Third Edition
Hey all!
Another week, another newsletter! I hope your holiday season was filled with delicious food, warm drinks, cherished memories, laughter, and moments of peaceâwhether spent diving into your favorite book, enjoying an audiobook, or simply taking time to recharge. If the holidays are a challenging time for you, I hope you found pockets of comfort, moments of stillness, and treated yourself with kindness. đ
This week, Iâm bringing you another roundup of incredible resources, creators, and happenings in the Tolkien community! Highlights include:
âš A few of women scholars and artists I admire
đ Some of my favorite Tolkien-inspired finds to ring in the New Year
đ An engaging, text-based community event that runs every Tuesday
And much more! I can't wait to share these treasures with you.
Art & Music (including fan films)
Elmenel is a visionary artist whose work brings Tolkienâs Tengwar script to life with extraordinary beauty and depth. Through her project, Parma EldaliĂ©va, she crafts harmonious and faithful renditions of Tolkien's imagined Elven culture, blending storytelling, calligraphy, and artistry.
Her mission?
đ To celebrate Tolkienâs genius and inspire appreciation for creativity, craftsmanship, and the profound lessons within his works.
đ To transport audiences into the heart of Elven culture, offering a unique, immersive experience of Tengwar calligraphy.
AnĂron (from Fellowship of the Ring)
One of the greatest joys of the Tolkien community is discovering the incredible musicians who bring Middle-earth to life through their art. Whether drawing inspiration from Tolkienâs writings, adaptations, or their own creative visions, these artists add a rich, melodic dimension to his world.
One such musician is Rebecca Rovny, whose violin music holds a special place in my heart. The violin feels like the instrument of my soul, and Rebeccaâs performances resonate deeply every time I listen.
Did you know you can hear her stunning work in Books Immersedâs "A Long Expected Soundscape"? If you havenât already, I wholeheartedly recommend exploring her musicâitâs truly enchanting! đ»âš
Community & Social Media
đ Join the Tolkien Community for #TolkienTrewsday!
Looking for a way to connect with fellow Tolkien fans and share your passion? Check out Tolkien Trewsday, a themed, text-based event on Twitter led by Tim Bolton (Ranatuor). Inspired by the engaging success of #FolkloreThursday, this weekly celebration invites fans to share art, blogs, quotes, fanfiction, cosplay, poetry, and more based on a curated theme.
đ When: Every Tuesday
đ Why âTrewsdayâ? In the Shire Calendar, Tuesday is called "Trewsday," inspired by the NĂșmenĂłrean day dedicated to Nimloth.
đŹ How to join:
Simply tweet your contribution with the hashtags
#TolkienTrewsday,
#TolkienTuesday, and
#Tolkien.
This is a welcoming and positive space to celebrate all things Tolkien, from the books to adaptations. January 2025 themes are on the way, so stay tuned!
Letâs come together to honor Tolkienâs legacy and creativity each week. Will you join in? đ
TJ | Instagram, TikTok | Linktree
TJ, known online as @the_neej, is a rising star in the world of Tolkien content creation, and Iâve had the pleasure of connecting with him through Threads. Itâs truly inspiring to see his deep passion for Tolkien, his genuine admiration for other creators in the community, and his dedication to growing his platform.
One of the highlights? His acoustic guitar performancesâan absolute treat to listen to! đ¶
Not only does TJ dive deep into Tolkienâs writings, inviting others to explore alongside him, but he also shares thoughtful insights on The Rings of Power for those interested.
If youâre looking for a fresh perspective and heartfelt content, check him out and give him a follow! đ
Gaming
đź Explore Middle-earth Like Never Before with ArdaCraft
Since 2014, ArdaCraft has been crafting a 1:58 scale version of Middle-earth, blending Tolkienâs rich lore with meticulous historical, geological, and botanical research. From the rolling hills of the Shire to the grandeur of Gondor, their dedication to detail is unmatched.
đ Highlights of ArdaCraftâs Work:
đ Locations like Rivendell, the Shire, LothlĂłrien, and Rohan brought to life with stunning accuracy.
đșïž The most detailed heightmap of Middle-earth ever created, even partnering with the Digital Tolkien Project.
đ” A custom soundtrack and dynamic game features (like shifting constellations!) to immerse explorers in Tolkienâs world.
đ A commitment to lore, using Tolkienâs texts, letters, and maps to guide their creations.
Whatâs even more impressive? Itâs entirely volunteer-run and funded by donationsâtrue fans working to honor Tolkienâs vision.
Dive into this awe-inspiring project and see Middle-earth from a whole new perspective! đ
Happy Hobbit Plays Tales of the Shire
A quintessential hobbit playing the quintessential hobbit video game? Yes, please! đâš
This week, Iâve featured a delightful video of Kili from Happy Hobbits diving into a demo of Tales of the Shire. If anyone embodies the spirit of a hobbit, itâs Kili! From her love of good-tilled earth and close-knit community to finding magic in the mundane and savoring comfort food (and sharing incredible recipes), sheâs pure hobbit heart.
And as if that werenât enough, Kili adds her own charm to the gameplay with entertaining voice impressions. Donât miss this perfect pairing of hobbit and hobbitry! đ±đź
Gatherings & Events
Tolkien Collector's Guide Calendar
As the year draws to a close and a new one begins, Iâm excited to share one of my absolute essentials for planning my year in the Tolkien community: the Tolkien Collectorâs Guide Calendar. This invaluable resource, created by the brilliant team at Tolkienâs Collectors Guide, keeps me up to date on everythingâfrom major in-person events to online seminars and even book releases (including special editions!). The calendar is regularly updated, so itâs always current with the latest happenings.
If, like me, you love to plan ahead and keep track of Tolkien-related events, this is definitely one to bookmark and reference throughout the year! đïžâš
Join Tolkien fans around the world in raising a glass to celebrate the life and legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien, who was born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein. On January 3, 2025, at 9pm local time, the Tolkien Society invites you to participate in the Tolkien Birthday Toast.
The tradition is simple:
- Stand and raise a glass (alcoholic or non-alcoholic, your choice!)
- Say âThe Professorâ
- Take a sip (or swig) and enjoy the rest of your drink!
Itâs a heartwarming way to honor the author who brought us Middle-earth and inspired generations of fans. đ«
There are also often online events like Facebook Live sessions, Zoom gatherings, and even toasts happening in Lord of the Rings Online, so you can join in no matter where you are. Be sure to share your celebration on social media using #TolkienBirthdayToast!
Merch
Myla/End of Bag's LOTR Affirmations
Iâm excited to share 50 LOTR Affirmation Graphics created by Myla (endofbag)âand the best part? Theyâre completely free to download! đ
These beautiful affirmations are sized at 3.5" x 5" and feature a range of beloved Middle-earth characters, from Aragorn and Arwen to Treebeard and the Witch-king. Whether you need a boost of confidence or just a little hobbit-sized joy, these affirmations are sure to inspire.
đ You can find the web versions and print versions here:
While theyâre free to download, if youâd like to show your appreciation, Myla kindly accepts tips. đ
Please remember to give credit if you share them, and refrain from selling or taking credit for the work. These affirmations were created with love, and Myla hopes theyâll bring joy to all fans, just as theyâve brought her happiness.
And stay tunedâsheâs considering expanding to include affirmations for The Hobbit and Rings of Power. âš
Check out this fantastic collection and enjoy a little Middle-earth positivity in your day! đż
Podcasts & Videos
This week, Iâm excited to feature one of my absolute favorite scholars in the Tolkien communityâSara Brownâwhose work continues to inspire and challenge me. Youâll find her highlighted in both the Podcasts & Videos and Writings sections.
Sara approaches Tolkien's works through the lenses of feminist theory, gender studies, and queer theory, bringing a unique perspective that is at once gentle, passionate, and direct. Her insights are thought-provoking and leave a lasting impact, prompting reflection on familiar texts in new and meaningful ways.
A few of her standout articles include:
- âĂowyn it was, and Dernhelm alsoâ: Reading the âWild Shieldmaidenâ Through a Queer Lens
- The Tale of âAldarion and Erendisâ: Not Just a Medieval Love Story
Iâve included links to her freely available articles that absolutely deserve to be savored.
Sara has also been a regular guest co-host on The Prancing Pony Podcast, and Iâve highlighted a few of my favorite episodes with her:
- Episodes 320 & 321: Sara joins The Man of the West to discuss Ăowyn and Faramir in the Houses of Healing, offering a rich, poignant conversation on trauma and healing. This discussion ranks among my Top 10 favorite Prancing Pony moments.
- Episode 322 - Questions After Nightfall 26: This episode features a TED Talk from Sara, full of vulnerability, raw wisdom, and profound insights.
I highly recommend diving into her workâwhether reading her articles or listening to her podcast appearancesâitâs always a rewarding experience!
