Terry Pratchett

The Terry Pratchett First Novel Award Winner Announced!

Lynsey Ogg — Fri, 31 May 2013 11:48:23 +0000

Last night at Number 16 in South Kensington the winner of the 2013 Terry Pratchett Anywhere but Here, Anywhen but Now First Novel Prize was announced. After the successful launch of the prize in 2011 found not one, but two outstanding joint winners, Apocalypse Cow by Michael Logan and Half Sick Of Shadows by David Logan, both published by Doubleday in 2012. The 2013 prize opened for submissions from aspiring debut novelists from 1^st January 2012 and had over 500 entries.

The shortlist entries were from all over the world, with two entrants flying in from Australia to attend the announcement. Sir Terry Pratchett and a team of judges including Rob Wilkins, Alex Veasey from The Forbidden Planet and an Editor and Publicist from Transworld spent the day locked in a heated debate as all six books were of a remarkably high quality.

The Shortlist

The Unspoken Death of the Amazing Flying Boy by Jean Burdett
Bloodline by Sophie Constable
The Hive by Alexander Maskill
The Way Through the Woods by Robin Pearson
A Kill in the Morning by Graeme Shimmin
The Shadows of Annwn by Catherine Whittle

The winner was announced as 21 year old Alexander Maskill with his entry:

THE HIVE

Alexander Maskill is currently studying a Politics degree at the University of Leicester. He began his novel in August and completed it in just five months. The prize is a £20,000 publishing contract. He had this to say:

“I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity the folks at Transworld have given me. I was up against some amazing writers on the shortlist and I’m still reeling from the fact that my story was chosen for the award. I’m really looking forward to working with such a great team to get The Hive published and out into the world.”

Sir Terry commented:

‘2013’s shortlisted novels were of an exceptionally high standard. It was remarkably difficult to choose just one winner but we felt that Alexander Maskill’s The Hive was a unique and original take on Man vs. Technology in an altered future. Alex has a promising future for one whose first attempt at writing a novel has won him the prize!’

The Book

The Hive takes us to New Cairo, a city built on technology, from the huge solar panels that keep civilisation going in a changed world, to the artificial implants that have become the answer to all and any medical problem. When a powerful new computer virus begins to spread through the poorest districts shutting down the life-giving implants, it threatens to tip the city into a violent class struggle. Hiding out amongst the riots and underground resistance, Zala Ulora, one of the most wanted criminals in the city and a gifted hacker, must trace the virus to its source before it destroys the city, or the city destroys itself.

Sir Terry Pratchett and Transworld Publishers would like to thank everyone who submitted an entry to the prize.

Exclusive UK event: Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter discuss The Long War at The IET, London

Hex — Tue, 28 May 2013 14:03:59 +0000

Two giants of Science fiction come together to discuss their new collaboration The Long Earth series, parallel world theories and what’s next for Datum Earth! Don’t miss their only UK event. The event, which will be held at The Institute of Engineering and Technology, 2 Savoy Place, London WC2R 0BL, will run for approximately one hour and books will be on sale courtesy of Forbidden Planet – these books will be stamped exclusively for this event. There will be the opportunity to purchase signed books by both authors but these will be strictly limited and ticket numbers for these will be drawn fairly out of a hat on the evening! Tickets for the event can be purchased using the form below.

Secure tickets by ticketscript

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE

These terms and conditions (Terms) apply to participation in an ‘Off The Page’ event (Event) at a stated location (Venue) at the cost (Charges) all as set out here (Details).

The Event is run by The Random House Group Limited of 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 2SA (Organiser). By submitting a Delegate Participation Order for a Ticket you (Delegate) agree to be bound by these Terms. Use of the Organiser’s website is governed by separate terms and conditions which can be found here. Where these Terms conflict with the terms and conditions governing the use of the Organiser’s website, these Terms prevail.

1. Delegate Participation Order

1.1. Delegates may seek to participate in the Event by providing the information requested in the relevant fields as indicated on the participation order web form (Delegate Participation Order).

1.2. In submitting a Delegate Participation Order for electronic tickets for the Event (Tickets), each Delegate warrants and represents that any Ticket purchased by him or her is for personal use only and not purchased as part of any form of business or commercial activity.

1.3. The Organiser is under no obligation to accept a Delegate Participation Order and no legally binding agreement will exist as between the Organiser and a Delegate until acceptance of a relevant Delegate Participation Order has been sent by the Organiser to the Delegate in the form of a Ticket.

1.4. Acceptance of a Delegate Participation Order is subject to:

1.4.1. the availability of places at the Event;

1.4.2. receipt of full payment for the cost of the Ticket plus any booking charges and where applicable VAT;

1.4.3. eligibility of the Delegate (Delegates must be over 18); and

1.4.4. the discretion of the Organiser.

2. Charges and Payment

2.1. The Charges will cover the following:

2.1.1. your attendance at the Event during the stated hours and

2.1.2. products/services as specified in the Details

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2.2.1. any food or beverages

2.2.2. travel to and from the Event; or

2.2.3. any other costs or charges pre-booked or incurred by the Delegate or anyone for whom the Delegate is responsible at the Venue during or in relation to the Event.

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3. Tickets and Cancellation

3.1. On acceptance of a Delegate Participation Order by the Organiser the Delegate will receive an email confirming the Delegate’s attendance at the Event and containing a Ticket for the Event. Each Delegate should check his or her Ticket on receipt and inform the Organiser of any errors as soon as possible. The Organiser is under no obligation to rectify Delegate errors after a contract has been formed and the Delegate should therefore take care to ensure that all information provided during the Delegate Participation Order process is accurate.

3.2. Tickets are not transferable without the prior written consent of the Organiser. The Organiser will not accept anyone other than the named Delegate or participation granted or approved by anyone other than the Organiser.

3.3. Subject to clause 3.4 tickets will only be be refunded or exchanged by the Organiser, minus reasonable administration costs, if the Event is cancelled, or its date is changed. If the Organiser cancels the Event it will contact Delegates using the details provided at the time of placing the Delegate Participation Order and offer a refund. If the Organiser changes the date of the Event it will contact Delegates using the details provided at the time of placing the Delegate Participation Order and offer a refund. Tickets will be valid for the Event on the new date unless refunded.

3.4. Delegates may exercise any right to cancel their purchase afforded to them under The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 by sending a notice to the Organiser in writing within the relevant cancellation period.

4. The Event

4.1. The Organiser reserves the right to make alterations to the advertised Event programme (including, but not limited to, as set out in the Details) at any time and without advance notice.

4.2. Unless authorised (and then only as authorised) by the Organiser, the use of recording equipment (audio, video or photographic) at the Event is prohibited and such equipment may be confiscated for the duration of the Event and any record made may be deleted at the Delegate’s risk.

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4.4. The Organiser by itself or through the owner or manager of the Venue (if separate from the Organiser) (Venue Owner) may from time to time carry out security searches and the Organiser reserves the right to refuse admission to or remove a Delegate from the Event (whether or not he or she has a valid Ticket) at its reasonable discretion.

4.5. No refunds will be offered to Delegates who are refused entry or ejected from the Event on account of late arrival, being or appearing to be under age, declining to be searched, abusive, threatening, drunken or other anti-social behaviour (including smoking in no smoking areas), carrying offensive weapons or illegal substances, or making unauthorised audio, video or photographic recordings.

5. Liability and Indemnities

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5.3. The Organiser accepts no liability for any indirect or consequential loss of any kind in contract, tort or otherwise arising out of the use of the Organiser’s website or the purchase of the Tickets or other goods or services from the Organiser by whatever means.

5.4. To the fullest extent permitted by law the Organiser will not be responsible for loss, damage or injury to any person (Delegate or otherwise) or their property howsoever caused.

5.5. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits the liability of the Organiser for death or personal injury caused by its negligence or any other liability which cannot be excluded on a point of law.

5.6. Each Delegate agrees to defend, indemnify and hold the Organiser and their respective employees and agents harmless from any and all liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, related to any violation of these Terms by, or authorised or facilitated by, that Delegate.

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8. General

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8.3. If any provision of these Terms or part thereof is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision or part will not affect any other provision or the remainder of the provision in which such invalid or unenforceable part is contained, which will remain in full force and effect.

8.4. All notices will be in writing and may be served by either party on the other by hand, by first class pre-paid post or by email stating in its subject line the date and nature of the Event to which it relates. The address for service, in the case of a notice from Delegate to Organiser, is specified at the top of these Terms and, in the case of a notice from Organiser to Delegate, will be the address stated on the Delegate Participation Order.

8.5. These Terms are intended to confer a benefit on the Venue Owner where so stated but nothing in these Terms which form the agreement between the Organiser and each Delegate will give nor is intended to give rights to any other third party under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 or otherwise.

8.6. These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with English law and the parties will submit to exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. 8.7. If you have any complaint or concern regarding these Terms and/or your Ticket, please contact us by email to offthepage@randomhouse.co.uk.

The Terry Pratchett First Novel Award Shortlist Announcement

Lynsey Ogg — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:41:10 +0000

Congratulations to the six short-listed entrants in the Terry Pratchett Anywhere But Here, Anywhen But Now First Novel Award.

The last three months have seen a frenzy of reading activity, with a select team of professionals whittling down the entries to find the magic six to be discussed by the judging panel. The winning entry will recieve a £20,000 prize as an advance on a publishing contract.

In surname order the lucky six are:

The Unspoken Death of the Amazing Flying Boy by Jean Burdett
Bloodline by Sophie Constable
The Hive by Alexander Maskill
The Way Through the Woods by Robin Pearson
A Kill in the Morning by Graeme Shimmin
The Shadows of Annwn by Catherine Whittle
These six books will be discussed by the judging panel which includes Sir Terry Pratchett, Rob Wilkins, Editorial Director Simon Taylor, Publicist Lynsey Dalladay and Alex Veasey from The Forbidden Planet. A winner will be announced on the 31st May. Thank you to everyone who took part and sent in your novels, the standard was remarkably high and we had over 500 entries. Apologies for keeping you on tenterhooks, the sixth spot was hotly contested as the standard was so high.

Good luck to the sensational six!

Discworld: The Ankh-Morpork Map review – The Telegraph

Magrat Garlick — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:15:20 +0000

This interactive map of the most famous city in Discworld is great fun for fans of Terry Pratchett’s fantasy series, writes Shane Richmond.

Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series celebrates its 30th birthday this year. Since the first book, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, the series has expanded to 39 books, as well as a host of short stories, companion books and video games. Discworld: The Ankh-Morpork map is the first official app for the series.

Based on the book The Compleat Ankh-Morpork, the app is an interactive map of the city-state that hosts much of the action in the series. There are two maps in the app: the ‘living map’ which, when zoomed in reveals more than a thousand residents of the city going about their business, and a top-down street map.

While this is very much a fans-only kind of app, the developers haven’t taken that for granted. There are a few features that demonstrate the kind of thought that has been put into transferring The Compleat Ankh-Morpork to the iPad.

Read the full review on the Telegraph website.

BBC Radio 4′s and Radio 4 Extra’s dramatisation of Eric and Guards! Guards!

Magrat Garlick — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:58:34 +0000

For those who are able to listen to the BBC, Radio 4′s production of Eric, starring Mark Heap as Rincewind, is being broadcast in four episodes, weekly, starting on Wednesday 6 March at 23.00 (then 13th, 20th and 27th March)

Radio 4 Extra is broadcasting a production of Guards! Guards! at 18.30 nightly from 4th to 11 March, and it will be on BBC iPlayer for seven days.

BBC Radio 4: Eric

Episode 1/4: Mark Heap arrives in Discworld, as Rincewind: Wizard and Running Away Expert…

For more details go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01r0zb9

BBC Radio 4 Extra: Guards! Guards!

Episode 1/6 Can a stolen library book lead to the reinvention of dragons? Comic fantasy with Martin Jarvis, John Wood and Melvyn Hayes…

For more details go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jmk0

RoCo Dramatic Society presents Maskerade in Roundhay

Magrat Garlick — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:12:33 +0000

RoCo Dramatic Society will be performing Terry Pratchett’s Maskerade on Thursday 21, Friday 22 and Saturday 23 March 2013 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall, St Andrew’s Roundhay United Reformed Church, Shaftesbury Avenue, Leeds LS8 1DS, West Yorkshire.

Tickets £5 adult, £3 child

Box office: 0113 268 3402

Visit the RoCo Dramatic Society website.

GOOD OMENS to be perfomed by the Cult Classic Theatre in Glasgow

Magrat Garlick — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:57:55 +0000

The Cult Classic Theatre will be performing GOOD OMENS onstage in the final two weeks of March 2013, taking place at Cottiers Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland.

You can purchase tickets online NOW at the Cottiers Theatre website or from Ticketsoup.com

Find out more on the Cult Classic website and the Facebook page.

Discworld: The Ankh-Morpork Map for iPad – review

Magrat Garlick — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:56:11 +0000

Right from the very first Terry Pratchett novels that I read – The Colour of Magic and Mort received as Christmas gifts – it was the world he’d created that gripped me.

That was partly my young mind turning cartwheels at the thought of a disc-shaped planet balancing on giant elephants (which in turn balanced on a giant turtle), but it was just as much about the bustling Ankh-Morpork city that formed the backdrop for the Discworld books.

The more books I read, the clearer a picture I had in my head about what Ankh-Morpork was like through Pratchett’s descriptions and the cover artwork by Josh Kirby. The city felt real and living to me in a way that Tolkien’s Middle-earth never did.

Now in 2013 there’s an iPad app trying to map it out. Discworld: The Ankh-Morpork Map is the work of publisher Transworld and app developer Agant, and it faces quite a challenge…

Read the full review here.

Dodger by Terry Pratchett – review

Magrat Garlick — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 12:52:55 +0000

Satirical puns leap from the pages of this story about a young hero on the streets of Dickensian London. The writing brings the filthy streets and the characters, desperate and devious, to life.

Dodger is a tosher who scavenges in the sewers and earns a living selling what he finds. All the poverty stricken people on the streets know him as a friend in times of need. But when he rescues a girl from a beating his life changes dramatically forever… Soon he becomes accidentally famous, discovers a dark plot against him, enters the world of the rich and learns the truth about the girl he rescued.

One thing that stands out for me in this book is the characters. They are well conceived, original and amusing. From Dodger, who is at home in the sewers but doesn’t fit into the world of the gentry to the rich heiress Angela Burdett-Coutts, a real historical figure, as are quite a few of the characters, who gives away money to the poor and knows everyone who is anyone, there is a wide range of different characters. Even the minor characters who only appear once are well described.

To read the full review visit the Guardian website.

‘I taught myself more in the library than the school taught me’, says Terry Pratchett

Magrat Garlick — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 12:35:03 +0000

Terry Pratchett shares his love of libraries on the eve of National Libraries Day and describes how, as a child, he would leave the library every day with ‘two very big bags of books’.

To watch the video visit the Guardian website.