Most Epic Hero: Silmaril Awards 2025

Sunlight sparkles on the lake that borders the Academy grounds. In the distance, a U-shaped building rises tall and proud where the students who have been helping me prepare generally reside. I glance around at the chairs and tables and decorations in satisfaction. My Wynn stands off to one side, proudly surveying the stage he designed that the other students helped him build.

Someone taps me on the shoulder and I turn to see Headmaster Friedzen standing behind me.

“The guests should be arriving soon,” he says. “I will man the gates.”

“Thank you so much for letting me host these here at your Academy,” I reply. “My back yard couldn’t quite handle this size crowd.”

He gives me a warm smile. “It’s really your Academy,” he reminds me gently. “It’s always a pleasure getting to be a part of our author’s story. And also, it’s far easier to host the heroes than those mischievous imps.” He makes a wry face.

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2025 Silmaril Awards: Voting Begins

Good mooooooorning, Neverland!

I mean, interweb-space… got a little carried away there.

The week of nominations is over and there are currently 123 epic heroes camping out in my back yard. We did not have enough space for them in the basement this year, but they heroically agreed to rough it for the duration of September, claiming—most of them—that they had endured far worse conditions on their various adventures.

Our top 5 finalists for Epic Hero are:

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Jenelle Schmidt Comments
10th Annual Silmaril Awards: Nominations Open for Epic Heroes

Hear ye, hear ye! The 10th Annual Silmaril Awards is upon us!

10 years.

Wow.

That must needs mean we shouldst do something special to celebrate… no?

YES!

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Silmaril Awards, we are running not one, but TWO contests. Five winners will be chosen for each contest. You'll have the chance to win one of many fantasy-themed prizes. Here are the details!

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Jenelle Schmidt Comments
A Snapshot of Reading Time in the Stormcave

Episode 12

Today on the podcast, Grant and I get to chat with a special guest, Evan (our brother) about what family read-aloud time looks like in each of our homes and how it differs from how we pictured it, as well as how it differs from how we remember it growing up ourselves.

If you tune in on Youtube, you also get to watch Evan fold his laundry.

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