I think it's okay, there's no-one here to see us going off-topic. I have indeed been reading Tolkien clones. I've loved Lord of the Rings for a long time (not least because it's my father's favorite book) but have mostly avoided fantasy genre until now. I know a little more about sci-fi.

I haven't read any Leiber or Vance, thanks for the suggestions, I will follow up.

Everyone's talking about George RR Martin :). I have the first of ASoIaF (I'm sure I got that acronym wrong) but haven't started it yet. That is a big series. Epic fantasy readers must need reinforced bookshelves.