The Silmarillion Primer: Being a Not Especially Long-winded But Still Quite Lengthy Yet Entertaining and Informative Guided Tour Through the Stories, Themes, Characters, and Otherworldliness of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Most Notorious Work, As Edited and Compiled By His Son Christopher and Some Guy
Join Jeff LaSala for an exploration of The Silmarillion! Revised and expanded, The Silmarillion Primer is primarily aimed at guiding new readers through The Silmarillion, which is famous for being a difficult read even for Tolkien fans. For readers already familiar with the book, it will provide new insights or perspectives that recontextualize the story and its concepts. Each chapter corresponds to a chapter or section of The Silmarillion in a one-to-one basis, accompanied by fun diagrams and easy-to-understand graphics that bring humor and clarity to the sometimes tangled nature of Tolkien's narrative. But for all the levity, there are serious moments of appreciation, as this book is as much an homage to the author's favorite work of literature as it is a guide.
The Primer uses contemporary language and humor to explain what, to some, are complicated concepts and language in Tolkien's book. Some critics (but not this author!) have called The Silmarillion dry due to its mode of mythic and historical narration; the Primer aims to be anything BUT dry, and to simultaneously poke fun at and appreciate Tolkien's methods. There will also be easy-to-understand maps with arrows and labels.
The original Primer was first posted as bi-weekly segments on Tor.com in 31 installments. Walk through the details of The Silmarillion with Jeff and discover the history of the Elves, the story of the Silmarils, the creation of the Dwarves, and much more from Tolkien's legendarium.
Jeff’s Author’s Circle is live and ongoing!
Join Jeff LaSala for an exploration of The Silmarillion! Revised and expanded, The Silmarillion Primer is primarily aimed at guiding new readers through The Silmarillion, which is famous for being a difficult read even for Tolkien fans. For readers already familiar with the book, it will provide new insights or perspectives that recontextualize the story and its concepts. Each chapter corresponds to a chapter or section of The Silmarillion in a one-to-one basis, accompanied by fun diagrams and easy-to-understand graphics that bring humor and clarity to the sometimes tangled nature of Tolkien's narrative. But for all the levity, there are serious moments of appreciation, as this book is as much an homage to the author's favorite work of literature as it is a guide.
The Primer uses contemporary language and humor to explain what, to some, are complicated concepts and language in Tolkien's book. Some critics (but not this author!) have called The Silmarillion dry due to its mode of mythic and historical narration; the Primer aims to be anything BUT dry, and to simultaneously poke fun at and appreciate Tolkien's methods. There will also be easy-to-understand maps with arrows and labels.
The original Primer was first posted as bi-weekly segments on Tor.com in 31 installments. Walk through the details of The Silmarillion with Jeff and discover the history of the Elves, the story of the Silmarils, the creation of the Dwarves, and much more from Tolkien's legendarium.
Jeff’s Author’s Circle is live and ongoing!
Purchase Options
Serial Release Subscriptions
Serial release provides subscribers with early access to a work in progress and a sneak peek into the process. Each month, subscribers will receive an installment of the work in a pre-publication format.
By becoming a monthly subscriber, you are supporting the author in their brave endeavors! You're also supporting the Press in our goal to bring quality literature into the world.
Once all of the chapters have been released serially, the entire book undergoes additional revisions. It will then be published in its entirety.
We have planned 12 installments. The first installment is planned for April 2023.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]
By becoming a monthly subscriber, you are supporting the author in their brave endeavors! You're also supporting the Press in our goal to bring quality literature into the world.
Once all of the chapters have been released serially, the entire book undergoes additional revisions. It will then be published in its entirety.
We have planned 12 installments. The first installment is planned for April 2023.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]
Pre-Order Purchase
Once the entire novel has finished going through serial release, it will then be officially published! We anticipate it will be available in mid-2024.
Pre-orders will open as we get closer to the publication date, and you can receive your copy (or copies) in the format(s) of your choice when it goes on the market.
Pre-orders will open as we get closer to the publication date, and you can receive your copy (or copies) in the format(s) of your choice when it goes on the market.
Author’s Circle
The Author’s Circle allows greater interaction with the author and the text. Benefits of membership include:
- Access to text and audio chapters on release
- Access to notes and updates during the writing process
- Monthly meetings with the author to discuss and give feedback on the most recent chapter
- Sneak previews of cover art and illustrations
- A mention in the book if they make a suggestion included in the final book
- Acknowledgement in the final volume
- Personalized versions of the book at final publication
Log in to Blackberry below to purchase or subscribe to The Silmarillion Primer now!