Did JRRT encourage new ME stories?

[davem]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

This is the point over which there is much controversy, much contention. Anyone who has been reading Aiwendil's Chapter by Chapter discussion on The Silm knows that this statement is equally an understatement--although of course I know you, davem have sworn off the chapter by chapter discussions, so likely I'm sure your take would differ from Aiwendil's. STill, you should take a look at what has been posted so far.

Probably wasn't clear enough there - by 'for the rest' I meant UT & HoM-e, not 'the rest' of the '77 Sil.

his name is included on that hand written list which hands on the wall of the Bird and Baby--and Tolkien even wryly identifies himself as the father of the above named 'Christopher Tolkien.'

Its not genuine - its a photocopy of the Frontispiece from Carpenter's 'The Inklings' (fooled me too, but Lalwende's cynicism proved correct). No connection with the Bird & Baby at all. Apart from that I'd have to agree with your point.

It is this situation which is so starkly unique in the literary world which gives breathe to the aspirations of other readers. And Tolkien created those conditions.

Perhaps. I suspect it has a lot to do with the illusion of Secondary Reality Tolkien communicated so well - too many readers think of Middle-earth as a place with its own history, & just don't get that it is artifice - what Tolkien didn't create doesn't exist.