Wossname -- special early edition -- August 2015

[News and reviews about the works of Sir Terry Pratchett]

Wossname SPECIAL EARLY EDITION
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
August 2015 (Volume 18, Issue 8, Post 1)

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WOSSNAME is a free publication offering news, reviews, and all the other 
stuff-that-fits pertaining to the works and activities of Sir Terry 
Pratchett. Originally founded by the late, great Joe Schaumburger for 
members of the worldwide Klatchian Foreign Legion and its affiliates, 
including the North American Discworld Society and other continental 
groups, Wossname is now for Discworld and Pratchett fans everywhere in 
Roundworld.
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Editor in Chief: Annie Mac
News Editor: Vera P
Newshounds: Mogg, Sir J of Croydon Below, the Shadow, Wolfiekins, Mss C, 
Alison not Aliss
Staff Writers: Asti, Pitt the Elder, Evil Steven Dread, Mrs Wynn-Jones
Staff Technomancers: Jason Parlevliet, Archchancellor Neil, DJ Helpful
Book Reviews: Annie Mac, Drusilla D'Afanguin, Your Name Here
Puzzle Editor: Tiff (still out there somewhere)
Bard in Residence: Weird Alice Lancrevic
Emergency Staff: Steven D'Aprano, Jason Parlevliet
World Membership Director: Steven D'Aprano (in his copious spare time)

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INDEX:

01) QUOTES OF THE MONTH
02) EDITOR'S LETTER
03) TRIBUTE VIDEO! SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE PRATCHETT QUOTES
04) COLLECTOR'S SPECIAL EDITION HARDBACK OF THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN
05) ERIC ON THE WIRELESS
06) TIFFANY ACHING: DELETED SCENES
07) ANOTHER RADIO TREAT
08) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
09) CLOSE

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01) QUOTES OF THE MONTH

"My father's own death was more protracted. He had a year's warning. It 
was pancreatic cancer. Technology kept him alive, at home and in a state 
of reasonable comfort and cheerfulness, for that year, during which we 
had those conversations that you have with a dying parent. Perhaps it is 
when you truly get to know them, when you ­realise that it is now you 
marching ­towards the sound of the guns and you are ready to listen to 
the advice and reminiscences that life was too crowded for up to that 
point. He ­unloaded all the anecdotes that I had heard before, about his 
time in India during the war, and came up with a few more that I had 
never heard. Then, at one point, he suddenly looked up and said, 'I can 
feel the sun of India on my face', and his face did light up rather 
magically, brighter and happier than I had seen it at any time in the 
previous year, and if there had been any justice or even narrative 
sensibility in the ­universe, he would have died there and then, shading 
his eyes from the sun of Karachi. He did not."

– from Shaking Hands with Death, the 2010 Richard Dimbleby lecture. And 
of course The Author then turned that beautiful but ultimately 
heartbreaking "sun of India" scene into a far happier ending for the 
Baron of the Chalk in I Shall Wear Midnight

"No one remembers the singer. The song remains."

– from The Last Hero. But in the case of Sir Terry Pratchett, both will 
be remembered

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02) LETTER FROM YOUR EDITOR

Rushing out an early edition for some exciting (and for some of it, 
time-dependent) news – especially item 3, about the Random House tribute 
video, and item 5 – Eric on the wireless. And speaking of tributes, 
there's still almost a week to go to reach that Kickstarter goal for 
making a tribute film at Sasquan this month:

"Terry Pratchett was a beloved figure at Worldcons for over 30 years. In 
this, the year of his passing, we're filming a love letter to Terry in 
the form of a fan-made documentary (this documentary has not been 
officially approved by Terry Pratchett's estate) at Sasquan / Worldcon 
2015, which is being held August 19-23 in Spokane, Washington. Our film 
will be based on interviews with attending fans who are willing to share 
their memories of Terry and tell stories about the way the Discworld 
books have changed their lives.This is an excellent time to make our 
film as The Great Discworld Fan Gathering is set to take place at 
Sasquan; a first for any Worldcon.

"There have always been Discworld fans at Worldcons but this will be the 
first time we've asked them to come out in force, and proudly state The 
Turtle Moves.  Sasquan, in their turn, has welcomed Discworld fans with 
open arms and is offering programing, events, exhibits and meets in 
Terry's honor. We have the con's permission to make this film, and we'll 
be there throughout the convention asking fans of the books – as well as 
people who knew and worked with Sir Terry - what they would like the 
world to remember about this funny, and very special man.

"We'll film the Discworld exhibit and take note of Discworld art at the 
convention, as well. We'll record Discworld cosplayers and gamers as 
they travel the convention. We'll record the best parts of panels, 
including the Terry Pratchett memorial panel, the Science and Technology 
of Discworld panels, and the Women of Discworld panel. You'll hear and 
see the great stories that result. Best of all, we'll interview the 
fans; people from all over the world who love the books, and who 
partied, chatted and laughed with Terry over the years.

"This film is being made by fans for fans, and is a non-profit effort. 
We'll post the budget and all expenses online so you can see where your 
money goes. Any funds left over from the making of this film will go to 
Terry's approved charities, which include Alzheimer's Research and the 
Orangutan Foundation.

"Please help us capture some wonderful memories of a man we all admire. 
Thank you, and Ook!"

To contribute, and to see further details about how the money will be 
spent, go to:

http://kck.st/1E9hdJl

On with the show – even if it's a short one!

– Annie Mac, Editor

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03) TRIBUTE VIDEO: SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE PRATCHETT QUOTES

 From Random House Australia, calling out across the Roundworld:

"Around the world, fans of Terry Pratchett are coming together to take 
part in a video tribute dedicated to the legendary Discworld series. In 
photographing themselves with their most treasured quote from Discworld, 
people are capturing the delight, humour and fantastic adventure of 
these beloved books. These photographs will be woven together into a 
tribute video, to be released on YouTube later this year.

"27 August 2015 will mark the end of an era as the final book in the 
Discworld series, THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN, is published. It is also the 
final day you can submit your photos for inclusion in the tribute video, 
organised by Penguin Random House Australia.

"Anyone, anywhere can take part. Simply take a photo of yourself and 
your favourite quote from Discworld or Terry Pratchett – costumes, 
friends and pets optional – and email us it to us at 
theshepherdscrown at penguinrandomhouse.com.au

"With the final Discworld book almost upon us, a video tribute seems a 
fitting way to channel our appreciation for Terry Pratchett's words. 
Send us your contribution before 27 August 2015, the day THE SHEPHERD'S 
CROWN is released, and we'll take it from there – so you can get on with 
reading."

For more information, and to see some samples of Discworld fans and 
their tribute quotes, go to:

http://bit.ly/1IHQ1SV

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04) COLLECTOR'S SPECIAL EDITION HARDBACK OF THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN

Editor's note: unsurprisingly, the limited edition sold out in a matter 
of minutes – 120 of them, in fact. But I am reprinting this anyway, so 
we can all sigh for what we missed!

 From Laura at terrypratchettbooks.com:

"Penguin Random House UK Children's are honoured to announce a very 
special collector's edition hardback of The Shepherd's Crown by Sir 
Terry Pratchett, with an exclusive art print from the illustrator of the 
Discworld novels, Paul Kidby. The edition will be published on 5th 
November.

"The luxury gold edition, packaged in a foiled 'honeycomb' slipcase, 
will be limited to just 500 copies. Each copy will be numbered and 
stamped by Rob Wilkins, Terry's close friend, using the 'Order of the 
Honeybee' insignia which is reserved for the special correspondence of 
Terry's office. With a beautiful debossed bee image on the front and 
back and bespoke bee ribbon bookmark, this special hardback contains 
special full-colour endpaper images from Discworld illustrator Paul 
Kidby, and a limited-edition colour print, signed and numbered by Kidby 
to match each book.

"The endpapers feature two never-before-seen colour illustrations: the 
landscape of Granny Weatherwax's home in Lancre, and Tiffany Aching's 
beloved Chalk. The exclusive signed and numbered print will feature an 
image of Tiffany standing on the Chalk, accompanied by the Wee Free Men. 
This is the image that Paul Kidby says he wanted to draw to honour Terry.

"In addition there are four commentaries on the folklore of the book 
from Jacqueline Simpson, co-author of The Folklore of Discworld, which 
include insights into shepherds' crowns and bees – which are a central 
motif of this final novel.

"Kidby says: 'When I read the first Tiffany Aching book I felt an 
immediate affinity for the Chalk as described by Terry, having lived on 
the Wiltshire downlands myself. Capturing aspects of this special 
landscape with pencil and paint was therefore a profoundly personal 
experience; illustrating the final Discworld novel written by Terry even 
more so. As I drew I remembered snippets of our conversations about 
folklore, gardening and recipes for nettle soup. We shared a love for 
the Chalk that seemed to exert a creative energy for us both.  Our time 
is short, we must make the most of it and take care of the natural world 
around us which generates so much inspiration. Terry's writing helps to 
remind us of this, which is just one of the reasons I will always be 
grateful to him.'

"Rob Wilkins adds: 'The publication of The Shepherd's Crown is a 
momentous occasion and I am delighted that fans are to be offered an 
exclusive art print from Paul Kidby, a phenomenal talent who truly 
captures Discworld as Terry saw it. The combination of the limited 
edition print and the specially commissioned endpaper artwork makes for 
a very special and beautiful collector's edition of The Shepherd's Crown.'"

To view the original announcement, go to http://bit.ly/1MICqRg

The Waterstones price is listed at £100.00:

http://bit.ly/1T4Qh43

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05) ERIC ON THE WIRELESS

A BBC radio play in four parts, adapted by Robin Brooks and starring 
Mark Heap and Will Howard, starting next Monday (10th August) on BBC 
Radio 4 at 6.15pm:

1/ 4 (13 minutes): When precocious young Eric Thursley summons a demon 
from the loathsome pit to fulfil his every wish, he certainly gets what 
he asked for. Just... not exactly what he asked for. That's the problem 
with wishes.

Rincewind ..... Mark Heap
Eric ..... Will Howard
Death ..... Geoffrey Whitehead
Archchancellor ..... Robert Blythe
Parrot ..... Ben Crowe
Demon King Astfgl ..... Nicholas Murchie
Screwpate ..... Michael Shelford
Mother ..... Christine Absalom
Narrator ..... Rick Warden

Director ..... Jonquil Panting.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01r0zb9

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06) TIFFANY ACHING: DELETED SCENES

 From the "private musings of Tiffany Aching", courtesy of Penguin Books:

On becoming:

"Tiffany didn't often have nightmares, but sometimes, when she couldn't 
sleep, she found herself worrying about who she was and why she was and 
where she was and how she had got there. The tinkling and occasional 
twang answered the last question, and all the others amounted to whom 
would you have been by now if you hadn't been who you are?

"Supposing on that spring day young Tiffany Aching hadn't gone down to 
the stream with a frying pan because a monster had scared her brother. 
They could have gone for a walk in an entirely different direction! 
Would the Tiffany who didn't take her brother down to the stream on that 
day have ended up as a witch? What would she be doing now? Would she 
have become a witch anyway, bouncing through life until she landed in 
the slot marked witch? Supposing one of the other girls had gone down to 
the river that day? Would she be the witch today, watching Tiffany 
Aching being prodded by that stupid old woman with the stick, and 
dreaming and hoping that she would meet a village boy who would make a 
decent enough husband with enough manners to get out of the tin tub when 
he wanted a wee.

"It was a suddenly intriguing question because one answer meant that you 
could never change anybody, and that was horrible."

On witches:

"Somehow everybody knew that witches were bad and witches were trouble 
and witches were a problem.

"Everybody knows, everybody knows, who knows what everybody knows? What 
is something that everybody knows? Is it something you've heard more 
than once? Who has made up all the things that everybody knows? Where 
did they come from, all these things that everybody knows? Who has been 
hanged for what everybody knows? Who has thrown stones for what 
everybody knows? And where does it all break down, when all everybody 
knows is what everybody says?"

On naming a baby Tiffany:

"There were the days when a potion really worked, or because of you a 
man could use his hand again, or a woman could walk again. Sometimes, 
when she had delivered a baby the delighted mother would ask her, if the 
baby was a girl, whether she could be named after Tiffany. She always 
said yes, but when the time came, it never happened. The child got a 
different name, one that ran in the family, perhaps, or one the mother 
really liked. Or maybe someone had wondered whether it was a good thing 
to name a baby after a witch. You didn't mind, or at least you didn't 
mind where anyone could see."

On Granny Weatherwax:

"She wondered if Granny Weatherwax ever truly slept. She knew that the 
old woman lay down on a bed quite often, with a square of cardboard 
affixed to a string around her neck, and it read 'I Ate'nt Dead'. In 
fact it meant that granny was letting her mind ride unnoticed in the 
mind of a bird or of an animal, to keep an eye on what was happening in 
the world, and on the other hand perhaps it was there to reassure her if 
she woke up."

http://summerofpenguin.com/2015-08-03/terry-pratchetts-discworld

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07) ANOTHER RADIO TREAT

One from the vaults: a 15-minute reading from Good Omens, by Jon 
Strickland at the 2012 Cheltenham Literary Festival.

It's the wonderful scene (pages 74-79 in the Gollancz hardcover) in 
which Carmine 'Red' Zuigiber, aka War, gets her special delivery that 
signals the Apocalypse is nigh.

Auntie Beeb says: 'The towering double act's funny yet sinister sci-fi 
story.'

This programme will be available to listeners all over the world for the 
next 28 days. It really is quite good! To listen, go to:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01n7jpv

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08) DISCWORLD PLAYS UPDATES

8.1 REMINDER: ERIC AT THE EDINBURGH FRINGE (AUGUST)

The Duck in a Hat theatre company will premiere their adaptation of 
Eric, adapted by Tim Foster, at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

"All amateur demonologist Eric wants is the usual three wishes: to live 
forever, to rule the world and to have the most beautiful woman fall 
madly in love with him. Instead he gets Rincewind, Discworld's most 
incompetent wizard, and Rincewind's Luggage, Discworld's most dangerous 
travel accessory. This brand new adaptation of Terry Pratchett's 
hilarious parody of the Faust legend is an outrageous romp through time, 
space and Hell that will leave Eric wishing once more – this time, quite 
fervently – that he'd never been born."

When: 8th-22nd August (all dates excluding the 16th)
Venue: The Studio, Paradise in Augustines, 41 George IV Bridge, 
Edinburgh EH1 1EL (phone 0131 510 0022)
Time: 7:15pm all shows
Tickets: £9.00 (concession £7.00, family £28.00)

http://duckinahat.weebly.com/eric.html
https://www.facebook.com/DuckInaHat
https://www.paradise-green.co.uk/show-details/brochure/details/1323/

8.2 REMINDER: WYRD SISTERS IN EXETER (AUGUST)

The Broadclyst Theatre Group will present their production of Wyrd 
Sisters in August.

When: 13th, 14th and 15th August 2015
Venue: Broadclyst Victory Hall, The Green, Exeter, Devon EX5 3DX (phone 
01392 467161)
Time: 7.30pm all shows
Tickets: £9 (£6.50 for under-14s), available from Broadclyst Post Office 
or online via ticketsource.co.uk/broadclyst

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09) CLOSE

And that's the lot for the moment. See you later this month!

– Annie Mac

Remember, the mirror version of this issue can be viewed at 
http://wossname.dreamwidth.org/19330.html

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The End. If you have any questions or requests, write: wossname-owner 
(at) pearwood (dot) info

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Copyright (c) 2015 by Klatchian Foreign Legion