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] Dibbly Fresh, an Elfling-Sitters Club Story by annarobots
Need an elfling-sitter? Save time! Call The Elfling-Sitters Club and reach seven six experienced sitters.
Fingon, President
Daeron, Vice-President
Pengolodh, Secretary
Finrod, Treasurer
Maglor…
[Writing] The Orphan Princess and the BFG by octopus_fool
Elwing is fleeing towards the Havens of Sirion when she spots a nightly visitor.
During a visit to Círdan, Finrod discovers a new hobby involving tying ropes around various objects. Now, he's ready to take it to the next level, but there is a small kink in the plan - he wants a spotter to make sure everything goes well. Fortunately, Edrahil is available.
[Writing] Shepherd Princess by Himring
A princess and her sheepdog. (Drabble featuring a young Ancalime.)
[Writing] A Thousand Winds that Blow by StarSpray
When uneasy dreams bring him back into Beleriand, Daeron finds a pair of twins who have lost their home, and an enemy who has lost himself. The Shadow's reach is growing ever longer, and if they are to survive, they must do it together.
[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…
[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?
Current Challenge
Building Middle-earth
While Tolkien is known for his vast natural landscapes, those expanses are populated by people—and the buildings they construct. Whether a cottage tucked into the forest or the soaring spires of a grand city, the architecture of Arda can send the imagination adventuring through settings ethereal and astonishing. This month's challenge uses architecture to inspire fanworks. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Musicals
Craft a fanwork inspired by songs from musicals. 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 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.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Destined to be together by Himring
In the Third Age, in a small coastal town of Gondor, a young girl has an encounter at a critical time for her.
A wandering Maglor story featuring an animal rescue.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Caprice and Chance |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 291 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
'the light in your eyes' by hennethgalad
Gundor, youngest child of Hador Lórindo, grows up and falls in love.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Gundor, Hador |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 029 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Heart of the Fire by Gabriel
Family get-together's can be trying at the best of times. When Moryo goes missing, Tyelko is sent to find him and stumbles on a cousin he has not met.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Caranthir, Celegorm, Fëanor, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 689 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Cloak by Himring
Young Elrond, Maedhros and a lot of rain.
For Oshun, who likes Elrond and Maedhros, in honour of her 100th character bio for the SWG Newsletter. I hope you like it, Oshun!
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 073 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Perchance to Dream by Grundy
Finduilas is not ready to leave the Halls of Mandos yet.
| Major Characters: Finduilas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Sirens and Songstresses |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 441 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Family Portraits by arriviste
In the beginning, you say, and the stories you tell the boys about themselves start in the mudflats beyond Sirion as you rode away from it together.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 505 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Busy by eris_of_imladris
Summary: Finwë hopes his best is good enough. A follow-up scene to “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Prince.”
Inspired by Nina Simone’s performance of “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” for SWG’s Sirens and Songstresses challenge.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finwë, Indis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Sirens and Songstresses |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 113 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A New Place by Independence1776
Maglor decides to explore Rivendell.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Sirens and Songstresses |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 206 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Secret Passages by hennethgalad
Idril enlists the aid of Glorfindel and Ecthelion in preparing an escape route from Gondolin.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Sirens and Songstresses |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 714 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The heart, it hides unimaginable things by Himring
One night in Mithrim, Maglor helps Maedhros through a panic attack.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Sirens and Songstresses |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 842 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Trials by Independence1776
Maglor talks with Nerdanel and stands trial before the Valar.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Nerdanel, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 598 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Streams of Time by Leithriel
Time is a tricky thing to play with. It can take everything away from you. Yet, if you play your hand right, it can give back everything it took too.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Lalaith, Melkor, Morwen, Nellas, Nienor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Drama, Het, Hurt/Comfort, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 2, 592 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Failure by Lingwiloke
After the events that ended with his father's exile from Nargothrond, Celebrimbor struggles to find a sense of normalcy.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 769 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A hand outstretched by anriondrakonion
One-shot of Gil-galad's doomed unrequited love for Elrond, written at 1am.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 337 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Elegy for Boromir, Steward of Gondor by Himring
Elegy on the fate of Boromir, the eleventh Ruling Steward of Gondor, son of Denethor I., after whom Boromir, son of Denethor II, was named.
| Major Characters: Boromir (Steward of Gondor) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2012 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 164 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Doubts by Tilperiel
Aredhel's good at playing games, but Turgon isn't stupid
Written for day seven of Gondolin Week
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 865 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Eloped by hennethgalad
Hareth of the House of Haleth elopes with Galdor of the House of Hador.
also for Legendarium Ladies April
| Major Characters: Galdor (Edain), Hareth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Hidden Figures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 665 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Who Killed King Finwe? by Lingwiloke
After his successful theft of the Silmarils, Melkor is in a very good mood.
| Major Characters: Melkor, Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic, Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
To many he appeared fair, to others terrible; but to some evil by Lingwiloke
Sauron through the ages.
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 896 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Footnotes in History by Tilperiel
Personal pain doesn't need recording in history books.
Written for day six of Gondolin week
| Major Characters: Pengolodh, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 902 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
No Harm Done by Tilperiel
There's something wrong with Maeglin and Idril's right to be concerned
Written for Day five of Gondolin Week
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Idril, Maeglin, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 583 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Lullaby by grey_gazania
A brief interlude between Fingon and his wife.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff | Challenges: Hidden Figures |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 408 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Kindness doesn't cost anything by Tilperiel
It doesn't do to judge others by your own standards, if your own standards involve looking down on people.
Written for Day 4 of Gondolin Week
| Major Characters: Rog, Salgant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 691 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fate & Faith by Grundy
A glimpse of Tar-Elendil's daughter Silmariën at two key moments in her life.
| Major Characters: Silmarien, Tar-Elendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Hidden Figures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 264 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Comeuppance by Tilperiel
If you're going to upset the lords of Gondolin and get caught, you should probably expect some retribution.
Especially if your name is Salgant.
Written for Gondolin Week Day 3
| Major Characters: Duilin, Glorfindel, Penlod, Salgant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: Hidden Figures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 942 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
