Discworld Monthly - Issue 279 - August 2020
↑≡1. Editorial
Welcome to issue 279 of Discworld Monthly. Since the last issue I have been watching with interest the fan reaction to the new BBC America press release for The Watch TV series. I'm not going to post my opinion but it would appear that the majority of fans are less than impressed so far. I am sure we will see more images and information over the coming months and we'll finally (this series has been in discussion since 2011) get to decide for ourselves if it really is a "tribute" when the programme gets its debut in January 2021.
The Discworld Convention Committee have announced dates of the rescheduled Convention. The dates for the revised 2020 Convention are Friday 19 August - Monday 22 August 2022, again at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. The team is still working on updating the Convention website very soon.
If you have tickets for the 2020 convention they will automatically entitle you to entrance to the 2022 dates. The waiting list for those wanting tickets has now been reopened.
Long term Discworld fan, and all round lovely fellow, Ian WhyBrew has decided to cut his locks for charity. Anyone who has ever met Ian will know that his hair runs down almost the complete length of his back. While Ian isn't going to have it shaved it will be cut short! For more information and to sponsor Ian's haircut visit either of the two charity pages below.
Just before we were going to send out this issue we received an advanced copy of The Time Travelling Caveman - the fourth book of collections of short stories Terry wrote while working at the Bucks Free Press. I'll be sure to write a review in time for the next issue.
Pictures of the book can be found on our facebook page
Jason
If you have something you'd like to chat with other fans about, why not send us a readers' letter, to info@discworldmonthly.co.uk
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Jason Rincewind Anthony-Rowlands (Editor and Wizzard) info@discworldmonthly.co.uk
Rachel Anthony-Rowlands (In love with the game Carcassonne) rachel@discworldmonthly.co.uk
Richard Massey (Who?)
If you want to make a small, purely optional, financial donation to the upkeep of the newsletter please use our Paypal account info@discworldmonthly.co.uk
We'd like to thank all those that have already helped, you really do make a difference.
↑≡1.1 Important Information
We have several places where you can get up to the minute news and information about all things Discworld from Discworld Monthly.
Facebook: Discworld Monthly Facebook Page
Twitter: @dwmoook
Instagram: Discworld Monthly on Instagram
And our website, discworldmonthly.co.uk which contains loads of information about the books, stage productions around the world, interesting articles, back issues and our merchandise shop.
↑≡1.2 Submissions
Want to make your opinions about the Discworld known to the world?
Have you been to see a play or a Discworld related event and want to write a review about it?
Then get writing! We are always on the lookout for exclusive articles and reviews to share with our readers so don't hesitate, email us today with the subject Article/Review at rachel@discworldmonthly.co.uk
If you are putting on a stage production or know of a stage production near you, please email us and let us know about that too.
We happily advertise all stage productions for free and we can help in other ways too. Email rachel@discworldmonthly.co.uk with the Subject line "Stage Production".
The deadline for submissions to issue 280 of Discworld Monthly is the 8th September 2020.
↑≡1.3 Merchandise
Discworld Monthly has an amazing (if we say so ourselves) range of mugs , badges , fridge magnets , keyrings , and window stickers for sale worldwide.
If you love the idea of The Watch series, we have our very own Vimes and Errol range available for your delight.
If you want something a bit more personal, you can always show your love for your favourite Discworld newsletter with a personalised Discworld Monthly mug.
↑≡2. News
2.1 The Watch TV series
A new image and some small details were released into the world this week along with a release date of January 2021 for BBC America's The Watch series.
The press release stated:
"In BBC America's newest original series, The Watch, an unlikely group of misfits, The City Watch, find the guts to save the world, surprising even themselves in the process. The comedic yet thrilling series pits trolls, werewolves, wizards and other improbable heroes against an evil plot to resurrect a great dragon which would lead to the destruction of life as they know it."
It appears they will be loosely following the plot of Guards! Guards!.
Pictured from left to right, Cheery, Angua, Sybil, Vimes, Detritus, and Carrot.
There has been a major reaction to the press release with everyone having an opinion on what they have seen so far. Many fans are outraged at the changes to the Watch they know and love, and it has caused a swath of negativity towards the series on various social media channels.
With Simon Allen's reaction to what the fandom had been saying on BBC America's and our own tweets, (https://twitter.com/MrSimonAllen/status/1292746396270055434) to the casting director Victor Jenkins outbursts at fans reactions, the makers of The Watch haven't shown themselves in a good light with the core fandom.
Personally I am floored at the shade thrown by Simon Allen at previous Pratchett adaptations (Good Omens and Troll Bridge both won awards in the last year) .
↑≡2.2 Discworld Monthly first online quiz!
Last month we said if we had enough interest we would run an online quiz via Zoom at the end of August. We had a lot of "YES PLEASE!" responses so we are taking the plunge !
The very first Discworld Monthly online event will be happening on Thursday 27th August at 8pm using ZOOM.
We anticipate it will be approx an hour long so please make sure you have pens, paper and enough liquid and snacks to last you however long it takes.
We only have room for 100 people as that is the Zoom level we have paid for, so make sure you get in the waiting room at 8pm BST.
As with all Zoom events, we would prefer people used headphones and a mic or sat in a quiet room without any disturbances. We don't want to mute people if we can help it, but if interruptions from outside influences become too much, we will have no choice but to mute individuals. We love interaction, but it is a big room with lots of people in it so be mindful !
If you don't have Zoom on your PC/Mac/Tablet/Phone, we will be recording the session and putting it out on our Youtube channel as soon as we are able after the event.
Important Information
Topic: Discworld Monthly August Quiz
Time: Aug 27, 2020 08:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 301 229 8230
Passcode: N0bby (note it is N (number zero) bby not Nobby)
[Sidenote, Zoom is an added expense for us here at Discworld Monthly, one we can't really afford every month. If you fancy helping out with the cost side of things, bung a few pennies in our paypal with the wording "Zoom help" and we can use it to put on another online event in the future. - Rachel]
↑≡2.3 Good Omens win a Hugo
Good Omens (the TV adaptation) was recently awarded a Hugo for "Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form" at the ConNZealand online event.
Neil Gaiman gave an emotional acceptance speech where he said "Thank you for giving Terry his Hugo award"
Neil Gaiman Hugo Acceptance Speech
↑≡2.4 Marc Burrows - The Magic of Terry Pratchett Book Launch now online
Marc's book launch happened online via Zoom on the 30th July.
If you missed it and want to spend 2 hours watching it, you can over on youtu.be
If you still haven't bought the book, you can use any of our affiliate links to bag yourself a copy, or you can head into a bookshop and buy it there (if they are a good bookshop!) .
View our affiliate links to order The Magic of Terry Pratchett by Marc Burrows↑≡2.5 All the Discworld's a Stage - Volume TWO - Minor Update
The latest information is that this book has been delayed until November.
We can confirm that this will contain the scripts for the play adaptations of Hogfather, The Shakespeare Codex and Stephen Briggs' adaptation of Lords and Ladies and they will get separate releases as well as in the combined edition.
All the Discworld's a Stage : Vol 2 will be released by Oberon Modern Playwrights. With 312 pages of script delight to entertain you and thrill you, we do also expect these three play scripts to come out as individual books.
View our affiliate links to order All the Discworld's a Stage: Volume 2↑≡2.6 Other Book Releases
Publishing dates have been screwed around by COVID-19, but if you have already pre-ordered, your order should still stand.
We now have a few new affiliates in our programme so you have more choice as to where to buy things from. We gained Book Depository, Blackwells and Forbidden Planet in the last couple of months.
July Releases (in case you missed them)
The Big Book of Modern Fantasy - Contains 90 short stories as well as Terry Pratchett's Troll Bridge.
View our affiliate links to order The Big Book of Modern FantasyThe Magic of Terry Pratchett by Marc Burrows. Published by Pen and Sword, was published on the 30th of July.
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In August
The City Watch Journal was published on the 6th August 2020, this beautiful journal is also part of the theme of City Watch items coming this year.
Priced at 16.99GBP, the journal is available to buy now.
View our affiliate links to order The City Watch JournalOn the 20th August,Terry Pratchett's Discworld City Watch Collector's Edition 2021 Calendar
Priced at 14.99GBP, the calendar is available to pre-order now.
View our affiliate links to order Discworld Calendar 2021---
In September
The Time-Travelling Caveman and other stories
Available in 4 different formats from the 3rd September.
Standard hardback will be 15.99GBP
View our affiliate links to order The Time-Travelling Caveman and other stories - Standard EditionSlipcased deluxe edition will be 25GBP
View our affiliate links to order The Time-Travelling Caveman and other stories - Slipcase EditionAudiobook edition 6.99GBP.
View our affiliate links to order The Time-Travelling Caveman and other stories - AudiobookeBook 8.99GBP
View our affiliate links to order The Time-Travelling Caveman and other stories - eBook---
In October
The Ankh-Morpork Archives Vol 2 - due October 2020
View our affiliate links to order The Ankh-Morpork Vol 2Rhianna Pratchett - Crystal of Storms - Due on the 1st October 2020
R.R.P is 6.99GBP
View our affiliate links to order Crystal of Storms---
In November
Illustrated Guards! Guards!
There are two versions of this glorious illustrated edition due out in November 2020
With each of the editions containing 12 full page colour illustrations and series of pencil drawings, these editions of Guards! Guards! follow the format of the illustrated Good Omens that were released last year.
View our affiliate links to order Illustrated Guards! Guards! - Standard Edition View our affiliate links to order Illustrated Guards! Guards! - Slipcase EditionThe Dunmanifestin editions are being delayed until 2021
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RE-SCHEDULED for publication in April 2021
A new collection of short stories by various authors will be published by Puffin books.
The Puffin Book of Funny Stories has stories and extracts from best-loved classic authors Joan Aiken, Terry Pratchett, Dick King-Smith, Rebecca Elliott, Humza Arshad, Henry White, Julian Clary, Sam Copeland and other contemporary writers.
ISBN-13: 978-0241434734
Price 7.99GBP in the UK in paperback, 3.99GBP on kindle
View our affiliate links to order Puffin Book of Funny Stories↑≡3. DiscTrivia
This month, Jason is asking some of the questions from the Wyrdest Link quiz that took place at the Llamedos Holiday Camp. This month all five questions come from The Fifth Elephant.
| Q1. | Where did Captain Tantony suggest Vimes should visit while in Bonk? |
| Q2. | What was the name of the Imp in Sgt Colon's traffic camera on the Brass Bridge? |
| Q3. | Detritus' Piecemaker had a draw of how many pounds? a) 200, b) 500, c) 1000, d) 2000 |
| Q4. | Which thief did not have even the brains of a pigeon, and therefore tried to steal Cpt Nobb's handbag? |
| Q5. | What did Death tell Vimes people always noticed when he appeared? |
The answers as usual can be found at the end of this issue.
↑≡4. Competition Result: The Magic of Terry Pratchett
Last month we had a copy of the rather excellent The Magic of Terry Pratchett to give away.
We asked you to answer the following question:
| Q1. | It was recently reported that early in his career Terry interviewed a very famous author under a by line of Marcus. Who was the famous author? |
The answer we were looking for was Roald Dahl.
Thank you to everyone that took time to enter the competition and the lovely messages within those emails.
The randomly selected winner of this competition was Helen Thurston from Essex. We'll get your prize in the post early next week.
↑≡5. Birthdays
Everyone has a birthday. If you know someone who would like a mention or if you would like your birthday included in the listings, send us an email the month before your birthday and we will add it to the list! Email rachel@discworldmonthly.co.uk Subject: Birthday
Happy August Birthday greetings to: Brex, Joel Franklin, Mark Elliott, Tony Perkins, AJ Tucker, Stephen Caldecott, David Washbrook, Kitty Jones, Jon-Paul Jones, Pam Hicks, Sarah Jane Taylor, David Zabiela, Kielan Donahue, Catrine Smith, Phil Chadwck, Andrea Richardson, Harrie Cater-Pugh, Mark Elliott, Christine Hendzlik, and big birthday wishes to Jason's dad David
Happy September Birthday greetings to: Amy Louise, Colin Hicks, Keith Barrett, David Trace, Anna Huber, Vida Guildford, Katy Board, Nancy O'Shea, Beau Chalmers, Andy Hancock, Leanne Karfut, Alan Pendry, Bernard "The Cunning Artificer" Pearson, Ian Mitchell, Katrina Rose, Nic Jansen, Ray Friesen, Diane James, Roisin Loughran, Tiko Ten Brink, Rebecca Kaos Brown, Roger Denne, Beth Cox, Alex Stanton, Joanne Johnson, Kev Clarke, Taz Sahanahan. And of course, business manager extraordinaire, Mr Rob Wilkins.
↑≡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 in new and interesting ways we haven't even thought of yet!
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.
We make an editorial decision on what letters to include. Sometimes the opinions expressed in a letter are not the same as our own but we reserve the right to publish them nevertheless. You might not like the content of the letters we publish and we encourage you to write in your own constructive letters explaining your points of view. We will not shy away from you including letters that question our views and expect our readers to be able to accept that not everyone has the same point of view on all subjects.
Please bear in mind that the Discworld Universe does NOT include The Watch TV series and thus if we read deeply between the lines, it looks like we will only get the one season of it anyway whether you love it or hate it - Rachel
From: "Sam" samgk@iinet.net.au
I was trying to think back to when I first subscribed and I think I must have started with your Discworld Review because I'm pretty sure it was somewhere between 1993 and 1995. I did have a couple of short gaps with email changes but I always come back. You and Rachel do such a great job. I know I will never unsubscribe, thank you both.
p.s. sometimes I don't get around to reading the newsletter until quite a while after receiving it because of life getting in the way but I get there eventually.
From: "Suzanne Barker" suzbarker@yahoo.com
Hey! I don't say it enough to you all but Thank You for my monthly connection to one of my favorite places in the world. I miss Terry tremendously and you all make him feel closer. Much love to you guys from the place even the demons would avoid right now. Though I do wonder what Granny Weatherwax would be doing currently in the States had her broom the stamina to get here!!
Jason replies: I suspect our Granny would be tuting at the behaviour of some people and saying that we are indeed living in interesting times.
From: "Nehama Ross" nehamaross@gmail.com
I just felt like I had to drop you a line to say how nice it was to receive a smile in my inbox tonight.
It had been one more super long day, (it was 12:40 am here in Canada) and I was about to turn off my phone, but when I saw that the email notification was for Discworld Monthly it was worth postponing my much needed sleep for a little longer. Now I'll go to sleep with a smile on my face, and perhaps that smile will last into tomorrow's cabin fever.
When the pandemic began I reread Interesting Times, and then went on to Thief of Time when this endless lockdown felt like something the Auditors dreamed up!
Thanks for your efforts, stay healthy, stay safe, and stay sane!
↑≡7. Stage Productions
Of course, most if not all of the productions that would normally appear here have been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19. We really hope that once the current situation has resolved itself the productions will be rescheduled and we can get our regular dose of Pratchett performances.
Whilst we would love to get to every event and play to write reviews and articles about them, we just don't have enough time, petrol and a wide enough spread of friends to borrow the couch for the night. But you, our wonderful readers do have the time, petrol and often don't need the couches as the event or play is on your doorstep!
We don't have English degrees here and you don't need one either to write something for Discworld Monthly!
PS. If you know of a play or event that we don't know about (shock horror) , email us. We like the surprise!
All submissions should be emailed to rachel@discworldmonthly.co.uk or info@discworldmonthly.co.uk
Don't forget to visit Pratchett Stage Productions for our most up-to-date list of stage productions.
All plays are currently cancelled until further notice.
↑≡8. Discworld Conventions and other Events
The UK Discworld Convention has been postponed until 2022.
CabbageCon 2020 is currently going ahead in October 2020.
Paul Kidby's Discworld and Beyond exhibition in Hereford has unfortunately been cancelled but they hope the next venue in Christchurch, nr Bournemouth UK goes ahead in October.
↑≡9. Recurring Fan Meetings
By their very nature the listing of recurring fan meetings remains static. So we've moved the full listings to our website at Recurring Fan Meetings
The newsletter will only include any listings that are new or have changed within the last 30 days.
↑≡10. The End
This month's issue is brought to you by Carcassonne South Seas, Watch Badges and a jar of leftover mints!
The deadline for submissions to issue 280 of Discworld Monthly is the 8th September 2020.
↑≡10.1 Supporting Discworld Monthly
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 website, postage, travel etc. add up. If you feel you would like to make a small contribution towards these costs please consider doing so via: PayPal
Our account for Paypal is info@discworldmonthly.co.uk
You can also purchase items from our range of licensed Discworld Monthly products from: Discworld Monthly Shop
↑≡10.2 eBook Editions
Since issue 166 we have produced a version of Discworld Monthly that is formatted better for the Amazon Kindle eBook reader and since issue 186 we also produce an ePub version for other eBook readers such as the Kobo, Nook and Sony readers.
You can download either version from Discworld Monthly eBooks
↑≡10.3 Contact Information
We prefer information to be sent via email info@discworldmonthly.co.uk or rachel@discworldmonthly.co.uk but can also accept information via post at the following addresses: Discworld Monthly, 20 Cambrian Place, Pontarddulais, Swansea, SA4 8RG, United Kingdom
↑≡10.4 Latest Book Information
This Discworld Monthly website a list of books on our website with the cover blurb and direct links to UK, US and Canadian Amazon websites.
Terry Pratchett books at Discworld Monthly
You can also find a list of our affiliates at:
Discworld Monthly Affiliate Links
We have an extensive Terry Pratchett biography with a tick list you can print out at:
↑≡10.5 Subscription Information
To subscribe to Discworld Monthly simply enter your email address in the form on the Discworld Monthly web page. Our web site contains all back issues and links to other Pratchett sites.
To unsubscribe please follow the instructions at the end of this email.
↑≡10.6 Trivia Answers
| Q1. | Where did Captain Tantony suggest Vimes should visit while in Bonk? |
| A1. | The chocolate museum in Prince Vodomy Square |
| Q2. | What was the name of the Imp in Sgt Colon's traffic camera on the Brass Bridge? |
| A2. | Rodney |
| Q3. | Detritus' Piecemaker had a draw of how many pounds? a) 200, b) 500, c) 1000, d) 2000 |
| A3. | d) 2000 |
| Q4. | Which thief did not have even the brains of a pigeon, and therefore tried to steal Cpt Nobb's handbag? |
| A4. | Done it Duncan |
| Q5. | What did Death tell Vimes people always noticed when he appeared? |
| A5. | The scythe |
10.7 Small Print
We make every effort we can to ensure the information in this newsletter is accurate and legal. All trademarks are recognized as the property of their respective owners, whoever they may be. Discworld (R) is a registered trademark of the Estate of Sir Terry Pratchett used under licence.
↑≡10.8 Thanks
Thanks for reading this issue of 'Discworld Monthly'. We hope you enjoyed it. If you have any comments, complaints or suggestions for the future of this newsletter please email the editor : info@discworldmonthly.co.uk
↑≡10.9 The Final Word...
*Rachel here*
We may not be perfect designers, or award winning journalists but we do our best to keep you all entertained and informed about all things Terry. We do have some ethics though. We like our news to be current, up to date and factual with a solid source. We don't like posting rumours but occasionally the source it comes from is 98 percent solid so we will tell you it's a rumour and confirm it when we have a 100 percent confirmation. Our own articles are written by us for us only. You won't find articles from other publications here unless it's a formal press release about an adaptation, book release or event or something we actually wrote for someone else unless they begged us to publish it (OK not begged but some of our lovely friends do ask us occasionally to boost something) . [NB I say we are not award winning but Discworld Monthly did win Website of the Month for Issue 3 back in a different century. It would be nice to win something much more recent, or even just get acknowledged #justsaying]
Whilst you keep reading it, we'll keep on writing it because we love Terry's books just as much as you do.
GNU Terry Pratchett...
Affiliate Links
- The Magic of Terry Pratchett by Marc Burrows
- All the Discworld's a Stage: Volume 2
- The Big Book of Modern Fantasy
- The Magic of Terry Pratchett by Marc Burrows
- The City Watch Journal
- Discworld Calendar 2021
- The Time-Travelling Caveman and other stories - Standard Edition
- The Time-Travelling Caveman and other stories - Slipcase Edition
- The Time-Travelling Caveman and other stories - Audiobook
- The Time-Travelling Caveman and other stories - eBook
- The Ankh-Morpork Vol 2
- Crystal of Storms
- Illustrated Guards! Guards! - Standard Edition
- Illustrated Guards! Guards! - Slipcase Edition
- Puffin Book of Funny Stories