Presenting in front of a non-fanfic audience, I did go in with my guard a bit raised. I expected questions about the legality of fanfic, for instance, and thought through my response to those kinds of questions. But everyone was very supportive. (It did help, I suspect, that Professor Olsen had earlier in the day talked about his own evolving views on fanfic, from viewing it somewhat disdainfully as "mere fanfic" to understanding it as a legitimate way to engage with the texts.) Two of my fellow panelists also spoke on forms of art and criticism that are also often dismissed: video games and Internet memes. After my presentation, several people came out of the woodwork as fanfic writers and wanted to talk about it, which was really cool.

The commentary on Tolkien's translation is a goldmine for a Tolkien scholar. There are tantalizing glimpses of Middle-earth in there. I am actually in the process of writing up a Tumblr post about how he used Scyld Scefing as inspiration for his Ardaverse.

I'm smiling at your topic because my rough idea for my MA thesis? Nostalgia in Beowulf ... :D