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Luke Shelton, PhD

@lukebshelton.bsky.social

2.6K followers 140 following 370 posts

Tolkien scholar. Creator/Co-host of Tolkien Experience. Editor of Mallorn: The Journal of the Tolkien Society. He/Him https://linktr.ee/LukeShelton

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Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · Nov 7

Hello new followers! A short thread with info about who you followed:

I have a PhD in English Literature. My dissertation focused on the way that young readers interpret #Tolkien’s #LOTR. It was supervised by @dimitrafimi.bsky.social, and is free online: theses.gla.ac.uk/81312/ 1/6

‘Small Hands Do Them Because They Must’: examining the reception of The Lord of the Rings among young readers - Enlighten Theses

theses.gla.ac.uk

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Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · 8d

We frequently do a reading of Dracula or Night in the Lonesome October during Halloween season!

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Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · 9d

Shortly after I defended my viva, I met with some graduate students to do a Q and A about the process. One of them asked, “what are you going to do next?” And my answer was “learn how to be human again.” A PhD just takes so much that I honestly needed to remember how to do things like “have fun.”

Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · 14d

*Any new LOTR thing is announced*

Me: Ok but does it involve complex interpersonal relationships that break down masculine stereotypes

Jeremy @tolkienguide.com · 14d

*Any new LOTR thing is announced*

Me: Ok but does it involve dragons

MGCoco | Tolkientober 🎨 @mgcoco.bsky.social · 15d

*Any new LOTR thing is announced*

Me: Ok but does it involve Elrond

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Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · 14d

I think you and @jrrtastrochick.bsky.social would be good friends 🤣

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Reposted by Luke Shelton, PhD

BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 18d

It's that time again.
For the next 24 hours, drop any infectious disease and/or vaccine-related questions below in response to this post, and I will do my best to answer them. Responses are for information only and are NOT medical advice.
#AskAnIDDoc September 2025 edition.

a poster that says science does n't lie on a blue background

ALT: a poster that says science does n't lie on a blue background

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Luke Shelton, PhD

BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 18d

This is the most anti-science thing I have watched today.
What is most shocking about this is all of these statements are being made without any scientific evidence to back it up.
There are very few safe options to treat pain and fever in pregnancy so this is also an attack on women's health.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 18d

what the hell did Tylenol ever do to this guy?

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Reposted by Luke Shelton, PhD

Tolkien Society @tolkiensociety.org · 20d

On 21 September 1937: J.R.R. #Tolkien's The Hobbit was published.

The book tells of a hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, and his journey with thirteen dwarves to recover their treasure from a dragon, Smaug. It's sold over 100 million copies and is one of the best-selling books of all time. #BookSky

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Reposted by Luke Shelton, PhD

Tom Emanuel @realtomemanuel.bsky.social · 29d

If you've not read this essay, or even if you have, I can't recommend it enough. In the first place, it's incredibly insightful, well-written, and proof positive that brilliant Tolkien scholarship can and does happen outside the academy. In the second place, it makes me cry.

Tori @itstoriello.bsky.social · Sep 11

Back from Oxonmoot and digesting everything I've read, heard, and learned and had to revisit Lee's article, especially after having finally finished reading the whole of Lord of the Rings. @mollyostertag.bsky.social
www.polygon.com/lord-of-the-...

Queer readings of The Lord of the Rings are not accidents

Following breadcrumbs to find ourselves, in history and fiction

www.polygon.com

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Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · Sep 6

Thanks for the kind words, I’m glad my research is interesting!

Reposted by Luke Shelton, PhD

Westmoot @westmoot.org · Sep 5

From all of us at Westmoot, we hope everyone has a great time this weekend at #Oxonmoot, whether you are attending in-person or online!

Pictured here is Frodo Baggins- oops, we meant Zak Francis, carrying the Ring to Mordor and making a quick stop at #Westmoot25.

#westmoot #intothewest

Westmoot 2025 attendee, Zak Francis, dressed as Frodo Baggins in a green waistcoat, is holding Sting and a yellow ring, appearing heroic as he presents the One Ring to the audience.

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Reposted by Luke Shelton, PhD

Athrabeth Podcast @podcast.athrabeth.com · Sep 5

Westmoot folks who are attending Oxonmoot this weekend- we’re going to take a Westmoot group photo in front of the dining hall at 11:30! Spread the word!

#westmoot #oxonmoot #intothewest

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Reposted by Luke Shelton, PhD

Westmoot @westmoot.org · Sep 5

Westmoot folks who are attending Oxonmoot this weekend- we’re going to take a Westmoot group photo in front of the dining hall at 11:30! Spread the word! See you soon!

#westmoot #oxonmoot #intothewest

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Reposted by Luke Shelton, PhD

Athrabeth Podcast @podcast.athrabeth.com · Sep 3

When you first read the LotR, which character did you most relate to?

This month, Dr. Luke Shelton @lukebshelton.bsky.social explores reader response theory and the ways that personal experience and interpretation interact with criticism.

Thanks, Luke!

athrabeth.simplecast.com/episodes/epi...

A graphic with text that reads, “Lesser-trod path with Dr. Luke Shelton” and “Athrabeth episode 86” with three images of co-hosts Stef and Jude, and guest host Luke Shelton.

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Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · Sep 3

I apologize to your listeners for making it an hour and a half episode, hah!

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Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · Sep 3

This was such a fun and engaging experience!

Thanks so much to @podcast.athrabeth.com for having me!

Athrabeth Podcast @podcast.athrabeth.com · Sep 3

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Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · Aug 30

Huzzah! A way to get some of your excellent scholarship AND incredible artwork, all in one convenient package!

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Reposted by Luke Shelton, PhD

Prof. Dimitra Fimi @dimitrafimi.bsky.social · Aug 29

Eglerio! My series editor’s copy of @joelmerriner.bsky.social’s Illustrating The Lord of the Rings in the Soviet Bloc: Iconographies of Difference has just arrived! The book will be available from 18 Sep - details here: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/illustrat...
@uofgfantasy.bsky.social @tolkiensociety.org

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Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · Aug 25

Honestly, I would pay good money to see his take on Saruman. Make him ruthless. See what he does with it.

Like how Henry Fonda was cast as Frank in Once Upon a Time in the West.

Reposted by Luke Shelton, PhD

Craig Franson @craigfranson.bsky.social · Aug 13

"Which Way, Western Man" is a notorious 1978, neo-Nazi classic by eugenicist William Gayley Simpson. It blames Jews for the racial destruction of the modern world and calls for a violent, global "revolution" modeled on Hitler's genocidal anti-Jewish campaign. /1

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Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · Aug 9

That’s awful, I’m sorry

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Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · Aug 1

Thanks for the mention, happy to help!

Reposted by Luke Shelton, PhD

TMJ4 News @tmj4.com · Jul 31

The journey to Middle-earth and understanding J. R. R. Tolkien begins inside Marquette University's archives, which has more than 11,000 pages of drafts for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

The archivist in charge of 11,000 pages of original Lord of the Rings drafts at Marquette University

The journey to Middle-earth and understanding J. R. R. Tolkien begins inside Marquette University's archives, which has more than 11,000 pages of drafts for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

www.tmj4.com

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Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · Jul 28

Something something, don’t throw rocks…

Reposted by Luke Shelton, PhD

Chaucer Doth Tweet @levostregc.bsky.social · Jul 27

Shorte filme concept:

Post-credits scenes for everye Shakespeare playe

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Luke Shelton, PhD @lukebshelton.bsky.social · Jul 23

Congratulations!