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 Day Transcending Night by StarSpray
The Rings have been forged. The armies of Mordor are marching into Eriador. Eregion burns.
Far away from it all, by the shores of the Sea, Celegorm remembers his name.
[Writing] House of Finwë by softmoonlightmelody
One drabble per Finwëan. Currently finished, ending with Eärendil but excluding Elwing, Elrond, and Elros.
[Artwork] Shadow's Scribbles 2026 by daughterofshadows
This is the collection of my art submissions for Scribbles & Drabbles 2026, featuring four art works.
[Writing] In Those Days by Dagstjarna
Young Nerdanel and Fëanor’s friendship blossoms.
[Writing] One Flesh, One Soul. Part I by FellFireFan
An elven prince stands against the looming shadows of Angband. Brother of Galadriel, Aegnor is as beautiful as he is deadly. A fierce warrior with a reputation to match, who commands the respect of all the Noldorin princes and all who look upon him. However, beneath his iron shell, lies a…
[Writing] The Heart Finds its Morning by StarSpray
Then the door opened. Celebrimbor sat up—and blinked. Whoever he had expected, it was not his cousin Finduilas, who closed the door gently behind her and turned to him with a smile. “Hello, Cousin. Am I intruding?”
“No, of course not.” Celebrimbor rose to take her hand. “I’m always glad…
[Writing] A falling star by Novenoe
Eärendil and Elwing have some trouble with a shooting star in the sky
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
Gates of Summer
Create a fanwork based on prompts about summer taken from Tolkien's life, canon events, and quotes from his letters and stories. 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 novel was completed for Hobbit Day 2026 and will be updated in serialized fashion here as I make final edits; so feedback is very much welcome.
-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…
[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 Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Breaking Into Light by StarSpray
Glingaereth meets the crown prince of the Noldor by chance, if chance you call it.
“All the same, sister, be careful.”
“Me?” Glingaereth said. “Careful of what?”
“Of that prince.”
“What, Fingon? If you are worried about the Noldor’s feuds, he is the one who brought them to an end.”
Limbeleth shook her head. “I can’t explain it. It isn’t that you need worry about him, but—I have an uneasy feeling about them all, and I feel also that you will be bound up in their fate somehow.”
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Unnamed Canon Character(s), Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Unnamed Canon Character, Fingon/Original Character |
| Genres: Het, Romance | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 6, 905 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Valiant and Dauntless by Himring
Fingon and Hurin: I. A Common Root
| Major Characters: Fingon, Húrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 103 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
March of the Noldor by Himring
A poem about the Noldor. (See Story Notes.)
| Major Characters: Noldor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 64 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The road to the Estolad by clotho123
A kind of follow up to "The Debate of Finrod and Andreth". Finrod left a few things out of his talk with Andreth, which led me to wonder what a member of a different Noldorin House might have to say.
| Major Characters: Amrod, Andreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 805 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
All The Heart's Orthographies by sallysavestheday
A perfect drabble for each of the Tengwar, for the Tengwar challenge.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 757 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
"Tengwar" ficlets by chrissystriped
Fics written for the "Tengwar" challenge.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Arien, Azaghâl, Celebrían, Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Círdan, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Elrond, Elros, Eönwë, Fëanor, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Glorfindel, Gothmog, Haleth, Idril, Lalwen, Mablung, Maedhros, Maeglin, Manwë, Melkor, Narvi, Nerdanel, Oropher, Ossë, Pengolodh, Sauron, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 35 | Word Count: 6, 178 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (33) |
Uin's Delivery Service by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Uin ferries the Elves to Valinor because Ulmo asked. If he has to hear "are we there yet" one more time, he might just dump the lot of them off the island. Or maybe not.
| Major Characters: Uin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Hans the Peacock King by Kaylee Arafinwiel
The King of the Peacocks has passed away. Who will come to mourn his passing? Manwe will surely send his emissaries...
https://archiveofourown.org/works/47759956 This poem goes with the artwork.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Character Death |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Third of January (for Larner) by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Inspired by Larner's story "Transformation". http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=5312&cid=27860 Every third of January, Arda returns to its pre-transformed state. Who can see it happen? Why does it happen?
| Major Characters: Arien, Tilion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Super Craban Birb by Kaylee Arafinwiel
He's a craban. He's up to something. He mostly looks super confused...
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Elwing and the Silmaril by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Elwing carries the Silmaril to Vingilot.
| Major Characters: Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Losing Something (or Someone) Precious by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Morgoth lost the Silmaril. Elrond lost his parents because of the Silmaril (and that was just to start with). Sauron lost the One Ring. All have lost something, or someone precious to them.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elrond, Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Lord of the Rings | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
A blip on the radar by daughterofshadows
Humanity took to the skies. Eärendil and Ilmarë adjust.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Ilmarë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Star Trek | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King, Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 138 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (19) |
Where's Osse? by Kaylee Arafinwiel
The adventures of Wally the Walrus...or Osse the Maia, in walrus form?
| Major Characters: Ossë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Fanfiction and the Serious Business of Writer's Craft by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that while most authors self-identify as taking their craft seriously, a growing subset of authors may be pushing that norm.
Darkened paths by daughterofshadows
Aredhel walks a dark path.
| Major Characters: Aredhel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 64 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Finarfin and Eärwen on the Beach by UnicornsInSpace
A poem Finarfin writes about Eärwen after a walk on the beach together.
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: Eärwen/Finarfin |
| Genres: Poetry, Romance | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 23 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Like a vast shadow moved by Quente
Nimloth drags her feet about a certain decision; Melian has no time for that.
| Major Characters: Melian, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Ficlet | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 319 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
A Silent Echo by Rocky41_7
Hithlum reckons with the departure of the future Gondolindrim.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingolfin & Fingon |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 928 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Weaver of Gloom by Flora-lass
Ungoliant gets a chance to have her say.
Written for the Tengwar challenge, with the prompts silmë nuquerna (starlight reversed) and ungwë (spider's web).
| Major Characters: Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 230 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
On a night of stars, a bird by Quente
Nimloth and Dior meet, and he is naked.
Alternatively,
Melian travels south to visit her daughter, and meets a familiar looking bird.
Written for the Tengwar prompt, Quessë (feather).
| Major Characters: Dior, Melian, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: Dior & Melian, Dior/Nimloth |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 548 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Apprentice by Quente
Dior is in Menegroth learning to be his grandfather's heir -- but his grandmother decides to take him as apprentice too.
Written for the Tengwar Challenge, May 15: Súlë (spirit).
| Major Characters: Dior, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Dior & Melian |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Ficlet | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 447 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Tengwar: To The Letter by cuarthol
For the Tengwar prompt challenge.
All 36 prompts plus bonus chapter
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Aegnor, Andreth, Angrod, Avari, Celeborn, Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Círdan, Curufin, Daeron, Eagles, Edain, Eldalótë, Elwing, Ents, Fëanor, Finduilas, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Gil-galad, Gwindor, Húrin, Ilwen, Indis, Mahtan, Mîm, Nellas, Nerdanel, Nuin, Telchar, Thorondor, Tilion, Zimrahin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, In-Universe Artifact, Poetry | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 37 | Word Count: 4, 142 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (142) |
History abandons us by AdmirableMonster
During his incarceration in Roderick Burgess' basement, Dream receives a strange, ancient visitor.
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s), Lórien, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Lórien & Thranduil |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Sandman | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 980 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
If i get home before daylight by BloodwingBlackbird
a traveler meets a stranger at a crossroads.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Folklore | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 293 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
