The Silmaril Awards 2022: Nominations open

Well well well. Here we are, gathered once again for a jolly good time, and I'm very pleased to say I've put on an excellent feed in preparation for a few guests. 

Because! 

 Nominations for Wisest Counselor are open!

And knowing I'm going to be having so many of these highly respected people as guests in my home is a little intimidating, so I've been taking notes from the good folk of the Shire, as they have a bit of experience with hosting parties! I have plenty of food and drink; comfortable chairs from which they can have a good sit-down, a natter, and a bit of a reminisce; and I've set up the backyard in case they want the opportunity to show off their respective skills, like archery or dancing or fireworks.

...I also spoke to some Shire-folk who have a bit of experience with my first house-guest, who is our award-presenter for this category of the Silmaril Awards.... 

Gandalf!

...naturally, he hasn't turned up yet. 

But I'm sure, knowing his history, that he would be fine with us getting started while we wait for him! Firstly, for any newcomers, here's what's going on and how it works: 

The Silmaril Awards are a fan-run competition celebrating fantasy fiction and the characters that we meet through it! 

This year, I'm hosting the Wisest Counselor category, and your part in all of this is to:

• Leave a comment with a character's name and where they're from (feel free to add a bit of hype to get others excited about them, too) - this is what we mean by nominating! 
• Scroll through the comments and reply "SECONDED she is SUCH A DIGNIFIED COUNSELOR" (specific phrasing may vary) to whichever nominations you want to throw your support behind. Second as many different characters as you like!

At the end of the week, I'll count up who has the most seconds, and the top five will progress to the voting round. Monday 12th (next week) there will be another post with the voting form, so make sure you're back here for that!

• • • • • • •

Now. Counselors would be among the first to explain that some good manners and a few guidelines keep things running smoothly.

Otherwise you end up with offended dragons, someone trampling through the flowerbeds with their dog, or an awkward silence over dear Aunty Lilly's best plum pudding that accidentally got dropped in the sink only no one wants to tell her and now it's on the table. Or maybe that was a mouse that drowned in custard. I forget.

• Firstly, some counselors must bow out of this competition: Tolkien characters and characters who have already won Wisest Counselor are not able to be nominated. This is because 1. it's the Silmaril Awards and therefore Tolkien's characters are the gold standard; and 2. Silmarils are a life-time award, so you can only get one.* 
  
  
• Counselors are to come from fantasy novels. We know the fantasy genre pairs well with a lot of great stuff, so feel free to explain why you think a book is more fantasy than sci-fi or whatever other genre it may look like at first glance. And it's okay if a character is best-known from a movie... they just have to have come from a book originally.
   
• Authors, feel free to hype your fan base up and send them over! We'd love to see you join in the celebrations. But let your fans do the nominating for you - it's good manners, and wise counselors appreciate that kind of respect. 

* If your favourite character has already won this category, you're absolutely able to nominate them for a different category, though! (See below for options and links... perhaps Silver Tongue?) 

In fact, you can nominate a character across categories simultaneously! Last year Pet from the City Between series won both Heroine and Imp... for those of us who are familiar with the character, it's less strange a combo than it sounds. xD

Characters who have won a Silmaril in the past for their wisdom and counselor-ness are: 

Puddleglum (Narnia, 2021) 

Halt (Ranger's Apprentice, 2020)

Remus Lupin (Harry Potter, 2019) 

Professor Kirke (Narnia, 2018)

Professor Hamilton (Dragons in Our Midst, 2017) 

Aslan (Narnia, 2016)

...as you can see, Lewis and Tolkien's friendship is frequently commemorated by Lewis's characters turning up to hang out with Tolkien's.

 • • • • • • •

Now, Wisest Counselor is but one of the categories, and I know you're anxious to nominate your favourite hero or imp as well! Here are the links you'll need:

Most Epic Heroine 

Most Epic Hero 

Most Nefarious Villain 

Most Majestic Ruler (such a hit last year, it had to return!)

Most Magnificent Dragon

 Most Faithful Friend

Silver Tongue

Wisest Counselor (you are here!)

Strangest Character

Most Mischievous Imp

Off you go, nominate and second to your heart's content! Also maybe check back throughout the week, because someone might nominate the perfect character who'd slipped your mind, and it would be a shame if they missed out on being seconded just because they were late. 

"A wizard is never late..."

...good afternoon, Gandalf. I would disagree, but I'm just pleased you turned up before the other guests. I asked Bilbo and he said that doesn't always happen...

"Hm! Well, it was just what he needed. Friends and an adventure."

Well, we could all use those. Thank you for being here, Gandalf - would you like a cup of tea while you wait for the nominees?

 • • • • • • •

That's really all I have to say before you go wild with your nominating... except that there is a giveaway!! many thanks to Jenelle for this one!

 And also a lovely Instagram challenge, if you're so inclined! #silmarilawards2022