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.
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: 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…
[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.
Epic 80s
Create a fanwork using on of our righteous prompts based on popular culture from the 1980s. Read more ...
Crackuary
"This idea is completely unworkable, but I bet I can make it work." With that philosophy in mind (if so dignified a word can be used here), create a fanwork using a bingo card with the most bizarre, silly, and crackiest prompts we could conjure. 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.
<3 This little story. I love Túrin. What happened to him was 50% bad luck (probably caused by Morgoth) and 50% spectacularly bad decisions (on his part and also his family's and the people near him). I feel sorry for the guy.
Anyway, I liked this glimpse of his youth: the foreshadowing of his death, alone in the forest, and the way he calmed after the storm. He's very much like a storm himself... one very prone to killing people, unfortunately.
Aw, thank you! (I think the bad luck was also involved in the bad decisions, at least if you read the Narn traditionally ;)). I feel sorry for him as well, and it was fun to write him at a somewhat more innocent time. Thank you for commenting!
It's taken me ages to try and come up with a good review for this, hence the belated reaction. You probably won't be surprised to hear that I loved this - the hints at the culture of perception of the Valar by the Sindar, Nellas' sheer joy and optimism (which is a) adorable, and b) quite enviable), the fact that you picked these two characters in the first place --- three leaves! --- and the author's notes, which were just as wonderful as the story.
And this doesn't even cut close to what I want to say. Long story short, I don't deserve it. Thank you for writing it anyway. <3
Yay, you found it! I was worrying that I should've sent you a notice since I wasn't certain if you had time for the SWG at the moment.
I was hoping that you'd like it - writing those two certainly was a first. Nellas' character here has been largely formed by our discussion about who might make a good pb for Nellas and the brief mention of River Tam - except that (I thought) Nellas would be River but without the trauma (aside from general anxiety, I guess). Turns out River without the trauma is Luna Lovegood. ;)
Anyway, I'm glad you found and enjoyed this, which was after all the point. As for the deserving, that's the sneaky thing about gifts - the gifted doesn't get to decide that... ;)
*hugs*
Hi Lyra! I just love stories where an author writes from a youngster's point of view - be they an elfling or a child of Man. Nellas was enchanting and doubtless much older than little Turin had imagined! ;-) Really nice demonstration of how a simple incident, faced with the help of a gentle guide, can go a long way in bolstering a child's confidence and preparing him to manage the greater challenges life will eventually throw at him. Thoroughly enjoyed the story and learned a lot myself! Thanks for sharing it with me!
Hi Elletheril! I always find it a bit difficult to write youngsters (I'm afraid of overdoing "childish" voices!), so I'm really happy that you liked this little story, especially if you're a fan of the genre. It certainly was fun to write Túrin in a (relatively) non-angsty situation! ;) Thank you for letting me know what you think!
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Comments on Watching the Dance
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