Sir Terry Pratchett has had to pull out of this year's Discworld Convention in Manchester as the effects of his Alzheimer's are progressing. Article here.
This is very sad news, although not unexpected. I saw him at the Cheltenham Literature Festival a couple of years ago and it was clear to me then that he was getting increasingly affected by it. His 'voice' hasn't been quite the same in his most recent books, although that could in part be due to having to dictate them now since he hasn't been able to type for a long time. Sir Terry is probably my favourite author, and I've had the fortune to meet him in person at several signings over the years. Having seen two grandparents die of dementia I find this news hitting me quite hard this morning.