Newsletter 1 - October 2024 - Better Than a Poke in the Eye
1. Editorial
Hello, and welcome to the very first issue of Better Than a Poke in the Eye.
We hope to provide you with news about some of our favourite authors and some of our favourite things in the universe, such as TV shows, events and occasionally movies.
The team here produced Discworld Monthly for 26 years, which was a monthly newsletter about all things Discworld and Terry Pratchett and just over a year ago, we rebranded to Better Than a Poke in the Eye which we thought was apt, as it was what Terry Pratchett himself was quoted as saying about the aforementioned Discworld Monthly.
Here is that full Quote.
"Discworld Monthly: Better Than a Poke in the Eye With a Blunt Stick *
*. Bluntness level 5.7:EU Timber & Organic Materials Sharpness Scale 17, as ratified June 2006/Directive 871.3/99/BH. Note: Under EU regulation 77/089 a stick of bluntness of 3 or less is officially a potato. Health & Safety addendum: Rules regarding safety goggles apply under Directive 223/WHEE/95. Stick to be operated by qualified Stick Handler under Directive 117/UGG/13, as ratified May 2004"-- Terry Pratchett
We took a break from the endless cycle of producing a newsletter, whilst still running events, dealing with medical issues, family deaths etc and of course, with a rebrand came a long "to do" list of things, which we think we've just about completed.
We hope the above convinces you that we somewhat know what we are doing as we are not always convinced ourselves! (Imposter syndrome runs happily here).
As in our previous iteration, we still carry the most comprehensive Discworld events/stage productions database.
If you know of something we are missing there, email Jason and Rachel (aka the team) at info@betterthanapokeintheeye.co.uk
To start with, here are some updates
Kickstarter
Two important updates from the world of Kickstarter
First up.
Good Omens: the Official (and Ineffable) Graphic Novel
This was fully funded last year, and whilst it yet has to ship, there has been an update.
Test copies of the earlier sections of the book have been printed to see how it looks in person. A coveted item at the Estate's HQ. It feels very real as the Good Omens Graphic Novel team gets to hold some samples in their hands. Colleen Doran (the artist) feels so too, as she noted on Instagram: "Letters by Lois Buhalis are perfection. Colours better than I dreamed they could be. Was really worried about the reds and blues. Incredibly rich and deep. The end is near."
Fulfilment currently is aiming for a Spring 2025 date.
You can still get involved, through their Pledge Manager
Secondly:
Terry Pratchett's Discworld RPG: Adventures in Ankh-Morpork by Modiphius Entertainment
There are just a few days left to back this Kickstarter where everything is Exclusive to Kickstarter.
They have smashed their target of £100,000 by an amazing amount of £1,640,000 (and still rising.)
You can currently still (at the time of writing) back the project on their kickstarter page
For those who are waiting for the retail version of the game, we can tell you that retailers will get a very different version of the game.
Chris Birch of Modiphius told us,
"It will be a starter set designed to play the moment you open the box with everything you need, with a new adventure, expand alone supplements with new content, new dice and a smaller digest size version of the core book. This won't include any content available in the Kickstarter so anything you buy in retail will be new (except rules). This supports stores so they get something unique as well"
Modiphius expects to start physical fulfilment in August 2025.
Disctober 2024
October was the month we deemed to be #Disctober2024. This is an art challenge that challenges anyone to produce a piece of art a day from our unique prompts. All our prompts are from the Discworld series of books by Terry Pratchett. This year, they were all place names. The sheer delight of being transported all around the Discworld via the art the challenge produced was wonderful and we know many enjoyed the challenge.
"Drawing Discworld every October is a great idea, I love seeing other people's artwork. I feel like Mrs Bradshaw, I've travelled the Discworld with the help of the prompts, so thank you!"
"I would not have attempted any Discworld drawing without these prompts. It's been captured so well by others but these prompts made it feel like an invitation to have a go. "
Good Omens Season 3
There has been so much talk about Good Omens over the last few months, "what's happening? Has it been cancelled ? Is it now a movie? Arggggghhh " Hopefully our short article will answer those queries. We know it's in safe hands with Rob Wilkins and we cannot wait to see the climax of the story.
*** LAST MINUTE NEWS FLASH ! PURPLE ALERT PURPLE ALERT! ***
A Lost Terry Pratchett Documentary has finally been released to the world!
Terry Pratchett's Jungle Quest
This long lost 26 minute documentary, originally shown on Channel 4, has been lovingly restored by its creators and is now available on Amazon Prime Video for all to see.
Made in 1995, a full 18 years before the much acclaimed Facing Extinction, Terry embarked on a journey of discovery into the jungles of Borneo with Ian Redmond and Dr Birute Galdikas to find these secretive creatures for himself.
"When Terry Pratchett, best-selling author of the 'Discworld' series of Science Fantasy novels, invented the much loved character of 'The Librarian', he could not have imagined that it would be the beginning of a personal quest that would take him into the jungles of Borneo.
The books began Terry's interest in and concern for orangutans; he even became a trustee of the Orangutan Foundation. Terry realised that he knew very little about these close cousins of humans and planned a boat trip, up the Sekonyer River from Kumi in Borneo to meet orangutans in the wild. His travelling companion was Ian Redmond, a primatologist who worked with Diane Fossey and the gorillas of Rwanda, and who now wanted to photograph orangutans for his latest book. Ian too was visiting Borneo for the first time.
Almost on his arrival, Terry encountered his first orangutan - in a cage! It was an ex-captive, baby orang, victim of the trade in orangutans as pets, waiting to be returned to the jungle.
Keeping orangs as pets used to be an Indonesian tradition. Now, with just 300,000 left in the wild, it is illegal - catching the babies often involves killing the mothers.
Terry's mission had an aim beyond encountering orangutans in their natural habitat. He also hoped to make contact with the legendary Birute Galdikas, a contemporary of Fossey's who has been working with and studying orangutans in Borneo for over twenty years.
When he tracked her down at her remote base at Camp Leakey he learned that Birute regards orangutans as 'another kind of us' - they share 98% of their genetic make-up with human beings, as well as an intense curiosity, a sense of fun, and a liking for human company in small doses. He also learned that despite her efforts to protect the rainforest from the loggers, Birute fears for the future of the red apes as even the National Park is steadily reduced.
At Camp Leakey Terry discovered for himself the importance of a place where people and apes can share the world with no bars between them. And he achieved his aim of getting 'close' to orangutans when a huge male known as Kusasi emerged from the jungle, sat for a few minutes just feet away from Terry and Ian, and then quietly returned to the forest."
Documentary is 26 mins in length.
And I think that's it for the latest news!
I hope we will get to see some of you at Abingdon for the Stephen Briggs production of Witches Abroad, or at the Cogsmouth Chronicle Empire for Sale event in Leeds.
Don't be scared to approach us, a certain author once gave this advice to fans about how to approach him…
"I think.. Can I get you a drink? is always a good opener"
R x
2. News Feed
Night Watch by Terry Pratchett to become a Penguin Modern Classic
In April 2025 Night Watch will get a special re-release as part of the Penguin Modern Classics. With annotations by Dr David Lloyd and Dr Darryl Jones.
The Cogsmouth Chronicle: Empire for Sale is a Victoriana Experience
The team at BTAPITE will be working at The Cogsmouth Chronicle present Empire for Sale is a Victoriana Experience in Leeds in November.
Ghosts Brought to Life: Behind the scenes of the award winning TV series
The award winning Ghosts UK Television series get a new book: Ghosts Brought To Life. Read all the behind the scenes talk and cast interviews.
Good Omens 3 is a Go Go Go. Good Omens 3 will start filming in 2025
Good Omens 3 news and press release confirms that Good Omens 3 will happen! Filming to start in 2025 and will feature a one off 90 minute episode.
The movie sequel to The Amazing Maurice has been announced.
The Amazing Maurice The Waters of Life will be a sequel to the hit movies The Amazing Maurice based on Terry Pratchett's novel. Due 2027.
Kickstarter campaign for new Terry Pratchett Discworld RPG
Kickstarter campaign launched and fully funded in just 27 minutes for a new Terry Pratchett Discworld Roleplay Game.
3. Articles
PRESS RELEASE: Good Omens Season 3 - October 2024
Amazon Prime has confirmed details of the third and final season of Good Omens with a one off ninety minute episode.
Review Wyrd Sisters Live, Boulevard Theatre - Milford Haven
A lively and very funny adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters performed by Vision Arts Theatre in Milford Haven.
A review of Carpe Jugulum by Circle Players October 2024
PurpleFeather reviews a live production of Carpe Jugulum performed by Circle Players in October 2024
4. New and Updated Events
Irish Discworld Convention 2025 in Ireland
Dates: 17th - 20th October 2025
Location: Cork, Ireland
Website: 2025.idwcon.org
Llamedos Holiday Camp - The Hogs Ball! in Wales
Dates: 6th-8th March 2026
Location: Llanelli, South Wales
Website: llamedosholidaycamp.com
Box Office: llamedosholidaycamp.com
The Fifth Elephant in Australia
Dates: Sat 19th October, Fri 25th, Sat 26th, Sun 27th, Thu 31st, Friday 1st November and Saturday 2nd
Production Company: Brisbane Arts Theatre
Location: Queensland, Australia
Website: www.artstheatre.com.au
Box Office: www.trybooking.com
Scheibenwelt Convention (The German Discworld Convention) - Death's Domain in Germany
Dates: 29th May - 1st June 2025
Location: Witzenhausen, Germany
Website: www.scheibenwelt-convention.de
Guards! Guards! in Australia
Dates: 22nd, 23rd, 24th & 30th November 2024
Production Company: Roleystone Theatre
Location: Releystone, WA, Australia
Website: events.humanitix.com
Box Office: events.humanitix.com
Paul Kidby in Conversation with Kat Brown in England
Dates: 21/11/2024
Location: London, UK
Website: www.waterstones.com
Night Watch in England
Dates: Thu 6th February - Sat 15th February 2025
Production Company: Progress Theatre
Location: Reading, England
Website: www.progresstheatre.co.uk
Box Office: www.ticketsource.co.uk
5. The End
Thanks for reading this newsletter from Better Than a Poke in the Eye!
For all the latest information visit our website BetterThanaPokeintheEye.co.uk
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