Discworld Monthly - Issue 282 - November 2020
↑≡1. Editorial
Welcome to issue 282. Some of the voice actors for the upcoming Sky Cinema adaptation of The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents have been recently announced. The casting looks very promising - as always we'll wait for something concrete before we form an actual opinion. See our news section below for details.
The Watch TV Series still seems to be failing to gain much acceptance by fans. It seems every time BBC America posts or tweets about it, hundreds of negative comments are posted. It will be interesting if it manages to gain traction by non traditional Discworld fans or as one article wrote "Terry Pratchett fans who haven't read the books".
This month we have received volume 2 of The Ankh-Morpork Archives and my review appears later in this issue.
Jason
We are full of "Updates" this month. With roundworld issues causing all sorts of problems for publishing houses, some stuff has been yet again delayed.
That said there is some good news on the horizon. Online Discworld events are all go go go!
The Irish Discworld Convention looks like it will happen in person next October, Stephen Briggs is going to try to get Murder at Ankh-Morpork on the stage next November, and there is rumoursl of extra special news coming next year!
Last Posting dates have been published by the Discworld Emporium and Discworld.com, make sure you get your orders into them to ensure delivery for Hogswatch. Our last posting dates are in our merchandise section.
Rachel
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
--
Jason Rincewind Anthony-Rowlands (Editor and Wizzard) info@discworldmonthly.co.uk
Rachel Anthony-Rowlands (Gonks are for life not just for Hogswatch) rachel@discworldmonthly.co.uk
Richard Massey (Ancient and feeling it)
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 283 of Discworld Monthly is the 10th December 2020.
↑≡1.3 Merchandise
Last posting dates for delivery in time for Hogswatch are:
UK - 10th December
Europe - 5th December
Anywhere else - We cannot make any guarantees that anything will arrive in time for Hogswatch, We've had stuff take 40 days to get to Australia and the USA in the last couple of months. So take your chances and in the worst case scenario, celebrate Hogswatch again in July!
Discworld Monthly has an amazing (if we say so ourselves) range of mugs , badges , fridge magnets , keyrings , and window stickers for sale worldwide.
Hogswatch is coming, the goose is getting well fed, we have our very own Hogfather 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 Amazing Maurice Cast News
As many of you would have seen, the announcement about The Amazing Maurice film couldn't have come at a better time.
Sky Cinema announced a new co-production with Ulysses Filmproduktion and Cantilever Media, The Amazing Maurice, a Sky original.
The film's animation is being made at studios here in the UK (Red Star Animation in Sheffield) and in Germany (Studio Rakete in Hamburg) .
With the news that Hugh Laurie will be the voice of Maurice, came a slew of other casting news. Emilia Clarke will be Malicia, Himesh Patel as Keith, Gemma Arterton as Peaches with David Thewlis as Boss Man and Hugh Bonneville as The Mayor.
The film is due for release in 2022.
The full press release is available to read over on Narrativia's website.
↑≡2.2 Senate House Library Online Event Update
Senate House Library houses a huge archive of Terry Pratchett's works.
As part of the Being More Human Festival they are holding 2 online events.
Magical Mind: The World of Terry Pratchett - Join Neil Gaiman, Rob Wilkins & Rhianna Pratchett online as they explore the fantastical Discworld universe
Tue, 17 November 2020, 18:00 – 19:00 GMT - Also being streamed Live to Youtube (See below)
Terry Pratchett's novels created a new world where fantasy, science-fiction, humour and satire coexisted, firing the imagination of millions of readers all over the world.
Join this live conversation event online with Neil Gaiman, Rob Wilkins & Rhianna Pratchett as they explore the fantastical Discworld universe of characters and plots where magical and mechanical technology go hand in hand.
Neil Gaiman is an international bestselling writer and co-author with Pratchett of Good Omens. Rob Wilkins is the producer of Good Omens and Pratchett's long-term friend, assistant and manager of his estate. Rhianna Pratchett is the daughter of Terry Pratchett and is a BAFTA nominated Scriptwriter & Story Designer and previous winner of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain 'Best Videogame Script' award.
Whilst this event Sold Out of tickets, the lovely people at Senate House will be streaming this event Live to Youtube on their youtube channel youtube.com
Stories of Imagination: Exploring Terry Pratchett's Archive - Explore letters, books & objects from the Pratchett archive, tagging items to create a new digital resource to study Terry Pratchett's world
Thu, 19 November 2020, 18:00 – 19:00 GMT
In this workshop they invite you to experiment with digital technology to add knowledge and stories to the fascinating and unique Terry Pratchett Archive, held at Senate House Library.
Explore rare letters, books, illustrations, objects and other items from the digitised Pratchett collection while you tag and describe them, adding information using the simple and fun multi-media and knowledge sharing platform, Scalar.
No previous knowledge of Terry Pratchett and his work or Scalar are required for this workshop.
The workshop will be led by digital humanities experts Christopher Ohge (Institute of English Studies) and James Cummings (Newcastle University) and Senate House Library Head of Special Collections, Maria Castrillo.
For further information please see Being Human Festival
Unfortunately within an hour of tickets being made available, they had sold out for both events.
.
↑≡2.3 Discworld Monthly November and December Online Quizzes
We went with Eventbrite to prevent being Zoom Bombed and ended up with some other problems.
We hope to have sorted that out with a simple "please log in to Eventbrite to get the Zoom link" request.
Below are the details for both the November and December Quizzes.
Important Info
NOVEMBER QUIZ
The date of the November Quiz is Thursday, 26th November 2020 from 8pm UK time
As per usual we will be hosting it on Zoom, but you must have an account with them to take part. It's free and takes just a few moments to register at zoom.us
To register for a Quiz ticket you will need to register via Eventbrite
After acquiring a ticket on Eventbrite, you should get an email from Zoom with the event details. - please do not delete that email, it contains the Zoom link you need to enter the quiz !
In the event that you don't receive that email, please email us before 8pm on the night of the Quiz for the link. We can verify that you have a ticket through Eventbrite ourselves.
We won't start the quiz until about 8.15pm to allow everyone time to log in etc.
DECEMBER QUIZ
The date of the December Quiz is Thursday 17th December at 8pm Uk Time.
As per usual we will be hosting it on Zoom, but you must have an account with them to take part. It's free and takes just a few moments to register at zoom.us
To register for a Quiz ticket you will need to register via Eventbrite
After acquiring a ticket on Eventbrite, you should get an email from Zoom with the event details. - please do not delete that email, it contains the Zoom link you need to enter the quiz !
In the event that you don't receive that email, please email us before 8pm on the night of the Quiz for the link. We can verify that you have a ticket through Eventbrite ourselves.
We won't start the quiz until about 8.15pm to allow everyone time to log in etc.
As it's Hogswatch, we would love to see as many Christmas Jumpers/Hats etc as possible !
[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]
↑≡2.4 Nullus Anxietas 7a - The Australian Discworld Convention Postponement
Unfortunately the Australian Discworld Convention has been postponed until 2022.
It will go ahead in Sydney as planned and they chose not to postpone a full two years because of the unique way in which the Australian Convention moves around the country.
This means, in theory, that there will be an Australian Discworld Convention for two years running, I believe a first but I am happy to be corrected.
It also means that 2022 will be an exceedingly busy year for Discworld Conventions with Llamedos Holiday Camp , UK Discworld Convention , Nullus Anxietas 7a - Australian Convention and CabbageCon all happening within 7 months of each other as a result some Discworld Fans will be spending a huge amount of time racking up their Air Miles.
↑≡2.5 Discworld & Beyond Exhibition in Christchurch UK - Update
Discworld & Beyond is a touring exhibition featuring the cover art and illustrations of Paul Kidby, and is currently residing at the Red House Museum and Gardens in Christchurch, Dorset.
Tickets are free but you must pre-book a time slot ticket to gain entry due to Covid measures.
Due to the England Lockdown this has now been extended until January 2021.
The Exhibition will be open from the 4th December from 10am until 4pm every Wed, Thursday, Fri, Sat and Sun
To book your ticket
↑≡2.6 Llamedos On the Clacks - March 2021
You may have seen some posts on social media about an Online Discworld Event in March 2021
That event is Llamedos On The Clacks, run by the team that brought you Llamedos Holiday Camp in 2020.
Tickets will go on sale in December, with a weekend's worth of panels, activities and games planned, the whole event just needs you to have access to the internet as it is run through a browser window.
The team will be making an official announcement as to when in March the event will occur in a couple of weeks before they pull the big red lever that says "Go Go Go".
To find our more, sign up to their newsletter and to volunteer for any panels, head over to any of the following.
Llamedos On the Clacks website
↑≡2.7 Marc Burrows Limited Edition Box set
Marc has reprinted the extra material booklets as one single edition called 'Turtles All The Way Down' and is selling a special 'Generic Hog-based Festive Celebration' limited edition box set which includes such wonders as a special christmas card and an exclusive box.
You can also buy the Turtles all the way down on it's own and the Christmas card with signed bookplate over at askmeaboutterrypratchett.com
↑≡2.8 The Illustrated Guards! Guards! - Update
The Illustrated Guards! Guards! will be released onto the universe on 12th November 2020.
With 2 editions from Orion/Gollancz to choose from, a standard edition and a slipcase edition.
The Slipcase edition has been pushed back again to the 10th December.
Standard Edition cover
Special Edition cover
The Dunmanifestin special editions will get published in 2021
The standard 30GBP edition features ten glorious full-colour illustrations and further pencil drawings by Paul Kidby and costs 30GBP. ISBN :9781473230705
The slipcase edition is signed by Paul Kidby and features ten glorious full-colour illustrations and further pencil drawings. This edition is slipcased, has sprayed edges and includes a marker ribbon and costs 75GBP. ISBN: 9781473230712
You can pre-order from our affiliate links below.
View our affiliate links to order Illustrated Guards! Guards! - Standard Edition View our affiliate links to order Illustrated Guards! Guards! - Slipcase EditionISBN-13: 9781473229648
Price 25GBP
View our affiliate links to order The Ankh-Morpork Vol 2↑≡2.9 Book Releases - Hogswatch gifts
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.
In September
The Time-Travelling Caveman and other stories
Available now
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
Rhianna Pratchett - Crystal of Storms - Was released on 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 10 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
---
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 I've included some questions previously asked in one of our online quizzes.
| Q1. | Who was the 305th Archchancellor of the Unseen University? |
| Q2. | Which of the following is the odd one out: Dimwell Old Pals, The Peeled Nuts, Pigsty Hill Pork Packers or Cockbill Boars? |
| Q3. | Who was the lover of Mellius |
| Q4. | Who employs Satchelmouth? |
| Q5. | How did Quezovercoatl die? |
The answers as usual can be found at the end of this issue.
↑≡4. Review: The Ankh-Morpork Archives - Volume 2
Review by Jason Rincewind Anthony-Rowlands
The Ankh-Morpork Archives - Volume 2 - incorporates the non date content from 1999's Ankh-Morpork City Watch Diary, 2001's The Fools Guild Yearbook Diary, 2003's The Reformed Vampyre's Diary and 2008's Lu-Tze's Book of Enlightenment.
The cover features four circular images taken from the covers of each of the diaries so we get from top-left clockwise - Sam Vimes, Dr Whiteface, Lu-Tze and John Not-A-Vampire-At-All Smith.
The volume is the same with and height as the previous volume but this time in red livery rather than blue. The pair will look good together on a sufficiently strong enough and deep enough shelf. Volume 2 is not a light book.
As previously mentioned the non-diary bits from the four diaries each been dissected - rearranged and put back together to give a book for four parts. I compared the content of the original dairies and noticed a number of variations, some of the images have been moved around and flipped to suit the new layout better. Some of the images that were only about 30mm high in the original have now been given a lot more space and are better laid out. Overall the information is presented in a much nicer format with plenty of white space.
Unfortunately some of the text that was "typewritten" in the original diary making it easy to read has been replaced with some interesting script fonts. Sadly while it makes it look like hand written notes it also makes it very hard to read. This continues throughout the four sections of the book. The script fonts are different each time but I suspect we have just got used to not reading this type of font anymore. It's a shame because the book otherwise looks beautiful - a case of beauty over functionality- given this is a book to read it's important to make it readable.
If you don't own the diaries or would just prefer them laid out in a pleasing non-diary format - this is very much a coffee table book - then you should look at getting both volumes of The Ankh-Mopork Archives.
Now that we have had the contents of the first 7a diaries, where can they go next? There are only two traditional diaries left - The Almanac and the Post Office Diary. So if volume 3 happens it might be a slightly simmer volume. Maybe the books should have included five diaries each instead of four. We'll just have to wait and see.
The Ankh-Morpork Archives - Volume 2 is published by Gollancz with a RRP of 25 GBP..
ISBN: 978 1 473 22964 8
View our affiliate links to order The Ankh-Morpork Archives Volume 2↑≡5. Review: The Ineffable Convention 2
Review by Rachel Anthony-Rowlands
We attended the Ineffable Con 2 recently which was hosted using the online events company Accelevents, whilst we didn't attend the whole event, the panels we dropped into were well worth our time and it was good to see the Chattering Nuns, Mark Burrows, Neil Gaiman and Rob Wilkins faces again.
The Nuns were hilarious, the original nuns front he marketing campaign and the series were all on Zoom talking over each other and the poor captioning crew were really struggling to keep up with them. The energy coming from the Nuns was electrifying and made a really good panel.
Rob, Neil and Douglas Mckinnon all dodged the inevitable question about a second series of Good Omens with tremendous grace, making it clear that they weren't prepared to confirm or deny anything (reading between the lines though, I still get the vibe that it will never happen) .
Rob and Neil confirmed the rumour about Funko Pops of Aziraphale and Crowley for 2021, Rob going so far as to show off a pair of custom fan made Funko Pops he had been gifted by a fan.
We particularly loved that Neil discovered a cat in his house whilst the talk was ongoing, updating everyone via Twitter later where the cat was hiding and how he managed to get it to leave his house.
An observation on the events, the live chat boxes were busy, like super crazy busy and from our perspective a little overwhelming. With 661 people all vying to get their comments in, it was hard to keep up and thus we ended up ignoring it, which was sad as occasionally we'd see a familiar name shoot up the screen. At future online events I don't know what could be done to slow the speed of that, but for me personally it was distracting when I wanted to listen to what was being said by the panelists.
A huge thank you and congratulations to Rachael and Bethany who organised the Ineffable Con 2, organizing anything that big is never easy and they did it with grace and humour.
Whilst we know that there may not be an Ineffable Con 3, they are holding an AntiChristmas celebration online later next month - The Good Omens AntichristMAS party will be held between 19:00 GMT and 02:00 GMT on Saturday 12th December, on Zoom.
Free to attend-sign up for info at theineffablecon.org.uk and / or to host a game bit.ly
↑≡6. Competition Result: Troll Bridge Blu-ray
Last month we offered two copies and one poster of Snowgum Film's Troll Bridge on European Blu-ray as prizes. The first name out of the had to win the blu-ray and poster and the second to get just the blu-ray.
We asked you to tell us the names of each of Mica's three brothers in law.
The answers we were looking for were: Pyrites, Chert and Clay
We only had 17 people attempt to enter this month's competition. It really is worth entering, as at the moment your odds are pretty good.
The randomly selected winner of the blu-ray and poster is: N Ahmed of Northwood, and the second blu-ray goes to: Eddie Nixon of Wallsend,
Congratulations both, we'll get your prizes in the post as soon as possible.
↑≡7. 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
Belated November Greetings (to those that have already had November birthdays) to: Chris Gibbs, Jem John Miller, Don "Cohen" Bridges, Lisa Riz Risley, Elizaberh Angua Macmichael, Lizzie Glaiser, Michaela Lilla Bos, Pete Smith, Sarah Spall, Lyn Moger
Happy November Greetings to: Steve Durbin, Danielle Clarke, Tiger Mac Mathuna, Joe Angel, Karen Carr, Ruechenda Herd, Charlie Mitchell, Tim Van Holder, Barbara Durbin, Martin Macey
↑≡8. 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 while working out the difference between 2700K and 6500K bulbs.
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: "Rob Jackson" rjackson1954@gmail.com
Thanks for the wonderful job you do with the Discworld Monthly.
I have been a fan of STP since my wife gave me Colour of Magic in 1983 and we own all the novels. In passing, and contrary to common thinking I would much rather re-read TCOM than some of his later books.
I have been following the development of the Watch series and agree with most thoughts that it is not the cast I would have chosen nor are the settings how I pictured Ankh-Morpork. That being said it does look like it could be an interesting steampunk cop show, if you just ignore the characters' names.
My biggest fear is that with all the hatred for the show out there from the STP fans, it will be a complete flop and because of that Rhianna and Co won't get the financing they will need to make their versions of Terry's works.
We will then be left with just the books and the amazing pictures we all have in our minds (each very different from each other – only united by the amazing artwork of Josh Kirby.
* From: "Barbara Mackenzie" bmeh42@gmail.com
Discworld and it's citizens have been my friends and companions since I met them in 1986. On watching the clips of the new adaptations,I get the feeling that none of the actors have ever read any of the watch series.If they had,and loved what they read,they would never had wanted to debase the Discworld currency in the way they have.The dynamics between Vimes and Sybil that were written so sympathetically will be impossible with the dragon toting Matrix looking heroine (would a girl that looks like that ever bear the name of Sybil.?)
One bright spot on the horizon,I don't have to watch! Barbara Mackenzie
Jason replies: I don't think you can blame the actors in this. Often casting directors etc prefer if the actors don't know the source material. It is after all the actors job to bring the director's vision to life. If the director's vision is somewhat off kilter it is not the actor's job to bring it back level. I think therefore, IF blame is needed it is with the directory. We shall, each, have to make up our own minds on whether we watch the series (subject to being able to) , but this really isn't the actors' faults.
* From: "Irene Meis" heisseschoggi@gmx.de
I would like to comment on The Watch series. I keep reading here and on Twitter that people "will still watch it" - despite their bad feeling about the footage they've already seen.
My advice is: don't.
BBC America doesn't care if you're watching ironically, if you're watching it to identify all the details they took from the books and how they changed them, if you're watching it with seething rage or because you're actually enjoying it. All that matters to the studio is that you're watching it at all.
If the viewer numbers are good and if people are talking about it, the series will be declared a success, no matter what you're saying; even if all you do is complain about it.
The fact that there are no other channels confident enough to have bought the series beforehand is a good sign (meaning you can't find anyother channel showing it apart from BBC America who produced it) . It means they are waiting for viewer numbers. Don't heap praise on the producers by showing up. Because that's what will happen. Don't watch, don't complain, don't talk about it. BBC America is not an underdog that deserves our support "even if the final product isn't entirely to our liking" (like the Discworld films) . This series does not deserve the
support of the "built-in fanbase", because it treats the source material, it treats PTerry's creation with contempt. It does not need us to give it the benefit of the doubt.
Down with this embuggerance!
* From: "Greg" ggalon2009@gmail.com
Greg here down in Fourecks ... just thought I'd give my two cents about The Watch. We all have our own opinions, and I won't try to persuade or dissuade anyone. If you want to watch it (or not) , go ahead.
BBC America's "The Watch" is what the A-M City Watch isn't. We always knew that.
What makes it worse is this: it slaps Terry's name on it and pretends to be what it's not. It's a lie. And I've never been impressed by lies.
Worse still, Simon Allen pretends that it's all his own work -- including the names of the characters.
But even all of this isn't the most worrying bit. What really worries me is this: of the TV-watching public (at least in America - and definitely here in Australia) , us Discworld fans are a minority.
We know what Discworld is and isn't. Most people who watch TV probably don't. They'll watch this show and think that's what the A-M City Watch is like. They'll be misled, and if they start reading Discworld after that, they'll be put off -- because it's not what they'll expect.
Here's what I propose: let us all, each and every one of us, tell our families and friends to read the books instead of watching this show. If we can get through to even one person, that's one more person we introduce to the wonderfully rich world that Terry created.
If we do nothing, nothing will change. If we go out and spread the word like the disciples of Om (though without the Quisitions and dreadful harmoniums) , then maybe -- just maybe -- we'll have gained a new "convert", if you will.
Enough of TV's lies. The Truth (sorry) deserves to be heard. Chelonophiles, unite! You have nothing to lose but your sanity!
But that's what I think, anyway. Everyone has opinions, and everyone thinks theirs don't stink. Carry on ...
* From: "Alan Chilman" alanchilman@gmail.com
Thanks to you for the great job you do in bringing the newsletter to us each month.
I am not as rabid a fan as many obviously are, and almost never know any answers to the quiz. But I do love all the books and enjoy re-reading them constantly. I often read bits in the monthly emails that spur me on to go back to a book I haven't read for a while.
So thank you for your constant work to share the joy with everybody you can.
It is much appreciated, even here in Australia.
* From: "Gordon Queen" gordonqueen25@yahoo.co.uk
If we can take one positive from the upcoming Watch TV series it's been it's uncanny ability to galvanise the fans and make us all appreciate, more than ever, what we will always have in the books.
With the great man's passing, I was concerned that the fandom would just slowly, imperceptibly, ebb away.
I was gutted when TP's works in progress were steamrolled, never to see the light of day, although I fully appreciated the reasons why.
Selfishly, unforgivably selfishly, I really wanted Rhianna to continue the dispatches from the Discworld with her own unique interpretations of her father's creation. To take it in a fresh direction and, quite frankly, continue a much missed tradition of having a new Discworld book under the hogswatch tree.
I enjoyed the previous TV adaptations, some more than others, and usually with a healthy smattering of 'oh no, that's not how I imagined it at all'.
The (un) Watch (ed) has succeeded in ways I never thought possible: it's made me fully appreciate the original works of Sir Terry all over again.
Upon release, I'll try to watch it but not in a format that will financially or otherwise benefit it's creators (or should that be interpreters?) . Probably with a few beers and an expectation to be thoroughly entertained... for all the wrong reasons!
It might just end up being the Discworld version of the Star Wars Holiday Special.
↑≡9. 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.
↑≡9.1 Current and Upcoming Productions
For more details of these current and upcoming productions visit: Pratchett Stage Productions
- Monstrous Regiment in Roleystone, Australia, Australia (5th, 11th,12th and 13th December 2020)
↑≡9.2 New and Updated Productions
These productions are new this month or have been updated. For our full list visit: Pratchett Stage Productions
[New: Australia] Roleystone Theatre presents Monstrous Regiment as adapted by Stephen Briggs
| Location: | Roleystone Hall, 44 Jarrah Road, Roleystone, 6111, WA, Australia |
| Dates: | 5th, 11th,12th and 13th December 2020 |
| Times: | 11am & 7pm on 5th and 12th, 7pm only on the 11th and 13th. |
| Tickets: | 20AUD - Adult, 15AUD Concessions |
| Box office: | trybooking.com |
| Website: | Roleystone Theatre |
[Updated: UK] Studio Theatre Club presents Terry Pratchett:Murder in Ankh-Morpork as adapted by Stephen Briggs
| Location: | Unicorn Theatre, Medieval Abbey Buildings, Checker Walk, Abingdon OX14 3JB |
| Dates: | 17th - 20th November 2021 |
| Times: | 19:30, and Sat Matinee at 14:30 |
| Tickets: | 12GBP, Tickets go on sale at 9am on 1st September 2021 |
| Website: | Studio Theatre Club |
↑≡10. Discworld Conventions and other Events
The UK Discworld Convention has been postponed until 2022.
CabbageCon 2020 has been Cancelled and the next one will happen in 2022.
Australia's Nullus Anxietas 7a has been postponed until 2022
Online events are happening - see our index for details.
Llamedos On the Clacks will happen in March 2021
↑≡11. 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.
↑≡12. The End
This month's issue is brought to you by Ikea, famous people emailing us and a Gift Tag punch!
The deadline for submissions to issue 283 of Discworld Monthly is the 10th December 2020.
↑≡12.1 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
↑≡12.2 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
Please do let us know if you use them!
↑≡12.3 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
↑≡12.4 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:
↑≡12.5 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.
↑≡12.6 Trivia Answers
| Q1. | Who was the 305th Archchancellor of the Unseen University? |
| A1. | Ymper Trymon (The Light Fantastic) |
| Q2. | Which of the following is the odd one out: Dimwell Old Pals, The Peeled Nuts, Pigsty Hill Pork Packers or Cockbill Boars? |
| A2. | The Peeled Nuts, the rest are football teams (Unseen Academicals) |
| Q3. | Who was the lover of Mellius |
| A3. | Gretelina (Mort) |
| Q4. | Who employs Satchelmouth? |
| A4. | Mr. Clete (Soul Music) |
| Q5. | How did Quezovercoatl die? |
| A5. | Quezovercoatl was trampled to death by The Luggage (Eric) |
12.7 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.
↑≡12.8 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
Thank you Terry Pratchett
↑≡12.9 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.
Keep smiling, Keep washing those hands but most of all, Keep breathing.
We will all get to hug again !
GNU Terry Pratchett...
Affiliate Links
- Illustrated Guards! Guards! - Standard Edition
- Illustrated Guards! Guards! - Slipcase Edition
- The Ankh-Morpork Vol 2
- 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
- Crystal of Storms
- Illustrated Guards! Guards! - Standard Edition
- Illustrated Guards! Guards! - Slipcase Edition
- Puffin Book of Funny Stories
- The Ankh-Morpork Archives Volume 2