Newsletter 24 - September 2026 - Better Than a Poke in the Eye
1. Editorial
Welcome to issue 24 - this month we have quite a lot of information for you.
- We have news of an exclusive set of new editions of the Death series created by Illumicrate.
- Information about a new collection of Hogswatch stories (taken from the short stories previously released in Father Christmas' Fake Beard etc).
- Reviews of the 2026 International Discworld Convention and a production of The Shakespeare Codex
- Chances to met Rob Wilkins and learn about the Discworld Beastiary.
- A new chance to see Paul Kidby's Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld in Lichfield
- Lots of new plays
Its funny how these things come in waves. I haven't yet written my review of the TTRPG Adventures in Ankh-Morpork yet while I awaiting a replacement set of dice that hopefully fixes the problem before I can make a fair review.
Remember if you see a play or go to any of the events we are always looking for reviews. If you'd like yours published on our site and in the newsletter please send your reviews to info@betterthanapokeintheeye.co.uk. You can also use this address to send us readers' letters.
We hope you have a good month and we'll see you again soon.
Jason & Rachel
2. News Feed
Our news feed always has the most up to date information. Click on the titles below to read the full articles on our website.
Book Release News The Discworld Bestiary Illustrated by Paul Kidby
[Book Release News] The Discworld Bestiary
Illustrated by Paul Kidby
It's not just a book but a field guide for survival - as explained by Rincewind against his better judgement.
Terry Pratchett's Night Watch Special Edition art by Joe Bundock
[Book Release News] Night Watch - Special Hardback Edition with cover art by Joe Bundock
A beautiful hardback gift edition of Night Watch, Terry Pratchett's celebrated Discworld novel featuring Commander Sam Vimes.
Earlier this year Penguin Random House ran The Penguin Cover Design Award - an opportunity to take on the role of a book cover designer and build a budding illustrators portfolio. Entrants must not have been professional illustrators or designers.
The Adult category was to design a cover for Night Watch by Terry Pratchett and was won by Joe Bundock, a student at Leeds Arts University.
Tales of Mistletoe and Mischief by Terry Pratchett - Gift for children
[Book Release News] Tales of Mistletoe and Mischief By Terry Pratchett, illustrated by Mark Beech
With full-colour illustrations, this book is perfect for introducing young readers to the festive world of master storyteller Sir Terry Pratchett. Discover four festive and funny tales of yuletide computers and abominable snow-babies! With full colour illustrations by Mark Beech
Out Now
Modiphius follow up their recent TTRPG with new environs
Move out of Ankh-Morpork and visit Lancre and Uberwald in this new extension of Modiphius' TTPRG Adventures In Ankh Morpork.
Our art challenge Disc-tober 2026 is just around the corner.
Our art challenge Disc-tober 2026 is just around the corner. Each day in October take the prompt and create a piece of art based on it. Have fun!
Paul Kidby and Rob Wilkins talk about the new Discworld Bestiary
Journalist and author Kat Brown will interview Paul Kidby and Rob Wilkins at a special Discworld Bestiary launch event
3. Articles
We have an extensive archive of articles we have written in our archive index
[Book News] Illumicrate Exclusive Death Collection
Illumicrate have released images and opened pre-orders for their exclusive Terry Pratchett Death Collection of books.
Priced at £135 for the set of 5 books - that is Mort, Reaper Man, Soul Music, Hogfather and Thief of Time.
This beautiful set of hardback books has a cavalcade of artwork on the covers, jackets and endpapers by various artists with glorious printed edges with a continuous fore-edge design.
- Exclusive designed jackets (artwork by Amita Sevellaraja, design by Jane Tibbetts)
- Full colour artwork on wibalin cases (artwork by Yasushi Matsuoka)
- Illustrated endpapers (artwork by Amelia Rose), different front and back
- Digitally printed edges on all three sides with a continuous fore-edge design (artwork by Amita Sevellaraja)
- Sewn binding with head and tail bands
[Review] International Discworld Convention 2026
We visited the International Discworld Convention in Hinckley in August. It's was the first time back after our disappointment with the 2022 convention.
Review: Shakespeare Codex Twickenham
Andrea Richardson reviews Shakespeare Codex performed by Richmond Shakespeare Society
4. New, Updated and Upcoming Events
Remember to visit our events page to keep up to date with all the latest events / stage productions.
Hogfather in USA
Dates: 2nd - 4th October 2026
Production Company: Staunton High School
Location: VA, USA
Website: www.stauntonian.com
Box Office: gofan.co
Going Postal - Social Reading in England
Dates: 5th October 2026
Production Company: Midland Players
Location: Sheffield, England
Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld: 30 Years of Paul Kidby’s Illustrations in England
Dates: 7th October - 28th November
Location: Lichfield, England
Website: thehubstmarys.co.uk
Wyrd Sisters in New Zealand
Dates: Thursday 8th - 17th October 2026
Production Company: Hamilton Playbox
Location: New Zealand
Website: www.playbox.org.nz
Box Office: www.iticket.co.nz
Going Postal in England
Dates: Friday 9th October - Saturday 17th October
Production Company: Kelvedon Players
Location: Colchester, England
Website: www.kelvedonplayers.co.uk
Box Office: www.ticketsource.com
Box Office: [tel:0333 666 3366](0333 666 3366)
Rob Wilkins on Terry Pratchett's The Discworld Bestiary in England
Dates: Thursday 15th October 2026
Location: York, England
Box Office: www.toppingbooks.co.uk
Celebrate The Discworld Bestiary at Waterstones Piccadilly in England
Dates: Friday 16th October 2026
Location: London, England
Box Office: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Carpe Jugulum in England
Dates: 22th-24th October 2026
Production Company: Chorlton Players
Location: Chorlton, Manchester
Website: www.facebook.com
Box Office: chorltonplayers.com
Hogfather in England
Dates: Wed 28th Oct - Sat 31st Oct 2026
Production Company: Peterborough Revellers
Location: Peterborough, England
Box Office: keytheatre-peterborough.com
Wyrd Sisters in England
Dates: Thursday 29th - Saturday 31st October 2026
Production Company: Honiton Community Theatre Company
Location: Devon, England
Website: thebeehive.savoysystems.co.uk
Going Postal in Australia
Dates: 29th October - 7th November
Production Company: Brisbane Arts Theatre
Location: Queensland, Australia
Box Office: artstheatre.com.au
Rob Wilkins The Discworld Bestiary at Stratford upon-Avon Literary Festival in England
Dates: Sunday 1st November 2026
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, England
Box Office: www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk
Box Office: tel:03336663366
Wyrd Sisters in England
Dates: 25th - 28th November 2026
Production Company: St. Austell Players
Location: St Austell, England
Box Office: www.ticketsource.co.uk
Box Office: tel:0172672685
Hogfather in England
Dates: 9th - 12th December 2026
Production Company: Coalville Drama Group
Location: Coalville, England
Website: www.coalvilledramagroup.co.uk
Paul Kidby: The Discworld Bestiary in England
Dates: 23rd January - 20th March 2027
Location: Lymington, England
Website: www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk
Going Postal in England
Dates: February 2027
Production Company: Midland Players
Location: Sheffield, England
Deutsche Scheibenwelt Convention in Germany
Dates: 6th May - 9th May 2027
Location: Germany
Website: www.scheibenwelt-convention.de
Llamedos Holiday Camp 2028 (Theme to be announced!) in South Wales
Dates: 3rd - 5th March 2028
Location: Aberavon, South Wales
Website: llamedosholidaycamp.com
Nullus Anxietas XI in Australia
Dates: April 2028
Location: Melbourne
Website: ausdwcon.org
5. The End
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