TheOneRing.net — in conjunction with Houghton Mifflin — is delighted to announce that Alan Lee, the acclaimed LOTR illustrator and Academy Award-winning conceptual designer for the film trilogy, will join us in the Hall of Fire (on the TORn IRC server) on Saturday November 5 at 6pm EST for a live question and answer session.

Alan will be answering questions on his work illustrating Lord of the Rings, his involvement with Peter Jackson and WETA as a conceptual designer for the Lord of the Rings film Trilogy and his new book The Lord of the Rings sketchbook.

The book presents more than 150 of Lee’s celebrated illustrations to show how his imagery for both the illustrated Lord of the Rings and the films progressed from concept to finished art. In addition, the book contains 20 full-color plates and numerous examples of the conceptual art produced for Peter Jackson’s film adaptation.

Alan has been creating fantasy artwork since 1978. He’s illustrated writers such as Dennis L McKiernen, Ursula K. Le Guin and has also worked as a set designer on the films Legend (1985), Erik the Viking (1989) and Merlin (1998).

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Tolkien, a new 1,200 page edition of The Lord of the Rings was planned. Alan Lee was chosen as the illustrator. With 50 colour plates, the book was a stunning artistic and commercial success.

Although the chat will not be held until November 5, you can still submit your question for Alan in advance simply by e-mailing it to halloffire@theonering.net We’ll ask it for you on the day.

Alan’s United States book tour

Alan Lee will also be touring the United States to promote and talk about his new book during October. His events will will feature a slide show, a Q&A with fans, and a booksigning. You can also pre-order your copy from Amazon by going here

Alan’s Tour Schedule:

October 22 @ 12:00 noon
Books of Wonder
18 West 18th Street (b/t 5th & 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10011
212-989-3270

October 24 @ 7:00 p.m.
Friends Select School
1651 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (17th & Parkway)
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-563-4184 (phone # for Joseph Fox Bookshop, which is sponsoring the
event)

October 25 @ 7:00 p.m.
Chapter 11
Peachtree Battle Shopping Center
2345-A Peachtree Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-237-7199

October 26 @ 7:00 p.m.
BookPeople
603 N. Lamar (6th & Lamar)
Austin, TX 78703
512-472-5050

October 27 @ 7:30 p.m.
Tattered Cover
1628 16th Street
Denver, CO 80202
303-436-1070

October 28 @ 7:00 p.m.
Borders Books
132 E. Winchester
Murray, UT 84107
801-313-1020

October 29 @ 7:00 p.m.
Book Passage
51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Corte Madera, CA 94925
415-927-0960

October 31 @ 7:00 p.m.
University Bookstore
4326 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
206-634-3400