Terry Pratchett Cancels Discworld Convention Appearance Due to Alzheimer's

Best-selling author Terry Pratchett, who announced his diagnosis with early onset Alzheimer's [...]

Best-selling author Terry Pratchett, who announced his diagnosis with early onset Alzheimer's seven years ago, has pulled out of a Discworld convention later this summer, saying "the Embuggerance is finally catching up with me," according to The Guardian.

Pratchett apologized profusely to fans on the website of the International Discworld Convention, where he had been set to appear as guest of honor in August. The "Embuggerance" reference harkens back to the early days of his ailment, when he memorably coined that phrase for his posterior cortical atrophy, a rare form of early onset Alzheimer's.

"I have been putting off writing this announcement for quite some time and on good days thought I wouldn't have to write it at all," wrote the author. "I am very sorry about this, but I have been dodging the effects of PCA and have been able to write for much longer than any of us ever thought possible, but now The Embuggerance is finally catching up with me, along with other age-related ailments."

Ed note: Above, Pratchett is pictured at left with his Good Omens collaborator Neil Gaiman.

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