Often times when we find ourselves in search of a good book, we seek out the ones with the most enticing cover art. The various styles used and choices made by illustrators have been the topic of many debates among fans of the books behind these covers. Have you ever found the artist in you thinking about which scenes would have made the best cover for a book? Well here’s your chance to showcase your ideas! In honour of Tolkien Reading Month, Middle-earth News is holding a Tolkien Book Cover Redesign Contest. The rules are simple and anyone is free to participate.

• You can choose from any book written by J. R. R. Tolkien such as The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, etc. The Lord of the Rings can be submitted as either one volume or three (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King).

• Submissions must be YOUR original work. Any submissions that contain another artist’s work (in partial or full) will be immediately disqualified.

• You can use any medium to design your book cover. Examples include Photoshop, canvas, original photography, or even sidewalk chalk art! The choice is yours.

• All submissions must have a PG/PG-13 rating. This means no nudity, profanity, or depicting of “adult” situations. There are many great battles described in Tolkien’s works so violence will be accepted as long as it does not exceed a PG-13 rating (no gore). We have the right to disqualify any submission that does not comply.

• One winner will be chosen along with one runner-up. Honourable mentions will be issued at our discretion.

• Prizes are graciously being donated by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Funko. Specific prizes for this contest will be announced soon!

• Please send your submissions as a .jpeg or .png attachment to: amanda@middleearthnews.com

• Submissions will be accepted March 1, 2014 through 11:59 EST on March 23, 2014. Winners will be announced on Tolkien Reading Day (March 25, 2014).

• Please note that this “cover redesign” contest is for entertainment purposes only, and your art will NOT be submitted to any “official” book printing companies.

 CURRENT SUBMISSIONS

[Show as slideshow]