Meeting Terry - Your Experiences
- Thread starter Tonyblack
- Start date
Well... myself and our Bursar read out the 14 pages of Dodger to entertain the crowd at our Gala Dinner, and although there wasn't much audience reaction in the way of laughter (even at some of the funny lines), everyone was intently listening.
All ten copies were given away as part of the prizes, and I hope those that won them enjoyed them. We did also have quite a few books (donated by Random House Australia) to give away, so they went quickly too
All ten copies were given away as part of the prizes, and I hope those that won them enjoyed them. We did also have quite a few books (donated by Random House Australia) to give away, so they went quickly too
I don't think I've ever talked to Terry much directly (except one memorable moment at the first Irish DWCon when I was on my way to talk to Jack Cohen and continue a conversation from the day before, Terry was between us and I fumbled up my words trying to get past with something like an 'excuse me Mr, em I mea, Sir, em Terry, Sir Practchett, em, sorry!... ah Jack, there you are!'). I have since very calmly nodded and smiled and not attempted to used any title when he's nearby, and no longer get nervous if we're in the same conversation since I've already had my embarassing fan moment
My little brother has a good first moment with him though. Our first DWCon in 2006, all were warned at the opening ceremony about not bothering Terry when he had his 'other' badge on (Silas T. Firefly). My little brother at some point spotted Terry in the bar wearing his normal badge, went up as if to shake his hand saying 'Oh, Mr Firefly, I'm such a big fan of your work' but then paused, looked at the badge and then mock apologised 'So sorry, I thought you were someone else'. And simply wandered off nonchalantly.
My little brother has a good first moment with him though. Our first DWCon in 2006, all were warned at the opening ceremony about not bothering Terry when he had his 'other' badge on (Silas T. Firefly). My little brother at some point spotted Terry in the bar wearing his normal badge, went up as if to shake his hand saying 'Oh, Mr Firefly, I'm such a big fan of your work' but then paused, looked at the badge and then mock apologised 'So sorry, I thought you were someone else'. And simply wandered off nonchalantly.
I've only met Terry once, many years ago. I think it was around 1995 when he came to give a talk to the local school children. I took the opportunity, being friendly with the school librarian, to drop my books off for him to sign. I was told beforehand that I was not allowed to listen in on the talk as it was for the children only.
Later, when I went to collect my books, the librarian ushered me into the staff room for a coffee and there he was! So, we sat and had coffee and he talked and I ... well... mostly I stammered and probably talked a lot of nonsense. He was very gracious and mostly carried the conversation. I expect he's used to that kind of response. If I'd been a bit more prepared... who am I kidding, I'd probably still react the same way.
Later, when I went to collect my books, the librarian ushered me into the staff room for a coffee and there he was! So, we sat and had coffee and he talked and I ... well... mostly I stammered and probably talked a lot of nonsense. He was very gracious and mostly carried the conversation. I expect he's used to that kind of response. If I'd been a bit more prepared... who am I kidding, I'd probably still react the same way.
at signing sessions for wyrd sisters ( leeds) moving pictures ( leeds again) interesting times ( huddersfield where i got myself into the local paper in the photograph the reporter took, being first in the queue.... ok for 1:30 hours i *was* the queue)
the dedications in the various copies read " 1st in the queue r=twice running", "to my most commited fan as yet un-commited" , " 1st in the queue 3rd time running"
incidentally , when i got my copy of good omens signed by neil gaiman, he wrote " burn this book" and told me i would have to go to terry to get the other half of the joke, but as yet he hasn't been back this end of the country since... anyone got the missing half?
the dedications in the various copies read " 1st in the queue r=twice running", "to my most commited fan as yet un-commited" , " 1st in the queue 3rd time running"
incidentally , when i got my copy of good omens signed by neil gaiman, he wrote " burn this book" and told me i would have to go to terry to get the other half of the joke, but as yet he hasn't been back this end of the country since... anyone got the missing half?
MerlnPowered: Your best bet for Terry's next Australian trip would be at Nullus Anxietas IV next year in Melbourne (see http://ausdwcon.org for details). He's not confirmed YET, but I know the committee is trying! He came to Sydney for NA3 in 2011.
Even if Terry can't make it, the Convention is a fantastic chance to have lots of fun with many other fans. Plus Terry will more than likely do a Skype call if he can't be here in person (he did that for the Unseen University Convivium in Adelaide this year) so you will still be able to ask him questions
Even if Terry can't make it, the Convention is a fantastic chance to have lots of fun with many other fans. Plus Terry will more than likely do a Skype call if he can't be here in person (he did that for the Unseen University Convivium in Adelaide this year) so you will still be able to ask him questions
Molokov said:
MerlnPowered: Your best bet for Terry's next Australian trip would be at Nullus Anxietas IV next year in Melbourne (see http://ausdwcon.org for details). He's not confirmed YET, but I know the committee is trying! He came to Sydney for NA3 in 2011.
Even if Terry can't make it, the Convention is a fantastic chance to have lots of fun with many other fans. Plus Terry will more than likely do a Skype call if he can't be here in person (he did that for the Unseen University Convivium in Adelaide this year) so you will still be able to ask him questions
Even if Terry can't make it, the Convention is a fantastic chance to have lots of fun with many other fans. Plus Terry will more than likely do a Skype call if he can't be here in person (he did that for the Unseen University Convivium in Adelaide this year) so you will still be able to ask him questions
Reminds me. If there's another book due out round that time, and they've issued samplers, let me know if you want some, and I'd be happy to oblige.
Cheers, Bouncy. I don't think Terry has any novels planned for release in the next six months - After all, we got The Long Earth *and* Dodger this year, plus there's lots of spin-off books still to come (Blink of the Screen, Compleat Ankh-Morpork, Turtle Recall, Science of Discworld 4). He's talked about The Long Earth 2 and the next Discworld novel as being worked on, but I don't think any release dates have been announced yet.
