[The Shepherd's Crown midnight launch a decade on]
Ten years ago, many of us were recovering from the Midnight launch of The Shepherd's Crown, the last ever Discworld novel to be published.
Our Jason had read the prologue live to listeners of Radio 5 Live at 00.20 sat on the stairs at Waterstones Piccadilly, dressed as Rincewind.
Rob Wilkins had a few words to say on the tenth anniversary of publication.
"It's been ten years since the publication of The Shepherd's Crown, the last book Terry Pratchett completed before he died. Once the spine on this one was cracked, there were no more new Pratchetts to look forward to, and I know a lot of Discworld readers who were, understandably, with that sad reality in mind, reluctant to finish - or even start - this one because it felt like the final closing of a door.
But I also know that Terry wanted his books to be read and enjoyed far more than he wanted them kept on a shelf. And as time passes it becomes ever more apparent how much the Discworld books reward re-visiting, perpetually revealing something new, literary gems Terry had hidden away for a second or third, or even more, re-read. Every Pratchett is to some degree an unread Pratchett, including the ones you've already enjoyed and including The Shepherd's Crown.
So the greatest way to honour Terry's legacy is to pull that book you've been saving off the shelf, make a nice cup of tea and settle down to read the story he wrote for you. Enjoy.
Rob Wilkins
Wiltshire, August 2025
For those who were there (and those that weren't) here is the album of photos we took at that last ever midnight launch of a Discworld novel.
If you were there and have any pictures or memories from that night, please share them with us all in the comments on our social media posts.
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