As we approach our twentieth birthday, we have become a group that does a lot. We hold online events, including our monthly challenges, publish articles and a weekly newsletter, maintain an SWG presence on three social media sites, and of course keep an archive that welcomes all types of fanworks about The Silmarillion. Enter the semi-regular reminder that none of this stuff does itself and that our team of volunteers is what keeps it happening!
If you enjoy the SWG and want to show your appreciation, one of the best ways is by getting involved as a volunteer. We don't collect donations but do rely on people-power to keep the group running.
Our volunteers page contains an up-to-date listing of roles we're currently looking for. In addition, with our Mereth Aderthad hybrid event coming up next July, we're looking for volunteers willing to help plan the event and at the event itself. If you're interested, hit REPLY here and we'll get you started!
Volunteer roles vary as to whether they are long-term (such as the Around the World and Web editor role that's been open for almost three years now!) or one-off (such as writing an article for the newsletter). Time commitments vary also, but important to know that we understand that our volunteers have lives, families, jobs, school, and community commitments that need to take priority. Our volunteers are backed by a moderator team (also volunteers!) who are able to step in to cover or assist when volunteers need time off.
Finally, a thank you to our current volunteers: our moderators Russandol, Grundy, Lyra, Suzelle, Janeways, and Angelica. Shadow manages our social media accounts (which is my least favorite things to do, so I send out waves of gratitude each week at least when posts appear as though by magic). Our art editors are Anérea and Varda delle Stelle, and they ensure that each article for the newsletter has a gorgeous work of art to go with it. Newsletter writers within the past year(ish ... because I like to acknowledge people!) have been Simon J. Cook, Anérea, Melesta, LadySternchen, Cuarthol, Rhunedhel, Himring, and firstamazon. This year's challenge banner artists are Grundy, Cuarthol, Independence1776, and Zdenka. Istari for our Discord server are firstamazon and Nienna. Inclusivity committee members, who help us navigate some of the toughest and most important questions we face so that all people feel welcome and wanted here, are Independence1776, Shadow, Elwin Fortuna, and UnnamedElement. And our Mereth Aderthad planners are Quente, Aprilertuile, Shadow, Gryph, Independence1776, and Zhie.
If anyone is left off, it is purely an oversight on my part! Please let me know so that I can write a correction for a later edition of the newsletter.
And again, if you'd like to join this group of much-appreciated volunteers, check out our volunteers page or click REPLY and let us know!
SWG News
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 Lúthien. 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 Bëor stop for a while on the road to Nargothrond to rest. The bodies of the Secondborn often grow weary, and Finrod laments, massaging Bëor's back and renewing his beloved's vigor with the work of his hands. But Finrod has other burdens of his own, Bëor 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 ...The Long Arm of the Law by by Elrond's Library [Writing]
Turgon cannot be above the law.
Read more ...Updated Fanworks
Despair and Shadows by by octopus_fool [Writing]
Haleth leaves to find her brother, even though her father does not permit her to.
Read more ...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 ...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 Lórien, Maglor and Maedhros are ready to return to their family and to make something new with their lives--but to move forward, all of Fëanor'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 Lothlórien 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
Crablor Day
A day dedicated to everyone's favourite warcriminal crustacean - April 26, 2026
