Latest News
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Something Left Out
Patrick Lyon has a new Project Room for “Something Left Out”: The Enigma of Tom Bombadil. This book dedicates itself to one purpose: exploring the enigma of Tom Bombadil in as comprehensive a manner as possible. The book does not aim to solve or answer the ‘conscious enigma’ Tolkien created with the character, because Bombadil
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Finding the Fountain of Wisdom
by Michael Raymond Astle Have you ever wondered how Signum’s staff came to know so much? Well, you might not believe this, but a little fawn told me it might have something to do with all the excellent books they read. So, I set myself out on a quest to discover the wellsprings of their
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Considering a Return to SPACE?
By Michael Raymond Astle One day, while roving the sprawling verdant greens of Signum University, Will spied a face he’d seen before. “Deanna,” said Will, as he took a seat upon the bench in his characteristic way, “what brings you here?” He smiled reminiscently. “I’m planning on going into SPACE in a month or so,”
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A Slow and Secret Poison
Come read Christopher Lyon’s A Slow and Secret Poison: The Fall of the Roman Republic 146-31 BC, which is Volume I of Legends and Legacies: A History of Europe from the Fall of the Roman Republic to the Fourth Crusade in Seven Volumes. “A Slow and Secret Poison is the story of the dramatic collapse
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Pure Delight with Ginger and Pesky
By Verlyn Flieger Can two cats, a squirrel, a rat, and a tree nourish a flourishing friendship? In Verlyn Flieger’s Ginger and Pesky they can! This collection of short stories, with delightful artwork provided by Jenny Gosselin, explores the companionship and conversations among these unlikely friends, who offer many surprising insights into the deeper realities
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Ovid’s Metamorphoses in the Collaboratory
Lauren Allen’s Ovid’s Metamorphoses: A Student Edition is now starting to appear in the Collaboratory Circulation Library. This will be a long-term project perfect for anyone who wants to take Latin study to the next level. Lauren guides readers through the Latin text, assisting with vocabulary and grammar but allowing readers to read and translate
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Searching for Support: Graduate Students & Mental Health
By Michael Raymond Astle A 2022 paper on university students’ use of mental health services analysed 44 studies across 8 countries on 6 continents, yet only 1 of those studies even considered graduate students. While mental health services for undergraduates have significantly improved in recent years, my efforts to find any university with information specifically
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New Serial Release from Verlyn Flieger!
Verlyn Flieger has a new novel in the Collaboratory Circulation Library with the first several chapters available. Chancer and the Orphan Child: A girl who doesn’t know her name and speaks only in jump-rope rhymes… A young man washed up from apparently nowhere with no past… An Inn with more than a hint of magic…
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Signum Tutorials are OPEN!
From help with a paper to a mentor’s expertise directing your independent research to a writing coach giving you feedback on your novel, the day has come. Our Tutors have been signing up enthusiastically — so how do you get matched with the right ones?
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Answering Lucy’s Mythmoot Questions
By Michael Raymond Astle Once upon a time, not so long ago, Sam was walking the hallowed halls of Signum University when he spied young Lucy. Knowing it was her first year, he thought he’d go chat with her. “Hey Lucy,” said Sam. “Hi,” Lucy replied. “Are you going to Mythmoot this year?” he asked.
Open Events
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2026.12.12 Motown Moot, Saturday, 12 December, 2026
Signum University invites you to join us on Saturday, 12 December, in Detroit, MI, USA for Motown Moot. This hybrid event will take place at Woodside Bible Church – Plymouth. For our very first Moot in Michigan, you are invited to compare and contrast the times of the Elves, Dwarves, and Hobbits with our own
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2027.02.6-8, Kiwi Moot, Sat-Mon 6-8 February, 2027
Stars and Signs Signum University, along with members of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Tolkien Fan Community, invites you to join us on 6-8 February, 2027 (Saturday to Monday) for our first Kiwi Moot. This English-language hybrid event will take place at the Thistle Hall Community Venue in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. For our first Kiwi Moot,
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Mythmoot XII June 19-22, 2025
Drawn to the Edge Signum University invites you to join us at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, VA. “The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of all.” Galadriel in Peter Jackson’s The Fellowship of the Ring “Drawn to the Edge” can
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Mythmoot XIII: June 25-28, 2026
Signum University invites you to join us at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, VA for our annual conference and retreat – Mythmoot! Call for Papers – Closes Feb 28, 2026 “The finest of pleasures are always the unexpected ones.” – The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern Unexpected Company comes in many forms: guest, xenos, wizard,