Silmarillion Re-read FAQs, Guidelines, and Schedule
As mentioned in the Heads up post, Lyra (oloriel) and I (indy1776) are running the 2014 community (re-)read of The Silmarillion. This is a year-long project with no sign-ups. You can participate or not as your time and interest demand. We hope you'll join us!
FAQs
~ How does this project work?
We will read a chapter (sometimes two) of The Silmarillion every two weeks. (Please see the schedule at the end of this post.) Lyra or I will post on the SWG LiveJournal community two posts the day each chapter is due: one for discussion and one for fanworks.
~ How do I participate?
However you wish! Do as little or as much as you feel comfortable with. Reread the chapter(s). Participate in the discussion and/or ask questions. Link to fanworks inspired by the chapter - both your own and other people's! Create your own fanwork(s) for the occasion.
~ What if I don't have a LiveJournal account? How can I participate?
LJ allows people to use the following other sites to log in to comment on LJ: Twitter, Facebook, Google, MailRu, and VKontakte. People can also comment with OpenID. Several websites automatically grant an OpenID (including Yahoo!, Flickr, Blogger, and Wordpress, among others), or a person can sign up for an OpenID independently of these sites.
If you don't have one of the above, no worries! Anonymous comments are welcome, though please sign them so we know who we're talking to. (Anonymous comments are automatically screened, so don't be alarmed if you don't see yours. We or one of the mods will unscreen it as soon as possible.)
~ What is allowed in the discussion post?
Discussions, questions, things you liked, things you disliked, alternate versions of the legendarium you prefer, meta, interpretations-basically, if it's nonfiction, it belongs here.
~ What is allowed in the fanworks post?
Anything, as long as you follow the posting format. Links only please, even for works created for this project, as it’s far more difficult to avoid content you do not wish to see if fanworks are posted in their entirety. Also, LJ only allows a limited amount of characters on comments, which fanfics might very well exceed. Meta should be linked to in the discussion post.
~ What is the posting format for fanworks?
It's simple; just copy/paste the following (it will be provided in each fanworks post):
Title:
Type of Fanwork:
Length (if applicable):
Rating:
Warnings:
Summary:
~ Can I volunteer to help?
We'd love people to make banners, icons, etc. (Please follow the guidelines for using images on SWG.) Some suggested text: SWG Re-read 2014, SWG Re-read, Silm Re-read 2014, Silm Re-read (or Silmarillion, if your graphic is large enough), or the individual chapter titles. Size-wise for banners, we're flexible, but something between 260x120 to 500x250 is preferred. ETA: We'll have a seperate post up for them in a few days.
Later on, when the project is well-established, we may allow others to host individual chapters. We might even be grateful for a break! (Note that if we do this, either Lyra or I will handle the chapters involving the Kinslayings.)
~ I want to reply to a discussion post, but I have a lot to say and LJ tells me that my comment is too long. What do I do now?
There are three basic options:
a) You try to cut down your comment until it fits LJ's character limit.
b) You break your comment into two or more parts and post them successively (each consecutive part as a comment to your first comment, please - that way, your contribution to the discussion won't get torn too far apart).
c) You turn your comment into an essay of its own, post it on your LJ or other platform, and link to it in a comment to the discussion post. (Note that if you do this, people will choose where to respond, as not everyone has accounts on the many platforms fandom uses.)
~ If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact either Lyra or me. You can reach us either in the comments to this post, via LJ PM, or via e-mail (lyraforeniel at hotmail dot com for Lyra and mxuniversity1 at gmail dot com for Indy).
ETA: Will there be spoilers for the rest of the book in the discussions?
Yes, there will be. It's difficult to discuss foreshadowing, implications, and the like without them.
Guidelines
~ Be civil.
We expect all discussions, no matter how heated or controversial, to follow the SWG civility guidelines. In a nutshell, respect other people and their opinions. You do not have to agree with each other, but you do have to behave well towards each other. Abuse, derogatory remarks, and the like are not tolerated.
~ Please use the given format for posting links to fanworks.
~ Use sources.
In discussion, if you directly reference the text (with a quote or paraphrase), specify where you found the information. This is especially important when dealing with material from Unfinished Tales and HoME, as not everyone owns or has access to those books. (Also, it's impolite to just state something and claim it's "canon" - one should always offer a source so other people can look it up, too!)
Please be as specific as possible: include chapter or paragraph headings and/or the number of the footnote. Due to the many editions in use, the page number is not required. The author is only necessary when it's not J.R.R. Tolkien. For an example: Unfinished Tales, Part 2: The Second Age. IV The History of Galadriel and Celeborn. Appendix E: The Names of Celeborn and Galadriel.
~ What if I want to talk about my personal speculations, theories, etc.?
If you wish to bring your own speculation or interpretation into the discussion, that's fine, of course - but please be fair and clearly state that it's your personal opinion, speculation or interpretation, and don't act like it's "fact" or expect that everybody will agree.
The Schedule
January 3: Introduction to the Community Re-read
January 12: “Ainulindalë” and “Valaquenta”
January 26: “Of the Beginning of Days” and “Of Aulë and Yavanna”
February 9: “Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor” and “Of Thingol and Melian”
February 23: “Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Edalië”
March 9: “Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor”
March 23: “Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor”
April 6: “Of the Darkening of Valinor”
April 20: “Of the Flight of the Noldor”
May 4: “Of the Sindar”
May 18: “Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor”
June 1: “Of Men”
June 15: “Of the Return of the Noldor”
June 29: “Of Beleriand and Its Realms”
July 13: “Of the Noldor in Beleriand”
July 27: “Of Maeglin”
August 10: “Of the Coming of Men into the West”
August 24: “Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin”
September 7: “Of Beren and Lúthien”
September 21: “Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad”
October 5: “Of Túrin Turambar”
October 19: “Of the Ruin of Doriath”
November 2: “Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin”
November 16: “Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath”
November 30: “Akallabêth”
December 14: “Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age”
December 28: Wrap-up
FAQs
~ How does this project work?
We will read a chapter (sometimes two) of The Silmarillion every two weeks. (Please see the schedule at the end of this post.) Lyra or I will post on the SWG LiveJournal community two posts the day each chapter is due: one for discussion and one for fanworks.
~ How do I participate?
However you wish! Do as little or as much as you feel comfortable with. Reread the chapter(s). Participate in the discussion and/or ask questions. Link to fanworks inspired by the chapter - both your own and other people's! Create your own fanwork(s) for the occasion.
~ What if I don't have a LiveJournal account? How can I participate?
LJ allows people to use the following other sites to log in to comment on LJ: Twitter, Facebook, Google, MailRu, and VKontakte. People can also comment with OpenID. Several websites automatically grant an OpenID (including Yahoo!, Flickr, Blogger, and Wordpress, among others), or a person can sign up for an OpenID independently of these sites.
If you don't have one of the above, no worries! Anonymous comments are welcome, though please sign them so we know who we're talking to. (Anonymous comments are automatically screened, so don't be alarmed if you don't see yours. We or one of the mods will unscreen it as soon as possible.)
~ What is allowed in the discussion post?
Discussions, questions, things you liked, things you disliked, alternate versions of the legendarium you prefer, meta, interpretations-basically, if it's nonfiction, it belongs here.
~ What is allowed in the fanworks post?
Anything, as long as you follow the posting format. Links only please, even for works created for this project, as it’s far more difficult to avoid content you do not wish to see if fanworks are posted in their entirety. Also, LJ only allows a limited amount of characters on comments, which fanfics might very well exceed. Meta should be linked to in the discussion post.
~ What is the posting format for fanworks?
It's simple; just copy/paste the following (it will be provided in each fanworks post):
Title:
Type of Fanwork:
Length (if applicable):
Rating:
Warnings:
Summary:
~ Can I volunteer to help?
We'd love people to make banners, icons, etc. (Please follow the guidelines for using images on SWG.) Some suggested text: SWG Re-read 2014, SWG Re-read, Silm Re-read 2014, Silm Re-read (or Silmarillion, if your graphic is large enough), or the individual chapter titles. Size-wise for banners, we're flexible, but something between 260x120 to 500x250 is preferred. ETA: We'll have a seperate post up for them in a few days.
Later on, when the project is well-established, we may allow others to host individual chapters. We might even be grateful for a break! (Note that if we do this, either Lyra or I will handle the chapters involving the Kinslayings.)
~ I want to reply to a discussion post, but I have a lot to say and LJ tells me that my comment is too long. What do I do now?
There are three basic options:
a) You try to cut down your comment until it fits LJ's character limit.
b) You break your comment into two or more parts and post them successively (each consecutive part as a comment to your first comment, please - that way, your contribution to the discussion won't get torn too far apart).
c) You turn your comment into an essay of its own, post it on your LJ or other platform, and link to it in a comment to the discussion post. (Note that if you do this, people will choose where to respond, as not everyone has accounts on the many platforms fandom uses.)
~ If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact either Lyra or me. You can reach us either in the comments to this post, via LJ PM, or via e-mail (lyraforeniel at hotmail dot com for Lyra and mxuniversity1 at gmail dot com for Indy).
ETA: Will there be spoilers for the rest of the book in the discussions?
Yes, there will be. It's difficult to discuss foreshadowing, implications, and the like without them.
Guidelines
~ Be civil.
We expect all discussions, no matter how heated or controversial, to follow the SWG civility guidelines. In a nutshell, respect other people and their opinions. You do not have to agree with each other, but you do have to behave well towards each other. Abuse, derogatory remarks, and the like are not tolerated.
~ Please use the given format for posting links to fanworks.
~ Use sources.
In discussion, if you directly reference the text (with a quote or paraphrase), specify where you found the information. This is especially important when dealing with material from Unfinished Tales and HoME, as not everyone owns or has access to those books. (Also, it's impolite to just state something and claim it's "canon" - one should always offer a source so other people can look it up, too!)
Please be as specific as possible: include chapter or paragraph headings and/or the number of the footnote. Due to the many editions in use, the page number is not required. The author is only necessary when it's not J.R.R. Tolkien. For an example: Unfinished Tales, Part 2: The Second Age. IV The History of Galadriel and Celeborn. Appendix E: The Names of Celeborn and Galadriel.
~ What if I want to talk about my personal speculations, theories, etc.?
If you wish to bring your own speculation or interpretation into the discussion, that's fine, of course - but please be fair and clearly state that it's your personal opinion, speculation or interpretation, and don't act like it's "fact" or expect that everybody will agree.
The Schedule
January 3: Introduction to the Community Re-read
January 12: “Ainulindalë” and “Valaquenta”
January 26: “Of the Beginning of Days” and “Of Aulë and Yavanna”
February 9: “Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor” and “Of Thingol and Melian”
February 23: “Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Edalië”
March 9: “Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor”
March 23: “Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor”
April 6: “Of the Darkening of Valinor”
April 20: “Of the Flight of the Noldor”
May 4: “Of the Sindar”
May 18: “Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor”
June 1: “Of Men”
June 15: “Of the Return of the Noldor”
June 29: “Of Beleriand and Its Realms”
July 13: “Of the Noldor in Beleriand”
July 27: “Of Maeglin”
August 10: “Of the Coming of Men into the West”
August 24: “Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin”
September 7: “Of Beren and Lúthien”
September 21: “Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad”
October 5: “Of Túrin Turambar”
October 19: “Of the Ruin of Doriath”
November 2: “Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin”
November 16: “Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath”
November 30: “Akallabêth”
December 14: “Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age”
December 28: Wrap-up