Cultus Dispatches: "The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far)
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data for 2025 shows that "The Rings of Power" TV series has not had the same impact on the fandom as the film trilogies did ... so far.
SWG News
New Challenge: Building Middle-earth
Let global architecture be your inspiration in this challenge, where you will work with a prompts that are architectural styles, locations in Arda, or both.
Cultus Dispatches: Six Demographic Takeaways from the 2025 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey
Ten years of demographic data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey show consistencies in who reads and writes fanfiction, as well as a few key demographic shifts.
New Challenge: Epic 80s
This month's challenge features hundreds of fresh prompts from the bodacious decade of the 1980s.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] A Thousand Winds that Blow by StarSpray
When uneasy dreams bring him back into Beleriand, Daeron finds a pair of twins who have lost their home, and an enemy who has lost himself. The Shadow's reach is growing ever longer, and if they are to survive, they must do it together.
[Writing] A Song Amidst His Torment by Elrond's Library
Of course it was a trap.
Maitimo has to survive. He must. But what price is too high to pay for survival?
[Writing] The Judgement of Fëanor by Kingsdaughter613
Fëanor arrives in the court of Mandos. Let he judges be judged.
[Writing] Thoughts of Írimë, daughter of Indis by Alvian
Lalwen listens to the songs of the Edain and considers the strange shape their love and grief take. An exercise in Elven zuihitsu.
[Artwork] Weight of a Mythic Past by silmalope
Maglor reflects on the past after returning to Valinor. Created for the August 2026 "Building Middle-Earth" challenge.
[Writing] Alone Yourself and Nameless by StarSpray
It was easier than he had thought it would be to leave his name behind—to put on a new one when needed, like changing one set of clothes for another.
[Writing] Kesäkuningattaret by Erdariel
Celebrían ja Varyandë viettävät kesäpäivää Imladrisin puutarhassa.
Current Challenge
Building Middle-earth
Receive a prompt of an architectural style or a location on Arda—or both!—to inspire your fanworks. Read more ...
Random Challenge
First Meetings
Create a fanwork about the first meeting between a character from Valinor and someone just arriving from Middle-earth. Read more ...
New in References
"The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far) by Dawn Walls-Thumma
The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film trilogies mark perhaps the most influential events in the history of the Tolkien fanfiction fandom. As the Rings of Power show approaches its third season, data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows that it is not even close to matching the impact of the films ... yet.
Six Demographic Takeaways from the 2025 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Data from the 2025 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows demographic changes in participant gender, age, and education and new revelations about neurodiversity.
Communities Do Comment: Expanding the 3C's of Commenting with SWG Data by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Expanding on my 2018 article "Why People Don't Comment," comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Down the Long Years by Isilme_among_the_stars
Bilbo, the strange old hobbit with the wandering feet, senses something special in young Frodo the first time he sees the lad; as they become close, they find in each other a cameraderie not well understood by other hobbits. Five poignant moments between Bilbo and Frodo Baggins over the course…
[Artwork] The Mirror of Galadriel by skywardstruck
Smoke rises from the Mirror, where the Lady of Lothlórien awaits to share its visions.
[Writing] Bar-en-Eladar by Gabriel
Out of the shadow, light is born anew.
A Chieftain is dead. And whilst the events surrounding his death are unclear, a son tries to come to terms with his loss.
Around the World and Web
Innumerable Stars 2026
A character-based Tolkien fandom gift exchange is returning for another year of gifting.
Silvergifting Week 2026
A week dedicated to Celebrimbor/Mairon | Annatar | Sauron pairing, aka Silvergifting. August 10-16, 2026
Beta Reader Profile for Grundy
Beta Strengths: Characterization, Conflict, Description/Imagery, Mood/Tone, Setting, Spelling, Grammar, and Mechanics, Worldbuilding
Beta Weaknesses: No information listed.
I Prefer to Beta
Time Periods: Years of the Trees, First Age, Second Age, Third Age, Fourth Age and Onward
Characters: No characters listed.
Genres: No genres listed.
Ratings: Creator Chooses Not to Rate, General, Teens, Adult
I am willing to work with authors with disabilities that impact writing/language.
I am willing to work with English language learners.
I Prefer Not to Beta
Time Periods: No time periods listed.
Characters: Real Person(s), Ar-Pharazôn, Melkor, Sauron, Túrin
Genres: No genres listed.
Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex
Additional Information
Will beta read a wide range of settings/eras/characters themes. The few 'prefer not to read' are not ironclad rules, just preferences. If you're staring down an exchange deadline and looking for a beta, ask. Odds are I will say yes if I have time.
If you contact me to beta, I will let you know what my current time constraints are so you have a clear idea whether I can read and respond within the timeframe you need/want. (My time constraints vary wildly, so there's no blanket statement I could put here and count on it being accurate.) I will also want to know what *you* are looking for from a beta read so I know what to keep in mind when reading.
Reminders to Authors:
- Read the beta's full profile before contacting them. Respect any limits they state about what they're willing to beta. Likewise, if a beta notes that their "Prefer Not to Beta" list is not a rigid set of limitations, feel free to reach out.
- A beta's inclusion in the directory does not mean that they are necessarily available to beta for you at this time. When contacting a beta, remember that your message is a query about their availability.
- It is helpful to include some information about the piece you need beta'ed. What is it about? What kind of help are you looking for? How long is it? When will you need it finished?
- We recommend betas and their authors having clear conversations before beginning about the expectations of both parties. SWG moderators will not "referee" communications (including conflicts) between betas and authors.
