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.
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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.
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.
[Playlist] Yacht Rock Silmarillion by Dawn Felagund
Have you ever wondered what would happen if the characters in The Silmarillion were smoooooth like they were sippin' a Sex on the Beach on a party barge in the harbor at Alqualondë? The "Yacht Rock Silmarillion" retells The Silmarillion as though the characters all had perms…
[Writing] and let's be winners by mistake by atlantablack
"Move farther north," Caranthir says to her a month after the attack, gaze steady on her even as his hands continue briskly gutting fish. "There is plenty of land closer to my fortress, and my people can help protect yours if there is another attack."
Haleth looks up from her…
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“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.
Epic 80s
Create a fanwork using on of our righteous prompts based on popular culture from the 1980s. Read more ...
Great Journeys
Join a character on the road to explore the actual and symbolic importance of journeys. Read more ...
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.
[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.
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.
Well this puts a slightly different spin on Cirdan remaining in Middle-earth...
Haha, yes! I think he is going to have more than one reason, but Osse is part of it.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
I loved this! It had some very beautiful descriptions, and also, it was very hot!
I like that we could see the events from both of their pov:s in turn.
Your portrayal of Osse was spot on! How he can be dangerous, but never malicious. But he doesn’t always know the boundaries of the Children. And how he wants to be free, and be wild, but he always sends a warning before, and he teaches the Elves to “read” him. His story shows that there has been a lot of character growth in him during the years.
And Nowe who likes Osse’s not quite Elvish body parts… Quite probably, theirs is a one-of-a-kind relationship, and they both seem to know it. One detail that was kind of cute was that Osse had told Uinen about his desire for an Elf, and how Uinen reacts to that.
There were difficult discussion topics for both of them, but they managed to get over them.
Thank you so much!
Osse has learned a lot about himself in the time after his return to Ulmo's service and he also realised quickly that he cares for the Quendi. He likes them, he doesn't want to hurt them with his wildness.
Uinen knows Osse loves her, she doesn't feel treatened by his interest in Nowe, but she thinks it a little silly of him.
What a charming, and thoughtful, story. I really like your characterisation of Osse as a multi-faceted and very playful personality who enjoys playing rough and also cares that no harm comes to the Elves he's come to love. Some more than others, and in more ways than one! Phew! *fans herself* (Hmm, come to think of it, he and Uinen must have had some interesting unions if they emulated many of the sea creatures!)
And I like the way that Nowe too, comparatively young here, is enjoying exploring new, strange and different things with his friend. And the fact that they can be completely honest in their friendship.
"He wished he were as eloquent as Melkor." That's an interesting thought there that says quite a bit, about how charlatans with ulterior motives are often so charismatic... and admired for that.
Thank you so much!
'Playful' fits Osse very well. He wants to have fun. He's not cruel for cruelty's sake, but he does not like to restrain himself just because some Valar think he should. But he's growing in his relationships with the elves. He realises he needs to restrain himself, if he wants to spend time with them, because they are more fragile than the Ainur, but he loves them and he can make concessions for them without feeling chained.
Osse thinks, it would be easier, if he were good at talking. He's been the target of Melkor's charisma himself, he is a little ashamed of how easily he was convinced, but he thinks now that would be a nice skill to have. He wouldn't use it for bad things, after all... it's the allure of the easy way out.
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