If you think of the world of fanworks like a feature film, the fanworks creators are the names that splash across the screen before the film begins. They work hard to produce the beautiful art, stories, and other fanworks that keep us coming back (some of us for decades!) to the Tolkien fandom, and they deservedly get the red-carpet treatment. But they are not the only contributors to the project. When most people are filing from the theaters and the usher has begun sweeping away the spilled popcorn before the next showing, other contributors' names file swiftly across the screen, mostly unread but no less essential to the success of the project.
Betas are among the behind-the-scenes fan laborers, and we want to honor them this week. Whether untwisting your most bedeviled prose, acting as a sounding board when developing plot and character, or helping you catch which witch is which (and countless other ways that betas make our fanworks shine), betas are an essential part of the creative process for many writers and other creators.
New fan creators often wonder where they can find a beta. What is the secret handshake that gets you access to this seemingly magical human who genies your work into perfection? On the SWG, we have a beta directory that can help put creators in touch with other SWG members who are willing to help them improve their work. If you're on our Discord, we offer the #beta-finder channel (in the Notice Board section), which is especially invaluable when it's 8PM and your exchange fic is due at midnight and you desperately need someone to make sure you're not about to make a fool of yourself. (If you're not on our Discord and want to be, just reply to this email and we'll send you an invite. All are welcome!)
If you're an SWG member and want to sign up as a beta, you can do so from your user account by clicking the Beta Profile tab at the top. From here, you can go on hiatus with a single click if you are unavailable and want to be removed from the list without deleting your profile.
And to all of you who have beta'ed in the past: we see you and thank you! đź’™
SWG News
Sign-Up to Hand Out Scavenger Hunt Prompts
Our May challenge will be a Matryoshka built around a scavenger hunt. If you'd like to hand out prompts (and receive comments on your work for doing so!), you can sign up to do so.
New Challenge: Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
Cultus Dispatches: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn and Grundy
The fan studies column Cultus Dispatches returns with a history of how Tolkien fanworks fandom has reacted and resisted generative AI by drawing strong boundaries in a way that is not typical for the fandom.
Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New Fanworks
The Endless Years by by Elrond's Library [Writing]
Elwing reckons with the passage of time.
Read more ...dye me, nocturne by by skywardstruck [Writing]
Maglor without Maedhros, Daeron without LĂşthien. Alone, they are nothing, but together, they can be something more.
Where do you turn, when you have no one else left?
Written for Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2023, featuring artwork by athlai.
Read more ...a life freely given, a favor returned by by skywardstruck [Writing]
Finrod and BĂ«or stop for a while on the road to Nargothrond to rest. The bodies of the Secondborn often grow weary, and Finrod laments, massaging BĂ«or's back and renewing his beloved's vigor with the work of his hands. But Finrod has other burdens of his own, BĂ«or soon discovers, returning Finrod's favor in the best way he knows how.
Read more ...Til We're on the Other Side by by StarSpray [Writing]
It was only the second time Finwë had come out foraging with them, and of course this would happen—of course the Hunter would come, the Dark Rider on his steed with its terrible, heavy footfalls, and the deep-throated laughter that held no mirth, only malice.
In the dark woods near the Waters of Awakening, Finwë's brothers are taken.
In Valinor, when the Trees wither, Finwë is slain.
In the Fourth Age, things take place long thought impossible.
Read more ...Updated Fanworks
Hill and Water Under Sky by by StarSpray [Writing]
a collection of drabbles and mini ficlets in the meanwhile the world goes on 'verse that aren't long enough to stand on their own
Read more ...The Mirror Crack'd by by AdmirableMonster [Writing]
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 life and finds he has a queer connection with Maedhros, Himring's lord. As their intimacy grows, however, so do the dangers surrounding them, both without and within. What secrets are hidden inside the depths of Anniavas's lost memories--and how will those with whom he is forging and deepening bonds react, when those secrets are at last revealed?
Read more ...A Hundred Miles Through the Desert by by StarSpray [Writing]
“Come on.” Maedhros grabbed his hand and pulled him along down the path, both of them quickening their pace now, until the trees opened up into a wide meadow filled with flowers, bright yellow celandine and dandelions and sweet-scented pale chamomile mingling with cornflowers and irises. On the other side of it was a larger party than Maglor had ever seen in Lórien—five figures sitting in the grass. Huan barked again, and they all looked up. “It seems everyone has come to fetch us home,” Maedhros said, laughing, as all their brothers scrambled to their feet.
After years in LĂłrien, Maglor and Maedhros are ready to return to their family and to make something new with their lives--but to move forward, all of FĂ«anor's sons must decide how, or if, they can ever reconcile with their father.
Read more ...Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
The Mirror of Galadriel by by skywardstruck [Artwork]
Smoke rises from the Mirror, where the Lady of LothlĂłrien awaits to share its visions.
Read more ...Bar-en-Eladar by by Gabriel [Writing]
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.
Read more ...Around the World and Web
April/May Teitho Challenge
Teithio is running a prompt challenge around the theme of "heartbreak."
Barduil Month 2026
A month-long Tumblr events all about the relationship between Thranduil and Bard the Bowman.
Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2026
The Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang is back for another summer of collaboration between artists and writers!
Leaf & Lore: A Tolkien Writing Month
Start a story, work on a WIP, finish a fic, dabble in drabbles, pen a poem, type a tale, or otherwise wrestle with words. Set your own goal: Leaf & Lore is all up to you.
Gondor Week 2026
A Tumblr week event focusing on the history of the realm of Gondor.
Angbang Week 2026
Angbang Week is a tumblr event focusing on the relationship between Morgoth and Sauron, running from May 5-11, 2026
Aspec Arda Week 2026
This week-long event celebrates asexual and aromantic spectrum interpretations and headcanons of Tolkien’s Legendarium.
Crablor Day
A day dedicated to everyone's favourite warcriminal crustacean - April 26, 2026
