Sir Terry Pratchett - 1948-2015

It is with great sadness that we must report the passing of Discworld author Sir Terry Pratchett.

Sir Terry passed away at home today, surrounded by his family, with his cat sleeping on his bed. The author was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy back in 2007, and in recent years had done a great deal to promote discussion of this and other forms of dementia.

Those of the SFX editorial team who were lucky enough to meet Sir Terry have warm memories of our encounters with him; he was always an amusing guest, and generous with his time. In particular, we treasure how, back in 2010, he was guest editor for an issue, and took charge in characteristic fashion, stipulating that our editorial meeting must involve piping hot bacon sandwiches. The world of publishing could do with more of his brand of visionary thinking.

In a press release from his publishers, Transworld, MD Larry Finlay paid tribute to Sir Terry as follows:
"I was deeply saddened to learn that Sir Terry Pratchett has died. The world has lost one of its brightest, sharpest minds. In over 70 books, Terry enriched the planet like few before him. As all who read him know, Discworld was his vehicle to satirise this world: he did so brilliantly, with great skill, enormous humour and constant invention.

Terry faced his Alzheimer's disease (an 'embuggerance', as he called it) publicly and bravely. Over the last few years, it was his writing that sustained him. His legacy will endure for decades to come. My sympathies go out to Terry's wife Lyn, their daughter Rhianna, to his close friend Rob Wilkins, and to all closest to him."

The countless SF and fantasy fans who were entertained by Sir Terry’s books over the course of decades may like to know that a Just Giving page for the Research Institute to the Care of Older People has been set up in his memory.