We are in a busy time of year in the world of Tolkien fanworks, where many big events and challenges are running. Ours are always ongoing, and we wanted to highlight different ways to get inspired and involved in creating for the SWG. Also, if you are doing another (or more than one!) of the bigger events, remember that you can always use our challenge prompts in your fanwork for that event and post with us when the other event allows you to, even if it is past our challenge deadline. Just let us know when you do so that we can give you your stamp!
Our new challenge for August is Kids These Days, a bingo-card challenge filled with prompts centered on those timeless gripes about youngsters that every generation indulges in. You only need to use one prompt to receive the stamp (and the response does not need to be about kids or teens; as always, we encourage you to bend, twist, and loophole the heck out of our prompts to make them work for you), but if you're feeling like someone who can walk uphill both ways in shoes stuffed with newspaper, you can complete rows, columns, or diagonals for special stamps. And if you're so powerful that you can get a job with just a firm handshake and a confident look in the eye and you want to do all the prompts, there is a card blackout stamp too. (Let a mod know if you need one of those stamps.)
We are also looking for help creating prompts for September's Jumble Sale challenge, where you will have your chance to offer up past challenges and prompts to other creators to work their magic! You can offer up to five items "for sale" at the jumble sale by combining past challenges and prompts and even set an additional "price" by adding your own conditions to those prompts. You can send in your prompts for Jumble Sale here.
Finally, Anna (IdleLeaves) hosts instadrabbling every month on the first Saturday. The next session is coming up not next weekend but the weekend after on September 6, 2025 at 6PM/18:00 UTC on our Discord server (find this in my timezone). If you're new to instadrabbling, learn more about this long-running Tolkien fandom creative tradition here.
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
