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
Back To The Future
This month's challenge asks you to put a character, culture, or place in Arda in the Seventh Age. When the Seventh Age actually is--is it right now? in the future? or was Tolkien totally wrong and it's actually passed?--is completely up to you. 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
Rían sitting on the arm of her Entwife girlfriend.
Major Characters: Rían, EntwivesMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Birthday Bash
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Maedhros and Fingon, ie Russo and Finnu from Prayers to Broken Stone, 19 years old and up to no-good at all. If you want to know why they’re dressed up like a Mecca pilgrim and a Roman cardinal, check out the snippet in the notes!
Major Characters: Maedhros, FingonMajor Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros
Challenge: Swinging 40s
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Two scenes from the third kinslaying: the sack of Sirion and the adoption of Elrond and Elros by Maglor and Maedhros.
Major Characters: Maglor, Maedhros, Elrond, Elros, Círdan, Gil-galadMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: Teens
Warnings: Violence (Mild) | | |
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world by bunn
A silver treasure shows the stories and even more coveted treasures of the past.
Major Characters: Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel, Frodo, Samwise GamgeeMajor Relationships: Beren/Luthien
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Four characters show the broad spectrum of aromanticism across the ages.
Major Characters: Tar-Ancalimë, Aredhel, Boromir (Fellowship), Bilbo BagginsMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
The mind of Tolkien freed the fantastical to become a part of our world.
Major Characters: J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. LewisMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Elu Thingol is a character who exists in shades of grey.
Major Characters: Elu ThingolMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Three children are born under vastly different circumstances and yet receive the same name: Child of Twilight.
Major Characters: Arwen, Lúthien Tinúviel, MaeglinMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Abstract art for "Love, Grief, and Alliterative Verse in Tolkien’s Legendarium" by Paul D. Deane
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A glass paperweight that brings to mind the fire and fury of an atomic detonation.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A moth, attempting escape, perhaps out of the artist's studio.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A Hobbit home in the desert of Harad
Major Characters: HobbitsMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Birthday Bash
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Sketches inspired by the 2025 Birthday Bash challenge prompts!
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Birthday Bash
Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate
Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Creator Chooses Not to Warn | | |
Drawing my favorite Gil-galad origin headcanon, wherein Fingon stumbles across a stray war orphan in the battlefield.
Major Characters: Fingon, Gil-galadMajor Relationships: Fingon & Gil-galad
Challenge: Musicals
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Young Andreth in a moth cloak
Major Characters: AndrethMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Dark Matter
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Adaptation of a concrete poem by Christian Morgenstern for the Dark Matter Challenge.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Dark Matter
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
