity College Dublin and Ballyfermot College of Further Education and will premier in early 2013, as part of the Tercentenary Celebrations of Trinity College's Old Library.
6. Dodger Raffle
With the success of last month's The Long Earth raffle we've decided to do it again. This time I have an unsigned US proof of Dodger to give away. Like last time we have decided to raffle the book in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK http://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/
So if you would like to have a chance to win your very own copy of the US uncorrected book proof of Dodger you can purchase raffle tickets for 2GBP each from my Pay Pal (http://www.paypal.com) account info@discworldmonthly.co.uk Please put in the notes section that the payment is for the raffle. There is no limit to the number of tickets you can purchase. You will get an email receipt from paypal but will not get any other feedback directly from me. All purchases must be made by 20th August, after that date I will randomly select the winner. The total raised and the name of the winner will appear in next month's issue.
Good luck!
I would like to add a huge thank you to HarperCollins, New York for the kind donation.
7. News from South African Convention
If your sheep numbers seem to have stabilised and the cows are looking a little less panicked, that's probably because the Feegles have packed their bags and headed down to the southern tip of Africa for a wee holiday. Crivens!
Find out what they've been up to at a day celebrating all things Discworld at St George's Grammar School in Mowbray, Cape Town, on August 25, 2012.
Registration starts at 10am and the official programme kicks off at 11am. The programme is packed full of activities for the seasoned Discworld fan as well as those just starting to tentatively circle the rim. Stand a chance to win a signed proof copy of Terry Pratchett's The Long Earth, put your creative skills to good use in a Bloody-Stupid-Johnson Workshop, and test your knowledge in the Discworld Pub Quiz.
Be sure to scrounge in the couch for lost change because there'll be a variety of books and goodies up for grabs in an auction. There'll also be a screening of a Discworld film and the chance to take part in an interactive radio play. Everyone has their favourite Discworld character and the Masquerade is the perfect opportunity to get gussied up and have a stab at winning a prize.
Very hungry work indeed, so there'll be a spit braai (barbeque) lunch and butternut lasagne to keep your energy levels up - provided the Feegles don't beat you to it!
Tickets are R150, or R80 for children under 13 including lunch. For
more information find us at our web page (http://sadwcon.org/) and
book your tickets here
http://sadwcon.org/content/sadwcon-2012-event-day-feegles-have-landed
8. The End
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