Tag Archives: writing

Let’s Talk About Samwise Gamgee: Tolkien’s Greatest Characters on the Plunge Podcast with Derek Holser

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Brenton Dickieson

Ah, Sam, what a character. When Derek Holser reached out to me about his Tolkien’s Greatest Characters series on the Plunge, Samwise Gamgee came first to mind. The most hobbitish of heroes, the gardening guardian, most faithful companion of the fellowship, … Continue reading →

Posted in News & Links, Reflections, Thoughtful Essays | Tagged Derek Holser, film adaptation, friendship, Inklings, J.R.R. Tolkien, literature, Lord of the Rings, Samwise Gamgee, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Plunge Podcast, writing | 1 Comment

“At war with all wild things”: A Settler’s Reflections on C.S.Lewis and Indigenous Spaces (Iași, Romania)

Posted on November 14, 2025 by Brenton Dickieson

It is chilly and pouring rain here in Prince Edward Island … normal weather for the week of Remembrance Day. Anne of Green Gables and I both love Island Octobers, but I struggle with the dying-dark and dreary days of … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged C.S. Lewis, Canada, fantasy, Harry Potter, literature, Octavia E. Butler, Out of the Silent Planet, Prince Edward Island, The Horse and His Boy, The Last Battle, The Silver Chair, The Voyage of The Dawn Treader, writing | 17 Comments

Why is Anne in Space? On Reading L.M. Montgomery’s Realistic Novels as Fantasy

Posted on September 16, 2025 by

Right now, I am prepping for a conference panel tomorrow that I announced last week: “Cinderella Anne, Paranormal Emily, and Astral Heroines Everywhere: L.M. Montgomery and the Fantastic.” I’m working with with three fantastic scholars (see what I did there?): … Continue reading →

Posted in Fictional Worlds, L.M. Montgomery, News & Links | Tagged C.S. Lewis, Emily of New Moon, fantasy, fantasy literature, J.R.R. Tolkien, Jane of Lantern Hill, L.M. Montgomery, literature, Science Fiction, speculative fiction, The Blue Castle, VICFA, worldbuilding, writing | 7 Comments

Cinderella Anne, Paranormal Emily, and Astral Heroines Everywhere: L.M. Montgomery and the Fantastic (Virtual Conference Panel Wed, Sept 17, 8:00-9:30am ET)

Posted on September 9, 2025 by

Hello dear readers, here is a kind of Pilgrim in Narnia crossover moment: a panel on L.M. Montgomery and the Fantastic. Drs. Heidi Lawrence, Abigail Heiniger, Trinna Frever, and I are gathering in deep cyberspace to approach this topic from … Continue reading →

Posted in Fictional Worlds, L.M. Montgomery, News & Links | Tagged fantasy, fantasy literature, L.M. Montgomery, literature, Science Fiction, speculative fiction, VICFA, worldbuilding, writing | 6 Comments

I Won A Teaching Award! The MacLauchlan Prize for Effective Writing

Posted on February 12, 2025 by

Dr. Brenton Dickieson received the MacLauchlan Prize for Effective Writing at UPEI, recognizing his leadership in developing student writing. Awarded for his role in the Inquiry Studies course, he emphasizes an Inquiry-based Learning approach that fosters curiosity and collaboration. The prize honors H. Wade MacLauchlan’s contributions to the university. Continue reading →