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.
SWG News
New Challenge: Epic 80s
This month's challenge features hundreds of fresh prompts from the bodacious decade of the 1980s.
Cultus Dispatches: Communities Do Comment
Comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
Instadrabbling Sessions for July, August, and September
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Shepherd Princess by Himring
A princess and her sheepdog. (Drabble featuring a young Ancalime.)
[Writing] From That Rubble by StarSpray
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.”
“It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?”
“It’s not as though I…
[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] Nasyalossë by Lovimmy3365
Erestor lay up against a tree, brown washed to black in the wet of the snow. The black disc of the new moon sailed across the dark sky. Erestor wished it were gone. He had no need to look into dark eyes any longer.
He was dying.
(AKA Erestor unwittingly travels back in time to the…
[Playlist] Yacht Rock Silmarillion by Dawn Felagund
Have you ever wondered what would happen if the characters in The Silmarillion were smoooooth like they were sippin' a Sex on the Beach on a party barge in the harbor at Alqualondë? The "Yacht Rock Silmarillion" retells The Silmarillion as though the characters all had perms…
[Writing] and let's be winners by mistake by atlantablack
"Move farther north," Caranthir says to her a month after the attack, gaze steady on her even as his hands continue briskly gutting fish. "There is plenty of land closer to my fortress, and my people can help protect yours if there is another attack."
Haleth looks up from her…
[Writing] Changing Styles by StarSpray
“What did you do to your hair?”
Current Challenge
Epic 80s
Create a fanwork using on of our righteous prompts based on popular culture from the 1980s. Read more ...
Random Challenge
United They Stand
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. Read more ...
New in References
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.
Fandom Draws the Line: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn Felagund, Grundy
By definition, fanworks fandom does not draw a lot of boundaries, but community archives and events have taken a strong stance against AI-generated fanworks due to ethical considerations and member input.
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
Celedriel Week 2026
A Tumblr event week focusing on the relationship between Celeborn and Galadriel.
Esoteric Tolkien Week 2026
A fandom event dedicated to the strange, otherworldly, and inexplicable in Middle-earth and beyond.
Tolkien Gen Week 2026
Tolkien Gen Week will run from July 6-12, 2026 to appreciate all of the incredible characters and relationships within Tolkien’s legendarium that fall under the broad category of “gen.”
Tolkien Disability Pride 2026
This Tumblr event focuses on ALL creative works focusing on disability in Tolkien's universe.
Scribbles and Drabbles 2026
Scribbles & Drabbles is a fic and art exchange with a minimum word count of 100 words.
Truly All Fanworks
This page includes all fanworks from the main SWG archive and the Beyond the Silmarillion section.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Inzilbêth, Tar-Palantir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
[podfic] Tribute for the Queen by Chestnut_pod
In which cats may or may not be a euphemism.
Prompt fic: "Lalwen gives Beruthiel a calico cat, Beruthiel is annoyed because it throws off her color scheme but also Lalwen is a hottie, confusion ensues."
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Berúthiel, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: Berúthiel/Lalwen |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
To gather in a flourishing way by Chestnut_pod
It is renowned among both the Teleri and the Noldor, though perhaps for different reasons among each, that Eärwen Swan-Maiden of Alqualondë was married to Arafinwë of the Noldor in a dress broidered with one thousand pearls, and more draped around her neck and woven through her hair like sea spray.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: Anairë/Eärwen |
| Genres: Experimental, Femslash, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 281 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
For the Last Time by chrissystriped
Melkor is a captive of the Valar's army and Mairon sneaks into the camp to find him, when he is caught by Eonwe. Now he has to try to seduce his old friend to still have a chance.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Sauron |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic), Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 402 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Deed Justly Renowned by AdmirableMonster
Through snow, through ice, through ash and flame...I will always come for you, Russandol.
Fingon rescues Maedhros from Thangorodrim. It is no easy feat, for he battles not only the creatures and the hostile land, but also himself.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Drama, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 654 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Blossoms Appearing in the Land, Green Figs Forming on the Trees by janeways
The blossoms have appeared in the land / The time of pruning has come / The song of the turtledove / Is heard in our land
The green figs form on the fig tree / The vines in blossom give off fragrance / Arise, my darling / My fair one, come away!
- Song of Songs 2:12-3
Haleth and Caranthir attempt to make love and discover they don't know much about making babies.
My attempt at subverting the bodice-ripper; a triple drabble.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth |
| Major Relationships: Caranthir/Haleth |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Humor, Romance | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 316 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Always there for you by chrissystriped
After Fingolfin gets a worrying letter from Maedhros, he rides to Himring to be there for him.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingolfin/Maedhros |
| Genres: Erotica, Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 6, 872 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Third Finwë by jesatria
An account of the reign of King Nelyafinwë Maitimo, 3rd High King of the Noldor. AU, WIP
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 10, 160 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Kingdom of Flowers by daughterofshadows
A short ficlet about Elrond and Celebrían in the gardens of Imladris and their hopes for the future.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: Celebrían & Elrond |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 524 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Pillar and the Vastness: A Longitudinal View of the Tolkien Fanfiction Fandom by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Using the 2015 and 2020 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data, this presentation reviews fandom demographics, use of sources, influence of the films, and use of sites and archives to post fanfiction, reviewing changes across the two data sets.
[podfic] Aftermath by Chestnut_pod, The Wavesinger
Immediately after the Darkening, Findis and Elemmírë attempt to adjust.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elemmírë, Findis |
| Major Relationships: Elemmírë/Findis |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
It’s a lady’s prerogative to have a few secrets by Gabriel
What was supposed to be a homecoming feast, turns into something so much more, for the Lord of the Falathrim.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Círdan |
| Major Relationships: Círdan/Original Character |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 940 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
On and on and ever ever on by UnnamedElement
Elrond and Elros are left without parents; found by their folks' murderers in the ruins of Sirion; taken from the havens of their childhood to wander elsewhere and abroad. And yet, not all is lost--love grows, leaders are raised, pain is endured. Lives transform.
A character study in the key of complex trauma.
Havens rise elsewhere. e
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maglor, Elrond & Elros |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 549 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
As I Say and As I Do: Negotiating Transformational Impulses in Tolkien-Based Fanfiction by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Data from the 2020 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows that, while authors and readers of Tolkien-based fanfiction are growing more comfortable with perceiving their work as having a critical purpose, they are still more likely to describe fanfiction as literary criticism when the process is not depicted as a challenge to Tolkien's authority as the author.
The Webs. by hennethgalad
Oropher tries to comfort Thranduil after a nightmare.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Galadriel, Oropher, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 067 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Honeysuckle And Wild Berries by Gabriel
Fëanor and Nerdanel’s first camping trip deep into the wilds of Aman was supposed to be about connecting with nature and having some alone time together. Which is what they did. But it also had the unexpected effect of deepening the unspoken feelings they had fostered for each other for sometime.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Fluff, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 759 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
[podfic] Athrabeth Amarië ah Elenwë by Chestnut_pod, zopyrus
Elenwë returns early from the Halls of Mandos, and only Amarië knows how to comfort her.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amarië, Elenwë |
| Major Relationships: Amarië/Elenwë |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Elrond to Maglor by Himring
Elrond, looking back.
"...love grew after between them, as little might be thought..."
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Maglor |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 76 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Memento Mori by Lferion
What did they mean, these small, precise assemblages?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Suspense | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
[podfic] such a sky and such a sun by Chestnut_pod
Finduilas and Niënor and the first days of spring.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: Finduilas/Nienor |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Beyond the Sunset by elennalore
Arafinwë finds his sister in the battlefield, but not his brother. Will Lalwendë come with him back to Valinor? And what are his nephews up to?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Írimë |
| Major Relationships: Finarfin & Lalwen |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 394 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
[podfic] a double dream by Chestnut_pod
She came through the night like a stone, hurled across leagues. He only knew that she had wings when she struck the deck.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
[podfic] Sad in the fruit, bright in the flower by Chestnut_pod
Galadriel and Nerdanel talk wanderlust. Incompetently.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Galadriel & Nerdanel |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Refracted Light by StarSpray
Celebrimbor gives young Celebrían a gift.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, General | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 525 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
[podfic] The Sorceress' Apprentice by Chestnut_pod
From her mother, Galadriel had learned grace, composure, and how to veil the teeth of diplomacy in silk and soft words. From her grandmother, she learned when to bare those teeth. From her cousin she learned the value of will and the power of independence.
Her ambition was her own, and carefully stoked.
(And from Melian she learned nothing at all.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Galadriel/Melian |
| Genres: Femslash, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 12 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
