Seventh Edition
My friends and fellow travelers in Middle-earth,
This week’s newsletter kicks off with a special treat: a delightful and insightful conversation between Stephen Gallagher, the brilliant composer behind The War of the Rohirrim, and Jordan Rannells of Books Immersed. From delving into the magic of storytelling through music to exploring the rich themes of Tolkien's world, their dialogue is a feast for the ears and the imagination.
And that’s just the beginning—we’ve got new artwork finds, a duck-sized rabbit hole (or rather hobbit hole), new ways to explore Middle-earth thanks to a new collaboration between Middle-earth Enterprises and a LARP company, and an opportunity to learn from one of Tolkien’s greatest scholars, and more. Let’s take a look!
Art & Music (including fan films)
Exploring Middle-earth Through Music: A Conversation with Composer Stephen Gallagher and Books Immersed
I’m thrilled to share this incredible interview between Stephen Gallagher, the talented composer behind The War of the Rohirrim, and Jordan Rannells, the creative force behind Books Immersed. Both of them are extraordinary when it comes to discussing music, theory, and the art of storytelling through sound, but hearing them explore these topics together is truly next-level. Their passion for music is infectious, and Jordan’s thoughtful, insightful questions make the conversation all the more engaging.
Also, I just love hearing Stephen Gallagher talk about his craft. If you’ve caught any of his previous interviews, like those with Mellonheads or the folks at TORn, you’ll know why I’ve come to think of him as the Gandalf of modern composers bringing Middle-earth to life. His warmth, openness, and soul-stirring compositions remind me of the way Gandalf wields Narya to kindle courage and hope.
This interview is a must-listen for fans of Middle-earth, music, or just the beauty of creativity itself!
Amidst Fire and Starlight: A Stunning Tribute to Gandalf’s Battle
One of my newly discovered favorite artists is the incredibly talented Gnome the Artist over on Instagram. This winter, I fell in love with her depictions of Middle-earth and her style. Her latest piece, portraying the battle between Gandalf and the Balrog atop Zirakzigil (or Celebdil), has quickly become a favorite.
What I love most about this artwork is the striking contrast it captures: the fierce, blazing light of the battle set against the stillness of a cold, starry night sky and the frozen, snow-covered peaks. It’s such a stark juxtaposition—the intensity of their struggle against the vast, quiet expanse of the cosmos. This scene, a poignant and terrifying moment in the books, is transformed by the backdrop of stars, which feels like an enduring symbol of hope amidst the darkness.
Community & Social Media
🏆 Nominations are now open for The Tolkien Society Awards 2025! 🏆
Celebrate excellence in Tolkien scholarship and fandom by nominating your favorites for this year’s awards. Covering work from the 2024 calendar year, the categories include
Best Book
Best Artwork
Best Article
Best Online Content
the Outstanding Contribution Award.
First round nominations are open to everyone and close on Friday, 31st January 2025. Winners will be revealed after the AGM on Saturday, 26th April 2025. Submit your picks today!
Navigating Tolkien Fandom on Bluesky: Resources and Recommendations
As the Tolkien community—and the wider fandom—continues to grow on Bluesky, I wanted to share some resources and curated content to help those making the transition. My goal isn’t to promote myself, but rather to support content creators and the broader community as they settle into this new space.
I've put together several Starter Packs, including:
Additionally, I've compiled a few Lists to help you discover new voices and content.
There’s absolutely no pressure to follow anyone (and I always encourage being intentional with your follows), but if you have any suggestions for accounts I should add to these resources, feel free to let me know!
Middle-earth Companion: A Must-Follow Instagram for Tolkien Fans
One of my favorite social media discoveries lately is Middle-earth Companion on Instagram. While I absolutely love my On This Day in Middle-earth calendar by Don Marshall—featuring the stunning artwork of Maisie Matilda (have you seen her incredible fore-edge book paintings?)—I also enjoy hopping online to check my socials and see what happened on this day in Middle-earth, thanks to Middle-earth Companion. It’s like having a beautifully curated digital daily calendar! Their posts always feature brilliant artwork, and surprisingly, it's been a fantastic way for me to learn and recall quotes from Tolkien’s works. If you're on Instagram, I highly recommend giving them a follow!
Gaming
Exciting News for Middle-earth Fans: Burgschneider's New Adventure!
This is so exciting! With all the speculation surrounding Embracer’s acquisition of the rights to Middle-earth Enterprises, I don't think this collaboration was ever on the radar—but I’m thrilled to see it happening! It’s always exciting to see new ways of experiencing and bringing Middle-earth to life, especially in the realm of LARP—something Burgschneider is doing brilliantly. As someone who loves discovering fresh opportunities to immerse ourselves in Tolkien’s world, I’m thrilled to see how Burgschneider is making it a reality through their incredible LARP costumes and events.
Gatherings & Events
New Opportunity to Study Tolkien with Renowned Scholar Dr. Verlyn Flieger!
Exciting news for Tolkien fans! You now have the opportunity to take an online class with the legendary Tolkien scholar, Dr. Verlyn Flieger, this February.
📅 Class Dates:
Two Sundays: February 2 & 9
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET (Online, live-streamed & recorded for later viewing)
💰 Price:
$85.00 per person (10% discount for members)
📚 Course Overview:
This engaging lecture and discussion will delve into J.R.R. Tolkien’s most personal writings—letters to his wife, cherished friends, publishers, readers, and sons—offering a rare glimpse into the man behind Middle-earth.
📖 Required Reading:
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded Edition (ISBN: 9780358652984)
Be sure to pay special attention to letters 1, 5, 43, 121, 153, and 340, and feel free to bring questions about your favorite letters.
👩🏫 About the Instructor:
Dr. Verlyn Flieger is Professor Emerita at the University of Maryland, where she taught Tolkien, Medieval Literature, and Comparative Mythology for 36 years. She is the author of several critical works on Tolkien, including Splintered Light, A Question of Time, Interrupted Music, and Green Suns and Faërie. She has also co-edited multiple Tolkien-related works and is a co-editor of the annual Tolkien Studies journal.
Don't miss this chance to gain deeper insight into Tolkien’s personal reflections and literary genius from one of the foremost experts in the field!
Register now and explore Middle-earth through Tolkien’s own words.
Merch
Down the Duck-Shaped Hobbit Hole: My New Obsession with LOTR Tubbz Ducks
Thanks to some very well-targeted social media ads (catering perfectly to my Middle-earth obsession, of course) and the wonderful Kaia Kay's Tolkien Merch collection, I’ve tumbled down a rabbit—or should I say hobbit—hole into the world of LOTR Tubbz Ducks.
They've just released the softest, squishiest plush versions of Frodo and Gandalf, and naturally, my curiosity led me to browse the rest of their collection. What started as a quick peek quickly spiraled into a full-blown distraction, because their entire Tubbz lineup is just that good. And since I had to fall down this duck-shaped rabbit hole… now you have to as well.
I may or may not be starting a new section of my Tolkien collection because, honestly, how could I resist that Treebeard Duck? And the Éowyn Duck. And the Balrog Duck (I mean, it’s a duck—at least the wings make sense now). Oh, and the Ringwraith Duck, because somehow, I've unintentionally started a mini Witch-king and Ringwraith collection… but we’re not going to talk about that.
Anyway, let me know if you end up adopting one of these quacky little treasures!
Podcasts & Videos
I’ve got a Nerd of the Rings double-feature for you today!
First up is his newest video release, “What if Gandalf Didn’t Return?” As always, it features a stunning buffet of Tolkien-inspired artwork and dives into the fascinating scenario of what might have happened if Gandalf had not returned after his fateful battle with the Balrog atop Zirakzigil. I especially love his What If videos because they highlight just how crucial Tolkien’s original plot choices are while giving us a chance to imagine alternate possibilities.
Second, there’s an exciting new project announcement: Nerdhammer, a podcast all about Warhammer! If you’re a fan of both Warhammer and Tolkien’s works, you may already know about the overlap, like the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game. If not, I highly recommend checking it out. Nerd of the Rings’s enthusiasm is absolutely infectious, and his content is always a joy to watch (or listen to).
Be sure to check out both the video and the podcast!
Writings (blogs, books, etc.)
Dive Into Middle-earth with Tom Hillman
One of my absolute favorite Middle-earth blogs is “Alas, Not Me”, written by Tom Hillman, the author of the recently released and deeply thought-provoking book Pity, Power, and Tolkien’s Ring. This brilliant work, shortlisted for The Tolkien Society’s Best Book Award in 2024, is a must-read for anyone wanting to explore Tolkien’s world with fresh insight.
Tom’s blog reflects the same keen intellect, wit, and deeply considered perspective found in his book. His essays are packed with insightful commentary, laced with unexpected humor and snark, and are delightfully easy to read—making them essential for any Tolkien fan diving deeper into Middle-earth.
A little about Tom: He’s a native New Yorker with a rich heritage and a lifelong love of stories, languages, and myths. His upbringing was steeped in tales of fairy mounds, baseball legends, and the history of Ireland, alongside languages like Gaelic, Latin, and Old English (though, in his words, he doesn’t claim to speak any of them). A former scholar of Roman history, Tom eventually turned his focus to myth, where he finds truth amidst the chaos of the modern world. Today, his writings on Tolkien and Beowulf resonate with his passion for storytelling and his unmatched ability to weave historical and literary insights into everything he shares.
I can’t recommend Tom’s book and blog enough—they’re absolute treasures for anyone who loves Middle-earth and wants to explore Tolkien’s work on a deeper level.
