New Details on Tolkien Settlement

May 8, 2011 - PRLog -- After initially seeking to ban publication of the novel Mirkwood, the Tolkien Estate has settled with author Steve Hillard.   As a result,  Hillard's lawsuit, pending in federal court in Texas since February, has now been dismissed.   The settlement insures the continued availability of Mirkwood, a book featuring JRR Tolkien, the Lord of the Rings author, as a fictional character.                                                                                                                                                          
     “In the Mirkwood story, certain forces resorted unsuccessfully to lawyers to try to banish the tale. I am happy to report that this is a case of life mirroring fiction”, says Hillard.                        

     The dispute over the novel sparked widespread interest, including scores of print and web articles in the United States, Britain, New Zealand, Spain, India and Nigeria. The novel has received favorable reviews and soared to an Amazon Sales Rank of 3427 (out of several million titles).
     The only changes to the book are a modest font size adjustment on the front cover and a one-line disclaimer on the back cover. HIllard added, "There are no changes to the text of the book.  This vindicates the right of the public to read fictional treatments of public figures, be they Winston Churchill, Marylin Monroe, or George Bush. It also insures a new perspective on Professor Tolkien, just as worldwide interest is increasing with production of The Hobbit movies.”
      In the opening pages of Hillard’s novel, world-renowned author Tolkien makes a little known visit to America. His arrival sets in motion an unfolding urban fantasy, which explores the borderlands where ancient tales, lost heroines, and epic journeys are stalked by dim monsters that will not be still. A fictional Tolkien, haunted by dark powers embodied in a cache of ancient documents, must use his considerable linguistic skills to find the truth.  As a result, destinies are altered, legends become real, and two heroines race for their lives in vastly different worlds.
       
        Hillard says, "A sequel, which explores the fate of Tolkien's  unfinished works, is planned for publication in 2012."                                                                                                                        
         Mirkwood: A Novel About JRR Tolkien is available at Amazon.com and other online bookstores.
          About the Author:  after graduating from Colorado State University, Steve Hillard earned a degree in philosophy at Columbia University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado.  Before settling into his current career as a private equity entrepreneur, Hillard was a teacher at Rikers Island Prison, a welder, a carpenter, and a practicing lawyer. He is the founder and head of a private equity fund involved in the entertainment and telecom industries. Hillard resides with his wife, Rosita, in Austin.
                                                                                                                                                             Media Contact:
Steve Hillard
E-mail: shillard@counciltree.com
Website: mirkwoodnovel.com
Review copies and interviews available.