Choose a Name for Our New Column!
Our temporarily titled "location bio" will focus on the landscapes and locations of Middle-earth. We need your help naming it!
Challenges have been a part of the SWG since our group was formed in 2005. Before the archive, there were challenges. Before References or any special projects or B2MeM or any of the myriad things we've done over the last decade-plus, there were challenges. Challenges end and a new challenges is posted on the 15th of the month. (Yes, that means there is one thrilling day each month when there are two active challenges!) Participants—both authors and reviewers—will receive a stamp in their challenge stamp collection for their participation. Deadlines apply only if you want your fanwork to receive a stamp.
Every challenge that has ever been offered by the SWG is available for use by creators of fanworks who are looking for inspiration. Even if the deadline for stamps is passed, you are welcome to use the challenges listed on our site. And comments on past challenge fanworks are always welcome and always receive a reward for that month. Want to join us? Click to read the guidelines below!
Create a fanwork about or showing the oral tradition. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork about an object that is magical or otherwise valuable in some way, either canonical or of your own invention. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork using one of our quotes from a woman in leadership. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
On the anniversary of the publication of "The Silmarillion," we’re reflecting on the importance of music in Arda with prompts that come from rock songs. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
The Silmarillion has many moments when a character stands upon a crossroad: He or she will have to make a decision. At such a turning point in your story, create a fanwork about that moment that will define or alter the life of your character. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
For this remix challenge, develop a minor character, plot point, or other detail from a fanwork into a new fanwork. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Emancipation and equality can be found in the Professor's words, and we would like to challenge you to create a fanwork about this process. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Challenge opened in . Read more ...
To reflect both the idealistic beginnings and the dark endings that are so frequent in the Legendarium, we invite you to create a fanwork inspired by utopian or dystopian prompts from novels, songs, artworks, or films. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Pick your prompts from four bingo cards themed around vintage literature, art, poetry, and fanworks. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork about storms, whether literal or figurative. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork where a character wishes upon or muses on the stars. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Unleash your imagination by looking at fairy tales of old and mix them with Tolkien's own Mythopoeia or make up your own fairy tales featuring your own characters or such stories told by your characters. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Get your Silmarillion off of the shelf. Close your eyes, let your book fall open at random, and put your finger down on the page. Your challenge is to create a fanwork using that quote. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork using a quote from a woman who has advanced the cause of women's rights or participation of women in the arts. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
J.R.R. Tolkien wasn’t just the creator of Middle-earth. He was also a scholar of philology. One of his first jobs was with the Oxford English Dictionary, where he was assigned a welter of words beginning with W. In this month’s challenge, we’re presenting you a bingo card with Prof. Tolkien’s W words we hope will inspire a wealth of wonder, wit, worldbuilding, and general whimsy. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
In this modified Matryoshka challenge, your prompts will come from the journey you take around a map. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
What would happen if one of Tolkien's characters returned to a beloved home after a long absence? Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Prompts for this challenge include zingers and insults from literature and pop culture. Challenge opened in . Read more ...