Recently we shared news of the newOfficial Lord of the Rings™ Fan Club – where ‘everyone is welcome, as long as they welcome everyone'! We are excited to join the club as one of their ‘Heralds’ – and we want to invite YOU to join us! May we entice you with a special mathom…?
Since TheOneRing.net started out – in the dim and distant past that was the late 20th century! – we’ve always sought to create a positive atmosphere. We aimed to have our little corner of the interwebs be a place where folks could meet, chat, support each other, and celebrate shared passions together. In recent years, however, you may have noticed toxicity creeping in to the online experience! If you weren’t around to share in the heady, early days of online fandom, now is your chance to experience another kinder, more generous-spirited place to interact online – a place after TORn’s own heart. That, at least, is the goal of the new Official LotR Fan Club – spearheaded by none other than one of our own founders, Calisuri. So of course TORn wanted to be part of it!
Being a ‘Herald’ means we have our own official page, with a ‘sub-community’ at the club. It will allow TORn to share news to a wider fanbase, through the club. Fear not – we are certainly not giving up our own places for fans to gather! (In fact, if you haven’t dropped by our message boards lately, you should definitely swing by: they are all shiny and new, thanks to the hard work of supremo First Age staffers Altaira and BG!) And you’ll still be able to find us on our discord; the Fan Club just gives us another way of letting fans know what we’re up to, and of sharing the love of this Fellowship.
We hope you’ll pop by and check out the Fan Club. There are fun ‘fireside chats’, bulletin boards, and daily puzzles to be solved! (Riddles in the dark, anyone…?) And for those of you who love to collect – there are many amazing ‘mathoms’ you can gather, to create a record of your own Fan Club journey. Use this referral link to head over to the Club and you’ll secure TORn’s very own, exclusive mathom! And look for more fun mathoms to collect during DragonCon, later this week!
Come on in – you are welcome any time, don’t bother knocking!
Thirteen years ago, I interviewed Peter Kenny, as part of my Getting to Knowseries of features. He very graciously agreed to answer the, sometimes, well often, crazy questions. Revealing a truly Hobbit-like enjoyment of our world and the world of Middle-earth.
Now Peter has released his memoir, My Unexpected Journey. His memoir takes the reader on an unexpected journey of a life full of adventure, good and bad. Peter describes how Tolkien, and Middle-earth, helped him navigate these devastating lows and amazing highs. He discusses the lifelong friendships he has formed, and his ongoing delight with the Tolkien fandom.
“My Unexpected Journey is a remarkable piece of work for which the writer himself thanks Tolkien. I recommend this memoir highly. You will love the book; you will love the man.” – John Callen, actor and director.
My Unexpected Journey will make a wonderful addition to any Tolkien fans bookshelf. It is an honest, heartfelt reflection on facing misfortune and overcoming it. It is a lovely homage to J.R.R. Tolkien, and all the fans who love Tolkiens work.
I guess I would like to be recognised for my contribution I have given to Tolkien Fandom over the years and my Memoir is my Magnum Opus and tribute to J.R.R. Tolkien. – Peter Kenny.
My Unexpected Journey is available for purchase at online bookstores.
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our poetry feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. Grab your favourite beverage, and come and join us by the hearth. Enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
An evening in the Writer’s Den
by: Tom Frye
I sit here at my rolltop desk, my mind a million miles away, deep in a realm of castles and dragons.
A mushroom lamp sits on my computer tower, two gnomes, ever vigilant, sit bathed in the mushroom’s yellow light, watching me.
To my right, is a picture of Bilbo Baggins, seated at his desk in the comforts of Rivendell, a quill pen in hand.
The elderly Hobbit is surrounded by books, a tall tankard, a long-stemmed pipe, and a bag of pipe-weed, ready for the smoking.
Behind Bilbo sits a picture of my Doberman, Bummer, who has been gone now for 20 years, yet she still graces me with her presence.
My pens rest in my chipped mug, depicting a herd of deer racing toward my second mug, steam rising from dark caramel coffee within.
My feet are bare, rubbing constantly on carpeted floor, taking in the comforts of my haven away from the world.
A rose scented candle burns beneath my three lion heads on my wall, flickering flames illuminating the jewels in their eyes.
Before me, magic happens on the screen, words bring a story to life, creating images, displaying visions, destined to make an impact.
A sword rises, a sword falls, another dragon is slain, another shadow prince fallen.
A white horse races across green fields, an Elven rider upon his back, his golden hair trailing in the wild winds.
Gems spill out of a mountain cave, hidden there for centuries, by the dragon who first stole them.
Ah, I sigh as I lift my hands from my keyboard to sip at my coffee, yet before my third sip, I’m back to work.
Sparks fly from my keys as the visions from my head are transferred to to the screen, then to the page.
Just one more book, is my silent prayer, don’t let me die before the Legendry is completed, until the last dragon slain.
I take a break, sipping once more at my coffee, the wood smoke from a campfire still lingering from my story.
Geesh, I say, sniffing at my shirt. Is that really smoke I smell? Or simply my imagination?
Middle-earth collectors have another exciting project to keep their eyes on! SYZYGY FORGE are creating The Helm of the Witch-king of Angmar, based on the legendary design created by Tolkien artist and conceptual designer John Howe. The helm is the latest release in Syzygy’s John Howe Collection, giving fans the opportunity to bring one of the most intimidating designs associated with the Lord of the Nazgûl into their collections.
This is a stunning piece, which will be available in two different scales; and there are a number of other incredible items, such a coins, plaques, and signed prints, on offer as well. The Helms are very limited – you won’t want to delay on this one! The connection to John Howe’s original design makes this an especially interesting release for fans of the visual history of Middle-earth.
Check out the full details here; if the 1:1 scale Helm of the Witch-king is calling to you, you’ll need to move quickly! After all, the Nine may be patient—but collectors rarely are!
This will be our 24th edition of the Bagginses Birthday Bash in Griffith Park. Head to the link below to RSVP and list what you will bring to the party. You can also email me at Garfeimao(at)TheOneRing.net to RSVP if you are not on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/events/1369087481317252/
The party will start at 11:30am on Sunday, September 20, 2026 and will be a potluck sort of party, as usual, so please do mention what you plan to bring so we know what to expect and what holes need filling.
There will be fun and games, including a Dessert Contest for the best Fellowship of the Rings themed cake or cupcakes, or just theme it around 25 (for the 25th anniversary of FOTR). Costumes most welcome, there will be prizes.
The worlds of Tolkien and Magic: The Gatheringare coming together once again, and TheOneRing.net is excited to bring you an exclusive conversation with one of the creative minds behind it all.
