Transworld acquires Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld

Transworld has acquired an illustrated title exploring the art of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series and the literary partnership between author and artist.

Transworld acquired world rights to Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld from Jon Wood at RCW, on behalf of the Terry Pratchett Estate. It will be published as a four-colour gift edition hardback on 7th November 2024.

Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld will detail the anecdotes and inspiration behind Discworld’s iconic imagery, the publisher says. Written and illustrated by Paul Kidby, Sir Terry Pratchett’s artist of choice for many years, the book is described by the publisher as “an incredible celebration of Discworld art and a brilliant homage to the decades-long collaboration between Paul and Terry”.

Transworld continues that it will take readers behind the scenes of one of the great creative partnerships and is packed with unseen art and the real stories behind it. “With nods to cinema, pop culture, art and music, this is Discworld both as fans know and love it, and interpreted as they’ve never seen it before,” says the publisher. 

Director of the Terry Pratchett Estate, Rob Wilkins, said: “I’m privileged to have been at the creative coalface with not one but two incredible minds, seeing Discworld’s creatures and characters come to life. Terry always considered Paul’s work the definitive embodiment of his vision, and this book gives us a unique window into the creative process of a wildly talented artist who defined Discworld not only for Terry, but for generations."

Kidby commented: “This book has been a wonderful opportunity to reflect on my Discworld illustration journey of over 30 years, and my long and inspiring collaboration and friendship with Terry. I hope readers enjoy this meander down memory lane and the glimpses of where Terry’s legacy will take us next.”

Transworld managing director Kim Young said: “Transworld is immensely proud to be Sir Terry Pratchett’s publishers. Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld is such a beautiful and creative book – it truly immerses you in the world that Terry brought to life on the page and that Paul Kidby translated onto the canvas and we hope this book will find a home with fans and new readers alike.”