It’s a bit surreal to realize all of those interviews and all of the content doesn’t exist anymore. At one point in time, the Twitter account had over 100K followers. Now they’re all gone. When I started the website back in January 2011, I had no idea how large things would grow. I was a mom of two, headed for divorce and single parenthood. What better way to cope than start a news site covering all things Tolkien-related?

If it hadn’t been for Robert Kazinsky accidentally tweeting my handle out to his fans, the site might never have become what it was. Robert had originally been cast as Fili the dwarf in The Hobbit films, however, he ended up leaving before filming began and was replaced by a different actor. So, it was even a greater coincidence that his mishap occurred in that small time frame. Being the polite person I am, I immediately DMed him, letting him know he probably meant to tag one of the larger-known Tolkien sites out there. But as it turns out, he is also an incredible polite person. He thanked me for letting him know and kept up the post. The next morning, I woke up to 5,000 new followers all wanting to know who the heck I was.

It was the jump start my little site needed. Before I knew it, I was putting out multiple posts a day in order to keep up with demand. My main focus for the site was the people that had been inspired by JRR Tolkien’s work. From artists and authors, swordsmiths and actors, to game developers and cooks: all of them had been influenced by Tolkien one way or another. Their creativity was what inspired me to start Middle-earth News, and it was what kept it going for as long as it did.

When the site grew too large for me to handle on my own, I began seeking out like-minded souls willing to volunteer their time to help run it. That’s right, I never made a cent. It was 100% run by volunteers and a deep appreciation for all things Tolkien. However, when my divorce was finalized and I became a single mom, life really got complicated. Little by little, the time I had to run the site dwindled until I eventually knew I had to pass on the torch. My successor maintained it for a while, but eventually the site began its journey westward. In the end, the lull of time between the hype of The Hobbit Films to the first season of The Rings of Power proved too much for Middle-earth News. The site had been forgotten and there were newer, shinier sites out there to beckon fans hither.

Now, nothing of Middle-earth News exists, save my cherished memories. It has crossed over into the Undying Lands. Throughout the decade I ran the site, I interviewed some of the most talented and creative people ever to walk this earth, and worked alongside some of the kindest, passionate Tolkien fans out there. That magical time is something I’ll never forget and will always be grateful for. My dearest hope, though, is that someone, somewhere was inspired by the content on Middle-earth News and has gone on to create their own art, be it by brush, sword, or food, inspired by The Professor.