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.
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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 ...
Forbidden Lore
Create a fanwork about knowledge that is considered forbidden or taboo. 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.
Oh, this is wonderful! I've been so bad at commenting on your whole series, but it's been such a delight to read over the last few, rather difficult, months, with the very regular updates. Your writing is so soothing, somehow, even when the subject-matter is anguished, with your beautiful descriptions of scenery and nature and the elements, and so many attempts at comfort. Thank you!
So, I'll try and do better at commenting on these challenge responses. I love the fact that you're producing letters from Feanor to all his sons, and thinking of all the different gifts he makes for them. And it says so much that he wants to send Curufin his imperfect attempts at gem-craft. I'm so glad Curufin eventually follows his heart and goes to see his father - he's been mourning for so long - and the reunion right at the end was lovely. These two really want things to be different this time around, and I hope they'll find it easier together, whatever anyone else thinks.
I really like this insight into Caranthir! How he loves butterflies and flowers and gardens, and loved Thargelion so much but didn't want to be a lord, and more than anything just wants to be a brother (as previously seen in his closeness to Maglor, as well as with Maedhros here). He seems so gentle - apart from when he's angry or feels inadequate.
I'm in awe of how much you write! Looking forward to more letters (although it sounds as though Celegorm may have disposed of his? :( )
I really enjoyed this quiet chapter, with its glimpse into the house in the woods, and the fact that the twins receive separate letters and gifts. It's interesting how Amrod at first isn't sure what to feel, but then starts thinking about seeking out his grandmother - and likes his gift, as Amras does, and appreciates what Feanor has remembered. I'm wondering if they might decide to reply to him?
(And it's great that Celegorm's letter and gift have been rescued...)
I love how calm and reasonable Amras is; how he thinks about everything his brothers did for him when he and Amrod were young, and how he appreciates never having been lonely; how he lets himself cry for a while, but then puts Feanor's gift on display and enjoys it. I'm so glad we get to see Celegorm's arrival, and the warm welcone and practical comfort he receives - Amras and Amrod truly seem to have found peace, and are able and willing to share it, which is such a relief - I love to think of them like this.
These have all be very beautiful to read. I know you were finding the gift for Celegorm hard to work out, but honestly this feels perfect.
Thank you! The problem I was running into with Celegorm is that he's known as a hunter and my mind kept going to thinks like hunting knives or something and I really didn't want Feanor to be making anything close to weaponry, lol. I'm glad the thing I settled on feels right. <3
Oh, poor Celegorm! This is powerful and painful - I feel so bad for him, with everything he's going through and struggling with; Maedhros and Maglor going away, and then actually reading Feanor's letter at last, and all those tears. I like how Feanor compares him to the moon - and the gift is lovely. I hope he can find that thing to focus on, to help him heal - and I really hope you'll write more about him!
You already know how much I liked the other chapters, I think!
I finally got back to Curufin, too, just in time, to catch up as you continue with the series!
It is great how well you managed to integrate those prompts; it feels very much like an integral part of the story you are telling about the brothers and (for want of a better work) their network.
Thank you! I already had this fic on my mind when I went looking through the prompts, and all the ones I picked really helped bring each of the chapters into focus as I wrote them.
It felt integral to me to write this fic just so I could figure out where everyone's at, and something of their individual relationships with Feanor, going into A Hundred Miles Through the Desert, and I'm glad it works for you as a reader as well! <3
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