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…
[Writing] Changing Styles by StarSpray
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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 ...
Song of Exile
Create a fanwork about exile or exiles. About being exiled. About the people who are exiled. About the decision to exile, the leavetaking, the consequences. About metaphorical or symbolic exile. 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
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[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.
Oh my, yes! The drowning of Númenor would create an enormously destuctive tsunami, wouldn't it. I do like Círdan's line of thinking here, appreciating Noldoran craftsmanship, and considering the needs of the newly homeless islanders.
And Elendil — he knew something was coming, but I'd never for a moment considered that he'd not really thought he'd be king. Whooph! That's a lot for the man to have land on his shoulders, what with everything else, including homelessness.
A thoughtful pair of drabbles that I really enjoyed.
Thank you very much!
The enormously destructive tsunami is canonical, although we are told more details how it affected the coastline of Gondor. Here I am assuming that in Lindon there was some destruction, but it mostly affected parts of the port area rather than any living quarters.
Elendil's family seem to have a long history of being loyal to the royal family despite all the religious and political differences. They only rebelled at the very last moment. So it seems that would require some thinking through. Of course, they have their share of Numenorean pride! But still, it seems to me that it was a far more obvious move for Isildur and Anarion to become leaders in Gondor, where there were substantial number of Faithful settled in Pelargir (but also more Black Numenoreans close by), than for Elendil to establish a kingdom in Arnor.
As he recovers in the temporary accommodation thoughtfully provided by Círdan in Lindon, I like that Elendil wonders whether his family should just waltz onto the mainland after the destruction of Númenor and take over as if they are already entitled to rule. It has always felt a little bit unbelievable that they sail in with a "Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come" and immediately are kings with minimal local opposition or fuss. Settlements need building! The populace may need to be persuaded to acknowledge you!
I agree! As I've mentioned to Anerea above, we are given clearer hints why that might work for his sons in Gondor.
I can't pretend that Elendil having any self-doubts is canonical, but the circumstances do suggest to me that perhaps he ought to have had them, so I have preferred to give him some!
Both parts of this were very beautiful. ?
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