Discworld
| Fandom | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Discworld |
| Abbreviation(s): | |
| Creator: | Terry Pratchett |
| Date(s): | 1983-2015 |
| Medium: | Books, Tie-ins |
| Country of Origin: | United Kingdom |
| External Links: | Wikipedia |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Discworld is the setting of a series of fantasy novels written by Terry Pratchett. The Discworld novels are noteworthy in that they parody many conventional fantasy elements, while retaining an affectionate stance toward the genre as a whole.
Canon
There are over 40 books in the Discworld series, some of which have been adapted into Movies, TV shows, radioplays, and more.
Among the fandom, the books are usually grouped together into unofficial "sub-series" such as those following Rincewind and Twoflower, or dealing with the effects of Industrial Revolution. While some novels are stand-alone, most will reference the events of prior books, and characters making cameos across the sub-series are common.
Fans have a variety of opinions about whether the books should be read in order of publication, or by following each sub-series along a linear progression. Charts detailing these suggestions for new readers are widely shared online.
Characters
- Moist von Lipwig
- Sam Vimes
- Susan Sto Helit
- Death (Discworld)
- Carrot Ironfounderson
- Granny Weatherwax
- Otto von Chriek
- Sacharissa Cripslock
- William de Worde
- Mort Sto Helit
- Havelock Vetinari
- Nanny Ogg
- Cheri Littlebottom
- Angua von Uberwald
- Tiffany Aching
Fandom
Fannish engagement in fanfiction tends to be either with the Watch (a.k.a. the City Watch), the local police force in Ankh-Morpork, or the Witches, an informal and acephalous (Granny Weatherwax would never permit anyone to be the leader of the witches) sisterhood, although of course other characters also get fannish attention.
Crossovers in which characters from other fandoms meet Death are also fairly popular. The Nac Mac Feegles, small blue-skinned Pictsie warriors who are able to travel between dimensions, are also popular for their crossover potential, as is 'L-space', a process by which libraries in different dimensions link together and can be navigated by the wise and/or desperate. As of June 2024 1,153 of the 4,358 discworld fanfictions posted to AO3 are crossovers, roughly one quarter of the works[1].
The fandom is long-standing, retains close ties with Science Fiction Fandom (as opposed to media fandom), and has a notable filk focus. For more on Discworld and filk see The Hedgehog Song.
A common trope for fanfic based on Discworld and other Pratchett works is the use of footnotes in emulation of Pratchett's style.
Another aspect of Discworld Fandom is fan adaptations of the novels, most commonly animated but sometimes live action.
A common aspect of Discworld fandom is the writing of meta.
Shipping
- Sam Vimes/Lord Vetinari
- Sam Vimes/Lady Sybil
- Sam Vimes/Lord Vetinari/Lady Sybil
- Adora Belle Dearheart/Moist von Lipwig
- Otto von Chriek/Sacharissa Cripslock/William de Worde
Filk
The Discworld novels featuring many recurring songs (namely The Hedgehog Song) and filk has become a major part of fandom creation. The collection of filk on Lspace.org has possibly over 100 filk projects [2].
The AFP Madrigal Society is a choir of Discworld fans (primarily AFPers) who would preform Discworld filk at conventions and meet ups.
May 25th
In-universe, survivors of the People's Revolution that ended the reign of a (particularly) corrupt patrician of Ankh-Morpork mark the day (the 25 of May) by wearing a sprig of lilac. In the Round world (following Terry Pratchett's diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease), Match It For Pratchett has called on fans to wear lilacs on 25 May in support of Terry.[3]
Today is the 25th of May. An important day for all Terry Pratchett’s enthusiasts. An important day in the life of Samuel Vimes, a man from whom you might learn a couple of interesting things.nightingaleym, 2022 [4]
love discworld fandom we’re all just chilling quietly until the Glorious 25th Of May when everyone goes nuts reblogging pictures of lilacs and eggs and the same few words and then back to business as usualcubistemoji, 2022 [5]
See Also
GNU Terry Pratchett
A common phrase in the discworld fandom (and general Terry Pratchett fandom) is GNU Terry Pratchett.
Fanwork Examples
Fanfiction
- Just Another Tuesday by rallamajoop. Crossover with xxxHolic. Watanuki meets Death. (2007).
- Feegles on a Firefly by SpaceAnJL. Crossover with Firefly, Mal and friends meet the Nac Mac Feegles.
- The Cheese Stands Alone by shadydave. Crossover with The Dresden Files, the Winter Knight is sent to handle a small invasion.
- A Grand Sneer by MoragMacPherson. Dean slips into L-space and runs all the way to the Discworld. Supernatural crossover.
- The Puir Laddie Who Lived by Fojee. The Na Mac Feegles find an abandoned baby on a doorstep, and take him to the Discworld. Harry Potter crossover.
- The Brain Thief by hollimichele. Young Sam grows up, meets a girl, cracks a case, and tells a lie. Not necessarily in that order.
Fanzines
- The Wizard's Knob (1993-2000)
- The Turtle Moves (2013)
Games
- Discworld MUD, Archived version, an online multiplayer text-based game, founded in 1991 and still running today.
Meta
- His Grace Commander Sir Samuel Vimes / Havelock Vetinari, Patrician of Ankh-Morpork, a Vimes/Vetinari ship_manifesto by disc_sophist (Sep 2004)
- Pros and Cons of being in the Discworld fandom, Archived version, by blackboardmonitor, 2015
Fancrafts
A fan submission to Lego Ideas.
Cosplay
- "Discworld cosplay shoot", Archived version - various characters, photos by TheCosplayJournal
- Adora Belle DearHeart and Moist Von Lipwig Cosplay by Vanne with Ka Man as Moist, at Cabbagecon 2017
Other
- Ankh-Morpork Dashboard Simulator -- happy 40th anniversary everyone 🥳🥳 by krowbby -- arguably a meme or a fanfic (see Dashboard simulator meme?? but fun
Fanfiction Archives & Mailing Lists
- History Monks - a fan fiction mailing list/archive that dates back to the late 1990s. The FAQ for the archives can be found here and some of the fan fiction is still online here.
- Discworld FanFiction Archive
- Discworld_Fanfiction at Yahoo! Groups
- Discslash "Disc Slash". Archived from the original on 2003-12-13. Description: "This list is for the general writings, musings and messing about with any of the Discworld characters, intended for the fun of its members. This list is *slash* of both m/m and f/f so no children are allowed. It does not have the approval of Mr. Terry Pratchett either. Also, No Flaming is allowed."
- See also List of GeoCities Fansites#Discworld
Challenges
Links & Resources
- Discworld - Terry Pratchett at Archive of Our Own
- Discworld at FanFiction.Net
- Discworld & Terry Pratchett Wiki as Lspace.org
- Discworld Wiki at Fandom.com
References
- ^ Archive of our Own Works Tagged Discworld (retrieved June 29, 2024)
- ^ L-space.orgFandom Filks Index (retrieved June 19, 2024)
- ^ Wear the Lilac Day
- ^ Original tumblr post by nightingaleym, Archived version. With fanart and discussion. Posted 25 May 2022
- ^ Original tumblr post by cubistemoji, Archived version, which additions by others. Posted 25 May 2022