Comments are one of the more perilous parts of the fanfiction-writing experience. I say "perilous" because authors really like comments (as a general rule), and when someone perceives that something they enjoy is being withheld, all sorts of thoughts and feelings and actions can ensue. If you write fanfiction, you have probably compared your comment (or click or kudos) counts to someone else. You have probably entertained dark thoughts about your skill as a writer based on that single data point. You have possibly thought unkind things about the people reading your work for free but not leaving a single word of thanks. Or maybe reasoned why that other person's numbers are higher but not actually deserved.
This month, in Cultus Dispatches, our monthly column about Tolkien fandom history, we begin to explore the world of commenting. The first article in this series looks at authors' perspectives on the comments they do (and do not) receive, using data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey to identify trends. Of course, it includes the unsurprising information that, as children like ice cream, authors like comments. (Most do anyway. I was a child who didn't like ice cream, so exceptions are always possible.) However, a deeper dive into the data shows that commenting appears to be bound up with a broader interactive component to fandom, which in turns ties in to shifts in platform use that have occurred across the fandom's history.
You can read "Fandom Chocolate ... or Authors Love Comments" here.
If you have big thoughts and big feelings on commenting (or even just regular-sized thoughts and feelings), we have an active Fandom Voices project about commenting. Fandom Voices is a sub-project of Cultus Dispatches that collects fan experiences and perceptions on fandom-related topics. Readers and creators (of all different types of fanworks, not just fanfic!) are welcome. Responses will be collected and published for next month's Cultus column. You can contribute a response to Fandom Voices here.
SWG News
Cultus Dispatches: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
New Challenge: Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon."
Character of the Month: Eönwë
This month's biography focuses on Eönwë, who started with a variety of identities but settled into the role of Manwë's herald, exemplifying the values of strong leadership and justice.
Instadrabbling Sessions for October, November, and December
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
The Character Field Looks Different
Have you ever scrolled up and down the character selection list on the archive for entirely too long, looking for the name the character is listed under? (Perhaps only to discover that it is under something weird like Lórien for Irmo?)
How we list characters actually is systematic (and geared toward newcomers to The Silmarillion, if you were wondering), but that didn't make the character select list any more user-friendly. So we have upgraded this field on fanworks submissions forms! Now, instead of selecting characters from a long list (and having to hold down CTRL or Command and losing all your choices if you forget or your finger slips), you will now begin typing the character's name and choose the correct tag from the results.
Even better, typing one of the character's alternate names will return the correct tag now as well. So typing "Mairon" will give you "Sauron," "Irmo" will give you "Lórien," and "Russandol" will give you "Maedhros" ... you get the point.
We are still in the process of expanding alternate names for the characters in our tagset. We have the major ones in, but there are surely still many who are missing. If you'd like to help with this, reply to this email, and we will send you the link to the list.
As always, when we upgrade something on the site, watch out for anything acting not like it should. For those of you with Beyond the Silmarillion permissions, specifically watch out that those fields are functioning correctly. You can reply here or use our contact form to report any issues.
Featured Article
Fandom Chocolate ... or Authors Love Comments by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that authors view comments as driving their motivation to create fanfiction. However, perception of comments by authors is part of a larger shift in fandom around how and how often fans interact with each other.
Art Credit: Exodus by LeucisticPuffin (Tumblr)
New Fanworks
The last son of Feanor by ford_of_bruinen [Writing]
Maglor long after elves have left middle earth
Read more ...Room in the Heart by Dagstjarna [Writing]
Newlywed Indis begins acquainting herself with married life, both its highs and lows.
Read more ...The Parting Birds by Dagstjarna [Writing]
Dior tells Elwing a bedtime story.
Read more ...Burdens Carried, Burdens Shared by Elrond's Library [Writing]
Haleth will break Aredhel’s heart, but not before loving her.
Read more ...Did Somebody Order a Silmaril? by annarobots [Writing]
Eärendil arrives in Valinor with a special delivery. But in this version, it’s not Eönwë who hails him…
Read more ...Updated Fanworks
Darling Enemy by octopus_fool [Writing]
Eärendil thought he would have the sky to himself.
Read more ...Bury Me to Release Your Splendor by annarobots [Writing]
“Do you know what grows on the shores of the southern isles? A trading-merchant might bring many strange specimens to our lands, like nothing I have ever seen. In recent days, I have tasted a ripe fruit with firm flesh that parted beneath my tongue in a burst of liquid sweetness. So moist, so yielding, its juices dripped down my chin like fragrant honey. Have you ever known such succulence?”
Fingon’s wife has arranged a special surprise for the Lord of Himring.
Or: everyone’s cool with a little ethical nonmonogamy until someone throws a temporary sex change into the arrangement. Lord Maedhros loves Fingon with all his heart, that is known. But how will he react to Fingwen?
Read more ...The Day Transcending Night by StarSpray [Writing]
The Rings have been forged. The armies of Mordor are marching into Eriador. Eregion burns.
Far away from it all, by the shores of the Sea, Celegorm remembers his name.
Read more ...From That Rubble by StarSpray [Writing]
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 have much else to do. I need to build something new there,” he said after a few moments. “To do that, I must first clear away the old and broken things.”
Decades out of Mandos, too many things in Fëanor's life remain broken. He can't do anything except wait for his sons to come to him, but he can do something about the old and crumbling house where they once lived.
Read more ...Drabble-poems by Flora-lass [Writing]
All written for SWG instadrabbling sessions/prompts. Updated in October 2026 with Ambarussa, and Firiel.
Read more ...Eä's Redemption by AaronAzrael [Writing]
This is my new poetical attempt to add my own interpretation to Tolkien's Cosmology as to Eru's Creation and the Valar's minds and behind-the-scene providence reasons and mechanisms.. I often review Eä as part of our own world, just in another dimension, this is why I have always seriously thought on the matter who the Ainur are, who Eru is, how he matches our own religious pantheon, and this has been conducted after serious research of many esoteric teachings of our own planet's heritage.
Read more ...Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
IN THE SHIRE-RECKONING by Diane Finnis-Robb [Writing]
-This novel was completed for Hobbit Day 2026 and will be updated in serialized fashion here as I make final edits; so feedback is very much welcome.
-It is a multi-generational novel spanning a period of time from the formation of the Shire to the Great Plague in Year Thirty-six and focuses on the origins of an old feud between the Bucks and the Tooks.
Read more ...For a Better World by Ellynn [Writing]
Thirteen years before the War of the Ring, an orcling — more intelligent and more curious than most — is born in Mordor. His curiosity will lead him to both incredible discoveries and perilous situations, all of which will shape him into a leader unlike any Mordor has ever known. But to become that leader, he must defeat all his rivals, especially the most abhorrent of them all — his enemy since earliest childhood.
Read more ...Around the World and Web
14th International Tolkien Mailing Competition
The Hungarian Tolkien Society invites you to join the international “Quendi” category of the Tolkien Mailing Competition: five rounds of quizzes, riddles and creative tasks. This category is organised in English, open to any individual participant, and also to teams of 2–5 people. The five rounds of the competition will last from November to April.
Glorfindel Week 2026
A Tumblr fandom week dedicated to the elf Glorfindel.
Tolkien Food Week 2026
fandom event from the 2-8th nov 2026 where we share recipes, fics and comfort food for body and soul.
Silmarillion Secret Stockings 2026
A fandom event to celebrate the end of year holidays with prompt-based gifts.
Tolkien Horror Week 2026
Tolkien Horror Week is back for another year of celebrating all the terrifying and unsettling bits of Tolkien's work!
Erestober 2026
An event running throughout October, to show appreciation for Erestor!
