New Book: How We Became Middle-earth Lynnette writes: Walking Tree Publishers’ new LotR-themed book, How We Became Middle-earth: A Collection of Essays on The Lord of the Rings, features 24 essays by Tolkien scholars from around the world. Edited by Adam Lam and Nataliya Oryschchuk (University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ), the book covers a wide range of topics about New Zealand’s connections with LotR.

Order ‘How We Became Middle-earth’ on amazon.com today!

Kristin Thompson, author of ‘The Frodo Franchise: The Lord of the Rings and Modern Hollywood’, writes: Peter Bart’s book Boffo! has a chapter on The Lord of the Rings where he argues that the trilogy was the biggest gamble in Hollywood’s history. I’ve written a response trying to show that Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne of New Line Cinema weren’t risking nearly as much as Bart claims and that the “gambling” aspect of Peter Jackson’s production has been exaggerated in the press. New Line’s Gamble: Not So Boffo?

Order ‘Boffo!: How I Learned to Love the Blockbuster and Fear the Bomb’ on Amazon.com Today!

Smeagirl and many other fans sent along this email from HarperCollins: As a registered member of the official HarperCollins site for J.R.R. Tolkien, we wanted to give you the best opportunity possible to take advantage of a forthcoming, special signed and limited edition of his final masterpiece – The Children Of Húrin. The book is an essential for all Tolkien fans and represents a unique opportunity, with only 500 being printed. Click here to register your interest or read on for more information. As you are doubtless aware, The Children Of Húrin was completed by his son Christopher last year and the special signed and limited edition is being released in conjunction with the Tolkien estate and publisher HarperCollins. Continue reading “HarperCollins Offers Signed Limited Editions of ‘The Children Of Húrin’!”

Nick Lyons writes: I just had a new book published titled FIREBREATHING FANTAYS TRIVIA. I thought your readers might be interested in the book as it contains LOTR questions. Here is a press release for the book to give you an idea of what it is about: Newington, CT. – Fantasy fans will soon have a new way to test their knowledge with the new release from Ladder Press, Firebreathing Fantasy Trivia.

Inside these pages, readers will find hundreds of trivia, clue, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice questions. In addition, there are drawing and acting games for two or more players. From Potter, Pirates, and Princesses to Muppets, Magic, and Monty Python, this trivia book contains questions from timeless Fantasy film and television classics to new favorites. Order ‘Firebreathing Fantasy Trivia’ on Amazon.com Today!

Or Talking About Somebody ELSE’S Work for a Change: Occasionally I am given the opportunity to write a preface for a book of another artist’s work. It’s an exercise I thoroughly enjoy, an opportunity to pry up the cowling and peek in at the inner workings of another image-maker’s mind. (You just have to keep ypur hands clear of the gears.) When Paul Bonner asked if I’d be willing to do a few words for a volume of his collected work that was in preparation, I immediately agreed quicker than you can say “And about bloody time too!”. Paul’s work is simply amazing, and just knowing folks like him are out there in the wildwood of the mind in which all fantasy illustrators wander is a comfort and an encouragement. Continue reading “John Howe’s Journal: PICTURA AND GNARUS”