Cultus Dispatches: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
SWG News
New Challenge: Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon."
Site Etiquette Update: Fandom and Money
We have updated our policy in our Site Etiquette around linking to sites that collect money.
Character of the Month: Eönwë
This month's biography focuses on Eönwë, who started with a variety of identities but settled into the role of Manwë's herald, exemplifying the values of strong leadership and justice.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] The Oath by MniMeResponding
The true cost of The Oath on the Fëanorians
[Writing] the forest will keep you safe by Harp_of_Gold
Little Maeglin is hunting rocks in Nan Elmoth. Something is hunting him.
Written for Tolkien Horror Week 2026 day 5
[Writing] The Fall of Arnor; Book One "Out of the Bree-land" by Diane Finnis-Robb
The first of six books covering the fall of the kingdom of Arnor
[Writing] Slain at Swanhaven by annarobots
But if of ships I now should sing, what ship would come to me,
What ship would bear me ever back across so wide a Sea?
The Lord of the Rings, Galadriel’s Song
After Alqualondë, Artanis looks only forward.…
[Writing] Somebody Else's Rescue by Susana_R
Maedhros had given up all hope of escaping from Angband himself. They never leave him lightly guarded when he is hale enough to run. But that doesn’t keep him from plotting to help somebody else.
Lirulin didn’t know what to think when the red-headed…
[Writing] Save Gwindor Only by Secondborn
An elven thrall who had been a devoted friend of Gelmir’s in the mines of Angband decides to look out for Gelmir’s little brother when he, too, shows up in the mines one day. Written for the Angband prompt of Tolkien Horror Week 2026.
[Writing] And death would be his reward by Myrcella1
Step 1: Drink way too much wine.
Step 2: Try to sleep with Finno.
Step 3: Watch your brilliant plan turn into an absolute, heartbreaking disaster.
Current Challenge
Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon." Read more ...
Random Challenge
Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon." Read more ...
New in References
Fandom before the Time of the Trees: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset by Dawn Walls-Thumma
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
Across the history of the "Silmarillion," Eönwë's role settles on a character who leads without taking upon himself the power to mete out justice and who acts with equanimity across some of the most harrowing conflicts in the early legendarium.
Speak Friend and Enter: Trends in Fandom Entry Year by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] IN THE SHIRE-RECKONING by Diane Finnis-Robb
-This stand alone novel was completed for Hobbit Day 2026. It is a multi-generational novel spanning a period of time from the formation of the Shire to the Great Plague in Year Thirty-six and focuses on the origins of an old feud between the Bucks and the Tooks.
[Writing] For a Better World by Ellynn
Thirteen years before the War of the Ring, an orcling — more intelligent and more curious than most — is born in Mordor. His curiosity will lead him to both incredible discoveries and perilous situations, all of which will shape him into a leader unlike any Mordor has ever known. But to become…
[Writing] Sun on the Daisies by StarSpray
“Oh.” Frodo’s voice was soft, almost more sigh than sound. “Sam, look.”
Around the World and Web
Nolofinwëan Week 2026
Nolofinwëan Week is Tumblr fandom event celebrating the House of Fingolfin, running from November 9th - 16th
14th International Tolkien Mailing Competition
The Hungarian Tolkien Society invites you to join the international “Quendi” category of the Tolkien Mailing Competition: five rounds of quizzes, riddles and creative tasks. This category is organised in English, open to any individual participant, and also to teams of 2–5 people. The five rounds of the competition will last from November to April.
Tolkien Food Week 2026
fandom event from the 2-8th nov 2026 where we share recipes, fics and comfort food for body and soul.
The White Oliphaunt 2026
The White Oliphaunt gift exchange, a yearly event where Tolkien fans sign up to exchange humorous gifts with each other.
Glorfindel Week 2026
A Tumblr fandom week dedicated to the elf Glorfindel.
New and Updated Artwork
Aredhel wanders through Nan Elmoth
Major Characters: AredhelMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: New Year's Resolution, Swinging 40s
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Drawing of Finrod discovering a new friend while exploring Beleriand.
Major Characters: Finrod FelagundMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Birthday Bash, New Year's Resolution
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Technically a failed photo of a firework, which I decided looked more like Ilmare the Maia, the Handmaiden of Varda, in one of her less embodied states.
Major Characters: IlmarëMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
painting of the Tower of Pearl in the Western Isles
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Back To The Future, Heroes, Jumble Sale
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
The formal ceremony where Maedhros hands over the High King status to Fingolfin.
Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingolfin
Major Relationships: Fingolfin & Maedhros
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
"Therefore there was built for [Elwing] a white tower northward upon the borders of the Sundering Seas..." - The Silmarillion, 'Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath'
Made for 2025's Tolkien Summer Reverse Bang!
The accompanying fic is here: Sad songs for us to bear by astrisq
Major Characters: ElwingMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A Feanorian star embroidered in white thread on a grey jean jacket with three studs at the top representing the three Silmarils.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Maglor’s breath caught in his throat at the sight of Ekkaia stretching out before them. Its waters were calmer and smoother than Belegaer. The waves were gentle as they washed quietly up over the stony beach, their music no more than a whisper, the stones themselves all warm browns and reds and occasional pinks, and the waters were darker, not quite reflecting the blue of the sky, but instead shimmering with the remembered light of ancient stars. They were endless, vanishing past the horizon; there were no ships that sailed upon Ekkaia, no fishermen to cast their nets into its depths. Certainly no sea monsters, Maglor thought as he lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the westering sun. Here there was only peace.
- High in the Clean Blue Air, Chapter Twenty Seven
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A collage about Nimrodel, Amroth (and Mithrellas) and their flight to Edhellond.
Art for Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang
Major Characters: Nimrodel, Amroth, MithrellasMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Artwork for TRSB25. Sometime after the First Age, Elrond has found among his possessions a small box containing a cache of letters. The box, though it does not have the usual fine craftsmanship one would expect from elves, can only have come from Maedhros or Maglor, slipped in among the things given to Elrond and Elros when they were sent to Gil-galad. The letters, in several different styles, appear never to have been opened…
Story for the art is being written by until_the_stars_are_all_alight, I'm so excited to read it! (Link to be added here once the story is revealed.)
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Artwork for TRSB25, which asked the author to consider Fëanor's time in Mandos. The story for the art is being written by biologygeorge, and I can't wait to read it. (It will be linked here once revealed.)
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
The apocalypse is upon Bree and Middle-Earth! Strange creatures roam the streets, and a fell light shines on the world. (Art for TRSB 2025) (Warning for some flickering.)
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: Teens
Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings | | |
What if Morgoth turned elves into dragons, but things do not work out the way he planned? (Art for TRSB 2025.)
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Fingon’s prayer. Last-minute sketch entry for the 40s monthly challenge!
Major Characters: FingonMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Swinging 40s
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Four art pieces for Scribbles & Drabbles 2025.
Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Círdan, RogMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
An embroidery piece inspired by Éowyn's journey in the Return of the King, when a time of joy comes after a long winter of despair. The words are quote from the book. The sun motif is taken from the design of Éomer's armour from Peter Jackson's The Two Towers. The flower design is my own.
Major Characters: ÉowynMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
An association football (soccer) pitch with some Rings of Power on it. On it is written in black and white script, my pitch (ha) to the artists: What if football (soccer) was invented in Beleriand/Middle-earth? Who would be most likely to invent it? To perfect it? Who would be most competitive about it? What if the Dark Lords and Elven Ringbearers--or any Ringbearers--got in on it?
Write something showing how the Beautiful Game might have evolved in Tolkien's world, and who would play it. Might there be leagues? Imagine, the World Cup of Beleriand...Anyway, this is something I've always wanted to write but never been able to. I hope someone can!
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
The green plain of Ard-galen was laid waste and became the desolation of Anfauglith, its only green land being the Hill of the Slain. Or...maybe this is Mordor, before it was laid waste and as it's recovering? Or both? Something similar? Up to you.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A view of a volcano somewhere on Arda (or off it, I guess, if we want to take this to some other planet the Valar have visited, lol, who knows).
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A craban and jellyfish somewhere on Arda. The hatchling craban mistakes the jellyfish for an 'octofish (octopus) fren'. Inspired by octopus_fool, though anyone can fill this
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Black background, white stars (linked by a thin line) - the constellation Pisces, The Fish.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
It looks like a doodle or a sketch, or maybe it's a coded message? Who knows, just enjoy. Someone is drawing/encoding something, let it be whoever, whenever, and whyever you want. Could be Silmarillion, or beyond.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Three different characters, all named as children of twilight, their pasts, and their presents.
Major Characters: Maeglin, Arwen, Lúthien TinúvielMajor Relationships: Beren/Luthien, Aragorn/Arwen
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
