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] Changing Styles by StarSpray
“What did you do to your hair?”
[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?
[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] Star of Hope by Fuin
A new star shines in the sky. They claim it brings hope.
[Writing] The Message by Flora-lass
Borondir carries Steward Cirion's urgent request to Eorl the Young, with the help of his horse but at great personal cost.
[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.
Current Challenge
Epic 80s
Create a fanwork using on of our righteous prompts based on popular culture from the 1980s. Read more ...
Random Challenge
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 Gen Week 2026
Tolkien Gen Week will run from July 6-12, 2026 to appreciate all of the incredible characters and relationships within Tolkien’s legendarium that fall under the broad category of “gen.”
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
After the Cataclysm by Himring
In Eriador, rumours of the recent Downfall of Numenor are spreading. In a small town inland these rumours are confirmed by the arrival of Elendil and his companions. Still inwardly reeling with shock, Elendil is confronted here with an aspect of Numenor he finds difficult to deal with.
| Major Characters: Elendil, Númenóreans, Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 713 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Wrath by Elrond's Library
Arafinwë attempts reconciliation.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: Eärwen/Finarfin |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Nameless by elennalore
A nameless being hunts Elves in the woods around Cuiviénen.
| Major Characters: Finwë, Elu Thingol |
| Major Relationships: Finwë & Thingol |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 103 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Aule's Dilemma by Uvatha the Horseman
What if, instead of being cast into the volcano, the Ring were given to Aule the Smith to unmake? Aule has the ability to do it, but Mairon was his apprentice, and Aule feels protective of him.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Sauron, Saruman |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 15 | Word Count: 20, 767 |
| 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) |
All That the Waves Did Not Claim by Isilme_among_the_stars
Moments of reflection with Maglor as he comes to terms with grief. A collection of drabbles and other short writings to accompany One in the Deep Waters.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 740 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
And his heart bade him haste by ethanray
Eärendil thinks about his family while sailing home
For April 2026 Instadrabbling
| Major Characters: Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Apr 1st Stories by Uvatha the Horseman
Once a year on April 1st, a canon character from LOTR or the Silmarillion gets pranked.
| Major Characters: Hobbits |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Echo the Mountain by Elrond's Library
Argon falls, and Turgon screams.
| Major Characters: Turgon, Argon |
| Major Relationships: Argon & Turgon |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Code Red by Scribe of Mirrormere
Aredhel runs into trouble after leaving Gondolin. Luckily, she is prepared. The Walking Dead fusion/zombie AU.
| Major Characters: Amras, Aredhel, Curufin, Dwarves, Egalmoth, Eöl, Galadriel, Idril, Lúthien Tinúviel, Mablung, Maglor, Meleth (Elf), Nellas, Original Character(s), Rog, Telchar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Crossover, Horror, Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2015 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 31, 659 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Gli ultimi momenti di Fingon by sh3rry95
Gli ultimi pensieri di Fingon
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 190 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The last moments of Fingon by sh3rry95
Fingon last thoughts...
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 180 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Soltanto Vento by sh3rry95
Dopo la Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Maedhros rimane solo a Himring, circondato dal silenzio e dai ricordi.<br />
Tra presente e passato, ripercorre ciò che Fingon è stato per lui — e ciò che non potrà più essere.
Ha partecipato all'EAC nel gruppo Hurt/Comfort Italia
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Ficlet, General, Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 833 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
On the Edges by Elrond's Library
The overlooked son, Carnistir was, with such strong personalities among his kin.
| Major Characters: Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 310 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Picking Up The Pieces by Grundy
After the Fall of Gondolin, Maeglin's more than a little broken. Is there any hope for him?
| Major Characters: Idril, Maeglin, Other Fictional Character(s), Aredhel, Galadriel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Maeglin/Other Fictional Character |
| Genres: Crossover | Challenges: But I Won't Do That, Gates of Summer, Jumble Sale, Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song, Laws and Customs, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 44 | Word Count: 137, 593 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Mairon: 30-Day Character Study by elennalore
Ficlets and drabbles on Mairon written for 30-Day Character Study.
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Sauron, Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 849 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Something More Than Flesh and Bone by Isilme_among_the_stars
In the interludes between Eärendil's voyages, he is wholly Elwing's and she is wholly his. They share a languid afternoon together.
Written for the Famous Last Words Challenge Prompt: I'm gonna take it with me when I go - Take It With Me, Tom Waits
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Erotica, Fluff, Het | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 292 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Riflessioni by sh3rry95
Riflessioni
- Helcaraxë
- Cuiviénen
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 697 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 557 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
no vela, no orion by arafinweanappreciation
“Can I ask you a question?” Her voice was jarringly loud.
“Of course,” Nóm replied. He didn’t look worried. He thought this was one of her philosophical quandaries. Well, it was one in a roundabout kind of– never mind that, she was probably about to ruin his morning. Both of their mornings.
| Major Characters: Andreth, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Andreth & Finrod |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 464 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Melkor's Bad Day by Deborah Judge
All Melkor wants to do is turn everyone against each other. Why is it so hard?
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Fingolfin |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Incest |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 032 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Into Grief and Beyond It by StarSpray
“Then,” Frodo said, “if I were able to, I should be thanking him. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for those Rings. And—well, Sam said once recently that we’re really all just part of the same story as the one about you and your brothers, and Beren and Lúthien, and Eärendil, and all the rest. I’ve got this star-glass that Lady Galadriel made for me, and it’s got the light of Eärendil’s star in it, which is the light of the Silmaril that your father made, isn’t it? And Sam and I never would have made it without this glass—so I’ve got Lady Galadriel and Eärendil and Fëanor to thank too."
Frodo speaks with Maglor in Minas Tirith.
Some years later, in Valinor, he meets Celebrimbor.
| Major Characters: Frodo, Maglor, Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: Frodo Baggins & Maglor, Celebrimbor & Frodo Baggins |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Title Track |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 5, 070 |
| 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) |
Stone by Anne Wolfe
A poem of a stone from the ruins of Hollin. Inspired by the prompt "The Hills Are Old".
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Title Track |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 204 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Way That She Died - Afterlife by Jonathan Gee, AdmirableMonster
An illustration of what happens not long after the final scene of AdmirableMonster's The Way That She Died
| 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 complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
The Way That She Died - End of Life by Jonathan Gee, AdmirableMonster
The opening scene from AdmirableMonster's story The Way That She Died, illustrated
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Though All Things Fail and Come to Naught by Artano
In the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach, an elf searches for survivors amongst the ruins of a town. The horrors he sees make him struggle to find hope in an ever-darkening world.
| Major Characters: Elves, Noldor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Title Track |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 423 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
