Nick Polk (he/him)

For those on here who are new friends, my name is Nick and I spend most of my time reading and writing about Tolkien, religion, and pop culture. I do most of my writing on my Substack Tolkien Pop! and have a book out if you are interested in Tolkien and Pop Culture! a.co/d/cFbzzH5

Got to sit down and talk with Will Rose about his recent sabbatical, where he reread The Lord of the Rings for the first time in a long time. He shares his recent interpretations and Tolkien takes! tolkienpop.substack.com/p/will-rose-...

Dale

I don’t normally have lucid dreams, but last night I dreamt I met His Holiness the Dalai Lama in a dreamscape mall, where he was dressed in 1960s noir as a disguise. I got a pic with him, but he couldn’t stay long to chat because he was looking for his son. Any interpretations? Lol

Had a student tell me I cooked with this one and asked if they could write it on the board. Have I made it as an educator? Lol

There is no “boys will be boys” when it comes to the assault of women and erasure of their bodies and experience

Just posted my first academic conference presentation that I gave back in 2021 on Tolkien memes, Linda Hutcheon’s theory of adaptation, and Tolkien’s theory of Escape as an aspect of fairy-story tolkienpop.substack.com/p/taking-com...

If theology is comprised hierarchically and/or with a strict focus on obedience then the religious systems that follow will be informed by that same theology, resulting in oppressive systems that emphasize blind trust in institutional power and discipline on those who don’t agree with that theology

Hobbit Day is tomorrow. Before getting all your LOTR and fall shenanigans in, why not check out chapters from my upcoming fantasy novel, The Broken Crescent. All my writing is free and you can read it at the links at my bio and story! tolkienpop.substack.com/p/chapter-9-...

My friend Ryan Does and I talked about horror and Tolkien. If you want more, you can watch it here: youtu.be/H23xqJZPAFY?...

Dude, Meryl Streep as Aslan sounds rad as hell

Happy 49th anniversary to The Silmarillion! Posthumously published because of the editorial work of J.R.R. Tolkien’s son Christopher, this was the first book that gave audiences insight into the further depths of the legendarium. The History of Middle-earth and countless Tolkien texts would follow

I began rereading the His Dark Materials series and as I return to these books, the more clear it becomes that most of Philip Pullman’s critics do not understand these books in the slightest. One of the greatest fantasy series of all time and it deserves more attention by fans and scholars

Hello, my pet!

Recent Tolkien scholarship acquisition from the GOAT herself

Got to sit down and talk with Tom Hermans-Webster about Tolkien, Dungeons & Dragons, and spiritual formation. It’s a good time! tolkienpop.substack.com/p/dr-thomas-...

Another edition of the all things Tolkien newsletter, the Roving Ranger, has just been sent to its subscribers. Including: The World of CJRT; nazg.eu & EstelCon; TolkienPop vs. genAI; Shire Walking-Party; A Short Rest; Colbert at the end of the world and much more... steady.page/en/thetolkie...

RIP to J.R.R. Tolkien, the man who kicked off fantasy as we know it. His work and life changed mine forever. May we create, live, and drink well in his memory 🍻

Got to talk with @trippfuller.bsky.social about Tolkien’s apocalyptic vision, The Rings of Power, and Theology Beer Camp. It was a lot of fun tolkienpop.substack.com/p/dr-tripp-f...

Wrote an open letter to the editors at Amon Hen about a recently featured article entitled “The Palantír of the 21st Century: Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)” by Tom Martin, an investor in the company Palantir. I make my concerns clear tolkienpop.substack.com/p/an-open-le...

Thanks to @tolkienpop.substack.com for an excellent, eloquent, and quick response to a very disappointing article in the @tolkiensociety.org's most recent issue of Amon Hen, written by an AI professional and Palantir investor. tolkienpop.substack.com/p/an-open-le...

Stay this madness!

Just received this awesome shirt from one of my Substack supporters! Thanks for the support and only political candidates that could meet the challenges of power in this age 🫡

Edition 195 of the all things Tolkienian newsletter, the Roving Ranger, is out now. Including... Online art exhibition; Barcelona turns into Middle-earth; Omentielva in France; Middle-earth gaming day in Dresden; New Jersey TS meetup at Princeton; the Finns' autumn moot.. And so much more...

🚨 GIVEAWAY 🚨 Aspyr Media has released The Lord of the Rings™ War in the North™ Legacy Edition and I’m giving away 6 codes for the game! How to enter: 1️⃣ Like and comment on this post 2️⃣ Follow me or subscribe to my Substack (link in bio) 3️⃣ Winners will be selected Tuesday, August 18th

Just posted Chapter 6 of my upcoming fantasy novel “The Broken Crescent.” Others have been reading and giving me feedback on the book and I’d love to hear what you think after reading it! open.substack.com/pub/tolkienp...

New record in anticipation for Season 3 of The Rings of Power

Just posted the fifth chapter of my upcoming fantasy novel! You can read it for free. This chapter features the first battle sequence. Would love to hear how you thought I did ⚔️ open.substack.com/pub/tolkienp...

Just posted the latest episode of the Tolkien Pop! podcast with @sorinahiggins.bsky.social where talk Tolkien, The Inklings, and how their words influenced and continue to influence the world open.substack.com/pub/tolkienp...

What’s up with the only LOTR fan club thing? Is anyone on it?

Just posted Chapter 4 of my upcoming fantasy novel. It’s free to read and I’d love to hear what you think of it! open.substack.com/pub/tolkienp...

Was stoked to return to the Summer Series hosted by Hendersonville Church of the Nazarene. Here’s the recording of our discussion on Tolkien and eucatastrophe! www.youtube.com/live/MDZB_tj...

I do not deny my heart has greatly desired this

One of my favorite recent pickups

I’m currently working on a fantasy novel and next week I’ll be releasing chapter 4. Before then, I’m sharing some world building notes to paid members that include maps, character summaries, enchanted objects, and cultural lore. Would love to hear what you think! open.substack.com/pub/tolkienp...

I mean, I’d be stressed too

Baruk Khazâd!

Talk about deus ex machina

Pippin, every time Gandalf reprimands him

In light of Sony’s announcement to stop producing physical copies of their games, just wanna say I recently picked up an OG copy of GOTY edition of Oblivion and am playing it for the first time and am stoked that I’ll be able to rely on owning it for future playthroughs

Just posted the latest episode of the Tolkien Pop! podcast where I got to hang with @roberttally.bsky.social and talk about his book The Mismeasure of Orcs. It’s a good time 🤘 open.substack.com/pub/tolkienp...

All the America 250 celebrations across the country are just this and it’s honestly heartbreaking. Literally the worst time for the U.S. to turn a quarter of a century

Just posted the third chapter of my upcoming fantasy novel with the working title “The Broken Crescent.” If you’re into that sort of thing, I would encourage you to give it a read. I’d love to hear what you think! open.substack.com/pub/tolkienp...

@thetolkienist.com has an amazing list here. The tech bros (aka enemies of humanity) who are looking to plunder the world at the expense of our lives are using Tolkien’s invented words to do it. Something everyone, including Tolkien fans, needs to be aware of open.substack.com/pub/thetolki...

Why is Princess Donut the GOAT, for real? Lol

Someone once told me

Frodo, after Bilbo leaves the Shire: I hope Bilbo is alright How Frodo finds Bilbo in Rivendell, after a horrifying journey and being stabbed by a Nazgûl:

Mmmm love me a good dose of despair - Denethor

Had a great time hanging with Nick.

Got to talk with @alas-not-me.bsky.social for the latest Tolkien Pop! podcast and had way too much fun talking about Pity, Power, Tolkien, and more! open.substack.com/pub/tolkienp...

Just finished the first Dungeon Crawler Carl book—and the hype is real