You've been hearing it from us for some time now: "We're working hard on our new websites, can't wait to share!" and it's about high time we gave you a sneak peek. When we founders of Middle-earth Network first launched My Middle-earth we were shocked to see how fast it gained your attention and it was apparent that fantasy fans had been waiting for a social network where they could find news, music, films, videos, blogs and groups all in one place. It wasn't long after the launch that we started talking about creating a brand new platform where we could offer fans even more. The talks turned into plans and now those plans are near completion. We are so excited to share our dreams and visions with you because you are the reason we do what we do. We at Middle-earth Network want to build a community, one that doesn't slap our logo on your individuality, but gives you the tools you need to make your own dreams become a reality.
In this post you will learn about some new features we've added and ones that have been improved upon and you will get your first look at our new websites.
New Look
Right away you can see some vast changes compared to our old site. Gone is the drab darkness of the old site and all the thanks goes to some amazing artists within the community. Give a big round of applause to Ted Nasmith and Jef Murray for allowing us to use their creative masterpieces on our sites! These two are on my top "most amazing people EVER" list and I would encourage all of you to check out their websites where you can buy their art because, lets be honest, you are now jealous of our new look and want it on your living room wall.
New and Improved Features
While the old social site had some cool features, it lacked in them actually working. On the new social site you will now have the ability to use Facebook "like" buttons as well as "like" buttons within the network. You can create and join groups and upload photos and videos in your status updates, blogs and group forums. The chat bar on the bottom of the page will have a slightly different look and now comes with the option of a pop out window so your chats aren't lost when navigating away from the network. And here's one of my favorites, the "Who's Online Avatars" plug in. Now you can see which of your friends are online so it's easier to socialize. Brilliant!
There's much more, but I don't want to give it all away just yet. For now, let's raise a pint of Green Dragon ale to everyone who's helped us with this endeavor. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Cheers!
We are pleased to announce that the Mythgard Institute has agreed to a partnership with UWIC, the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff! We still have some paperwork to complete, but when it is done, our Mythgard courses will be fully accredited in the UK higher-education system. We’ll explain all the details when everything is finalized.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dimitra Fimi will again be teaching her online Tolkien course at UWIC this October 2011.
The course is entitled J.R.R. Tolkien: Myth and Middle-earth in Context, and is taught entirely online in 10 week units that explore Tolkien’s medieval sources and cultural context. Enrollment for this UWIC course is now open.
Good news! The course is fully accredited and carries 20 British/European credits at the Masters level.
Even better news! Dr. Fimi’s course (20 European credits = an American 3-credit course) will be accepted here at the Mythgard Institute as counting towards our M.A. program.
Ales and Tales, a weekly fantasy role-play and ‘open-mic’ style meeting that takes place on Lord of the Rings Online’s Landroval Server, has recently celebrated their 100th gathering. The event was recorded as a podcast and will be the first of their meetings to air as a weekly show on Middle-earth Network Radio.
The group meets at a different location in Middle-earth each week, every Monday at 10:30 PM EST on LOTRO’s Landroval Server. Participants will “enjoy the pleasures of food and drink, music, dancing, tales and fine companionship. The entertainment is provided by the audience themselves, as individuals and groups come forward to offer tales, poems, and songs. Those in the audience may participate by drinking, smoking, sitting quietly and listening, kibitzing, dancing, giving out drinks and food, or whatever seems appropriate for your character to do in a pub. Its a great place to unwind after a hard day of fighting the shadow, as you kick back with a mug of ale and socialize with your fellow adventurers.”
It was “Galenswerd/Galenhir in LOTRO (also known to some as John DiBartolo), one of the founders of Middle-earth Network, who first began Ales and Tales. The meeting is hosted by Harperella & Lennidhren of the Lonely Mountain Band kinship. Some of their previous meeting locations include The Prancing Pony, The Oak N Barrel (a player-run inn), the Mathom Society, and the burnt remains of the Mad Badger. It was at the Green Dragon, where the very first Ales & Tales took place. And that, as the group states, is “where all proper adventures begin”.
You can tune in to Middle-earth Network Radio Thursday August 4th, at 1am, 5am, 9am, 1pm, 5pm, 9pm CDT to hear the very first podcast of the in-game event!
If you think there has been a lot of news surrounding Middle-earth Network lately with the launch of Mythgard Institute for Tolkien Studies, then hang on to your churchwarden pipe. In a recent letter posted on My Middle-earth (the network's social site) from network founder, Mark Ostley, we find out what other exciting projects the company has up their sleeves.
Mark writes, "We have indeed been promising a new blogging platform for awhile now. And yes we are a bit behind schedule. Keep in mind though, that this beta launched roughly 12 weeks ago. In the meantime we've have been working with the platform developer and budgeting ... both time and money resources to make this happen. And trust me, it will in [just] a few days. What we've done is to contract the individual who built the guts and platform for Ning and other social network providers. I've seen some of the bells and whistles he's come up with, and they're pretty impressive. In fact I'll go as far as to say that I think there's nothing like it out there."
Mark goes on to state that the new social platform will be tested this week and over the weekend and hopes to launch it within a week or two.
Meanwhile, Mythgard Institute, although newly launched, will also be seeing some improvements. Mark explains, "We've already brought in as guest lecturers 4 of the most recognized Tolkien scholars in the world. We're also working on full accreditation and are offering a Masters Degree program, and will be adding many more classes in the spring."
So, Middle-earth Network is a social site, news source, radio station, and partner of an Institute. What else could they take on? How about producing, publishing, and a record label?
In a phone interview I had with Mark moments ago he stated, "We are in the midst of negotiations with the well-know producer Kate Madison ('Born of Hope') and Actors at Work Productions on creating a high end fantasy movie/video series and as soon as things are finalized we'll announce the details."
Further down the letter we find out Middle-earth Network is also working with the members of the My Middle-earth social network community on a publishing label as well as a music label (with four bands already under it's belt) which Marks calls "a humble and hopeful start".
Mark ends the letter with this: "Part of our vision and goal is to provide quality content, but the other goal is to become a haven and vehicle for artists, writers, educators, broadcasters & podcasters, musicians, and a greater community of people and fans who believe, as I do, that we can actually inspire the world around us by sharing the world we have in common. Many of these people who write music, literature, or work in the medium of paint and brush, for too long have been overlooked and have been given no support and no real outlet for some of the brilliant things they're doing...Already you see this reflected in [our] social community. Because in the end that's exactly what we are. A community. We started this because we all felt there was a need for people, and artists to interact and develop real working relationships and friendships. I personally believe (idealistic as I am) that this, in a small way actually makes the world a better place. Our job has been to not only develop some of these things, but to provide the best vehicles we can to make it work well, and make it as easy as possible for people to access... so suffice it to say that we've big plans, high hopes, and a massive amount of determination."
You can follow Middle-earth Network on Facebook. For the latest in network news follow Middle-earth News on Twitter.
To donate to the Middle-earth Network community click here.
That's right Tolkien fans! This is big news. Huge News! Thanks to Corey Olsen (The Tolkien Professor) and Middle-earth Network, anyone from around the world can have a chance to study Tolkien, his life, novels, and the effect they've had on us.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:
Mythgard Institite: Offering Tolkien Studies
Starting this fall, Tolkien fans will have an exciting new opportunity to learn more about the works that they love at the Mythgard Institute.
Mythgard is a new center for Tolkien studies, offering fully interactive courses online with world-class professors. The Institute is founded by Professor Corey Olsen, host of the celebrated Tolkien Professor podcast, in partnership with founders of Middle-Earth Network. Mythgard will be offering classes on Tolkien, the Inklings, and other fantasy authors which students can either audit or take for credit towards an MA in English.
This Fall 2011, Mythgard is offering its first class: Tolkien and the Epic. Readings will include Beowulf, the Volsungasaga, The Children of Hurin, and the Lord of the Rings. The course will be taught by Professor Olsen with very special guest lectures by Tom Shippey, Verlyn Flieger, and Michael Drout.
Be sure to listen in to Middle-earth Network Radio this Tuesday, July 19th at 10pm EST for the official live radio announcement of the Mythgard Institute with Dr. Corey Olsen and founders from Middle-earth Network. You can also access MEnet Radio through the Tune-in application for mobile devices.
Follow Mythgard Institute on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest information on class schedules.
As the Middle-earth Network continues to grow, we are striving both to recruit the highest quality content and to diversify our programming and reach out to new communities. In the last decade, many Tolkien fans have embraced another series, one that is radically different in its worldview, basic rules and structures, and writing but has the same tug on our moral imaginations and many of the same essential core values, including the value of friendship and self-sacrifice. The series we're speaking of centers on a boy wizard by the name of Harry Potter. Middle-earth Network is proud to announce today the first of what we hope will be many Harry Potter shows to join the Middle-earth Network: this show is the Hog's Head PubCast. The PubCast, as its fans call it for short, broadcast its first episode back in late 2006, and this week, after a nine-month hiatus, it makes a triumphant return by joining the Middle-earth Network family. The PubCast is hosted bythehogshead.org, a fantastic site for serious discussion of fantasy literature, and it's produced by Travis Prinzi, one of the Leaky Cauldron's Potter Pundits, and a trailblazer in serious Harry Potter scholarship, having written books such as "Harry Potter & Imagination: The Way Between Two Worlds" and most recently "Harry Potter for Nerds." And we'll let y'all in on a secret: Travis is also an avid Tolkien fan. We are thrilled to be partnering with The Hog's Head and to be working with them to build bridges between our two communities who have so much in common. Keep your eyes and ears open for further announcements to come in the next week and be sure to give a warm welcome to any Hog's Head fans who join us at the My Middle-earth social network.
BREAKING: Airing TODAY at 2 PM EST- TravisPrinzi was able to screen the new Harry Potter film, Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (due to hit theaters this Thursday, July 15th, 2011) and will be reviewing the film LIVE on Middle-earth Network Radio!
Also Airing today is Travis' newest Hog's Head Pubcast at 1 PM and 6 PM EST.
The Hog's Head Pubcast on Twitter. My Middle-earth Network Radio on Twitter.
My good friend and fellow Middle-earth Network cohort, Ian Speck, had a chance to chat Tolkien lore with non other than "The Tolkien Professor". I found his Q&A with the Professor refreshing and fun and pass it along for you to enjoy. Not only is Ian one of the most knowledgeable Tolkien fans I know, he is also a producer here at Middle-earth Network and currently working on a top secret project for Middle-earth Network Radio (TBA). After reading, feel free to continue the debate on our comment section below.
Ian- On the night of June 24th, 2011, I was able to get a hold of Dr. Corey Olsen, more famously know as The Tolkien Professor, who graciously set aside some time for a this discussion at My Middle-earth.com, a [fantasy-based] social network that we have built at the Middle-earth Network. Dr. Olsen also runs a website of his own containing free-to-listen-to lectures on all things Tolkien, and he is ranked as one of the top most-downloaded educational lectures on the internet. The discussion pertains to a comic Youtube short, "How Lord of the Rings Should Have Ended" approximately two minutes in length.
Now I enjoy the short, but what bothers me is that there are those who seriously wonder why the Fellowship simply didn't fly on Great Eagles to Mount Doom, and see the whole story as being undone by this one thing. And you know what? It's an interesting question, but it's one myth we can bust, if you pardon the expression. I have my own arguments, but I was interested in what Dr. Olsen himself had to say. (For those unfamiliar with Tolkien a reference is made to The Song--the Ainulindalë--which, according to Tolkien's mythology epic, The Silmarillion, is the creation myth of the world in which Iluvatar (God) created the Ainur (angels) and taught them a Great Music which created the world, and also was the history of the world, as it were, from Creation to the Last Day, according to the will and designs of Iluvatar. Anonther reference is to the Eucatastrophe, a term Tolkien coined, which you can look at here.
So without further a due, My "Mini-interview" with the Tolkien Professor:
Ian- Hello sir, I was wondering if you had a moment?
TolkienProf: Sure!
Ian- I was wondering if you were familiar with "How LotR Should Have Ended"? It's a goofy cartoon short where the Fellowship fly on eagles to Mt Doom.
TolkienProf- The YouTube video? Yes
Ian- I believe it's intent is comic, but there are some who believe this to be a genuine plot hole within the framework of The Lord of the Rings. I suppose I was wondering what your thoughts were as to that.
TolkienProf- Well, there are several ways in which that could be answered. On its own level, I simply don't think it would have worked.
Ian- Agreed.
TolkienProf- I can't imagine that Sauron and the Nazgul wouldn't have noticed the eagles flying in, but that's not really the ultimate answer to the question. The problem comes with making "alternative stories" at all. A story that includes a desperate dash in on an eagle might, perhaps, work as a story, but that isn't the story that Tolkien was interested in telling (obviously).
Ian- Yes, I have made this case to friends before--that is, the problem with alternate stories
TolkienProf- When people start saying "why didn't this other thing happen?" they are basically writing new stories and that's fine, potentially, but what sense is there in asking why T didn't write a different story than he wrote?
Ian- I just know someone who wonders why they didn't "take the simpler approach".
Ian- Right.
TolkienProf- And there's a third level on which to address this: the "plot hole" angle.
Ian- I thought of a couple counters, but I'm curious as to your thoughts.
TolkienProf- That is, is this genuinely a problem for T's story as he chose to tell it? Is it an inconsistency (which the "hole" argument suggests)? My answer hinges on the nature and purpose of the eagles. They are very important, and they are not simply transportation.
Ian- Yes, I agree, they are not a taxi service.
TolkienProf- They act, in almost every case, as a traveling eucatastrophe, the instruments of the Valar and even of Iluvatar himself in the events of Middle-Earth. If the Valar wanted to help in the destruction of the Ring, heck, they wouldn't even need the eagles. They could have just vaporized the Ring, or whatever.
Ian- A good point.
TolkienProf- But they don't, and Elrond talks about how and why he knows they won't. What people who want the eagles to fly to Mordor are asking for is for the entire story to be short-circuited by a huge Deus ex Machina. That's really what people want? And THAT would be massively inconsistent with how [Tolkien] has depicted the Valar and Iluvatar throughout his mythology.
Ian- One thing I would say is that it was not ordained in the Song that it should end in such a way.
TolkienProf- Yes, sure. That ending would be wildly inconsistent with the whole, larger story that Tolkien was telling and developing throughout his lifetime, not only in the LOTR, but in the Silmarillion material.
Ian- Right.
TolkienProf- When people are thinking only "what would be easiest?" they are not really thinking of the story at all and as I said, that isn't easiest anyway. "God unmakes the Ring, destroys Sauron, and undoes all evil everywhere in the blink of an eye" is really much easier still, and simpler. But that isn't the world that we live in or that Tolkien wrote about or that anyone would actually want to read about, either. :)
Ian- No indeed. I would also add, for the sake of argument, that if such a path were taken, there would be several problems. You've named a couple, one being that how would Sauron NOT notice the approach?
TolkienProf- Oh, yes.
Ian- I also have feeling that they wouldn't make it past the Mountains of Shadow.
TolkienProf- And the movie shots of the eagles beating off the Nazgul in the last battle are very unrealistic, I think.
Ian- But I thought they did engage the Nazgul, or does memory fail me? If they could stand up to dragons then why not fell beasts, or does the Deadly Fear come into play?
TolkienProf- Yes, and Gwaihir is not Thorondor, either
Ian- (A quick rewind, Dad said with regards to the original question: "asking why the fellowship couldn't fly on eagles is like asking why does God let babies die?" So I thought it was interesting he said that when he has no clue as to the contents of this discussion.)
TolkienProf- Yep. He's thinking in exactly the same direction I am, there.
Ian- But getting back on track, let's assume they pull off this crazy task, there would still be several problems (again this is for argument's sake). One is Boromir, I don't think he would be free of his desire for the Ring. He would never have died redeemed.
TolkienProf- Yes, that's a good illustration. It would be a very different, and infinitely poorer story.
Ian- Indeed.
TolkienProf- Okay, I've got to go, unfortunately.
Ian- Hey, that's fine, thanks for your time, this was great!
TolkienProf- No problem! I enjoyed it. Good night!
Ian- Good night!
Ian- You can tell in places where the conversation overlaps a little, but the whole thing was a blast. Another thing that was cool (as mentioned in the discussion) was that [my] Dad happened to walk by and throw in his two cents, and it was amazing how well it matched the discussion we were already having. We finally wrapped up around midnight.
From now until this Friday, July 1st 2011, our Twitter followers will have a chance to win The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy Extended Edition on Blu-Ray. To enter, simply follow Middle-earth News on Twitter and re-tweet our post about this giveaway. You can re-tweet our post as many times as you want in order to up your chances at winning. At 2 PM EST on Friday, July 1st, we will announce the winner (to be chosen at random). Good luck Ringers!
Last December, Corey Olsen, the Tolkien Professor, started up the Silmarillion Seminar, a weekly discussion that has been proceeding chapter by chapter through Tolkien's stories from the First Age of Middle Earth. Recordings of the proceedings are being made available through the Tolkien Professor podcast feed. Now, listeners are invited to tune into Middle-earth Network Radio at 9:30 PM EST every Wednesday to listen LIVE as Professor Olsen and his seminar group engage in their weekly discussions. Silmarillion enthusiasts can even contribute to the ongoing discussion. During the broadcast, those who might have a question or an observation to offer to the discussion can go to the Silmarillion Seminar group page in My Middle-earth and post their thoughts on the wall. As many as possible of those comments will be relayed live to the seminar group in real time. This week at 9:30 PM EST on the Silmarillion Seminar we will discuss Akallabeth, the Downfall of Numenor. We'll be looking at the actual sinking of the island and its aftermath. After this, there will only be 2-3 more weeks, on "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age." Recordings will still be available later on for those who miss the live broadcast.
Since the announcement of our Middle-earth Network Art Contest, many fans have written in conveying their disappointment because they would be unable to participate due to summer vacations and previous plans. Our hope and wish is that this contest would be available for all artists, whether art is your profession or hobby, and we wouldn’t want a summer vacation to come between you and your chance to have Jef Murray and Ted Nasmith judge and critique your art, nor your chances at winning one of our Ringer’s dream prize packages slip by! Therefore, we have decided to extend the contest.
The new dates are as follows:
-From now until 12 PM EST Wednesday, August 10, 2011 we are taking submissions. -On Monday, August 15, 2011 5 submissions (in both categories) that have been hand picked by our judges, Jef Murry and Ted Nasmith, will be posted on My Middle-earth for ALL members to vote on. -Polls will close at 12 PM EST Friday, August 19, 2011. -At 9:30 PM EST Friday, August 19, 2011 the winners will be announced LIVE on Middle-earth Network radio.
Submission Requirements:
The subject of the art will be a Middle-earth spin on Uncle Sam’s classic line, “I want you for the U.S. Army”. Submitted art should hold the text, “Middle-earth wants you!” with the body of the art entirely up to each individual artist. However, submissions must not contain any nudity or pornographic material. Judges reserve the right to refuse any art submitted that they deem inappropriate. In order to submit your work, you must be a member of My Middle-earth Social Network and join the “My Middle-earth Art” group. Submissions can be entered under one of the two categories: amateur artist (i.e. I am not regularly paid for my work) and professional artist (i.e. I am a regularly paid artist).
To submit:
Post a photo of your entry onto “My Middle-earth Art” group’s wall with the following information by 12 PM EST Wednesday, August 10, 2011:
-Specify: “My Middle-earth Art Contest Submission”
-Name
-Specify amateur (not paid) or professional (paid)
Tune in to Middle-earth Network Radio this Saturday, June 25th at 9:30 PM EST to hear Casual Stroll to Mordor (CSTM) conduct a live interview with the cast of ‘The Fellows Hip: Rise of the Gamers’. This latest film from Opening Act Productions promises to be “Full of Tolkien-references and good-hearted parody, ‘The Fellows Hip’ will appeal to Tolkien-fans and gamers alike, as well as anyone who's never been part of the in-crowd.” See the full synopses below:
“Randall Dooley is a geek. His three best friends are geeks too. He works in a game shop, he spends all his free time playing online games, his older brother bullies him unmercifully, his widowed mom doesn't understand him, and he's hopelessly in love with the prettiest cheerleader in high school. In short, he's a loser. All of that changes when he hears of the Lord of the Rings gaming competition in Orlando, Florida. Finally! Meaning in life! ‘The Fellows Hip’ is a buddy-comedy written in honor of online gamers and ‘The Lord of the Rings’.”
Among those to be interviewed are Ron Newcomb (co-writer, Producer, Director, co-founder of Opening Act Productions), Justin Moe (Actor) “Randall”, Jayme Bell (Actor) “Squirrelly”, Cole Matson (Actor) “Nate”, and Emma Earnest (actor) “Stacey”. CSTM will be accepting questions for the crew during the interview and listeners can pose their questions for the guests in CSTM’s chat room.
Tune into Middle-earth Network Radio tonight, Wednesday, June 8th at 8 PM EST, for an interview with the five talented minds behind ALEP II “There and Back Again”. The Tolkien themed convention will run from September 28th, 2011 to October 2nd, 2011. Held in Kentucky’s very Shire-like Shaker Village, the convention will host an array of party business festivities such as archery tournaments, plays, hiking, food, dancing, and even an Elven choir.
If you miss tonight’s interview, you can tune in on Friday, June 10th at 6 AM EST and 6 PM EST, and on Saturday, June 11th at 10 AM and 10 PM EST.
"Middle-earth Network is proud to announce that Merric & Goldenstar will be joining Middle-earth network as an affiliate. Their top rated and extremely popular podcast 'A Casual Stroll to Mordor' will be aired live on Middle-earth Network Radio beginning June 11th. As a Middle-earth Network affiliate they will be working with the team to not only provide their program live every Saturday night, but will also be contributing to our goal to provide top rated news and entertainment. Casual Stroll to Mordor will continue to provide their first class content via their independent website and blog, but this exciting cooperation between CSTM & Middle-earth Network will send another clear signal to the LOTRO and Tolkien fans that a true community is evolving on an unprecedented level."
