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
Circle of Life
Create a fanwork that addresses the question of life, (im)mortality and reincarnation, or re-embodiment. 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 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
hear the sirens calling by Elrond's Library
Tar-Míriel dreams of the sea, and finds no comfort.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: Tar-Míriel/Uinen |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Horror, Hurt/Comfort, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Domestic and Partner Violence |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 158 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Wander No More by Elrond's Library
The second time Haleth found her way to the glade full of white and yellow flowers, she wasn’t hunting game. She was, however, looking for the stranger.
Haleth meets a stranger in the woods who changes her life forever.
| Major Characters: Haleth, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Haleth/Lúthien |
| Genres: Femslash, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 922 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dancing In The Dark by Grundy
History remembers Curufin as the villain. There are a few who think better of him.
Written for the Taboo challenge - will give warnings on chapters as appropriate.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Curufin & Galadriel, Finrod & Gildor |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kids These Days, Taboo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 46 | Word Count: 148, 640 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (31) |
everywhere the ceremony of innocence is drowned by Elrond's Library
The falcon joined her on the second day of watching. And stayed with her, watching her … Galadriel would say surreptitiously, if birds could do more than blankly stare. It was unnerving. The falcon preened its dark feathers occasionally, but otherwise watched the disembarking Elves with the same keen gaze as Galadriel.
Under the moonlight of the third night the falcon shivered, stretched, and shifted to become one who had been thought lost.
Elwing reunites with Galadriel before the War of Wrath.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Elwing/Galadriel |
| Genres: Femslash, Hurt/Comfort, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 826 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Faithful by Elrond's Library
It was Írissë who caught Elenwë’s final breath.
Aredhel tries to save Elenwë.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Elenwë |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel/Elenwë |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Hurt/Comfort, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Little Shadows by Elrond's Library
Thuringwethil is entranced by Luthien's Song.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: Lúthien/Thuringwethil |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Horror, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 257 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sanctury Revisited by Anérea
Set in Keiliss' Sanctuary 'verse, where Erestor, Gil-galad, and Elrond road trip around modern day South Africa, looking for a missing Glorfindel. This takes place after they find him but before they return to Europe. I guess he wanted to take them to a special place special he knew, before they left.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel, Elrond, Gil-galad, Real Person(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 226 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
we carry our lives around in our memories by Elrond's Library
Anairë and Nerdanel have their own thoughts about going to Beleriand.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Anairë/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Hurt/Comfort, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 207 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
She Hath My Love (Drabbles about Women) by Elrond's Library
A collection of drabbles about women in Tolkien's Legendarium.
| Major Characters: Uinen, Elwing, Nienna, Eärwen, Míriel Serindë, Galadriel, Melian, Nerdanel, Anairë, Aredhel, Haleth, Iminyë, Tatië, Findis, Elemmírë, Celebrían, Lalwen, Goldberry, Elwing, Aredhel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 20 | Word Count: 2, 133 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
And leaps the laughing crystal rill by Elrond's Library
Vána greets the coming spring.
| Major Characters: Vána, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: Vána/Yavanna |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Snake's Lesson by octopus_fool
On a walk with Findaráto, Findis learns about her nephew's fear, and decides to do something against it.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Findis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, The Only Thing To Fear |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 717 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Do Not Remember by Zdenka
A Petrarchan sonnet on the ruins of Ost-in-Edhil.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Poetry | Challenges: Birthday Bash, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 113 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Shadows of Long-Forgotten Summers by octopus_fool
Faramir makes his way through the Dead Marshes to find the Éothéod and is reminded of past summers with their leader, Marhgals.
| Major Characters: Faramir (son of Ondoher), Unnamed Male Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Faramir (son of Ondoher)/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Ficlet, Slash, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Gates of Summer, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 736 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
| Major Characters: Sindar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, The Only Thing To Fear |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (8) |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawble/Finished Sketch |
| Genres: | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Period Drama |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (5) |
A Glimpse of Túrin by Anérea
Abstract sketch from Tuor's pov of Túrin running through the dead trees at Eithel Ivrin after it was despoiled by Glaurung.
| Major Characters: Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Tuor & Turin |
| Artwork Type: Abstract/Pattern, Character/Portrait, Drawble/Finished Sketch |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kids These Days, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (5) |
As Easy as Baking Bread by octopus_fool
Hunleth returns to her people after receiving an education (and getting into a bit of trouble) in Nargothrond, only to realize that she doesn't even know the easiest practical skills, like baking bread.
| Major Characters: Hunleth, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Hunleth/Original Character |
| Genres: Femslash | Challenges: Great Beleriand Bake-Off, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: In-Universe Intolerance |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 886 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Nor Bid the Stars Farewell by StarSpray
He turned to find a pair of kittens, one white with black socks and the other black with white-tipped ears, chasing a piece of string around as an elf dragged it across the flagstones. He sat cross-legged on the ground, rather than on the bench beside him; when he looked up his eyes were bright, and his smile was easy. “Good afternoon!” he said. “You must be Master Samwise. Are you lost?”
“I beg your pardon!” Sam said, hurriedly bowing. “I seem to have gotten turned around somewhere.”
Sam meets Maglor, first in Rivendell and again in Minas Tirith.
| Major Characters: Samwise Gamgee, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maglor & Samwise Gamgee |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 960 |
| 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) |
A Rougher Sea, a Deeper Gulf by Himring
After the Fall of Numenor, the Elves of Lindon try to find out what happened to the ships of Isildur and Anarion. A pair of drabbles featuring Galdor and Anarion's wife.
| Major Characters: Galdor of the Havens, Unnamed Female Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 204 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Needst Thou Ice for that Burn? by AdmirableMonster
The publication of a scandalous new novella takes the world of Númenorean literary circles by storm. But who *is* the mysterious author 'Anna'? And why did she pen such a risqué romance? Is it, as some claim, a disgusting piece of dreck that displays the degeneracy of the times? Or is it a clever social commentary hidden behind a front of taboo titillation?
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: Original Character & Original Character |
| Genres: Experimental, In-Universe Artifact | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 341 |
| 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) |
Tidings by Himring
In Gondor, late in the Second Age, an inhabitant of Pelargir hears the tidings of the fall of Minas Ithil to Sauron's surprise attack.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Birthday Bash, Jumble Sale, New Year's Resolution, Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 852 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Period Drama |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Way That She Died by AdmirableMonster
Last night, the King’s Men put to death a large group of dangerous radicals in the Artists’ Quarter of Armenelos. Caught only a few hours before their planned assassination attempt on Tar-Míriel, they forced our heroic enforcers to battle for their very lives. Unfortunately, the splinter group of Faithful fanatics were unwilling to surrender peacefully. A large number of weapons, including incendiary devices, were recovered from the basement of the house in which they had been planning their cowardly and devious attack. Although all of the royal guard survived, one of their number was carried to the local hospital with severe injuries; he is expected to recover.
Citizens are asked to report any unusual activity to the King’s Men. Now, more than ever, Númenor must stand together against those who would destroy her.
—Short Bulletin in the Armenelos Times, Year 11 of the reign of Ar-Pharazôn
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Experimental, Poly, Science Fiction | Challenges: Musicals, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Expletive Language, In-Universe Intolerance, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Suicide, Torture, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 656 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Great Wave by elennalore
Mairon hates all endings.
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 204 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Beneath the Ever-Bending Sky by Isilme_among_the_stars
Before Círdan can sail West he has one last task to complete: find Maglor Fëanorion and bring him home. Aided by the capricious maia of the sea, Ossë, it does not prove difficult to find him. The trouble is, Maglor does not want to come.
Written for Scribbles and Drabbles 2025 Prompt #89: Guided by the Lonely Star by Maglor My Beloved, whose artwork can be found here.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Círdan, Ossë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 12, 540 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
