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Call for Papers: Tolkien Society Seminar 2020

We are now calling for papers for The Tolkien Society Seminar 2020, which will be held online on Saturday 4th July. The theme is Adapting Tolkien.

Call for Papers

Adapting Tolkien

“I would draw some of the great tales in fullness, and leave many only placed in the scheme, and sketched. The cycles should be linked to a majestic whole, and yet leave scope for other minds and hands, wielding paint and music and drama.” – Letter 131, to Milton Waldman

In anticipation of the Tolkien TV adaptation by Amazon Prime, this year’s Seminar invites speakers to explore the topic of adapting Tolkien to the screen and beyond. Papers may consider, but are not limited to:

  • Adapting Tolkien’s works to stage and screen
  • Fan-made content
  • Illustrating Middle-earth
  • Tolkienian pastiche
  • Other adaptations: games, merchandise and Hobbit-hole hotels

Following the untimely death of Christopher Tolkien, we would like to recognise his immeasurable contribution to the field of Tolkien studies by inviting a panel discussion on Christopher Tolkien’s interaction with his father’s work.

The Tolkien Society invites abstract submissions of no more than 300 words, along with a short bibliography, for a 20-minute paper with 5 minutes of questions. The applications close on 5th April 2020.

Submit your abstract online here.

About the Seminar

The Tolkien Society Seminar is a short conference of both researcher-led and non-academic presentations on a specific theme pertaining to Tolkien scholarship. Held most years since 1986, the date and venue used to vary each time, but it is now usually held in Leeds on the Sunday before the start of the International Medieval Congress (IMC).

About the Author: The Tolkien Society
The Tolkien Society is an educational charity and worldwide membership organisation devoted to promoting research into, and educating the public in, the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien. The Society organises regular events (such as Oxonmoot and Tolkien Reading Day), publishes regular books and journal (such as Amon Hen and Mallorn), and is working towards a permanent home to Tolkien in the UK.