How to send in your own story:
Email your story to
Varda-(Valar). Erase
the words "NOSPAM" at the beginning of the email.
The story must be
set in Tolkien's universe.
Please check capitalization, spelling, grammar, and references first.
Complete work is preferred, although we have a section for works in
progress. Editing and help is available.
Any Tolkien fan may send in a story, related to
anything written by J.R.R.T. or Christopher Tolkien. This page is a
service of
the Valar Guild for all Tolkien fans. We reserve the right not to use
material.
"What if" or "Alternate Universe" stories should be
labeled as such. Most of ours are "fill in the holes" or "it could have
happened".
Length:
Any length is welcome. We have been given
generous donations of server space by Alatar-(Valar), AuSteinM-(TV),
and Farmer Maggot-(V)..
Drabble:
100 words. A drabble is a challenge form, a very short story with a
particular feeling in mind that could
have happened in the actual books. For example, show an incident that
could have happened in Tolkien' world pointing out humor,
beauty,
love of family, or honor in a hundred or so words.
A perfect drabble is exactly one-hundred words and still puts the idea
across clearly. It is the nearest form of prose to poetry for its
intensity.
Double Drabble:
200 words.
Sudden fiction:
100 - 1,500 words. Very strong voice like an outcry.
Short story:
1,500 - 30,000 words. More plot.
Novella:
30,000 - 50,000 up to 55,000 words. Strong plot, characterization,
setting.
Novel:
55,000 - 300,000. Complex interweaving plots, deep characterization,
strong settings almost like more characters.
Normal novel length:
80,000 - 100,000 words. Beyond that, print publishers must spend a lot
more. Luckily, online the only problem is reader stamina.
Beyond 300,000:
You've probably written a book plus sequels that started back around
100,000. Consider dividing it.
Illustrations:
Illustrations are
welcome, but please name the story or stories for which you
intended them, and give credit to the artist. If it's your original
work, let us know if we have permission to put it in the Tolkien Site's
art section under your name, from which it may also be linked to
articles,
poetry, stories, and humor. If you don't like where it's linked, say so
and it will be removed, or state ahead of time that it is only for one
purpose, which will then be stated in the Cave for future editing
reference.
Any story may receive illustration in the future by
an artist who enjoyed it, or by a link to appropriate art. The art will
usually be kept in the Glittering Caves of Aglarond with a link back
to the
story.
How to Comment on a Story:
Email Varda (webmaster, editor) to have your comment
posted with the story. She will also forward it to the author if
possible.
Email the author to comment just to the author. The
author's last known email is listed on the author's individual page,
along with links to that person's other stories, poems, and articles.
Erase NOSPAM
The forum's section for stories allows comments.
Please mention the story name and author.