Almost it seemed that the words took shape, and visions of far lands and bright things that he had never yet imagined opened up before him; and the firelit hall became like a golden mist above seas of foam that sighed upon the margins of the world. -JRR Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings II:I

Works can be nominated for an award in the following categories. Unless otherwise stated, all categories are open to completed works of any genre, Hobbit or other work by JRR Tolkien), pairing or rating. Works in progress (WiPs) are not eligible in any category.  Only works completed between April 1, 2004 and September 1, 2005 may be nominated. Stories which are set during the course of “The Silmarillion”, “Ainulindalë” or “Akallabêth”, or during the Pre-Trees/Trees era or the First and Second Ages. Best Lord of the Rings Stories which are set during the course of “The Lord of the Rings”. Stories which focus on the central characters and events of “The Lord of the Rings”, or which illuminate its themes, will be preferred. Alternate universes, humour/parody, outside the timeframe of “The Lord of the Rings” may be better served in other categories. Best The Hobbit Stories which are set during the course of “The Hobbit”, or which feature characters or settings from “The Hobbit”, such as Thranduil, Thorin Oakenshield, Smaug, Beorn, Mirkwood or the Dale. Stories which focus on Bilbo Baggins at any time before the start of “The Lord of the Rings” might also be nominated here. Best Fourth Age or Beyond Stories principally set after the start of the Fourth Age (once the Ringbearers have sailed West). This includes stories set during Elessar's reign, as well as works that take place in a modern or future setting. Best Alternate Universe or Crossover Stories which are set in an alternate universe, in which one or more elements of the Tolkien universe are changed. For example, stories where Denethor did not die or where Thingol did not demand a Silmaril from Beren. Stories which use the change to highlight the consequences of a choice or event in the original source, or to explore character or setting, will be preferred in this category. Crossovers must be a crossover with a non-Tolkien source, such as “Buffy the Silmarillion” would not be relevant here. Crossover stories may be set in either universe; for example, stories where Buffy is transported to Middle-earth, or Saruman takes a job at Hogwarts would both be eligible. Stories set in the modern world or in the future, with no other alternative elements, are not eligible here. Best Story Focusing on Elves Stories focusing on one or more Elves, or an Elvish community; if other races are included they should be supporting characters only. Works that shed light on the nature of Elves, Elvish culture or society will be preferred. Best Story Focusing on Men Stories focusing on one or more Men, or a Mannish community; if other races are included they should be supporting characters only. Works that shed light on the nature of Men, Mannish culture or society will be preferred. Best Story Focusing on Hobbits Stories focusing on one or more Hobbits, or a Hobbit community; if other races are included they should be supporting characters only. Works that shed light on the nature of Hobbits or Hobbit culture or society will be preferred. Best Story Focusing on Other Races Stories focusing on one or more members of races other than Elves, Men and Hobbits, including but not limited to Dwarves, Istari, Valar, Maiar, Ents or Orcs. Stories may also include Elves, Men and Hobbits. Stories that shed light on the nature of that race or their culture or society will be preferred. Best Romance or Erotica - Het Stories in which an m/f romance forms a significant part of the story. Erotic material may form a major focus of the story, but stories with no erotic content are also eligible. Stories where any erotic encounter is placed in context, and which keep true to the Tolkien characters, are most likely to succeed in this category. Stories may be any rating, from G to NC-17. Best Romance or Erotica - Slash Stories in which a same-sex romance (m/m or f/f) forms a significant part of the story. Erotic material may form a major focus of the story, but stories with no erotic content are also eligible. Stories where any erotic encounter is placed in context, and which keep true to the Tolkien characters, are most likely to succeed in this category. Stories may be any rating, from G to NC-17. Best Action/Adventure Stories which feature as a major element an action plot, such as (but not limited to) a quest, adventure or battle. Best Drama Stories with a strong conflict-crisis-resolution structure, whether the conflict is externally imposed or internal to the character(s). Action plots are acceptable here, but the story must focus on the character(s) inner struggles. Best Gapfiller Gapfillers should take place between two events in any Tolkien book or film. An example of a gapfiller would be the story between the battle before the Black Gates, and Frodo and Sam's awakening at Cormallen; or detail of Tuor's stay in Gondolin before its fall. The work can reference events described in canon, but must be focused on events that are not explicitly described by Tolkien/the filmmakers. Best Humour or Parody Stories where humour is the main or a major element. The humour may be in-frame or parody. Best Characterisation - Tolkien Character Stories which focus on a single canon character, or one character interacting with one/ more others, which reveal or highlight aspects of the protagonist’s character. They will usually be written from the point of view of the character selected, and may often chart a significant moment in that character's inner life. They must be in line with the characterisation of the original source. Stories where you think: `I can just hear Frodo saying that!' or `Ah, so that's what Feanor was thinking!' Best Characterisation - Minor Character Stories which focus on one or more minor characters. Major canon characters and/or original characters may also appear but only in subsidiary roles. To do well in this category, the minor character(s) should be fleshed out in a manner consistent with, but clearly additional to, the source. To qualify as a minor character, s/he may be mentioned only in footnotes, appendices or genealogies, or may appear in the books/movies but only have a few lines of dialogue. In addition, s/he must not be central to events. Preference will be given to minor characters that haven't attracted lots of fanon, or where the author's interpretation differs significantly from existing fanon. Some examples include Théodwyn, Diamond of Long Cleeve, Mablung (from Lord of the Rings), Fili (from The Hobbit), Daeron the Minstrel, Aerin, the Weaver (from The Silmarillion). Some examples which would not count as minor include Sauron, Arwen or any of the sons of Feanor. Best Characterisation - Original Character Stories which focus on an original character, whether male or female. The character must be invented by the author; minor characters invented by Tolkien, even if only mentioned in footnotes, appendices or genealogies, are not eligible here. To do well in this category, the OC would have to fit seamlessly into the Tolkien background and be important to the plot of the story. He/she would be well-fleshed out, and would possess believable goals and motivations of his/her own. Ideally, the use of the OC would have some purpose in the story, such as elucidating some aspect of society that is closed to canon characters, or getting an interesting perspective by seeing one/more canon characters from the outside. Mary-Sue parodies or humorous Modern-girl-in-Middle-earth stories are not suitable here. Best Vignette or Short Story Drabbles, prose poems, vignettes and short stories below 2500 words. Must be laid out in prose format, not verse. Best Novel/Serial (>50,000 words) Long works, over 50,000 words, whether novel or multi-part serial. In either case, the work must be complete: works in progress (WiPs) are not eligible. Poetry - Short Form Short poetic forms are limited to those of fewer than 20 lines. Short forms may include sonnets, haiku, song lyrics, epitaphs, prayers or even spells. Short form poems may be of any type, style, voice, rhyme scheme, free or blank verse, provided that the number of lines does not exceed 20. Poetry cycles, even if the individual poems are short, should be submitted under 'Poetry – long form'. Poetry - Long Form Long form poems are limited to works of greater than 20 lines. All poetic forms are welcome, from blank verse to intricate rhyme schemes. Stanzaic, lyrical, free verse, narrative – all are welcome here. Poetry cycles, regardless of the lengths of the individual poems, should also be submitted here. Best Critical Essay or Research Article Non-fiction relating to JRR Tolkien’s settings, characters or languages, or to Tolkien fandom or fanfiction. Must present discussion and analysis, not just a list, map or dictionary. Biographical material relating to JRR Tolkien must be linked to his literary creations in order to be relevant here. Best Story by New Author 'New' means the author has not published stories in the Tolkien fandom before 1 April 2004. JUDGES' CHOICE AWARDS These awards are not open for nomination Best entry by author aged 16 or less Best work whose author is 16 or under on 1 September 2005. Chosen from among the semi-finalists whose authors wished to be considered in this category by the vote of the Judges/Awards Committee. Best Entry by Author For Whom English is not Their First Language Best work whose author does not have English as their first language. The work must have been written in English by the author (not translated by another) to qualify, although authors may have sought language advice from others. Preference will be given to authors who would not consider themselves to be bilingual in English and their first language. Chosen from among the semi- finalists whose authors wished to be considered in this category by the vote of the Judges/Awards Committee.