Articles written by: Valdis

Valdís is a classic nerd, with many geeky interests, but her life-long love of Tolkien rules them all. She was completely hooked the first time that she read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings at age 8. Since then, she has read the books at least once a year, and delves into Middle-earth at every opportunity with a fervor that would make any dwarf proud. She also deeply loves Peter Jackson’s films, and defends them staunchly when need arises. When reality forces her out of Middle-earth, Valdís is a university professor, a wife, mother of two daughters, and servant to two cats.

Christopher Tolkien Dies at Age 95

It is with great sadness that Middle-earth News joins the Tolkien fandom in mourning the passing of Christopher Tolkien, son of J. R. R. Tolkien and devoted steward of his father’s work. We extend our […]

“The Professor!” Tolkien Birthday Toast 2020

As we start a new year and (depending on how you count it) a new decade, Tolkien fans will symbolically join together all over the world to honor the man who brought us Middle-earth and […]

EXCLUSIVE: Astrid Winegar on Her NEW Soup Book, “Cooking For Halflings and Monsters, Vol 2”!

What was your initial inspiration for the new cookbook? After I completed my first cookbook, I was looking through my spiral notebooks which contain all the recipes I’ve been working on over the years. I […]

Tolkien Panels Pack the Room at Dragon Con 2019

Tolkien content remains a big draw at Dragon Con. Two years on from the loss of the dedicated Tolkien track and with no High Fantasy track related celebrity guests in attendance this year, many Tolkien […]

EXCLUSIVE: David Thorn Wenzel Interview

This interview occurred during Dragon Con 2018. Mr. Wenzel returned to Dragon Con in 2019. This article combines material from the 2018 interview and Mr. Wenzel’s 2019 panel. David Wenzel: The idea behind Kingdom of […]

Dragon Con 2019: Tolkien Content Preview

It’s that time of year again! Summer grows old, the days are shortening toward fall, and geeks of all fandoms will soon descend on Atlanta, Georgia, for the wonder that is Dragon Con. Dragon Con […]

Feast Week, Day 8: The Prancing Pony

For this year’s Feast Week celebration, we are sharing Middle-earth News Staff Favorites from Feast Weeks past! These posts were chosen by the Middle-earth News team as our collective favorites for each day of Feast […]

Feast Week, Day 7: Prisoners of a Barrow-wight

For this year’s Feast Week celebration, we are sharing Middle-earth News Staff Favorites from Feast Weeks past! These posts were chosen by the Middle-earth News team as our collective favorites for each day of Feast […]

Feast Week, Day 6: The Feast of Tom Bombadil, Day 2

For this year’s Feast Week celebration, we are sharing Middle-earth News Staff Favorites from Feast Weeks past! These posts were chosen by the Middle-earth News team as our collective favorites for each day of Feast […]

Feast Week, Day 5: The Feast of Tom Bombadil

For this year’s Feast Week celebration, we are sharing Middle-earth News Staff Favorites from Feast Weeks past! These posts were chosen by the Middle-earth News team as our collective favorites for each day of Feast […]