Speaking of meeting IRL, is anyone planning on on being at Tolkien 2005 in Birmingham (UK), August 11th-15th next year? Guests to include Verlyn Flieger, Tom Shippey, Brian Sibley, Ted Naismith & (possibly) Alan Lee.
Info at:
http://www.tolkiensociety.org/2005/about.html
Should be amazing, possibly the biggest thing Tolkien-wise for the foreseeable future.