Lord of the Rings The Final Journey Sweepstakes Begins

Tolkien Banners Still Available

Stores with Book Sense are taking advantage of the excitement building up to the December 17 release of the movie version of The Return of the King, the third book in the J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy, by participating in The Lord of the Rings The Final Journey Sweepstakes, which began on Monday, November 3, and ends on Monday, December 15. The unique customer promotion, which brings together Book Sense, Houghton Mifflin, and New Line Cinema, features a point-of-sale display with a "take-one" map of Tolkien's Middle-Earth. The map contains clues to the answers to trivia questions found on the sweepstakes entry page on the BookSense.com Web site. The map is an ideal centerpiece for displays featuring Houghton Mifflin's numerous new editions and packaging combinations of Tolkien's works.

"Book Sense has been a fantastic partner in converting the movie phenomenon into thousands of fans eager to explore more of J.R.R. Tolkien's titles," said Bridget Marmion, corporate vice president, director of marketing for Houghton Mifflin. "This year's collaboration is especially creative, presenting a whole new experience through maps. We just couldn't be more grateful that independents are treating the final movie as such a huge opportunity."

Consumers participating in the sweepstakes have a chance to win the Grand Prize package of luggage and travel supplies, books, DVDs, video games, and movie memorabilia. First and Second prizes are J.R.R. Tolkien books and Lord of the Rings movie merchandise.

Houghton Mifflin still has available a few full-color "Explore More" J.R.R. Tolkien banners featuring movie tie-in art and a facsimile of the author's own signature. The banner (3' high x 2' wide) is double-sided, made of a permanent material, and includes its own hanging device. Interested booksellers should send an e-mail request with "LOTR banner" in the subject line to [email protected].