Discworld Monthly Issue 237 January 2017
Table of Contents:
1. Editorial
2. Upcoming Book Releases
3. January Events
4. Future Events
5. Recurring Monthly Fan Meetings
6. Readers' Letters
7. DiscTrivia
8. Discworld Emporium Luggage Competition Result
9. Discworld.com Competition
10. The End
1. Editorial
Welcome to issue 237. So this is the end of 2016 and with 2017 just around the corner it is both time to reflect and a time to look forward.
2016 In Summary:
- Clacks: The Discworld Board Game was released.
- We had the wonderful and moving Terry Pratchett: A Memorial in the Barbican Theatre in London.
- Discworld Monthly got to see live productions of: Wyrd Sisters, Eric, Mort, The Shakespeare Codex, Going Postal, Witches Abroad (the musical) and Wyrd Sisters (again). We also included reviews of many other productions thanks to the generosity of our subscribers.
- Discworld Monthly met Ray Friesen at the launch of the Small Gods graphic novel.
- We had the amazing 2016 Discworld Convention in August.
- We saw the release of two versions of the Discworld Colouring Book.
- We also saw the first of the new Discworld Collectors Library hardbacks released by Transworld.
- The Terry Pratchett Diary was released by The Discworld Emporium and friends and we also got a new Discworld Calendar.
- The Witch's Vacuum Cleaner was released.
- Stephen Baxter completed The Long Earth series with The Long Utopia.
- Seriously Funny - The Endlessly Quotable Terry Pratchett was released.
- The Folio Society released Mort and Small Gods lushly illustrated by Omar Rayyan.
- The Discworld Auction team managed to raise over 14,000 GBP for various charities at the UK Convention and other events.
2017 and beyond.
- We should hopefully finally see the release of Troll Bridge.
- The fourth Terry Pratchett documentary directed by Charlie Russell should get televised.
- We should see some more of the Discworld Collectors Library.
- There will be Discworld Conventions in the USA, Germany, Ireland, Holland and Australia.
- The fan event The Gathering of Loonies will take place at the end of April and will coincide with what would have been Terry's 69th birthday.
- We should see the release of some new Corgi paperbacks with introductions by Neil Gaiman, Ben Aaronovitch and others.
- We should get a new paperback release of The Carpet People.
- Raising Steam as adapted by Stephen Briggs will be premiered in November in Abingdon.
- We may even get updates from Narrativia with regards to: The Watch, Mort, Good Omens and The Wee Free Men as well as something that Rob Wilkins teased people with at the Convention in 2016.
- Discworld Monthly is planning to see productions of: The Amazing Maurice, Wyrd Sisters, Carpe Jugulum, Raising Steam and Maskerade.
- Discworld Monthly will celebrate its 20th birthday in May!
It should be noted that 2017 will officially be known as "The Year Of The Backwards Facing Artichoke". It appears that before he left us Terry came up with a list of year names. Rob the guardian of the list is not letting us know far into the future Terry planned.
Discworld Monthly is a fan-run volunteer organisation that is partially funded by online sales of our fully licensed and authorised products. Please take a look at our range of pin badges, keyrings, fridge magnets, car "cling" stickers, mugs and mouse mats at: discworldmonthly.co.uk/shop
All profits are used to pay for prizes, postage, travel expenses, web site fees, domain renewals and various sundry costs that we have to cover to keep everything going. Without your ongoing support and sales of Discworld Monthly items we would not be able to continue to produce the newsletter.
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We include all our back issues on our website at discworldmonthly.co.uk where you can also find Terry Pratchett quotes, a full bibliography and links to articles we have written over the years.
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 us at the address below. We will of course give credit for anything we use.
Please let us have any submissions for issue 238 of Discworld Monthly BEFORE Monday 23rd January 2017.
- Jason Anthony (Editor and Wizzard) info@discworldmonthly.co.uk
- William Barnett (Deputy Editor / Proofreader)
- Rachel Rowlands (News Hound / Feature writer)
- Richard Massey (Ground Control)
2. Upcoming Book Releases
* UK Releases *
The Carpet People (with Mark Beech cover) is due for release in paperback on 5th Jan 2017.
ISBN-10: 0552573361
ISBN-13: 9780552573368
An abridged audio CD of The Carpet People read by Tony Robinson (and also featuring the Mark Beech cover) will be released on 12th January 2017.
www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1786140594/87
The US edition of Terry Pratchett's Discworld Colouring Book will be released on 25th April 2017.
discworldmonthly.co.uk/USISBN/1481498460
Author Joanne Harris (via Twitter) has confirmed she has written a new introduction for Wyrd Sisters. We don't have a release date for this yet but we suspect it will be sometime in 2017.
The new paperback editions of Mort and Guards! Guards! with introductions by Neil Gaiman and Ben Aaronovitch will also be released in 2017.
3. January Events
[UK] Southampton University Players presents Monstrous Regiment as adapted by Stephen Briggs.
Location: Nuffield Southampton Theatres, University Road, Southampton SO17 1TR
Dates: Tues 31st Jan 2017 - Sat 4th Feb 2017 at 7.30pm
Tickets: 13.00GBP, 10.00GBP concessions, 8.00GBP children (up to age 16), Wednesday only: 2FOR1 offer for students.
Box Office: 023 8067 1771
To book online: www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/monstrous-regiment
4. Future Events
[USA] Majestic Theatre present Mort as adapted by Stephen Briggs
Location: Majestic Theatre, 115 SW 2nd Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA.
Performances: February 10, 11, 12(m), 16, 17, 18, 19(m)
[UK] Monstrous Productions present The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents as adapted by Stephen Briggs
Location: The Gate Arts & Community Centre, Keppoch Street, Roath, Cardiff CF24 3JW
Dates: Wed 22nd - Sat 25th February 2017
Times: Doors open at 7pm, Matinee (on the 25th) at 2.30pm
Tickets: 7 GBP (5 GBP concessions) from 029 204 833 44
Website: www.monstrousptc.com
[UK] Bolton Little Theatre present Wyrd Sisters adapted by Stephen Briggs
Location: Bolton Little Theatre, Hanover Street, Bolton BL1 4TG
Dates: 6th - 11th March 2017 at 7:30om
Tickets: 10GBP from 01204 524469
Website: discworldmonthly.co.uk/uid/788
[UK] The Lace Market Youth Theatre present Carpe Jugulum
Location: Halifax Place, Nottingham, NG1 1QN
Dates: 22nd - 25th March 2017 at 7:30pm (and 2:30pm on Saturday).
Tickets: 11GBP (10GBP Concessions) from 0115 950 7201
Website: discworldmonthly.co.uk/uid/824
[Poland] April Rally for fans of Terry Pratchett.
Location: Winding mountain, near Krakow
Dates: 31st March 2017 - 2nd April 2017
Program: Paint your face and prepare for the unexpected. Who knows what you might find! Here live dragons!
www.facebook.com/events/340991619626114/
[Germany] All the Witches and denizens of the Chalk are invited to the 5th German Discworld Convention which will take place at Castle Ludwigstein from May 18th to 21st in 2017.
Tickets are available now: www.Discworld-Convention.de
[UK] We Are Theatre present Wyrd Sisters adapted by Stephen Briggs.
Location: Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York
Dates: June 2017 (details to be confirmed)
[Netherlands] Cabbagecon 4 - July 2017
The Cabbagecon team is proud to announce a new edition of the one and only Dutch Discworld convention.
After visiting the Ankh-Morpork Assassins' Guild in 2015, we will team up with the Guild of Merchants to explore the great city of Ankh-Morpork some more in 2017.
Come and see the sights, meet the colourful city-dwellers, try the local food and, in general, experience the unique atmosphere of the Disc's most famous city. The Ankh-Morpork Guild of Merchants has gracefully agreed to provide a balanced and representative programme of activities to keep all visitors entertained.
Cabbagecon 4 will be held at the Hotel Carlton President in Utrecht on 1-2 July 2017.
Check out our new website at www.dutchdwcon.nl
[Australia] Nullus Anxietas VI - The Australian Discworld Convention - THE DISCWORLD GRAND TOUR - 4th-6th August 2017 at Lakes Resort Hotel, West Lakes, South Australia
Grab your ticket at the early-bird price before February 4th, 2017. ausdwcon.org/shop/tickets
"But it's just after Hogswatch, I can't afford that right now!" you may cry! Well, despair not! If you purchase a Supporting Membership prior to February 4th 2017, you can upgrade at a later date to the early-bird price! ausdwcon.org/shop/product/supporting-membership/
No tourist is complete without a cheesy hat or t-shirt, and we've got plenty available! Check out our full range of souvenirs at ausdwcon.org/shop/souvenirs/
And of course, for all the information about the Discworld Grand Tour, including activities, venue, and more, visit our website at ausdwcon.org
Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/Ausdwcon and on Twitter at twitter.com/ausdwcon
[USA] The Fourth North American Discworld Convention will take place from September 1st - 4th 2017 in New Orleans, LA.
[Australia] Brisbane Arts Theatre present Lords and Ladies adapted by Irana Brown
Location: 210 Petrie Terrace, PETRIE TERRACE QLD 4000
Dates: 16 September - 21 October 2017 (7.30pm Thursdays, 8.00pm Fridays and Saturdays, 6.30pm Sundays)
Tickets: Adults 34AUD, Concession 28AUD, Group 10+ 27AUD, Student Rush 15AUD (10 mins before curtain)
www.artstheatre.com.au/show/lordsandladies
[Ireland] The 2017 Irish Discworld Convention will take place from 6-9th October 2017 [the weekend of my 46th Birthday - Ed] at the Cork International Hotel.
Sign up now for entry to all events except the gala dinner (tickets available separately) at:
5. Recurring Monthly Fan Meetings
[UK] The Broken Drummers meet at The Monkey Puzzle, Paddington, London, W2 1JQ, England at 7pm. For more information contact Helen Nicholls on helelnicholls@gmail.com
The January meeting will be a week later than usual as we doubt anyone would come on 2nd January. Instead, we will meet on Monday 9th January. Otherwise the first Monday schedule will continue as usual.
Unless otherwise stated (see above) the Drummers meet on the first Monday of each month.
The Drummers are now holding irregular weekend meet-ups in addition to their regular Mondays. Dates are posted on their Facebook page and sent out via their mailing list.
The Drummers are always happy to welcome new visitors. You can find out more about the Drummers at www.brokendrummers.org/ or
[Adelaide, Australia] The City of Small Gods is a group for fans in Adelaide and South Australia. They have regular monthly dinner and games nights, longer games days, plus play outings, craft-y workshops, and fun social activities throughout the year. For more info and to join their mailing list, visit: cityofsmallgods.org.au
[Brisbane, Australia] The Pratchett Partisans meet monthly at either Brisbane or Indooroopilly to eat, drink and chat about all things Pratchett. For more info about their next meetup, check out: facebook/ ... /pratchettpartisans/
[Melbourne, Australia] The Victorian Discworld Klatch is a social group for fans of Discworld and Terry Pratchett. We meet monthly for fun activities and to talk all things Pratchetty. Information on our current event can be found on Facebook/.../VictorianDiscworldKlatch/ or email victoriandiscworldklatch@gmail.com
[Perth, Australia] The Treacle Mining Corporation meet up to celebrate the works of Sir Terry Pratchett, and welcome any fans of science fiction and fantasy.
Join them for their monthly discussion of Discworld, Terry Pratchett and all things sci-fi and fantasy. They meet the first Monday of each month, subject to holidays, and all are welcome.
The group meets up at Carpe Cafe, 526 Murray Street, Perth, WA. Meeting at a cafe means they are under-18 friendly!
For details follow them on Twitter @Perth_Drummers, Instagram perth_drummers, and Facebook facebook/ ... /Perth.Drummers/
Otherwise message Alexandra Ware directly at alexandra.ware@gmail.com
Unless otherwise stated the group meets up on the first Monday of each month.
[Sydney, Australia] Sydney Drummers normally meet on the first Monday of every month.
They meet at: 3 Wise Monkeys, 555 George Street, Sydney, 2000 from 6:30pm
For more information contact Sue (AKA Granny Weatherwax) on kenworthys@yahoo.co.uk
[NEW: Sydney, Australia] Western Drummers (western suburbs of Sydney NSW Australia) meet 6pm on the third Tuesday of the month at the Nepean Rowing Club for dinner chat and games.
facebook/ ... /100376433635355/
* Calling USA / Canadian Fans *
Appreciate Discworld and Sir Terry Pratchett? Want to chat and gather with other Discworld fans in the US and Canada? Regional Discworld fan Facebook groups are linked below!
Holy Wood Dreams (covers WA, OR, CA, NV, AZ, NM, and HI):
facebook/ ... /797955377004737/
Central US Discworld Fans (covers ID, MT, WY, ND, SD, NE, UT, CO, KS, OK, and TX):
facebook/ ... /centralusdwfans/
Midwest Discworld Fans (covers IL, IN, WI, MI, KY, MN, IA, and MO):
facebook/ ... /chicagodiscworldfans/
Southeast US Pratchett Fans (covers AR, LA, TN, MS, AL, GA, NC, SC, and FL):
facebook/ ... /1713061678935430/
Mid-Atlantic Discworld Fans (covers PA, OH, WV, VA, Washington DC, and MD):
facebook/ ... /916552205062611/
New England Discworld Fans (covers DE, NJ, NY, Ct, RI, MA, VT, NH, and ME):
facebook/ ... /newenglanddwfans/
Canadian Discworld Fans (covers Canada and Alaska):
facebook/ ... /canadiandwfans/
If you are in a border state or a province between two groups, feel free to join both groups.
[Australia] Drumknott's Irregulars is a newly established Terry Pratchett social group based in Canberra. The group is open to anyone and their events are not heavily themed.
Facebook: facebook/ ... /824987924250161/
Google Groups: groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/drumknotts-irregulars
6. 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 edit your letters with a view to the future.
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: "Loretta Harris" loretta@socket.net
Two days ago Fox News was reporting about a little boy, I think they said he was 6. He was dying and his last wish was to see Santa. They brought Santa to him and he died in Santa's arms. They reported it all day.
I thought how terribly sad it was and wondered about them reporting it so much.
Yesterday, they reported all day about the little boy from England who was very sick (dying) with cancer. The Police Chief of Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.A. had been 'following him on Facebook'. Arranged for the child's father to bring the child to a hospital in K.C. that had agreed to treat him. He was met at the airport by an escort of 10 police cars to go to the hospital. It seemed so familiar but I couldn't figure out why.
I heard it several times before I suddenly thought-'How did Terry know?'
A child dying in Santa's arms? THAT IS NOT HOW IT SHOULD BE!
A 'Watch' escort to be saved? Oh, yes, that is how it should be!
I know it is not exact-but it is certainly close. And Terry always got people right.
* From: "Anya Spackman" anya@ejog-enterprises.co.uk
I've just bought a lovely cross stitch kit of 'Death and kittens' from Lyndisfarne Cross Stitch Designs, lyndisfarneuk on eBay. They have a number of enticing designs; decent sizes, not the dreaded 'knock it out in an evening' jobs. I'm looking forward to starting it as soon as I've finished the piece I'm doing.
BTW cross stitch is easy - even a man can do it!
* From: "Peter R" ribbo57@googlemail.com
Just been reading the latest Discworld Monthly. I was also there on the Thursday night, along with my sister and brother-in-law who are big Pratchett fans as well. We wondered who Rincewind was sitting in the front row and now we know the answer.
I have to agree with you about the quality of the performance. We all went to see Guards! Guards! many moons ago in Swansea which I recall was put on by a professional company, and the Newport Playgoers performance was easily the equal of that. I also was impressed by Magrat and the Fool but there were no weak characters.
*From: "Ian Jopson" joppyuk1@sky.com
If it helps Noel Wray, who is disappointed with his Folio limited edition of Mort, I have looked on the Folio Society website and the book is currently priced at 34.95GBP, which works out at R615.86 according to my converter. Perhaps the balance was made up of postage and packing to SA?
The book is to the usual standards of the Folio Society, and priced similar to their other titles, though all you're really paying for is a posh binding and a few pictures. I haven't dealt with them for some years now, but in the pre-internet days you had to sign up for a minimum of four books a year and couldn't buy them singly. So if they've changed this it's all to the good.
I hope Noel comes to enjoy his book eventually.
7. DiscTrivia
We're back with five challenging trivia questions for you - this month all the questions relate to Soul Music. Good luck, Jason.
The (hopefully correct) answers can be found at the end of this issue.
8. Discworld Emporium Luggage Competition Result
Last month the lovely folk over at the Discworld Emporium offered us one of their new Luggages as the prize for last month's competition. In order to be in with a chance to win this fabulous prize you needed to answer the follow question:
* Somebody let Ian set the question - it's not our fault.
Rachel has now gone through all the entries and after wiping the coffee of her computer screen has chosen this entry from W from Liverpool as the winner.
W's winning entry was: To Rachel (don't read if your name is Ian),
I've just heard about the Discworld Emporium award and I'm absolutely shocked!!....I was pretty sure 'The Danish Girl' or 'Bridge of Spies' were going to take it this year.
Something smells real fishy, I don't like to say it but I'm thinking maybe a bribe was involved (of the 5GBP in the back pocket kind).
I also have this niggly feeling that Ian knows much more that he's letting on - be careful with that one, I'm not saying that he's in on it - but he probably is.
So your discretion please!!...play it cool for now and don't mention it to him, instead watch him like a hawk with both your eyes and wait for the mask to slip (of his possibly corrupt face).
Burn after reading
We'll pass on W's details to Ian at the Discworld Emporium and he can decide how he wants to deal with them. I mean Ian will send off W's prize as soon as possible (once the shop opens again in the New Year!)
For more information about The Discworld Emporium visit www.discworldemporium.com
9. Discworld.Com Memorial Book and Pin Badge Competition
This month Discworld.com have offered us one of their Black Memorial Books and a Terry memorial pin to give away. To be in with a chance of winning these fabulous prizes you needed to answer the following questions:
Send your answers, along with your postal address to competitions@discworldmonthly.co.uk before January 23rd. Your address will only be used for sending out your prize should you be the lucky winner. Once prizes are sent out all address details 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 - multiple entries will result in a ban from the competition. Failure to answer the questions or provide your postal address will prevent you from being entered into the competition. Answers to the questions must not be posted to any websites before the competition ends. The judges' decision is final. The competition is open to all readers.
For more information about the wonderful Discworld items available from Discworld.com visit discworld.com/
10. The End
Please let us have any submissions for issue 238 of Discworld Monthly BEFORE Monday 23rd January 2017.
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* Latest Book Information *
The following links take you to the book pages on the Discworld Monthly website where you will find cover photos, cover blurb and direct links to UK, US and Canadian Amazon sites.
Small Gods: The Graphic Novel
The Shepherd's Crown -
The Long Cosmos -
The Long Utopia -
TURTLE RECALL: The Discworld Companion ... So Far -
Wings
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