When I first came into possession of the data from the 2025 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey, one of the questions I was most curious about concerned the impact of the Rings of Power television show. After all, I am a film-first fan myself, so I know firsthand the power of a good media adaptation, and as a historian and researcher into the Tolkien fanfiction fandom, I know the impact of the film adaptations through that lens as well.
Cultus Dispatches is the SWG's monthly column on fandom history and fan studies. This month, I use data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey to get a first look at the impact of The Rings of Power.
And so far ... it isn't much.
But that "so far" carries a lot of weight in that sentence. The 2025 survey was the third iteration of the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey, meaning that we have longitudinal data now across a decade of the fandom's history. Looking at data around the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, the distance afforded by ten-plus years shows that enduring influxes of new authors occur mostly in the years immediately following the trilogies' ends. With three seasons left to go, The Rings of Power is nowhere near the point where previous data would predict an influx in fans.
At the same time, though, the films impacted the Tolkien fandom before they ended, and The Rings of Power isn't showing that same influence. Using Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data. So far.
If you're interested in reading more about the impact of the TV series so far, check out the article "The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far).
I'm also pondering the next direction to head for future research using the survey data. If you use Tumblr, check out the poll here to choose your favorite topic for my next deep dive into the data!
SWG News
Character of the Month: Eönwë
This month's biography focuses on Eönwë, who started with a variety of identities but settled into the role of Manwë's herald, exemplifying the values of strong leadership and justice.
Instadrabbling Sessions for October, November, and December
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New Challenge: Stars
Create a fanwork using star-themed prompts presented in a bingo board format.
Cultus Dispatches: Trends in Fandom Entry Year
The films inspired a lot of fanfiction, yes, but exactly how fanfiction authors interacted with them predicts who remains in the fandom for long durations.
Featured Article
"The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far) by Dawn "Felagund" Walls-Thumma
The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film trilogies mark perhaps the most influential events in the history of the Tolkien fanfiction fandom. As the Rings of Power show approaches its third season, data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows that it is not even close to matching the impact of the films ... yet.
Art by Jillvalart (Instagram)
New Fanworks
This Last Shadow by Fuin [Writing]
Even under the renewed Light of the Trees, after the Last Battle has been fought, Darkness has not fully passed from this world.
Read more ...Menelmacar (Extended Edition) by Fuin [Multimedia]
At the end of time, Beleg sets out on a search for Túrin once more. Menelmacar shines brightly in the sky.
Accompanied by additional snippets of the lore Beleg studied in the Library of Alqualondë.
Read more ...A Handful of Seawater and a Cheekful of Salt by Isilme_among_the_stars [Writing]
The last of the Elven ships are sailing and Maglor’s feet are restless. In the surreal version of reality his mind supplies there are ghosts to wrestle and hard truths to confront. In Tol Eressëa, Nerdanel swallows her own hurts in order to care for her son.
Written for TRSB 2026 Art #114: In Ammë's embrace once more as part of a collaboration with tomefaired based on their absolutely gorgeous cosplay, which can be found in the last chapter and here.
Read more ...Menelmacar by Fuin [Artwork]
At the end of time, Beleg sets out on a search for Túrin once more. Menelmacar shines brightly in the sky.
Read more ...A Quiet Moment by StarSpray [Writing]
“Are you not warmer than you’ve ever been, right here?”
Read more ...Another Name for The Sickle by Himring [Writing]
In the library of Imladris, Erestor copies a manuscript and has thoughts about the Valacirca, the Sickle of the Valar.
Read more ...In the Gardens of Lórien by gaydhros [Writing]
“Can you wait that long?” Findekáno asks.
“Yes,” snaps Maitimo , though in truth he is not so sure. His bladder is ridiculously full, swollen and aching, jostling around uncomfortably with every step he takes. It takes a concerted effort of will not to squirm around awkwardly or grab himself between the legs each time the urgency spikes. He glances at Findekáno. “Stop enjoying this so much.”
***
The Gardens of Lórien are one place in Aman Maitimo absolutely, unequivocally, cannot piss. He will have to find a creative solution to this predicament.
Read more ...Updated Fanworks
The Skin of Your Mother Before You by gaydhros [Writing]
But Aredhel knew better than her mother; she was stronger, she was more willful, she was enlightened. She would not make the same mistakes Anairë had made. She would find a way to do it all differently.
***
Re-embodied in Aman, Aredhel struggles to come to terms with all that has changed, and all that has not.
Read more ...The Day Transcending Night by StarSpray [Writing]
The Rings have been forged. The armies of Mordor are marching into Eriador. Eregion burns.
Far away from it all, by the shores of the Sea, Celegorm remembers his name.
Read more ...From That Rubble by StarSpray [Writing]
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 have much else to do. I need to build something new there,” he said after a few moments. “To do that, I must first clear away the old and broken things.”
Decades out of Mandos, too many things in Fëanor's life remain broken. He can't do anything except wait for his sons to come to him, but he can do something about the old and crumbling house where they once lived.
Read more ...Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Sun on the Daisies by StarSpray [Writing]
“Oh.” Frodo’s voice was soft, almost more sigh than sound. “Sam, look.”
Read more ...IN THE SHIRE-RECKONING by Diane Finnis-Robb [Writing]
-This novel was completed for Hobbit Day 2026 and will be updated in serialized fashion here as I make final edits; so feedback is very much welcome.
-It is a multi-generational novel spanning the fgormation of the Shire to the Great Plague Year Thirty-six and focuses on the origins of an old feud between the Bucks and the Tooks.
Read more ...For a Better World by Ellynn [Writing]
Thirteen years before the War of the Ring, an orcling — more intelligent and more curious than most — is born in Mordor. His curiosity will lead him to both incredible discoveries and perilous situations, all of which will shape him into a leader unlike any Mordor has ever known. But to become that leader, he must defeat all his rivals, especially the most abhorrent of them all — his enemy since earliest childhood.
Read more ...Around the World and Web
Curufinrod Day 2026
Curufinrod Day welcomes fan creations centering any iteration of the relationship between Curufin and Finrod through the ages.
Erestober 2026
An event running throughout October, to show appreciation for Erestor!
