Instadrabbling Sessions for October, November, and December
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
SWG News
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.
Character of the Month: Marach
There are few details in the texts about Marach, but he is noteworthy for his allegiances and his descendants, who would become pivotal to the history of Middle-earth and the eventual defeat of Morgoth and Sauron.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] The Tower Watcher by Diane Finnis-Robb
This is a draft of one of nine short stories set within the Tolkien Legendarium, each recounting a possible origin for one of the Nine Mortal Men corrupted by the rings of Sauron.
[Writing] Where I can't follow you by Novenoe
Eärendil and Elwing reflect upon their personal and political future during a very long and intimate night
[Writing] Only a Trace by Elrond's Library
Indis visits Formenos in the aftermath of the Darkening
[Writing] On Tides of Light by potorov
On Tides of Light, Antariëarcalindalë, begins with Elwing's arrival upon the shores of Eldamar after her flight from the ruins of Sirion. After Eärendil goes alone into Valinor, Elwing is brought to Alqualondë. Rather than hurrying toward the celestial ascent of Vingilot, the core of…
[Writing] A Thousand Winds that Blow by StarSpray
When uneasy dreams bring him back into Beleriand, Daeron finds a pair of twins who have lost their home, and an enemy who has lost himself. The Shadow's reach is growing ever longer, and if they are to survive, they must do it together.
[Writing] Last Year's Bitter Loving by StarSpray
Finarfin was always tired, but suddenly he was exhausted, just by this conversation. It would just go in circles if they let it, neither of them willing to concede to the other. He didn’t have the words for what he really wanted to say—and even if he did he wouldn’t say them. They would be a…
[Writing] How Fire Holds What It Burns by gaydhros
On an evening of late summer, in the shining hour of the mingling, Prince Curufinwë Fëanáro strides into Taniquetil’s teeming festival halls with the new-wrought Silmarils blazing upon his brow. That night, fire consumes Findaráto’s dreams.
***
Finrod struggles under the weight of…
Current Challenge
Stars
Construct a fanwork using star-themed prompts in a bingo card format. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Inventions
Consider an item or technology and use a fanwork to describe or explain its invention by the people of Arda. Read more ...
New in References
Speak Friend and Enter: Trends in Fandom Entry Year by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
There are few details in the texts about Marach, but he is noteworthy for his allegiances and his descendants, who would become pivotal to the history of Middle-earth and the eventual defeat of Morgoth and Sauron.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] For a Better World by Ellynn
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…
[Writing] Under Agate Skies by Isilme_among_the_stars
Erestor finds himself thrust into adventure when Elrond requests his company escorting Arwen to Minas Tirith after the War of the Ring is won. All too aware of the chronic illness that has bound his friend to Rivendell for the past several centuries, Glorfindel has some concerns. Erestor, aware…
[Artwork] A Memento of Faery by Grundy
TRSB26 art 144 - an artifact brought back from Faerie by a Starbearer.
Around the World and Web
Erestober 2026
An event running throughout October, to show appreciation for Erestor!
Silm Smut Week 2026
Silm Smut Week is a Tumblr event celebrating sexually explicit fanworks.
LotR Week 2026
A week-long event for The Lord of the Rings
Finwëan Ladies Week 2026
Finwëan Ladies Week will run from September 21-27, 2026!
Finwean Sibblings Prompt Fest 2026
A prompt-based fandom event aiming to focus on celebrating Finwë's children: Fëanor, Findis, Fingolfin, Lalwen, & Finarfin - ships, gen relationships, or character-centric
Only a Trace by Elrond's Library
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Only a Trace
prompts: ♥ silence, thunder, guilt, secrets ♥ I roam these halls, search the night, in hopes that I may see / a remnant, trace, a glimpse of you
Formenos is a ruin, Shadow lingering in ever corner, every crevasse. Indis picks her way through the rubble, carefully placing her feet as to not trip over stones and broken tiles and the shattered wood of doors too weak to stand against Melkor’s wrath.
She reaches the main hall. It is still, silent, a tomb holding all the potential of the Noldor, twisted by secrets and hatred.
Her heart thunders in her chest, but she cannot hear it above her guilt. The shouted words of their parting echo in her heart.
Finwë’s blood is a stain upon the cracked floor.
