Ross Raymond Nunamaker

My fandom can be defined in four basic phases, Hello World, Hello World II, Online Engagement, and Full Immersion.

Hello World Phase

I first came across Tolkien’s work when I was in 6th grade, which would have been in 1982. I summarized it in Luke Shelton’s Tolkien Experience: https://luke-shelton.com/2018/11/20/rossrns-tolkien-experience-project-29/

I know it was in that year that I saw the animated movie, got the Commodore 64 “game”, and read the books for the first time. Though in which order is hard now to recall. My telling in Luke’s project, tellingly, is best represented by Bilbo’s not quite telling the truth regarding his finding of the Ring. I didn’t actually buy the books. I borrowed them from a friend, had them for a second or third read, and when I found out he was moving, I never offered, but waited for him to ask for them back. When he failed to do so, I took them as my own.

From 6th grade through high school I read everything else I could get my hands on, which was Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, Book of Lost Tales I, and Book of Lost Tales II. 

In college, I found his non-legendarium short-stories and read many of those.

Hello World, Again Phase

I had the fortune of being able to experience reading Tolkien for the first time, a second time, when I cut a deal with my then six year old daughter. This would have been around 2003. She had seen Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone and wanted me to read it to her at bedtime. Our deal was I’d read her the series (they weren’t all out then), but only after I read her the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. 

She agreed. I read. I genuinely came to appreciate how well written the books were by reading them aloud, hearing my daughter’s questions, seeing them most often being answered in the next paragraph, and thinking about them through her eyes and my perspective being in a new era of my life from when I’d first read them myself.

Online Engagement

Having rekindled my interest in Tolkien, I began reading and buying other books, such as the ones I’d read previously, Silmarillion, etc., along with new HoME books I hadn’t read.

In 2011, when it launched I joined Google+ and engaged in some Tolkien related groups. Jerry Burns invited me to a private group he was building for Tolkien fans. I have to publicly thank him for doing so, as at that point in time, I was seriously under-qualified to be a part of it and I read and listened more than I commented.

In addition to Jerry, who some of you may know as a moderator of the FB Prancy Pony Podcast group, the above mentioned Luke Shelton was a member. Author, Tom Hillman who I mentioned in my last post, was a member, as were Shawn and Alan from the PPP, though they were ‘late’ to the party (Google+ got shut down not too long after they joined – roughly 2019). I don’t recall the other names, but I do remember a professor based in Israel, a PhD student from Russia, and several other academics.

It was an amazing group of people from whom to read about what they were studying, researching, and interpretations on Tolkien and themes in his words.

Full Immersion – Current Stage

In 2020 Oxonmoot was available online. I believe it was for the first time and for something like $35 USD for three days of talks, I signed up. Before the opening address the chat was lit up and despite all the messages I managed to connect with two people who were also from Pennsylvania.

Following the event, we got in touch and the 2nd Breakfast Smial of Pennsylvania was reborn. For those who don’t know, the Tolkien Society has Smials which are local groups of fans who get together to discuss Tolkien. In our case, we mostly use Zoom, because we aren’t that close to everyone, though there are a few times we’ve gotten together in person or meet up at events.

At this point we started meeting once a month and they suggested I submit a presentation on Turin for Oxonmoot. I pushed back, saying I was a fan, but not a scholar. They encouraged me and I trusted them. It was a great experience and I’ve done it every since 2021. I’ve also spoken at the last two New York Tolkien Conferences.

Our Smial has become renowned for our video ENT at Oxonmoot. An ENT is entertainment. Traditionally, this was in person, but with the advent of the online element the category/option was created and we stepped in full-force. To be honest they drug me along. Cos-play is not my thing and while I appreciate theater, I hadn’t acted since my 6th grade elementary school play.

I’ve now been Gimli, Turin, and Merry. I’ve had a rap battle as Turin with Aragorn, Calvin Drake, editor of Amon Hen, another member of our group. We are fortunate to have Betsy Chapman with a theatre background, Joan Freeman, our technical and production genius, and Diane Dichter, who is always up for crafting scripts.

I’ve met great people online and in person at events. Everyone has a unique and varied background from one another with a common thread – a love of the Professor’s work.

Regardless of what stage you are in with your fandom, be open to groups and join the Tolkien Society. They “are an educational charity and literary society devoted to the study and promotion of the life and works of the author and academic J.R.R. Tolkien.” They have resources, events, and Smials. 

Engage and Enjoy!