This volume brings together a selection of articles published in the first three issues of Quaderni di Arda: Rivista di studi tolkieniani e mondi fantastici, edited by the Italian Association of Tolkienian Studies (AIST - Associazione Italiana Studi Tolkieniani). Its editorial board consists of independant and self-taught scholars from various professional backgrounds and the creation of Quaderni di Arda marks the culmination of nearly two decades of work that has revitalized Tolkien studies in Italy, positioning itself as a crossroads between the academic world and fandom.