First published in 1983 The Colour of Magic began the odyssey that is Terry Pratchett’s much loved Discworld and 2008 sees its 25th birthday. Marking this momentous occasion will be the Discworld Conference  on the 22nd-25th August at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Birmingham with the guest of honour none other than Terry Pratchett himself. In a recent interview with Neil Gaiman (with whom he co-wrote Good Omens) Terry talks about how the Discworld series has evolved and become more complex over the last 25 years, not only to keep the readers interested but himself amused. He also talks of the accolades he has received in a career spanning over a quarter of a century including honorary doctorates and an OBE no less, however, true to form Pratchett considers his greatest reward the moment he became an honorary brownie

"Not many men can say this,’ Terry says, proudly, ‘but as a result of The Wee Free Men I was made an honorary Brownie for writing a proper girl in a book. I’ve got a woggle and everything. No kidding."

Adapted as a television mini series, graphic novels, computer game and translated into 28 different languages (and counting) the stories of the inhabitants of a flat earth set on the backs of four elephants carried on the back of a turtle continue to catch the imagination of new readers, indeed new generations every day.

Inspirational writer, provider of humour, honorary brownie, Mr Pratchett Sir we salute you!

Read the full interview at http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/navigate.do?pPageID=1575

For full details on The Discworld Conference go to www.dwcon.org