From the desk of Miss Tick, this edition of Brooms and Cauldrons contains the original, unvarnished truths1:
"A city like Ankh-Morpork was only two meals away from chaos at the best of times."2
And this doozy:
"Ankh-Morpork is a city that has always had a fine tradition of welcoming people of all races, colours and shapes, if they have money to spend and a return ticket."3
All of which is a shameless attempt to lure you to the fantasy realm of Nullus Anxietas X in Sydney and celebrate Sir Terry Pratchett's witches with our Big Job Guests and remind you that time is almost upon us.
So, tighten your bootlaces, don your very best knickers (the respectable pair, not the ones reserved for flying in a crosswind), check your coin purse and set your jaw in the direction of a fantasy adventure.
In this edition:
Lady Lilith de Tempscire cordially invites you to her Grand Masked Ball on the evening of Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Tickets are $85 and are available only until March 13. Purchase tickets and find full details at our website.
A post-convention experience, Monday April 13, we will explore the notorious Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst which would have even Vimes shaking in his boots. At $35 it's a steal.4
Tickets available until March 13. Purchase tickets and find full details at our website.
Can't make it for the whole weekend? Memberships for Friday, Saturday or Sunday are now available here until March 28.
Get em while they're hot! Hotter than a "sausage inna bun" and once tasted you'll never forget...in a good way.
All attending membership purchases and supporting membership upgrades (including installments) must be completed before March 28.
Buy an attending membership here. Upgrade your supporting membership here.
Do you know someone (which could include yourself!) who can be in Sydney April 10-12 but has not yet bought or can't afford a full 3 day convention attendee ticket?
We are holding a lottery for attending tickets generously donated by a few Fairy Godmothers.
If you know a Discworldian who could be our Emberella please let us know! Please include your name and email address, and the nominee's name and email address. Please note: this is a lottery so ticket is not guaranteed and does not include contributions to accommodation or travel expenses to attend the convention.
The Maskerade costume, talent and prop competition, a highlight of the Australian Discworld conventions, is for everyone, no matter their skill level of costuming or talent.
So, whether it's your first cosplay, or your fiftieth, whether it's your debut stage appearance or you're a veteran performer, we want to see you at the 2026 Nullus Anxietas X Maskerade to kick off the Witch Trials and show us what you've got!
Please note, Granny Weatherwax will not be competing this year and wishes only the best for all competitors. She will be making treacle again5.
Copyright © Paul Kidby
Nullus Anxietas X will be the place to meet new authors in person and catch up with those you already know. And be entertained by others via the realm of Zoom!
On Saturday April 11 Tansy Rayner Roberts will host a panel including: Karen J Carlisle, M.A Batten, and Lorena Carrington in the discussion: "Magic in Fantasy Stories".
Also on Saturday, join us as in a chat about writing monsters with Lorena Carrington and Dr Stephen B Platt.
There'll also be a live podcast recording of Pratchat with Ben McKenzie, Elizabeth Flux and maybe a special guest.
On Sunday April 12, the talented M.A (Matt) Batten will hold a session called "Draw and Talk" and Karen J Carlisle will talk about building worlds.
Our authorial Big Job guests will be here for the weekend, so grab an opportunity to chat with them and check out their books.
On Friday April 10, we'll chat with Terry's close collaborator and long time Discworld Convention guest, Stephen Briggs, writer of The Ultimate Discworld Companion, Nanny Ogg's Cookbook several Discworld maps, innumerable play adaptations, and even more.
Then, late in the evening, Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent will chat with us live about their fabulous collaboration: Tiffany Aching's Guide to Being a Witch and more.
On Saturday April 11, in the morning, meet Bev Doyle and Richard Kurti, screen writers of the telemovie Going Postal. Followed by a recorded interview with Vadim Jean, screen writer for The Colour of Magic and Hogfather and Executive Producer of Going Postal.
On Sunday April 12, Barry McCann, a renowned expert on the Lancashire witch trials, will tell us the story of the Nutter and Device families who were the root of Sir Terry's witches. These trials were a trigger for the Salem Witch Trials immortalised in The Crucible.
And finally, also on Sunday, don't miss the interview with The Amazing Maurice producers Andrew Baker and Rob Chandler - maybe they'll let us know some secrets about the upcoming sequel!
Too much excitement for one newsletter? Take your frog pills and find all the information about all our Big Job guests on the Guests page of our website. Find out more about the other events and activities on our website.
I posed the question to the committee of Nullus Anxietas X, of course I was curious if I, Miss Perspicacia Tick, rated anywhere in their regard. I was not surprised by their answers.
Tiffany Aching: 'It's been great to watch her grow into her witchhood. A great role model.'
... 'Tiffany taught me balance. Fire to ice, calm and not, and selfishness to ownership. The scene at the end of Wee Free Men: mine, "it's all mine and you can't take it" always gives me chills.
Miss Tick (yay me): 'I like that she penned the book "Witch Hunting for Dummies." Gives the villagers what they think they want in a way they won't regret later.'
Granny Weatherwax: 'She's so smart and yet human. She has the answer to everything, yet when she thinks she's not invited to the wedding, (Carpe Jugulum) I feel so bad for her. She's just a person looking for acceptance after all.'
... 'I learned from Granny so much. Personal is not the same as important, don't treat people as things, stories shape you or the other way etc.'
Nanny Ogg: A favourite for one committee member who relates to Magrat most.
... 'Nanny's impishness and irreverence combined with Granny Aching, pretty much describes me.'
... 'Nanny because she makes me laugh.'
Magrat: Admired because she forges her own style and her reliable knowledge of herbs.
Eskarina: 'Being active in both Witchcraft and Wizardry sounds like an absolute ball.'
... 'Eskarina, mostly because I just wish we'd seen more of her adventures.'
Granny Aching: 'Even though she's technically not a witch. She is like Granny Weatherwax especially her use of special sheep liniment and 'headology' even if she didn't call it the same thing. The thought of living away from people with just her dogs and sheep for company has a certain appeal...'
Mrs Cake: 'Isn't a witch as such but when she enters a new place to 'help' and turns everything on its head with new ways to do stuff...I can relate...'
Which Witch or almost-kinda-sorta witch, is your favourite? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram
Memberships for Nullus Anxietas X - Australian Discworld Convention - 10-12 April 2026 in Sydney, NSW, can be purchased here.
As always, if you'd like to volunteer at the convention, we'll need your help, no expertise required... Please fill out the volunteer form.
Wait... This is your first convention and you have no idea wot's wot? Go to the Newcomer's ABC for everything you didn't know you wanted to know, including a special playlist of special videos for you, special newcomers, made specially.
Until then, wotcha!
1 May also contain nuts.
2 Night Watch
3 Reaper Man
4 Even for C.M.O.T. Dibbler.
5 Be warned and bring your special dentures.
