The Spanish Tolkien Society (further references by its Spanish abbreviation, STE), through the Humanities Commission, with the aim of promoting and encouraging the knowledge and study of J. R. R. Tolkien’s life and works, announces the 21th edition of its Ælfwine Essay Awards, which are subject to the following RULES: (Download Essay Rules)
First.- Any person may participate, except the Jury members and the Liaisons.
Second.- Two types of essays will be accepted for competition in two distinct categories: ACADEMIC ESSAY and LITERARY ESSAY.
Third.- All essays, written both in Spanish and any other co-official language of Spain, or in English, must be original (unpublished in any format before the award ceremony date) and must refer to the work or the person of J. R. R. Tolkien. The Jury will eventually decide if this requirement is met, in accordance with the Thirteenth Rule.
In order to achieve a satisfactory evaluation of essays written in co-official languages of Spain, a translation must accompany the original text. The translation may be in English or Spanish.
Fourth.- Essays in both categories will be no more than ten thousand (10,000) words, excluding footnotes and bibliography, which will not be taken into account for the calculation of the maximum length of the essay.
Fifth. – The two categories are:
1.The ACADEMIC ESSAY is a research paper, where the author presents a reasoned issue in accordance with matters expressed in the 3rd point of the rules, and must include a proposal, an exposition and some conclusions. Bibliographic references must be used. The use of citations and footnotes will be positively valued, as well as the inclusion of a bibliography list at the end of the text. The preferred citation styles are APA and MLA. There are examples of both in the Appendix.
2.The LITERARY ESSAY is a text in which the author presents an issue in accordance with matters expressed in the 3rd point of the rules, but with no need of citations and academic formalities. The literary merits of the essay will be valued above all.
Sixth.- Each participant may submit as many essays as they wish with the same pseudonym, but they shall only be eligible for one prize in each category.
Seventh.- Texts must be submitted in electronic format, accompanied by a non-recognisable pseudonym, and with a separate file enclosing the author’s contact information: name, address, phone number, email and the category in which the work is competing. Their receipt will be acknowledged as soon as possible. The name of the files will be as follows:
– «Pseudonym»-«essay title».*
– «Pseudonym»-data. *
Example,
– Agricola-Dragons lair.*
– Agricola-data.*
We recommend using 12-point Arial or Times New Roman font.
The Jury will value positively the correct use of spelling and grammar in the text, as well as its paragraph alignment and indentation.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the writing of submissions is prohibited. The competition organizers may use detection systems to verify compliance with this prohibition.
Those files must be sent by email to: premios.aelfwine@gmail.com
Eighth.- The deadline for the submission of essays is Sunday, October 5th, 2025, at 23:59:59h.
Ninth.- The result of the contest will be announced on the official website of STE www.sociedadtolkien.org on Sunday, November 16th, 2025. The winners will be directly informed of the place and time of the award ceremony in due time.
Tenth.- The prizes are as follows.
Academic essay:
1st prize: €180, a one-year membership to the Spanish Tolkien Society (STE) and a diploma.
2nd prize: €120, a one-year membership to the Spanish Tolkien Society (STE) and a diploma.
2nd prize: €50 and a diploma.
Literary essay:
1st prize: €100, a one-year membership to the Spanish Tolkien Society (STE) and a diploma.
2nd prize: €50, a one-year membership to the Spanish Tolkien Society (STE) and a diploma.
The one-year membership to the STE for the year 2026 will not be refundable for cash under any circumstances, nor can it be combined with other equivalent prizes obtained in this or other STE contests or competitions. Its validity period (the year 2026) cannot be postponed or modified.
The Jury reserves the right to grant runner-up and honorary awards, with a diploma but without a cash prize.
The Jury may award ex-aequo prizes, in which case the prizes will be distributed equally.
The Organisation of the contest also reserves the right to add other non-monetary prizes. STE will cover potential shipping costs to Spain. Should the winner live overseas, the shipping overcost will be assumed by the winner.
Eleventh.- The Jury may declare the prizes void.
Twelfth.- STE reserves the right (non-exclusive and without economic compensation) to publish the winning essays. It may also publish any un-awarded essays, but always asking for the author’s written permission first.
Thirdteenth.- The Jury reserves the right to resolve any issue not covered by these rules, and their decisions will be unappealable. The composition of the Jury is: Bárbara García, Pablo Folguiera, Patricia Millán and Jorge Serrano.
Fourteenth.- For any question related to this contest, you may send an email to premios.aelfwine@gmail.com
Fifteenth.- Entering this contest implies full acceptance of these Rules.
