Volume 31/Issue 4
Volume 31/Issue 4
Circulation: Six-hundred and sixty. Welcome all!
Note from the Mods: Please encourage friends on your friends list to join and send their news. If you have an announcement you would like to make, a fic you'd like to promote, a question you'd like to ask, we invite you to simply format it according to the rules on the info page and email it to middle_earth_news@yahoo.com. You do not have to be a member to post but we are an open community and encourage everyone to join now. Only the mods may initiate new posts but comments are encouraged.
MEDIA NEWS:
• The Silmarillion Writers' Guild Newsletter--March 2007 is now available at silwritersguild and includes challenges, news and announcements.
• From TheOneRing.net:
LOTR Online Update: New Crafting Overview!
Lorien "Ramen" Carney, Community Relations Specialist for The Lord of the Rings Online writes: We've just added a new article to our Game Systems section that covers everything a budding artisan needs to know to jump into LOTRO's Crafting System. Ever since we published Lead System Designer Nik Davidson's Developer Diary on the origins of LOTRO's Crafting System, the crafters of the community have eagerly awaited more details. In our second Developer Diary we introduced the concept of Professions and Vocations, and covered a little more ground. It's time to bring our crafters the next installment! Here's a basic overview of the system, including details on how to get started in your crafting career. [More.]
Sarehole Mill Item for Auction
Lucy writes: Whilst browsing the Bonhams auctioneers online catalogues I noticed an old document for sale marked "Tolkien and Birmingham -- Sarehole Mill" looks to be an old indenture for Tolkien's Mill. It is lot 625 in an auction on 27 March 2007 at Bonhams' New Bond Street salerooms in London of "The Library of the late Paul Betts and other properties including manuscripts."
From the website: Sarehole Mill occupies a central place in the story of J.R.R. Tolkien, as John Ezard, then writing for the Oxford Mail, discovered: "Seven years before his death Tolkien told me about Sarehole, his imaginative heartland, a small village near Birmingham which was the starting-point for his fictional Shire in both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings." [Bonhams.com]
EA Announces The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth Anthology for the PC
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS - News) announced today that the complete collection of Middle-earth PC Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games will be available with The Lord of the RingsTM, The Battle for Middle-earthTM Anthology(1). For the first time The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth Anthology offers fans the chance to bring together all the epic The Lord of the RingsTM battles with The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earthTM, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth IITM Collector's Edition and The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II, The Rise of the Witch-KingTM within a single compilation, and all for an MSRP of $39.99. [More.]
More on Alan Lee at Forbidden Planet
Forbidden Planet is pleased to announce a signing by Alan Lee to promote the release of The Children Of Húrin (Special Offer Price £14.99). He will be at the Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR, on Thursday 19th April 6 -- 7pm
Alan Lee is best known as co-lead artist on Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' movie trilogy. However, as well as the Academy Award he won in 2004, he's also the recipient of the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration in 1993 for 'Black Ships Before Troy' and the Best Artist Award at the World Fantasy Awards of 1998. Lee has also worked as a conceptual designer on the films 'Legend', 'Erik the Viking' and 'King Kong' and the television miniseries 'Merlin'. [More.]
RINGERS and Special Panels at ORC This Weekend!
Convention-goers will gather in Burbank this weekend for the One Ring Celebration with many special guests - including surprises from the RINGERS team and many special guests. The film's creators will give a live running commentary with RINGERS! and even Ostadan & Quickbeam's 'The Game's The Thing!' [Click here for more.]
Dutch Band 'Anois' Inspired by Tolkien
Osse writes: I would like to inform you that at our Dutch Tolkien website has an interview with Anois, the Dutch band making poetic Celtic music inspired by the world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. The interview is also available in English. We invite everybody to read it and get to know what a wonderful music by Anois is.
• From Lorien "Ramen" Carney, Community Relations Specialist, The Lord of the Rings Online:
Exploring Middle-earth: Combe
We've just posted a new Point of Interest on the official LOTRO site -- The Bree-land village of Combe:
Note from the Mods: We would like to invite the moderators of other fandom communities to become 'reporters' or 'scouts' for middleearthnews. All we ask is that you send us formatted updates on your own communities for posting here.
• tolkien_weekly (drabbles) updates:
Strong of Purpose (Denethor, Unnamed Character; No Rating) by just_ann_now
The Penitent (Elessar; No Rating) by just_ann_now
• silwritersguild updates:
Capturing the Moonlight (Beleg Cuthalion/Melian; NC-17/Adult) by rhapsody11
dawn_felagund continues with her postings of passages detailing the creation of various places in Middle-earth: Helcaraxë and Nan Dungortheb.
• ardaslash updates:
Heir of a dying day: Chapter 4 -- That's me in the corner. (Maedhros/Fingon, Maglor/Lindir, Fingon/group; NC-17) by azmodan76
Glorfindel the kitty -- Part 15 -- Sauron's views on being neutered (Hard R) by chaotic_binky
Melpomaen the elfling -- Part 25 -- Leaving Imladris (Erestor/Legolas; PG) by chaotic_binky
• hobbit_het updates:
Vision of the Heart, Chapter 18 (PG-13) by white__gull
• faramir_fics updates:
To Forget (PG) by celticbard76
• sons_of_gondor updates from co-mod., caras_galadhon:
Friday, March 2 through Thursday, March 8 inclusive.
Bound (1/?) by ithiliana
(Aragorn/Boromir/Faramir; Adult; Aragorn and Boromir decide to turn Faramir into a sex slave. Faramir likes it.)
Clouded Perception by ribby
(Aragorn/Boromir; G; He wishes he saw less clearly.)
Relief by imaginigma
(Aragorn/Boromir; PG-13; A little scene between two Gondorians.)
Two Men and an Elf by anorienbean
(Haldir/Faramir/Boromir; NC-17; Written for the lovely thalassa_ipx who requested a DP with this pairing. I hope you like it, my dear!)
While these are the LotR FPF fics that have been posted to sons_of_gondor this week, the mods would like to remind everyone that the comm also carries LotR RPF and other FPF/RPF featuring the Gondorian actors in non-LotR roles.
CHALLENGES/WORKSHOPS/AWARDS:
• All entries for the current lotr_lims challenge are due by 5pm (EST) today (Friday, March 9).
• lotr_fic_recs update:
It's not too late to get involved in CMEM-07! If you've been seeing posts go by on your Friends List and have wondered what the fuss is, here's what it's all about:
March 2007: CELEBRATE MIDDLE-EARTH MONTH (CMEM-07)
You don't need to sign up anywhere to participate. But if you see this on your friends-page and like the idea, please post this text to your LJ to spread the word.
How to participate:
1. Pick a day of the week (or more than one) on which you resolve to always post something LotR-related in March, and let your friends-list know.
2. Go back and read your favourite chapters from the book, or watch the movies again. Let the beauty of LotR inspire you. And then, share the love.
3. Start your subject line with (CMEM-07) when you post, and use a "CMEM-07" tag. This'll make it easy to spot your CMEM-07-entries.
No matter if you just ramble about your undying love for LotR, picspam us, post wallpapers, icons, or write fan fic/create fan art, the plan is to get as many LotR-related entries on our friends-pages as possible throughout March.
Sounds good? Let's celebrate Middle-earth again!
Have you posted for CMEM-07 and would like to share with the larger LotR community?
middleearthnews would like to invite you to simply format your link according to the rules on the info page and email it to us at middle_earth_news@yahoo.com so we can include it in an upcoming issue!
Thanks!
FIC/ART NEWS:
• hobbit_art updates:
dreamflower02 posted a wee Pippin tale in which Pippin comes to Bag End for a visit. Rating: G. Enthusiasm.
grey_wonderer wrote a wee_hobbits story wherein Merry discovers that he and Frodo are not quite as happy with a Pippinless visit as they'd imagined. Rating: G. Missing Pippin.
dreamflower02 posted a new ficlet in her challenge series, part of her "Eucatastrophe" series. Rating: G. G: Like a Gasping Galadriel.
sue_denimme posted a drabble. Frodo contemplates the Argonath. Rating: G. Stone of the King.
surgicalsteel posted a new chapter in her series about Serindë and her family in Minas Tirith. Thorongil has a confession to make. Confession (No Rating).
mews1945 posted a Merry/Frodo fic. Merry likes things hot in many ways. Rating: NC-17. The Fire.
mechtild posted a new series of screencaps from the Lothlorien scenes in the EE edition of Fellowship of the Ring. The Fellowship is Admitted to Lorien (No Rating).
surgicalsteel posted a story in which Serindë struggles with negative emotions. Envy (No Rating).
Thanks, Mews!
DISCUSSIONS OF INTEREST:
• brigantine1 considers whether cross-posting fiction to more than one community is acceptable in her post, *raises hand from the back row* Mrs. MacGillicutty, I have a question…
"I suppose this isn't an issue for everyone, but for me, most of my flist are members of at least some of the same communities that I am, so they're bound to get spammed if I cross-post to several sites. Will this irritate?" [ More.]
• From social_meta:
thecaelum considers popularity and fannish experiences in Discussion: Fandom Status.
"For sake of discussion, I'd like to use the idea of popular fan instead of BNF, since popularity and community accolades seem to be at the root of this issue. Popularity in this case simply means known by and visible to a significant number of other fans. This could be for negative, positive, or neutral reasons." [ More.]
• From metafandom:
drusillas_rain discusses the writing process in on discipline and writing.
"I've found a few interesting websites online that describe the writing process, and most seem to agree that writing every day is important. Some writers write before they go to work. Others right before bed-time. Some write for a certain amount of hours a day, others believe in a daily wordcount." [ More.]
CLASSIFIED:
RECALL NOTICE:
Due to defects in design, a selection of the highly popular Rings of PowerTM Jewellery Series are being recalled.
If you are a holder of Nenya, Narya or Vilya, you are invited to bring in your ring for a full refund and special replacement offer. Simply come alone swing by our conveniently-placed Mordor shopfront, and ask for our head jeweller, Annatar. You will be disarmed, bound, gagged and dragged escorted to our showroom, where you will be tortured and eventually killed greeted by our well-trained Uruk-hai staff who will rough you up a bit assist you in picking out a replacement piece.
Contact us at lordofgifts@mordor.co.mid to book your appointment. Don't delay! We're waiting for you.
The related Earrings of PowerTM and Necklaces of WeaknessTM lines are not affected by this recall.
RESEARCH AIDS:
• From estelanui:
Inklings Die Gesellschaft. The Inklings Literary Club promotes the study and enjoyment of the works of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, George MacDonald and other related works.
TRIVIA:
• Wednesday's MOVIE question: Which Hobbit swears to defend Minas Tirith as the shadow of Mordor grows nearer?
Answer: Pippin
slightlytookish , blackbird_song, frolijah_fan_54, febobe, addie71 and el_esteleth all answered correctly, despite el_esteleth's quick accusation of the Sackville-Bagginses. *G*
Extra lembas to blackbird_song for answering in character! (Poor Pip.)
More next week!
SEND MATHOMS:
The mods would like to wish anyone having a special day the very best. Please send your special wishes to middle_earth_news@yahoo.com.
COMICS:
(Link contributions are welcome)
• From grimnir1:
That's it for this edition. Please send your formatted post for Monday's edition by 8:00 a.m. Monday (Eastern time) to middle_earth_news@yahoo.com. Thanks for joining us and tell your friends!
Circulation: Six-hundred and sixty. Welcome all!
Note from the Mods: Please encourage friends on your friends list to join and send their news. If you have an announcement you would like to make, a fic you'd like to promote, a question you'd like to ask, we invite you to simply format it according to the rules on the info page and email it to middle_earth_news@yahoo.com. You do not have to be a member to post but we are an open community and encourage everyone to join now. Only the mods may initiate new posts but comments are encouraged.
MEDIA NEWS:
• The Silmarillion Writers' Guild Newsletter--March 2007 is now available at silwritersguild and includes challenges, news and announcements.
• From TheOneRing.net:
LOTR Online Update: New Crafting Overview!
Lorien "Ramen" Carney, Community Relations Specialist for The Lord of the Rings Online writes: We've just added a new article to our Game Systems section that covers everything a budding artisan needs to know to jump into LOTRO's Crafting System. Ever since we published Lead System Designer Nik Davidson's Developer Diary on the origins of LOTRO's Crafting System, the crafters of the community have eagerly awaited more details. In our second Developer Diary we introduced the concept of Professions and Vocations, and covered a little more ground. It's time to bring our crafters the next installment! Here's a basic overview of the system, including details on how to get started in your crafting career. [More.]
Sarehole Mill Item for Auction
Lucy writes: Whilst browsing the Bonhams auctioneers online catalogues I noticed an old document for sale marked "Tolkien and Birmingham -- Sarehole Mill" looks to be an old indenture for Tolkien's Mill. It is lot 625 in an auction on 27 March 2007 at Bonhams' New Bond Street salerooms in London of "The Library of the late Paul Betts and other properties including manuscripts."
From the website: Sarehole Mill occupies a central place in the story of J.R.R. Tolkien, as John Ezard, then writing for the Oxford Mail, discovered: "Seven years before his death Tolkien told me about Sarehole, his imaginative heartland, a small village near Birmingham which was the starting-point for his fictional Shire in both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings." [Bonhams.com]
EA Announces The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth Anthology for the PC
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS - News) announced today that the complete collection of Middle-earth PC Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games will be available with The Lord of the RingsTM, The Battle for Middle-earthTM Anthology(1). For the first time The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth Anthology offers fans the chance to bring together all the epic The Lord of the RingsTM battles with The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earthTM, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth IITM Collector's Edition and The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II, The Rise of the Witch-KingTM within a single compilation, and all for an MSRP of $39.99. [More.]
More on Alan Lee at Forbidden Planet
Forbidden Planet is pleased to announce a signing by Alan Lee to promote the release of The Children Of Húrin (Special Offer Price £14.99). He will be at the Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR, on Thursday 19th April 6 -- 7pm
Alan Lee is best known as co-lead artist on Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' movie trilogy. However, as well as the Academy Award he won in 2004, he's also the recipient of the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration in 1993 for 'Black Ships Before Troy' and the Best Artist Award at the World Fantasy Awards of 1998. Lee has also worked as a conceptual designer on the films 'Legend', 'Erik the Viking' and 'King Kong' and the television miniseries 'Merlin'. [More.]
RINGERS and Special Panels at ORC This Weekend!
Convention-goers will gather in Burbank this weekend for the One Ring Celebration with many special guests - including surprises from the RINGERS team and many special guests. The film's creators will give a live running commentary with RINGERS! and even Ostadan & Quickbeam's 'The Game's The Thing!' [Click here for more.]
Dutch Band 'Anois' Inspired by Tolkien
Osse writes: I would like to inform you that at our Dutch Tolkien website has an interview with Anois, the Dutch band making poetic Celtic music inspired by the world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. The interview is also available in English. We invite everybody to read it and get to know what a wonderful music by Anois is.
• From Lorien "Ramen" Carney, Community Relations Specialist, The Lord of the Rings Online:
Exploring Middle-earth: Combe
We've just posted a new Point of Interest on the official LOTRO site -- The Bree-land village of Combe:
- One of the first Bree-land towns you'll encounter as a Man or Hobbit in LOTRO is the village of Combe. There's much to see and do there, so take your time and explore! [More.]
Note from the Mods: We would like to invite the moderators of other fandom communities to become 'reporters' or 'scouts' for middleearthnews. All we ask is that you send us formatted updates on your own communities for posting here.
• tolkien_weekly (drabbles) updates:
Strong of Purpose (Denethor, Unnamed Character; No Rating) by just_ann_now
The Penitent (Elessar; No Rating) by just_ann_now
• silwritersguild updates:
Capturing the Moonlight (Beleg Cuthalion/Melian; NC-17/Adult) by rhapsody11
dawn_felagund continues with her postings of passages detailing the creation of various places in Middle-earth: Helcaraxë and Nan Dungortheb.
• ardaslash updates:
Heir of a dying day: Chapter 4 -- That's me in the corner. (Maedhros/Fingon, Maglor/Lindir, Fingon/group; NC-17) by azmodan76
Glorfindel the kitty -- Part 15 -- Sauron's views on being neutered (Hard R) by chaotic_binky
Melpomaen the elfling -- Part 25 -- Leaving Imladris (Erestor/Legolas; PG) by chaotic_binky
• hobbit_het updates:
Vision of the Heart, Chapter 18 (PG-13) by white__gull
• faramir_fics updates:
To Forget (PG) by celticbard76
• sons_of_gondor updates from co-mod., caras_galadhon:
Friday, March 2 through Thursday, March 8 inclusive.
Bound (1/?) by ithiliana
(Aragorn/Boromir/Faramir; Adult; Aragorn and Boromir decide to turn Faramir into a sex slave. Faramir likes it.)
Clouded Perception by ribby
(Aragorn/Boromir; G; He wishes he saw less clearly.)
Relief by imaginigma
(Aragorn/Boromir; PG-13; A little scene between two Gondorians.)
Two Men and an Elf by anorienbean
(Haldir/Faramir/Boromir; NC-17; Written for the lovely thalassa_ipx who requested a DP with this pairing. I hope you like it, my dear!)
While these are the LotR FPF fics that have been posted to sons_of_gondor this week, the mods would like to remind everyone that the comm also carries LotR RPF and other FPF/RPF featuring the Gondorian actors in non-LotR roles.
CHALLENGES/WORKSHOPS/AWARDS:
• All entries for the current lotr_lims challenge are due by 5pm (EST) today (Friday, March 9).
• lotr_fic_recs update:
- Last day for our "Rare/Unusual POV" challenge at lotr_fic_recs! Come on over and recommend a good Lord of the Rings story that is told from an unusual or rarely seen Point of View (POV) -- which was not recommended in the previous challenges.
The challenge entry is over here.
Thanks!
It's not too late to get involved in CMEM-07! If you've been seeing posts go by on your Friends List and have wondered what the fuss is, here's what it's all about:
March 2007: CELEBRATE MIDDLE-EARTH MONTH (CMEM-07)
You don't need to sign up anywhere to participate. But if you see this on your friends-page and like the idea, please post this text to your LJ to spread the word.
How to participate:
1. Pick a day of the week (or more than one) on which you resolve to always post something LotR-related in March, and let your friends-list know.
2. Go back and read your favourite chapters from the book, or watch the movies again. Let the beauty of LotR inspire you. And then, share the love.
3. Start your subject line with (CMEM-07) when you post, and use a "CMEM-07" tag. This'll make it easy to spot your CMEM-07-entries.
No matter if you just ramble about your undying love for LotR, picspam us, post wallpapers, icons, or write fan fic/create fan art, the plan is to get as many LotR-related entries on our friends-pages as possible throughout March.
Sounds good? Let's celebrate Middle-earth again!
Have you posted for CMEM-07 and would like to share with the larger LotR community?
middleearthnews would like to invite you to simply format your link according to the rules on the info page and email it to us at middle_earth_news@yahoo.com so we can include it in an upcoming issue!
Thanks!
FIC/ART NEWS:
• hobbit_art updates:
- Dancing Frodo (Frodo; G) by anwise_gamgee
dreamflower02 posted a wee Pippin tale in which Pippin comes to Bag End for a visit. Rating: G. Enthusiasm.
grey_wonderer wrote a wee_hobbits story wherein Merry discovers that he and Frodo are not quite as happy with a Pippinless visit as they'd imagined. Rating: G. Missing Pippin.
dreamflower02 posted a new ficlet in her challenge series, part of her "Eucatastrophe" series. Rating: G. G: Like a Gasping Galadriel.
sue_denimme posted a drabble. Frodo contemplates the Argonath. Rating: G. Stone of the King.
surgicalsteel posted a new chapter in her series about Serindë and her family in Minas Tirith. Thorongil has a confession to make. Confession (No Rating).
mews1945 posted a Merry/Frodo fic. Merry likes things hot in many ways. Rating: NC-17. The Fire.
mechtild posted a new series of screencaps from the Lothlorien scenes in the EE edition of Fellowship of the Ring. The Fellowship is Admitted to Lorien (No Rating).
surgicalsteel posted a story in which Serindë struggles with negative emotions. Envy (No Rating).
Thanks, Mews!
DISCUSSIONS OF INTEREST:
• brigantine1 considers whether cross-posting fiction to more than one community is acceptable in her post, *raises hand from the back row* Mrs. MacGillicutty, I have a question…
"I suppose this isn't an issue for everyone, but for me, most of my flist are members of at least some of the same communities that I am, so they're bound to get spammed if I cross-post to several sites. Will this irritate?" [ More.]
• From social_meta:
thecaelum considers popularity and fannish experiences in Discussion: Fandom Status.
"For sake of discussion, I'd like to use the idea of popular fan instead of BNF, since popularity and community accolades seem to be at the root of this issue. Popularity in this case simply means known by and visible to a significant number of other fans. This could be for negative, positive, or neutral reasons." [ More.]
• From metafandom:
drusillas_rain discusses the writing process in on discipline and writing.
"I've found a few interesting websites online that describe the writing process, and most seem to agree that writing every day is important. Some writers write before they go to work. Others right before bed-time. Some write for a certain amount of hours a day, others believe in a daily wordcount." [ More.]
CLASSIFIED:
RECALL NOTICE:
Due to defects in design, a selection of the highly popular Rings of PowerTM Jewellery Series are being recalled.
If you are a holder of Nenya, Narya or Vilya, you are invited to bring in your ring for a full refund and special replacement offer. Simply come alone swing by our conveniently-placed Mordor shopfront, and ask for our head jeweller, Annatar. You will be disarmed, bound, gagged and dragged escorted to our showroom, where you will be tortured and eventually killed greeted by our well-trained Uruk-hai staff who will rough you up a bit assist you in picking out a replacement piece.
Contact us at lordofgifts@mordor.co.mid to book your appointment. Don't delay! We're waiting for you.
The related Earrings of PowerTM and Necklaces of WeaknessTM lines are not affected by this recall.
RESEARCH AIDS:
• From estelanui:
Inklings Die Gesellschaft. The Inklings Literary Club promotes the study and enjoyment of the works of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, George MacDonald and other related works.
TRIVIA:
• Wednesday's MOVIE question: Which Hobbit swears to defend Minas Tirith as the shadow of Mordor grows nearer?
Answer: Pippin
slightlytookish , blackbird_song, frolijah_fan_54, febobe, addie71 and el_esteleth all answered correctly, despite el_esteleth's quick accusation of the Sackville-Bagginses. *G*
Extra lembas to blackbird_song for answering in character! (Poor Pip.)
More next week!
SEND MATHOMS:
The mods would like to wish anyone having a special day the very best. Please send your special wishes to middle_earth_news@yahoo.com.
COMICS:
(Link contributions are welcome)
• From grimnir1:
That's it for this edition. Please send your formatted post for Monday's edition by 8:00 a.m. Monday (Eastern time) to middle_earth_news@yahoo.com. Thanks for joining us and tell your friends!