Middle-earth Journeys

More than likely!

I imagine being very strongly rooted in Tolkien's creation without changing or twisting it would come very high on the list. Is that what you mean by "Tolkien-based fiction", Lindariel? That's what I was thinking of really.

Maybe Amon Hen is more the place anyway. I haven't seen enough Mallorn's yet to get a feel for what's selected!

That's precisely what I mean, Iolanthe! I have certainly read some wonderful and highly satisfying Tolkien-based fiction, but there's a ton of Tolkien "fan fiction" out there, in which people have absconded with The Professor's beloved characters and taken them in all kinds of bizarre directions. I can certainly understand why the publications of the Tolkien Society would want to have very strict guidelines regarding the kind of fiction selected to be published.

Lindariel wrote:I have certainly read some wonderful and highly satisfying Tolkien-based fiction, but there's a ton of Tolkien "fan fiction" out there, in which people have absconded with The Professor's beloved characters and taken them in all kinds of bizarre directions.

*snort* That's an understatement.

Just got an e-mail from the Tolkien Society. My membership form and payment have been processed, and my membership packet is in the mail! YAY!!!!! Hopefully, I will soon get my mits on my first issue of Mallorn!

You know, I think for my big birthday present to myself will be also to join the Tolkien Society. I'd love to get their journals too.

Great! As well as the snippets of information and the articles you get that you don't find anywhere else, it's good to support the Society.

I'm sure neither of you will regret joining!

Wow! I've only touched the surface (viewing/reading about 10 pages of this thread) and I am in awe of everyone's talent. I love the diversity and varying perspectives. It is inspiring! Thanks to everyone who posted here.

Thank you Merri! I think it's wonderful to see everyone's unique vision of Middle-earth - whether it's poetry or painting. The fact that Tolkien can be an unending source of inspiration is a great testimony to his imagination.

Ladies! Ladies! My Tolkien Society membership packet arrived TODAY! And it includes the latest issue of Mallorn. How lovely to see Iolanthe's "Glaurung's Death Throes" on the cover! I recognized it immediately. And within I found Riv's "The House of Tom Bombadil" and "Withywindle" and Marbretherese's "Sam's Mallorn" and "The Ballad of Sam Gamgee." Such treasures! It's so exciting to look at the pages and think, "I KNOW these talented ladies!" Well done! Well done!

Glad to hear your membership pack arrived promptly, Lindariel - I'm sure you'll enjoy reading both Mallorn and Amon Hen!

I'm thrilled it's arrived, Lindariel ! I think I may have something in the next one too .

I'm finally reading through my Mallorn and found Rateliff's article about Tolkien scholarship really interesting. In effect he is saying that these are exciting times with a lot of research opportunities and new material to draw on, to give us a better picture of his life and work.

I have just given in to my favorite style and colors ... kinda got carried away when I started to read LOTR once again. Tolkien's descriptions are SO vivid ... I get carried away to Middle-earth.

The Shire had seldom seem so fair a summer, or so rich an autumn: the trees were laden with apples, honey dripping from the combs, and the corn was tall and full.

© Rabbit Ridge Art

Ah! Fall is coming. It's still blisteringly hot here, but the days are appreciably shorter and some leaves are starting to turn.

Wonderful colors, RR, and I love the gathered grain in the field. And I can SMELL that pie!

great colours, Riv!