Last week, we held two instadrabbling sessions on our Discord server that, togther, totalled about ten hours of creating and sharing fanworks together. (Check the New Fanworks list below to find many of them!) Live events are always really fun, and last week was no exception.

If you enjoy live events on our Discord server, we want to encourage you to consider hosting one! The quote in this week's newsletter title comes from the Ainulindalë and speaks to the power of many minds and hands building something together. The SWG moderators host live events a couple of times per year, but these are typically oriented toward SWG events. However, we welcome events hosted by members and, if you have an idea for an event, are here to support you in making it happen!

What types of events do we host on our server? Of course, there is instadrabbling. While instadrabbling has a traditional format, we welcome hosts to completely abandon it if they want. If you'd like to organize an impromptu micro-fanworks creation session, whether open-ended or themed, consider hosting an instadrabbling session! Also note that the #instadrabbling channel on our Discord server is always open for impromptu sessions as well.

We've also hosted fanfiction book clubs in the past where we gather and discuss fanworks written about a specific topic, character, pairing, genre, or theme. Book clubs are positive-focused discussion groups that read fanfiction as literary (or literary criticism) and offer the chance to take a deep-dive into what makes a story tick.

Finally, we also host live readings of fanworks in our stage channel. Again, these sessions can be built around a theme, can be open-ended, or take an open-mic approach (or a mix of the aforementioned). In all cases, we hope to both encourage the creation of more Tolkien-based fanworks and showcase the beautiful, thought-provoking, an entertaining work our members create.

In all instances, the SWG moderators support hosts as needed with promotions and logistics. While you will primarily plan and host your event, we're always available behind the scenes to offer assistance when and where needed. We are also happy to help first-time hosts with the questions and worries that always arise when trying something like this for the first time!

Most events are held on our Discord server, but the SWG also has a Zoom account. And if you have an idea for an event that doesn't fit any of the above, let us know what you're thinking, and we'll help if we can to make it happen. If you're interested in hosting an event, reply to this email or reach out using any of our usual contacts!