New Challenge: Tengwar
Each day for thirty-six days, we feature a randomly chosen letter from the Tengwar as a prompt.
SWG News
A Sense of History: Crossroads
In the ongoing series on towers in Tolkien's work, a thread runs through "The Lord of the Rings," revealing the divine assistance of Varda in the travails of the Fellowship.
Cultus Dispatches: Canon Deviations, Multifandoms, and Original Content
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data gives some insight into what connections, if any, exist between fanfiction and original fiction.
The SWG Is Featured in Two Journal Articles
In a recent special issue of "Transformative Works and Cultures" about platforms, the SWG was discussed in two articles.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Dealing with Dreams by Himring
Elrond and Elros are haunted by what happened and also by what did not. They live with it.
[Writing] Tengwar (working title) by cuarthol
For the Tengwar prompt challenge. To be updated as new prompts are completed.
[Writing] Do you cut down down blossoming trees in the spring for firewood? by Himring
In western Numenor, there is an area famous for its trees and plants. But the Faithful have been banished to the east. And in the last days of Numenor, on the coast an army assembles...
[Writing] Family Gossip by StarSpray
“You,” Fingon pronounced, “are drunk. I am not going to give you anyone’s name just so you can make up a silly drunken ballad."
[Writing] Lost and Found by awwyeah107
In the aftermath of the second kinslaying, Maglor and Maedhros are faced with the disappearance of a pair of twins: Eluréd and Elurín.
Years later, another pair of twins—this time under the Fëanorians’ care—are missing: Elrond and Elros.
[3 chapters, posted over 3 consecutive days…
[Writing] What Comes Naturally by Rocky41_7
Two queens of the Noldor discuss motherhood.
[Writing] Emissary by Uvatha the Horseman
60 years before the War of the Ring, The Mouth of Sauron is being raised as an illegitimate son in the house of his father. More than anything, he craves security and a title of his own.
Current Challenge
Tengwar
A daily prompt of a Tengwar letter per day. Read more ...
Random Challenge
New in References
[]
With Gildor Inglorion we finally climb the stairs of Elostirion and look on the view, and what we see appears to reveal a hidden thread in the story of Frodo Baggins. This post reads two annotated translations of two Elvish songs to step through a crossroads in the narrative to arrive at the tower on the margin of the story, wherein is a stone that is a window onto Valinor.
Grief, Grieving, and Permission to Mourn in the "Quenta Silmarillion" by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]In a book as full of death as the Quenta Silmarillion, grief and mourning are surprisingly absent. The characters who receive grief and mourning—and those who don't—appear to do so due to narrative bias. Grief and mourning (or a lack of them) serve to draw attention toward and away from objectionable actions committed by characters.
In the House of the Fairbairns by Simon J. Cook
[]The first of some posts on the Elf-tower on the western margin of The Lord of the Rings attempts to frame the relationship between the narrative and the appendices of The Lord of the Rings and an analysis of Frodo's dream-visions.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Waybread (The Waybredlik) by Himring
[]Lembas speaks out.
[Series] Apr 1st Stories by Uvatha the Horseman
[]Once a year on April 1st, a canon character from LOTR or the Silmarillion gets pranked.
[Writing] Crossing Forest River by Dawn Felagund
[]Bilbo recounts, in verse, the attempt of Gandalf, Beorn, and him to cross the Forest River after the Battle of Five Armies. Written for the Hungarian Tolkien Society's 2024 Mailing Competition.
Around the World and Web
Tolkien Ekphrasis Week 2024
This is a Tolkien-fandom-wide event dedicated to the art of ekphrasis in Tolkien's worlds, hosted on Tumblr and Dreamwidth.
Tolkien Society Seminar: Tolkien's Romantic Resonances
This free hybrid event explores the influence of Romanticism on Tolkien's works.
Glorfindel Week 2024
Glorfindel Week is a week-long Tumblr event for creating fanworks that celebrate Glorfindel. Glorfindel Week will run April 29-May 5, 2024.
Teitho April/May Challenge: Quotes
Teitho is a monthly fanfiction contest. Our April/May prompt uses the source material directly for inspiration with quotes to choose from.
PhD Research on Writing Tolkien's Female Characters: Participants Needed
Interview participants are needed who write Tolkien-based fanfiction about female characters.
New and Updated Playlists
Release by Rocky41_7
Melkor's servant Thuringwethil is turned from her dark path by Luthien Tinuviel
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: Lúthien/Thuringwethil |
| Genres: Music (Alternative/Punk, Rock) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: |
| Posted on 22 November 2023 | Updated on 22 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Third Finwe by Rocky41_7
To the eldest son of the crown prince, the heir to the throne of the Noldor, Nelyafinwë Maitimo.
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Music (Blues, Country, Instrumental, Rock, Soundtrack) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 22 November 2023 | Updated on 22 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Long Live the King by Rocky41_7
From prince in Valinor to high king of the Noldor in Middle-earth to martyr: Fingolfin Finwion!
| Major Characters: Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Music (Ambient/Soundscape, Instrumental, Pop, Rhythm & Blues, Rock, Soundtrack) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: |
| Posted on 17 August 2023 | Updated on 22 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Gwindor by Rocky41_7
For Gwindor of Nargothrond, son of Guilin, brother of Gelmir, Angband escapee.
| Major Characters: Gwindor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Music (Instrumental, Rock, Soundtrack) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 22 November 2023 | Updated on 22 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
You Are My Sunshine by Rocky41_7
Amarie and Finrod, from paradise through tragedy to rebirth
| Major Characters: Amarië, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Amarië/Finrod |
| Genres: Music (Pop) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 6 May 2023 | Updated on 8 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Wandering in the Gloaming by Rocky41_7
Playlist for the king and queen of Mirkwood.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Canon Character(s), Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Thranduil/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Music (Folk, Instrumental, Soundtrack, Vocal) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 11 June 2022 | Updated on 8 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Star Trails and Bird's Wings by Rocky41_7
Songs for Elwing, Earendil, and the family they lost.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing, Elrond & Elwing, Elros & Elwing |
| Genres: Music (Folk, Instrumental, Opera, Soundtrack) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: |
| Posted on 26 July 2022 | Updated on 8 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
What the Water Gave Me by Rocky41_7
Playlist to go with my fic of the same name
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: Finduilas/Nienor |
| Genres: Music (Alternative/Punk, Instrumental, Pop, Soundtrack) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 8 May 2023 | Updated on 8 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Winter Light by Zdenka
A music playlist to go with Dawn Felagund's fic Yule Lights. Featuring Celebrimbor, his memories of his family, and Annatar (who is not up to anything suspicious, of course not).
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Music (Classical, Folk, Instrumental, K-pop/J-pop/C-pop, New Age, Pop, Soundtrack, Vocal) | Challenges: Holiday Party, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Posted on 28 January 2023 | Updated on 28 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Into the Depths by Zdenka
A dark Tar-Míriel/Uinen fanmix.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: Tar-Míriel/Uinen |
| Genres: Music (Classical, Folk, Metal, Opera, Rock, Vocal) | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, Mature Themes |
| Posted on 21 January 2023 | Updated on 21 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
My Greatest Joy and Deepest Sorrow by Rocky41_7
A brief history of one of the more noteworthy relationships of Noldor history.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Music (Alternative/Punk, Classical, Pop, Rock, Soundtrack) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: |
| Posted on 25 September 2022 | Updated on 25 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Songs of Middle-earth by Rocky41_7
The music of Middle-earth across the ages.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Sauron, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Music (Folk, Instrumental, New Age, Soundtrack, Vocal) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 31 July 2022 | Updated on 1 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Love and Superstition by grey_gazania
A fanmix for Curufin and Nyellë, his wife.
| 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 28 June 2022 | Updated on 28 June 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
World Turned Upside Down by grey_gazania
A Fëanor/Nerdanel fanmix.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Music | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 20 June 2022 | Updated on 20 June 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Down to the Harbor by grey_gazania
A Círdan fanmix.
| Major Characters: Círdan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Music | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 13 June 2022 | Updated on 13 June 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Wrapped Up in Books: A Fanmix by grey_gazania
A fanmix for Caranthir and Parmacundë, his wife.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Canon Character(s), Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: Caranthir/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Music | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 13 June 2022 | Updated on 13 June 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
The World Is Wide by grey_gazania
A Nellas fanmix.
| Major Characters: Nellas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Music | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 13 June 2022 | Updated on 13 June 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Russingon playlist by firstamazon
I've selected these songs thinking about Fingon and Maedhros' relationship. I have tried to put them in an order that would convey how I see their growing closeness, then their separation at Losgar, Maedhros' imprisonment in Angband, and, finally, their (happy) reunion :)
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Music (Bossa Nova) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on 11 June 2022 | Updated on 13 June 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| | |
