Discworld Monthly - Issue 188 - December 2012
Table of Contents:
1. Editorial
2. News
3. Readers' Letters
4. DiscTrivia
5. Review:Tower Players - Wyrd Sisters
6. The Compleat Ankh-Morpork Competition Result
7. The End
1. Editorial
Welcome to issue 188. I had intended to include a review of Hogswatch 2012 this month but unfortunately due to a death in my family just two days before the event I found was unable to attend. From what I've read and the photos I have seen it looks like everyone had a fabulous time.
One of the attendees videoed this inspiring version of the 12 days of Hogswatch:
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=4074323222467
and also captured Terry singing a song from his youth:
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=4056465336031
Sadly this issue is going to be a little short this month because the aforementioned death in the family has meant that I simply haven't had time to read The Compleat Ankh-Morpork or the musical performance pack for Johnny and the Bomb. I hope to review them in time for next month's issue.
My apologies to WADS, last month I mistakenly said that they were performing Wyrd Sisters at the end of November when they were in fact performing Carpe Jugulum.. WADS did perform Wyrd Sisters but way back in 2007. Sorry for any confusion.
The Discworld Monthly facebook group has grown again since last month. We now have 3342 members (as of 4th December). There is rarely a day when there haven't been several new posts and topics of conversation.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/52773169006/
This will probably be the last issue to go out before the end of the year so we would like to wish you all a very merry end of year celebration. See you in 2013.
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 (Munchkin Rules Bungler)
2. News
While in New York in October it appears that Terry had a health scare that had his business manager Rob Wilkins give Terry CPR in the back of a New York taxi. Terry was taken to a doctor and then to a local hospital and was pronounced fit to fly within a fews hours of the event.
The New Statesman has some of the details in an interview entitled: My daughter Rhianna will take over the Discworld when I'm gone.
Terry later wrote to The Guardian about the event in an article entitled: Signing books was nearly the death of me.
We at Discworld Monthly are glad that Terry is feeling better and owe a debt of gratitude to Rob Wilkins for his quick thinking and swift actions.
Transworld have released a very short (17 seconds) video introduction by Terry for the new Discworld App. A new limited website for the app is now up which allows you to sign up for news about the app and includes the video.
From what I understand the app will initially be released for the iPad because of its high resolution display and may then move to other platforms.
Transworld have been working on the app with British developer Agant, which has worked on a series of book-apps with publishers, including two Shakespeare apps for Cambridge University Press.
Stephen Player was recently interviewed by Plain Ketchup about Hogfather concept art and the illustrated Wee Free Men.
http://www.plainketchup.com/Interview/StephenPlayer.html
Jack Cohen will be presenting The Science of Discworld for the Dorset Humanists on Saturday 12th January 2.00pm at Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW
The talk will appeal to everyone with an interest in science, as well as to fans of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.
Free entry (donations appreciated). Everyone welcome!
Ian Stewart one of the writers of the Science of Discworld series wrote in to let me know that Science of Discworld 4 is now complete and has been accepted for publication. It is due for release on 11th April 2013.
You can pre-order the book at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0091949793/87
The US Amazon site doesn't appear to have SoD4 listed yet.
"The best thing I ever did was stand up and say I have Alzheimer's" is the title of the interview Terry gave with Fiona Phillips in The Mirror newspaper. The interview is a frank talk about Terry's PCA and the death of Fiona's parents from Alzheimer's.
The Guardian features a review of Blink of The Screen, and mentions two of the stories I picked up on in my review last month.
This is Somerset features a great picture of some of Terry's fans who turned up in costume to celebrate the release of The Compleat Ankh-Morpork. It includes a basic review of the book and a brief interview with Bernard "The Cunning Artificer" Pearson.
It also features an article about the foreign fans that have made a pilgrimage to Wincanton to celebrate Hogswatch.
The AV Club has a great interview with Terry where he talks about some of the ideas he has for future Discworld novels.
Last month we mentioned the Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die had been nominated for an International Emmy. I have great pleasure in letting you know that it went on to win the category.
Work is progressing on The Duel, the Discworld inspired animation being made by Giant Animation Studios and the Animation Hub - animators from Ballyfermot College of Further Education and Trinity College Dublin. The Duel is due to be completed in August 2013.
http://www.rte.ie/ten/2012/1126/theduel.html
Wadfest News from Rob Lupine:
Waddy has recently launched a Christmas competition for those who have already bought their tickets for Wadfest 2013 and the prize is a biggie!
We asked our friends at Mythcast to come up with something appropriate to this year's theme - never in my wildest dreams would I ever guess the result!
Shaun has created an unusual "one off" piece that will certainly raise eyebrows when you display it on your mantelpiece!
The "Zombie-Santa" can be viewed on our forum
http://www.citywatch.info/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20
The competition rules are available on the members forum, only accessible to ticket holders, but don't despair, you can get your tickets at http://www.wadfest.co.uk
All the best, Rob
The Long Earth has been voted best science fiction novel of 2012 by Good Reads with over 2000 more votes than second place Wool by Hugh Howey and 3000 more than third place Redshirts by John Scalzi.
Andrew from Victoria writes about Terry in his Hero Writers article as part of the MY HERO Project located at:
The MY HERO Project uses media and technology to celebrate the best of humanity and empower people of all ages to realize their own potential to effect positive change in the world.
TURTLE RECALL: The Discworld Companion . . . So Far / Ynci the Short-Tempered is the latest version of The Discworld Companion and features up to and including Snuff. It was published on 8th November in hardback and eBook.
To purchase your own copy please visit:
UK Hardback - http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0575091185/87
UK Kindle - http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00A3BO8MM/87
US Hardback - http://discworldmonthly.co.uk/USISBN/0575091185
US Kindle - http://discworldmonthly.co.uk/USISBN/B00A3BO8MM
Terry's been quite busy on Twitter this month. You can follow Terry at: https://twitter.com/terryandrob
6th November: Countdown to the @griersontrust awards tonight. A little Dutch courage going down in the @GrouchoClubSoho
6th November: The champs is already flowing with the @tweetchunter - in our named aisle seats, but still not feeling that confident.
6th November: Choosing To Die wins @griersontrust Best Documentary on Contemporary Theme. Blimey! Thank you. http://pic.twitter.com/nyAJixOp
9th November: Actually, it's 80M "@GuardianBooks: Terry Pratchett's Discworld books to spawn iPad app http://gu.com/p/3byj3/tf "
9th November: You want more Discworld App news...?? Watch this space - http://www.discworldapp.com
9th November: Yes, the top hat fits too @NHM_London http://pic.twitter.com/Rp3HUNJu
20th November: Here... With fingers crossed. http://pic.twitter.com/B46hyCWO
20th November: "I will accept any award that isn't posthumous"; brilliant!
20th November: Choosing to Die wins Best Documentary at the @iemmys Wow! http://pic.twitter.com/D0hNPAph
26th November: En route to @BBCNewsnight (BBC2 10.30) via the @GrouchoClubSoho) for our well earned tea. And a mojito. http://pic.twitter.com/D6jf68wM
28th November: Filming with the perennially lovely Tony Robinson for the #bbclifeline appeal. Broadcast on Sunday 16th December BBC1.
Bookseller news from Lady Sybil:
Dodger continues in the charts while A Blink of the Screen entered the hardback fiction charts a few weeks ago.
For the week ending 17th November, Bookseller issue 23rd November:
Dodger is no. 19 of the Top 20 Children's Fiction, but when this list is divided into the Top Ten Annuals, and Top Ten Children's Fiction, then Dodger is at no. 4, and has sold over five and a half thousand copies that week. A Blink of the Screen stands at no. 15 in the hardback fiction charts at three and a half thousand copies for that week.
In the latest issue:
A Blink of the Screen is down to no. 17 in the top 20 hardback fiction and sold over 3,700 copies for the week ending 24th Nov. Dodger is still at no. 4 in the Top 10 children's fiction, having sold over 5,700 copies.
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 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.
[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.
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.
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
[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
Unless otherwise stated the Drummers meet on the first Monday of each month.
[Adelaide, AU] The City of Small Gods is a group for fans in
Adelaide and South Australia. We have regular dinner and games
nights, plus play outings, craft-y workshops, and fun social
activities throughout the year. For more info and to join our
mailing list, visit: http://ausdwcon.org/pages/smallgods
[UK] Abingdon and Witney College will be performing Sir Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters in December.
The play will be performed at Abingdon and Witney College, Abingdon Campus Performance Theatre on 11, 12, 13 December 2012 at 7.30pm.
Tickets are priced 6 GBP for adults and 4 GBP for concessions.
Please 01235 555585 to book visit http://www.facebook.com/events/328497730579533/ for more info.
[UK] The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett, adapted by Stephen Briggs and directed by Chris Moran will be performed by The Progress Theatre, Reading from Thursday 17th to Saturday 26th January 2013 at 7:45pm (with Matinees on Saturday 19th and 26th at 2:30pm)
Tickets are 10 GBP (8 GBP concessions) and are available in advance from Reading Arts Box Office (booking fee applies):
On 0118 960 6060, online at http://www.readingarts.co.uk or in person at the Hexagon or Town Hall
[UK] The Studio Theatre Club will be presenting Dodger, adapted and directed by Stephen Briggs, from 22 to 26 January 2013 at 19:30 (+ 14:30 on 26 Jan) at Unicorn Theatre, Thames Street, Abingdon
Tickets cost 8.50 GBP and are now on sale. Tickets tend to sell out quickly so please book your tickets soon by:
Sending your ticket order (with back-up choices if you're after Friday or Saturday tickets) along with your cheque (payable to 'STC'), and a stamped, self-addressed, envelope to:
Studio Theatre Club (Dodger), PO Box 1486, Oxford, OX4 9DQ
http://www.studiotheatreclub.com/CurrentPlans.html
[UK] Chichester Players will be presenting a production of Night Watch, adapted for the stage by Stephen Briggs, in March 2013. The dates are still to be finalised.
[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. Rehearsals for the play started in October.
http://www.cultclassic.org
[UK] A small drama group are planning on performing Monstrous Regiment from 23rd to 25th May 2013 at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, Dorset. Apparently The Exchange is a great 300 seat venue.
The group are looking for any society events which might like to be arranged at the same time?
According to the group Terry lives within spitting distance of the venue and has been to it before and they are hoping he may come along as well. Perhaps even Stephen Briggs! Who knows?
[NL] The second Dutch Discworld Convention CabbageCon will take place from 24 till 26 May 2013 in Zandvoort aan Zee. The new website is available at:
Dr. Jack Cohen will be guest at the Second Dutch Discworld convention and they now have some special items for the charity auction.
[US] North American Discworld Convention 2013
The North American Discworld Event 2013 will take place from July 5th - 8th 2013 in Baltimore, MD.
http://www.nadwcon.org/- http://www.facebook.com/NADWCon2013
- http://twitter.com/nadwcon
http://nadwcon.tumblr.com/- http://pinterest.com/nadwcon2013/
[UK] Wadfest 2013 will take place from the 9th - 11th August 2013. Wadfest has a new home and will be at Wood Green, Animal Shelter, King's Bush Farm, London Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, PE29 2NH
The new site features a licensed bar, an event area with its own PA system, a cafeteria and a couple of shops.
The event organisers have managed to negotiate a much better deal with the new site and have therefore managed to pass on a huge discount on the price of tickets which are now 20 GBP each (5 GBP per ticket less than Wadfest 2011).
[DE, Update] German Discworld Convention 2013
With a 1000 camels the German Discworld Convention moves to the mysterious continent of Klatch! Make room in your schedule from October 3rd to 6th in 2013 for the fourth German Discworld Convention. Be there when it's getting hot!
Registration starts at November the 1st and there is an early booker gift if you register before the end of this year. http://www.Discworld-Convention.de
[IE] The Third Irish Discworld Convention 2013 takes place from Friday 1st November to Monday 4th November 2013 at Radisson Blu Hotel in Limerick, Ireland. Other details are sketchy at the moment.
Visit http://www.idwcon.org/ or see the Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/idwcon
[UK] Terry is due to be the special guest at Eastercon 65 from April 18th - April 21st 2014 at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Glasgow.
[UK, New] The Discworld Convention 2014 will take place in Manchester at the Palace hotel from 8th - 11th August. People with long memories will remember that the original Discworld Convention took place in Manchester in 1996 but at a much smaller hotel.
The new website is up at: http://www.dwcon.org/
The facebook group is at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/489457174398254/
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 under the influence of egg nog!
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: "Grace Koscielna" grace@pratchett.pl
Last time I e-mailed I mentioned that Pratchett.pl - Polish Pratchett's fansite - was nominated to the title of the best Polish webpage about literature.
We are very proud to announce that there were 148 pages in the contest and Pratchett.pl was in top 10 of the best ones, also in top 5 of the audience choice.
Therefore we are celebrating and planning some really cool stuff for the page ;)
* From: "Phil Barker" pc.barker@blueyonder.co.uk
Terry's new short story collection mentions a radio performance of the AM national anthem but says the tune cannot be printed for copyright reasons. Be that as it may, I realised when I first saw the words in Unseen Academicals that they fitted to the tune of "The Red Flag" and assumed Terry had had that in mind. The tune is also known, especially in the US, as "Tannenbaum" or "O Christmas Tree". So get singing!
I had never been interested in modern football before UA, but I now understand it a lot better. The traditional game also described lasted almost into my time between the two Dartmoor villages of Chagford and Mortonhampstead (referred to by Chagford as "They Roonheds"), who had taken opposite sides in the 17c English Civil War and had an annual match in which the score was said to be measured in casualties rather than goals.
I cannot wait to see the threatened appointment of Moist to run the AM taxation department. Although I am a little nervous that Terry does have the knack of forecasting (or causing?) disasters such as those at the opera and the banking system...
DWM replies: has opera had a disaster? It's a little bit outside our usual musical tastes.
* From: "Gene Byrge" gsbyrge@yahoo.com
I've been a Pratchett / Discworld fan since his first book came out, and over the years, collected all his written works. Lost everything in a house fire a couple of years ago. Since I'm older than Mr. Pratchett, I decided to collect everything on Audiobook that was available so I could listen and knit at the same time. Over the years, Discworld has served me better than Prozac. When I'm down, I dive into a book, and when I come out, I'm refreshed and the Black Dog of Depression has put its tail between its legs and slunk off to its lair. I have probably read all his books at least three times (by the time I get to the last one, I've forgotten the first one, so it's like having a brand new book!). It grieves me that Mr. P isn't immortal, but he's a real hero in the way he is dealing with living right up to the last moment, and bringing to the public eye the issue of choice in dying. So please pass on to him, for me, 40 years' worth of thanks for allowing me into his world and acquainting me with the myriad of wonderful characters he has created. That includes Dodger and The Long Earth, and all the "children's" books. I think my favorite series is the Wee Free Men / Tiffany Aching group. He doesn't write "down" to children, which makes the books good grownup reading. Or maybe I'm already in my second childhood. Either way, they are wonderful. I also love his collaborations, especially "Good Omens" where, again, are some of my favorite characters. Enough rambling. Mr. Pratchett, I cannot thank you enough for the pleasure your books have given me. I hope to make your acquaintance down the road when we've both crossed over to Wherever.
* From: "John Prigent" john@prigent2.wanadoo.co.uk
Roman Army novelist Nick Brown (rather good books they are, too) has been listing on his Twitter page a few of the lesser-known Roman deities. A recent addition to the list is Cardea, the goddess of door hinges. I wonder if she might make an appearance in a Discworld book to accompany Anoia?
Given the predilection of Igors for creaky door hinges, maybe she could be their patron?
* From: "Camille Fabre" camillefabre13@yahoo.fr
A friend of mine has found funny news about a cat terrorising and entire village, he reminded me of Greebo, Nanny Ogg's cat:
* From: "Gary O'Connor" filmandtape@hotmail.com
Dimwell Slang! (Going Postal p 33)
My wife was doing a crossword and came across the following clue "Cockney's hat which may be stuck on the wall" 4 letters ? (Woman 23 Nov 2012)
And the answer in the next weeks Magazine was: TILE !
Unless someone can give me a link between them I think it's a good example of Dimwell.
4. DiscTrivia
This month I've got five questions from Soul Music for you to rack your brains over. Some easy, some quite hard. Well at least I think they are ...
a) Short Street
b) Tin Lid Alley
c) Cable Street
d) Three Roses Alley
The (hopefully correct) answers can be found at the end of this issue.
5. Review: Tower Players - Wyrd Sisters
Written by Andy Moseley and all at Tower Players
The Tower Players recently performed Wyrd Sisters on 19th and 20th October at The Rose Theatre in Rugeley. Included here are a couple of emails from people who visited the show after reading about it in Discworld Monthly.
Dear Andy,
I just want to say a big Thank You for last night. You all did a fantastic job.
I am a huge Terry Pratchett fan and have read all his books, so when I saw your production with tickets on sale for the front row I couldn't resist and quickly booked seven tickets.
Some of our party had never read the books and did not know the story whereas a few of us are big Terry Pratchett followers and have read all the books. However this didn't matter we all enjoyed the story and had a wonderful evening. We were very impressed with The Rose Theatre when we arrived (after long journeys from Gloucester/London) The staff were very helpful and friendly.
I would also like to mention the actress who played Granny Weatherwax, She is a hard character to portray, you did a fantastic job of capturing her and played your part very well. The 'Fool' now what can I say but utterly brilliant! Not only did you make us laugh but you involved the crowd as well.
Thank you and Well done.
Kind Regards Amy
Dear Andy,
Just to let you know, we had a fantastic time at the show. Exceeded all expectations and had us all laughing throughout, my girlfriend is now eager to see another and she has never read a TP book in her life! The icing on the cake was my son winning a copy of Dodger at the interval raffle.
Please pass on our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to your band of rogues.
Rick.
6. The Compleat Ankh-Morpork Competition Result
Last month we teamed up with the wonderful people at The Cunning Artificer's in Wincanton to offer a pre-production copy of the 'Compleat Ankh-Morpork' signed by all the Discworld Emporium partners and a FREE property in the SHADES (including all leases, paperwork and everything) courtesy of THE UNREAL ESTATE, purveyors of property throughout Ankh-Morpork.
We asked you to listen carefully to the soundtrack of the promotional animation and tell us what the gentleman says to Rosie.
The answer we were looking for was: Hello Rosie, you doing any specials this weekend, girl?
We received many variations on this and accepted them all. The randomly selected winner is Alex Carlton of Bradford on Avon, England.
You can order the Compleat Ankh-Morpork from http://www.discworldemporium.com Every book bought from the Emporium is accompanied by 'The Compleat Story', a behind-the-scenes bumper feature!
7. The End
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* Latest Book Information *
The Long Earth (with Stephen Baxter)
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0857520091/87
US: http://discworldmonthly.co.uk/USISBN/0062067753
Dodger
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385619278/87
US: http://discworldmonthly.co.uk/USISBN/0062009494
Snuff
Hardback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/038561926X/87
Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00563M11M/87
Paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0552166758/87
I Shall Wear Midnight
Paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0552555592/87
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