Rhianna Pratchett’s announced that The Shepherd’s Crown will be the last Discworld novel, because “They are sacred to dad.”
This makes me glad. I love Pratchett’s work, and it’s fitting that his last Discworld title should be a Tiffany Aching novel. As he once told me: “The Tiffany Aching series is what I would most like to be remembered for.”
It would be unseemly to wring every commercial penny out of Pratchett’s magnificent, humane series. I hope (and believe!) that Ms Pratchett’s ban on sequels won’t apply to the volumes of fanfic that Pratchett’s adoring hordes have produced for decades and will go on telling each other for so long as he is beloved by readers. If there’s one thing Pratchett’s books taught us, it’s that retelling the story to make it your own is the best way to take control over your life.
Responding to a Twitter user who praised her decision, saying “bravo @rhipratchett Heartily sick of reboots from lesser writers – no one can replace the original & greatest”, Pratchett tweeted that “the comment about ‘lesser writers’ … seemed rather pointed”, adding: “Although in fairness most writers are lesser compared to dad.”
She later said that Pratchett’s assistant, Rob Wilkins, would also not write any Discworld novels, and that the chance of an “unfinished writings compilation” suggested by a fan was “unlikely, sorry”.
Terry Pratchett’s daughter declares The Shepherd’s Crown will be the last Discworld novel [The Guardian]
The Shepherd’s Crown: Number 41 of the Discworld Novels Series [Terry Pratchett/Harper Collins]