The Nature of Middle-earth. Tolkien’s previously unpublished essays on Middle-earth, in a book set for publication toward the end of June 2021. I’d imagine these are essays he wrote for his own use, to serve as guide-rails for his vast world-building and language-weaving.

“The book has been edited by Tolkien expert Carl F. Hostetter who heads the Elvish Linguistic Fellowship. The materials on which the book is based were sent to Hostetter in photocopy by Christopher Tolkien, before his passing, for potential publication”.

Sounds very interesting, though one wonders what period they’re from. The announcement has it that they will be paired with more “numerous late (c. 1959-73)” writing by Tolkien on Middle-earth, and my guess is perhaps the latter will also include published-but-rare material?

In the meanwhile, there’s Garth’s new book. I was hoping by now we’d have reviews of Garth’s Tolkien’s Worlds: The Places That Inspired the Writer’s Imagination, but they seem to be elusive.