Cultus Dispatches: "The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far)
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data for 2025 shows that "The Rings of Power" TV series has not had the same impact on the fandom as the film trilogies did ... so far.
Founded in 2005, the Silmarillion Writers' Guild exists for discussions of and creative fanworks based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion and related texts. We are a positive-focused and open-minded space that welcomes fans from all over the world and with all levels of experience with Tolkien's works. Whether you are picking up Tolkien's books for the first time or have been a fan for decades, we welcome you to join us!
Cultus Dispatches: "The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far)
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data for 2025 shows that "The Rings of Power" TV series has not had the same impact on the fandom as the film trilogies did ... so far.
New Challenge: Building Middle-earth
Let global architecture be your inspiration in this challenge, where you will work with a prompts that are architectural styles, locations in Arda, or both.
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.
New Challenge: Epic 80s
This month's challenge features hundreds of fresh prompts from the bodacious decade of the 1980s.
[Artwork] Weight of a Mythic Past by silmalope
Maglor reflects on the past after returning to Valinor. Created for the August 2026 "Building Middle-Earth" challenge.
[Writing] Alone Yourself and Nameless by StarSpray
It was easier than he had thought it would be to leave his name behind—to put on a new one when needed, like changing one set of clothes for another.
[Writing] Kesäkuningattaret by Erdariel
Celebrían ja Varyandë viettävät kesäpäivää Imladrisin puutarhassa.
[Writing] Wound Care by StarSpray
He’d ventured into the little fishing village in search of food and maybe a dry place to sleep for a night of rain and wind—he hadn’t expected this, to be bullied into a hot meal and a healer’s attention.
[Writing] Swelling from the Sea by annarobots
Tuor and Elwing’s recreational sailing excursion goes terribly awry when a carnivorous siren casts her gaze upon their vessel. With her song, she enchants the mariners and boards with evil intent. She kills and eats their crewman, she demands Tuor’s hand in marriage, and for dessert…
[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] The Mirror Crack'd by AdmirableMonster
Rescued from a brutal Angband hunt, an ex-thrall with a strange and powerful artifact embedded in his spine is brought to Himring, for it is one of the only places in Beleriand which welcomes such folk. Though he has no memories of his life before, Anniavas slowly becomes accustomed to his new…
Building Middle-earth
Receive a prompt of an architectural style or a location on Arda—or both!—to inspire your fanworks. Read more ...
"The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far) by Dawn Walls-Thumma
The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film trilogies mark perhaps the most influential events in the history of the Tolkien fanfiction fandom. As the Rings of Power show approaches its third season, data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows that it is not even close to matching the impact of the films ... yet.
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.
[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.
Innumerable Stars 2026
A character-based Tolkien fandom gift exchange is returning for another year of gifting.
Silvergifting Week 2026
A week dedicated to Celebrimbor/Mairon | Annatar | Sauron pairing, aka Silvergifting. August 10-16, 2026
Sometimes one can get lost in Tolkien's world and have it feel very much like our own and permit oneself to accept its magical element as plausible and reasonable. With this tale, you fly off into the realm of pure fairie--nothing ordinary or day-to-day about this setting. And yet you touch emotional truths that one can understand.
"Still, between her, Tilion and Eärendil there was nothing going on on Arda’s surface that at least one of them did not know about."
This is a very entertaining concept and interesting part of their interactions with the world and one another.
What I really like about Tolkien's world is that it is so enormous and immersive and it feels like anything's possible without the characters themseves being omniscient and emotionally so distant that they become unavailable.
The Sun and the Moon are visible to everyone, so why shouldn't everyone also be visible to the Sun and Moon? That was basically my reasoning. I'm glad you liked the idea!
I really like the idea of those three beoming friends--that Earendil's arrival helped to resolve the tension between Arien and Tilion.
It does seem to be the kind of task for which even a Maia might need some emotional support.
Such a sad glimpse of Nerdanel, coming to enquire after Maglor--and yet it's almost a comforting thought that at least she had Arien to ask about him.
Thank you! Three people dissolve the tension that can exists between two, and with time Eärendil's arrival calmed down the tempers of both Arien and Tilion. I think that once Tilion's crush (can we call it that?) faded, his behaviour returned to 'normal' and Arien saw the person underneath the nuisance.
Haha, I personally don't think the Ainur in gener are all that skilled when dealing with emotions, which was how Melkor was able to manipulate so many of them. (Part of Melkor's rebellion consisted of being in touch with his feelings and acting on them, I imagine).
Yes it is, isn't it? Despite being hailed as Cursed and Dispossessed Fëanorians, they are her children, as well and I think that is something people forget once they arrive in Beleriand. Arien feels Nerdanel's grief, and by extension empathizes with Maglor.
Oh, I loved this! Firstly, it's great to see Tilion and Arien interact (beyond his silly attempts to chase her and get his beautiful vessel burnt!) and also befriending Eärendil, but moreover because it gave so much thought to how this would work out in the long run! I never thought about how they might cope with everything they get to witness from above. The thought of Eärendil and Tilion as gossipers was as amusing as Nerdanel asking Arien about Maglor was heartbreaking. Loved the description of Arien's mansion and the thought you gave to the physical reality of the Maiar, too!
Thank you! It makes me so happy when people like my stories. Haha, with the phases of the moon and all I don't think Tilion will ever truly stop chasing Arien ;) It was the idea of Tilion and Eärendil as Arda's finest gossipers that made me choose Arien as a subject for this challenge! One day I will write a story about the two of them! I think that Tilion and Eärendil became really close; when Eärendil joined them in the sky, Tilion acted as his mentor, since they most often sailed together. Eventually that morphed into a brotherhood, and when Tilion and Arien made up, she joined them too. I don't think Eärendil would've been able to bear the weight of his duty without Tilion. I don't think that even the Valar can truly comprehend what an impact that can have, which made them find comfort with each other.
The interaction between Arien and Nerdanel almost wrote itself and I can't deny it made me shed a few tears as well ;)
oh, this is wonderful! A gentle, yet sad tale in its own way, but the friendship between Tilion and Earendil made me smile. And of course Tilion is still chasing Arien *wry grin* as though he could do anything else!
Arien feeling Nerdanel's pain made me cry for them both though. The things these Watchers of Arda must see...*wishes I could hug Arien, if she wouldn't burn me that is*
Donut: *perches on his Kaylee's shoulder and offers Arien a fish* Mine?
Hm :) silly seagull. but Donut has an interest in Earendil and Elwing, so that explains him poking in on my review, lol. *giggles*
Thank you for posting this wonderful story! :)
Thank you for the review! Arien, Tilion and Eärendil are the new trinity ;) and with the phases of the Moon being what they are, Tilion can hardly stop chasing her, now can he?
Arien is not really a people person, but nonetheless is deeply empathic. And you can hug her! As long as she's wearing her physical form, you are fine!
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Comments on Sunset to Sunrise
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