Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
SWG News
New Challenge: Famous Last Words
For our March challenge, our moderators will assign you a famous last line to use as a prompt.
New Challenge: Title Track
Tolkien's titles range from epic to lyrical to metaphorical. This month's challenge selected 125 of them as prompts for fanworks.
Our Annual Amnesty Challenge: New Year's Resolution
Start 2026 off with creativity! If you missed a challenge or didn't get to finish or post a challenge fanwork, complete any 2025 challenge before 15 February to receive the stamp.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] A Hundred Miles Through the Desert by StarSpray
“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…
[Writing] Stone by Anne Wolfe
A poem of a stone from the ruins of Hollin. Inspired by the prompt "The Hills Are Old".
[Writing] Though All Things Fail and Come to Naught by Artano
In the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach, an elf searches for survivors amongst the ruins of a town. The horrors he sees make him struggle to find hope in an ever-darkening world.
[Writing] A Constellation Called Gondolin by sh3rry95
Eärendil does not remember Gondolin. As he grows up, he tries to reconstruct it through the stories of those who once lived there; yet every memory is different, shaped by the grief of those who lost it. Thus the city becomes a constellation of versions that can never truly be held together.…
[Writing] Una costellazione chiamata Gondolin by sh3rry95
Eärendil non ricorda Gondolin. Crescendo cerca di ricostruirla attraverso i racconti di coloro che vi dimorarono; ma ogni memoria è diversa, segnata dal dolore di chi l’ha perduta. Così la città diventa una costellazione di versioni impossibili da tenere insieme.
Scritto per Title Track…
[Writing] Eä's Redemption by AaronAzrael
This is my new poetical attempt to add my own interpretation to Tolkien's Cosmology as to Eru's Creation and the Valar's minds and behind-the-scene providence reasons and mechanisms.. I often review Eä as part of our own world, just in another dimension, this is why I have always seriously…
[Writing] Not Entirely Forgotten by Elrond's Library
Gimli sipped at his tea. “Knowledge, Master Elrond, for your library is known far and wide for its vast collection of works dating to the the time before Sun and Moon, and all that came after.” Gimli smiled. “Alas, I seek even older knowledge.”
Current Challenge
Famous Last Words
Use a noteworthy last line to inspire your fanwork. Read more ...
Random Challenge
April's Fool
Create a fanwork in which a character tricks or plays a prank on another. Read more ...
New in References
Grief, Grieving, and Permission to Mourn in the "Quenta Silmarillion" by Dawn Walls-Thumma
In a book as full of death as the Quenta Silmarillion, grief and mourning are surprisingly absent. The characters who receive grief and mourning—and those who don't—appear to do so due to narrative bias. Grief and mourning (or a lack of them) serve to draw attention toward and away from objectionable actions committed by characters.
Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation by Cynthia (Cindy) Gates
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the parallels between the concept of abnegation in the scientific work surrounding the atomic bomb and in The Silmarillion. The relinquishment of self-interest in favor of the interests of others, abnegation was identified by Tolkien as a powerful act of spirit and reason. The legendarium has many examples of the complexities of abnegation, which parallel similar discussions held by physicists during and after World War II.
Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel by JazTheBard
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the many similarities between Tolkien's three "twilight children," Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel (Luthien, Maeglin, and Arwen) in terms of appearance, plot, and cultural background. Yet these three characters play very different roles in the text.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] here you will dwell, bound to your grief by Elrond's Library
Arwen grieves, and loves.
[Writing] Faramir's Verse by losselen
“Come, Faramir. Let us not stand in ceremony. I think words are due between you and I, and not only those between a King and his Steward.”
Faramir has speech with Gandalf and his King.
[Writing] In a Hole in the Ground... by StarSpray
“There’s a goblin hiding in the taters, Dad!” Pippin hefted the pan, which was much too big for him to carry, let alone wield.
Around the World and Web
Feanorian Week 2026
A week dedicated to celebrating to the Sons of Feanor (and their parents) on Tumblr
March Challenge - Tolkien Short Fanworks
Tolkien Short Fanworks is running a challenge for the month of March to create a Back to Middle-earth Month themed challenge.
Tolkien Fashion Week 2026
This two-week-long Tumblr event is dedicated to honoring the world of fashion and textiles Tolkien wrote about in his books.
Celegorm and Curufin Week 2026
Celegorm and Curufin Week is a Tumblr week celebrating the relationship between Celegorm and Curufin Feanorion
Sanctury Revisited by Anérea
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Sanctury Revisited
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“Stop the car!” Elrond exclaimed from the back seat. “That wetland makes a perfect photo!”
Gil rolled his eyes, although he acknowledged it might present an opportunity to get Erestor out of the driver’s seat.
“You’ve just taken a photo minutes ago,” Erestor protested, not slowing.
“Probably wants another cigarette,” muttered Gil.
“Flamingoes!” Glorfindel interjected. "Look!"
“Where?” asked Erestor, practically slamming the brakes.
“Oh, so you’ll stop for Glory!” Gil and Elrond complained in unison.
Glorfindel ignored them both, simply pointing to where a sunbeam slipped over the mountain onto the water. "There."
“I’ll stay with the car,” Gil said as the others followed Elrond, already taking up his photographer’s stance near the water’s edge. The birds, fortunately, appeared unconcerned by his presence.
They watched in silence for a while, then Erestor murmured, “Reminds me of when we met.”
“Mmm, me too,” replied Glorfindel.
“Seemed like our story would just keep writing itself.”
Just then a peal of laughter rang out. Turning, they saw a petite blond woman walking past with a knowing smile. Erestor watched with a quizzical expression as she strolled on along the shore, the setting sun giving her a golden halo as if she were an ethereal presence, just visiting.
“Do you ... feel like we should know her?” Erestor asked softly.
"Mmm-hm. Somehow, I do.”
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Chapter End Notes
Inspired by the Tolkien Short Fanworks February 2023 Keiliss-inspired theme to create a piece featuring Glorfindel and/or Erestor, with a bonus prompt element of a flamingo, in honour of Kei's last, sadly uncompleted but very substantial WIP, The Pink Flamingo, which is nonetheless very worth reading. The formal challenge was to write something involving the number 19, her birthday. I chose to write 219 words for February 19th. I had taken a number of photos of these flamingoes as they took flight so I combined them into a panorama showing 19 birds.
