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.
Founded in 2005, the Silmarillion Writers' Guild exists for discussions of and creative fanworks based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion and related texts. We are a positive-focused and open-minded space that welcomes fans from all over the world and with all levels of experience with Tolkien's works. Whether you are picking up Tolkien's books for the first time or have been a fan for decades, we welcome you to join us!
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
“What did you do to your hair?”
[Writing] A Song Amidst His Torment by Elrond's Library
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 ...
Holiday Feast
A multi-course "feast" of prompts for writing, artwork, reading, commenting, and meta. 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
Smoke rises from the Mirror, where the Lady of Lothlórien awaits to share its visions.
[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.
I liked the focus on Tyelkormo and Macalaure here--they did not even have a dialogue together in the book and it was great to read about how they could possibly interact with each other. (In my personal "universe", I never did imagine either of them enjoying the metal smithing of their father.) And I agree that although they "excel" in their particular interests and are driven by the same fiery passion for those interests, they are the least like Fëanor.
I enjoyed reading this and was especially touched by how much their father's approval means to them. I could list a dozen things as to why they followed their Father and swore an Oath with him and his approval is one of the possible reasons.
Very, very clever and poignant. The two brothers couldn't be more different - but they're exactly the same when it comes to their difficult relationships with their brilliant, demanding father.
I really like this story. The following line, especially, struck a chord:
"I believe that I learned to name my emotions based on Macalaurë’s songs, for--according to Atar, anyway--I had trouble as a young child putting abstract thoughts into words."
I actually read this story a while ago, and that line's always stuck with me. It's just a really neat insight into someone's head, and one I can relate to.
I also really like how unintentional all this heartache is on Feanaro's part. He's just really not trying at all to be hurtful, and yet his sons are in tears over even seemingly small actions.
Anyway, I wanted to let you know I liked this, and a lot of your other stories as well, because I read something you posted on tumblr about how discouraging lack of reviews can be for some authors. I hadn't ever thought of it that way, so now I'm trying to review stories I read and go back and review some of the ones I remember enjoying. And since I like your stories, I figured I should definitey let you know.
Um. I'll stop babbling at you now. Great story! Thank you for writing it.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting! It's funny, in the context of the Tumblr conversation, because this is a story that's never gotten a lot of attention, comments-wise, and so I assumed was one of my weaker pieces. So I very much appreciate knowing that it did strike a chord for someone. :)
A lot of my Feanor stories are based a lot on my dad, who is likewise a perfectionist, not always the kindest in expressing himself, and rather cutting-edge in his skills, being trained as a printer/typesetter but an early adopter of computers and home computers specifically. I used to get scolded as a kid for choosing ugly fonts or not folding my handmade greeting cards correctly! I don't know that my dad, like Feanor, truly understood how miserable he made my sister and me sometimes. Perhaps that's why I've always related to the Feanorian boys. :)
Thank you again and best wishes for a happy New Year!
You write family dynamics so well! Another tale of feanorian brothers that I loved and found very realistic and well-done. We always end up loving in some manner those of our blood. I am glad that Maglor and Celegorm found a point of connection, even if it is one that brings them sadness. Great tale!
Thank you, Talullah! Family dynamics among the Finwions have rather become my bread and butter over the last decade. :D I'm glad this worked for you! In most of my other stories, Celegorm drives Maglor crazy (or they are just simply at odds with each other, when they are older), so they needed to have a pleasant moment for once. Thank you again for reading and commenting on my stories--I really appreciate it! :)
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Comments on In the Town Called Acceptance
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