Anna Smol
@annasmol.bsky.social
Professor Emerita Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, with interests in Tolkien Studies, medievalism, Old English, translation studies, fandom.
I’m honoured to have a chapter in this volume on visualization, both on Tolkien’s visualizations as he composed his stories and on ways that viewers can imaginatively engage with his invented worlds through illustrations. I can’t wait to read the whole book!
Submitted today! Following a few years of rigorous peer-review and working with my co-editor @lukebshelton.bsky.social and many Tolkienists!
- 44 chapters
- 46 Tolkien scholars globally
- over 280K words overall
Still tons of work to do as proofs arrive, but feels like a moment to celebrate. ☺️
- 44 chapters
- 46 Tolkien scholars globally
- over 280K words overall
Still tons of work to do as proofs arrive, but feels like a moment to celebrate. ☺️
January 30, 2026 at 5:03 PM
I’m honoured to have a chapter in this volume on visualization, both on Tolkien’s visualizations as he composed his stories and on ways that viewers can imaginatively engage with his invented worlds through illustrations. I can’t wait to read the whole book!
Bill 12 misses the real cost crisis in Nova Scotia universities www.halifaxexaminer.ca/commentary/b...
Bill 12 misses the real cost crisis in Nova Scotia universities - Halifax Examiner
The bill directs its strongest tools toward academic restructuring while bypassing scrutiny of how universities are funded, governed, and managed financially. If sustainability is the objective, then ...
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
January 26, 2026 at 6:01 AM
Bill 12 misses the real cost crisis in Nova Scotia universities www.halifaxexaminer.ca/commentary/b...
Reposted by Anna Smol
I'm excited to share that you can now pre-order your copy of this forthcoming intervention in the Gothic. I have a piece on the Windigo in it! @universitypress.cambridge.org @msvuenglish.bsky.social @igagoths.bsky.social
www.cambridge.org/se/universit...
www.cambridge.org/se/universit...
The Cambridge Companion to World-Gothic Literature | Cambridge University Press & Assessment
www.cambridge.org
January 22, 2026 at 2:08 PM
I'm excited to share that you can now pre-order your copy of this forthcoming intervention in the Gothic. I have a piece on the Windigo in it! @universitypress.cambridge.org @msvuenglish.bsky.social @igagoths.bsky.social
www.cambridge.org/se/universit...
www.cambridge.org/se/universit...
Reposted by Anna Smol
The #Tolkien Family Album was published 34 years ago this week. Here are a few gems from this rare book:
dimitrafimi.substack.com/p/a-few-gems...
Included are some thoughts about the early years of the @tolkiensociety.org and an absent friend…
dimitrafimi.substack.com/p/a-few-gems...
Included are some thoughts about the early years of the @tolkiensociety.org and an absent friend…
January 11, 2026 at 9:05 AM
The #Tolkien Family Album was published 34 years ago this week. Here are a few gems from this rare book:
dimitrafimi.substack.com/p/a-few-gems...
Included are some thoughts about the early years of the @tolkiensociety.org and an absent friend…
dimitrafimi.substack.com/p/a-few-gems...
Included are some thoughts about the early years of the @tolkiensociety.org and an absent friend…
Reposted by Anna Smol
#Westmoot26 is delighted to announce our keynote speaker, Dr. Sara Brown! Dr. Brown is the Director of the Graduate Program and Chair of the Language and Literature Faculty at Signum University. #intothewest #westmoot #signumuniversity @signumuniversity.bsky.social @aranelparmadil.bsky.social
January 11, 2026 at 12:27 AM
#Westmoot26 is delighted to announce our keynote speaker, Dr. Sara Brown! Dr. Brown is the Director of the Graduate Program and Chair of the Language and Literature Faculty at Signum University. #intothewest #westmoot #signumuniversity @signumuniversity.bsky.social @aranelparmadil.bsky.social
Reposted by Anna Smol
Conservatives destroy public goods, privatize them to their corporate donors, then cry when citizens demand that they take responsibility for their incompetence and inability to actually run businesses without subsidies.
Thank god they own enough media to distract you from their ineptitude.
Thank god they own enough media to distract you from their ineptitude.
January 10, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Conservatives destroy public goods, privatize them to their corporate donors, then cry when citizens demand that they take responsibility for their incompetence and inability to actually run businesses without subsidies.
Thank god they own enough media to distract you from their ineptitude.
Thank god they own enough media to distract you from their ineptitude.
Reposted by Anna Smol
**CFP** for Session at the 2026 annual conference of the Canadian Society of Medievalists, 26-29 May 2026 in beautiful Antigonish, NS!
Understanding Medieval Race-Making: see attached for details or visit our webpage www.canadianmedievalists.org/Calls-for-Pa...
Understanding Medieval Race-Making: see attached for details or visit our webpage www.canadianmedievalists.org/Calls-for-Pa...
November 21, 2025 at 9:11 PM
**CFP** for Session at the 2026 annual conference of the Canadian Society of Medievalists, 26-29 May 2026 in beautiful Antigonish, NS!
Understanding Medieval Race-Making: see attached for details or visit our webpage www.canadianmedievalists.org/Calls-for-Pa...
Understanding Medieval Race-Making: see attached for details or visit our webpage www.canadianmedievalists.org/Calls-for-Pa...
Reposted by Anna Smol
**CFP** for Session at the 2026 annual conference of the Canadian Society of Medievalists, 26-29 May 2026 in beautiful Antigonish NS!
You are on Native Land: Understanding Medieval Studies in Turtle Island: see attached for details or visit our webpage www.canadianmedievalists.org/Calls-for-Pa...
You are on Native Land: Understanding Medieval Studies in Turtle Island: see attached for details or visit our webpage www.canadianmedievalists.org/Calls-for-Pa...
November 21, 2025 at 9:14 PM
**CFP** for Session at the 2026 annual conference of the Canadian Society of Medievalists, 26-29 May 2026 in beautiful Antigonish NS!
You are on Native Land: Understanding Medieval Studies in Turtle Island: see attached for details or visit our webpage www.canadianmedievalists.org/Calls-for-Pa...
You are on Native Land: Understanding Medieval Studies in Turtle Island: see attached for details or visit our webpage www.canadianmedievalists.org/Calls-for-Pa...
Reposted by Anna Smol
**CFP** for Session at the 2026 annual conference of the Canadian Society of Medievalists, 26-29 May 2026 in beautiful Antigonish, NS!
Medieval Engagements with Disability: see attached for details or visit our webpage www.canadianmedievalists.org/Calls-for-Pa...
Medieval Engagements with Disability: see attached for details or visit our webpage www.canadianmedievalists.org/Calls-for-Pa...
November 21, 2025 at 9:07 PM
**CFP** for Session at the 2026 annual conference of the Canadian Society of Medievalists, 26-29 May 2026 in beautiful Antigonish, NS!
Medieval Engagements with Disability: see attached for details or visit our webpage www.canadianmedievalists.org/Calls-for-Pa...
Medieval Engagements with Disability: see attached for details or visit our webpage www.canadianmedievalists.org/Calls-for-Pa...
Reposted by Anna Smol
#Westmoot26 invites proposals for papers related to the life & works of JRR Tolkien! The theme of 2026 is Hope/Eucatastrophe. All proposals are welcomed and will be considered. Please submit your proposal at our webpage by March 1. #tolkien #westmoot #intothewest
January 8, 2026 at 12:00 AM
#Westmoot26 invites proposals for papers related to the life & works of JRR Tolkien! The theme of 2026 is Hope/Eucatastrophe. All proposals are welcomed and will be considered. Please submit your proposal at our webpage by March 1. #tolkien #westmoot #intothewest
Reposted by Anna Smol
'Creative Medievalisms Now: Writing the Middle Ages Today and Tomorrow', forthcoming symposium at Cambridge. A two-day symposium for writer-researchers working on medieval materials to reflect on craft, research processes, and work in progress.
Booking essential: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-m...
Booking essential: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-m...
Creative Medievalisms Now: Writing the Middle Ages Today and Tomorrow
A two-day symposium on creative writing, the creative-critical seam, and the Middle Ages
www.eventbrite.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM
'Creative Medievalisms Now: Writing the Middle Ages Today and Tomorrow', forthcoming symposium at Cambridge. A two-day symposium for writer-researchers working on medieval materials to reflect on craft, research processes, and work in progress.
Booking essential: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-m...
Booking essential: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-m...
Reposted by Anna Smol
We are pleased to announce the CFP for 2026's #Mythcon54 is now live! Mythcon is a hybrid conference, the in-person component being along Route 66 in Weatherford, OK (where our archives are!) The deadline for proposals is March 31, 2026. Hope to see you there! CFP: www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mc54...
Call for Papers - Mythcon 54
www.mythsoc.org
December 26, 2025 at 11:12 PM
We are pleased to announce the CFP for 2026's #Mythcon54 is now live! Mythcon is a hybrid conference, the in-person component being along Route 66 in Weatherford, OK (where our archives are!) The deadline for proposals is March 31, 2026. Hope to see you there! CFP: www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mc54...
Reposted by Anna Smol
Many university presses have holiday sales this time of year. Here's some of the books of Tolkien scholarship you can get for discounts right now:
November 17, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Many university presses have holiday sales this time of year. Here's some of the books of Tolkien scholarship you can get for discounts right now:
Reposted by Anna Smol
Now through 12/31/25, Kent State University Press is having a 60th anniversary sale.
Enter the code KSUP60 at checkout and receive 40% off plus free shipping. They have books on Tolkien, C.S Lewis, and the Inklings. Obviously, my book is there, but there's also FIVE by Verlyn Flieger. #tolkien
Enter the code KSUP60 at checkout and receive 40% off plus free shipping. They have books on Tolkien, C.S Lewis, and the Inklings. Obviously, my book is there, but there's also FIVE by Verlyn Flieger. #tolkien
November 15, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Now through 12/31/25, Kent State University Press is having a 60th anniversary sale.
Enter the code KSUP60 at checkout and receive 40% off plus free shipping. They have books on Tolkien, C.S Lewis, and the Inklings. Obviously, my book is there, but there's also FIVE by Verlyn Flieger. #tolkien
Enter the code KSUP60 at checkout and receive 40% off plus free shipping. They have books on Tolkien, C.S Lewis, and the Inklings. Obviously, my book is there, but there's also FIVE by Verlyn Flieger. #tolkien
Reposted by Anna Smol
This may be of interest:
"Empowering Voices: The Influence of Old Norse Mythology on Women’s Writing from 1950-2012"
The chosen authors to examine are Sylvia Plath, A.S. Byatt, and Kathleen Jamie.
ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid...
"Empowering Voices: The Influence of Old Norse Mythology on Women’s Writing from 1950-2012"
The chosen authors to examine are Sylvia Plath, A.S. Byatt, and Kathleen Jamie.
ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid...
November 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
This may be of interest:
"Empowering Voices: The Influence of Old Norse Mythology on Women’s Writing from 1950-2012"
The chosen authors to examine are Sylvia Plath, A.S. Byatt, and Kathleen Jamie.
ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid...
"Empowering Voices: The Influence of Old Norse Mythology on Women’s Writing from 1950-2012"
The chosen authors to examine are Sylvia Plath, A.S. Byatt, and Kathleen Jamie.
ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid...
Reposted by Anna Smol
The CSM Online: Tune in Wednesday 5 Nov. 2025, at 11am EST to hear 2025 Boyle Prize Winner Laura Moncion talk about her dissertation, "Being a Recluse is No Small Thing: Late Medieval Women’s Reclusion in Theory and Practice."
Register for the Zoom link: forms.gle/n6LJh7JYKvRD...
Register for the Zoom link: forms.gle/n6LJh7JYKvRD...
Laura Moncion – Boyle Prize Presentation / Colloque du prix Boyle - REGISTRATION / INSCRIPTION
On 5 Nov. 2025 at 11h00 (EST), the Canadian Society of Medievalists will hold its second annual Boyle Prize Online Presentation, when Laura Moncion, the winner of the Society's Leonard E. Boyle Prize ...
forms.gle
October 6, 2025 at 6:12 PM
The CSM Online: Tune in Wednesday 5 Nov. 2025, at 11am EST to hear 2025 Boyle Prize Winner Laura Moncion talk about her dissertation, "Being a Recluse is No Small Thing: Late Medieval Women’s Reclusion in Theory and Practice."
Register for the Zoom link: forms.gle/n6LJh7JYKvRD...
Register for the Zoom link: forms.gle/n6LJh7JYKvRD...
Reposted by Anna Smol
386 – Got to Get You into My Life
Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we find ourselves moving swiftly through our 10-part series on Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales.
pdst.fm/e/chrt.fm/tr...
Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we find ourselves moving swiftly through our 10-part series on Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales.
pdst.fm/e/chrt.fm/tr...
October 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM
386 – Got to Get You into My Life
Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we find ourselves moving swiftly through our 10-part series on Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales.
pdst.fm/e/chrt.fm/tr...
Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we find ourselves moving swiftly through our 10-part series on Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales.
pdst.fm/e/chrt.fm/tr...
Reposted by Anna Smol
I am going to bea keynote speaker at the Prancing Pony Podcast Moot 2025 this December 18-21. The theme of the moot is “Creating Historical Depth within Fantastical Worlds.”
theprancingponypodcast.com/moot/
My working title is:
“From Words to Worlds: Elvish Roots of Tolkien’s Mythology.”
theprancingponypodcast.com/moot/
My working title is:
“From Words to Worlds: Elvish Roots of Tolkien’s Mythology.”
The Prancing Pony Podcast Moot 2025 – The Prancing Pony Podcast
theprancingponypodcast.com
October 4, 2025 at 2:41 AM
I am going to bea keynote speaker at the Prancing Pony Podcast Moot 2025 this December 18-21. The theme of the moot is “Creating Historical Depth within Fantastical Worlds.”
theprancingponypodcast.com/moot/
My working title is:
“From Words to Worlds: Elvish Roots of Tolkien’s Mythology.”
theprancingponypodcast.com/moot/
My working title is:
“From Words to Worlds: Elvish Roots of Tolkien’s Mythology.”
Reposted by Anna Smol
New Tolkien Society publication!
Releasing on 25 November, "Númenor, the Mighty and Frail" includes 10 articles relating to Númenor, and its legacy. Edited by @willsherwood.bsky.social and published by @lunapress.bsky.social, it's now available to pre-order. www.tolkiensociety.org/2025/10/new-...
Releasing on 25 November, "Númenor, the Mighty and Frail" includes 10 articles relating to Númenor, and its legacy. Edited by @willsherwood.bsky.social and published by @lunapress.bsky.social, it's now available to pre-order. www.tolkiensociety.org/2025/10/new-...
New Tolkien Society publication – <em>Númenor, The Mighty and Frail</em>
The Tolkien Society is pleased to announce that Númenor, the Mighty and Frail: Proceedings of The Tolkien Society Seminar 2023, the twenty-fifth book in the Peter Roe series, is now available to pre-o...
www.tolkiensociety.org
October 7, 2025 at 4:47 PM
New Tolkien Society publication!
Releasing on 25 November, "Númenor, the Mighty and Frail" includes 10 articles relating to Númenor, and its legacy. Edited by @willsherwood.bsky.social and published by @lunapress.bsky.social, it's now available to pre-order. www.tolkiensociety.org/2025/10/new-...
Releasing on 25 November, "Númenor, the Mighty and Frail" includes 10 articles relating to Númenor, and its legacy. Edited by @willsherwood.bsky.social and published by @lunapress.bsky.social, it's now available to pre-order. www.tolkiensociety.org/2025/10/new-...
Reposted by Anna Smol
Good interview with @RichardOvenden on the upcoming release of the NEW #Tolkien book The Bovadium Fragments youtube.com/watch?v=IGuQ... @harpercollins.bsky.social
Richard Ovenden OBE talks Tolkien and The Bovadium Fragments
YouTube video by TolkienGuide
youtube.com
October 4, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Good interview with @RichardOvenden on the upcoming release of the NEW #Tolkien book The Bovadium Fragments youtube.com/watch?v=IGuQ... @harpercollins.bsky.social
Reposted by Anna Smol
@onthetrail.tolkienguide.com and myself interviewed @richove.bsky.social about the new #Tolkien book The Bovadium Fragments. You can read our review here www.tolkienguide.com/modules/newb...
The Bovadium Fragments: TolkienGuide review
=THE BOVADIUM FRAGMENTS: a review= INTRODUCTION Earlier this year it was announced by HarperCollins that they were due to publish for the first time &qu...
www.tolkienguide.com
October 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM
@onthetrail.tolkienguide.com and myself interviewed @richove.bsky.social about the new #Tolkien book The Bovadium Fragments. You can read our review here www.tolkienguide.com/modules/newb...
Free online seminar: Arda's Entangled Bodies and Environments, featuring analyses across Tolkien's works. October 18, sponsored by the Tolkien Society and the Uni. of Glasgow's Centre for Fantasy & the Fantastic. Details in the link or go to the Tolkien Society Events page. wp.me/p2vwHX-2gZ
October 2, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Free online seminar: Arda's Entangled Bodies and Environments, featuring analyses across Tolkien's works. October 18, sponsored by the Tolkien Society and the Uni. of Glasgow's Centre for Fantasy & the Fantastic. Details in the link or go to the Tolkien Society Events page. wp.me/p2vwHX-2gZ
An exciting new event: the inaugural European Conference on the Fantastic at University of Glasgow in June 2026. Theme:Fantasy’s Present Pasts. CfP in the link. fantasy.glasgow.ac.uk/index.php/20...
Fantasy’s Present Pasts – Call for Papers and Sessions – Centre for Fantasy and the Fantastic
fantasy.glasgow.ac.uk
October 1, 2025 at 2:35 PM
An exciting new event: the inaugural European Conference on the Fantastic at University of Glasgow in June 2026. Theme:Fantasy’s Present Pasts. CfP in the link. fantasy.glasgow.ac.uk/index.php/20...
Reposted by Anna Smol
Children and teens who had a Covid reinfection had a doubling of #LongCovid risk (PASC) and a significant increase in many other adverse outcomes (Figure) www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
September 30, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Children and teens who had a Covid reinfection had a doubling of #LongCovid risk (PASC) and a significant increase in many other adverse outcomes (Figure) www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Anna Smol
This month we discuss Oxonmoot and our session “Tolkien’s Try-hard Troublemakers” with Dr. Kristine Larsen and @aranelparmadil.bsky.social. Thank you Kris and Sara for joining us!
athrabeth.simplecast.com/episodes/epi...
For the slides, check out the episode on YouTube: youtu.be/i--2o37rayM
athrabeth.simplecast.com/episodes/epi...
For the slides, check out the episode on YouTube: youtu.be/i--2o37rayM
October 1, 2025 at 1:36 PM
This month we discuss Oxonmoot and our session “Tolkien’s Try-hard Troublemakers” with Dr. Kristine Larsen and @aranelparmadil.bsky.social. Thank you Kris and Sara for joining us!
athrabeth.simplecast.com/episodes/epi...
For the slides, check out the episode on YouTube: youtu.be/i--2o37rayM
athrabeth.simplecast.com/episodes/epi...
For the slides, check out the episode on YouTube: youtu.be/i--2o37rayM