Frankly, I would prefer it if people kept things cheerful – I think there’s time for at least a few more books yet

I hope he’s right, because:

a) I love taking little “mini vacations” to the Discworld (by reading his books),  and without him the place just won’t be the same.

b) I have given my wife the latest Pratchett book as a Christmas present every year for as long as I can remember. My kids will ‘get’ her jewelery and clothes and bath and body lotions, but my official present has been a Discworld book.  It says a lot about an author that he’s that reliable in chunking out a fairly large novel every year, and they continue to be hilariously well written.  It will kind of be like Old Faithful shutting down once Mr. Pratchett is done writing.

I guess all the fans can do is keep the same positive outlook as their favorite author:

I will, of course, be dead at some future point, as will everybody else. For me, this maybe further off than you think.

I hope you’re right Mr. Pratchett!