Greetings from the desk of Miss Perspicacia Tick.
Whether you're sipping scumble1 in Lancre, dodging assassins in Ankh-Morpork, or just trying not to fall off the edge of the world, welcome to another issue of Broomsticks and Cauldrons2
This modest missive of magic, mischief, and mildly alarming metaphysics is for witches of all stages (from full coven to solitary kettle-simmerers) and anyone else willing to cross into the realm of practical wisdom, magical oddments, updates from the wild broom-paths, and happy for a dash of advice you didn't ask for, but very likely need.
So, grab your pointy hat, polish your boots, and try not to anger any eldritch entities -- it's time to dive into the news that fits between realms!
This wonderful mid-winter celebration will take place on the 12th of July at the Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel. However, ticket sales are now closed. Hopefully you got yours in time!
Meanwhile, here is a picture of some of our busy committee crafting Hogswatch table decorations.
News of the shenanigans and fun had by all who attend Hogswatch in July will be included on our socials3 and in the next edition of this newsletter.
Even if you missed out on buying tickets for Hogswatch in July (or even if you didn't!), you can still buy tickets for Nullus Anxietas X - The Australian Discworld Convention at Early Bird prices.
Crivens! Don't miss that deadline or there'll be the foldin' o' the arms, and the tappin' o' the feets. Oh Waily! Waily! Waily!4
The opportunity to buy your membership to Nullus Anxietas X - The Australian Discworld Convention, at the Early Bird price closes August 9th, 2025.
What's that you say? The Bursar has locked up your pennies and lost the key? No problem. If you buy your supporting membership by August 9th, you are eligible to upgrade later to an attending membership at the Early Bird price! (Conditions apply)
For all membership options, please visit the shop and to click here to find out more about membership types.
Nullus Anxetias X - The Australian Discworld Convention will be on 10-12 April, 2026 at the Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel and Conference Centre
"Bee there orr bee a rectangular thyng"5
Find out more about all our announced guests on our website.
Karen J Carlisle is a writer of Victorian mysteries, Steampunk, Fantasy and Cosies with a twist, as well as illustrator, gardener, chocoholic and tea lover. Her short stories have featured in the 2016 Adelaide Fringe exhibition, 'A Trail of Tales', 'Where's Holmes?' and 'Deadsteam' anthologies, and she was short-listed in Australian Literature Review's 2013 Murder/Mystery Short Story Competition. You can find Karen's books, news and events at her website.
Karen is a huge fan of our favourite author (you know, Terry Pratchett) and a regular guest at the Australian Discworld Conventions. Please say hi and make her feel welcome.
Loren Tuxford is the author of The Nightfall Series, an epic fantasy tale of magic, secrets, lies and love. She enjoys writing about characters with real issues in fantasy lands, where morals are grey, goals are lofty and things don't always go to plan. Because dragons are complicated. In her stories, love is simply love, no matter what gender or species. And after making her own books as a small child, Loren decided it was time to share her stories with the world, much to the delight of her dark sense of humour. Along with stargazing, Loren enjoys birdwatching, strong coffee, overgrown cemeteries, reading and transcribing the conversations taking place in her imagination. Check out Loren Tuxford's books, events and other news at her website.
She is also a huge fan of Terry Pratchett. Say hello and welcome Loren into our realm.
M. A. Batten is a neuro-diverse writer of fantasy, science fiction, and dark fiction. A self-confessed nerd, he delves deep into extensive research, from historical folklore to quantum mechanics, from the chemistry of gunpowder to the birth of blackholes, all in the pursuit of better storytelling. For those with a similar bent for curious discovery, his stories are also peppered with innocuous easter eggs, hidden etymologies, codified numbers, and inconspicuous crossover references.
M. A. Batten met Terry Pratchett three times and has a collection of Discworld First Editions, most of them signed. A cool game is to be developed based on a game in his Dark books. Find out more details by visiting the Kickstarter project.
Barry McCann is an award-winning writer, editor, speaker and broadcaster. He has been editor of the art and literature journal, Parnassus, for MENSA International since 1998, and regularly appears on BBC Radio Cumbria as their "Folklore Correspondent", having previously enjoyed a writer-in-residence slot on sister station, BBC Radio Lancashire. He specialises mainly in features on history and reviews in the arena of popular culture, and as such is a regular contributor to This England magazine and its sister publication Evergreen.
Find out more about Now is the Night by Barry McCann.
The blurb: "Whether it's visionary sci-fi, epic fantasy, chilling cosmic horror or family-friendly entertainment, we have a wealth of miniatures, RPGs, tabletop and board games to suit every taste."
The people at Modiphius Entertainment are responsible for developing the upcoming Terry Pratchett's Discworld Role Playing Game: Adventures in Ankh-Morpork, which had a mind-blowing Kickstarter campaign in 2024 and hopes to deliver later this year. Andy Douthwaite will join us via the realm of Zoom to chat about the process of making RPGs and what drew them to the Discworld. Find out more details about the game and late pledge now on Kickstarter.
Find out more about all our announced guests on our website.
Disclaimer: Our guests will make every attempt to attend our convention, but sometimes life happens and cancellations as well.
Here are some of the confirmed awesome workshops and events. Sign up for one, or as many as you like at the convention. Some events have limited places (more details to be advised).
There are too many other activities to list in this newsletter, so this is just a taste! More will be revealed next time, and the time after that, etc.
What a time it is to tread the boards! Just recently (as mentioned last month), we've had The Sea and Little Fishes in Toowoomba, Queensland, and Wyrd Sisters in Bendigo, Victoria. Now we fly all the way west to the next Discworld production:
Roleystone Theatre presents Men At Arms from 18-26 July in Roleystone, Perth, Western Australia. Book your tickets here and find out more about Roleystone Theatre here.
On the fan club front, we've got several events happening across the nation, and the chilly weather brings on thoughts of Hogswatch (despite those weird Hublanders holding it in December!)
In South Australia, the City of Small Gods will be having a special Hogswatch in Grune dinner on August 2nd - details to be announced soon. Join the Facebook group, Discord or email list via this page. And a little birdy tells us that the famous Quiz Long and Prosper Science Fiction/Fantasy quiz night will return in October 2025...
In Queensland, the Pratchett Partisans are winding down but are going out with a bang with a Hogswatch in July lunch on July 27. See their Facebook group for more details.
Memberships for Nullus Anxietas X - Australian Discworld Convention - 10-12 April 2026 in Sydney NSW, can be purchased here.
More news will be shared with you over the coming months when we reveal events and guests.
Do you have any news in the world of the Discworld? Know of an upcoming Discworld play (like the one above), or a gathering of fans in your local area? If so, please share with us, and we will share it with everybody.
As always, you can find out more about your local fan group via our website.
Until next time, wotcha!
1 Scumble is an alcoholic drink made from apples. It is drunk in thimblefuls, is strong enough to be used for cleaning spoons, and should not be put in a metal container or allowed to come into contact with water.
2 Miss Tick took it upon herself to name our newsletter.
3 Social links are at the bottom of the newsletter. Or above these footnotes. Or at the top and bottom of every page of the website.
4 How did those pesky little blue men get in here?
5 From Soul Music
