Terry Pratchett biography

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The English fantasy author, Terry D. J. (David John) Pratchett was born on the 28th April 1948 in the town of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. His was educated at High Wycombe Technical High School.

He wrote is first story when he was thirteen years old (1961) and with the money that he made from selling this he was able to buy his first typewriter. In 1971, Pratchett had his first novel published; it was called The Carpet People.

The official Terry Pratchett web site (UK)
The official Terry Pratchett web site (US)

Read external Terry Pratchett book reviews on ciao.

Terry Pratchett is best known for the fantasy novels that make up the Discworld series. This series now comprises of more than forty books and is a humorous and at times satirical work set on a disc-shaped world that is carried on the backs of four giant elephants. The first book of the Discworld series was entitled The Colour Of Magic and is reviewed here. The Colour Of Magic was published in 1983 but he continued to work until 1987 when he was able to become a full-time author.

Terry Pratchett was awarded the OBE (The Most Excellent Order Of The British Empire, Officer) in 1998 for his services to literature. Terry Pratchett has also received honorary doctorates from the Universities of Warwick, Portsmouth, Bath and Bristol. He has sold over 40 million books worldwide and these have been translated into thirty-three different languages. He is second only to J. K. Rowling in terms of book sales in the United Kingdom.

It is believed that 1% of all the books sold in England are penned by Pratchett. His books have been translated into 36 different languages and have sold over 60 million copies.

Sir Terry Pratchett was made a knight in the New Year Honours list (2008). He received the honour for services to literature.

Terry Pratchett bibliography

Terry Pratchett interviews

Terry Pratchett is interviewed by January Magazine. He comes across as very humble and still very much enjoying writing the Discworld novels. Terry Pratchett interview >>

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Book of the Month

Dust of Dreams by Steven Erikson
On the Letherii continent the exiled Malazan army commanded by Adjunct Tavore begins its march into the eastern Wastelands, to fight for an unknown cause against an enemy it has never seen. The fate awaiting the Bonehunters is one no soldier can prepare for, and one no mortal soul can withstand - the foe is uncertainty and the only weapon worth wielding is stubborn courage.

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Must-reads

The following reviews are of books that begin the very best fantasy series available.

Special Feature: My Most Anticipated Books of 2010

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With the beginning of a new year come resolutions, gym memberships, budgets and more. But, honestly, none of that really matters in the face of some of the books that are coming this year. So here’s a small taste of what is coming in 2010 from some of fantasy’s best, and why I’m looking forward to them.

News

Fantasy news round-up – January/February 2010

Fantasy authors donate towards the Haiti appeal Harry Potter author JK Rowling donated a full UK edition set of her books, as well as a handwritten card, to Helping Haiti Heal. These rare items j...

Fantasy Book Review: Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett

There's a werewolf with the pre-lunar tension in Ankh-Morpork. And a dwarf with attitude and a golem who's begun to think for itself. But for Commander Vimes, Head of Ankh-Morpork City Watch, that's o...

Round-up: JA Rowling, Bath-time for Pullman and Le Guin not finished yet

A round-up of fantasy news around the world. A rare JK Rowling uncorrected proof sells for £1,600 An uncorrected proof edition of JK Rowling’s very first Harry Potter book has been sold for £1600...

Twilight rules audio-book downloads at Christmas

A glance at the best-selling science fiction and fantasy downloads on Audible.co.uk shows that Stephenie Meyer's enormous popularity is also evident amongst those who like to listen to a good story. T...

The fantasy genre’s strong showing amongst Amazon’s book and author’s of the decade

The final and penultimate books in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series were the top-selling books of the last decade, according to list released by Amazon. Stephenie Meyer also showed well in the list wi...

Catch the stage adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s Maskerade this Christmas

Why not enjoy a night out at the theatre and watch an amateur production of Terry Pratchett’s Maskerade, adapted for the stage by Stephen Briggs. The Ankh-Morpork Opera house has always had a ghost, ...

The 2 Steves: Steve Skidmore and Steve Barlow interview (November 2009)

Authors Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore have always been experts in reaching out to children through their witty and accessible books, so it comes as no surprise that they are once more at the forefr...

Film adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens could still happen

Last week Joseph McCabe of FEARnet.com caught up with Terry Gilliam and the filmmaking Python told him that his long-in-development adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's dark fantasy novel G...

Best selling sci-fi/fantasy audio-books – October 2009 – Audible.co.uk

October 2009 sees some exciting new audio books enter the top 10. Not content with having the #1 spot Audrey Niffenegger now has another title winging its way towards with top with Her Fearful Symmetr...

The Art of Discworld by Terry Pratchett (author) and Paul Kidby (illustrator)

Review by Joshua S Hill Every now and again a franchise will release a book about the franchise that is actually worth picking up. It doesn’t happen all too often, as for the most part they are simpl...