Colin Smythe
International man of fantasy, Colin Smythe has been gracing Discworld Conventions since the beginning.
Colin's publishing company celebrated the big 4-0 in 2006. During his publishing career, he has done much to aid the diffusion of Irish literature, publishing such authors as Lady Gregory, W.B. Yeats and Oscar Wilde. Publications in 2006 included a volume of previously hard to find poetry, a collection of plays by an all-female theatre company and two books of literary criticism. He also publishes books in such diverse areas as SF/F, history, biography, the paranormal, folklore and heraldry.
Colin was a visiting professor in the English Department of the University of Ulster at Coleraine from 1993 to 2001, but remains one still, for reasons that puzzle him, at the Universidade Moderna in Lisbon. For his services to Irish literature the University of Dublin conferred a Doctorate of Laws (honoris causa) on him in July 1998. He has had an avid interest in science fiction and fantasy for most of his life. He published Terry's first five books, the initial one being The Carpet People in 1971, after getting Terry to provide some black and white illustrations. As Terry's agent since 1987, it's Colin's job to keep track of the books, the translations, the film rights and the merchandise, which should keep him busy until he retires in 2099.
Colin's fascination with the paranormal, his long-standing love of Science Fiction & Fantasy, and his charming and debonair manner, make him one of the most versatile guests a convention could wish for.