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] 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?”
[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…
Current Challenge
Epic 80s
Create a fanwork using on of our righteous prompts based on popular culture from the 1980s. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Akallabêth in August
Every August, we focus on one of the most tumultuous times in Arda's history: the Second Age and the rise and fall of Númenor. Any story that is or might conceivably be part of the Akallabêth is acceptable for this challenge. 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.
Gladden Fields by Himring
Photo of yellow iris with an inset photo of yellow water lilies.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Photography |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Tapestries and Fate by ArizonaPoppy
Finrod visits Andreth at her museum, where she works as a conservationist.
A museum/magical realism AU retelling of the Athrabeth for the "Also Appearing" Monthly Challenge.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Andreth, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Andreth & Finrod, Aegnor/Andreth |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Ficlet | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 577 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
Hier, mit dir im Dämmerlicht by daughterofshadows
Sometimes life creates the most beautiful symmetries.
Or two times, Túrin and Beleg sat together during a blackout.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beleg, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Beleg & Túrin |
| Genres: Fluff, General, Science Fiction | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 860 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Family Heirlooms by grey_gazania
A collection of stories about Elrond\'s childhood with the Sons of Fëanor, and its impact on his later life.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Celebrían, Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Little Drop of Poison by grey_gazania
Maedhros is injured, and Elrond discovers his talent for healing.
Written for Tolkien Gen Week on Tumblr (prompt: grey spaces).
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Elrond, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 339 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A Miracle of Infectiousness by kimikocha
It's supposed to be impossible for the Ainur to get sick, but Mairon has always been exceptional.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Sauron |
| Genres: Crackfic, Fluff, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 577 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Tolkien Fanworks Scholarship Bibliography by Dawn Felagund
This collection includes links to online open-access scholarship about Tolkien-based fanworks.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Reference Collection | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
Aurë Entuluva by StarSpray
Gil-galad comes face to face with Sauron.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gil-galad, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 293 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Sawdust by StarSpray
Findis watches, entranced, as he takes up his tools and begins a new carving, taking a shapeless lump of wood and turning it into a leaping hound before her eyes.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Findis, Finwë |
| Major Relationships: Findis & Finwe |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 559 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Calls from the other end of the galaxy by daughterofshadows
Sometimes you just need a little help with a code from the author, even if you've been working with it for decades. If only they would answer their dang phone!
So, instead Maeglin calls an old friend, hears an amusing anecdote and passes on a message.
It's all in a day's work.
Except for the autopilot. That took a lot longer.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor & Maeglin |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 601 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
So It Is Said by StarSpray
Elros befriends some gulls
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 364 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Walking in the Woods by daughterofshadows
Welcome to Eryn Lasgalen, the only space station with trees.
Yes, you heard that right. Actual, real life, full-sized trees.
Not the tiny shrubs they have over on Balar.
They may not quite reach the glory of the forests of old Doriath (before it all burned, of course), but what truly can?
Join Thranduil's spouse Alcarinna for a walk in the woods as she contemplates the past, meet Oropher and his husband, Ethuilass, newly returned from their diplomatic mission and despair with Legolas' older brother, Beriathal, and Tauriel over younger siblings who cannot stay in the same spot for longer than a minute, dammit!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Original Nonbinary Character(s), Oropher |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 135 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Not Too Far by grey_gazania
Celebrimbor has a conversation with his cousin and ponders the future of his estranged father and uncles.
Written for Tolkien Gen Week on Tumblr (prompt: family). Part of my Woman King AU.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor & Gil-galad |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 783 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A long ripple of notes by Himring
Before the Fall of Eregion, a minstrel who once was taught by Maglor is asked to revive a performance of his songs in the Hall of the Jewel-smiths in the presence of Celebrimbor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Gwaith-i-Mírdain |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 901 |
| 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) |
Bór by Himring
As one of the loyal Easterlings during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Bór and his sons reflect Tolkien's development of lands and peoples beyond Beleriand.
The Rain against My Window by Himring
Rain reminds Gil-galad of his childhood in Hithlum.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 304 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
While the Arrow Flies by Himring
While the arrow flies: that's the arrow in "speed now this feathered shaft".
What to do in the time we have?
Especially if the eagle never comes.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 122 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Love and Superstition by grey_gazania
A fanmix for Curufin and Nyellë, his wife.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Curufin |
| Major Relationships: Curufin/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Music | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Proceedings of the Angband Poets' Society by kimikocha
Selections from the latest edition of the Angband Poets' Society magazine.
What's that, you say? You didn't realize Angband had a poets' society? Well, now you know.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Balrogs, Orcs, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Sauron |
| Genres: Crackfic, Humor, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 1, 701 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Down Through the Ages by StarSpray
Five times Daeron meets Maglor by accident, plus one time it happens on purpose.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Daeron/Maglor |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff, Slash | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 2, 253 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
The Nargothrond Cordial by jamcake_muses
A recipe from Finrod's cookbook "From the Pans of Beleriand".
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic, Humor | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 428 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
✓ Seen by polutropos
Present day. Daeron has a boring office job, Maglor works for a children’s theatre school. They read dirty slash about themselves. Rated for the dirty slash.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Daeron/Maglor |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 886 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
gold & burgundy by hanneswrites
“Forgive me,” Finrod muses, the ends of his lips twitching up in a teasing smile as he ties a delicately embroidered burgundy sash around Maglor’s waist, “I had forgotten that you only hang out with me for the fashion advice. No other reason.”
Years of the Trees Gen Slice of LIfe fic
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Finrod & Maglor |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 523 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In Dreams by grey_gazania
Fingon visits Maedhros before the Third Kinslaying. Is he a dream, or is he a ghost?
A fixed-length ficlet.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 036 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Gil-Galad Was No Elven-King by kimikocha
An elven conspiracy theorist discovers the truth about Gil-galad's parentage. The results of their inquiry are here written in verse.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 168 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
