Interviews with Authors, Artists, Collectors, and Contributors in the Field of Tolkien Research

Welcome to the Interviews section where I bring you exclusive conversations with prominent figures in the world of Tolkien research. In these interviews, we delve into the creative processes and inspirations of authors, artists, collectors, and contributors who have dedicated their lives to studying and exploring the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Through these interviews, you'll gain insights into the minds of the people who create and shape the world of Tolkien, from the early works to the latest publications. You'll learn about their backgrounds, their experiences, and their perspectives on the significance of Tolkien's works and their impact on popular culture.

In these conversations, we cover a wide range of topics, from the inspiration behind their latest work, to their personal connections to Tolkien's universe, to their thoughts on the latest trends and developments in the field. You'll get a unique opportunity to hear directly from the people who are shaping our understanding of Tolkien's legacy.

Whether you're a dedicated Tolkien fan, a scholar, or simply interested in the world of fantasy and mythology, these interviews are sure to provide you with new insights and perspectives on one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy these exclusive conversations with some of the most interesting and insightful voices in the world of Tolkien research.

Thursday 21 August 2014
Interview with the Wizard Jef Murray

Brandon Young interviews the critically acclaimed and internationally-known artist, illustrator, storyteller and wizard, Jef Murray. His illustrations of the characters and scenes we find in Tolkien, Lewis and George MacDonald have a capacity for capturing the ineffable. This is why he likes to call him, simply, The Wizard.  Read article

Sunday 17 November 2013
Interview with Paul Simpson and Brian J. Robb about Middle-earth Envisioned

Since I love Middle-earth Envisioned so much I wrote to the authors, Paul Simpson and Brian J. Robb, right after reading it and hope this interview sheds some more light on what to expect from this book. It is a big size coffee table book, full of art reproductions and amazing tales. There is something for everyone here! This is a must have book and the perfect gift for any Tolkien and Middle-earth lover.  Read article

Saturday 2 November 2013
Interview with Noble Smith about The Wisdom of the Shire: A Short Guide to a Long and Happy Life

In Wisdom of the Shire, Noble Smith sheds a light on the life-changing ideas tucked away inside the classic works of J. R. R. Tolkien and his most beloved creation, the stouthearted Hobbits. Translated in 8 languages, released one year ago and today available as paperback! Time for an interview.  Read article

Sunday 27 October 2013
Interview with Adam Roberts about The Riddles of The Hobbit

When I announced The Riddles of The Hobbit I already said I should ask the author some questions and so I wrote him and was happy to have several questions answered, just in time for the release of the book on the 1st of November 2013. I hope this sheds some light about this new book, that I have enjoyed reading and can only recommend.  Read article

Sunday 6 October 2013
Interview with Jemima Catlin about the new illustrated edition of The Hobbit

It is my honor to release an inteview with illustrator Jemima Catlin, who created the new illustrated edition of The Hobbit, published in both hardback and a deluxe foiled slipcase edition, containing 150 brand new colour illustrations.  Read article

Thursday 8 August 2013
Interview with Michael Tolkien, author of Rainbow and Wish

I'm honored to release an interview with Michael Tolkien about his books Rainbow and Wish, that were released in March 2013. His experience as a verse writer enables Michael Tolkien to create fast-moving stories with many kinds of dialogue in a variety of styles. This is fantasy but set in a place with a complicated history and a challenging landscape.  Read article

Thursday 11 april 2013
Interview with Mark Atherton, author of There and Back Again: J R R Tolkien and the Origins of The Hobbit

I'm honored to release an interview with Mark Atherton, who in his book provides the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the many origins, influences and inspirations, biographical, historical, geographical and literary, that, combined with a unique imagination, resulted in the crafting of a new mythology.  Read article

Friday 18 January 2013
Interview with Matthew Dickerson, author of A Hobbit Journey: Discovering the Enchantment of J. R. R. tolkien's Middle-Earth

In his engaging and thought-provoking book, A Hobbit Journey: Discovering the Enchantment of J. R. R. tolkien's Middle-Earth, Tolkien expert Matthew Dickerson shows how a Christian worldview and themes undergird tolkien's Middle-earth writings and how they are fundamentally important to understanding his vision.   Read article

Thursday 17 January 2013
Interview with Angela P. Nicholas, author of Aragorn, J.R.R. tolkien's Undervalued Hero

In October 2012 there was released a book called Aragorn, J.R.R. tolkien's Undervalued Hero by Angela P. Nicholas. Sounds interesting, right. Time to release an interview with the author and learn some more about this book!   Read article

Tuesday 8 January 2013
Interview with Gary Raymond and John Howe about 3-minute JRR Tolkien: A Visual Biography of The World's Most Revered Fantasy

February will bring us an extremely nice book, called 3-minute JRR Tolkien: A visual biography of the worlds most revered fantasy writer. I was lucky to be speak about the book with Gary Raymond, the author and Tolkien artist John Howe, who wrote the foreword. Hope you all enjoy the interview and perhaps even pre-order the book, since it is a must have for any Tolkien lover.  Read article

Monday 7 January 2013
Interview with Stratford Caldecott, author of The Power of the Ring

Early this morning I wrote about the updated edition of The Power of the Ring - The Spiritual Vision behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, a guide to vision of virtue, heroism, beauty, honor, and majesty in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. I'm extremely happy and honored to bring an interview with the author Stratford Caldecott.   Read article

Friday 4 January 2013
Interview with Andrew Murray author of The Tolkien Quiz Book

Here is an interview with Andrew Murray, the author of the Tolkien Quiz Book. This peerless revised and expanded quiz book offers over 1,200 questions and answers, including easy starter questions and more difficult tie-breakers, to test the depth of your knowledge on anything Tolkien.  Read article

Wednesday 19 september 2012
Interview with Jef Murray about Seer: A Wizard's Journal

Since I know Jef Murray as an artist and a magnificent person, who I love to discuss and talk with, I thought it was a nice idea to set up a small interview about this book Seer: A Wizard's Journal   Read article

Wednesday 12 september 2012
Interview with Elizabeth M. Stephen about Hobbit to Hero: The Making of tolkien's King

On the 1st of August a new book was released, called Hobbit to Hero: The Making of tolkien's King, written by Elizabeth M. Stephen, this is a book that places Aragorn in his rightful place as one of the greatest heroes of any mythology.  Read article

Wednesday 5 september 2012
Interview with Dr. Dimitra Fimi on lecturing online Tolkien courses

Dr. Dimitra Fimi is a Lecturer in Englishat the Cardiff Metropolitan University and teaches and researches on many fantasy authors. In the Tolkien world she is best known for her fantastic book Tolkien, Race and Cultural History: From Fairies to Hobbits, and many contributions to higher quality Tolkien bulletins, like Tolkien Studies and of course here online Tolkien courses!  Read article

Monday 9 July 2012
Interview with Jay Johnstone and his Tolkien inspired art

Tolkien inspired artist Jay Johnstone takes elements of iconography up to the works of Gustav Klimt and works with traditional techniques to produce art that could have been made in the valleys of Middle-earth or in the libraries of Minas Tirith.  Read article

Monday 28 May 2012
Interview with Devin Brown on his book The Christian World of The Hobbit

The Christian World of The Hobbit will serve as a balanced guide for readers who want to uncover the essential Christian aspects that lie at the center of the classic book. Here follows an interview with the author Devin Brown about his upcoming book The Christian World of The Hobbit.  Read article

Monday 27 February 2012
Interview with Hari Istvan who created the real Red Book of Westmarch - a handwritten The Hobbit

Hari Istvan es Zalan Emese is a remarkable person. One day he wondered how the Red Book of Westmarch really must have looked like, three years later he had the result in front of him. Here follows an interview with Hari Istvan who created the facsimile handwritten edition of The Hobbit  Read article

Monday 9 January 2012
Interview with Sam Roads about The One Ring Facebook Game

While I normally don't talk about games at this website, I decided to make an exception. For some time now I see many people on Facebook play the game called The One Ring, which is clearly made by Tolkien fans. So I decided to write to the makers and did an interview with Sam Roads, the creative director at MGames.  Read article

Sunday 25 September 2011
Interview with Nilesh Pashte and Meena Kinikar about The Hobbit in Marathi

Interview with the publisher and translator of the Hobbit in Marathi. The cover art is by Alan Lee, it is an illustrated edition and hardback. Since there will be printed 5000 copies it should be easy to add a copy of the first printing to your collection.   Read article

Tuesday 2 August 2011
Interview with Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull about The Art of the Hobbit

The Art of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien has been written and edited by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, two of the leading experts on Tolkien and authors of the acclaimed J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator, The Lord of the Rings: A Readers Companion, and The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide. Here follows an interview about The Art of the Hobbit.  Read article

Monday 1 August 2011
Interview with Jason Fisher about Tolkien and the Study of His Sources

It is always exciting to hear a Tolkien friend is about to have a book released, but this time it also was a big surprise. Jason Fisher managed to gather around him a group of the greatest Tolkien scholars and finish the project of his dreams without most of us - other Tolkien fans - to know much about it. So I'm double happy to announce this interview with Jason Fisher about his book Tolkien and the Study of His Sources.  Read article

Wednesday 27 April 2011
Tolkien publications for 2011 by Harper Collins - Interview with David Brawn

Just as the last few years I contacted David Brawn, the publishing director of Harper Collins, to get some more information. Here follows some more info on the new Tolkien books that will be released this year. 2011 will be very exciting for the Tolkien fans and as you will read, we can expect many fine editions in the future!  Read article

Wednesday 12 January 2011
New Collector Profile added - Andrew Ferguson (Trotter)

I'm very happy to announce the collector profile of Andrew Ferguson, Tolkien collector from Essex in England, who primarily collects British editions of tolkien's fiction and almost owns every different UK edition. His goal is probably about 98% complete and so it has now become very difficult to find missing items. He is now focusing on collecting signed Tolkien items. All Tolkien collectors are invited to sent in their own profiles…  Read article

Friday 10 December 2010
New Collector Profile added - Thomas Denys (Ononion)

I'm very happy to announce the collector profile of Thomas Denys, a Tolkien collector from Belgium who collects anything Tolkien. He is a very young collector but already we can see he acquired a fabulous collection to be proud of. All Tolkien collectors are invited to sent in their own profiles or update the ones already online.  Read article

Monday 6 December 2010
Interview with the French translators of Sigurd and Gudrun

In April 2010 The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun was released in France. The translation was done by Christine Laferriere and Vincent Ferre. For the release of La legende de Sigurd et Gudrun there was organized a chat event by Tolkiendil. Now, I present you with the translation of this chat session.  Read article

Thursday 18 November 2010
Interview with Paul Corfield Godfrey, composer of the Silmarillion Opera-cycle

Here follows an article about Paul Corfield Godfrey and his Tolkien music. Jeroen Bakker explains us how he discovered the music by this artist and came in contact with him. After this introduction follows an interview that Jeroen conducted with the musician and will be of interest to any Tolkien lover.  Read article

Tuesday 26 October 2010
New Collector Profile added - Jeroen Bakker

I'm very happy to announce the collector profile of Jeroen Bakker, a Tolkien collector from The Netherlands, who is a very passionate music lover, collector of Tolkien Books, Inspired Music, Motion Pictures and Soundtracks. All Tolkien collectors are invited to sent in their own profiles or update the ones already online.  Read article

Monday 5 July 2010
Yvan Strelzyk Tolkien Collector Profile update

Yvan Strelzyk, a Tolkien collector from Thonon-les-Bains in France, specialized in Tolkien translations, French and English Hobbits and Lord of the Rings editions just send me an update of his profile. He now has over 700 volumes in his collection. All Tolkien collectors are invited to sent in their own profiles or update the ones already online.  Read article

Thursday 24 June 2010
Peter Kenny Tolkien Collector Profile update

Peter Kenny aka Fortinbras Proudfoot, a Tolkien collector from Brisbane, which is in the far away land down under, called Oz, a long way from the ancient lands of Middle Earth across the Encircling Seas, just send me an update of his profile. He now has over 800 items in his collection. All Tolkien collectors are invited to sent in their own profiles or update the ones already online.  Read article

Saturday 19 June 2010
Interview with Mark Faith, organizer of Festival in the Shire

Interview with Mark Faith, organizer of Festival in the Shire, that was conducted by Alex Lewis and myself, Pieter Collier, representing the Tolkien Library. It will give you more insight about the person behind this brilliant event, his passion, believes and an invitation to join and come over to celebrate your own passion for all things Tolkien together in Wales! Festival in the Shire, will be the biggest and most exciting event for Tolkien…  Read article

Wednesday 10 March 2010
Interview with Cor Blok about the Tolkien Calendar 2011

I'm extremely happy to publish the following interview with the artist Cor Blok, where we talk about the art he created 50 years ago, the Tolkien Calendar 2011 and we learn some more about this very talented and interesting person.  Read article

Thursday 4 March 2010
Tolkien publications for 2010 by Harper Collins - Interview with David Brawn

Just as the last few years I contacted David Brawn, the publishing director of Harper Collins, to get some more information. The questions were sent before I announced the 2011 Tolkien Calendar, as well as the announcement of the reprint of The History of Middle-earth and news about the Oliphaunt poster. Here follows some more info on the new Tolkien books that will be released this year. 2010 will be very exciting for the Tolkien fans…  Read article

Friday 5 February 2010
Interview with Anke Eissmann

In the following interview Anke gives an account of her relationship to Tolkien and his works, her passion for art as well as the luxury edition of the Dragon Episode taken from Beowulf which is published by Walking Tree Publishers. The interview was conducted by Andre Gand and published on November 21th, 2009 at www.tolkien-buecher.de. We wish to thank him to give the kind permission to reproduce this interview here.  Read article

Wednesday 20 January 2010
Henk Brassien Tolkien Collector Profile update

Henk Brassien, the Hobbit Hunter, just send me an update of his profile. He is specialized in collecting The Hobbit. He currently owns all the Dutch imprints (73 out of 73 imprints since 1960) and at least one copy of any language in which The Hobbit ever was published. All Tolkien collectors are invited to sent in their own profiles or update the ones already online.   Read article

Saturday 14 November 2009
Yvan Tolkien Collector Profile update

Yvan Strelzyk, a Tolkien collector from Thonon-les-Bains in France, specialized in Tolkien translations, French and English Hobbits and Lord of the Rings editions just send me an update of his profile. He now has over 670 volumes in his collection. All Tolkien collectors are invited to sent in their own profiles or update the ones already online.   Read article

Friday 10 July 2009
Interview with Benjamin Harff, upcoming Tolkien illustrator and creator of the Edel-Silmarillion

On one of my wanderings around the internet I stumbled upon the article Edel-Silmarillion als Diplomarbeit. As by chance I discovered the most beautiful copy of The Silmarillion I had ever seen. With a little help from the kind people of Der Herr der Ringe I got into contact with the creator of this Edel-Silmarillion, Benjamin Harff. He accepted to do an interview about his art work. I truly hope to see more Tolkien art from this upcoming…  Read article

Thursday 9 July 2009
Interview with Andrew H. Morton, author of Tolkiens Bag End

Im very happy to release an interview with the author Andrew H. Morton about his new book Tolkiens Bag End. In Tolkiens Bag End, Andrew Morton sets out to uncover the significance of the Worcestershire manor house that famously gave its name to the home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. I hope this interview will shed light on the author and his latest Tolkien related book.  Read article

Monday 15 June 2009
Interview with Dr. Solopova, author of Languages, Myths and History

At the end of this month there will be released a very interesting book about the influence of languages on Tolkien. It will shed a light on all languages that had a great impact on Tolkiens creative writing, give us a good insight in Tolkiens academic carreer and give a nice introduction to Tolkiens invented languages. The book is written by no one less then Dr Elizabeth Solopova and here is an interview with the author on her new book…  Read article

Saturday 9 May 2009
Transcript of chat session with Pr. Tom Shippey during The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun Online Release Party

On the 5th of May was released The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun. Because a new Tolkien book is not being released every day, or even not every year, I thought it a good thing to organise an online release event. Online Release Events always have some common features, like a lot of chatting about J.R.R. Tolkien and his books, giveaways or contests and chat sessions with special guests. Because the new Tolkien book was not Middle-earth related…  Read article

Monday 20 April 2009
Interview with Bill Sanderson, illustrator of the new Tolkien book - The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun

Today, I am very happy to be able to release the following interview with Bill Sanderson. He is part of a talented generation that matured in the 1970s and has carried on working in much the same way to the present. His book illustration work includes a series of Penguin covers for the novels of Anthony Burgess in the 1980s, Harry Harrison and Felix Dennis. Now, early May his art will be seen in the upcoming The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun…  Read article

Saturday 28 March 2009
Interview with John Garth, author of Tolkien and the Great War

When we celebrated the release of The Children of Hurin, during The Children of Hurin Release Party on 7 April 2007, one of the sheduled guests for the chat event was the author of Tolkien and the Great War, John Garth. Sadly enough he fell sick and he was replaced in the last hour by an equally interesting author John D. Rateliff, author of The History of The Hobbit. Since it is now about 2 years since the publication of The Children of…  Read article

Sunday 15 March 2009
Interview with Harry Lee Poe author of The Inklings of Oxford

Members of the famed Inklings literary circle lived in the university city of Oxford. What were the places there like where people like C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien met to talk and to share their writing? You will find the answer in The Inklings of Oxford by Harry Lee Poe, whose stunning photographs and insightful text will deepen your knowledge of Oxford and the Inklings alike. Here follows more info on the book and an interview with…  Read article

Monday 9 March 2009
Interview with Douglas C. Kane on Arda Reconstructed: The Creation of the Published Silmarillion

Once in a while there are written books that come forth from a very deep love for Tolkien and his mythology. One of these books is Arda Reconstructed: The Creation of the Published Silmarillion by Douglas C. Kane, the co-founder of the Tolkien internet discussion site thehalloffire.net. Here follows more info on this book, that every serious Tolkien fans should have, and an interview with the author.  Read article

Thursday 12 February 2009
Tolkien publications for 2009 by Harper Collins - Interview with David Brawn

Just as the last few years I contacted David Brawn, the publishing director of Harper Collins, to get some more information. The questions were sent before I announced the 2010 Tolkien Calendar and Diary, as well as the announcement of the hardback and super deluxe edition of The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun. Here follows some more info on the new Tolkien books that will be released this year. 2009 will be very exciting for the Tolkien fans…  Read article

Wednesday 14 January 2009
Interview with Jef Murray on Black and White Ogre Country, the lost tales of Hilary Tolkien

This month appears the Lost Tales of Hilary Tolkien, an 88 page ilustrated hardcover book that consists of several short tales written by Hilary Tolkien, Tolkiens brother. The tales were written down in a notebook that was re-discovered by a grand-child of Hilary Tolkien and thought it a good idea to have it published. The book is illustrated by Jef Murray, who kindly answered several questions about the book.  Read article

Wednesday 15 October 2008
Transcript of the chat with Alan Lee during the Children of Hurin US Paperback Release Party

Yesterday, to celebrate the release of the Children of Hurin paperback, Houghton Mifflin together with Tolkienlibrary.com organized a chat event with the illustrator Alan Lee. Here is the transcript of the interview with Alan Lee, illustrator of The Children of Hurin.  Read article

Thursday 10 July 2008
Tolkien Collector profile update

Yvan Strelzyk, a Tolkien collector from Thonon-les-Bains in France, specialized in Tolkien translations, French and English Hobbits and Lord of the Rings editions just send me an update of his profile. In it youll see that a new Hobbit translation is to be published in September in Norwegian nynorsk (cf. haugenbok.no). All Tolkien collectors are invited to sent in their own profiles or update the ones already online.  Read article

Wednesday 2 July 2008
How Bilbo Baggins Got His Start: An interview with Rayner Unwin

World at Large came up with a brilliant idea. To honour the move of the book The Hobbit to the big screen, their weekly podcast now features an interview with Rayner Unwin. I have also added a video interview with Rayner Unwin by the New York Times.  Read article

Friday 6 June 2008
Interview with Douglas A. Anderson and Verlyn Flieger on Tolkien on fairy-stories

J.R.R. Tolkiens On fairy-stories is his most-studied and most-quoted essay, an exemplary personal statement of his views on the role of imagination in literature, and an intellectual tour de force vital for understanding Tolkiens achievement in the writing of The Lord of the Rings. Here is an interview with the authors of the soon to be released gem of Tolkien studies Tolkien on fairy-stories.  Read article

Friday 9 May 2008
Interview with Andrew H. Morton on Tolkiens Gedling, 1914 The Birth Of A Legend, a book about Jane Neave and Phoenix Farm

Last month I announced the book Tolkiens Gedling 1914 The Birth of a Legend by Andrew H. Morton and John Hayes, and I was, as most of us, very intrigued by the content of this book. Here is an interview with the author Andrew H. Morton about the book.  Read article

Tuesday 25 March 2008
Interview with Adam Tolkien on The Children of Hurin

A French booksite has released an interview with Adam Tolkien, the grand-son of J.R.R. Tolkien. Because the interview was conducted in French, I have provided a translation here.  Read article

Thursday 20 March 2008
Interview with Tolkien illustrator Alan Lee in Paris, France

It was my honor to do an interview with Alan Lee in Paris on March 15, 2008. I hope this interview will shed some light on the illustrator Alan Lee, his wonderful art, and about his live long association with Tolkien books.  Read article

Monday 4 February 2008
1968 BBC interview with J.R.R. Tolkien on youtube

In February 1968 J.R.R. Tolkien was interviewed in conjunction with the BBC television documentary Tolkien in Oxford, of which also a part has been included in the J.R.R. Tolkien: An Audio Portrait. As far as I know this interview was only released last year for the Children of Hurin Release on April 7, 2007. Since then a small part of that interview could be found in the BBC News Archives, yet the interview is far from complete. I managed…  Read article

Sunday 3 February 2008
Interview with Anke Eisman by Rowns at Tolkien Guide

In the interview we get some view on the media Anke Eisman likes to work with, her favourite artwork, her favorite Tolkien illustrators, opinion on the Lord of the Rings Movies and the fortcoming books with her artwork. The interview was done by Rowns for Tolkienguide.com.  Read article

Tuesday 22 January 2008
Tolkien publications for 2008 by Harper Collins - Interview with David Brawn

Some weeks ago we had a look back at the last year in the article the best Tolkien books of 2007. Now it is time to look ahead and see what new publications we can expect this year. Like last year I contacted David Brawn, the publishing director of Harper Collins, to get some more information.  Read article

Wednesday 16 January 2008
1971 BBC radio interview with J.R.R. Tolkien on youtube

Here I publish a transcript of an interview with Tolkien that I found on youtube. The interviewer is Dennis Gerrolt from the BBC Radio 4 program Now Read On, who in many ways manages to ask a lot of fine questions and provokes even more interesting answers.  Read article

Friday 4 January 2008
New Tolkien Collector Profile added

Im very proud to introduce Peter Kenny, a Tolkien collector from Brisbane, which is in the far away land down under, called Oz, a long way from the ancient lands of Middle Earth across the Encircling Seas. Read about his passion for collecting Tolkien in his profile. Hopefully it will inspire more collectors to sent in their own profile.   Read article

Thursday 13 December 2007
Interview with Dr. Mark J. P. Wolf author of Of Words and Worlds: The Imagination and Subcreation of J. R. R. Tolkien

Of Words and Worlds: The Imagination and Subcreation of J.R.R. Tolkien provides an introduction to Tolkiens life, thought, and legacy that focuses specifically on how his imagination and his imaginary world relates to his life, works, and faith. In it Mark J. Wolf examines numerous themes in Tolkiens work as well as the works themselves: The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, his shorter fiction, his drawings, and his scholarly…  Read article

Friday 9 November 2007
The Tolkien Calendar 2009 will focus on The Silmarillion - interview with Ted Nasmith

After the Tolkien calendar for The Lord of the Rings and The Children of Hurin, the 2009 Calendar will focus on The Silmarillion and will feature illustrations from the revised illustration edition by Ted Nasmith. Here is a small interview with Ted Nasmith about the new calendar.  Read article

Monday 22 October 2007
Interview with Dr. Alison Milbank author of Chesterton and Tolkien as Theologians

Alison Milbank has published a new book on Tolkien and Chesterton, a topic that has been touched before by several authors. Tolkien, Lewis and Chesterton are often put on one line. Yet here is a book that goes much deeper and adds a lot of new perspective into the subject. It will for sure proof to become a very valuable source on Tolkien and Chesterton.  Read article

Saturday 20 October 2007
Interview with Tolkien artist Richard Claraval

Richard Claraval is an artist that has been around for a very long time but has remained unknown to many Tolkien lovers. His work is however amazing and especially his latest etchings are just stunning pieces of art.  Read article

Wednesday 26 September 2007
Interview with Jos, Tolkien artist

Jos, a Dutch artist, made in 2006 a series of 13 oil paintings on canvas based on The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings. They were published in a 2007 calendar and a birthday calendar. Until the end of October there is an exhibition of the Tolkien art by Jos in The Tolkienshop in Leiden, Holland. The originals are also available from The Tolkien Shop.  Read article

Wednesday 15 August 2007
Interview with Cedric Cerf - project coordinator Saint-Ursanne La Fantastique - John Howe 2007

Two days after doing an interview with John Howe I went to see Cedric Cerf, the project coordinator of Saint-Ursanne La Fantastique. He works for Ursinia, who is the association who organises the John Howe 2007 event.  Read article

Tuesday 7 August 2007
Interview with John Howe in Saint-Ursanne, Switzerland

It was my honor to do an interview with John Howe in Saint-Ursanne.Hope this interview will shed some light on the illustrator John Howe and about the event Saint-Ursanne La Fantastique.  Read article

Thursday 26 July 2007
New Collector Profile added - Oronzo Cilli

A Tolkien collector from Puglia in Italy, copy-editor of the Second edition of The Annotated Hobbit, by Douglas A. Anderson.  Read article

Thursday 26 July 2007
Interview with Kristin Thompson - Author of The Frodo Franchise: The Lord of the Rings and Modern Hollywood

Some months ago I contacted the author Kristin Thompson, and send her an e-mail full of questions since I had been reading some news about the book The Frodo Franchise she was writing and wanted to know more about it. I was very grateful for the long and wonderful answers. Some days before the release of her new book I hope this article with questions and answers will give you some more insight in what to expect of her new book. It for…  Read article

Wednesday 27 June 2007
Interview with Dirk vander Ploeg - author of Quest for Middle-earth

To claim that Tolkien tapped into some kind of mystical or prophetic Bible-Code, like ancient knowledge, and that The Lord of the Rings is genuine history is very controversial. Here is an interview with the author Dirk vander Ploeg who has written a book about this subject, namely The Quest for Middle-earth.  Read article

Monday 4 June 2007
Update to the collector profile of Yvan Strelzyk

Some new pictures and text has been added to the amazing collector profile of Yvan Strelzyk. He is the lucky owner of some very rare Tolkien translations. People interested to share their collector passion can always sent in a collector profile and it will be added at tolkienlibrary.com.  Read article

Monday 4 June 2007
Tolkien Library and Tolkien Ephemera interview

I have been interviewed by Marty Weil, the driving force behind ephemera.typepad.com on 3 June 2007. He is an ephemera dealer, consultant, and researcher. He is also a freelance journalist. I have added some extra pictures of the items mentioned in that interview in my collector profile.  Read article

Monday 7 May 2007
Tolkien Through Russian Eyes and A Tolkienian Mathomium - Questions and Answers with the author Mark Hooker

While many had sent in questions for Mark Hooker, which he would answer during his Question and Answer session at The Children of Hurin Release Party, he was unable to attend because of family matters. Im most grateful to Mark Hooker that Im now able to release the answers to the many questions, with a small introduction by himself.  Read article

Tuesday 1 May 2007
The History of The Hobbit - Volume I - Mr. Baggins has been published today - A chat session with the author John D. Rateliff

The first part of The History of The Hobbit by John D. Rateliff, a new study of J.R.R. Tolkiens The Hobbit, has been published today. To celebrate the publication of the first part of the History of the Hobbit, I release today the chat session with John D. Rateliff which was done life during the Children of Hurin Release Party on the 16th of April.  Read article

Tuesday 17 April 2007
Interview with Christina Scull and Wayne Hammond - authors of the J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide

The most impressive book that has been published this year is for sure the two volume book set called the J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide by Christina Scull and Wayne Hammond. By far this book is the best reference ever written on Tolkien and his works. Im very proud to be able to post the following interview with Christina Scull and Wayne Hammond.  Read article

Wednesday 4 April 2007
Added the collectorprofile of Yvan Strelzyk

It is my pleasure to have been ask to add the following Tolkien collector profile.Yvan Strezlyk is a Tolkien collector from Thonon-les-Bains in France, specialized in Tolkien translations, French and English Hobbits and Lord of the Rings editions.  Read article

Sunday 1 April 2007
Interview with Diana Glyer - the author of the Company They Keep

If there is one book that really has impressed me, it is Diana Glyers The Company They Keep - C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as Writers in Community. I read the review by Josh B. Long and needed to read the book for myself. And read I did, while the content of the book is very great, important facts are discussed and compared, and there is tons of interesting information, it remains easy and is very enjoyable to read. This book will probably…  Read article

Sunday 1 April 2007
Interview with John D. Rateliff - the author of the History of the Hobbit

We are now counting down the days towards the publication of The Children of Hurin. The excitement for this new book makes us almost forget that this year we also celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Hobbit. There for this interview with John D. Rateliff, the author of The History of the Hobbit.  Read article

Sunday 11 March 2007
Interview with Squire a contributor to the J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia Scholarship and Critical Assessment by Michael Drout

Here follows an interview with Squire, one of the contributors of the J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia and also the man behind the J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia - A Readers Diary.In october 2006 We saw the publication of Michael Drouts J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia: Scholarship and Critical Assessment. From day one we could read on Michael Drouts blog the news that instead of 2500 there were only made 800 copies of this book. He was very frustrated…  Read article

Tuesday 27 February 2007
Interview with James Dunning - Tolkien artist

It is my pleasure to bring you this interview with James Dunning. His art is featured in A Tolkienian Mathomium by Mark T. Hooker. The Artist James Dunning has read and digested Tolkiens various works for forty years and has constructed evolving mental landscapes of scenes in Middle-earth. He has tried to depict Tolkien themes presented here in a style consistent with J.R.R. Tolkiens own illustrative style.  Read article

Thursday 11 January 2007
Tolkien publications for 2007 by Harper Collins - interview with David Brawn

While waiting for the new tolkien.co.uk site of Harper Collins I contacted David Brawn, publishing director of HarperCollins UK and had a nice interview. At first I was thinking to write an article about my new findings, but I believe it is better to post the complete interview here. Most of the questions are about The Children of Hurin, the deluxe edition of The Children of Hurin, yet I did ask also about new deluxe editions for the anniversary…  Read article

Sunday 31 December 2006
Added the collector profile of Johan Vanhecke

Johan Vanhecke, A Tolkien collector from Antwerp, and the author of In de Ban van de Hobbit.  Read article

Sunday 31 December 2006
Interview with Mark Hooker - author of A Tolkienian Mathomium

Added an interview with Mark Hooker - author of A Tolkienian Mathomium  Read article

Tuesday 31 October 2006
A new Tolkien collector profile

The collector profile of Neil Holford was added. He is a Tolkien collector from Birmingham, and the compiler of the website "An Illustrated Tolkien Bibliography".  Read article

Sunday 29 October 2006
New Collector Profile added

I am very happy to announce another collector profile. This time an avid Hobbit collector, Henk Brassien, known as the Hobbit Hunter. Read his tale here.  Read article

Monday 16 October 2006
Collector profile added

The pleasure was mine to add a new Tolkien Collector Profile, this time Jeremy Edmonds (Rowns) from tolkienguide.com. See his profile here.  Read article