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
10th Birthday Celebration
In honor of our 10th birthday, we introduced our Silmfic prompt generator and solicited fanworks made using it. 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
In a mostly-starless void, the Star of Earendil is shown glowing within reach of a silver full Moon with the last flower of Telperion upon it. Drawn using MS Paint. A poem called "Connection" is also shown:
As Earendil
rises for the first
time
He sees Tilion
And knows that
he is not the
Only watcher
over Arda.
There is a
connection
forged.
Major Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Melian and Thingol awake from their enchantment in Nan Elmoth.
Major Characters: Elu Thingol, MelianMajor Relationships: Melian/Thingol
Challenge: Arda on Ice
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Artwork created for Mairon 30-Day Character Study
Major Characters: SauronMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
An illustrated infographic timeline of the various sources of illumination of Arda from its creation to the sun.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Jubilee, Secret Gate, Tolkien Meta Week
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
![Meme format depicting two people talking to each other. Person A: "Tolkien Linguistics is second nature to us NoMe fans, so it's easy to forget that the average Tolkien fan probably only knows about Feanor's invention of the Tengwar and one or two hand languages. " Person B: "And 'It is false to make Dwarves [?uncreative] or poor linguists.' of course." Person A: "Of course."](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2025-02/1linguistics_0.jpg?itok=a0qtkIeT)
A meme created for the prompt: ''It is false to make Dwarves [?uncreative] or poor linguists.'' for the Gnome Tome and Jubilee challenges
Major Characters: Fëanor, DwarvesMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Gnome Tome, Jubilee
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A drawing of a pink flamingo surrounded by yellow flowers.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Two moodboards depicting Tarn Aeluin
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Dip the Ladle, Jubilee
Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate
Warnings: Character Death | | |
An instadrawble painting
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Holiday Party, Jubilee
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A portrait of Indis in her wedding dress
Major Characters: IndisMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Jubilee, Kings & Queens
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Semi-abstract arts representing the queens of the Valar.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Bollywood, Jubilee, Potluck Bingo, Restoration and Rebuilding
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
An illustration for a very loose crossover concept with Nienor and the magic golden fish from the Chinese fairytale of Ye Xian, a Cindarella tale predating the European version by over 1000 years.
Major Characters: NienorMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Crossroads of the Fallen King, Jubilee
Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate
Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings | | |
Artwork created for prompts for the 30-Day Character Study Challenge.
Major Characters: MîmMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Created for the Storied Places bingo board
Major Characters: No major characters listed
Major Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Art for Potluck Bingo. B1 -' gloomy hush of night' from the board by Himring
Major Characters: Manwë, MelkorMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
An abstract sketch: After the ending of Arda v1, Andreth and Aegnor feär reunite and they are free to experience the whole of Eä together.
Major Characters: Andreth, AegnorMajor Relationships: Aegnor/Andreth
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A drawble collection of Ardan objects
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Assorted prompt fills for the 2024 Potluck bingo boards, to varying degrees of completion! :)
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Artwork for Elleth’s Potluck Bingo board: starting off appropriately with Piecemeal Palace in Himring — Maedhros’ potlucky manor house, aka where Elrond & Elros grew up ✨
Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor, Elrond, ElrosMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
"... the long-tressed Wingildi ... spirits of the foam and the surf of ocean."
~ a painted sketch for Scribbles and Drabbles 2024.
Major Characters: Maiar, Original Female Character(s)
Major Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Created for the 'Geography/Maps/Places' prompt on the "Tolkien meta" bingo board, this is a collection of maps marked with the various people groups showing how they arrived and moved about Beleriand. This collection focuses specifically on the time from the arrival of the Teleri, Vanyar, and Noldor before they went to Aman up to the distribution of the various kingdoms after the Flight of the Noldor, when they arrived in Middle-earth and settled there.
Major Characters: Sindar, Noldor, Vanyar, Petty-dwarves, Dwarves, Orcs, Falathrim, Doriathrim, Laiquendi, Ungoliant, Green-elvesMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Annatar in Mandos, as described by Fingon in Chthonion's masterful Harrowing series
Major Characters: SauronMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
