On the heels of the recently released Children of Hurin paperback and the forthcoming Tales from the Perilous Realm The Northeast Tolkien Society is happy to announce the a few ways for readers of herenistarion.org to be able to receive not only these titles but the two volume History of the Hobbit set!!
Firstly many thanks to our friend at Hougton Mifflin Company for supplying our prizes for this contest, the first of several Fall contests!!!
We will be giving away to one winner all four of the above cited books, and two subsequent winners will receive copies of Tales from the Perilous Realm, and Children of Hurin paperback
How do you win? There are two ways to win, read the following carefully
In the last few days we announced the 2009 Northeast Tolkien Society Calendar is now for sale on our site ($20 USD + S/H) --see the main menu selection to your left of this news for ordering information
By purchasing the calendar you are automatically entered in a random drawing to win all four books:
Tales from the Perilous Realm,Children of Hurin paperback, and The History of the Hobbit 2 volume set by John Rateliff
If you do not wish to add this incredible piece to your Tolkien collection, or are unable to do so at this time, then we are asking you send us your thoughts to the following questions--choose one to answer, or if you wish to answer both this increases your chances of winning:
Two of the Top entries will each receive Tales from the Perilous Realm, and Children of Hurin paperback
1) Why Tolkien? Explain what it is about Tolkien's work that continually draws you to it, either to read LOTR several times a year, to scholarship, to collectibles, to costumes, to gaming, or even the films, try to cite your first encounter with Tolkien and why you connected with it.
2) Does Tolkien's work inspire you? Some have claimed Tolkien as an 'intellectual hero' or literary influence on their own artistic ventures--has Tolkien inspired your own artistic ventures, education or career in someway? Please elaborate
Just in time for the holidays, and earlier than last year, the 2009 Heren Istarion: Northeast Tolkien Society Calendar is now available for order. We thank everyone for making the 2008 Calendar the success it was, and in following that success we are again humbly grateful to Phil Goss of the "Compleat Gyde to Tolkien Calendars" and his daughter Megan Goss of Digital Imaging Technologies for bringing to fruition this new contribution to collectibles.
This years calendar features a new cover by Jef Murray, and illustrations for each year within the Shire Reckoning format within by Colin "Bungo" Williams and Catherine Karina Chmiel (Kasiopea). We thank all who participated in bringing this years calendar to fruition and hope everyone will seek to add it to their collection.
Calendars are $20 + shipping and handling, which all ordering information is available via our Calendar page on the left hand nav bar to your left.
Here is more information on the contributors of the 2009 NETS Calendar:
Jef Murray is internationally recognized for his illustrations of works by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Jef's paintings have been featured in group and solo shows in England (Moreton-in-Marsh, Oxford, and Birmingham), in Canada (Toronto), and in the U.S.A. His sketches and paintings have appeared internationally in the St. Austin Revue (StAR), Mallorn (the journal of the Tolkien Society), Amon Hen (the newsletter of the Tolkien Society), Silver Leaves, and Gilbert Magazine. In the United States, his work has appeared in Parma Nole, MythPrints, Mythic Circle, and The Georgia Bulletin.
Jef and his wife, author and columnist Lorraine V. Murray, produced their first book together (How Shall We Celebrate? – Resurrection Press) in 2005, and Jef's latest illustrations can be found in Tolkien biographer Joseph Pearce's first book of poetry, Divining Divinity (Kaufmann Publishing, 2008). Jef's website is at www.JefMurray.com, and a catalog of his available paintings and prints can be found at ADC Art and Books at www.adcbooks.co.uk.
Catherine Karina Chmiel (Kasiopea) lives and works in Warsaw with her family and three rabbits. She has been drawing all her life - as long as she can remember.Since 1993, she has been working as an illustrator, whichwas her childhood dream, and has illustrated over 70 books, mainly children's classics and fantasy. Her two passions are Tolkien and zoology. She is especially fond of little birds, rabbits, and horses. Tove Jansson and Ernest H. Shepard are the main influences on her art.
Ms. Chmiel discovered Tolkien when she was 12 years old and stayed faithful to his works ever since. At first, she was interested in him from the literary point of view - writing essays and her M.A. thesis was entitled "Moral problems in J.R.R. Tolkien's works". It was only at the beginning of 2002 that she decided to illustrate Tolkien. Previously, she was awed by his works and thought she wouldn't prove equal to the task. Kasia is interested in relationships between characters, private scenes, emotions, and dilemmas. Her works are her tribute to her favourite characters - Boromir, Maeglin and Feanor.
Colin "Bungo" Williams, Annandale Australia
Born Inverell NSW Australia, 1945. World War II forced to close down almost immediately thereafter. Am told calamitous competition too great.Son of much-relocated School Headmaster and elocution/ sewing teacher. Lived Ashford, Dorrigo and Wauchope, quaint country outposts, before hitting the Big Smoke - Sydney - age 9.Education: Brighton-le-Sands - on Botany Bay [landing place for Captain James Cook's discovery of Oz in 1770] - Sydney Boys' High and Sydney University [Architecture degree 1968]. Would-be try-hard swimmer and athlete [backstroke and hurdles], to junior State Representative level. Thereafter the effort became too great. Into the theatre as stage and costume designer, would-be singer, ham actor, scenic artist, costume painter, draftsman, illustrator, opera enthusiast, jack-of-all-trades - master-of-none.
Introduced to JRR Tolkien at age of 26. Furious to have lived so long ignorant. Loved Smith of Wootton Major then became immediately besotted by The Hobbit. Loved The Lord of the Rings, but have remained mesmerised by Bilbo's There-and-Back-Again saga ever since.Considered Tolkien's delightful, anaemic water-colours did no justice to the magic of his own writings. Egoistically resolved to redress the imbalance with black-and-white interpretations. First efforts [1974] halting and gawky. Marriage and raising four sons followed in a manic blur.Later, lack of imagination for birthday and Christmas presents prompted Hobbit sketches and eventually annual JRRT Calendars, with originals doubling as gifts. Poor benighted family have endured these efforts twice annually since 1999. 2008 sees the twelfth Hobbit Calendar and my first TLotR Calendar [in colour] - Book I. Remain JRRT-besotted. Never fail to find new details and revelations in TH each annual reading. Ditto TLotR. Cannot live without them. Serendipitously "discovered" by Parmastahir on an e-bay auction in 2006 and inspired to greater feats by the enthusiasm of North America's shared adoration of The Master.
All newcomers and members must RSVP via email so we as a group can arrange who brings what eatable and drinkable goodies (and how much of them)....! Tim will provide the cake and decorations...
DIRECTIONS
By Car:
Assuming most know the way to the NY Thruway from wherever they may come... so: Get off the Thruway at Exit 12 (Route 303 at West Nyack -- just west of the Tappan Zee Bridge), proceed north on 303 about a mile (over and down a large hill to a light at Lake Road (landmarks: a Shell Gas station on the left and a tiny minimarket on the right) Turn Right onto the road that proceeds straight ahead (there are also two roads to the right and left at this intersection, do not turn onto them)... Go about a mile on Lake Road until you reach a wooden sign on the left that says Tolstoy Foundation Center (just beyond another drive that says Tolstoy Home) turn in there and park. We will be on the left of the first building in. Or you can come up the Palisades Parkway (if you come from the foreign strands of Jersey) straight up to the Thruway (Exit 9E) -- or get off earlier at Exit 5N (Route 303 N) and proceed up Route 303 for about 5-6 miles until you pass under the Thruway -- then see above... Obviously you also can come down the Palisades Parkway to the Thruway (Exit 9E) if you live in the far reaches of the north You can also go to www.googlemaps.com and put in your origin and Valley Cottage, NY for directions (this site is better than www.mapquest.com because you can drag and thus adjust the route to suit your own situation)... By Bus: Take a Red and Tan (Rockland Lines) Bus that is designated 9 or 9A, 9T, 9TA (9AT) from either the Port Authority on 8th Ave or the George Wash Bus Station at the Bridge... after you ride through Nyack the bus will turn left off Route 9W onto Lake Road at the Rockland Lake Park (to the right on 9W). Tell the bus driver on Lake Road to go only half way to the next stop (called Valley Cottage on Route 303) and leave you off at the Tolstoy Foundation (apparently they often do not know this stop -- which the bus regularly stops at going in both directions! -- is there!!! You will see a group of buildings, one of which is a Russian style white cube church, to the right. I.e., you will be half way between Routes 9W and 303!
TAKING THE BUS: (IF this is your mode of travel contact
as they are taking the bus and can arrange for us all to travel together) CLICK HERE FOR THE COACH USA LINE: (note that the buses are of course less frequent on Saturdays than weekdays)
INFORMATION TO INPUT: Put in New York, New York as Origin and New York, Valley Cottage as the Destination... and then Weekend as Day of Travel
The bus fare is $8 from GW Bridge or $8.85 from the Port Authority (the subways have of course connections to both).
