Monday 5 September 2022

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

117 comments:

  1. Glad to hear Gandalf made it before the nominees!

    Speaking of which, I nominate Rendar from Moonscript and Athelas from the City Between series.

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    Replies
    1. I second Rendar.

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    2. Seconding Athelas. He's such a good teacher to everyone around him, without trying to teach at all. I'm finding myself much more able to understand other reticent characters after working to figure out what's going on in his head.

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  2. Ah, a cup of tea with Gandalf! If only I had been invited...I don't even like tea, but I'd come all the same.

    I nominate Merlin from various King Arthur books.

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  3. I'd like to nominate Bayard the Truthspeaker from the Wilderking Trilogy. He might just seem like a crazy old guy with goats, but he's actually the wisest person in the room.

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  4. I nominate Aethelbald from Tales of Goldstone Wood, Beana from Tales of Goldstone Wood, Enoch from Oracles of Fire, Kiernan Kane from Minstrel's Song, Professor McGonagall from Harry Potter.

    I also second Merlin and Rendar

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    Replies
    1. I second Professor McGonagall! Dealing with so many students for so many years, she definitely deserves an award.

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    2. I second Aethelbald, Beana, and Enoch!

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    3. I second Beana and Kiernan Kane!

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    4. Second for McGonagall!

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    5. I second Beana and McGonagall

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    6. These are all BRILLIANT.

      I second:
      Aethelbald
      Beana
      Enoch
      McGonagall

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    7. I second McGonagall!

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    8. I second McGonagall and Enoch!

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    9. I second Aethelbald, Beana, Enoch, and McGonagall!

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    10. I second McGonagall

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  5. Counselors are quite the best. I won’t ever become one because I couldn’t put up with the pressure of giving advice. XD

    Question: does Jacob Marley from A Christmas Carol count? The story definitely has some magic/fantasy elements, and Jacob’s advice is what gets the whole story going, right? Maybe not so right?

    I nominate:
    Baghra from Shadow and Bone (She’s a bit much to handle, but she usually knows what is really going on in the country and gives people good advice on how to survive. She’s a little harsh, though.)
    Glinda from The Wizard of Oz
    Alden Vacker from Keeper of the Lost Cities
    Remus Lupin from Harry Potter

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    Replies
    1. Second for Glinda and Lupin!

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    2. Lupin is so amazing, he has actually already won and can’t be voted for! :)

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    3. So the Silmaril council have discussed a bit and A Christmas Carol was decided to be more of a ghost story, in that aspect, than fantasy.

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    4. Audrey, you're quite right, Remus Lupin was recognised for his wise counselor-i-ness in 2019 and already holds a Silmaril!

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    5. Whoops! Sorry about the nomination for someone who's already won! I had proofed all of my lists carefully, but at the last second decided to put him in and forgot to check. *facepalm*

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  6. I nominate:
    Chrestomanci from the Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones
    Galen from Wrought of Silver and Ravens (and Wrought of Serpent and Snow) by E.J. Kitchens
    Rayad from Resistance by Jaye L. Knight

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  7. Moiraine Damodred from The Wheel of Time

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  8. I nominate Timothy, Endathlorsam (Sam), and Rayad (separately :)) from Ilyon Chronicles.

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  9. I nominate:
    Zinder from Truesilver

    I second:
    Merlin
    Lupin

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  10. Oh, and I second Athelas, because he's been hanging around my house since last year and I'm hoping enough nominations will attract him to a new favorite location for a bit. I mean, I love him, but he sort of just quietly eats you out of house and home with his tea and biscuit habit. :-D

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    Replies
    1. Athelas does sound like a subtly and understated high-maintenance house guest! XD

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    2. This is making me crack up so hard. XD

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  11. I nominate Hoid from Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archives and the Magus from the Queen's Thief Series.

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  12. Rachael Liankatawa6 September 2022 at 12:04

    I second Beana, Kiernan Kane, and Athelas

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  13. Rachael Liankatawa6 September 2022 at 12:30

    I nominate Truesilver from Truesilver

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  14. I nominate Dr. Sikes from the Knights of Tin and Lead trilogy by Emily Hayse.

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  15. I nominated:

    Mandy (Ella Enchanted)
    Morwen (Enchanted Forest Chronicles)
    Zelda (Septimus Heap)
    zhamM (Fairest)

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  16. I nominate Nia from the Wingfeather saga.

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  17. I nominate Madam Marcia Overstrand from Septimus Heap

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    Replies
    1. Oh, and I also nominate Alther from the same series!

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    2. I'll second Marcia Overstrand!

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    3. I nominate both Marcia and Alther

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    4. Seconds for Marcia and Alther!

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    5. not nominate... second! Sorry

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    6. I second Marcia and Alther!

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  18. Well, it's that time of year again! Hi Jem! Hope it goes fine for you. Except for the extra patience needed for such a large gathering, of course...

    Good luck!

    Faramir

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    Replies
    1. I meant that I hope the gathering goes well for you, not that it doesn't...

      oh my, the things we say sometimes.

      Faramir

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    2. Thanks, Faramir! I'm hopeful that they will be less hassle than the villains... those were a bunch of drama queens xD

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  19. Halcyon from Paper Crowns

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  20. I nominate Adaon and Gwydion from the Chronicles of Prydain

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  21. I nominate Fade from the Supervillain Rescue Project!

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    Replies
    1. Oh yes! I love him as mentor in the teen series. He has some great lines.

      Delete
  22. I nominate:

    -Arcadius from Riyria Revelations
    -Burrich from Realm of the Elderlings

    I second:

    -Rayad and Endathlorsam from Ilyron Chronicles
    -Bayard the Truthspeaker from Wilderking Trilogy

    ReplyDelete
  23. I nominate:

    -Maxim Akszenyuk from The Red War Annals
    -Caiaphas from The Ravenwood Saga

    ReplyDelete
  24. I nominate...

    Hermione from Harry Potter (because I'm pretty sure Harry and Ron would have died without her advice, let's be real here)
    Dominic from The Electrical Menagerie by Mollie E. Reeder (yes, he is a robot, but he keeps everyone straight)

    ReplyDelete
  25. MEEP!!! Jem!!!! You have no idea how happy it makes my heart that we are Silm Host Sisters!!! And you have Wisest Counselors this year! I'll send my Shop Vac over. The beard hair was OUTRAGEOUS last year....

    I'm nominating...!
    - Mrs. Weasley (Harry Potter)
    - Cheshire Cat (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [what can I say? This guy has advice, you know. XD])

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    Replies
    1. I second Mrs. Weasley (what a lovely and underrated choice!) as well as Cheshire Cat!

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    2. Mrs. Weasley and the Cheshire Cat seconded!

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    3. Seconds for Mrs. Weasley and the Cheshire Cat!

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    4. I second Mrs. Weasley

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  26. I nominate:

    Sazed from Mistborn
    Falada the horse from Thorn (Intisar Khanani)
    Xan from The Girl Who Drank the Moon

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    Replies
    1. I second Xan! Tracey, you are covering this book so thoroughly and I'm here for it!!

      Delete
  27. I second:
    - Aethelbald and Beana (Goldstone Wood)
    - Enoch (Oracles of Fire)
    - Timothy, Sam, and Rayad (Ilyon Chronicles)
    - Morwen (Enchanted Forest Chronicles)
    - Nia (Wingfeather Saga)
    - Halcyon (Paper Crowns)

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  28. I second:
    Merlin
    Bayard (for the description!)
    Aethelbald
    Beana
    McGonagall
    Glinda
    Nia
    Mrs. Weasley
    Cheshire Cat
    The only nomination I can think of is the Old Judge, from Darien's Rise (Book 1 of Passages). Oh, and maybe Anna from the same. (Hoping my first attempt at commenting doesn't go through and cause confusion...)

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  29. I second Kiernan Kane from Minstrel's Song.

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  30. I nominate Podo from the Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson and Rupert Greeves from the Ashtown Burials series by N. D. Wilson.

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  31. Seconding:
    Athelas
    Beana
    Glinda
    Moiraine
    Hoid
    Mandy
    Halcyon
    Sazed
    Rupert Greeves

    ReplyDelete
  32. I second:
    Zinder
    Truesilver
    Halcyon
    Adaon
    Gwydion
    Caiaphas

    *feeds the owl cake*

    ReplyDelete
  33. Seconding: Merlin, Bayard, Professor McGonagall, Nia, Adaon, Gwydion, Mrs. Weasley, Cheshire Cat, The Old Judge and Anna (Dariens Rise), Podo, Andrew Peterson, Rupert Greeves.

    Nominating: Old Cass and Father Lewis (Both from The Nicholas Book)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Siffrin (From Foxcraft)

    I Second:

    Merlin
    Nia
    Gwydion
    Cheshire Cat
    Old Cass
    Father Lewis
    Podo

    *Feeds Cake*

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'll be closing comments at midnight on Friday (roughly midnight... accounting for time zones is hard xD) so get your final nominations and seconds in quick! I have to say, at this point a few seconds here or there could make quite a difference in the final line-up for votes...

    ReplyDelete
  36. I nominate Calcifer from Howl's Moving Castle

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  37. I nominate:
    Ransom (That Hideous Strength: A Modern Fairy Tale for Grown-ups)
    Charles Halloway (Something Wicked This Way Comes)
    Bruno the Bear (Moth and Cobweb/Green Knight’s Squire)

    I second:
    Merlin
    The Old Judge (Darien's Rise)
    Anna (Darien's Rise)

    ReplyDelete

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